New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-29
PAUPERS BADLY TREATED.
WARDS OF THE CITY NOT PROPERLY
CARED FOR.
STATEMENTS OF MISS BUTLER BEFORE TIL;
BOARD OF EsTIMATE-MoNEY FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES
AND CORRECTIO.

AND CORRECTION.
The Board Of Estimate and Appointment took
up yesterday the consideration OF the provisional
appropriation for the Department of Charities and
Correction. Although under the new law the two
departments not separated by law until January
!, 1t was necessary to consider them as separate
departments in providing for their future main
tenance.
The State Charities Aid Association which abored
for the bill for the division OF the departments. was
We. represented by Miss Rosalie Butler, Miss
Louisa Lee Schuyler. Mrs. William II. Rice Mrs.
]. A. Stirling and Mrs. j. r. Couper. The Com
missioners OF Charities and Correction were also
present. In the printed statement submitted
TO the Board the Commissioners OF Charities
and Correction ask for 81 lO1 for the Department
of Charities and sssi.Os7 for the Department Of
Corrections. Last year the two departments con-
sodated as one received only s2,4s7.52 Two MIL
ions of the amount asked for by the Department
Of Charities Is for new buildings. With this amount
the proposed model workhouse on Rker's Island
could be built. the Commissioners say.
Commissioner Faure made strong pea for the
passing of the estimate for paid employees to take
the place Of workhouse help He said that the lat
ter inefficient and not at al the proper per-
to be around hospital wards; neither should
they be employed In the kitchens They we're 30
wasteful that paid employees would save the city
money enough to pay their salaries.
Miss Butler then made some startling statements.
She said: The pas. system has been horrid ana
disgusting. The citys poor have been treated
shamefully Last 800 had TO sleep on the
floor in old building not proof against the e.e-
ments. Old men and women have been FORCED IN
the coolest weather to descend staircase on tho
outside OF the almshouse and walk several hundred
feet to their destination. Things have been IN a
shameful. state for a great city IKE ours, ne ne
paupers have been ill-fed and iclothed and nad 10
suffer all sorts OF privations Ny criticisms ao no'
apply to the present administration OF the Depart
ment For lack Of buildings and funds things nav q
been terrible now, but the Commissioners oaV 3
don, al In their power. l do not come mere 70
criticse Commissioners past or present ou' In, .He
condition of things for which they were not a!to'
gether responsible. One OF the crying evils OF tne
past and one that the new law seeks TO remedy , Is
houses around the hospital wards IL VIII oe neces-
sary 70 replace them with paid empoyes 49,,
1--WE only need 1872 paid employees ne ,0.a,
annual cost OF lS2 persons at 81 per month amounts
TO 800 SO There are needed nineteen male Keepers
and twenty-sx female keepers. besides tne preseLi'
ones to keep stricter surveillance over the "oiA
house help" -, - r..o,,
There were a number OF medical men preseht
ready to inform the Board OF the necessity LOT me
Increased appropriations. Mayor strong saiu:
want all the members OF the Board OF f,sttla'e ~
accompany me TO the several Islands under the care
of the Department of Charities ana C9 9t OF
next week and for themselves the con11,'ott VI
willingness to go over the ground II was deciosn
not 10 pass on many Of the amounts asked Tor unti
after this tour OF Inspection TO Keep me ouuSe'
omen small sums allowed Professionally. -, .
opSnmmssoner Faure spoke about the food for the
workhouse people and for the hospltsIs ~, ~
Flint told Of the needs of Bellevue Hospital ana
needed in the sanitary systems. fhe medical staff
too. did not have the necessary room D..r.
The sum OF s4Ss,72 was allowed for the DeSPart-
ment Of Corrections and the sum OF N,750N Tor
the Department OF Charities. The Board then az
;ourned. having completed the provisional budget.