Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-10-24

AaEMENT.--EYERY DOLLAR HONEST
LIZ Observation-Disclosures uDICIoUsLy
APPLIED. 49, THE PROPERTY IN FINE
CONDITION.
Elsewhere is printed report of the
original cost of the poor farm, the cost
of maintenance, expenditures for per
manent improvements, together with
an account of the receipts end an in
voice of the produce and stuck on hand,
The sub-heading indicates tlrat II Is fur
nished at the request Of some Organiza-
ton, but 1t is not known to us by what
authority the gentlemen whose sigma
lures appear constitute a committee. "
The point Is not material, however, as
the report will be welcomed by all our
readers. II is not as infinitely itemized
as was desired, perhaps, by those who
signed an open letter requesting q state
ment few weeks ago. But 1t Is quite
satisfactory to all concerned and of
value because Of its accuracy. 1t is con.
else yet comprehensive, and withal
shows sound condition of affairs.
Between the running expenses" of
the farm, S2307.72, and the receipts "
and value of products unsold" 1857.
06 there Is discrepancy Of $74086,
which latter amount Is all that could be
considered the loss in operating by those
most heartily opposed to the plan.
But there are almost endless features
of the case which have operated against
fuller success this year, which in sue.
cession of years would guarantee much
better results nine times out of ten. In
this connection we might mention the
loss of ll9 head Of hogs, which the
committee" has chosen to concede
only the Importance of foot note.
The lost hogs are considered of the val |
ne of $500, which added to the value of
stock on hand and receipts would make
the income S206705. But the value of
the hogs lost is greatly underestimated
Among those that died OF cholera were
fourteen brood sows worth $l5 each or
500. The remaining 1O5 head were
shoats and stock hogs whose value can
only be estimated by what they would
be worth when marketable, In consider
alton of which facts the total value of
all the hogs would be at the smallest
figure more than $500. Again the year
has been one of depressed prices on farm
products. 1t Is easy to estimate the
value of the corn on hand at the prices
Of recently preceding years, when very
different showing would appear. Other
incidents Of an unusually proiitless year
in farming have contributed to make
the showing less creditable than might
otherwise appear.
The farm has been worked In man.
ner to produce abundant crops, while
the stock has prospered well until the
epidemic Of hog cholera depleted the
herds. The original cost of stock for
breeding purposes was S415. Hogs
were sold to the value Of $40, while In
the table we find stock listed as the In.
crease of original stock of the value OF
$3.50; total of $40 increase In seven.
teen months OH S4l5 worth Of stock.
Another feature which does not prop.
erly come within the limits OF this re-
port, but which must nevertheless be
considered when the advantage of the
poor farm is discussed, is the cost of the
support of the county's unfortunate
poor. 1t was argued by those who IA
vored the proposition to buy a poor
farm that there would be an immense
saving in this regard, and the record
bears out the statement, although we
are not able to show comparative
statement Of appropriations for cores
ponding years. AS showing, however,
that there has been steady decrease in
allowances for paupers we cite the fact
which the record shows, that at the last
(September) meeting of the board there
was allowed for the support of paupers
S145.99. Eight families were benefici-
aries of this fund, while of that number
all but one have ceased to apply for aid.
Only deserving cases apply for assis-
lance. A majority of those who would
accept the county's charity II extended
in the way of orders on grocery stores
and coal houses will not consent to go to
the poor house, and it is only the privi-
liged and deserving few who can receive
assistance and remain at homes of their
choice. The writer has looked over the
bills allowed for the support of paupers
In preceding years when the aggregate
sums varied from $500 to $500. Any
one will concede that the saving of hun
dreds in this manner, annually, consti-
tutes fund directly creditable to the
establishment and maintenance of the
county farm.
But THE REPUBLICAN does not re
gard an apology for the report neces-
sary. 1t is self explanatory.
THE REPUBLICAN rejoices in the re-
port, however, because it is complete
yindication of the management of the
farm. 1t shows that every dollar and
every cent appropriated by the county
has been honestly applied. The total