The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-17
RELIEF OF THE POOR.
Alexander JOhnsOn's Bills Submitted
10 Reform Committee.

Alexander Johnson, superintendent of the
Institution for Predetermined, at Fort
Wayne addressed the executive committee
of the Indiana County and Township Gov
eminent Commission, at the Statehouse last
night, on three bills which he had prepared
as remedies for existing evils in govern
ment. He had prepared a lengthy bill for
the Endorsement of the commission, but
thought it best to divide it into three bills;
one dealing with county poor asylums an
other regulating the giving of outside relief
to the poor and the last one creating county
boards of charities and correction. One bill
provides that overseers shall personally in
vestigate all cases where relief is asked
for, and secure the names and ages of eV
cry member of the family together with the
reason for the distress. He shall then fur
nish temporary aid, but where there are
able-bodied members of the family, he shall
not furnish permanent aid until he is GER
tain that they have made sincere efforts to
secure work. The overseer shall also use his
influence and efforts to secure work for all
persons able to work. After furnishing tenn
porary relief, the overseer must report the
facts to the county commissioners, who, if
the case seems to them to be worthy, shall
authorize the overseer to furnish permanent
aid. In any event the overseer shall not fur
nish aid to Il greater extent than $40 month
without referring the matter to the commits
SiOners
The bill for county poor asylums provides
that it be the duty of the county commits
sioners to appoint a superintendent of the
county poor asylum, to serve four years
from the LIST of September following the
passage of the law. The living expenses OF
the superintendent to be paid by the county
shall be fixed by the commissioners, and
the man chosen must be of good character
lon Sill fn
family nor political consideration shall enter
into the appointment, and the superln-
tendent can only be removed for cause by
the county commissioners, and the right
shall be given to him to appeal from their
decision to the county council which snail
have the power to order a reconsideration of
the case. No subordinates shall be dis
charged either by the superintendent or the
commissioners without having nearing ana
the charges against him or her BENG pub
licly stated in open court. Inc superln-
tendent shall make reports to the State
Board of Charities, and shall accept sug-
gestions from it from time to time.
In discussing this bill the commission
thought best not to incorporate in 1t the
right of the superintendent to appeal from
the decision of the commissioners, as in the
event the county council reinstated a dis
charged superintendent, his hold over the
inmates would be impaired. 1t was agreed
to allow the commissioners to dismiss a SUI
perintendent absolutely when there was
cause for such move shown. 1t was also
agreed not to allow the commissioners 10
tendent. as experience has shown that the
best results follow unrestricted administra-
tive power in such institutions.
In beginning his explanation of the bill
creating boards of county charities and cor
rection, Mr.. Johnson said that he had taken
great Prints so as to be sure that ms plil
would be constitutional. The bill makes 1t
the duty of the county council, or where
there is no such organization, the judge OF
the Circuit Court, as an alternate, to APP
point a board of county charities upon the
petition of fifteen or more reputable cltl-
zens the board to consist of both men ana
women to serve three years at salary or
81 a year Their powers shall be to inspect
either by committee or as whole, any or
ali county institutions, including poor asy-
iums, orphans homes, town lockups ana no
jails. In case anything illegal or unsanitary
board shall report the facts to the commits
sioners with such suggestions as the mem
hers choose to offer. After short discus
Sion of the bills by the members OF the COM
mission, it was agreed to have them proper
Iv drawn UP and made ready for presenta-
tiop RI fhe LEGISLATURE