The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-02-09

pOpuAoS1Ou. OulUAVS VI Sue6C pOOr p6T.
sons in almshouses are probably sew
eral times that number who are taken
care of outside the institutions. In
the Grand Forks county poor hospital
during April of 1908. were thirty-five
inmates. But outside in the city of
Grand Forks over 300 persons from
about seventy-five families were given
aid by the county and the aid society.
How many more are helped in the
county is not on record. The county
expends $8,7SS.54 on sthe poor in its
almshouses, a great deal more on those
cared for in Grand Forks, while the
Union Aid society pays out some $4,000
| on them. 1t becomes evident then,
that we are getting the problem of
poverty in considerable proportions.
Remembering that we are an in
tegral part of the nation, that what
we do with our poor effects the rest
of the nation and what the rest of the
nation does with its poor effects us,
we may see q larger reason for be-
coming interested in the problem of
caring for our poor in a scientific
manner, that is so as to cure them as
soon as possible.
"In the next place ! want to give
some attention to the best methods of
administering charity in North Dakota
under the double system of indoor
and outdoor relief.
"As to outdoor relief, that is giving
aid to the poor outside of institutions
we call poor houses, much is to be
said in its favor. Indeed l believe it
to be the best plan to follow in those
cases of poverty which promise to be
temporary, also in counties where the
number of permanent dependents is
small. will briefly state the reasons
for this position. First, it enables
members of the family to share in
self-support, and in case of a single
individual may lead him to earlier and
partial self-support. Second, 1t keeps
the family together, one of the great
est objects in the administration of
charity. Third, it avoids attaching to
the individual the stigma of having
been in the poor house. We should
discard the term poor house and sub
stitute for it home for the poor,' or
hospital for the poor Fourth, since
a large share of poverty comes in the
outdoor method saves the investment
| vi uVou S0PlS0l AL NVoOAy
Fifth, as a supporting reason may be
of modern charity is in, the direction
Of outdoor relief.
Necessary Precautions.
I'm case outdoor relief is resorted
to, however, there are some necessary
precautions which must be taken to
make it safe and economical. First,
every case should be carefully investi-
gated by competent pergQHs to make
It certain that 1t is one Of real need
Otherwise persons are likely to be
imbued With a spirit of dependency,
and also needless expenditures pub
lie money be made. The first point
is the more important. 1t is easier to
pauperize individuals than 1t is to re-
store them to independence. No risks
should be taken. Second, great care
should be exercised to see that assist
ance is not prolonged beyond. the point
of actual need. To unnecessarily pro-
long assistance is to pauperize. Third
careful guardianship is needed to see
that political capital is not made out
of aid extended and that votes are
not being purchased thereby. Fourth
the aid extended should usually be in
the shape of the things actually need
ed rather than in the shape of money
as the latter may easily be sQuandered
or used to pLrchase alcohol. With
these and other precautions outdoor
relief should be made effective.
Coming to the matter of indoor
relief, that in almshouses, the follow
ing statements may be made relative
to this system. AS in the other case
the point to be kept in mind Is that
the inmates are to be cared for so as
to be restored to actual competency
If possible and as soon as possible
Many of the requisites depend OH the
plan of the structure or buildings.
Good Buildings.
First, buildings should be con.
structed so as to permit of a separa-
tion of the sexes in order to prevent
immortality. illegitimacy. etc. Second
they should be built to permit the
separation of children from the adults
Children drink in the lives of the
elders they grow up among. If kept
in almshouses they should be care
fully guarded from the degenerating
influences of confirmed paupers. and
should be. educated carefully. Third
there should be provision made for
the isolation of tuberculosis inmates
for the danger of innoculation is well
known. Fourth. the insane and feeble
minded should never be kept in aims
houses. but if they are they should
have separate wards provided for
them. We have special institutions for
those classes and they should be sent
there. Fifth, all able bodied persons
should be given work. Work is the
salvation of many dependents and de.
fectives. Some of the good effects OF
work are as follows: 1t aids health
good order and morals; reduces
chronic grumbling by taking the mind
off of the self and creating a feeling
of usefulness and dignity; prevents
lapsing into Il state of dementia. for
just as in insane hospitals idleness Ia
found to keep the inmates insane SO
in hospitals for the poor it drives them
insane: discourages lazy loafers and
keeps them out of the almshouse
Work is the best sitting test known
In the Sauk County, Wisconsin, aims
house work revolutionized the In.
mates, made them contented, restored
many of them. Basket making, chair