Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-05-06
for the management and appointments
OF the jstI.


IACH''y an courtesy shown ne IN our eX-
@-.uInation or ths premises. The num-
Der Of Inmates on the day Of our visit
Vsss one hundred and seventeen-men,
women and children. This number va
Tes daily. Those who enjoy the COM
} forts Of home know but little OF the dis
tTes5 that one meets at every turn there.
Nearly sill the diseases are represented
in the poor humanity gathered there.
The deaf dumb, lame, blind, scrofulous,
idiot and maniac have here their vic
time. Tne poor woman in the throes Of
maternity often seeks there
lodging, to hide her shame aud
misfortune. Poverty and disease
often does its work by the time the in
mate is in the poorhonse, and be goes to
enrich the county undertaken. We un-
hesitstiDgly commend the superintend-
ency of DR.. Duncan, who, we believe,
does ell be can to alleviate the sufferings
OF the unfortunate ones who are COM
PEELED TO go there. His duties are afdu-
Gus and complicated, and he should be
paid the highest salary the county can
afford. His services sr6 invaluable.
We found few chronic grumblers there,
men who have grown morOse and dis
contented, and the kindest attention
failed to satisfy them. We spent some
time in the kitchen examining the quail
ity and quantity of food furnished, and
found it ample and full enough, and the
inmates have no just reasons TO be dis
satisfied with their quarters, bedding and
food. Not having sent word Of our in
tended visit, We we're not favored with
dinner, and consequently did not have
the pleasure of enjoying one of those
fine meals said to have been furnished
to visitors in the "0etter days Of the in
/ ,AsA L,lg 10,
sioner5 should be Endorsed and strength
eped in all their efforts (when exercised
! in due bounds) to make the pOorh0Use q
! comfortable home for all those whom
misfortune sends there. We see 40 good
reason why the pOorhouse may not in
| time, in great measure, become self
! supporting. They are now using the
labor Of ali inmates able to do work, aud
will probably raise q large amount Of veg
| etahles this year. We recommend that !
| the honorable county court make apprO- |
| priatiOns from time TO time to manure
! the grounds, which have become ex-
| hsusted by fifty years of cultivation. A |
small amount, say fifty dOllsrs, should |
| be expended each year for choice fruit |
| trees, and we think the health of the in |
mates would be improved, and the |
| finances Of the institution be increased |
! COWS there, much reduced on account of |
want and inattention. A few more |
should be bought and sent out, good |
common COVE, none of the fancy kind, |
and good wholesome food should be pro- |
Vided for them, and not suffer them to |
exc out miserable and starved exist |
ence / the woods.
THE INSANE.
Before closing this part of our report,
we wish to refer to the insane, twenty |
five of whom were confined there on the
day of our visit. II is shame for our
State that quarters are not furnished for
theIn in our regular insane asylum, |
where they eau be treated and cared for /
by those who understand the peculiar
ities OF their disease. DR.. Duncan does
not arrogste, nor claim the experience |
to treat them, and he informs US that |
this class of patients are increasing with
him.
STATIONHOUSE.
We found the stationhouse as neat
and cIeanly kept IS any old dilapidated
building could we'll be. five live, we
will suggest in the yesr 1900, when the
city shall have recovered (if ever from
her depression and NlcolsOn pavement |
debt, that there should be erected, not
but many other public Luldipgs now
much needed.
CITY HOSPITAL.
We found this institution in excellent
condition, in charge OF DR.. Thornton
and his able assistant, DR.. Ford. The
rooms, beds and bedding, presented
neat and pleasant appearance, and
everything seems to be done to relieve
et. Ia Af7o nF |
ton for the perfect system devised and
carried out in the city hospital. We
were directed to look into the san
itsry condition of the city, but not be-
ing physicians and chemists, we have
concluded to leave that duty TO Health
Officer DR.. John Erskine, '.Who seems
to be doing his duty" and we believe in
dieting well enongh 9lOne."
REVENUE OFFICERS.
We nave paid our respects to all the
revenue officials OF our county, and find
everything working harmOniously ard
smoothly. We regret that We have not
had that time 10 bestOw in the exani-
nation of the officers Of the different
courts, etc, in cur county, as the inter-
esis involved demanded. To do justice
to such an undertaking would require a
months steady work. We learn from
the honorable chairman Of the county
court thst all the officers are making
promptly their monthly settlements
with him. SO systematized is the man.
sgement Of the able chairman, Tom HOl-
man, IT,, that there is bat little chance
for Shelby county to be cursed again
with defalcaLions. Shelby county never
had more polite, able and intelligent Of
ficials than she now bas, and the plan
= Il NINTl
settlements, is a publication long need
ed in official lie. In examining the
bonds we find some OF them that need
ed STRENGTHENING, and have Te'eued the
matter to the proper heads, which we
hope will be attended 10 without delay.
The debt of the county, April 26, 1876,
wss S49a, 923 10, which was an increase
over the previous year OF SS94l 20. The
honorable chairman thinks the debt
will be greatly lessened during the pres
ant wear, and all OF the outstanding
scrip will BE- redeemed and Cancelled IN
payment of taxes, 50 that the county
hereafter can receive cash and pay cash
for everything. To make doubly sure
that the interests OF the county are thor
ouehIy protected, we would recommend
th4t the honorable chairman OF ths
county court, at the January and July
county court the names OF three number
one business men and accountants, who
vii, serve at least thirty days in the ex-
animation Of the accounts Of sll the
officials in our county; that they be paid
such salary as will justify them in lesv-
ing their business, and that they be
nominated Dy the chairman and con-
firmed by the honorable county court,
and make report TO the chairman OF the
county court on completion OF their Ia
bOTs each term.
PESTHOUSE.
We have not visited the pesthouse,
hut learn it is under good management.
We are not acclimsted in that particular
local ty, aud therefore beg leave to re-
port from hearsay.
THE wORKHoUsE ON PRESIDENTS
ISLAND.
A committee from our body visited
the county workhouse on Presidents
island on the fourth of May, and made |
8 very careful examination Of the prem