Year: 1869

it may concern to the condltion of the county
Poor-Houses. No other State Constitution
provides so fully fol. the welfare of the poor
and the unfortunate as our own. It is de-
clared to be one of the first duties OF a civil
lied and christian State to make bene6-
cent provision for the poor and the unfors
tunate. 1t Is further made part Of the par
ticular duty of the County Commissioners to
exercise general supervision and control Of
the charitable institutions OF the county. 1t
would not be proper at this stage Of their
new duties to hold them resptAsible for the
preseat condition Of the seyerek penal and
charitable institutions now placed in their
charge while it may not be amiss to indicate
what will be expected OF them In the future
IN this respect. te


The day has passed away when the pub
lie can be Indifferent to the treatment of
the poor. An advanced civilization demands
that the unfortunate poor should be cared
for in such manner as to accord with IFS adj
vance in refinement and comfort. The high
demands of christian obligations insist that
we should do unto them as we would they
should do unto us in reversed circumstances.
He who said, ''the poor ye have always with
you," intended that His religion should al
ways afford them sanctuary with its care
and comforts. 9'+6 2s


In the past, provision for the poor, of
comfortable, large and we'll ventilated build
ing has to great extent been neglected In
many counties the novels and buts in which
this unfortunate class of persons is horded
really are not fit for swine, and no thrifty,
well-to-do and skillfuI farmer will think them
suitable for stables for horses or COWS. They
are often damp-are without means of ven
tilation and light, when the cir that must be
inhaled is noisome and unhealthy to sick
ening degree-intolerable for stencil to
those coming into them from the pure air
without. In many cases, besides this, the
inmates are crowded together to degree
that makes it uncomfortable for want of
room were there no objection on the score
of want of cleanliness. We are not of those
who advocate the erection OF palaces for the
paupers but We insist that decent regard
for their health and comfort should be had
in all cases. A house or houses affording
ample room to accommodate all decently
and comfortably SHOULD be erocted by each
county-a building plain and substantial
well ventilated and safe against iabiiity u
to be DESTROYED by fise.and ahonid be kept
always scrupulously clean. A proper regard
for the fair fame of county should require
this, and when this is neglect public opin-
ion being directed to it, should at once cor
rect the evil. 2 ~ El-d 1a.


Beside this matter of complaint, there ]:
another almost as prevalent and as loudly
demanding redress. 1t is the miserable in
competency of those who are placed in charge
of the county poor houses, In the choice o
person to fill this very important place, tht
questions Of his peculiar fitness for the posi-
tion are rarely canvassed by those who's,
duty it is to make the selection. One of two
facts usually decide the question of appoint
ment-party adhesion or the cost Of the ser
cice. While these might be secondary con
siderations, they should never determine th'
selection of an official who has really deli
cate and solemn trust reposed in him. Tha
man belongs to the ascendant politica
party is no proof that the comfort of the re
spectacle poor can be safely confded to him


Worst Of all is, the selection of the man VIII


will perform the service cheapest. A chea]


article of any kind is generally worthless. b


it 0,es or merchandise. This mode of select


ing the superintendents of our aims house


has. in many cases, resulted in placing owe


those eften aged and helpless beings, eoars


and unfeeling tyrants. There is this hour i
our State doubtless more than one poe


hosse whose unhappy inmates are rule
over by men whose temper and morals ii


terly unfit them for any such service, and


whom no humane man would consign hi


mules. 1t is a matter of first Importance j
every county that the commissioners fin
: men of gvod moral character and amiahl
disposition to have the charge of these inst
6 tutions, and when they are not to be had
the party, find them out of it, When yo


cannot get them at low figure, pay thel
fair wages and there viii be less mduccmer
to steal, OF stint the paupers. We are ne
!. speaking at random on this point, and W
ask the gentlemen who are empowered to 81
this matter right, to examine carefully int


the fitness of the superintendent of the POI


House. B He should be honest toward til


county All that he receives for the poo


should be seen to reach them. He shoul


treat kindly, although he must be firm an


prudent He should look well to the
health and comfort. 1t should be his duty an


disposition to make the stay of the poor, ii
aged, the unfortunate and the friendleB


much like q Christian home as possibl
! | Still another matter in this connection, "
, hunblv conceive, demands the attention
the County Commissioners. Our POI
{ Houses, at least in some counties we kno
: of, have been made receptacle for disease
) 9i,auper prostitutes Embodiment of filth an
) iimpurity that are imposed upon the age
: respectable and virtuous poor, who cann
; sshun the society and corrupt talk, much /
! their souls may revolt at it,. Surely it is n,
) right to outrage every sense Of decency of Il