Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-11-26
Communicated

Z vi ttlS pO6A Va 49,
farm near this town. Every good citi
zen ought to encourage, and applaud
all acts properly performed, or efforts
exerted that add to the health and COM
fort of those who are driven by finan-
cial adversely, age, or affection to rely
upon the public for care and sustenence.
First TO mention in the list of altera
tons made, is the removal of barnyard,
and all those old dilapidated outbuild-
ings that have stood for many long
years so conspicuously (almost in front
of overseers residence), to a high hill
in the rear of buildings, northwest of
same and on SO remote a spot, that in
future no unhealthy odors can reach
the inmates
Aside from the appearance Of the
premises, think for one moment what
an amount of polluted atmosphere has
been waited by every southern breeze
Immediately in at the front door and
windows of main building, from the
pound, and large duck pool adjacent,
which for many years have been per
mitted there to remain; but thanks
10 the wisdom and exertion of Messrs.
Hall, Bell and Johnson will soon cease
to exist.
One other very important change is
the lifting of the long one-story in
which the colored paupers are quarter
ed, out of the valley, and landing il
upon the brow of the hill east of the
main building, also turning it So as to
front southwark, and towards the
county road. Prior to this date all the
doors opened to the westward, and it
stood in such low place that immedi-
ately after large rain fall, the water
would float off the door steps, and by
standing under and around the house
render ingress and egress 10 the same
difficult, beside making it damp and
consequently unhealthy. In such
locality, with doors as above stated,
and only pine boards (no laths or plas
tering) to shield the inmates from freez-
ing northwest winds, it was impossible
during the rigors CT winter for the
superintendent to keep them comtor-
table But with such thorough repair
as it is now undergoing, and the chang
ed location, with copious supply of
lime wash inside and out, it is conf
dentially believed when DR.. Chancel
lor makes his annual visit looking up
model arranged pauper houses, he, on
viewing urs.will exclaim, e" Eureka :"
"..But see here" says friend at my
elbow, ''what is all this going to cost p
al suppose about the modest little sum
of two hundred and seventy FIVE dol
lars ) WHAT" says he " it is less than
| expected but why did they spend
any money for repairs? they were not
compelled to by law Why do not
the trustees follow the example of our
county commissioners, by whom they
were appointed? The commissioners
attempt no such reforms; only when
compelled do they spend the public
money for instance, the little hole
beside small bridge near Pocomoke
city they did not by road supervisor
or in any other way voluntarily fill ;
but waited until M., Schoolhele called
their special attention to it, and then ii
only cost about eleven hundred dollars
to complete the job.
And moreover the fact OF jury i'm
pannelled having to elbow one another
in order to dodge rain drops from the
ceiling of courtroom, and the court
attendance being from same cause dis
concerted, moves not our county IA
theirs for they know the roof will not
leak unless il rains, and It does not al
ways rain. Now sir, as for that other
little matter Of white wash, our com
missioners know full we'll the court
house, the inside Of jail, and the wood.
en- Enclosure around court house square
can do without any more and they dc
/ without F"
Being, as you might suppose. tired oil
listening (for it is not always pleasantly
| turned to my friend, begged his par
don. and asked him TO stop talking, for
at that very time knew the commits
sioners were contemplating, among 9th
er stupendous projects, that of "re ad
justing" steps to courthouse yard, SC
they can be safely crossed.
Mr.. Editor, l have depressed, and thi;
communication has grown much long
er than first intended, therefore, adieu
7, S. A.