Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-03-18
MANAGEMENT OF THE ALMsAousE

A sharp Letter From MRS Francis
Bacon of New Haven.
Under date of March Is Mrs Francis
Bacon of New Haven writes, concern
ing the Waterbury almshouse:
81 have visited day for the second
time within five months the Waterbury
almshouse, and will you allow me to
suggest that some statistics of consider
able value to taxpayers can be secured
from the matron if you will send an
enterprising reporter to collect them.
He should take note of the Ba9ley
family paupers, living on the public
these many years. Father at work in
the city; mother stout and strong.
They are man, woman and four
violation of the law, and have been
"this time" for nearly two years. They
are old FOUNDERS, bringing up the
second generation in their own sins.
The Gillgans, with six children, one a
boy of IA, should also be broken up; and
the history of the Suttons who have, just
gone out ''for WHILE" after two years
residence at ease, also with three
children and boy Of ID. What do the
citizens of Waterbury expect from these
boys of fourteen, who have sat for two
years in the Waterbury almshouse at
night listening to the vile conversation
of the drunkards and vicious broken
down old men in the common sitting
room2 might 20 back for years and
give you the history as to names and
ages of paupers who have been
held in the Waterbury almsbouse
in bold defiance of law on the part
of your Relectmen, and each succeeding
board Of them. They all understand
consent defy it. 1t Is time that the pub
lie understood the state of the case, and
that the respectable part of the COM
munity should insist that the children
over two now in the almshouse should
leave it and should never return. These
statistics which can be collected at
your doors are of infinite importance to
society from every standpoint. You are
about to build a new almshouse. The
Bagleys will move in and enjoy their
improved quarters at your cost; and
Say to those lazy mothers, women
housed at your expense, "Your children
shall be taken from you at once unless
you leave" and they will find way to
support themselves outside that aims
house" to the immense advantage of all
concerned"
Mrs Francis Bacon Is a member of the
state board of charities. Thoroughly
| honest as she is in her ideas of caring
/
scribed to on all sides. To take children
from their parents and place them in
the temporary or county home when
the parents are not properly conduct.
ing themselves just at that time, would
be all very well If the parents could ever
reclaim them after they had reformed,
and when they had given satisfactory
proofs that they were leading good
lives, and were fit guardians. To take
children from parents, however, and
separate them in such a manner that
the family may never be united again,
is hard condition of affairs, and the
selectmen of the town of Waterbury
propose to go slow in the matter. The
cases cited by Mrs Bacon are extraordi-
nary and there are a great many cir
i cumstances connected with them,
which would surprise people did they
know them. Any citizen may learn
what they are and investigate the
conduct of the almshouse for that
matter, by applying to- the selectmen.
Mr. Pinney told reporter to-day that
he wanted to give them one more
chance, that as the spring was not far
distant, they would be able to take care
of themselves, and If they were not, and
the mothers did not behave themselves
better, then the children would be
separated from them.