The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-28
PROVISION FOR THE POOR.
ANNUAL REPORT OF G. r. BIGGER
SUPERINrENDENT OF THE
ALMSHOUSE.
work OF Relieving the PoOr-Largci
Coiorcd AlmshOuse Needed
Need Of Charity
Hospital.


Hospital.
The total amount appropriated by tho
Council on account of charity for the fisca
year past was S4G,02f5S. or the above
amount s42,42i.5S was expended under
the direction OF the committees OF tn,
Council, and the balance, $4,000, was ex
pended for the benefit OF the following
| named institutions and societies by the Off
GERS in charge thereof: 81. Paurs Church
Home, Friends Colored Orphan Asylum
/ Richmond Male Orphan Asylum, Retreat
for the Sick, Ladies' City Mission, Little
Sisters Of the Poor, Female Humane Asso.
citation. st. Josepb's Orphan Asylum, Col
legc Dispensary, Eye and Ear Infrmary
Spring-Street Home.
RELIEF GRANTED.
In his annual report to Hon. w. G. Car.
rington, Mayor, Captain G. y. Bigger, the
superintendent Of Public Charities, says
The total number OF applications received
during the year were 1896, of which 9G9
were for indoor and 3,77j were for out.
door relief, and 2j2 burals were furnished
outside poor.
The number Of applications refused dll-
ring the year were 13 for indoor and 465
Yor outdoor relief
One nonresident INDECENT person was
returned to her home.
The relief granted to the poor Of this
city consists either in their admission into
the almshouse or in providing them with
rations, fuel, and medicine, and III ease OF
death with coffin, conveyance, and burial.
CHARITY HOSPITAL.
A 81, al .
from the almShouse, is greatly needed, but
in other respects the aid extended to the
poor is, think, ample.
outdoor relief is a necessary part OF a
city's charity. Assistance Of some kind
and TO. some extent outside OF the aims
house and at their homes may he con-
sidered both wise and humane, although
such relief, intended 10 be temporary, is
nevertheless apt to become permanent,
for once received it is hard to make the re-
cipient relinquish it.
SAFEGUARD NEEDED.
The tendency to abuse i'm the distribu-
ton OF outdoor relief is confessed. but
with proper precaution may be kept within
bounds: and will here say that | believe
the time has arrived when the city should
throw around its distribution OF charity
every safeguard possible, and | would
therefore suggest that the fuel to the poor
be issued by the city's agents only, for il is
a. well-known Fact that if there be more
than one place for its issue there is lia-
bility OF the same person or family obtain
Ing it from all, and ii the same time.
CoLoRED ALNsHoUsE.
Increased and properly constructed
~ o.. aIs FOL lv al tIa
care and comfort OF the colored inmates OF
the almshouse.
The building now used for the inmates
above mentioned is totally unfit for the pur-
pose, not having been erected for an aims
house, and being only selected for tenn
porary use for the said institution, is there
fore wanting in nearly every appliance and
convenience; and | do not believe that il
can be made suitable by any addition or
alteration.
therefore suggest that the white aims
house he enlarged by an annex or wings
for the accommodation OF the. .colored in-
mates, and that the said anneX~or wings be
so arranged as TO keep the races separate,
and that the style, finish, and equipment
thereof shall be similar TO the apartments
now occupied by the white inmates, there
by giving to all OF the inmates proper yen-
tiIation. &C., so necessary for their treat
ment and well-being.
DR.. j. S. ID. Cullen, physician to the
almshouse, in report recently made TO the
Committee for the Relief Of the Poor, SAYS:
"When the colored almshouse was first
used for that purpose ii was only intended
for an almshouse proper, and with no in
tention or anticipation that IL would be-
b. lori hos fol ha
ored race in this city, and consequently no
attention was paid to the construction of
the buildings annexed TO the original old
building, facing south. The rooms used
for the hospital purposes are in the second
and third stories of the middle building,
and are Al feet long. 10 feet 10 inches high,
and 20 feet 50 inches wide.
"Thcre are at present 81 patients in them,
which is 10 or II more than they should
contain"
CONSOLIDATION.
In concluding this subject, | will briefly
allude 10 some OF the good results obtaina-
BILE by the consolidation OF the almsnouses.
Ii will lessen the danger OF fire, and there
by decrease the liability TO loss OF lie.
Great saving Of fuel will also result. and
the steam-bOleTS at the white almshouse
will be sufficient TO heat the new addition,
and do the cooking for both departments.
The colored almshOuse is now warmed
by stoves.
1t will prevent the colored male and fe-
male inmates from cOmmingling, which is
now impossible under the present arrange
ment.
1t will place in the market valuable
from the sale Of which it Is be-
lieved sufficient amount can be realized
to pay for the proposed change, while the
retention OF the colored almshouse in it,
present location will depreciate property
thereto, and prevent the fur
ther Improvement OF that part OF the city.
FINANCIAL.
tai ia he