The Mankato free press., 1904-03-25
ON THE FAT OF THE LAND.
Dependents Live Better Than Many
Mechanics and Laborers Do.

FROM IueSudy Ddiiy'
cover the hills to the poorhouse" is
not a road that leads to deprivations in
Minnesota. Many poorhouses in this
state, in point of convenience and archi-
tectural symmetry excel many of the
homes in St. Paul. The inmates have
many advantages of culture and refine
ment, such as books and magazines,
which are scarce in many of the
homes in large cities. More than this,
there is growing rivalry among the
counties of the state to provide the best
buildings and the most comforts for the
poor.
This is the conclusion of d. A. Lind
sey, state agent of the board of control,
whose duty it is to inspect the poor
houses to see that they are fre-proof,
sanitary and provided with facilities
for the safety and comfort of the in
mates. Mr.. Lindsey says that the insti-
tutions he has inspected this year are
generally in excellent condition.
The institution at Faribault for in
stance, he says, is model structure In
every way, brick, steam heated, electric
lighted and provided with porcelain baths
and many conveniences for the comforts
of the inmates. North Branch has re-
Gently erected poorhouse, which, ac-
cording to reports received by Mr.. Lind
sey, is as fine building as the residences
of many of the well-to-do in the twin
cities.
The state board of control encourages
the idea of constructing poorhouses with
separate departments for men and wom-
en-. Several of the new buildings have
been built with this end in view, and
the authorities have found that it is an
excellent plan. These poorhouses are in
reality double structures, one-half of
which is occupied by men and the other
half by women.
The life and surroundings of the in
mates of many of the homes are far
from disagreeable. The poorhouse is
usually located in a beautiful country
SPOT. often on an eminence affording
a pleasant view, sometimes by the side
of streams full of trout. Usually there
is tract of few acres around the
institution, which, cultivated by farm
hand employed for the purpose, furnish
plenty of potatoes, cabbages and green
vegetables for the inmates. Those OF
the inmates that are not too decreplt
frequently take delight in working in
the gardens during the summer and
sometimes help the employees to store the
products in the fall.
At one institution recently inspected
by Mr.. Lindsey the cellar held dozens of
jars of preserved raspberries, strawber-
ries, blackberries, currant jell, mar
malade, apple jam, sweet pickles and
other preserves made of fruit grown ON
the farm and prepared with the assist
ance of the inmates.
eff the superintendent of this msu-
tuition should draw on the supply OF
preserves he could furnish meal equal
to any that could be purchased IN st.
Paul." said Mr.. Lindsey.
Gone of the most encouraging features
of the poorhouse question in Minnesota"
continued Mr. Lindsey, ''is that there IS
growing rivalry among the counties
to excel in providing better facilities
for the comfort of the poor. This atti-
tude might better be termed charitable
emulation. 1t is the same spirit as in
spires municipalities to erect the BEST
public buildings, only it is more pro-
nounced."