The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-01


In 1857 select committee from the Senate
reported their deliberate opinion that the
great mass of the poorhouses inspected by
them were most disgraceful memorials OF
public charity; that common domestic ami
mails were usually more humanely treated than
the paupers in some of these institutions. In
1874 Miss Dix first told her narrowing story to
the Legislature concerning county poor
houses-a story that did not bear fruit until
1867, when an act was passed empowering
investigations of all State charities at least
once in two years. and annual reports to the
Legislature. Owing to the passage Of this
act, and to the more enlightened views now
held by local authorities our poorhouses are
no longer the disgrace they were five years
ago; nevertheless, the system upon which
they are founded is radically un-
sound, and when it is remembered that
New York State contains ffty-six county poor
houses, six city almshouses and twelve State
asylums, the necessity of reform becomes ap-
parent to the most callous mind. Feeling the
importance Of thorough revolution, the
State Charities Aid Association have within
the past year labored zcalously in its behalf.
Belonging to no one political party or to no
one creed, theirs is neither exclusively
mans work nor woman's work. They
are earnest, cultivated men and women, labor
ing together, supplementing each others
powers with the sole object of helping and
elevating the poorer classes. They make no
distinctions on account of race or sex; they
are swayed by no considerations of political
craftsmanship or sectarian prejudice, and if the
evils lately existing in certain public institu-
tons are now somewhat mitigated it is
because of the untiring devotion of
these indefatigable philanthropists. But
effective for good, as they have been,
their reforms have been frustrated in the poor
house of Westchester county, the visiting
committee for which was organized in Janu-
airy, 1872. Containing three hundred and
seventy pauper inmates, it is the fourth largest
county poorhouse in the State. Here men
and women-sick and insane, deaf and dumb
blind and idiotic-are thrown together pro-
miscuously. So long as the ladies of the WIS.,
iting committee worked themselves and made
no criticisms upon the management of the in
stitution, peace reigned in Westminster
county, but the moment the commit
tee complained of an absence of classification
that led to gross immortality, the moment
they suggested enlightened treatment of the
insane, the moment they discovered that the
sick were not nursed and that the children
were as badly fed as clothed, a change came
Ger the spirit of authority dream. Though
on hearing of the hapless condition of these
infant paupers the Secretary of the Children's
Aid Society offered to take all free of charge
and provide them with homes in the West,
the Superintendent declined, on the ground
that the institution wishes to know what be-
comes Of them. What becomes Of children left
to grow up in poorhouse? Is it necessary
to ask?
It is no exaggeration to affirm that in the
majority of county poorhouses no nursing of
the sick is attempted. The keepers wife,
who is generally occupied with other duties,
gives what spare time she can to it. The most
helpless patients are generally cared for by
occupants of the same room who are less in
firm. Occasionally an able-bodied pauper is put
in charge or called in on an emergency. Con-
sequently the Westchester Visiting Committee
repeated their request for better treatment of
the sick and young, offering to pay the wages
of the nurses until the Board of Supervisors
met, and as o reward Of virtue the Superin-
tendents notified them that their official
services were no longer required, although
they would be received as ordinary visitors.
All intercourse being thus broken of, this un-
daunted committee petitioned the. Board of
Supervisors, suggesting alterations in the cells
of the insane, o separate room for confne-
ments, and such alterations of the buildings
as are necessary to secure complete separation
Of the sexes; but notwithstanding that the
Board gave most respectful hearing, they
confessed themselves powerless, the Super
intendents being q body corporate
elected by the people, with full
authority in connection with the
county Judges, to make all rules
and regulations for governing the poorhouse
In January, however, the Board of Super
visors did dare to expostulate with the Super
intendents, since which time the Visiting Com
mittee have been denied access to the poor
house, because they belong to an associa-
toni" Now we make bold to ask, What are
the legal rights of citizens and taxpayers in
reference to public institutions Should
they not be permitted, under certain neces-
sary restrictions, to examine into the admins
tration of their own trusts? Does not hu-
mainly demand it2 Picture hundreds Of
helpless human beings left to the mercies of
brutal keepers The Visiting Committee ask
for no power saving the right Of free access to
all public institutions, binding themselves to
observe all rules, but not binding them
selves to silence. Who cares for the
Al nd hoaxd AnI rra