The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-03-24

We are pleased with the visits made
to the home by so many of the citizens
who are large taxpayers, and the COM
ments of approval of the management
of the institution.
The Home was not visited 10y any in
fectious diseases or scouree of any kind
during The year, and beyond the usual
and common ills that this class of de-
pendents is heir to, the health of the
home was good.
The thanks of the public are due to
Mr.. Jacob McGregor, the retiring di-
rector, for the faithful and conscien-
tiOus manner in which he discharged
his duties.
FARM-The farm is gradually being
brought up TO high state of cultiva-
ton and is producing well. a glance
ct the Stewards report will convince
all of the fact.
BUu-DINGS-The buildings are in
good order and repair, and present a
fine appearance. The past year slate
roof was placed on the main brick
building to take the place of worn
out shingle roof, which adds greatly to
the appearance and lessons the danger
of fire from adjoining buildings. All
AtAt AEldl art uSudltA lOAlu III
similar institutions are found in our
Home and ere enjoyed by the inmates.
INMATES-There was a daily average
of 30 at the home during the year. All
were carefully housed, fed and cared
for. Those that are able, do such work
as they are able to do. and when it is
possible all should and are required TO
do something in order to teach them
that they have an interest in the Home.
DEATHs-There were II deaths at the
Home during the year. Most of them
were old and had long since passed
their allotted time. A few were
brought 10 the home sick and never
rallied. All were given respectable
Christian burial.
RELIEF-1t being the experience of
many of those vino have devoted their
lives to the work of charity and of car
ing for the unfortunates in life that
outdoor relief was more of an evil than
the good il was designed for, and had
tendency to increase dependents rath-
er then assist them, the directors, by
resolution, discontinued the giving OF
permanent relief, and only in eases of
urgent necessity have they issued tem-
pOrary relief. The result has been
that those who received relief hereto
fore have been able to live Just as we'll.
and the number of inmates at the home
has not been materially increased.
CTuLDREN-During the year there
have been more children received at
the Home than any other for the past
five years. Under the law we are pro-
bibited from keeping them at the
Home. neither do we believe they
should be kept there. Yes, we think
they should not even be committed to
the Poor House.
"Rushes do not grow without mire,
nor flags without water" and no more
are pauper classes reproduced from
generation TO generation without in
fiuence acting upon them from child
hood and developing them into chron-
ic paupers.
Each individual has certain innate
tendencies for good or evil Mental
and moral traits are as certainly heredi.
tary as physical likeness. The child
of pauper inherits from his parents
the mental and physical defects which
have made him a public charge. In
each succeeding generation these grow
stronger, while the characteristics
which make the independent citizen
grow weaker
Inherited tendencies are strongly af-
fecied by early environment. The
stigma of pauper clings to a child for
years after IL enters the Poor House.
This We have been trying to avoid.
The Children's Aid Society has been o,
great help in this matter. They have
provided a temporary home for the
Keeping of children until a permanent
home can be found in which 10 place
them. All children committed to the
County Home have been placed in
their charge, and some have been TAX
en- directly in charge by the Aid Socie-
ty before reaching the Poor House. We
appreciate the work and services of
the Children's Aid, and feel that all
should assist and encourage them in
their child-saving work.
Rev. j. 5. Harkey held services each
month at the Home, visited the depart
ments OF the sick and ministered to
their spiritual wants. Religious SER
vices were held at each funeral. A SER
vice OF song at the Home would be
greatly appreciated by all if one or
more OF the choirs of the churches |
would volunteer to do IL.
SCHEDULE A.-NaIes.
List Of persons admitted and employed al
the Somerset County House for IS,9:
Name, Age. Admitted, Discharged.
Emanuel Albright 50, Feb. n lsgs, e.oped |
Uriah Hook =. June 9. 1885. e;cpsd March %.