New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-10


clothing, 81 6S-100 cents; for board alone, IL
I6-1oo cents. Under the present Sheriff the cost
for the year ending November l. 19ul, was Tor
board and clothing. 20 1900 cents, and for
board alone IL 1900 cents.
Under former sheriffs the supervisors audited
bills for $500 and $500 for sending deputies TO
stop football games and cockfghts and charges
as high as $1,000 apiece for sending few depu-
ties TO different parts of the county where there
were small strikes. One sheriff in the case of
small strike charged the county 500 for re-
volvers and clubs, and the Board of Supervisors
audited his bill without the slightest complaint
Sheriff Miller says that he is determined to stop
this kind OF extravaganza. The only strike he
has had was small one the Harlem Rail
road among Italians at Kensico. On this occa-
sion he put few deputies in a carriage and
sent them up there The carriage hire amounted
TO 50 and Mr. Miller put the bill in to the
county County Clerk Leslie Sutherland, who
E.ade such an admirable Mayor OF 1onkers, ls
also bound to reduce expenses. and though he
has been in office only few months, he has
made number of valuable changes.
One Of the most wasteful systems tolerated
by the Westminster Supervisors is that of car
ing for the children of the poor and placing
them in institutions and families II is said that
Westchester County is now paving for the main
tenance of $50 children between the ages of two
and sixteen years in private institutions, at
cost of 100000 year Once each year the
Supervisors go in a body TO these institutions
and also to the county almshouse, and after in
speeding them have a good dinner at the
pense of the institutions, the officers of which
are informed of other proposed visits.
AN EXCESS OF CLERKS.
The business methods Of the board are shown
by its appropriation for the last three years
of 1900 year for clerk TO help the Superin-
tendent of the Poor take children from these in
situations and put them with families. Last
week the board also appropriated $1,000 to pay
man to go around and place children in insti-
tutions.
In speaking OF the action of the board in this,
Edward B. Long Superintendent of the Poor.
said yesterday to a Tribune reporter:
What in the name Of common sense is the
of paying 81 200 OF the taxpayers money to a
person TO assist the superintendent in getting
children of the institutions into families. and
then take $1,000 more and pay II to another
man to GO about the county and get other chill
dren and place them in the same institutions?
If this is not inconsistent. what is it? AS well
might one attempt to empty cask by drawing
from the faucet while another person is pour
ing in at the bunghole
Mr. Long says that many children are COM
mitted from Westchester County to institutions
and supported when their parents should be
made to for them.
II do blame the Supervisors much"
said Mr.. Long. as ] do the system, which has
been long established, and which is carried on
by some of the charity officers and magistrates
of the county. They ought to exercise more
care.
For instance" he continued Il know OF
three children of family whose keeping has
already cost Westchester County S3.045. There
age children of another family which are being
kept at an annual expense of 500. and still
another case where the county is paying out
5000 year for family of children. Any sys-
tenn that tolerates such conditions Is wrong and
wasteful. There instances where mems
wives have died and the children have been
placed Immediately in institutions. TO be support
ed by the public while the fathers have
married, and rearing second family.
The poormasters in some towns to foster
this kind Of proceeding. They commit children
on almost any pretext. Some of the agents Of
socities than the poormasters. They
go about drumming up children to put into insti-
tutions. and they seldom follow the cases up
by having the parents punished for not sup
porting the children. A few days In Jail would
bring these parents to their senses. and they
would be only 100 glad get out and provide
for their offspring"
What would you suggest a remedy for
abuses Of this kind?' the reporter asked Mr.
Long.
SUGGESTS REMEDY.
4 believe" said he that no child should be
committed TO any institution until the Superin-
| tendent of the Poor has been informed and has
made investigation to if the parents
able support the child. If they are, it is much
peter lot the fHllO 10 i've at nome VA 90
investigate now in many cases, but it is gener-
ally after the child has been committed and
the family broken up. 1t is almost like locking
the door after the horse is stolen. The State
Board of Charities is thoroughly in sympathy
with the movement to get children out of in
situations and into homes. The State Board
takes the ground that all commitments should
hold only for one year, and that before the in
stitution get pay for the second year the
children must be recommitted by the Superin-
tendent of the Poor, who shall make investi-
cation to if the commitment is necessary
The board is after the superintendent through
out the State TO enforce this law and if it We're
enforced more thoroughly the number of chill
drcn be cared for would be reduced materi-
ally
What arrangements nave you made, Mr.
Long, to enforce the law"
Il have just come into Office he replied and
/ find that all of the children credited TO West
chester County are accepted in institutions until
September ID. Therefore / cannot put any of
them out at present, but when their terms ex-
pire / shall certainly make an investigat ton. and
send home at once every child whose parents I
find are able for him.