Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-10-14
FOR CAKE OF POOR.
Change from Contract TO Salary Sys-
TEN Probable.

Change from Contract to Salary Sys-
tenn Probable.
recess meeting OF the city government
xas held Monday evening TO take up the
matter OF contract for care of poor, NJ. j..
Dummey's contract expiring November
4. next. The full board was present,
Mayor Hagerthy presiding.
Before the poor matter was taken up,
,xo communications from the school
hoard were read. The first called atten-
ton to the fact that the high school
building did not meet the requirements
Of the law in regard to fire escapes. The
matter was referred to the committee on
city property to act with the school COM
mi,;ee. with authority to act.
The second communication referred to
the city government request for piano
Al the Ellsworth Falls school The board
voted TO purchase q second hand piano
which Aid. Stuart reported could be OBJ
tanned at moderate price.
The poor contract was taken up. The
contract made with the late Harry s.
Jones in 1886, at $1,000 annually, and tine
last contract made with NJ. J.Drummey in
1909, at s. $50 year, were read; also a
copy of the contract made by the city Of
Belfast for the care OF its poor at z, $50 a
year.
A petition for the retention OF NJ. j.
Drummey at the poor farm, signed by
about $50 Taxpayers and citizens, was
presented.
Two letters from the State Board OF
Charities and Corrections were read. This
board, which has been clothed with con.
siderable authority by the legislature, adj
sised against the continuance OF the con-
tract system, pointing out its dissdvan-
tsges, and calling attention to the fact
that Ellsworth was paying much above
the average for cities OF the State for the
care OF its poor.
These letters, which are printed below,
changed the sentiment OF the board OF
aldermen with regard to continuing the
contract system, and a majority OF the al
dsrmen expressed themselves in favor of
salsried superintendent, hired for not less
than three years. 1t is proposed to adj
sertise for bids for man and wife to take
charge OF the poor farm on salary basis.
To allow time to prepare the necessary
Specifications of conditions, duties, ETC.,
further recess was taken to next Monday
evening.
The letters from the State Board Of
Charities and Corrections follow:
AUGUSTA, ME-. Sept. 10, 1914.
0cerseeys Of Poor, ELLSWORTH. Maine.
GENTLEMEN; At a meeting OF the State
Board Of Charities and Corrections held on
the th Inst, report of visit OF the secre-
nry OF the board to the Ellsworth city farm,
nAde August 20, was presented and carefully
considered. The board desires TO make the
following suggestions;
Notwithstanding the peculiar conditions of
The contract, the inmates at the aimshouse
appeared to be well cared for. OF course,
there was no means Of judging of the quality
or adequacy of the outdoor relief. but on
general principles . contract OF this kind
encourages lax methods Of administration so
mf as the responsible officers Of the city are
concerned; that the city is likely to pay too
much or that the poor arelikeiy to receive too
ueagre care seems almost certain unless the
superintendent 10 an exceedingly kind
hearted and sympathetic man. Therefore,
while 1t might be well to continue TO en-
pioy Mr.. Drummey on a definite salary, both
:" nave charge of the farm and the outdoor
'shet'you are strongly advised against re-
1eSing this contract.
while this contract continues in force you
sfe urged 20 see that the suoerinte ndent
.eeps proper records or makes such reports
~yoa as win enable you to keep them, so
'uA' IN the future the returns required by
i, AZ Of chapter 1876 of the public laws OF
Asis may be made.
III suitable family homes can be found for
bas, nansaren. even though you have to pay
h. ase LOT them. 1t Is recommended that they
ssLAted Tor in such homes. While IL was not
yss -os ~ That Mr.. and Mrs. Drummey will be
se esy klnd to these children, for they are both
apparently very estimabie people, experience
hor proven that children brought up In aims
Ana 81, are very unlikely to make respectable
In se-supporting citizens.
trs. connection with Mr.. Drummey's con-
IN you may be interested to know that IL
az sMmate OF the number OF people assisted
III supported. hfty-fve. is correct, IL brings
70 soma,hfe expenditure per person assisted
H. s,a,aing over 90, nearly seo more than
msv SSa.e average. Even though Mr.. Drum
incsa estimate OF the number of persons is
SOM .'.ect, we may safely make some COMPARE
the ssp e 81 PspShsSSn eai sse
throasss expenditure per capita Of population
wasv,alghout the State Is So cents; for Ellis
eien 1851 Is VI Biddeford, with its large for
nsa IN the city Of Portland the cost was APP
Hi ahAtely 50 cents. Average figures from
civ 'er the State indicate that the larger the
PEI eSp,t sow w generally the larger the cost
ave-. worth ought not to be far above the
s'ase Of the whole State.
AUGUSTA, ME-, Sept. 90. 1914.