The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-30

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The relation of the State to charity
is three-fold; it may occupy the place
either of almoner, patron or super
visor.
AS almoner, the State dispenses
charities. At first, the work of the
State, as almoner, was restricted al
most entirely to the dispening of
aims to those who were recognized as
paupers, while institutional care of
every kind was left to the kindly
offices of the Church and individual
or charitable associations. Gradually
the sphere of the State in this direc-
tion was extended; first to the main
tenance of almshouses and work
houses for the care of the homeless
poor; then gradually to the mainten-
ance of institutions for the care of
the insane, hospitals for the sick, in
stitutions for the deaf and blind and
the feeble minded, and finally for
dependent children.
BY Whom Administered.
1t is an open question, whether
some of the public charities should
be administered by the common
wealth or by counties and munich
palities. The General Government
Of the United States maintains at
Washington hospital for the in
sane, which provides for insane SOL
diers, and for insane patients from
the District of Columbia. The United
States maintains also a National
Soldiers Home, with branches To-
Gated in different parts of the country.
1t maintained also at Washington
two hospitals for the sick, and sever
al other eleemosynary institutions.
Most of the States of the Union
maintain hospitals for the care of the
insane. In a few States these hospi-
tails admit private pay patients, but
this practice has been found demor-
alizing, and has been discontinued in
most of the States. In some States
payment for the care of insane pa
tients is required from the relatives,
if they are able; otherwise the ex-
pense is charged back upon the
counties or municipalities.
Still an Open Question,
The question whether the care of
the dependent classes should be as
sumed by the commonwealth or by
counties and municipalities, has
been widely discussed, and is still an
open one. In favor of the system of
State care, has been argued the ad-
vdntages of better administration,
better classification and greater
economy. These arguments have
been reinforced by reference to the
scandals which have often occurred
in municipalities or county care of
such unfortunates. The reports of
State boards of charities abound in
such instances. In favor of the ad-
ministration of such institutions by
the counties, is argued the more nat
ural life of small institutions, as
against the immense establishments
containing thousands of people; the
greater economy of small institutions,
which is a fact, Notwithstanding the
prevalent idea to the contrary; the
saving of expenses in transportation,
and the convenience to persons de-
string to visit their friends in the in
stitutions without making long and
expensive journey. AS an example,
the State of Wisconsin is often cited;
where the insane of the chronic class
are cared for in county institutions,
under the close supervision of the
State, in manner which is general
ly admitted to be efficient, economi-
cal and in every way satisfactory.
State Care Versus County Care.
The question of State care versus
county care of the insane, was vigor-
ously contested for many years in tie
State of New York, resulting, in 1898,
in the passage of the Estate Care
Act" providing for the care of all the
insane patients in the State of New
York at State expense on a plan SINH
ar to that of Ohio, Illinois and Min
lesota. No other State has followed
'he example of Wisconsin, as to care
If the insane, Notwithstanding the
admitted success of the Wisconsin
olan.
The Town Care of the Poor.
As between county care and munic-
pal care of the poor, there has been
great difference of opinion. In
most of the New England States
the town" cares for the poor. In
most of the Western States 'the
ounty" is the unit. In some States,
ike Wisconsin and Minnesota, a