The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-13

The committee Of the board of overseers, 10
whom was referred the consideration of the sub
jeet Of paupsrisn, Of the duties which usvoive
upon the board, and of the principles which
should govern its action, beg leave 10 submit the
following report /
The subject of pauperism has attracted nj
is now attracting great attention throughout the
civilized world Our city has shown its interest
in the subject by appointing board of overseers
Of the poor, to whom il has entrusted great du-
ties and serious responsibilities. To u just ap-
probation Of these responsibilities and faithful
discharge OF these duties, earnest and deep re-
Election is needed. of the Importance OF the
subject no one need TO be convinced. IL APP
peais at once TO humanity and an enlighteS self
interest. No man, with the heart Of a man,
can DO insensible to the suierings Of his fellow
beings; and no citizen, who has any conception
of the true prosperity of a community, can be
Indifferent TO subject vitality connected with It's
social and pecu mary interests
Incontemplating the subject, these facts sreevi-
dent: that "a great amount Of pauPerism exstsi in
Louisville as well as elsewhere that IL is ac-
cop,pa MED with intense suffering that IL makes
| constant appeals TO the sympatnies Of the M
name, and that il hangs as u heavy incubus up
on society, palsying It's energies and Gripping
its resources of wealth, virtue, and happiness
| TIE question then Is, what must be donei
Something must be done that is evident IL
| il equally evident that no partial or temporary
,n.nsu ren are adequate The evil is widespread
| anu ena,rriny me remedy mus, De correspon
dent. IL 10 evident, moreover, that measures OF
remedy, TO be eEfcctual, must be sysfematie and
| based upon erinciple What principles then,
sh oald guide our sctionl or Course, these prin-
c,oles 10 be wise, must have reference TO the
csuse, of pauperisn,. What then are the causes J
Puuperism resolves itself into two classes, tnrol-
unfary and, therefore, gutHiess; ro1anfsfg' anu
| thereisre criminal, Pauperism. its CAUSES IN
general, are these: Of involuntary Paupensh''
natural incapacity, ignorance, aud misfortune,
INCLUDING sickness, &C.; of voluntary pau
perism, race, embracing intemperance, iicenii'
business, &c.
To effect, therefore, a removal or diminution
of pauperisn, its causes must be reached
Some Of these Causes cannot be entirely dons
away with, as, for instance, naiurs! incapacii,
and misfortune. All that can he done in thes'
instances is to provide relief for the suffering
engendered by tnen, either temporary or per
mancnt, according a. the cause Is temporary o
permanent. The other causes, ignorance an'
vice. can be reached and, In degree, removed.
Puuperism, when thus viewed in It's cause
and character, presents three objects TO be attain
ed, Wig. punishment Of vicious pauPerisin, pre-
vcniion Of the ignorance and vice which lead
pauperism, and relief Of the suffering caused D.
Pauperism.
For the attainment Of these objects, three In
;, situations are needed: LIST For the punishmer
: Of vicious pauperism, house Of CORRECTION l
y which the vicious poor may be placed, and thu
IS at once, be prevented from preying ON the con
n munity, and, il possible, reformed.
;. I'd. For the prevention Of ignorance and vic
= house Of retags, where exposed children ca
be placed, and where they can De sheltered fro
Or the evil influences Of home and society whe
a. they can receive parental care, and kind, mor'
I, religious, and intellectual instruction; vine
~ they can be trained to habits of industry, vrtu
and economy, and thus, instead Of growing
be burden to society, b endowed with seii-r
n. spect, the power Of sef-supPort, and the caPa'
!. " OF becoming useful citizens. =
u Sd. For the relief Of the suffering Of paup'
as ism, az ssylx&, not a place Of disgrsce, mo-
Is. resort Of incidence, bat comfortable, reputa
- and Industrious homo. -.