The Cairo bulletin., 1904-02-13

not good for either the community
or the persons sent there. Can yor
expect good results from hording to
gether the pauper the cripple, the
idiotie, the insane and the sick? No
and modern methods call for Tho
proper separation of these various
classes. So many reasons can b
urged for the specializing OF charity
work. The age demands it. 1t has
come in many places and win be in
I vogue in all counties within a short
time. The smaller and more sparseiy
settled communities can only attain a
partial and do not need the greater
classification demanded of the popu
lous counties. See to it that the poor
house Of your city or county is run
along the advance lines. A good SUI
| perintendent of the poor farm is al
ways needed. Not only q man who is
practical farmer and strict disci
plinarian, but one with a big heart
and a kindly disposition. One not
seeking the office for the "loayes and
ishes, only but one who is fitted for
and in love with charitable work, A
man understanding human nature,
with the power of decision, irmness
ind adaptability Such superinten.
lent is not easily found. Once ae.
luired, he should be kept as long as
Efficient and his salary made commen
lurate with his duties. Too often this
position is let to the lowest bidder,
/ practice that always seemed to me
poor way of getting good officer.
iet your superintendent. then fix his
salary, Detailed reports of receipts
md expenses of poor farms, as well
Is with the various state institu
ions, should be carefully kept and
promptly reported to and audited by
he county board, Thus the leakage
t any, can be quickly detected and
Don stopped. Economy is nearly al
ways needed in public offices Gen
rally private charities accomplish the
same results with less costs than pub.
ic officials. The reason is largely
lue to the fact that public revenues
ire looked upon as legitimate prey
or any one who can get his hand in
he treasury. The pauper and the TN.
'ortunate take advantage Of this sen
iment, as well as the sinecure and
POLITICAL protege. Some charitable
sorkers have advocated the abandon.
nent Of public charities. but as yet
10 other means has been devised OF
0 equitably distributing the burden
II easily handling so vast problem
Proper food and needed clothing
lave as arule been freely furnished
sometimes overseers and superinten,
ents have been imposed upon By
hrewd but lazy paupers working them
or both food and clothing. Such per
ons can soon be detected. What is
ceded however BY nearly all of thcsc
unfortunate inmates is more of human
indness. Not so much by the SUI
arintendont many Of whom are Kind
and very sympathetic and often over
gorked but by the general public.
instead Of stunning the poor farm. why
Of try To make the burdens of the
eeper lighter and the lives Of the
inmates brighter by your friendly pres
ence, kind word and simple token
Not all Of your efforts would be wasted
hough some Of them might fan on
lin cursed lives and stony hearts
ehis county has an excellent poor
arm, with good buildings and ample
creage for raising corn. wheat, hay
md stock. as we'll as all manner OF
,arden produce and fruit Ii Is loca.
ed on the Mobile and Ohio railroad.
bout eleven miles north of Cairo.
rhe county board has given it prompt
lttention and generous support. It's
management has been excellent ana re.
ults have been good
A county however with it's limited
tesources can not take care of all
lasses of dependents with advantage
either to itself or TO the dependent.
ience the various state institutions.
[ would be interesting to trace the
growth of the sentiment and methods
regard 70 treatment Of the insane.
Dur splendid state hospitals reflect
he present idea of the care Of these
most unfortunate persons. The public
insane hospitals are now so managed
as to be Of great service in restoring
o normal mental conditions the pa.
tents sent there. With the growth of
proper sentiment and the facility Of
Investigation, the state asylums have
removed much of the prejudice that
'ormeriy existed against sending pa.
tents there for treatment. With the
erection Of the Asylum for Incurable
Insane at Bartonville, near Peoria,
mother Advanced efen Was taken