The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-01-18
OR COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

In view of the fact that at a recent
meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners they reelected the
superintendent of the county aims
house for the ensuing year, it is fair
to assume that they are now ready
to consider plans for its future con-
duct, and we therefore submit a few
suggestions for their consideration.
That the county farm and build
ings are in excellent condition has
been freely acknowledged by all who
have examined them, including a
committee of the last grand jury,
while in an official report made by
Appraisers Bruins and Hays few
weeks ago they fixed the value of the
personal property on the farm at
$6,539.
L has been frequently asserted,
and is generally accepted as true,
that the public property of a county
reflects the general thrift and spirit
of the people to whom it belongs,
and it is therefore matter of great
satisfaction that our property is in
attractive shape; but, without dis
cussing whether or not these results
could have been reached at a less
cost, we believe that its future con-
duct should be guided by different
policy.
The purpose of this farm is to fur
nish at minimum cost to the county
a suitable home for its INDECENT peo-
pie; it is not intended to be farm
where large cereal crops are grown
for profit.
We therefore submit that in the
selection of crops to be grown, espe-
cial care should be exercised to
choose those which will be needed
for home consumption among the in
mates; this will materially reduce
the amount expended for the pur-
chase of food, and will furnish par
tial occupation for many inmates
who cannot stand the heavy work
of the field, but can do considerable
in the truck patch.
1t is proper to state that this farm
is admirably adapted to such uses,
and a ready market exists for all
surplus products. Enough corn
and wheat should be grown to
furnish food for the inmates and
necessary farm stock and hogs. If
the rest of the farm which is excel
lent grass land be kept clean of filth
and properly stocked with cattle,
some net revenue will result, while
the cost of labor and fertilizers will
be greatly reduced; these two items
for the past four years have averaged
$1,271.20.
But we desire to especially recon-
mend vigorous enforcement of the
law, which aims to keep the commits
sioners and the public at large fully
informed as to the conduct and cost
of this important arm of the county
government.
Article IS of the public local laws,
title Almshouse, provides (a) that
the Commissioners shall perform the
duties Of trustees of the poor of the
county; (b) that they shall annually
appoint a fit person overseer of the
poor, who shall have charge and
custody of the lands, goods, etc. pur-
chased for the use of the poor; (c)
that he shall give bond to the State
of Maryland in the penalty of two
thousand dollars, for the faithful per-
Torrance of his duties, including fully
accounting for all property, money,
etc. which may come into his posses
SION (d) that he may be removed at
pleasure; (e) that they or the over
seer shall keep a detailed account of
all articles bought or sold, and post
the same at the place of holding cleo
tions in each election district; (G
that they shall keep list of all pau
pers in the almshouse, giving full
statistics with reference to them;
(g) and that the overseer shall &C
count to the County Commissioners
semi-annually or oftener if required,
giving full details under oath rela-
tive to all sales, purchases and deal
ings as overseer.
We are firmly convinced that at
least monthly reports should be
made personally by the overseer.
1t is not practicable for the men,
bers Of the Board to make frequent
personal visits to the almshouse, but
if their overseer furnishes them in
writing the necessary data and is
present to receive their instructions
for its further conduct, there will be
distinct gain in this branch of the
public service If such a course had
been pursued there would not now
be due and uncollectible the large
sum shown in the recent report, nor
would collections by their late clerk
for sales made from the almshouse
property but not accounted for by
lim, as shown by the recent investi-
eating committees report, have been
practicable.
MARYLAND'S SPLENDID FINANCIAL
SHOWING.
The annual report of DIR. Gordon
7. Atkinson, Comptroller of the
e L. L. Il