Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/396

 382 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

In New Jersey (cities of more than 1500), West Virginia (cities of more than 5000), Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa, cities may establish almshouses and provide a system of out- door relief. 1 Frequently, as in South Carolina and Washington, cities have authority to provide for the poor conferred upon them by special charter.

Where the county system prevails the power to care for the poor is usually vested in the county commissioners, or county supervisors as they are sometimes called, or in the county or probate court. Where the town system prevails, it is vested in elected or appointed overseers or in the selectmen. In cities it is vested in elected or appointed overseers or in the city council. This point will receive further consideration in the dis- cussion of the administration of relief.

Indigents may be (i) given relief in their homes, or (2) removed to institutions and cared for there, or (3) "farmed" or "bound" out, or (4) "boarded" with private families. In this discussion this division will be observed, the first being demon- inated "Relief in Homes," the second, "Institutional Care," the third, "Farming and Binding Out," and the fourth, "Boarding Out." As has often been remarked, the old terms "indoor" and "outdoor" relief are defective and insufficient; and that is the reason for our preference of the four terms employed here.

I. RELIEF IN HOMES, COMMONLY CALLED "OUTDOOR RELIEF."

By "relief in homes" is meant that which is given from the public treasury to the indigent person or family to be used or consumed in the home. The family life is not disturbed, nor is the individual receiving relief under the surveillance of the public officials. Such relief is almost universally provided for.

In the three New England states of Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island, the system may be adopted or rejected by the overseers or by the town at its regular meeting. 2 The legislature

1 Act of 1879, pp. 1022-1025, Gen. Stat. of New Jersey, 1896; 2555 (3 2 ) ; 2563; 1692 ( a 3), Gaiques R. S. of Ohio, 1890; 3115, Homer's R. S. of Indiana, 1896; and 803. 2, ch. 84; 2815,2816; 2, 3, ch. 79.