Wichita eagle., 1888-09-21
STARVING TO DEATH.
A FEAT NOT EASILY ACCOM-.
PLlSHED IN NEW YORK.

What the Man Who Looks After the
City's Paupers Says On the Subject-As-
ISOLATION for Improving the Condition
| of the Poor.
slow can person starve to death in New
York cityl' was asked by reporter of Super
intendent Blake, who looks after the city's
paupers Mr.. Blake didn't stop to think before
he said: "You can't" and then he added:
THAT is, you can't unless you want to real
bad. OF course, If you lock yourself up
| somewhere where no one can get at you, and
don't eat anything or make any noise to
attract attention, you may succeed in dying
of starvation; but that's about the only way
you could do it in New York. II you would
starve, take my advice and don't try it in
New York; you are sure to be caught at it.
There is no red tape about the relief Of
destitute people in this city. In the first place,
the city doesn't do it at all. The city gave up
giving outdoor relief several years ago. All
the city does for poor people is to send them
to the workhouse. But, naturally, Informal
ton Of people who are in need of immediate
assistance usually comes to me. Generally
the neiGhbors are the ones who find out the
case, and they either come here or inform the
police In either case the action is immediate.
always send a messenger directly around to
the office of the New York Association for
Improving the Condition of the Poor, and il,
ten minutes after hear Of the case visitor
of that society is on her way with provisions
and medicine for the relief Of the sufferers.
willie if it is reported as likely to be hospi-
tai case, l also send one of our ambulances at
once.
NECESSARY Red TAPE.
AFTER the Immediate necessities of the fam.
lily or person are relieved then comes the red
tape. The societys visitor looks up the mat
ter and reports to her superiors. For the CITY
an investigation is made. and it is ascertained
whether the persons are legally a charge upon
this municipality or belong somewhere else.
Generally they are recently arrived emf
grants for whom the Castle Garden authori-
ties must look out. But in any event the
sufferers get good food ard careful attention
until responsibility for their permanent csrs
is fixed
"Actual pauperism is comparatively raro in
this city, much as we hear about poverty.
The poorest parts of the city are inhabi by
people that live like pigs in pen, not because
they have to- but because they want 10 save
money. The workhouse is kept full, but it is
chiefly with men and women who go there
rather than work. OF course many honest
and respectable persons come here to ask for
relief. In every such case l endeavor to send
them aw encouraged to try for work again.
L tell them for heavens sake to keep out of
the workhouse-to work at anything at which
they can pick up penny rather than degrade
themselves by becoming public Charges For
- ,,.,,l, i l. IL
cut Of ten it ruins them, and they 60 back
again and again, and finally become Of the
sort that is sent UP twice year for six months
each time
at would probably surprise people to know
that there are men who, because they cannot
find work at their trade will come here for
aid before they viii try to get work at any
thing else To such | absolutely refuse to
give commitment, and direct them where to
go to get laboring or other work if they fail
at their trade. In most cases they take nv
orders. Sometimes they appeal to magis-
trate and get commitment any how Women
are still worse. Practically woman can
always get a living if she is willing to do
domestic work for her board and clothes.
There's no excuse for their gong 10 the work
house, and l tell them SO every chance get.n
IKE HORh OF RELIEF
John Bovine, whose aspect mingles the
venerable with the benevolent, is the general
agent of the New York Association for I'm
proving the Condition Of the Poor, on which
Superintendent Blake depends to relieve
cases of extreme restitution. 1t has been in
existence we'll toward half o century. 1t ex-
ponds about S25, coo year in Its work of re-
lief, Of which 60 per cent goes directly to the
people aided and 80 Fer cent Is consumed In
expense. Mr.. Bovine said
There is never any delay in relieving cases
Of restitution coming to our knowledge
through the charities department of the city
or in other ways. Our visitors on their resu-
lar rounds whenever they hear of a case
give ali Immediately and report it afterward.
visitor sent out on information brought 70
the Office always takes food and medicine
with her. I do not think it is possible tor o
person who really wants TO live to starvs to
death in New York II in house, the |
neighbors are always at hand 10 give AID. |
and the police are sure 70 discover case out
of doors. In mos, of the cases reported IN
the papers of starvation, alcoholism has |
more TO do with il than lack OF food Our |
money is collected chiefly through a can |
vasseT. who IS employed regularly. Mos. Of |
it comes from individuals Comparatively |
Little is contributed by the churches, because |
we urge that each church should look after is |
own poor, and they are getting to do 50 very /
generally.
The saddsst cases we bsve are not those in 1
which aDlect poverty Is the feature, but /
those where Inlsfortunes have reduced par
sons OF cultivation and good position TO des- |
Tuition. Such are often restrained By PRIDE /
from asking aid until the last posS;b mo |
ulens, but they rarely carry II 30 lar as 70 /
starre to death rather than sex help.
Vocal Studies Abroad.
4 reputable physician. who nss made q /