TERMS OF TEE• GLOBE.
Per . annum in advance
Six months
Three menthe
• A failure to notify a (Hs - continuance at the expiriation of
tho term subscribed for will be considered a now engage
-mint.
TERMS OE' ADVERTISING
Four 11nes or 1055,.....
Ono square, (12 linos,)
Two squares, 1 00 1 50 2 00
Three squares, 1 50 2 25 3 00
. Over three week and less than throe months, 25 cents
per square for each insertion. ' •
• . 3 months. 6 months. 12 months.
Six lines or 1e55,...... ......... $1 50 $.3 00 $5,00
One square, 3 00 5 00 7. 00
Two squares, • -5 00 8 00 10 00
Three squares, 7 00 10 00 15 00
Four squares, 9 00 13 00 20 00
Half a column, 12 00 16 00 "4 00
One column, "0 00 30 00 50 00
Professional and Business Cards not exceeding four lines,
one year, $3 00
Administrators' and Executors' Notices,
.$l. 75
Advertisements not marked with the number of inser
tions desired, will be continued till forbid and charged ac
cording to these terms.
NEW GOODS ! NEW. GOODS ! !-
GWIN'S C A IT E AP STORE.
b. P. GWIN has just returned from Philadelphia with
the largest and most beautiful assortment of
SPRING AND SUMMER GOODS
tver brought to Huntingdon.— Consisting of the most
fashionable Dress Goods for Ladies and Gentlemen: Black
'and l'ancy Silks, all Wool tontines, (all colors,) Spring to
iains, Braize Dela-nes, Braizes, all colors; totalize, Levella.
Cloth, Alpacca, Plain and Silk Warp. Printed forages, Brit
limits, Plain and Colored Ginghams, Lawns and Prints of
every description: ,
Also, a large lot of Dress Trinunidgs, Fringes, More-An
tique Ribbon, Gimps, Buttons, Braids,Crapes,Ribbons,
Reed and Brass Hoops, Silk and Linen andkerciefs, Neck-
Ties, Stocks, &Thor, French Working Cotton, Lineniutd
Cotton Floss, Tidy Yarn, dc. -
Also, the best, and cheapest assortment of Collars and
Undersloves in town ; Barred and Plain daconet, Mull Mus
lin. Swiss, Plain, Figured and dotted Skirts, Belts, Mar
sallies for Capes, and a variety of White Goods too numer
ous to-mention.
EPRINGSHAWLS, TILIBET SHAWLS, MANTILLAS, &c
AlSo, Cloths, Casehners, Cassinets. H. Jean, Cut.,llrllls,
Tiekings, Nankeen, Table Diapers,
Also a large lot of Bonnets, Flats, and Hats, at low pri-
Ced.
' BOOTS and SHOES. the largest and cheapest assortment
in town.
HARDWARE, QUEENSWARE. BUCKETS, CHURNS,
TUBS, BUTTER BOWLS, BROOMS, BR USIIES, So. CAR
PETS and OIL CLOTH. FISH, SALT, SUO AR, COFFEE,
TEA, MOLASSES, and all goods usually kept in a country
store.
31y old customer;, and as many new one. Zls can crowd
are respectfully requested to call and examine my goods.
.Ca- All kinds of Country Produce taken in exchange, at
the Highest 31arkot Prices.
April 21. isss.
lk t iEll r STORE !-,---NEW GOODS !
FISHER. Et , 11.1cMITELTRIE having re
opened the 31t.vanpouTAN, formerly known as " Saxton's,"
take pleasure in announcing to their many friends. that
they have received a new and well selected Stock of GO( IDS,
which they feel confident will satisfy the demands of the
public, and will prove unexceptionable in Style and Quality.
The line of Dress Goods embraces Robes
A'Quille, in Organdies, Lawns. Percales, &c., Chaleys. Be
rages, Brilliants, all Wool De Laincs, Cravel la, Mohair. Dan
ubian. Tamise and IJavella Cloths, Deßage Lustre's, Alpac
eas, Prints, Gingliamm, &c.
We have a fine assortment of Summer
shawls, Mantillas Dress Trimmings, - Fringes. Antique's,
Dibbons. Mitts, Gloves, Gauntlek. Hosiery. Ladies Collars. Dandkerchiefs, Buttons. Floss. Sew mug Silk. Whalebones
for Skirts, heed !loops, Brass ditto, Skirt Cord, &c.
Also—Tiekings, Osnaburg, Bleached , and
unbtenclied muslins. all prices; Colored and White Cam
brieB, Barred am) Swiss Mnslins, Victoria Lawns,
Tarlton. mid many other articles wi ielt compri,c
the line of IVIIITE and DOMESTIC UOODS.
We have French Cloths, Fancy Cassimers. : 4 atinets. Jeans
Tweeds, Carona(les : Linens, Denims aml !Sine Drills.
Eats, Caps, and Bonnets, of every variety
and Style. Al v, a large a.,sortineut of all kinds of Straw
Gbodx.
A Good skwic of G.:!ocEitrEs., lIARDWARFL QUEENS
WARE, BOoTS and SIMES, WOOD and WILLOW-WARE,
which will 1.),: sold Cheap. _ _ _
We 81.0 deal in PLASTER. - mu . . SALT, and all kinds
of GRAINS. and possess facilities in this 'branch of trade
unequalled hy any. We deliver all packages or parcels of
Blerchandise free of charge at the Depots of the Broad Top
and Pennsyl VIM fa Railroads'.
COME ONE, COME ALL, and be convinced that the Me
tropolitan is the place to secure fitshionable and desirable
goods. disposed of at the lowest rates.
April 14, ISSS.
FOR EVERYBODY
TRY TILE NEW STORE,
On Hill Street opposite Miles d• Dorris' Office
TIII3 BEST
SUGAR and MOLASSES,
COFFEE, TEA and CHOCOLATE,
FLOUR, FISH, SALT and VI N Et; AR.
CONFECTIONERIES, CIGARS and TOBACCO,
SPICES OF THE BEST, AND ALL KINDS,
and every other article usually found in a G nicely Store
Driigs, Chemicals, Dye Stuffs,
Vtan ishev Sptm. rpezit
Fluid. ' Alcohol, Glass and Putty.
A LBO-
BEST WINE and BRANDY for medical purposes.
ALL THE BEST PATENT I%IEItrCINES.
and a largo Jumper of articles totl numerous to mention.
The public generally will please call and examine for
themselves and learn our prices.
311IIANIGILL SMITH.
Huntingdon. May 25,1858.
UNTINGDON 110 TEL.
peNbscriber respectfully:au/ounces to his friends
told the pahhegenerally, that he has leased that old and
well established TAVERN STAND, known as the
.11onlinyinn, lbw.' on the corner of He and
charlos e Street, in the Borough of Huntingdon--
Ile has fatt.,l op the House iu such a style as to
tender it very cuntfortablo for lodging Strangers and Tray
clers.
• MS TABLE will always be stored with the best the sea
son can afford. lo suit the tastes and appetites of his guests.
111.5 BAR will always be filled with Choke Liquors, and
'HIS STABLE always attended by careful and attentive
Vdtlers.
11Eir lie hopes by strict attention to business and a spirit
of accommodation, to merit mid receiye a liberal shore of
public patralia•ga. I', 31cATEElt,
May 12, ISSS.-Iv.
A TTENTION ALL H
JUST ARRIVED,
SrLENDID STOCK OF BOOTS AND SHOES.
FOR LADIES AND GENTLENIEN,
MISS FS, BOYS AND CIIILDREN.
Fur Men and Boys' Fine Boots, call at
WESTBROOK'S Boot and Shoo Store.
Fur Ladies and Misses Gaiters and Shoes, call at
WESTBROOK'S.
For Children's Shoes of all kinds, call at
WESTBROOK'S.
Fur Men and Boys' Coarse Boots and Shoes, call at
WESTBROOK'S.
For Morocco Leather, call at
Tor any thing you want in my lino,
CALL SOON.
For Ladies' Gaiters at prices from $l.OO to $2.25, call ou
LEVI WESTBROOK.
Huntingdon, May 5,1558
ALEXANDRIA FOUNDRY
The Alexandria Foundry has been - • - - ........
Nought by It. C. McGILL. and is in blast. 44:1,.: .:: - . . ;
and have all kinds of Castings. Stoves, Ma- A., , i
chines, Plows, Kettles, &c., &c., which he Fay _..,. 5 .,
will sell at the lowest prices. All kind, -...„5=,-,..,..:: ..-=
of Country Produce and old Metal taken in exchange for
Castings, at market prices.
April 7, 16 - SS. R. C. McGILL.
COUNTRY DEALERS can
buy CLOTHING from me in Huntingdon at
lV a ll \ O vi L io k i l e S s t i L e E st as ur c e ln i a . s they can in the
Cities, as I have Philadelphia.
Huntingdon, April IL 1858. If. ROMAN.
VARNISH ! VARNISH ! !!
ALL KINDS, warranted good, for sale at
BROWN'S Ilard wa re store.
Hunting,llon, Pa
April 28, 1.858-tf.
T, ADIES, ATTENTION !—My assort
ment of beautiful di;ess goods is now open,
and ready
for inspection. Every article of dress you may desire, can
be found at my store. D. P. GWIN.
HARDWARE !
A Large Stock, just receivol. and for sale at
BRICKER'S MAAMOTII STORE
•
THE MAMMOTH STORE
-y • of :urea' Dress ocxl
•RRICKER'S Mammoth Store is the
t 4, place to get the we rth of your money, in Dry Goode,
ardware, Groceries, ac., &c., &c.
CANE FISHING RODS—A Superior
Article—at LOVE, d; McDITI TrS. '
EIOUGLASS & SHERWOOD'S Pat
ent Extt:nsion Skirts, for isnlo only by
, • MEIER & MoMUILTRIE.
BUILDERS
Are requested to call and examine the Hardware,
4,c, at BRICKER'S MAMMOTH STORE.
ROOERIES,
Or Of the best, always ready for customers, at,
S. BRICKER'S MAMMOTH STORE
- I
1 insertion. 2 do. 3 do.
....$ 25 $ 37; 1 4: $ 50
75 1 00
D. P. GIVEs:
IVESTBROOK'S
WILLIAM LEWIS,
VOL. XIV.
Report of the Poor House Visiting Com-
mittee
To the Honorable, the Judges of the 'Court of
Quarter Sessions of Huntingdon county:
The undersigned Board of Visitors, ap
pointed upon the petition of the Directors of
the Poor and of the House of Employment
of the county of Huntingdon, by your hon
orable Court "to examine the books, accounts,
and all *ether matters and things of, in, and
relating to the said Poor House, and the'man
agement of the same, by Directors and Stew
ards of the same, from the organization and
incorporation thereof until" the time of the
presenting of said petition, and "to make
report of such examination to the said Court
and to the public," respectfully present the
following report:
' As soon as possible, after notice of their
appointment e the Board fixed upon and named
Monday, the 21st of June last, as the day of
meeting; and immediately gave to all the
newspapers in the county a notice to that
effect, with a request that they should make
the facts known through the columns of their
several papers. Our request was cheerfully
complied with, and the notice thus made gen
eral and public. Written notice was also
given to the Directors of the Poor. On the
21st of June, pursuant to notice, the Board
of Visitors met, in the borough of Shirleys
burg, and proceeded in the duties of their
appointment. The task was a novel one.—
No especial subjects of complaint, or for in
vestigation, were mentioned in the order of
the Court. 'We were to "examine," but in
what way, or to what end, was left entirely
to the discretion of the Visitors. The Board
of Visitors believing that the honorable Court,
the Board of Directors and the people, de
sired a full investigation into all of the trans
sections connected with the erection and con
ducting of the business of the Poor House, in
order that those most interested in the eco
nomical disposition of the funds of the county,
should he informed whether or not those to
whom they had committed the trust had been
faithful in the discharge of their duties.
Their first duty was an examination of the
accounts fur expenditures, for the several
years, since the organization of the Poor
house department, up to the time of the last
annual settlement—(acting in the belief that
to urge this investigation beyond that date,
would be productive of no good results; as
the accounts for a part of a year could only
be a partial and imperfect statement, and
might be the subject of a second examination,
should visitors be appointed at the end of the
current year.) It is proper' that we should
state, that both the late and present Ste Ward,
and the Directors severally, manifested an
earnest and commendable desire that the in
vestigation should be searching arid thorough ;
and each of them, together with several of
the late Directors, gave to the Board of Visit
ors every aid and assistance, within their
power, to make a true exhibit of every tran
saction connected with their administrations,
severally.
An important department in the political
economy of our county, involving the annual
expenditure of a large sum of the accumu
hated taxes of the county, and demanding in
its administration the industryand experience
of the successful farmer—the shrewd, active,
and watchful attention of the merchant and
manager—the careful, orderly, and nice de
tail of the book-keeper and clerk—and to add
with all this a kind sympathy; a sternness
and steadiness of purpose, which constitute
a father, a friend and a superintendent, was,
by our Poor House law, called into existence,
and its care and direction committed to three
of our citizens; none of whom had experience
to direct their course, and, as was expected
by your Visitors, they found, on the exami
nation of their accounts and vouchers, that
no order or system had been adopted, so that
those who might follow them could under
stand, or by which even the parties could
explain many of the items of expenditures,
as they appeared in the published accounts.
A commencement, without a system, has been
contin ned. During the first years, little or no
attention has been paid to. the preservation of
the evidence of the proper application of the
money; the account, once settled and audited,
in terms and items so general, that they gave
no information, in definite form to the people:
the vouchers were without date, without num
ber, without arrangement; left without even
cases to preserve them, to be shuffled from
place to place, as of no value.' Thus the ac
counts of the years preceding 1857; could not
be tested by any comparison with the vouch- j
ers. Enough appeared, however, after a care
ful and as thorough an examination as it was '
possible to make upon the data before us, to
satisfy the Board of Visitors that there had
been no misapplication of the county funds,
nor was any wilful negligence or corrupt
purpose, chargeable to the Directors or Stew
ard. 'Per the 'year 1857 the same want of
order and •system existed; and a labored ex
nmination of the vouchers for this year, re
sulted in precisely the same convictions, as
was those relating to former years. It was
apparent that an honest effort had been made
to present a full exhibit of the transactions
of 1857. But owing to the ill-digested sys
tem, and the confusion consequent thereon,
it was impossible for your Visitors to obtain
accurate results except by a re-statement of
the whole account. Being satisfied that, to
do so, would bring no new light upon our in
vestigations, we did not attempt it,
Your Visitors cannot leave this part of the
subject without a strong expression of their
opinion, that it is necessary to adopt some
more efficient and more transparent system
of accounts, in order that the tax-payers may
know, at any time, what has been the dispo
sition of their bounty. No payment should
be made, for the smallest sum, without ob
taining a sufficient voucher; all of which
should be numbered and arranged so that
reference could always be bad from the ac
count to the particular voucher--,each voucher
having endorsed upon it its date, and the date
upon which the order was drawn for it; and
in all cases where one item in the account is
composed of sundry small sums, paid to dif
ferent individuals, the general voucher for
that item should, be a statement of the seve
ral small items, and inside of that statement
IN
all the several vouchers for those small sums.
Where, also, one voucher contains two or
more items, which appear in separate parts
of the account, a special reference should be
made to that voucher and item, applicable to
each charge: In case it should be considered
necessary to classify the expenditures, then
the vouchers for each class should always be
numbered and arranged by themselves, and
the whole should then be arranged in cases,
so that for all time to come, the item of every
expenditure can, at any moment, be explained
by its receipt. Never, until all this is done,
and an exact copy of the audited account, of
each year, made , and filed with the vouchers
of that year, can a satisfactory and correct
examination be made by any one; and as
soon as this or some equally intelligible sys
tem shall be adopted and pursued, whatever
of mistake or fraud shall creep into the work
ing of the Poor House administration, can
be readily detected and brought to light.
Several charges of misconduct were .espe
cially referred to by some"of the tax-payers
in attendance. Without any powers to com
pel the attendance of witnesses, or the pro
duction of papers, the Board of Visitors
concluded that by a patient hearing of all
parties: (for or against,) without the admin
istration of an oath, substantial justice would
be secured, adopted that plan, and proceeded
to the investigation of the charges.
We give their substance as follows: and
dispose of each in their time.
It was insisted that the Visitors should re
port whether any supplemental law had al
tered the pay of the Directors. By act
of Assembly of 1831, page 29, the pay of the
Directors is fixed at two dollars per day; and
by the act of 1855, they were allowed mile
age. In the original law the pay of each was
fixed at $2O per annum.
It was alleged that the Directors had sold
articles to the Poor House, while they were
Directors, in violation of the sth section of
the act of 1850.
The accounts, as published, and the vouch
ers, as well as the admission of such of the
Directors as were present, who had done so,
established the truth of this charge. Seve
ral of the Directors had done so, in ignorance
of the provision in the law, as it was alleged.
The provision in the law is eminently proper.
When a Director is both buyer and seller,
the latter will have no one to dispute his
price; and sales, on any terms, could be ef
fected. The law is plain and imperative.—
The Directors should have known what was
the law of their being; and obedience to its
provisions would have.avoide,d cause of sus
picion and reproach. in justice to the Di
rectors, however, the Board of Visitors dis
tinctly state, that a full investigation of each
case of this kind, (and the whole amount of
articles sold was not large,) gave conclusive
evidence that the articles sold by the Direc
tors, to the House, were at reasonable prices,
and the sales were caused by no corrupt or
unworthy motives, on the part of the Direc
tors.
It was alleged that a pair of oxen, the pro
perty of the county, had been let to hire, and
subsequently sold to John Hicks, and that
the amount due therefor, by said Hicks, had
never been collected, and was now a loss to
the county. This appeared to be true, in the
main. John Hicks had obtained the use, and
ultimately the title, to a pair of oxen which
were the property of the county: at the time,
or subsequently, the said Hicks contracted
to lay the pipes, to bring the water from the
large spring, to the Poor House. He com
menced the work, and progressing for some
time with it, abandoned it, and. ultimately
left the county. All the purchase money,
exceeding the value of the work done by
Hicks, was a loss to the county. A contract
of that kind should have been made after a
public letting, and the contractor obligated
to a faithful performance of his contract,
with sufficient security. This would have
saved the county from the loss. The whole
transaction was loose and insecure—never
theless, such as sometimes happens to the
most prudent. No cvidenee appeared of any
improper motives having influenced the Di
rectors or the Steward, and the worst that
can be said is that they were careless in their
dealings with Mr. Hicks.
It was alleged that the Directors, or the
Steward, had received articles of value from
paupers or their estates, and that the same
had never been accounted for. In one case a
land warrant had been obtained from "William
Bell ; the published account shows that the
money received from its sale was accounted
.for. A pair of oxen, a cow, and some hogs
had been received from 'Webb. The title of
Webb to the oxen was and is disputed, and
suit is now pending to recover the cattle from
the Directors. The oxen are now on the
farm; the hogs.have been sold, and the money
accounted for; the cow is now in the posses
sion of the Directors. Some clothes were
said to have been received by the late Stew
ard, which were unaccounted for. A coat
was sold and the money was accounted for;
the other articles of clothing had been ap
plied to the use of other inmates. There ap
peared to be nothing in the whole of these
transactions which is censurable. Your
Visitors, however, believe that some definite
system should be pursued; so that a full ex
hibit could he made, annually, of the product
of every thing which was received from the
property or estate of any pauper.
It was especially complained of, that a
large and beautiful spring of water had been
brought - into service, by bringing the water
by pipes into the Poor House, when a smaller
spring, near to the house, could have supplied
the water. In the opinion of your Visitors,
this was a much needed and valuable im
provement, and the only wonder to them is,
that it was not made years before. Connect
ed with this was, also, a complaint that a
cook stove had been removed and a large and
valuable kitchen range been erected. This
was another much needed improvement.—
One great advantage secured by this range is
that a large supply of hot water is kept con
stantly on hand The water from the spring
supplying the water-back of the range, and
the vessel connected therewith by pipes, make
the whole a matter of great convenience and
economy. It was cause of astonishment that
, .
f' , ' • ~
) .'-i ;• .: k l i .: . ..; i:li ( . \::,-1 4 ..„ .
:k••••• • •.•
':!:.:.: ' f' ' . • • •
•••••
• - . ....
..-..
HUNTINGDON, PA., SEPTEMBER 1, 1858.
-PERSZTERIL--.
such important improvements should have
been so long neglected, when there was so
great necessity for them.
The Visitors were desired to inquire into
the sum of the extra allowances paid to the
contractor, who built the house, including the
attic story and the cistern ; and also the let
ting of the building of the privy and fence,
the contract for which was also given to the
same party.
Dr. J. G. Lightner had been accepted as
the successful bidder for the house; the con
tract was closed, and the building nearly
completed. It then became apparent that in
part owing to the great increase in the price
of every thing, that the contractor must be a
large looser by his contract.. In a measure,
to relieve the contractor, and make up a por
tion of his loss, the then Directors thought
they were justifiable in giving the extra work
to the contractor, at liberal prices; and to
the Visitors it is apparent, that for some of
that work, especially the cistern, the price
allowed was very large.. The motives which
dictated the conduct were not censurable, but
it would doubtless have been more just, and
less open to complaint, had they done direct
ly that which they did indirectly. The same
motives induced the same Board of Directors
to ask proposals, from mechanics, for the
building of the privy and fence, having, at
the same time, a private understanding that
in any event the contract should be allotted
to Dr. Lightner, at a price at least as low as
the lowest bidder. There were some contra
dictory statements as to the fact, whether
that contract price was, or was not, higher
than the lowest bid. It is not important that
that issue of fact be settled by this Board, as
no remedy could be applied, or any good re
sult therefrom. The mockery of a public
letting was not necessary, if it were a fore
gone conclusion,ns to the party, to whom the
contract was to be allotted ; and the Direc
tors would have been less censurable if they
had boldly followed their sympathies for the
unfortunate contractor, without any attempt
to conceal their purpose. Your Visitors saw
no evidence of any corrupt or unworthy con
duct by any of the Directors ; and they are
thus minute in all the details of the com
plaints, because it is expected that every
complaint should be treated with respect.
Complaints was made that a case of surgi
cal instruments had been purchased for the
use of the House. This was admitted, and
justified on the ground of necessity. The
expense was not great, and while it is proba
ble that, many years may pass over before
all, or perhaps any, of these instruments are
required, still your Visitors are satisfied that
the purchase was not an inprudent one.
The attention of the Board was also called
to bills for groceries &c., alleging that ale,
raisins, and nutmegs, had been purchased for
the House, and that they were such luxuries
as ought not to be purchased. Two ten gal
lon kegs of ale, and half-box of raisins, and
one pound of nutmegs, were admitted by the
Steward to have been purchased; the first it
was alleged, was purchased on the recom
mendation of the Physician, as of service for
medicinal purposes, and was purchased for
and by the Steward, with his own funds.—
The raisins were for the culinary department,
and the nutmegs were an absolute necessity.
The whole charge was so small that it should
not have been noticed, had it not been urged
with some pertinacity. Your Visitors saw
nothing in all this, which sustains the charge
of extravagance.
An allegation was also made that some of
the Directors, and others, had received gro
ceries from the Steward of the Poor House,
—the groceries having been purchased with
the supply for the House. The basis for this
charge was in the following facts : On one
occasion the Hon. John Brewster requested
the Steward to send for and purchase, in
Philadelphia, when the groceries for the House
were purchased, a box of candles for his use.
This was done. and upon the delivery of the
candles to Mr. Brewster he promptly paid for
them. At another time one of the Directors,
(Mr. Green,) made a similar request of the
Steward, to purchase forhim akeg of molasses,
and the Steward complied. In both cases,
however, the books of account showed that
both gentlemen had promptly paid the Stew
ard the price of the purchases. There was
nothing like peculation in the transactions.—
It may have been imprudent, as likely to ex
cite suspicion.
A definite charge was made that the Board
of Directors, of 1857, had employed, as the
attending Physician, Dr. Baird at a salary of
$2OO per annum, at the same time when Dr.
Mckinnon had proposed to perform all the
duties for $lOO. This charge was not denied
by the Board of Directors, avering that they
were governed by no improper motives, but
acted with their best judgment. Your Visit
ors believe it better to narrate the circum
stances attending the transaction, and thus
leave the whole matter to the judgment of
their peers. As soon as the House was ready
to receive paupers, Dr. J. G. Lightner was
selected as its attending Physician, and the
salary fixed at :7;200. This salary was con
tinued up to the year 1857—Dr. 0. B. Bald
win having been the Physician during part
of the year 1856. In the latter part of that
year Dr. Baldwin being about to leave the
place, transferred his appointment to Dr.
McKinnon ; his service was accepted, and ho
was paid a proportionate share of the salary
of $2OO. For some cause, either and perhaps
both, political and personal, an effort was made
to defeat the appointment of Dr.MeKinnon,and
secure the appointment of Dr. Baird,—there
being no allegation against the capacity of
Dr. McKinnon. A proposition was then
made by Dr. McKinnon that ho would ac
cept the appointment at a salary of $lOO.--
The Directors ultimately conferred the ap
pointment upon Dr. 13aird, without fixing the
salary. but leaving the compensation to be
fixed by the services as rendered. The
Board of Directors did, however, make his
salary $2OO, alleging that upon an estimate
of the service rendered, it did not appear to
be too much. Upon the commencement of the
current year, a proposition was made again
by Dr. McKinnon, to fulfil the trust for $l5O
per year. The Directors continued Dr. Baird,
and reduced, the salary to :;.3150 per annum.
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There is no question in the minds of your
Visitors that the salary was, at the com
mencement, fixed too high. The establish
ment of a bad - precedent did not warrant its
continuance, and the salary was properly re
duced in 1858, and should have been reduced
before. Your Visitors will not presume to
declare the motives which actuated the sev
al parties to this contest. It is eminently
proper, in the administration of such a trust,
that all the action should be directed by a
desire to promote the interest of the tax-pay
ers, and, as far as practical, all the influences
exercised, inside and outside, should be de
void of partisan or personal considerations.
Higher and nobler motives should control
the counsels of every one who desires nothing
but the prudent, and well-directed applica
tion of the county charities.
A charge of more substantial importance
than any and all others, was contained in
the allegation that the annual expense of
maintaining each pauper, in our county, was
more than twice as much as it was in some
other counties, and much larger than in any
other:
What are the facts, in relation to a com
parison between the expense in this and
other counties, was not readily ascertained.
A simple calculation of the costs for any one
year, of another county, would be an unfair
criterion from which to judge, unless the
Visitors were familiar with the early history
of the County Poor House, of which the cal
culation was made. So far as the knowledge
of your Visitors extends, it is a well-estab
lished fact that during the first few years of
the history of any poor house, the expenses
have always been much larger, than after
they have systematized their operations,
completed their improvements, and, by a
sharp experience, learned how to direct their
operations and to husband their resources ;
and a comparison would only be just in a
case, where the circumstances attending each
are alike. Your Visitors have no means
within their power to enter into any com
parisons which would prove anything. The
only county that was organized about the
same time as our own, and of which we have
a report, is Mifflin ; the act for the erection
of a poor house having been passed the same
year as our own ; and of this county we have
a report for 1857. It is true that their re
port does not furnish a statement of the num
ber in the House for each month,—the aver
age number for each month of the year,
therefore, cannot be ascertained, and a com
parison with this county, for the year just
past, will only be an approximation toward
the truth. On the Ist of January, 1858,
there were in the Mifflin County Poor House,
only 15 inmates. In the Huntingdon Coun
ty Poor House, there were, at the same time,
71 inmates. Mifflin county expended 52,037
during the year. Huntingdon county ex-
pended, during the same time, $6,143. By a
comparison of these figures, the annual ex
pense for the maintenance of each pauper in
our county, was SSG 50. While the annual
expense in Mifflin, by the same test, cost
$135 80. In Huntingdon county, the aver
age number of inmates was less than the
number in the House at the end of the year.
It is reasonable to presume that 'the same
was true of Mifflin county. The difference
exhibited then, as above, between Hunting
don and Mifflin counties, is, doubtless, nearly
correct; and is largely to the credit of our
own county. Applying the same method to
the expenses of our own county, for the year
1856, would demonstrate the position first as
sumed—that the annual expense of the
maintenance of each pauper, is largest at the
commencement of the institution, and it
gradually decreases, as experience, and more
perfected operations make the working of
their government more complete. Your Visit
ors, therefore, conclude this subject by ex
pressing their clear convictions that no wilful
extravagance or dishonest purposes on the
part of any of the Directors or either of the
Stewards, was made manifest in our investi
gations, which were extended to every par
ticular department; and were as searching
and impartial as it was possible to make
them. True, it is, that some violations of
the letter of the law were apparent—some
acts of imprudence—some neglects of whole
some economy ; and a great want of care in
the taking, filing and preserving of the
vouchers, for the expenditures of each and
every year, wore too evident to be denied or
disputed. Yet, the clear convictions of your
Visitors were, that no intentional wrong had
been committed by any one of the persons
connected with the conduct of the Poor
House government, and that whatever error
or wrong there might have been, arose
wholly from want of knowledge and experi
ence or from mistaken judgment.
The farm was examined, and to your Visit
ors gave evidence of care and substantial
thrift, and its annually increasing products;
proving that - no ordinary means are left un
employed to keep it in good order, and to
cultivate and secure its crops. One or two
fields, it is true, are very liable to be washed
by heavy rains, the only protection against
which, if any can be found, must be in the
keeping of those fields, as much as practica- '
ble, in such grasses as give the surface the
firmest sward.
An inquiry was also pressed upon your
Visitors, whether any improper conduct had
been used by any one, at the time of the lo
cation of the Poor House and the P urchase
of the farm, and whether that improper con
duct did not secure the purchase of an un
suitable farm at an extravagant price.—
Nothing was shown from which any impro
per conduct could he suspected. The com
missioners for the purchase were evidently
governed by their best judgment, and biased
by no, improper motive. The developments
of its history may have changed the views of
some as to the propriety and economy of . the
location. Your Visitors do not see that any
good can come from any discussion of that
question now. That the farm is a good one,
with some peculiar advantages, no one can
deny—and your Visitors are satisfied that
the opinion of the many intelligent citizens
who agreed to and negotiated its purchase,
is a better assurance than any opinion they
can give that the price paid was not consid
Editor and Proprietor.
NO, 10.
sued too high at the time of the purchase.
It should be borne in mind, that it large
growing crop was also included in the pur
chase, which largely enhanced its then value,
and $5OO was the added consideration for the
growing crop.
Your Visitors have thus disposed of the
subjects of inquiry in relation to the mal
administration of the Poor House affairs.—
They cannot, however, close their labors;
without offering some suggestions for the
consideration of all interested.
The House, as it now stands, is ex.pdsecl
to the burning sun - 'during the entire day.—
It should be protected by shade, or large
fruit trees. These would add much to thd
appearance of the grounds, and to the cora;
fort of the inmates.
The Office of the Board of Directors should
be.furnished with a letter copying-press. A
large correspondence is continually kept up;
involving, at times, important pecuniary in
terests of the Poor House, and, consequently,.
of the tax-payers of the county. A copy of
every letter of this kind, in fact, of every
business letter, should be preserved, so that,
at any future time, its contents could be ex
hibited and proved, if necessary. While
upon this subject, your Visitors cannot ne=
glect to call attention to the little care taken
to preserve the_ letters received by the Stew , :
ards and Directors. All. letters should be
systematically endorsed, and filed in some
place especially appropriated for them.—
Every business man knows how very impor
tant the contents of letters frequently be
come, when any subject of difference or diffi
culty arises between the parties to the cor
respondence. The business of the people
demands strict care and accountability in
their agents.
Some important alterations should be made
in the interior structure of the House. Now,
the insane or troublesome inmates, are kept
in the cells or rooms of the basement story;
this should not be so. It is difficult to
imagine why the whole basement story was
cut up into little cells, of little or no use
whatever, when, at the same time, no room
was made for a dining or eating room. If
possible, a large and commodious room for
that purpose, should be arranged on the
basement floor, opposite to the kitchen ; and
the inmates, now compelled to occupy those
ground floors, should be placed in some other
part - 0f the btiilding. - This Would effect the
suggestions of htimanity, - as well as be of
great comfort and convenience to all.
Your Visitors also examined the several
rooms of the paupers, and were pleased to
find them cleanly, and exhibiting care and
attention by those entrusted with them ;
and, although your Visitors desired the in
mates to speak frankly, no apparent cause of
complaint was made.
In conclusion, your Visitors cannot neglect
this opportunity to say to the tax-payers of
the county that, to them is annually entrust
ed the duty of selecting from among their
number, one to take charge of their interest
at the Poor House, and the Visitors have en
deavored to show, by this report, how very
important it is, that the choice should fall
upon an active, shrewd, honest and intelli
gent citizen, whose business associations have
been such as to fit him in some measure, to
manage such a complicated and peculiar
household as is found in the Poor House.
All of which is respectfully submitted..
THom..ts
JOHN S. ISETT,
JOHN PORTER,
WILLrAxr lloaßrs, Jr.,
HUNTINGDON COrNTY, 85.
At a Court of General Quarter
-! L. S. Sessions of the Peace, held at Hunt
ingdon, in and for the county of
Huntingdon, on the 24th day of April, A. D.
1855, before the Hon. GEORGE TAYLOR, Esq.,
President, and BENJAMIN F. PATTON and
Jorm: BREWSTER, Esqs., his Associates, Judges
of the said Court : The petition of the Di
rectors of the Poor and of the House of Em
ployment, of the county of Huntingdon, by
their attorney was read, praying the Court
to appoint so many, and such Visitors, as to
them may seem best, to examine the books,
accounts, and all other matters and things of,
in, and relating to the said Poor House, and
the management of the same, by Directors
and Steward, of the same, from the organiza
tion or incorporation thereof, until this time;
and to make report of such examination to
the said Court and to the public. Where
upon it was considered by the Court, and or
dered that Thomas Fisher, John S. Isett Jno.
Porter, Wm. Dorris, Jr., and A. W. Benedict,
Esq., be and they are hereby appointed Vis
itors, under the provisions of sth sec. of the
act of Gth of May, ISSO. Br TILE COURT.
From the Record, 21st June, 1858. Certi
fied by D. CALDWELL, Clerk.
Honesty.
A spice merchant of Constantinople, carry=
in; a piece of fine cloth to a tailor, desired'
to have a cloak and tunic made of it, and in- -
quired if there was enough. The artist'
having measured the stuff; declared it suffi=
Cient, and then requested to know the cost of
it.
" Five sequins," replied the customer;
"was the price ; and, considering the quality,
that is not at all dear."
The tailor paused a moment. •• :
" I am but a beginner in the trade," said
he to the spice dealer, at length, "and money
is an object to me. Give me two sequins,
and I will show you how you may save three
in this affair."
"I agree," said the other, and the riloney
was produced and paid.
"It is well I" said the man of the needle—
"l am a person of my word. This cloth has
cost five sequins, and I have promised to'
save you three. Take it to some other tailor,-
and Allah direct you to one of more experi
ence—for I have never made such a dress as
you want, and if I attempt it,, it will he
spoiled."
This reminds us of an anecdote related' of
Sheridan, who went to a hair-dresser's to or
der a wig. On being measured, the barber,
who was a liberal soul, invited the orator to"
take some refreshments in an inner room'.
Here he showed him so much genuine hospi
tality that Sheridans's heart was touched.--
When they rose from the table, and were
about separating, the latter looking the bar.
ber full in the face, said, "On reflection, I
don't intend that you shall make my wig."—
Astonished, and with a blank visage, the
other exclaimed, " Good Heaven ! Mr. Sheri
dan, how can I have displeased you?"—
•' Why, look you," said Sheridan, "you are
an honest fellow ; and I repeat it, you shan't
make the wig, for I never intended to pay
for it. I'll go to another less worthy son of
the craft."
,gerAre you not surprised to find how in.
dependent of money peace of conscious is,
and bow much happiness can be condensed
into the humblest home! A cottage will not
hold the bulky furniture and sumptous as
commodation of a mansion ; but if God he
there, a cottage will hold as much happiness
as might stock a palace.
A. W. BENEDICT.