Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-10-01

have ful power, ana III Is tnelr uuty 70
do whatever Is necessary for the welfare
Of those under their care.
The new officials undoubtedly applied
themselves vigorously 10 keep down ex-
penditures, as the cost per annum did
not exceed $40, 600 or $4,000, salaries
included, while it remained near the
city, although the number Of inmates
gradually increased
The idea occurred TO some Of the mag
istrates That this increase was owing 10
the facility Of access Afforded by the
place being in the city's vicinity, aud
that if removed to the country there
would be less applicants seeking its ben
efts, and it could be made more selfsus.
tanning. Accordingly this idea was car
ried out; tor $1,000 a farm OF eighty
acres was purchased, located on the Old
Raleigh road, six miles from Memphis,
but the result thus far has not been sue
cessful or hattering.
A considerable outlay had to be in
Cured to repair the main house. The
worthless old out-houses had to be torn
down and new buildings erected to ac-
commodate the inmates, whose number
still continued to augment, despite the.
removal from town. The expense in
creased also. Stock had to be bought
aud bands hired to work the farm, the
inmates being unable, aud when they
get able they generally leave. An am
balance, wagon. team and teamster
must be kept TO transport the sick and
the supplies from the city. The land
for the most part is very thin and poor,
aud has not been well cultivated. Dur
ing the first year on the place the cost
necessarily advanced considerable, in
consequence OF having to supply new
outfit not before required, and much Of
the old outfit had to be repaired or re-
placed by new, and everything adjusted
to suit the new place. The insane, in
the middle Of the first year, were trans
ferred there, and proper outfits had TO
be supplied for their care, as well as
quarters to keep them in. AS the sec,
ond year passed away IL was expected
that the expenses would rapidly dimin-
ish and continue SO to do thenceforward.
Hogs, cattle, sheep aud poultry were to
be raised and tended, supplying the
meat, milk aud butter required for use,
aud the snrplus soldt to buy other things
needed. From the land plenty Of escu-
Tents were to be raised for tie occupants,
and fodder, corn and grain for the stock
aud poultry; bat. unfortunately, the
oonrt, at its session in January, 1874,
again changed the commission The
new one was unfortunate in the selection
Of It's chairman, who, by bis misconduct,
threw things back greatly; he resigned,
however, aud another was appointed in
his stead. The commissioner were nov
all good men. but from want of experi-
ence in the management Of such %institu-
tons, their efforts looking to the s%elfsus-
t%enance OF the place appear to have been
fr1itless, as the cost WIS about the same
as the first year, $4,000 or $4,000
There was a new superintendent this
year also.
The court nov took occasion to reduce
the superintendent salary from $1,000
to $500, the intention, it seems, being to
require the physician to compound, label
and administer his own prescriptions;
all Of which previously was done By the
superintendent, the doctor only visiting
the place every other day or 80. Thus
relieved, the supeFintendent's duty
would be reduced over one half, ! and
ample time given him to attend to the
farm and garden, and the county save
the sum Of 5000 This did not last long.
There is now a druggist employed to aid
the physician who, il competent, must
have q salary Of $1,000 at least; so the
county, instead OF saving $500, expends
$500 per annum more on this item than
before the so-cailed reduction.
AS there was a change of management
Except the physician 10 January, 1874,
with nc material beDefts, so also the
court made another change, with the
same exception last January, with re.
suits not much better than before, so far,
though the commissioners are good men
who undoubtedly exert themselves to-
carry out what they deem best for the
welfare Of the inmates and the interests
Of the county; and yet satisfaction does
not seesa 70 Sc fell by either the inmates
or the public. Why is this7 One rea.
son, to some extent, may lie 10 the selec-
ton of all new men as commissioners
each yesr1 Itwonld be better to elect
only one or two nev commissioners each
year, elecung one Of the old board over,
who sho1ld be chairman Of the new
board to instruct 10 the de,ails of the
management In the details likely is
to be found the sOurce of all the trouble.
Having referred to the main points down
10 the present, there are a few features
deserving a moment attention. The
law directs that the court shall annually
ELECT three commissioners of the poor,
and clothes them with absolute power 10
purchase, build or improve the houses
and lands OF the asylum. They may
lease, contract or farm out the sameand
its inmates, or they may run it them
selves, without awaiting the advice Of.
the court; yet they refer everything they
can to the courtto avoid a little respon-
sibility. This policy causes things to
drag slowly along without any positive
yigor. They should take prompt action
upon any subject hat may arise, as the
Law not only intends but directs they
should. This conrse would certainly i'm
prove the eoaditoa OF affairs. TIE
commissioners have always chosen to.
conduct and run it themselves, deeming
that course the most humane, as con-
tractors aud others could have no other
object than to make money in taking il.
and stint, neglect or i~ll-treat the poor In.
mates accordingly. What care they to
rob charity Il Il is money 10 theml The
/ commission ought TO be able to run i as
cheaply as any one, consistent With the
comfort Of iis inmates.
The election by the court Of o physi-
clan, and for which there is no law, 10
unwise, as it tends to make things anon
alous. The commissioner feel that they
have but little control over him, being
elected by the court independently Of
a -