The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-02-01
The Poor House Question.

We have been asked by number OF
our readers to give some Information
calculated to enlighten the voters OF
Jefferson county on the poor farm ques-
tion, upon which they are to vote at
the ensuing election. We have no def
inite data on the subject, but have un-
derstood, in u general way, that those
counties which have established county
homes are very much pleased with them,
and could not be induced to go back TO
the old township overseer system. The
experience Of Clear6eld county in this
matter has been very satisfactory, hav-
ing greatly reduced the expense of main
tanning the poor, and providing better
quarters for them than they would
otherwise have had. Their poor farm
and buildings cost about $50,000. When
the bill which gives the opportunity to
vote on this question was before the
House. number of Representatives
from counties having poor farms ex-
pressed themselves as being strongly in
favor Of such institutions, declaring
that they were less expensive and more
humane than the old system, and that
their constituents would not think Of
going back to what they termed the
"barbarous" method of farming out"
the poor.
The success of such an institution
would Of course depend largely upon its
management. 1t might be made very
expensive by improper management.
But there is no reason why jefferson
county could not manage poor farm
just as well as any other county. 1t is
only question of getting the right
men at the head Of 1t.
The question is raised by some of the
residents Of the more prosperous agri-
cultural townships, where they have
very few paupers, that by adopting the
county system, they would be compelled
to bear an equal share of the burden Of
maintaining the poor of those thickly
populated districts where the poor tax
is heavy. This is true, but the prob
ability is that, after the poor farm and
buildings were paid for, the tax levy
for maintaining the institution would
be lower, even in those townships where
1t is now the lowest, than ever before.
But their is something else to be con-
sidered. A mans humanity and benevo-
lence should not be confined within
township lines. II poor farm is good
thing for the county at large, and would
provide a more humane method for car
ing for the INDECENT and helpless, who
would be so lacking in the attributes
which should characterize every chris
tian gentleman-kindness and brother
ly sympathy-as to begrudge few pen
MES additional? Those who do take
this view of it should remember that,
were it not for the large mining com
munities in the county they would re-
ceive about one-third less for their pro-
duce. Edward Reitz, a country mer-
chant of Belleview, and one Of the
most intelligent men in the county, said
the other day that the farmers Of JEFF
ferson county received at least 80 per
cent. more for their produce than they
would If compelled to send it to Pitts.
burg.
This being true, no benevolent and
broad-minded farmer would object tC
u few cents additional poor tax when he
felt he was benefiting community that
benefited him. We have no idea, how
ever, that the poor tax would be in
creased one cent, excepting possibly fol
the first few years, until the county
home was paid for. After that the
probability is that it would be cheaper
for everybody.-Punxsutawney Spirit.