Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-04-26

~ mere are we ufiillnp OuaIt Jul
dead become City CHARGE" Such were
our thoughts when informed few days
since by one of our City Officials that the
office OF Sexton which for the past forty
years has been so dcceptdbly filled by Nr.
Jordan. was abolished. and for the ensuing
year, the keeper of the poor house would
have charge Of the City Hearse and he.with
the aid Of Paupers under his care would
act a. Sexton for the City and thus the fee
paid on such occa sionS would be used for
the benefit OF the City. The truth OF this
statement was confirmed when last week
we visited the Cemetery on the Eastern
road and found some workmen engaged in
erecting a Hearse House inside of the enclo
sure and near the front entrance. and was
informed nv them that two OF the Trustees
of the Cemetery consented To have II
placed there. As the location was very
bad being at the extreme eastern boundary
OF our city. making it very inconveuient for
persons residing at the Fails Village and
the Head Of the Lane who might have occa-
sion TO use the Hearse. and whonot wish 10
bury in the Cemetery. and as the building
was anything but ornamental TO the
grounds we were at loss to understand
why they consented to this arrangement.
I We called upon them. and vas inform
+ Ell by one that he consented because ''the
/ alternative was 10 build the Hearse House
/ on the cemetery ground or on the Poor
Farm. which Is on the opposite side Of
the road The other Trustee said he pos
ltively refused to give his consent
thought the building should be removed at
once.
Has our City become 80 Impoverished
that II i necessary that our Treasury
should he replenshed even if we insult ne
toad Jg denying them the respect accorded
to them in all civilized communities?
Are our citizens so lost to all sense of
decencv. that they will consent to have
their dead carried to the grave by the
keeper of the poor house. and their last
resting place prepared by pauper hands
We question II there can be found a Town
Of one thousa and inhabitants that can make
any claim TO be called a Christian comma
nifty. that has not some person appointed,
whose especial duty it i, TO perform the
last offices for the dead; and 80 general i
this custom that numberleSs cases can be
sited where the Office Of sexton has been
re aimed in families for successive genera
tisns. passing from father to son. VIII
the citizens of Ellsworth allow the City
officials-"cl9thei i-ilh lille brief author
iiy." to trample on thi, time honored Gus
tom and hold our city up to the contempt
of all civilized communities WIN your
husband and faiher when Your family circle
i broken and YOU sre called upon for the
last time 10 furnish a resting place for
those ven have loved. send an order TO the
" Poor Fgru,' FOR that place TO be prepared
for vour dead Mothers. some Of u vii
be called upon to part with those who are
dcarer TO H. than life. before this year
closes. and as We law the little form in is
narrow bed, and return to our deserted
homes. will the thought that We have len
the precious caSket in the care Of the 'hoel
er OF the Poor Hous,' be cheering.
Young men aud women. would you con
sent to have the remains OF your aged par
ents. who have toiled early and late that
you may live at your ease, carried to the
tomb hy the keeper OF the poor house, anG
the worn and weary form laid in a grave
prepared Tor the beuefit 81 the City. Wan
OF respect for the living i demoralizing
and d.sgracefui. bat wo unto tlat people
80. Mould iustti, tho dead, We know
: Municipal Authorities to make this drpar-
ture from the usases Of Il civilized commu
nitv and we are not sufficiently conversan
! with Municipal Law 10 know which brancl
OF our City Government i responsible fol
this outrage-but let whoever i, RESPONSE
Die for originating this scheme be publicly
4 denounced and let our citizen. demonstrate
to the inhabitants OF Hancock County that
oil the citizens of the SHIRE Town are Ho
so lost to self respect that they would bury
their dead for the benefit OF the City-anC
let the Trustees of the Cemetery order III,
4 building 10 be removed from the ground
and then let our City Government DEFY pub
lie sentiment By placing our Hearse House
on the poor .fIrut" ard merit the rebnkt
that will be sure to follow. A. F. @.