Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-29
Laboring People Are Up in Arms ],
Against 1t.
CHILDREN ARE DEAR TO POOR PEOPLE
Views of John NJ. McElroy,. One Of
WapelIo county's Supervisors, Who
Attended the Recent State conyen.
tion of Supervisors.

Shouid the children OF WapellO
countys poor people who apply for
and receive aid from the county be
disposed of as the board of supervisors Z
sees fit? This was a burning question
at 'Marshalltown where the county
supervisors of the state met in con-
vention few days since. The con-
vention argued that if the county con-
tribHted to the support of poor people
that it should have the control of their
children, place them in homes or in
institutions where they may be prop
erly cared for This has raised a
storm of protest among laboring peo-
pie over the state.
John M. McElroy Interviewed.
John NJ McElroy, one of the mem-
bers of Wapello county's board, who
was present at the convention, was,
seen by Courier reporter in regard
to this matter. He said thar it was
brought before the meeting by SUI
pervisor from Scott county, who Is
strongly urging that action be taken
tending toward legislation in this mat
ter. He said that many arguments
We're made in favor of the passage of
q resolution favoring such action, and
that a majority of the supervisors
We're in favor of doing SO.
Caused Much Comment.
''The affair caused much comment
said Mr.. McElroy, and several good
reasons were given in favor of the SUI
peryisors taking positive action in the
matter. 1t seems reasonable that a
man who applies for help from the
county virtually admits that he is un-
able to care for his children, and it al
so seems that it is better for the child
rem to be placed in good homes,
where they will be treated kindlyand
be we'll provided for, than for them to
live with their parents, where they can
not have the benefits OF education and
would be stinted mentally and. Def-
haps, morally.
cat the convention at Marsllan4
town. Mr. McElroy continued 'ss.ga-
raj of those present told of instances
wnere children were taken from their
homes in such cases and put into
homes where they had better chance
to make something of themselves,
and the experiments have proved sue
cessful.
Majority Favors Action.
! s'The matter was thoroly discussed,
and the majority of those in attend
ance at the meeting were of the opin-
ion that II should be handled in the
manner indicated. AS far as Wapello
county is concerned think no action
will be taken here further than that
which has has been taken. We now
pay $3.50 per year to an institution at
Des Moines for the support of the
poor children in this county under
fourteen years of age, and this, 1t
seems to ls, is a good way of arrang-
ing the matter. However, agree
with the majority, that some provision
should be made for taking care of
these children, and that it would be
for the betterment of all concerned"
Labor Unions Take a Hand.
The question, since it was raised at
the Marshalitown convention, has
caused much talk among labor un-
ions, and in some parts of the state
letters have been sent out, urging ac-
| tion at the polls against any supervis-
or who declares himself in favor OF
the matter.
They contend that persons asking
for and really needing help are COM
peeled to do SO because of adverse cir
lcumstances over which they have no
control They say such people hold
their children as dear TO them as do
people who are blessed with plenty,
and that such a system of home break
ling wou.d be cruel in the extreme
They also think that such a rule would
Head people to suffer untold misery
rather than apply for help when to
| do so would render them liable to
have their children taken away from
them. AS all laborers are most likely
| to suffer from sickness and other mis-
fortunes the union men think it their
duty to protect their fellows
The movement of the supervisors will
| be fought with determination and cam
Ididates for the legislature will Be'
pledged in opposition. 1t is said that
a number of supervisors from Des
Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport.
Clinton and other cities will be retir.
ed as quickly as possible by the votes