Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-01-25
THE AIMS HOUSE.


After the appearance of our article last
week upon retrenchment, we were approached
BY one Of the Trustees of the Poor, who in
formed us that our views met with his entire
appreciation, especially SO far as they related
to the Aims House. He for one is willing to
serve the county as a Trustee gratis, and, from
our knowledge of the gen tleman, we feel that
he will discharge the duties of his Office with
the same jealous fidelity without salary as
with 1t. He thinks also that there are mum.
Der Of public-spirited men in the county who
would be willing to serve with him without
pecuniary compensation We felt assured
when we penned our article that such would
be the answer TO it, knowing as we did the
charitable inclination of our people. But just
in this connection we desire TO mention sever
al abuses that exist in the regulation of the
Aims House, and our information upon the
subject is derived from a most authentic
source.
We understand that the magistrates are in
the constant habit of formally committing
tramps TO the Aims House, where they receive
board and lodging, and then invgora'ed at
the couuty's expense, start again upon their
pleasant promenade. Every commitment of
this character issued BY magistrate costs the
county twenty-five cents. II seems small
amount, but when we realize the fact that
hundreds.of tramps take the benefit of 1t, the
sum swells into considerable proportions. or
course, great many OF our people can stand
this drain which taxation makes upon their
finances, but the great majority of our tax
payers are hard working laborers, TO whom
every penny is a meal of bread for at least one
of their family. But by what right is the
commitment ssued2 Judge Bowie, in his
charge to the Grand Jury at the November
term of Court, says that the Aims House is also
Work House, and magistrates may commit
vagIaHtsfo It for certain number of days to
be employed at hard labor. But this is moi
complied with, and the commitments, issued
without shadow of legal authority, send
them there for a nights lodging and board
There is no labor al the Aims House for them
to do, and even il there were, it is not pro-
vided with the means that are necessary 10
make them labor. Yet If it is essential that
the tramp should be sent there, within the
limits Of the town and equally convenient as
the magistrate, there is Trustee of the Poor
whose duty ii is, If he considers it a meritori-
Gus case, to provide any one applying for il a
permit 10 the Aims House, for which he can
make no charge.
Another abuse we have learned of is the
sumptuous and luxurious dinners which are
provided at considerable cost TO the county for
the Trustees when they have meeting al the
Aims House. These dinners are noted events
in this vicinity, and every expert in this neigh
borhood takes advantage of the occasion TO
learn that several gallons Of the best whiskey
are purchased 10 wash down the sumptuous
bill Of fare. What authority there is in the
law for this luxurious dinner with its fluid ac-
compartments we have been unable TO find
We rightly presume that the Aims House was
created for the maintenance of the poor, but
we do not find any legal provision for furnish
ing all of the delicacies of the season and the
richest fluids OF the distillery TO the Trustees
Of the Poor and their invited and unlimited
guests. We do find q law which peremptorily
forbids, with a fine attached, any one to sell
liquors TO inmates Of the Aims House. Yet 1t
is carried there and publicly exposed upon the
dinner-table and charged TO the county
Whose fault it is we do not pretend to deter
mine, but some one is responsible and that
some one should be made to suffer. let these
evils be corrected and more money saved to
the tax-pa,e rs.