The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-04-30
The Work Houss System.

The abolition of the work house
system in Giles, which the county
court at its last sitting determined
upon, will have the effect Of reduc-
ing very considerably the expense
of running the county government
In the first place it will abolish the
Office of workhouse superintendent
and will save the salary that has
heretofore been paid to that officer,
and then it will save hundreds OF
dollars annually, in the way Of Jail
fees, in that great many of our
criminals of the class who under
this system are punished by con
finement in the workhOuse will, af-
ter The system is abolished, be
sent to the penitentiary. This
may have a tendency to diminish
crime in the county, as the peniten-
tiary is more Objectionable
abode than our Jail, and work on
the public roads in Giles, where the
laborer may breathe the open air
and see the sun, although he wear
a ball and chain, is altogether pre-
ferable to working in hole in the
ground. Particularly when such
cIrcum stances exist as have lately
been revealed at Tracy City and
elsewhere.
Perhaps the latter consideration
had its weight with the county court
in their consideration Of this ques
ton and may have influenced their
action somewhat, but the former is
their principal reason for the step
they have taken. The main object
they have in view is to reduce ex-
penses. The citizens of the county
will commend them for this dispo-
sition.. Economy in the admins
tration of governments is admired
by all people everywhere, and is
even preached by political parties
and office holders, the repu blicaus
not excepted. But the rule is that
preaching is all that is done. This
rule does not apply IN Giles county.
Here is the exception, proving its
truth. We have county court com
posed Of men Of stern integrity and
honest principles, and nc one qQes
tions their motive whenever they |
spend a dollar of the peoples money. !
They want value received for every |
cent they expend, and believing that
the work house costs more than its |
benf!s to the county are worth, they |
have decided to abolish the system, |
and have notified the clrcuit court |
to that effect IN order that that |
court may be governed accordingly. |
The law abolishing the system will |
take effect on January 1st, 1886.
While no one questions the mo
u tir :SSs that prompted this action
upon the part of our cGggrntv courts
and while a large majority of our
citizens may approve their course,
the question is moOted by some as
to whether they have acted wisely,
or as to whether they will do so if
they carry out their present inten
ton Of abolishing the system at the
time appointed. Those who differ
with the court in opinion argue that
by the work house system much
vel hdlOdbIG W VI HAS DCSA OOlC
on our public roads, and to sub
stantiate their argument they point
to improvements that have been
made. But it is TO be supposed
that our magistrates weighed this
in making up their deeis-
ion, and being fully acquainted
with all of the circumstances their
is more to be relied upon
than that of those whose opinions
are merely speculative. The cOun-
5y court are men Of too much sense
not to appreciate the Importance OF
good county roads, and they would
1ot blindly do anything to prevent
in this direction. The
work bouse hands have certainly
lone and are still doing a great uc. L.,
oward keeping up our roads, but if
here is cheaper way of having
his work done, then the system
ought certainly to be abolished and
he cheaper means adopted.