Saint Mary's beacon., 1877-09-06
DIR. CnAxCELLoR's REpoRT.-W

DIR. CHASCELLOR's REPoRT.-We
arc in receipt Of pamphlet copy Of DR..
Chancellor's Report on the Public
Charities, Refcrmatories, Prisons, Aims
houses," etc. Of the State of MARYLAND,
for which our thanks arc rendered.
Having made in previous issue Of our
PAPER a somewhat uncomplime ntary ref
ercnce to this Report, or the section Of
it which speaks Of the Jail and aims
house OF our own county, we feel called
upon to allow the Or. full showing on
these subjects, and hence we give him
below whatever benefit may attach 10
the fullest publication of all he has
had TO say in his report about us and
ours, and we have also endeay orcd TO
deliver him with scrupulous cxactaess.
We use these latter words advisedly,
because there are notable discrepancies
between the report made for the DIR. bv
the daily papers and the report he makes
for himself IN the pamphlet before Us.
II these papers had given a faithful sy-
nopsis in the beginning. wc should save
had little TO say against the report and
certainly should not have vcnturcd upon
the criticism we made few issues back.
True, the Dr.'s paper is inaccurate IN
several particulars and he overstates the
case somewhat against Us in others. His
mis>tatcments, however, are unimport-
ant md we are now satisfied that his shad-
in = of facts have not been overcolored
from any improper dnimus. With this
explanation, we submit the references of
the DR.. to our all and alnshouse and
commend them to the thoughtful con-
sIdcration of our readers.
ST. MARY'S COUNTY ALMSHoUSE.
This almshouse Is located on a farm
Cl 300 acres, about four miles southeast
"f LeonardtowE. The building is an
old two-s:ory brick hou>c, ilanked on
the south side BY oncstory frame, all
III dIl4pIIated aud ruinous condition.
The internal arrangements are very
ha", and OWING to detective drainage
and dampncsS III the basement, the
health u The inmates must necessarily
be cnIAr -crcd. The first floor of the
hnck building has pas>agc-wav and
iW" rooms on either side OF il: three OF
the rooms arc occupied by the inmates,
and another Is sc; aside as place 10
Punis Il ;he inmates ~ Gloss confinement,
bUt apparent. y it had not recently been
u>cH Tor such purpose: in iced. i. was
beng used - store or lumber room.
The upper story i occupied exclusive
" by the Superintendent and his family.
The basement is rendered useless hy its
great dampncss. being often filled with
wafer. The frame attachment is used
for cooking and laundry purposes. Each
room was visited aud examined. They
were not very orderly, and The bedding
was untidy. OF course the condition OF
the building viii not admit of thorough
cleanliness and order. but great deal
more might be done in that direction
which would improve the condition of
the house and add 10 The com.or. OF the
inmates.
Some Of the inmates arc aged and in
firm and require few comforts and
little care IN order to make lite cndurahlc.
but II - very clear that neither the one
nor the other can be extended 10 them
III thclr present miserable quarters.
The Superintendent; and his wife are
unqnesilonably kind hearted, humane
people, and possess more refinement OF
appearance and bearing than i usually
found IN persons occur.. ing such posi-
tons. The inmates manifested con.
tcntm"nt even IN their gloomy abode,
aud spoke IN terms ot appreciation OF
the kindness extended to them.
Happy is II Ter society when even in
the hauats of wretchcdness there is
found such connection ot good will. and
most happy Is he or she " ho can combine
with az unpleasant othclal position the
gr"tihcaton which always accompanies
warm hearted and enlightened bcncvo-
ience.
II '> to be hoped that the county au.
thoEIi'es will take steps 10. provide bet
ter quarters, both for the comfort of the
inmates, and 10 enable the introduction
~ better administration with the affairs
OF the household.
There were only ten inmates in TIE
house; all Of whom were iemale<. two
white, >i< c"lngcd and two children
aged respectively taur aud two years
Two ct The colorrd were found 10 be
tphephr, -Ni&:-Sop..ia Rusicn, aged
~. aud lernie Smallw ood aged IS
years. Both have been subject to con-
WILSON'S itom early lite. The former
has scca m Inmate Of the almShouse
from c1lldho",h and occasionally has
pAreNysm, ot Siolca, anse.; the latter