Connecticut western news., 1891-07-02
COUNTY HOME.

COUNTY HOME.
 In order that our readers may have both sides of the County Home ques- tion, we copy the following from the Thomaston Express, written by Dr Goodwin of that place:
 HOME.
 Mfr Editor:-The proposed removal of the County Home from Wipsted, has caused much surprise and adverse con- ment. Hitherto only one side of the story has been told. Permit me to say few words in your columns on the other side:
 To the fve gentlemen who constitute the Board of Management of the Coun- ty Home is entrusted the sole care of the dependent children in the county. The statute expressly empowers them to purchase or lease . home. It directs them to provide proper food and cloth ing and to educate the children. But above all it insists that the children shall be placed in permanent homes as soon as such homes can be found. This indeed Is the main object of the tenn porary home. It is generally conceded by County Home Managers, and mem- bers of the State Board of Charity and Health, as we'll as by those who framed the law, that in order to attain these objects fully, each county should have 8 "Home" of its own; that it's board of managers should employ and personally supervise it's superintendent and matron. About two years ago the managers of the Gilbert Home invited all of the County Home Managers in the state to send their children to Win sted to be cared for at much reduced price The offer was declined by all except Litchfeld county. The reasons not allow the managers to farm out the children at such 8 reduced price; that the objects of the temporary home could not be successfully carried out in large orphan asylum; and that they did not feel at liberty to delegate to others, powers, duties, and responsibil- ities, which were specially imposed up- on themselves. Seven of the eight counties have purchased and equipped homes of their own, which are now in 8 fourishing condition and constitute the most promising and useful charity the state has ever established. But the Litchfield county managers in accord ance with the desire of the County Rep resentatives placed the County children in the Gilbert Home, which was under the management of superintendent hired and directed by the Gilbert trus- tees. A matron was also appointed and paid by the County managers to look after the children. Thus began the dual management which has made all the trouble. AS might have been ex-t pected, there have been clashings and collisions of authority, criminations and recriminations, charges and counter charges, which have disturbed the peace of the home and impaired it's use- fulness. This state of things existed, neither party ielded to the other, un- til the Gilbert Home trustees notified the County Commissioners that they must remove their matron or take the children away. The County Home managers, at meeting May 5th, ,declin- ed to remove the matron without sufi- cient cause, and decided by 8 unamious vote, to remove the children from Win sted, purchase home for them, and hereafter to exercise the sole and exclu- sive management of them, in 8 manner precisely similar to that practiced in the other counties of the state. They selected, after due deliberation, salu- brious and commodious home in town easily accessible to all parts of the coun- ty, and amply sufficient for t.le future needs of all the destitute children of the county. They were restrained from completing the purchase by an iDjunc- 'tion, and at meeting of the County Representatives held June 18th, were directed to continue the dual managec ment at the Gilbert Home.
 In the opinion of those who have studied the matter closely, however, it is thought that the plan Wil never work smoothly. The reasons are, that no institution can eveS be run wisely or we'll which has two. sets of officials. There are sure to, be collisions of auth ority even when all are honorable and worthy men. as they undoubtedly are in this case.
 The Gilbert Home contains two set of children-one the permanent or or plan children the other, the dependent county children, with different regula- tions for each; two sets of subordinate officers, viz: the matron and her assist ant furnished by the county, and the superintendent and his wife, furnished by the Gilbert Home trustees and fin ally, two boards of management, whe do not seem to agree in many points essential to harmony and the successful conduct of this important charity.
 The sooneS then that Litchfeld coun- ty obtains 8 Temporary Home of its own for, it's indieent and dependent children the better it will be for all concerned. It is probable that homes in good families could be obtained more readily if the home was established and operated with that end solely in view, under the immediate and exclusive conr trol of it's own managers, than under | the rules of an orphan asylum designed l for the permanent care of children, t whose officials have no time, and per K haps no inclinations, to engage ih, the special work of seeking homes fon- the unfortunate children
 If this objecteapnokb be promptly and E accomplished. kben the County Temporary Home will be fail \ are, even though the children be com loetably cared fer sbd thouGh the owns have to pay only half price for heir naintsnsncs. R & GooDwH.