Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-08-27
AT THE A1MsHousE.
Meeting of fhc Erustees-A IsesoIu-
lion for AN HmvestigatiDn Adopted

FROM Every EVENING VI yFSNEu'ly
The trustees of the poor held their
monthly meeting OF the almshouse this
morning, all members present In accord
ance with its resolution the levy court
also assembled in body and attended the
meeting, Mr.. Rockwell being the only
| absentee.
During q short recess, upon motion of
Mr.. Solomon, the two bodies were in
vited to examine the two buildings and
inspect the furniture purchased by him,
| and concerning which considerable criti-
cism has been created. The trustees and
levy courtmen were shown into the
several sleeping apartments and were
given an opportunity to admire the $55
and $65 chamber suits, the $40 parlor
suits, elaborate ice coolers, spacious $500
safe and unique $50 desk. The levy
court expressed itself severally, much i'm
impressed with the fine equipment, fnrni-
ture, &c.
The monthly report of Superintendent
Guthrie gave the number of inmates at
245; in almshouse 1874; in insane depart
ment Is. During the month there were
six deaths: James Dandy, colored, age
As; Frank s. Hutton, age 26; Dorathy
johnson, colored, age II, Wilmington.
James Bowen, age 10, Delaware City
John Derline, age 30, New Castle Emma
Bradworth, infant founding.
The bids for furnishing five-ton
wagon scale were opened and read. Fair
banks IL Co. bid $40, foundation and
everything complete, or 1856 for scales.
Howe q Co. bid 10 supply scales deliv-
cred in Philadelphia for $40, foundations
and timber to be supplied. The contract
was awarded to Fairbank a. Co., to be
put up and completed.
The modthly pay roll of $5l7.90 was
allowed, and also the bills of Delaware
Iron Company, $25.25; Phillips q Kane,
gasoline, $50.24. -..
Trustee Solomon moved that the
trustees of the poor and the levy court
make a tour OF inspection through the
buildings, and Mr.. Baldwin moved that
the freedom of the board be extended the
levy court, giving the members the priyi-
lege of taking part in the proceedings.
Both motions were passed without dis
senting vote.
The bids for supplying coal were opened
and read as follows George w. Bush
Il Son, Schuyllxill hard white ash, SAL
per 2,240 pounds Brookside, S4.72.
The Charles Warner Company coal on
track, 1915; broken coal from same
colliery. 1892, % cents additional placed
IN cellar. George w. Morrison, white
ash, 50. 40 per ton.
The test of the engineer upon different
kinds Of coal was read as follows, the
name of parties furnishing samples, &C.,
given
George W. Bush q Sons, one ton of
Hammond broken, burned 40 hours,
average 40 pounds steam; ashes 300
pounds.
George w. Morrison, one ton of egg
coal, burned SO hours average of 30
pound of steam.
Charles Warner Il Co., one ton of Lee
broken, burned A hours, average of 40
pounds of steam.
George Morrison, 5000 pounds of egg
coal, burned 81 hours, average of 35
pounds of steam.
George W. Bush, 300 pounds of Brook
side broken coal, burned ii hours, average
of 40 pounds of steam.
The contract was awarded to the Charles
Warner Company, ut 1887 per ton the
coal to be placed in the vault.
Mr.. Solomon stated that as there was
considerable talk concerning the aims
house management, he, as member of
the supply committee demanded an inves-
tigation.
Mr.. Baldwin stated that he did not
think Mr.. Solomon had exceeded his
authority as q member OF thesupply COM
mittee, but that he might have encroached
upon the grounds of prudence. He
stated that Mr.. Solomon was of
sanguine temperament rs indicated
by his ruddy complexion and the bright
color of his hair, but yet he admired his
course and believed TINT upon matters
when they were upon the same side Mr..
Solomon would prove good person to
tie to.
Mr.. Farra presented the following
resolution:a
WHEREAS, Certain charges have been
made in the public newspapers and severely
commented upon by the public at large,
tending to impeach the conduct of the
Trustees OF the Poor of New Castle County
| in the management and direction of the
almshouse and insane department which
/ changes include among other things reek-
| less extravagant and unnecessary expendi-
| ture of the funds OF said institution and are
grave enough to demand the attention OF
| this board and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the fact that the
| office of the Trustee of the Poor is a sacred
| trust to be righted and economically
administered, and also that We IRE in this
| respect the servants of the public and that
our official acts and doings should at all
times be open to fair inspection and criti-
eism therefore,
Resolued, Tint committee OF three
members of this body be selected to act in
conjunction with like number or more to
be appointed by the levy court either from
its own body or from the citizens at large,
as said levy court may determine, to inves-
tigate said charges and the general manage
ment and conduct OF the New Castle County
Almshouse and Insane Department; and
that said joint committee have full and free
access to all books and papers in charge Of
said trustees or their officers, with power
to examine persons under oath, II neces-
sary, in order that full, fair and Just in
vestigation of said charges and the methods
and general management OF the almshouse
may be had.
Mr.. Chandler while he favored an in
vestigation and thought the members
under charges should be given chance
to clear themselves or if guilty of any
thing wrong to be condemned, was of the
opinion that the investigation should be
made outside the board by committee
representing, direct, the Taxpayers. He
thought committee of disintel ested per-
sons the proper channel through which
any investigation should be made.
Mr.. Solomon inquired if the resolution
applied to him and his dealings, adding
if it did he did not care if the whole
State was on the committee. Mr.. Chand-
Ter insisted upon the investigation of q
citizens committee.
Mr.. Hassinger, Mr.. Jemison, President
Bird and others also raised their voices in
favor of citizens committee making the
| investigation.
Mr.. Hassinger offered the following
amendment to Mr.. Farra's resolution
Resolued, That we invite the fullest inves.
tigation into the management and accounts
| committee of the seme, and that the officers
of the institution be instructed to furnish
| all the books and accounts of the Trustees
of the Poor that may be necessary.
The amendment was accepted and the
resolution unanimously passed.
Mr.. Cooch offered resolution abolish.
ing the supply committee and prohibiting
the superintendent from procuring sup,
| plies TO an amount exceeding $50, unless
| specially authorized by the trustees.
The resolution was seconded by Mr..
Solomon and adopted without dissent.
ing voice.
The rest of the session WIS taken NJ
with some minor matters.
|
MILFORD.
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