Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-03-11
POOR FARM VS. NEW JAIL.

Mr.. Editor ancient and honor
able institution the Grand Jury, has
met. considered and deliberated on all
matters presented to them, made their
.'presentrnents. returned home and the
world moves on Just about the same as
before they were summoned to attend
to their arduous duties. one part Of
their presentment we think was not
well considered by them, else there
would have been a different deliverance
on the subject. and that is on the ques-
ton of a New Jail They recommend
the construction of a New Jail at a
cost of about $500 Now the query
arises. where is the great, over power
ing reason for this expenditure of this
large amount of money, adding to the
already heavy burdens of the tax pay
ers. when the Jail we have Will Tor a
long time TO come answer all the needs
of the county. if properly cared for by
those in charge of the same(and there Is
no complaint against the present sheriff.
WHY do they want new jail at all!
Can any good reason be given for TINS
large expenditure of money for jail
when there are other things needed by
the county a great deal moe than a
new Jail? Some well meaning but
visionary persones have been talking
for some time on the question of a new
jail and have persuaded themselves
that new one is needed. and set about
to convince others of the fact, that we
ought to have a grand new jail, when
we have one that answers the purpose
quite well, and until times get better,
and taxes less burdensOme, we think we
should get along with the one we have.
True our Jail is not a palace, was not so
intended in the first place, but good
safe place to keep evil doors, and If
those outside don't want to share III
Jail hospitality, let them behave them
selves well, and there is no danger OF
their being humiliated. by being com
PEELED to stay in a common jail hat
we do need, though, and that badly. Is
Poor Farm, where all the poor of the
county can be sent and cared for, and
where they can at the same time make
themselves useful. and partially self sus
tanning. With a good Poor Farm, there
are many paupers in the different town
ships and boroughs of the county who
could be made work on the farm, hoeing
corn. potatoes, and other things, work
ing the garden. fixing up the farm, and
do great deal of work that would be
useful and help sustain themselves, In
stead of laying around doing nothing
except going with great regularity t.
the overseers of the poor for orders foi
groceries, etc, etc, that they need tC
keep them going, and that the tax pay
er has TO settle for in the end.
Then if we had good poor farm {
great deal of litigation between the diff
ferent townships and boroughs would
be avoided trying to find out which one /:
| liable for the keeping of the poor person
which is quite tax on the people OF the
districts We venture to say, there Is
enough money spent in litigation ovel
such things to pay the interest on the
money necessary TO buy and equip {
good Poor Farm, and when the luga
tion is over the people have nothing ioI
| it, whereas if we had poor farm the
money spent would bring good results
| for both present and future. In time
under proper management, the inst1tu
| ton would become self sustaining, the
| poor people would be well cared for
! many of them made useful instead ol
being, as now, a dead weight on the
community, and we would get away
| from that relic of barbarism, of selling
the keeping of the poor to the Lowest
bidder. We say, by all means, let rs
have poor farm instead of new Jail
| What say the people on the subject lei
us hear from the tax payers, as they
are the most interested parties in the
matter. TAX PAYER.