Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-04-08
For the Belmont Chronicle.
The County Infirmary.
BELLAIRE, O., April ), Is

EDITOR CHRONICLE-I paid visit
a few days since to our County Infirma-
ry, and thought perhaps the readers of
your valuable paper would not object
to hear what | saw, and what / knew
before, respecting the Institutional
place that our citizens can point toi
with unfeigned pride and admiration
one endurable monument of their
charity and benevolence.
No county can boast of more impo-
sing structure, and from the happy and
contented appearance of the inmates,
we would not hesitate in saying that
the Superintendent (by the way a.
courteous and genial gentleman) is the
right man in the right place. He takes
great pleasure in showing one all that
is to be seen, and it is really treat
to go through the vast building of five
stories, containing one hundred and
eleven rooms-everythiug seems to be
in perfect order. There is a place for
everything, and everything in its
pl ce. To one who visited there years
ago, how marked the change. Now,
everything is neatness and cleanliness,
and in perfect keeping with good or
der. There are great many children
in the institution, and through the in
domitable perseverance and untiring
energy of Sup't Lowe, a school has
been established for their benefit, I'M
der his supervi ion.
The hospital is apart from the main
building, and has been built with an
eye to healthfulness, being we'll venti-
lated and lighted. But we are happy
to state that it is of little use just now,
AS there is no sickness whatever among
the inmates. The insane building is
also separated from the other, and re-
fleets great credit upon the architect,
whoever he was. Here are confined
all those who are non cOmpOs mentiS, or
who disohey The mild and easily obey
ed laws laid down by the Superinten-
dent. Mr.. Lowe is making active
preparations for farming-the imple-
..ments are being Gverhauled and put in
order, ready for vigorous war upon
the weeds and grass. The farm is
large, and one of the best in that Sec
ton of the county.
Now l have told you what sa,C-
let me tell you what l kne,0s be-
fore. The Directors of the institution
have taken into their own hands many
of the duties devulving upon the Sup't
such as the purchase of clothing, gro
ceries, in fact everything that is pur-
chased. It does seem that the Sup't
Of all Others, wOull know better than
any one else the wants of the inmates.
He is certainly as competent As any one
within our knowledge, having had
large experience in the business before
he took charge here. Can it be that
they consider him incompetent to at
tend to these things, or is it to bring
about an extra meeting for the purpose
of completing unfinished business"
We fear that this is the case;
whereas, if all this was left to
the Superinlen leEt these ''extra
d iys" would not app ar charged on the
books so often. We regret to lose faith
in our Directors, or place them in an
unfaverable light before the public, |
because we expected to pick from
among them some one who we could
and UOui,i blace in better and more re- |
munerative positions. But justice de-
mandS that the trnth should be known.
| write from no selfish or personal mo-
tive, but for the good of my fellow cit
iz,ns at large. What we suggest, and
what we all know would be right, ac-
cording to custom everywhere, Is for
the Directors tn leave all this purcha-
sing business to the Superintendent,
thereby taking Il first, and gigantic
stride in the way Of reduction of eX-
penses, which they delight in asking
for, stating upon all available occasions
that the expense of the institution is
40 heavy. Let them do this, and a
whole community will co imend them
for their honesty and good sense, as
they did the members of Congress who
so generously returned the 5000 ap-
Let me again assure all who may
feel that they are personally alluded
to i'm this letter, that no motive of SCI
tishness, bigotry or politics has prompt
ed me in thus writing; but | am only
the sentiments of every fair
minded man in the county, who has
become aware of the state of thlngS;- !
and would further state that it has I
become the theme of general conversa- |
ton among many. G
Let us hope for reform in this mat
Ter. May our worthy Directors take
he matter in hand Mt once-discover
heir error, and bring about the reform
It once, thereby retaining the conf.
ience of the community. t
TAX PAYER. r