Morning journal and courier., 1888-09-15
TUr NEW ALmsaoUsE.

A Meeting of the COmmHtfee Held XeS-
 ssrday AnernoOn-Vartous Changes
 --The New vEoFGhOuse.
 The new almshouse committee met in the town agents office yesterday afternoon. Architect Allen was present and said that work on the almshouse is being pushed as rapidly as possible.
 The matter of whether to have the bnild- ing lighted by gas or electricity was dis cussed. The contract provided for gas, and it was decided to let the contractors go ahead and put the gas pipes in, but it was not decided which to use. A committee VIII inquire and report as to the difference in cost between the two. The committee, although not reaching decision, thought the gas pipes should be put in go that gas could be burned in case of an emergency.
 It was voted to have the water pipes from the main to the building changed from three to fopr-inch pipe. The three-1nch pipe was not deemed large enough in case of fire. It was also decided to have two hy- drants placed outside the building.
 The committee voted to have an additional story put on to the boiler house, to be used as workhouse.
 The committee wanted to decide yesterday as to whether the almshouse stairs should be of wood or iron, but Contractor Grant had not been able to get the difference in cost. He thought that the iron stairs would cost between $5, 900 or $6,000 more. This would not exceed the appropriation.
 Selectman Reynolds brought up the mat
 ter of workhouse and thought that the committee should do something so as to get some plans ready to report to the next town meeting in December. It might do to give public hearing on the matter. Mr. Dawson thought this was advisable, for if the committee went ahead without giv- ing the public chance to be heard there would be much fault found.
 Col White thought that the workhouse question should be dropped for the present, ct least until the new almshouse is fnished, and then see what is needed to supplement that. He thought it was rather premature to think of building 8 workhouse until after the almshouse is finished.
 H. M. Welch said he had given the subject much thought and if woTkhouse was built it should be sort of reformation institution. Colonel Which other words, you would make it reform school for adultsa Mir. Welch-Yes.
 Town Agent Reynolds stated that the idea was to get work out of the prisoners for the benefit of the town. The families of many sent to jail have to rely on the town and the intention in establishing 8 workhouse is to get as much service possible out of the prisoner toward proVlolng TOT ms 1am1iy There are many who, as it now is, had rather than not spend six or eight months out of the year at the county jail.
 MT. Dawson-In Boston recently went to the workhouse and was surprised to find such skilfuI Workmen. I asked If it was possible that prisoners who were sent there for 30 or 60 days could become so skilful. "Why," said the keeper asked, s'that man there has been sent here ninety times for from 60 to 90 days each time." It astound- ed me. As MT. Reynolds has stated, the town would get the benefit of there work. Col White said that there were great many questions to be decided about the pro iect and there seemed to be no urgent need
 just now to push the matter.
 A public hearing will be held, but the
 date was not decided yesterday.
 Eighth 0. V. Reunion Yesterday.
 NoRWAIK. Conn.,. Sept, 14,-Twenty-third