The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-10

%SLu.
The county commissioners met in
regular monthly session yesterday,
with all members present. DR.. VIM.
D.. Mcmillan, county superintendent
of health, made his report, which
showed the following facts: During
the month Of May 107 patients treat
ed in Office and 10 visited at their
homes. The county home and camp
were reported in remarkably good
condition and the Jail in good condi-
ton. No actual sickness in the coun-
ty institutions. Few cases of fever in
the convict camp. One case Of
smallpox and one of scarlitina occur
red during the month. Dumb rabies
prevalent among dogs in the county
In addition to this report, DR.. Nc
MILAN also mad a verbal report in
regard to that clause in the report
of the grand jury, wherein they spoke
of the Jail being in N unsanitary con-
dition. The grand jury's report vas
made after DR.. Mcmillan had prepar-
ed his written report In his state
ment as to the condition of the jail,
DIR. Mcmillan said ar acute case of
sickness had not originated in the
Jail in -four years, and that If IN un-
sanitary condition brought such good
results, he thought it best to keep
it in that condition. The grand jury
also spoke of a young woman which
was confined in the county home and
recommended on account of her con-
dition, being, as the grand jury re-
ported, an epileptic and at times vio-
lently insane, that an effort be made
to get her into the insane asylum.
Another recommendation made by
the grand jury was that arrangements
be made to confine the insane at the
county home instead of the Jail.
As to the first of these recommen-
dations, DR.. Mcmillan said the young
woman spoken of was an epileptic
a fit just before the county home was
visited by the grand jury on Friday
morning. He said he agreed with
the grand jury in hat the insane
should not be confined iii Jail, but
he thought that an annex should be
built to the Jail and prepared for the
insane, instead of ct the county home.
In Judge Aliens charge to the
grand jury, he spoke of h import
ance of having a house of correction,
wherein could be placed u GRIM
1nals, and that the county should
also ave a work-house for women
convicts. When the grand jury
made their report, they recommended
that d house of correction and a work
house be established. This matter
was discussed by the board yester-
day, and the county home committee,
composed of Messrs. D.. McEachern,
M w. Divine and w. F. Alexander.
were requested to investigate the adj
visibility of establishing these insti-
tutions and make their report at the
next meeting of the board. 1t is
more than probable that the board
will decide to establish both the
mouse of correction and work house.
At the present time the method en-
ployed in taking care of the county
poor is to give the contract for talk
ing care OF them to the lowest bidder.
The board is thinking strongly of
changing this method and employing
a superintendent to look after the
county home and the hous OF correc-
tion i'm case the latter institutions are
established. The present plan cannot
be changed until December as the con-
tract for caring for the poor extends
until that time.
The county Of New Hanover owns a
farm of about fifty acres adjoining
the county home and it is thought
that if the farm was taken charge of
by the county and a superintendent
put in charge, the home could in time
be made self sustaining. AS it is the
poor ave no work to do. but II the
farm was worked by the count they
would be required to do such work as
they were able to do and thus help
support themselves. If this plan were
adopted it would also cut down what
the county pays for caring for the
outside poor, for the poor would be re-
m on tn fhn mn 6nna0 ~
work if they got assistance, that is. if
they were able to work.
This plan has been adopted
by several of the leading coun-
ties in the state n works
admirably. When the superin-
tendent of the county home Is appoint
ed by the commissioners they can come
nearer having the HON kept in first
class condition than where the present
plan is adopted.
A communication was read from the
Jr. o. U. a. NJ. stating that this order
was thinking of holding a carnival. or
street fair, in Wilmington some time
during the coming September, the pro-
ceeds of said carnival to be used in
buying a flag and bible for the public
school of the count and they re-
quested hat in case thev decided to
hold the arnival that they be exempt
ed from paying any tax. The petit
tion was granted but under the ond
zion that the tents and booths not be
erected on the public highway. Mr.. +.
". Wood made and offer to the COM
missioners to purchase the OLD court
houst on Princess street. between Sec
ond and Third, and pay $1,000 In
cash for the anne The offer was re-
jeeted.
Messrs. Bellamy n Bellamy, coun-
" attorneys, reported $535.41 in back
taxes collected.
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