Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-05

anybody. The stories that could be told
by the inmates could well be woven into
the fabric of many a drama and made
the plot of many a story. The Bureau
Of Census sometime ago completed figures
that show that during the year covered
by the report les, 17e persons were ad-
mitted to the almshouses of the United
States. OF this total 111,s were males
and 51,359 females. The figures just
quoted relate only to the poor in the
almshouse and not at all to the great
floating population Of dependent poor
and the vast army of beggars who live
In the shady ruts of life. existing by
money gained in questionable methods.
There seems no reliable way Of taking
census of this great body Of the under
world, and 1t is not likely that one will
ever be devised. A great student of the
poor in a recent article said that for
every nine men who lived by the sweat
Of their brows there was one who lived
by begging. If these figures hold good,
1t means that in addition to all the resi-
dents of city one-tenth OF the popu-
lation must be added for the uncounted
beggars who seldom see the light of day,
plying their trade at night and sleeping
when the sun Is up.
The number of paupers enumerated in
the almshouses in 1880 was 66.203 and In
1890 73,045. 1t Is interesting In this
connection to note that though the aims
house population has kept on increasing
right along the increase has not kept pace
with the growth Of the population Of the
country, and consequently the ratio of
almshouse pauperism Is decreasing. In
1880 1t was 1872 to every 100000 of popu-
latio: and about 116 to every 100000 In
1890. In 1908 1t had been still farther
reduced to 101 in every 100000, and In
complete figures at hand indicate that 1t
is even less now.
Here is an interesting thing: there are
far less female than male paupers That
this is SO is strange. Men are generally
regarded as the stronger sex, and many
father has said, "Well, I'm glad my
child is boy; IL anything happens to
me he will be better able to take care
of himself than If he were a girl" The
Census Bureau pauper figures seem to
disprove this theory, however, Women,
1t is argued, have more pride than
men, and, therefore. hesitate more be-
fore taking advantage of the states offer
to aid. Women. too. 1t is said, are more
resourceful than men, more courageous
when beset by difficulties. Women, too,
it should be remembered, frequently have
husbands to take care Of them, But
whatever the cause the fact remains that
there are twice as many male paupers
as female ones. Although pauperism is
more prevalent among the males. the
chief distinction between the two sexes
seems to be that the females, once hay
ing entered the almshouse stay there,
while men are, as a rule. only winter
boarders Careful investigation showed
that during one year a majority of the
paupers were seasoned inmates. This
seems to support the theory that aims
house paupers, like street beggars, are
often professionals at the game. OF the
total number of paupers in the aims
houses, however, 1t was found that GA
per cent. were in some measure defective
and really unfit for work.
An occasional glimpse at the under
world does one good. A study Of the
pauper question makes 1t easier for those
of us who are able to earn our own liv-
ing to bear cheerfully the burdens that
lave fallen on our shoulders.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS HIPPLER.