Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-11-16
The Poor Farm Question.


The Board of Supervisors of Harri-
son county have settled with the 1. Z.
Railroad Co., for the old poor farm, re-
ceiving $500 damage for the same,
and now the question Is: What is the
county going to do for u poor farm?
Does the people of this county pro-
pose to abandon the policy of keeping
q poor farm? The returns of the late
election show that only 877 votes for,
aud I ,l19 against the proposition or the
the opinion that many voted under q
to vote either way.
The county vote was 5,4l6, and as the
law to appropriate the amount neces-
ssry to buy and equip, requires a ma
jority of all the votes cast ut such an
election, or 2,709 votes, the inference is
that the people are decidedly opposed
to the purchase of County Poor Farm.
The importance of owning a county
poor farm can not be over estimated;
a glance at tina amount of approprls
tions by the county board is large and
growing larger with each recurring
year, and we incline to the opinion
that economy and sound policy de-
mands that the county should provide
home for the poor and unfortunate
of the county, not only place, but
comfortable home with all that word
implies.
A farm, we'll managed, would pay all
expenses of keeping the poor, and hui
manity demands that the poor and un-
fortunate be properly cared for. 1t Is
not necessary to stop to argue the pro
priety of the relatives of the unfortu-
nate caring for their poor; every fami-
" has its own responsibilities. and it
was said by Him who was more than 3
prophet" poor ye have with yon al
ways" and so it is and ever has been.
Many counties have arranged their
farms so as to add q county hospital
so as to take care of all who become Q
county charge. and instead of send
ing such persons out of the county at
the county expense, send them to the
County Poor Farm and provide for
them at the county home.
This Is said to be much cheaper and
more satisfactory to both subject and
county.
Another reason why poor farm
should be secured is the fact that at q
place properly prepared all can receive
better attention at less cost than is
possible in 9 scattered condition, all
over the county with weekly allow
ance, and if mecical attendance is re-
quired, the physician can give better
attention there than it is possible to
give if the patients are scattered all
over the county.
Many may dread going to the Poor
Hone, but when properly considered
i, j. no disgrace, and all unfortunates
shout feel gateful for the human and
generous provision made tor them by
the county and should accept with
greatful hearts. A good farm with q
comfortable house, conveniently loca-
ted, is an absolute necessity, and the
sooner it is provided the sooner will the
county have performed public duty
and an act of charity.
Another consideration of importance
is the fact that land can be bought at
lower price now than at future date,
and if farm is to be bought, which
we think is a foregon conclusion, the
sooner it is done the better for the f.
nancial interests of the tax payers of
the county. We are not advising any
specific action on this matter, but mere
ly call attention to the subject and ask
the people to seriously consider 1t and
then act for the common good.