Page images
PDF
EPUB

The paper marked E, contains a list of twenty counties in various sections of the state, in each of which the poor-house system has been adopted, and is in fair operation. It will be seen by this table that the average cost of supporting a pauper, over and above his earnings, and making no allowance for the expense of the poor-house establishment, is $29.92 cents per year;* or 54 cents per week. The same table shows the proportion which the whole number of paupers relieved in and out of the poor-house, bear to the whole population in each county; and exhibits the average in twenty counties, to be one pauper relieved to 208% of the whole number of souls. In another column is exhibited the proportion which the paupers, in the poor-houses in these twenty counties, bear to the population in each, and giving a general average of one pauper in the poorhouse to every 622 of the whole population of the counties embraced in the list.

In 1824, it was estimated in Mr. Yates' report, that there were then in the State 6,896 permanent paupers, and 15,215 occasional paupers, making a total of 22,111. It was also estimated that the proportion of permanent paupers was as 1 to 220 of the whole population, and of occasional paupers, 1 in every 100. The total expense of permanent paupers in the State, was estimated at 344,800 dollars, or $49.70 cents as the average cost of each pauper. The total expense of occasional paupers, was estimated at 125,782 dollars, or $8.27 cents each per year. Total expense 470,582 dollars, which does not embrace the excise money, estimated at 66,600 dollars.

Taking the returns which have been received the present year as the average for the counties which have not made reports, and the permanent paupers may be estimated at 5,790; and the occasional paupers at 12,348; showing a total of 18,138 in the State, which is equal to one permanent pauper in every 339 souls, and one occasional pauper to 107.†

* It was ascertained in 1824, that in the state of Delaware, where the poor-house system prevails, the yearly expense of a pauper was 45 dollars, including expenses of poor-house establishment. The mere support of the pauper $41.11 cents.

In Connecticut, where a variety of modes prevail in regard to supporting paupers, the general average expense of permanent paupers, was 35 dollars per year. In four counties in Pennsylvania, the average expense of each pauper was $33.46 cents, exclusive of the proceeds of the farms on which the poor-houses are erected.--Mr. Yates' Report, Assembly Journals, 1824.

† In Connecticut 1 in every 150 souls is a permanent pauper, and there is the like proportion of occasional paupers.

In the interior of Pennsylvania, where the poor-house system prevails, there is 1 pauper to 339 souls. In New-Hampshire, in 1820, 1 pauper to every 100 souls. In Massachusetts, 1 in 68.-Mr. Yates' Report.

In Scotland, the regular poor were stated in 1818, to be 1 to 100; and the persons incidentally assisted, equal to 2 in 100. The average number of paupers in England, for the years 1913, 1814 and 1815, was above 9 in the hundred of the general population. For these more than eight A. C. FLAGG.

The document marked F, contains, under the heads of the several counties, the explanations and suggestions of the superintendents of the poor.

It is desirable that the statute for "the relief and support of indigent persons," should be printed in a pamphlet form, and distributed to all the officers who are required to execute its provisions.

millions of pounds sterling were annually expended; which amounts to above 16 shillings per head on the whole population of England and Wales.

In France the numbers of poor are considered as rising to one-fifteenth of the population in rural parts-to one-tenth in the towns, and to one-seventh in Paris. - Edinburgh Encyclopædia.

در

[blocks in formation]

To the Superintendents of the Poor of the county of

GENTLEMEN,

Accompanying this you will receive a form for the reports required by the 75th section, page 631, vol. 1, of the Revised Statutes, to be made by the superintendents of the poor to the Secretary of State. So much of the present year has passed, that you may not be enabled to collect all the information necessary to a full report for this year; if so, you can report in December next, so far as you have the means of obtaining the required information. The reports should be transmitted to this office, by mail, as soon as practicable after the first of December.

In addition to the information required in the report, the superintendents are requested to give any other facts, or make any suggestions, which in their opinion will be useful or interesting.

The children between 5 and 16, who are tenants of the county poor-house, are not in consequence of that location to be enumerated in the school district where the poor-house happens to be situated; the children however ought to be instructed, and it is desirable to ascertain how far this object is accomplished, to the end that further legislation may be had on this point, if it is needed. If there are deaf and dumb persons in the poor-house under 25 years of age, and of sound mind, application ought to be made at once to get them into the deaf and dumb schools, either at New-York or Canajoharie. An act was passed at the last session, to add 32 to the number of pupils in those schools, to be supported at the expense of the state. Names sent to this office, will be transmitted to the schools, as candidates for admission; and any information furnished which may be required.

I am, with much respect,

Your ob't. serv't,

A. C. FLAGG.

NOTE. The county clerk is requested to hand over to the superintendents of the poor of the county, or one of them, the forms accompanying this circular. In counties where the superintendents are not yet appointed, the clerk will retain the package in his office until they are

chosen.

REPORT

Of the Superintendents of the Poor of the County of

to the Secretary of State.

The superintendents of the poor of the county of

in pursuance of the provisions of the Revised Statute for "the relief and support of indigent persons," present to the Secretary of State their annual report, as follows:

The number of paupers relieved or supported during the year preceding th the 1st of December instant,

was..

Of the persons thus relieved, the number of county

[blocks in formation]

The whole expense of such support was.....

....

.....

Of this sum there was paid for transportation of pau

pers,.....:

Allowance made to Superintendents.........

...

....

$

do. do.

[blocks in formation]

Overseers,..........

Justices,

..

Keepers and Officers,.

..

[Here insert any other items which do not compose any part of the actual expense of maintaining the paupers.]

The actual value of the labor of the paupers maintained, was..

...

...

The estimated amount saved in the expense of their support in consequence of their labor,........ The sum actually expended, over and above the labor and earnings of the paupers, divided by the average number kept during the

dollars

cents per week, as the actual expense of keeping each person.

year, gives

cents per year, or

The county poor-house has

acres of

land attached to it, and the whole establishment is
valued at....

$

The number of persons in the poor-house on the 1st
Dec. inst. was.....

Of this number, there were of females,.

of males,..

.....

...

...

Of the females, there were of 16 years of age and under,
Of the males of the same age,....

...

Of the persons relieved or supported during the year, there

[blocks in formation]

The number of paupers received into the poor-house

during the year, was....

Born in the poor-house,.....

Died during the year,.........

...

« PreviousContinue »