The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-10-14


findings of these two Grand Juries Both
sets of men were under oath and, hence all
must allow that they acted conscientiously,
and yet the two findings are as diametricauy
opposite as virtue and vice. The finding of
the MAY Term threw the Semi Weekly Phi
Ianthropist into spasms from which he has
not vet recovered. The finding of the last
Grand Jury is a step backward. This find
ing recommends what think / am safe in
calling utter impossibilities. No modern
science can ever make the Somerset Jail
any thing but what it is-a miserable pen for
wretched inmates. When the report of this
Grand Jury was read Judge Baer was moved
by his utter shame and disgust TO exclaim:
Yes. repair-but let your repairs be from
the ground up" Judge Baer is an enlight-
ened gentleman. He knows what a jail
should be, and haye no doubt be experien-
ces thrill of nervous horror whenever his
duty conpels him to consign a fellow being
to the damp, reeking atmosphere Of that in
terual .'black hole which the people Of
Somerset county dignity by the name of
iail. The Oldest member of the Bar. too, a
gentleman whose experiences in life have
not tended to smooth the asperities of a
disposition naturally perhaps, not of the
mildest. exclaimed in his grim way-"Yes.
repair it and after you're done, set match
to il and get rid Of it; it never was fit to be
used as jail" venture the assertion that
none of the Bench, none of the Bar, none Of
the County officials was not thoroughly dis
gusted at this finding of the last Grand
Jury. But the words of the verdict have
gone forth, and so far as ! am concerned
can say, $50 be it," Now. however 10th I
NAV be 10 do so, and every one who has
read rny articles will bear me witness that
Others. ! must turn to sad, sad picture.
Mr.. Smith, the old girl of the CoHmcrci9i-
Seni- Weeily- Ten Per- Cent? for Collection Lo,s-
has always arrogated to himself great praise
for his actions in unearthing what he has
alwayt dubbed The Poor House Frauds" :"
According to his last issue-should / say
'hsr last issue2" Mr.. Editor. Wei, I'll stick
to his for there is an old rule in Kirk
hams Grammar, When the sex Is unknown
or doubtful, use the masculine pronoun"-
According 10 his last issue,,he "has been
weaving the web of evidence around those
men for years" Good God what human
spider she is, Think oft Here sits Lou,
within his darksome den" and spins, and
spins the web that shall presently be loaded
with the carcasses of the human flies, whom
lie can eniice up his winding STAIR Here
he sits mmnbling his thumb. and muttering
ike Macbeth's witches:
..Double, double. toll and trouble
Do thou ehaldron bsil and bubble
For charm of powerful trouble.
Like HeIl-broth, boil and bubble"
Finally. the spider has got her victims in
her tolls The spider of prey is always femi-
nine, and she rlshes into Court, but the hu-
man spider in this instance is as much dis
gusted to see the net work OF evidence that
was wears a-spinning dissolve like the base
less fabric Of vision. as is his reptile proto-
type when she catches humble bee instead
of a fly.
Think what monster has been nurtured
in this County Here IS man, who by his
own acknowledgment has seen his fello7y
citizens pursuing wrongful course for
years-and yet. instead of going to them and
uttering words Of counsel and advice, he
gloais over their wrong-doing, and prose-
cutes them for his own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The
human spider
Let not Mr.. Smith try to wriggle himself
from the cross to which ! have nailed him.
He's there to stay, and his efforts will only
lacerate the punctures that my nails have in
fiicted.
| want to give the readers Of these articles
little bit of mighty interesting reading
While Mr. Smith was posing in the role of
philanthropist he sent out these bits of En-
glish, and any one who peruses them will
have no difficulty in seeing why styled
MIN ''Tea-Per- Ctnt, for Colicctios,- Ssslh Z"
These circulars were sent by the hundred
to the agents OF tue Meyersdale Commercial
with the following letter of instructions, al
lowing, as viii be seen, ten per cent. for col
lection: --4
September llth, 1855.
DEAR SIR We hereby send you a lot Of ercu-
lar TO distribute and n subscription paper the
Poor House prosecution fund. We ask YOU 10 dis
tribute these circulars generally among your peo-
pie and u solicit subscriptions to the fund. Al
mos; everyone will be glad TO give Collar, more
less 10 assist in the prosecution and reduce tax
alton. As fast as YOU get a numbor of names
send them in with the name of district. and each
amount subscribed, to The Meyersdaie CONNER
ciair Spell all names and make all figures very
plain aud legible. We will allow yeu ten (l0l per
cent. on such amounts for your trouble. Deduct
that aud send balance to your nearest banker, who
Will receipt for the same Please also notify eth
er of US whether you will accept the position and
terms; II not please hard TO some one who will,
nd notify as, always giving full name and post
office address. Please act promptly and vigorous
ly. Respectfully, 5. p. SNYDER
Lot A. SMITH,
To THE TAXPAYERS or SOMERSET CoUsTY;
The period for investigating the eficials of the
County Poor Home is past, and the result Is known
20 you 1t Is In effect that nearly Two Thousand
Dollars. within three years. have been improper
ly used or squancerei. The next ooject will be to
recover as much of this sun as possible. and pre-
vent future Ike peculation- For years private
and PERSONAL efforts have been made to get at the
truth OF this matter, which resulted finally in the
appointment o. a Board of Visitors who in pursu-
anee OF their sworn duty, made the report embrac-
ing the above stated facts. Much money. time
and labor has been expended by the Commercfai
a. hrin0 the tins Al md he m v