The Springfield herald., 1899-06-23
CURE FOR PAUPERlSM
COLONIZATION VS.. CHARITY.
In Supporting Pnupers-It Would Have
Gwen Homes to 100000 PersOns.

According TO the official statistics the
state of Massachusetts last year sup
ported entirely 16.S25 paupers and par
TALLY supported 1902. OF the latter
2S, 400 were under sixteen years of age;
1874 had fixed residences in town;
and cities; 10,S7S had fixed residences
in the country: 2o.214 had no fixed resi-
dence. In addition to these, 232, ,6lt
persons We're reported as vngrantS by
the police. The census Of paupers,
taken on the list of July. 1878, in the
state of Massachusetts. showed n total
of BOIL OF these a. 222 We're entire.
ly supported by the state, county or
municipal authorities and 1900 were
partially supported. The expenditures
for the support and relief OF these peo-
pie amounted 10 $2.400,20G.
During the last year, according to
the official statistics. 14G4T3 persons
Xere supported more or less time in
The county almshouses of the state of
Sew York. OF these 1888 were ell
drely supported and 127 $40 were par.
daily supported In the city of Great
Pr New York lS2.395 paupcrs We're re-
ported. G3.6OO being wholly supported
by municipal institutions and 11S.79j
partially supported. The expenditure
OF Official appropriations in the city OF
Greater New York. which, as every
body understands. includes Brooklyn.
Tor the relief and support of paupers.
was S3,25l ,SO2. The counties outside
of the city of Greater New York spent
Sl,Gos, 735. of which STS9,6SS was for
permanent inmates of almshouses AMI
S@3,OGI for the temporary relief of the
suffering
Nor do the reports above given from
Massachusetts and New York include
anything but purely official eXpendi-
lures. If the truth were known
the expenditures of private and relig-
ions charitable organizations would
doubtless equal those of the public au
thoritics
] was led into this inquiry. said a
correspondent of the Chicago Record.
in connection with the colony which
Booth-Tuckcr of the Salvation Army
has established in Colorado. He has
been able to provide homes with ten
acres of ground. II team of horses, Il
COW, two or three pigs. twentw-four
chickens and II full outfit of farming
implements and machinery for twenty
SIX families mt the rate of S60S n fam
lily. This was during the experimental
period and he believes that he can
hereafter establish them at an average
cost Of $500 a family 1t naturally oc.
ours to one who is studying this sub.
ject that II might be profitable for
some of the charitable societies. If not
the municipal authorities. to attempt
this experiment. The state Of Massa-
chusetts since 1878 has expended $35.-
S3S,3S4, or an average of S1,969, ,323 n
year, for the care of paupers. Suppose
one-half of that amount, or say $15,.
100000. has been expended in the re-
moval and establishment of those pau
pers upon the farming lands of the
West, at the rate of cost now paid by
the Salvation Army. 25.OOO families or
perhaps 100000 pnupers who are n
public burden would have been given
n new chance In life and placed in n
position where they could contribute
to the public wealth and the public
welfare This suggestion is at least
worth talking about.