Morning journal and courier., 1884-01-22
The Town WOrkhOuse.

Shall it be Under the Control of the
 City TOwn-A Committee Appoint
 ed to Draft Plans.
 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, or portion of them, was held last evening to hear what citizens had to say about 8 town workhouse. Selectmen Reynolds, Beecher, Feldman, Treat and English were present. Judge Deming presented bill for 8 public act amending the present law in regard to the establishments of warehouses, giving the power to the selectmen to erect such work house. The bill provides for the placing of persons on bread and water when committed if they refuse to work, and also provides that those who work shall receive not less than fifty cents or more than one dollar per day, the balance after paying the expenses of board to be given to their families for their SUD- port. The bill provides farther that the workhouse shall be separate and distinct from the almshouse
 Judge Deming said that he would make the work SO hard that the drunkards and vagrants would be glad to work outside and support their families He said he would not make the workhouse place for criminals.
 R. s. Pickett said he did not see why felons should not be sent to the workhouse as well as those committing 8 misdemeanor.
 Judge Dsming said he would make the werkhouse as much reformstory as possi- ble and not place where criminals in the strict sense of the word shall be sent.
 Mir. Pickett thought the way was open ,and wide open, for the town to provide Q work house if they so desired under the present law He thought there was no question about this, and there was no doubt but that 1t was desirable and necessary. It would take great deal of money to start work house system, but it would pay in the end. He said that ?, I'll were arrested for drum kenness in 1882. and this class should be provided with work. He thought the city and not the town should take charge of this vorkhouse matter. He thought the erim- inals could do $50O,OOO worth of work on East Rock Park during the next five years. He thought the park com mission could be made 8 board short time this park would be made "a thing of beauty and joy forever" The machin- cry of police that the city has already got is sufficient to carry out this plan, and it can be done cheaply. He thought it was kindness to give criminals 8 chance to work, and the place for them to work was on East Rock Park. He thought tho city was g great deal better prepared to manage the matter with the police and court at their back than was the town. Mr. Pickett thought there had got to be separate place of confinement for these parties and with suitable legislation it may be erected by the city or town.
 Sylyanus Butler said that it seemed to him that the Board of Selectmen who were well acquainted with the wants of all the poor families, were better qualified to establish workhouse than any new commission.
 Town Agent Reynolds said he did not care whether these men were put to work on the new town farm or East RoekPpark, so long as the town or the taxpayers of the town re- ceive back some portion of the money paid by the town for the support of their families while they are imprisoned for drunkeness or other misdemeanors.
 On motion of Charles L. Baldwin # wss voted to appoint g committee of five to elab- crate the proposed plan for workhouse, The following were appointed: James Key holds. R s. Pickett, H. M. Welch, Judge l. P. Deming and Charles L. Baldwin.
 The committee will devise and submit nIan at a future meeting.