The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-07-24
"rhe Poor Ye Have Always"

1.-THE Poor Ye Have Always"
While its a little amusing to hear
the arguments pro and con by our
worshipful County Court in regard
to caring for our paupers. Its a
matter of regret that we can not all
see alike on as plain a question as
this is. Its not to be wondered at,
why good men differ upon great
national questions, when neighbors
and christian men will differ 80
widely in local or family matters.
Some think 1t best to buy a valuble
farm, erect suitable buildings, and
thereby enhance the comfort Of the
paupers and lesson the burden Of
the county.
While others think it best to
repair the old buildings so as to
make it comfortable for the inmates
and let it 60 on as it has been and
not make the burden any greater
on the people.
And there is still another class
that wants the old property dispos.
ed of and buy a location near town
and build a fine Asylum or Hospi.
tai and have doctors and nurses
employed to keep them in fine style
so they would fare sumptiously
every day.
Now I am glad that the subject
Is being agitated. I hope it will
result in the betterment of their
condition. There is one question
that we ought to ask ourselves do
we as a matter of heartfelt duty
want to help support the poor un-
fortunate of our county? Or is it
simply because it has become sort
of fashion?
If we are honest in this matter
we have but one course to pursue,
and that is to follow the golden rule.
"Do unto all men as you would
have them do unto you."
Now let us just try to place our
selves for a few moments in their
condition and say what would we
have the County Court do with US.
Most assuredly we would say,
please let us chooseour own keepers.
Don't drag me away from my old
friends and acquaintances because
they are too poor to care for me;
please don't take me to strange
place among strange people and
there pen me up with twenty-five
or thirty others more wretched
than myself, to be put up and bid
off like a gang of poor cattle to be
let to the lowest bidder, and not
exactly like cattle either for they
always 60 to the highest bidder.
And so on the other hand if you
should place them in a fine mansion
under the care of a board of doctors
assisted by the best Of nurses ant
feed them upon the richest viands
Obtainable that would not render
them the kind of comfort that they
require, why not says one? Simply
because it is nearly impossible for {
person to out live their raising o.
habit of long standing, and th'
: majority of paupers have not beer
} raised that way, nor used to th'
society of educated doctors
or fashionable ettiquett.
And there are but few but wha
have some relative or friend tha
they would gladly spend the re
mainder of their life, if such frien,
was in condition to keep them
7 and little donation at each quart
/ erly term of the court say S. or SIC
would suppliment what they hav
and thereby enable them to supper
said pauper in their plain old fash
! ioned style.
And you may give them tn
cheapest, plainest and the mos
{ common living coupled with
contented mind and you have don
more for their comfort than all tn
doctors, nurses and fine building
in the world. So we should stud
their spiritual comfort as we'll a
:, their physical needs. Aud l hav
t heard many old people say tina
2 they would rather live on brea
2 alone and live in the presence G
g kind friends and where they coul
t hear the little songs and swee
+ prattle of dear little grandchildre
e than to live in a kings palace an
b be deprived of such comforts.
81 But says one ITO take such
!, coursn 90 ahOvo Indicated ,x,o,,I