The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-24
Christmas and the
Charges at the Poor Farm.

The following communication rela-
tive to conditions at the county poor
farm has been handed The Journal
by two good women of Pensa cola who
make a practice of visiting that insti-
tutioH. Without having itself investi-
rated the conditions referred to. The
Journal is glad to give publication to
the article in the hope that some gccd
may be accomplished thereby. 1t
reads as follows:
THE greatest thing man can do
for his Heavenly Father is to help
some of His other children.
In the midst of the Yuletide let US
not forget these words: and while VIC
dispense with loyal and willing hands
those things which shall bring annual
cheer to hearts which are usually dry
and parched by the, gnaving teeth oil
adversely o~ misfortune, We should re-
member that In our county there Is
m institution which on each day in
the wear needs the supporting interest
Of the public.
At the moor farm will be found !
number Of kind human beings with
whom earthly circumstance has dealt
unfortunately. These persons have
reached the farm after a toilsome
Journey through the years of LIES
activity and they look upon the home
there provided for them as haven OF
rest where tired mind and tired limbs,
broken and weary from the struggle
OF the past may remain TO be healed
Of suffering as the candles OF human
existence grow dim As they are so
soon 10 leave this world and pass into
the world unknown. should not all citi-
zens unite in an effort TO make their
last years as cheerful as possible, and
do we not owe a duty to ourselves as
citizens of the county 10 mako suca
provision for their present welfare as
will enable them to carry into That
other world pleasant memories OF the
county aud its people?
This Is not the time, nor have We
any intention. TO criticize those who
are responsible for the derlorable con
dition of tho farm. Yet, 1t Is not in
the condition that 1t should be. and
the defects should be remedied at
once. While our county is spending
enormous sums OF money to admins
ter the criminal laws Of the county
why cannot a handsome sum be spent
in rebuilding and repairing the insti
tuition which is intended for those
who. en- account Of misfortune. are
unable to earn a livelihood? What a
paradoxical position We are assuming
when We build a neaT.palace to house
feed, and keep warm and free from
disease. the criminals, while our poor
and unfortunate who have committed
no crime and are unable to help them
selves are housed. fed and cared TO
In a manner that should bring the
blush Of shame to us all.
We charge no one with being re
sponsible for the condition that exist:
at the farm, but the condition exists
aud at this Christmas time. when The
glories Of a new year and what 1t viii
bring TO all of hope and Joy and hap
piness Is In our hearts, we should no
forget those who are unable to hell
themselves.
We believe that the proper authori
fies will at once take up the matte
and see that the deplorable condition
are at least temporarily remedied, all,
later We hope that the authorities vii
make ample provision for the main
fenance of the poor farm IL the sam
manner and with the same degree O
interest and effort as they hay
evinced in connection with other pub
lie institutions.
Whether ID be in private life, in th
world of religious activity and etfort
Or IN connection with public institJ
tons we should always bea- in min
that the government CT the home. IN
church aud the state is founded upo
the everlasting principles OF Chris tiar
jty, therefore We have presumed |
send this commuai cation containin
The suCge stions mentioned TO the fOcs
press in an effort TO correct the d.
r,orable condition referred to,
There arc plenty OF people with u
tomobiles, with time 20 spare, an
with money % spend. who can easil
make a run out TO the poor farm Il
day and who can no doubt investigat
the condition referred to and hel
make some OF The unfortunatcS ther
happier by the effort. Who are the