Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-10-13
70 the Voters and Taxpayers Of Union
C0untV.

~ W0 vOs0IB anu TaX.p4yoFS Of UAlo0
County.
The question Of the best and most
economical mode of caring for the
unfortunate poor Of our county who
require public aid, is an important
and pressing one and a question that
all should we'll consider before vot.
ing at the special election called for
Nov. 2. Sooner or later, this coun.
ty will have to provide a poorhouse
or an asylum were the paupers who
can work may so contribute to their
support and those who may be in
need of medical attendance and care
can have regular attention. 1t is
the judgment of this board after
careful deliberation, that it would
now be for the financial interest oil
our county and for the material well
fare of our poor, to establish a poor
house and to this end we have called
a special election to be held at the
same time and place as the general
election, to determine whether or
motif is your pleasure that such a
course be adopted.
As this involves for the present
year, an extra tax of five mills and
as we are all careful of increasing
our expenses except for proper and
necessary ends,we beg leave to here
with submit for your consideration
few facts and arguments bearing
OIL this question.
l Many of those now partially
or entirely supported by the county
would in all probability be cared
for in some mode or other by friends
or relatives or by their own labor, if
compelled to receive such public aid
at the poor-house, instead of at the
homes of friends or neighbors as is
is now the case.
2 Those receiving public aid Mt
the poor-house, instead of being en-
tirely dependent and non-support-
ing would be able to earn their own
living either in whole or in part and
thus lessen the expense of their sup
port.
3 The experience of older COM
munities shows that poor-houses, if
properly managed, in a short time
become self-supporting. Woodbur-
ry county, Iowa, with 10000 popu-
lation has 20 inmates in the poor
house, which yields a small revenue
over expenses.
4 The expense of this county in
caring for its poor, shows a steady
increase. In 1882 it was 1926 80. In
1885 it was S1.635.56 being an in
crease of over rs per cent. For the
first nine months If the present year
it amounts to l,158.4O.
We have estimated that the pro-
ceeds Of the proposed levy would
buy the necessary land. buildings,
i've stock and implements SO that
no further levy for this purpose
would be needed. Ifthis tax is vot-
edit is our purpose to buy 100 acres
Of land in some locality where it
would be tillable every year,to erect
The necessary buildings and stock
md equip the farm as far as possible
md employ some competent super
and matron.
In conclusion we would say, that
t is our firm belief that a poor house
would lessen our expenses for the
poor, both by lessening the number
If those asking aid and by enabling
hose dependent on public aid to
their labor towards their
and that it would be econo-
ny to buy a poor-farm now when
nd.lumber and live stock are cheap
n as much rs we would have to
axe this step in the near future If
rot taken now. Trusting that every
'oter will carefully consider this
question before casting his ballot we
cave it to your dicision.
Union county Oak. Oct. 9th, 1886.
IALvoR KNuDsoN
ALEX KEvILL, Co. Cons.
G. HI. WILLIAMS