The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-14


Pennsylvania The Tribune, too, is
entitled to commentator for its ac-
curate and comprehensive reports
of the sessions and it's uniform cour-
tesy to the officers and members of
the association. Yours truly,
James w, Walk,
President.
Scranton, Oct. 1S, 1897.
The Association of the Directors Of
the Poor and Charities Of Pennsylvania
held a morning and afternoon session
yesterday and at the latter session con-
cluded all matters Of business and ad-
journed to meet at Harrisburg next
year. Last evening was devoted to
sightseeing and not until late this af-
ternoon will the majority of the dele
gates leave the city as about 150 of
them have sigrifed their intention of
inspecting the Hillside Home today.
The morning session at 8 o'clock be-
gan with the discussion Of question box
queries.
The report of the committee on legis-
lation was presented by it's chairman,
Hon. Z. =. Gould, of Erie county. He
reviewed the course of the so-called
New Poor-Law" up to it's veto by
Governor Hastings and deplored the
necessity of poor districts and charity
institutions having to act under old
and conflicting laws. He said relief
could at present be only obtained
through local or special bills.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The committee presented these rec
concentrations, which under q, rule,
went to committee:
First-That this association encourage
and assist the people in the various coun-
ties where now the township districts and
the overseer system prevail; to take the
necessary steps to have submitted to the
voters the question of adopting the county
district Plan with almshouses by furnish
ing statistics showing that it is far more
economic to the taxpayers and more hu-
mane, civilized and Christian-like method
of caring for the dependent class.
Second-That the committee on legisla-
tion be instructed to prepare a bill incor-
porating the general provisions OF the
poor board bill heretofore adopted by this
association and heretofore referred to, es-
pecially those provisions which relate to
the settlement of paupers; those liable for
their support; the legal proceedings gov
erning contests between poor districts
to determine the liability to support pau
pers and enforce the judgments and the
DEGREES of the courts relating TO the same;
and the powers of poor law officers to take
possession of the property of a poor per-
son who becomes a public charge, and
the legal steps required to be taken TO
invest said officers with the legal control
of such property. Said bill to be sub
mitted TO the next convention of this asso-
ftpa F,t1l -,
mitted, +. p. Gould, Chairman.
Captain Lawrence, superintendent of
the Philadelphia almshouse, criticized
some of the papers as being of a nature
foreign to the association, the senti-
ments being more appropriate for con-
sideration by religious and educational
bodies. The safeguard against the
presentation Of such papers appeared
in a recommendation Of the resolutions
committee during the afternoon ses.
sion, as did the question of confer
ence with the State Association OF
County Commissioners, concerning a
new poor law, as suggested during the
morning by Mr.. Gould.
A paper by Miss NJ NJ. Walk, OF
Philadelphia, on "Almshouse Children
in Charitable Institutions" was read
IS HGT DlOllGl, IIeSlueuL Walk, Inc
paper showed the evil effects of rear.
ing a child in an almshouse, and cre-
ated no little discussion.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session began with
the presentation of brief reports as fol.
lows: York county, Robert Boyd, stew,
ard; Delaware county, William Ewes
steward; Central Luzerne district, S
w. Davenport, secretary; Lancaster
county, ]. n. Croft; Clearfield county
D. r. Woolwich; Pittston borough ant
township and jenkins township, James
Jones; Allegheny City, John Hender,
son; Germantown, Philadelphia, DR.. d
L. Hughes; Children's Aid society
Somerset county, l.. c. Colborn; Chill
dren's Aid society of Pennsylvania, L
Kerr, superintendent.
During the discussion of the paper!
Secretary Davenport, of the Contra
LuZerne district. deplored the neces
sity of lodging the insane in the Lu
zerne county Jail until such time a.
their admission to the DanVille or othe
asylums could be secured. He referred
TO the effort made to secure a stat,
appropriation for an asylum for tn
northeastern section Of the state Th
matter was twice placed in the hands
OF the appropriations committee Of thu
legislature, but was never reported il
the appropriation bills.
The Central Luzerne district repor
was as follows:
EXPENDITURES AT ALMSHOUSEs.
Total current expenses ............$l4,Ol3 S
Buildings and Improvements ..... Sll5 4
Other extraordinary expenses. 1,22O 6
Total almshouse ,.....,.,,..,.,...S239l 9l4
AVara "a weakly poSt nor inmate n