Spirit Of The Times

County Poor House

We have been repeatedly requested to bring the subject of a county farm and house for the support of the pauper population of the county before our readers. And we believe that we will reflect the wishes of nine tenths of the tax-paying population of Lawrence county by suggesting the propriety of purchasing a farm and furnishing employment to those that make application for public aid. Far be it from us to desire the adoption of any system that may have any tendency to further degrade or stigmatize our unfortunate fellow creatures who may be actually in need of pecuniary assistance. And while some would seem to think thus of a county poor house, we must differ with them upon that subject. A county poor house and farm attached, under the direction of a judicious board of supervisors, by giving employment to those that were in any wise able to labor would create a degree of satisfaction in the minds of the honorable poor, that they were thus enabled to relieve community from a portion of the burden they were forced to create; and at the same time the discipline necessary to the proper suppression of such an establishment would retard the vicious from seeking such maintenance so long as they could avoid it. As this is court week when a pretty general expression of the views of the people can be had, and the commissioners constituting the necessary to act are in session, it is a very good time to move in the matter.

It may be well to add that in many counties such a course has not only superseded the necessity of raising a pauper fund, but has actually become a source of revenue to those counties.