Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-24
Natipe Foundation
Proportion of
Pauperism.
Whole Number.
No. Paupers.
l to 3l7
Foreign Population
No. Pauper'
Whole Mum Der
2l,o3l,569

but one in BIT AMERICANS is a pauper, then it
follows that the proportion Of native and foreign,
pauperism is as one to ten. These calculations
| are based upon the census of 1850, and show con-
clusively that the great source of paupersm in this
country is immigration. This conclusion is con-
| irmed by examination of the pauper statistics
| of those countries from whence comes the immi-
grafton. The proportion Of pauperism to the pop
ulation of the European countries varies from 20
| to Is per cent In the Netherlands in lS47 one
fifth of the population were paupers, in Great Bri-
tain and Wales in 1913, one in every eight persons
| was pauper. Immigration is indiscriminate, con-
sequenty il is not surprising that the ratio of pau
persm to the foreign population is SO great. The
| cause of immigration to this country, 10 very
great extent, is pauperism abroad and nauperism
here, is the consequence Of indiscrimnlate immi-
grafton.
In the foregoing we have confined ourselves to
the census of $780, which merely shows the num-
Der ofpaupers, both native and foreign, maintained
at the expense Of the States. 1t is a Unknown
fact that large proportion is dependent upon pr-
vate charities. There Is hardly family or house
keeper throughout the land upon whose charities
there is not at least pauper dependent besides
there are many benevolent institutions, which
maintain by far the the largest proportion of pau
pers. Yet the census returns are sufficiently full
and accurate to enable us to estimate the relative
proportion Of native and foreign pauperism. We
have aseertained that proportion to be as one to
ten. One native to ten foreigners.
Since 1850 immigration has vastly increased,
and with il its attendant evils and, though we
have no accurate estimate of paupersm since that
time, there exists sufficient data upon which we
can venture a fair calculation.
In the State of New York, during the year
1853, there were maintained 280,686 paupers ut
total cost of $l,00a,747 65, an average Of
S37 sc per individual OF this number the ma
tivity OF 99,7ll is reported, of which 1882 are
Of foreign birth. Adopting the ratio Of native
and foreign pauperism in the number, (a97ll } of
which the nativity is reported and we have 63, 9S3
foreign paupers maintained by this State during
the year 1888. at the cost Of s82O,e49. During
the year ending June 80, 1885, this State main
tanned 4o,5so foreign paapers; in 1883, the num-
Der was l63,933-a four-fold increase in the brief
period Of three years.
In Massachusetts, during 1883, there were nam
tanned by the State II ,s74 foreign paupers. For
the year ending June 80, 1850, the number was
o,2i7-increase, 1921. During 1853 there ar.
rived in this State from foreign countries, lS5
foreign pdnpers-that is persons who were actu-
ally paupers Mt the time Of their arrival, and are
likely TO continue so as long as the State Of
Massachusetts, provides for their maintenance.
In the city OF New Orleans, for the year 1883,
there we're admitted into Charity Hospital 1889
paupers, Of which 1888 were Of foreign birth,
and ,534 natives. For the year ending June
30, $780, there were but 423 for the entire State
Of Louisiana. The increase is startling and al
most incredible.
We had determined the ratio Of native and
foreign pauperism in 1850 to be as to 10. The
additional statistics Of 1853 augment this proper
ton, and show much larger proportion Of for
egn pauperism.
So FAR, then, az the comparison instituted be-
tween the two classes Of population-foreign and
natve-in regard TO pauperism Is concerned, We
are inevitably led to the conclusion that there is
necessity for a reformation in the naturalization
laws. Pauperism Is an evil, a curse, blight and
immigration is its great source. We win resume
this subject again. r.