The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-02-09
PAUPERS OF PETTIS.
Judge Taylor Talks of the Poor
House and Its Inmate.
High-TOned People Who Are
Provided for Elsewhere.

miles from town., said Judge +. b
Taylor, of the county court, a rep
resentative of the BAzoo yesterday.
"At present" continued the judge
"we are caring for about twenty in
mates there, and if the distance was
not so great many kind-hearted people
would visit the farm and assist the
unfortunate occupants by contributing
clothing, provisions, etc. As it is,
though, the distance is so great that
the county's guests are deprived of all
outside assistance, and it is no small
matter, assure you"
"Why not change The location to a
point nearer the city, the" ?"
81 have been In favor of il for some
time past, but am opposed by the
other members of the court, hence my
hands are tied. If the newspapers
would agitate the matter it would
bring about good results"
"W hat is the cost per diem for the
maintenance of the county's pau pers?"
"They are provided for at a much
less figure than L would care to take
the contract. 1t costs only s1.35
per week, or a fraction over IS cents
day, ami while they do not live lux
uriously, they have all the necessaries
of lie."
What do you mean by the "'nec-
essaries of life?'
Well, the county provides the
contractor with eighty acres of land
and a suitable dwelling for the care
of his wards. Of course ali that is
raised ON the land belongs 10 the con-
tractor, and he can dispose of it in
any manner he may see proper. He
must, however, furnish good and
sufficient quality of food, together
with comfortable raiment. This is
looked after by the county court, and
/ do npt hest ate 10 say that these
provisions have been complied with
in the past. The only wonder to me
is that the paupers are SO we'll cared
for, considering the small price paid
Tor their maintenance.
care these the only paupers the
court is called upon to look after?"
ooh, no. We have probably an
additional twenty scattered through
out the county, who refuse to become
inmates of the poor house notwith-
standing we provide for them"
"Why do they thus decline ?"
Through pride alone. They are
not ashamed to ask for and receive as
sistance, but when it comes to crossing
the Threshold of the poor house hey
are struck with holy horror. This is
consistency, iso't it 7"
"M here do this latter class hold
forth3"
cat their wherever they
may be-"
''Do they fare any better than poor
house inmates ?"
"No, indeed and often not so well.
They are willing to put up with less,
they say, merely to prevent the dis
grace that attaches to all who go to
the poor farm"
"Are there many in the city who
apply to the court for assistance 7"
"Had you been present at yester-
days session you wouli have thought
so. Yes, the number is larger this
year than / ever knew before"
care the applicants mostly foreign
ers or natives?
Natives, by a large majority"
"Many colored peoplef"
"No, / must do the race the credit
to say that they are far and few be-
tween" '.'.i"
Can you approximate the amount
that will be expended this year on
the c,unty's paupersi'
"No, | cannot. 1t will foot up
quite large sum, th"ugh."
"Will the appropriation hold out 7"
'It always has in the past and / do
not know why it vii Lot this year.
The law provides tn It the first money
appropriated by the court shall be ex-
pended in providing for the paupers
IF he county. and IN the past We have
always made the figure high enough
mot too high, mind you, but just
nigh enough"
Then you think the unfortunates
IF Pettis county are as we'll pro-
7ided for as are those of other coun-
;les?"
"Yes, indeed, and that is saying
lot little"
CRYSTAL Wedding.