Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-27
At The AImshOuse.

A Walk Through The Various Depart ] memts-ThrIft and Order Features of
 the Esta bIIshment. asr Et~'- } A gentleman of this city recently took
 tour through the New Haven alnshouse and
 details his experiences as follows: Tues
 days and Fridays are visiting days at the two.
 adjoining brick buildings in which are housed
 and carefully cared for the unfortunate, re-
 spectacle, deserving poor; and with them in
 separate parts of the buildings those very
 destitute by their own fault or loss of reason
 The older building, erected thirty or forty
 years ago, contains only those of the male sex, while the new improved ediice is devo-s
 ted entirely to the women and few very
 young infants. The premises are accessible very easily from two streets on the north and
 east sides. The grounds are all under excel
 lent cultivation Around the buildings they are laid out in garden plots, trees, flowers
 and pleasant paths. In every direction de-
 lightful landscape meets the eye. Premises
 50 well. kept, neat and trim, would do honor
 to wealthy country residence. First Mrs.
 Coogan, her assistant, and afterwards the
 worthy young lady matron, Mrs. Sanford,
 welcomed us two gentlemen) to view every
 part of the building devoted to the women.
 Those that are' able-bodied and intelligent
 do the work of the establishment, as the
 capable. men do in their building. On the first, the basement floor, are all the
 ranges, boilers and stoves of the latest in1-
 proved construction for cooking, washing
 and all the laundry work. stove for heat
 ing the sad irons for the ironing is of remark
 ably improved construction. On the next, kE,a aoo io he al fotf fnrk Ina sick and helpless, fitted with the best modern conyeniences all on the same floor. The bedsteads and forniture, as all through the establishment, are of iron, to secure perfect cleanliness The attendants are detailed from the ninety six inmates for their indispensable ! work Others have their constant daily task on the different floors, -f keeping them and the furniture clean, bright and tidy. The aged and infirm comprise the largest number of inmates. Fhe insane and helpless are the saddest sight to the stranger especially; but it is not necessary to see them. The next two floors are fully occupied by those mostly able to help themselves in good degree, and to do share of the work taking care of the rooms. Mir. James J. Coogan, the assistant superin- tendent, has the care of the mems department in the old building containing one hundred and nine inmates in all. The superinten- dents office where we found MT. O. and the bookkeeper, MT. Geo. W. Neal, is convenient ly located, commanding view of all the premises. The desks, chairs and office furni- ture are of first class, comprising telephone connecting by separate wire with the City Hall and police. Mr- Henry W. Sanford, though | g young man comparatively, identifies him. self in the ordering direction and efficient care of all that belongs to this frst-class ' home for the poor. His fitness and rare ! abilities, sustained and supplemented by the { lady matron, his winning, loved and respeet-
 cd helpmeet, are seen in the good order and good working of the whole establishment. Due credit should be given for the accurate and excellent bookkeeping of ''the man at
 the wheel" MT. N, the bookkeeper. Every item of the business of the house and prem- ises during his five years of service is plainly recorded and easily referred to. Nothing is put down as ''sundries." This work of highest value is only appreciated when lost and unattainabIe. The accuracy, excellent the monthly and yearly statements are worthy of special praise. No one can go over the different floors inhabited by these ''poor who are always with us' (yet too seldom seen) without laying to heart the excellent lesson taught to be content with our own better
 condition and so far as we can to give the kind word and helping hand. The chapel, which is on the third floor of l the old building, and where religious services are held on Sunday, has been newly painted and furnished with nsw seats.. In one of the rooms on the right side of the long, wide hall was colored man, Clark ! by name, one hundred and five years | of age. Another inmate, Brown, has l lived over fifty years in this place. Little or no close confinement is required Alp plicants for work are sent from the City Hall to the superintendent and are employed | on the new town farm, and the old place, or detailed for work on the streets and roads l Of this and of all the work accurate accounts are kept at the superintendent's office. 1 At the corner of the 22 acres of waving rye Gone large field) is a convenient little
 business store, from which in their season
 fruits. berries and vegetables raised in the
 other beautiful, thoroughly cultivated fields
 are sold early every morning to the city and
 country peddlers wagons. All are up at : l o'clock each morning. The excellent rules
 and regulations are rigidly enforced.