FARMINGTON TIMES, Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, Thursday, January 1, 1903 LIFE'S SPICE [column] "Variety is the spice of life." By S. McK. F. There has recently been a poor farm craze. People have suddenly been awakened to the fact that there are actually human beings being cared for by one of the richest counties in Missouri in a manner that reflects no credit on the county. In nearly every paper we see that the same thing prevails in other sections, and the trouble is laid to the policy of letting the contract to the lowest bidder. It is beyond human nature to work for even paupers for nothing, and if the price for keeping them is cut to the minimum, it stands to reason that someone suffers for it. Recently the young ladies of the Presbyterian auxilliary made a visit to the poor farm, an account of which was published in THE TIMES at that time. All agreed to the deplorableness of the situation, but said that the superintendant was doing the best he could. There are at present twenty-six inmates, male and female, of all degrees of mind and body infirmities. The little huts in which they are housed seem poorly arranged for heating and ventilating, and the whole place should be repaired, as was the Court House years ago, from the foundation stone. In letting the care of the paupers to the lowest bidder, the County Court has followed a long precedent in deference to public opinion, which is often thoughtless about such matters; but the plan should be changed and these unfortunate dependants made as comfortable as possible. Of course it will cost a little more, but surely the public will consent to this when the humanity as well as the necessity of the thing is made clear. Our paupers are human beings and should be treated as such and not herded together as so many animals at so much per head a month. There are some short-sighted people who argue that if the poor farm were made a habitable, decent place, it would be overrun with all sorts of people, but they seem to forget that the County Court must pass on all applicants for entrance, and it is the last resort of the self-respecting poor. *********************************** The Sunshine Society, just established, made a remarkably fine inauguration of their work by sending twenty-six nice little bundles out to the poor farm Christmas afternoon, each one containing candy, an apple, picture cards and a great many nice little articles, besides an abundance of reading matter.