Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/783

 A DECADE OF OFFICIAL POOR-RELIEF IN INDIANA 767

first full year after the law went into effect. The statistics col- lated from the reports for that period showed an expense for out- door aid amounting to $355,255.29, this being shared by 71,414 persons. These and other facts gleaned from the records filed were published by the board in its 1896 report, and were a revelation to the people of the state. 12 The number reported as receiving relief was equal to one in every 31 of the state's inhabit- ants, according to the census of 1890. It was found that the pro- portion in the different counties ranged from one in 13 to one in 208. In some of the richest counties in the state the number reported as having been aided from the public funds was equal to one in 16, one in 18, and one in 20. In one township it was one in 8. The same striking variation was found in the propor- tionate number aided in counties of similar conditions as had previously been noted in the per-capita cost of relief.

Startling as was this information, this first set of reports was not satisfactory because incomplete. The trustees had not fully understood what was required of them ; no record was filed with the Board of State Charities of the families pensioned by county commissioners; practically no medical relief was reported. There- fore, though the reports filed showed a total of 71,414 persons aided, it could only be said that at least that many received public assistance.

Shortly after this report was made public, the General Assembly of 1897 met, and another reform measure was passed. 18 It shifted to the townships the burden of caring for their own poor not in public institutions. Prior to that time all bills for outdoor poor-relief had been paid from the county treasury, and all the townships in a county were taxed alike for the expenses incurred. Under the new law the auditor in each county was re- quired to report to the county commissioners on the first day of the regular September term of the board the amount advanced to each township during the preceding year for poor-relief and medical attendance, and the trustee was required to make a levy against the property in his township, to reimburse the county for

a Annual Report, Board of State Charities, 1896, p. 76- "Acts of 1897, p. 230.