The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-21


1,260 pounds.
AS the listers will report the stock, farm
ing tools, etc, they will not be noticed
here only to say that, without contradlc-
ton, we have n superior farm horse, and O
yoke of oxen that for work, in any spot or
place, have no saperiors il they have their
equals in town, and 1t is safe to say they
have done more hard work the past season
than any other yoke in town has done or
very few can do. Our fifteen cows are
average and in such good condition that
the listers, unwittingly Of course, appraised
them for more than | gave for them. 1t
will be seen by comparing the present re-
port with last years that my poor account
exceeds that only Sl,373.70, and when it
is considered as 10 known to all that pau
perism has increased 800 per cent over
former years and 33 per cent above last
year the difference in the expenditures will
be appreciated by all reasonable thinking
men, especially the last overseeT, who has
practical knowledge and experience in the
labor, care and responsibility of the office
if the incumbent does his duty.
The question is frequently asked why
the overseer has more to do, and why the
expense of supporting the poor is 80 much
more than in Billings and Wings time
The reason is plain. In Rutlands palmy
days, when labor was scarce and high, hun
dreds Of laborers with their families flocked
| here, were welcomed, received remunera-
tive wages, supported those dependent up
on them respectfully, no one asked for help
except the aged and infirm. Universal
stagnation ensues, shOpe, mills, msnufac-
tories close or fail, help discharged,
quarries suspend or abandonded-
thousands thrown out of employ
have not the means to go elsewhere and
no place to 60 TO if they have, and here
they are in our midst, have spent their last
faithing and now call upon the town they
have enriched by their labor, for help.
| The overeeer has no alternative but to an
swer their appeal, the only discretion he
can use in the matter is, as to the amount,
not what they ask for, but what in judg-
ment they or their widows and orphans re-
ally need.
Insthe Expenditures for repairs, etock,
etc., the overseer has adhered to the Web
ster wing doctrine of encouraging home in
dustry. Not scarcely g dollar has gone out
of the town. 1t has all been spent among
the mechanics, day laborers, wood and
lumber dealers, stock Iaisere, merchants
and grocers. 1t is all in the town, not lost,
bnt merely changed hands, and has been a
| NNlJ CEbtuIldl nCllJ " lhGDJs buOOlI LULU
say that goodly amount act in the report
to the farm was for labor, not all for poor
expenses. The overseer will in this con-
nection say that be was very fortunate in
his selection of superintendent and mat
ron, daily and hourly at their pos, contrary
to oil precedcnts in the Office, cheerful and
ready at ell times TO execute faithfully all
trusts.
In concluding this report the overseeI
would say that he did not geek the office, il
was rendered him, and in accepting the
trust he was well aware of the opposition
he should meet and the sources from which
it would come, and has not been disap-
pointed.
AS it regards the overseer's antecedents
as qualifying him for the trust, he would
gay, without any laudaton, that being
born and bred farmer had some practl.
cal knowledge how farm could and
should be managed to make it pay, and his
experience in the military hospitals in Ken
lucky, under that strict disciplinaiian and
eanitarian, DR.. Goldsmith, he was prepared
to superintend the establishment How vel
either has been DONE he will leave to those
who have condescended to visit US to say
The overseer would have been glad t.
have ever ytax payer in town visit the farm
| Ruu uuu JuuGN iOi hii4oNi
in regard to "gross incompetency and reck
less extravaganza" rather than from outside
reports. One thing he has demonstrated
to the citizens of Rutland what they neve
knew before in the disposition of their pool
that poverty and an aims house do nc
necessarily mean rags, filth and ell I'm
cleanliness, but is consistent with neat less
order and respect. Their poverty is their
misfortune and should be treated by thos,
in authority like beings human and not lik,
beasts that perish. Among the number We
are assisting are many bright, promising
children that should be carefully cared fol
at any expense, for at no very distant day
they may be leaders in society and fill posi-
tons of trust,
In conclusion he would say that in as
Stunning the responsibility he "viewed the
situation" laid his plans and has executed
them SO far as he has had time to do so
without fear or favor, acting upon his Owl
Judgment as to what was right and to h
duty towards all parties concerned.
Respectfully submitted,
T. FL. COCHRAN, Overseer.