Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-05-22

people, and with two or three excep-
tons demented, fit subjects for an in
sane hospital. These people are utterly
helpless, not one in the number capa-
BILE of self support for single day.
Several require nursing and the atten-
ton common to children, and get it.
The county has been peculiarly fortu-
nate in securing the services of Mr.. Joe
D. Burney as superintendent. The in
mates capable OF understanding all bear
testimony to kind treatment by Mr..
Burney and his amiable wife and
daughter, who look after their every
comfort. They all respect and obey
the superintendent, even those that are
at times raving maniacs. Two old la
dies told pitiable stories OF their bodily
suffering, but remarked, "these people
are kind to us and we fare better than
among our own people," The place
has an air OF neatness AMI care about it
which speaks his praise, and great clean
illness is to be observed in the houses,
the bedding, clothing, etc. The farm
also shows evidences Of improvement
under Mr.. Burney's management, and
the liberal views of the commissioners,
Messrs. J. E. Ransdale, e. L. Brewer
and Ross Wilson, who have COM
mended the seeding of a portion.
of the land in grass and clover. The
water benefits consist Of two excellent
springs. Unfortunately, however, one
is inaccessible, and the other an unrea-
sonable distance for these afflicted peo-
pie to 60 for water, and SO far away
that the water must be stale before it
can be conveyed to them. Your COM
mittee would recommend that large
cistern be dug for the convenience and
comfort of these people. 1t is badly
needed. Noticing there is good deal
of clover growing on the place, the
committee would also recommend that
the county purchase several good milch
COWS for the place as a matter of econo-
my, for change OF diet and as an
actual necessity, that the sick people
may be afforded such delicacies as fresh
milk and butter.
Your committee find pleasure il
commencing the superintendent foI
the improvement of the poorhouse sys-
tenn in accordance with the enlight
ened sentiment OF charitable people
and the good sense displayed in the ef-
forts to improve the county property
They should be encouraged in this and
stimulated from year to year in plant
| ing fruit trees, seeding the land in clio
yer, fencing off and fertilszing large
garden that an abundance of the bes
summer and winter vegetables may BIZ
produced for the sufferers. II we mis-
take not the citizens OF Montgomery
county are charitable, Christian peo
pie, and while they demand accuracy
in all public affairs, they want nc
stinted hand in dispensing charity
the comforts and necessaries of life-tc
unfortunate suffering humanity, and
therefore we commend the present pol
icy on an enlarged scale and under a
more vigorous treatment for the i'm
provement of the county property and
the elevation OF our charity system to a
degree that will excite the pride of our
people and cultivate tender sympathy
1t is not good policy in any civilized
community to allow deformed, de-
mented or afflicted persons, objects 0
pity, repulsive to the finer sensibilitiei
of nature, incapable of self support, t.
go about the streets or country begging
living. Such persons can be bette
and more economically supported b.
the public at n comfortable, retire,
asylum, away from busy life and excit
ing scenes, like this one than they cal
by charitable individuals.
Respectfully submitted,
NJ. Y. INGRAM,
II NJ BRowy