The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-24
Poor Farm Annual
Banquet Was Held.
SOME ATE HEARTILY,
While Others Branded At
fair as Unnecessary.

Spencer, Feb 23--After much dis
cussion and antagonis'n, the annual in
spection and dinner which for the pas
ten years has been held at the Spen.
Ger almshouse, took place today
About 20 townspeople, including many
officials, left town at 10 o'clock this
morning for their annual inspection Of
the entire poor farm. After the arriva,
at their destination, the gentlemen
gave the farm a thorough inspection
from the cellar Of tho barn to the at
tic Of the house, every, inch of which
they found in first-class condition.
In the barn there was found more
stock, Eay and grain than has been
found for years. The stock and horses
We're all found to be in the best of
condition, While the wagons and car
rtages, without an exception, were in
the best OF order. The farm buildings,
both house and barn, were also found
TO be in perfect repair. Both were neat
and clean.
After Warden Hoyt and his guests
mad finished the tour of the farm and
the assessors had taken their inventory
OF the farm property, all assembled at
l O'Clock in the spacious dining room
and enjoyed a fine turkey dinner At
ter dinner, the remainder of the after
noon until about $50, was spent in d
general discussion Of the farms well
fare.- Drs- r. w. Norwood and E. r.
wheeler both made speeches on the
present condition of the farm.
Both men, as did every one present,
without an exception, expressed them
selves as highly pleased and we'll salts
ned with the present state of affairs at
the farm. Every person, after the in
spection today, was well satisfied that
Warden Hoyt has received a great
deal of criticism which he in no way
deserves. They feel sure that Mr.
Hoyt is as good warden, if not the
best, that Spencer has ever had.
Those present at the inspection and
dinner We're Overseers of the Poor
Abraham Capen, and DR.. Marc Fon-
tame; Assessors Henry H. Kingsbury
Henry w. Bemis, Thomas A Prouty
Octave Langevin and E. M. Bliss, Sc
lectmen Herbert H. Capen, George H
Kramer. Napoleon L. Hamelin and
Charles H. Allen, w H. Potter, John
G. Avery, Drs. K. r. Wheeler and E.
w. Norwood.
While the above-named. men were
doing what they thought to be right
namely, making an inspection and din
ing at the poor farm, a still larger
number in town were scoring them for
their action. Both the arguments OF
the stay at-homeS and the men who
believe this annual inspection of the
farm, should be made, were bought out
plainly in a. friendly discussion held
yesterday between DR.. c. E. Wheeler
and George H. Larkum, editor of the
Spencer Sun. Mr.. Larkum is in every
way opposed to this what he calls al
annual blowout, while DR.. Wheeler is
greatly in favor Of it.
The former said: Il can never agree
that it is right for Is to so people to &C
to the poor farm once a year and cal
turkey and other edibles at the towns
expense. / think that it is wrong and
encourages corruption of town officials
The plea that these occasions are for
the purpose of discussing ways an6
means for the amelioration of the con-
dftion of the towns poor is ridiculous
Il believe 1t would be all right for the
assessors and overseers of the poor tc
make an annual inspection and inven-
tory of the poor farm, and If they see fiji
to have a turkey dinner at the towns
expense. But when it comes to 25 or3C
people going for this purpose, 1 claim
that it is not right and should be stop
ped"
Mr. Larl<um was invited to attend the
dinner today, but as he is an unbeliever
in this sort of thing declined to accept
the invitation.
DR.. E. r. Wheeler, on the other hand
told his side Of the story, which ex-
pressed plainly the opinion of a large
number of the towns people Dr.
Wheeler said: 81 thoroughly believe in
this annual tour OF inspection and din
ner. 1t gives rise to discussion Of the
town farm affairs, creates interest
among the citizens, encourages the
warden, and many times presents plans
for great Improvement to the farm All
the different improvements so far made
at the town farm have originated at
these annual, dinners. AS far as the
idea that myself or any other man who
is in the habit of going to these inspec-
lions, goes there simply for his dinner,
is an entirely false version. Don't you
believe those men are able to afford
just as good a dinner at their
own homes as they can get at
the town farm? Why, certainly
they can, AS far as our going to the
town farm for a blowout is concerned,
you are wholly mistaken, as / consider
there are many pleasanter pleasure re-
sorts than a. poor farm.
Il am interested in the work being
done there and for this reason 1 attend
the annual inspection. The other men
believe, feel the same"
Seleotman George H. Kramer was seen
by the Spy man about the matter and
expressed the same views as Dr.
Wheeler.
Not only the townspeople do not
agree on this subject, but even the
oVerSesrs Of the poor are divided. At
hot meeting of the oveTseers last
night, the question of the annual din
ner at the towns expense was brought
up. Abraham Capen was very much
in favor OF the annual feed, while Dr.
Fontaine, the other member Of the
board, was as strongly opposed. Mr.
Capen believes the same as DR.. Wheel.
er. while DR.. Fontaine takes the same
view of the matter as Mr.. Larkum
After much arguing and disputing OF
the subject. however, it was decided
to hold the dinner as usual The din.
ner was held, but whether another one
under similar auspices will be held is
a question.
In the, ten years that these annual
dinners have been held 1t has cost the
town between 5000 md $500. Judge A
w. Curtis is also much opposed to these
dinners and refused TO attend TODAY.
Louis Menard, an old and respected
NuAGVITNnrnN Morn. -.