The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-24

bridges within their townships costing less
than 49, and they also have the right, un-
DER certain conditions, TO donate SO TO a
more expensive bridge to be built by the
Board of County Commissioners. This, in
brief. is the bridge law of Indiana
The unit of government in this country
IS the township You as trustees OF these
townships in Indiana not only have very
important duties. but great powers for eX-
erclslng them You can do more TO unlIy
and harmonic the laws than any Otner
body OF men in the State This very or
ganization can be and should be the means
OF bringing about one harmonious law gov
ernlnS all township matters WITHIN the
State of Indiana; and l am sure that you
not only have the ability, but the courage
TO perform this great work"
GIVING TO THE POOR
]. s. Rogers read an interesting paper a:
the afternoon session on Management Of
the Poor" lie pointed out the dangers that
grow out of giving to the poor indiscrim-
inately. He said such giving would pau
perize a oommounity and largely increase
the number of dependent people. Relief
should only be for the purpose of helping
those who aid themselves. Amos w. But
Ter, secretary of the State Board Charities,
entered into the discussion, speaking on
outdoor poor relief. He said in part:
THE duties of overseers OF the poor, per
formed by township trustees, are very I'M
portant. They do not relate TO the simple
giving Of help when it is asked 1horOush
investigation should be made of every case,
except il be necessary to give promptly TO
relieve immediate necessity.
THE responsibilities of the oVerseer OF
the poor, when we come to measure the
conditions of society in his community, as
to the presence or absence OF pauperlsn, Is
a great one. He can, by lack OF attention
to his duties, and permission given, edu-
cate race of paupers. On the contrary
by caution, good judgment and helpIuI-
ness, he may lead many TO Sel1-nelp, as
well as relieve the public or the purueh VI
their support.
THE new poor relief law applies the prin-,
ciple of charity organization work anu
the official relief of the outdoor poor. Inc
progress that has been made in the ADMIN
istration of these laws and the consequeht
lessening of expenses, and the reductlon Oh
pauperism, is one of the most striking illus
trations our country has OF wise laws,
formed as the result OF careful inquiry lhlO
the causes of pre-eXisting conditions.
In 1895 the outdoor poor relief, lncluolIs
medical reaid, in Indiana amounted III
round numbers to two-thirdS of a million
dollars. In 1900 il amounted to less IMAM
$4,000, decrease of over GO per cent. Ihere
was a correspondingly large decrease IN the
NUMBER or persons who were neIpeu ny
| the overseers Of the poor. While many
feared, the result of the operations OF
this law, the poor asylums would be hlled,
such apprehenSons have proven unfOunded.
| Concerning the reduction or pauperlsIn;
due credit should be given to the demand
| for laborers, and the facility with Wmcn
employment is had. This probably Is not
so great a factor as many would at first
suppose, as paupers are paupers through
| prosperity or adversely. Not only has there
| not been any increase in poor asylum popu-
| laton, but each year for the last three
| there has been a continually decreasing
number of poor asylum inmates.
THE indications are from the reports
| coming in, that the trustees are making
| very good records the present year. 1t is
| to be hoped that it will even exceed one of
| a year ago.
W. B. Streeter, State inspector of or
| phans' homes, spoke on the question, De
| pendent Poor Children" He said there
! were many impositions practiced on town.
! ship trustees by persons capable Of sup
| porting their children. He said he
| knew of an instance where man earning
| $50 a month placed his children in or
phans' home during the school year to
| avoid the expense of caring for them him
| self. He said the counties of ,the State
| paid out thousands of dollars each year
| for such unlawful means of supporting chill
| dren He urged the trustees to compel par
ents who are able to support their own chill
| dren.