The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-22

eyes, said that there had been one hundred
and ninety-six of these tramps, but the
overseer probably knows best-but this
wiggler, having stated, at the town meet
ing year ago, that five thousand dollars
would cover all the poor expenses for the
year, now finds its necessary to resort to q
little wholesome-call it exaggeration-in
order to justify and excuse an expenditure
of over sixteen thousand dollars as the
hight of economy and careful management.
But let him pass.
But the overseer ITO justify and explain
bis extravaganza says that he has paid out
$2Gs rs for the feeding and lodging of
tramps, and that this is ian item OF no
small consideration in helping to swell
I" the aggregate" The fact is, the tramp
nuisance has been on the decrease during
the past year. The expenses on account
of tramps do not account, even in part, for
the largely increased poor expenses. The
last overseer paid out for the care, etc, of
tramps $45657, or S187 80 more than
the present operseer has. In Pittsford, too,
where record of the number of tramps,
both years, has been kept, the facts show
that the tramp nuisance is abating. The
number of tramps relieved by that town
last year was four hundred and four, and
this year three hundred and thirty-six-a
decrease Of 68. The same is true of Cas-
Teton and other neighboring towns.
The overseer says at will be seen by
comparing the present report with last
"year's that my poor account exceeds that
only 81, 1913 20, and when it is considered
d" as is known TO all that pauperism has in
" creased 500 per cent over former years,
/" and 33 per cent above last year the diff
"ference in the expenditures will be APP
preciated by all reasonable thinking men.
A comparison with last year will show,
that throwing out all the present overseer's
bills for ''repairs, stock, tools, furniture,
" clothing" unpresented bills, etc., etc.
and taking his own figures for it, the ex.
penditures this year exceed those of las
year, not $1.379 20, but $3,476.38
Quite discrepancy surely.
Is it fact that pauperism has increased
thirty-three per cent. over last year2 W.
need but refer to the town of Castleton
where for the year ending in February
1876, the whole expenses for the supper
of the poor were 81, $40. 40, while for tn,
year Just closing they were only $2,595 8
"a decrease Of nearly fifty per cent. insteat
of an increase of thirty-three per cent
We take this for an Illustration, and from
information received from other towns W
venture to say that Rutland will stand al
most alone in increased poor expenses.
In his report the overseer states that tn
sales of produce from the farm amounte
to S67S 80, while In the second item of hi
cash as contained In his statement of &C
count, he places il with an ''etc.," at onl
$233.27. Here is a discrepancy of $445. OF
Considerable of au item, and it is thes
kind of items, perhaps, that explain VIII
the expenditures have been so large. W
said that this report ought to be adopted a
text book in all the work houses and aim
houses in the land. We take it all back
for, as the overseer tells US, in the Rutlan
house alone there "are many bright, prom
Using children" who, lat no very distan
day." may be leaders in society and Fl
positions of trust" and this would be
sorry kind of morality, vicious style Q
book keeping to teach them, and its effect
we fear wonld be such as .!t.ccriality an
healthy influence among his surround
"ings" which the overseer's style of farm
ing is calculated to induce.
We have already occupied more spac
with this matter than we intended. TIL
report of the overseer of the poor is a Ii
bored attempt to justify and excuse h
course it is confession of Incompetence!
extravaganza and lawlessness; it is desigl
ed to deceive and cover up; and is, in SON
: parts, wilful miststement of facts.
J admits that there are bills of which he ha
as yet, made no report, but with all of i
j | deception, concealment, special pleadil
o and self laudation, the fact still remains tn
d the expenditures have been OVER sEvENTEl
r THOUSAND DOLLARS for the year, and tn
s they exceed those of last year by, at lea
l. EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS. If the TOW
d desires to continue this rate of expenC
e lures the overseer, on the day of electic
c will be found like Barkis, perfect
8, ".willin."