Literary Cadet And Rhode Island Statesman

DEXTER ASYLUM.
We learn that this place is nearly completed, and will soon be ready for the reception of the poor of the town. Before the poor, however, shall be removed to the Asylum, a town meeting will be called to make preparatory arrangements, adopt rules for its government, and direct in what manner the poor are to be removed. At that meeting an important question will arise, which is, shall all who receive assistance from the town be transferred to the Asylum.
It is well known that in addition to the number who are wholly supported under the direction of the overseer of the poor, there is a much larger number who receive from him only occasional supplies, of small amount. By the aid of this partial relief they are enabled to support themselves, and many of them large families. Should they be denied a continuance of this public charity, unless they receive it at the Asylum, it might be refused by many, whose families must consequently suffer—but should all be willing to remove their families to the Asylum they would soon fill its numerous rooms, and probably be much more expensive to the public than if they continued to receive assistance in the manner it has been given. This consideration will be worth the attention of our freemen.
We noticed in the report of the Committee made at the last town meeting, of rules for the government of the Asylum, that the duties of the Town Council, already very numerous and arduous, are to be greatly augmented. The rules require that the whole Board shall hold a monthly meeting at the Asylum, and that a committee of two of their number shall visit it weekly. We know of no men in whom confidence may be more safely placed than in the present Council: but most of them are men of business, who sacrifice their own interests in attending to the numerous duties enjoined on them by their office, and it would be asking of them too great a sacrifice to double their duties, by requiring so constant an attention to the affairs of the Asylum, as the report contemplates.
Would it not be better to invest some individual with the immediate care, inspection and superintendence of the Asylum, under the advice of the Town Council, who should only be required to hold quarterly meetings at that place. And would not the person who holds the office of Overseer of the Poor, by reason of holding that office, be the one whom the freemen would select. The laws of the State have imposed many duties upon this office, and so long as those laws are in force, and so long as the tide of emigration continues to roll upon our shores such numbers of destitute Foreigners, as we now continually see in our streets, we must have an efficient overseer of the poor, who will examine into their condition, relieve such as are in actual distress, cause those to depart who would become disorderly residents, and employ such as might be willing to earn a livelihood.
By an officer of this description, who does or ought to receive a sufficient salary to enable him to devote himself wholly to this business, the additional duties contained in the Asylum Committee's report, might be performed with ease. It is necessarily connected with his other duties, and the union of all that belongs to this most important department of our municipal concerns, in one person, would unquestionably advance the public good.—Journal.