The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-01
improvements at the County Aims
House.

House.
By direction of the board of supervisors,
the committee on poor and poor farm
have caused some needed improvements
to be made there.
The roof of the one story building. for
the insane, has been raised, and another
story built in, so that it is now pretty fair
two story building, with hail through the
centre on each floor, and twelve rooms on
each floor, double its former capacity The
whole is warmed by furnace in the base
ment. The new upper story is exclusively
for females, and has close stairway en-
trance on the opposite side of the building
from the lower entrance to the male de-
partment. On each side of the building
are large yards, entirely separate and
apart from each other, and enclosed by
an eight foot fence, the boards being placed
about an inch apart for air. These yards
have shade trees, and those who are so
inclined can cultivate a few plants and
flowers. But the chief object of the yards
is to give the unfortunates opportunity Tor
air and out door exercise. The male and
female departments are now as separate
and distinct and exclusive as if in separate
buildings
A new laundry has also been built Is by
80 feet and two stories-tne lower story
for washing and the upper for ironing.
These improvements were much needed
and will add to the comfort of the unfor-
tunate people who must be supported at
public expense.
We think our supervisors would gain
much useful information in regard to the
management of a public institution Of that
kind by visiting the Henry county aims
house 1t is undoubtedly one OF the best
managed institutions in the state-per-
haps the best.
Speaking of him only as public officer
we do not think Mr.. Bailey is the righr
man for superintendent We mean no dis
respect whatever to him as man, but W.
don't think he is the most suitable maj
that can be found for the place. From
? what we hear he is too familiar at time
with the inmates, placing himself on sucl
equal terms with them that he loses hi
power Of government, while at others b
is very morose and severe with them. Ii
lacks that even temper and absolute con
troll, even of himself, so necessary in orde
to govern others or command their respecl
Mr.. Bailey is not to blame for this
but he does not possess the requisit
e qualifications for the place, and he is to
i old to learn.
: Our supervisors know but little abou
e affairs at the poor house. Few of ther
ever visit the place, except at the annus
/ whitewashing dinner, and this pretende
!, examination is always farce. The super
: intendent is notified when the board wi
,, make the visit; he gets the materials t.
h. gether for good dinner; has the premise
q cleaned up for the occasion; gets clea
/ clothes on the paupers. and makes ever!
!. thing ready for the visit The supervisor
!, 60 out in a hurry, and fiji themselves with
u good dinner. 1t is then that men are GOO
1t natuIed 1t is the greatest secret of su
l. cessful diplomacy, the world oyer, to f
|, the bellies Of the diplomats with good be
e aud wine-and then they are good nature
IF So with our supervisors-the praise Il
t. dinner: praise Mrs. Bailey; praise Oh
Q, another, and leave the poor farm KNOWN
III only the bright side of everything. Sue
D. visit are burlesque, as far as any uset
is aud clear, headed aud up and down exar
s. ination is concerned.
n If our supervisors would take one look
d the way affairs are managed in Hen
n county, they would see the necessity Of
n different kind of a superintendent, al
f. different kind OF examinations.