Complete Vindication Of County House Management

The report of the committee of the Board of Supervisors to visit the County House, is a complete vindication of the county house management from the aspersions of an irresponsible paper. The report which was made to the supervisors Monday afternoon is in part as follows:

It is plainly evident that the keeper, Mr. Shankland, must control the inmates to that extent that order and discipline must be maintained throughout the establishment. That it need not be surprising that friction would occasionally occur among such a motley gathering where a large proportion of them are weak-minded and partially insane.

As to the charge that the inmates are not or have not in the past received enough to eat, we find the charge unfounded, which the evidence obtained from the most intelligent of the inmates and from the intelligent and reliable help employed in the household and on the premises confirms. We find that the inmates are furnished three meals per day every day in the week the year through, with an ample supply of wholesome, nutritious and substantial food such as would be suitable and is commonly used in the average families of the county, coffee, tea, milk, bread, potatoes, meat, beans and vegetables; that Sundays two regular meals are furnished. also a lunch at night consisting of bread, cake, milk and tea. We find that there is a daily variation in the edibles supplied and that in any case if any inmate wishes for more at meal time he is quickly supplied with all he desires.

We find that under the watchful care of the matron, Mrs. Shankland, the house is kept in an exceptionally clean and tidy condition. Not because oí the expected annual visit of the committee of the Board of Supervisors, but at all times as is evidenced by the frequent and unexpected visits of the various county officials during the year.

Also we find much credit due to Superintendent Duffy, Taylor and Fletcher, who have had our county house in charge, for their sincerity and broad-mindedness in their endeavor to make our county house warm and comfortable and the productions of the farm available for the support and welfare of its inmates; also for their masterly management of the outside, internal and business affairs necessarily connected herewith.

The committee recommended the separation of the unfortunate but intelligent poor from the idiotic, foolish and partially insane, even if it requires tbs expenditure of $5,000. The report was read by Supervisor Raymond, of Sharon, the member of the committee who drafted it.

Drain Commissioner Daniel Barry was re-elected, receiving; 16 votes to 13 for ex-Supervisor Runciman of Lyndon.

The feeling existing between Judge Watkins and the Board of Supervisors is still in evidence and still finds outward expression in the proceedings.

On Monday the Judge of Probate sent the board a communication askIng that some provision be made for the care of the insane until places could be found for them in asylums, and concluded with these words:

"I should also take pleasure as a taxpayer of this county In considering with you the propriety of enforcing the law as to the compensation of supervisors. You will remember that Sec. 30 of Chapter 85 of the Compiled Laws of 1887 fixes the penalty for receiving extra pay at not less than $100 nor more than $500. Knowing your desire for good government and a clean administration of county affairs, I am certain you will take pleasure in preventing unlawful raids on the county treasury. I can explain the situation more fully if you will cali at the probate office Tuesday, Oct 21st, 1903, at 10 a. m."

Supervisor Schumacher -wanted to know if this was standard time.