Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/397

 THE RELIEF AND CARE OF DEPENDENTS 383

of New York has abolished it in the three counties of Kings, New York, and Onondagua. 1 In twenty-four states the authority is explicitly vested in the relieving officers to give such relief subject to the regulations prescribed by law. 2

In several of the western states and a few others, the general power to care for the poor is vested in the county commissioners or supervisors, or in the county court. Nothing whatever'is said in regard to their power to give the relief in question. But as a rule, the authority is so general and so unlimited that it would seem the officers might, at their discretion, give or refuse to give such relief. Here we should name the states of New Hampshire, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Ken- tucky, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorada, Arizona, Oregon and California.

While the provision for relief in homes is general, the pro- vision that it shall be temporary or furnish only partial support is almost equally general. The statutes of Connecticut, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois, explicitly provide that such relief shall be given in cases where only temporary relief, or where only partial support is needed. 3 In the two Dakotas all permanent charges are to be sent to the almshouse. 4 In Delaware such relief is to be given when the person cannot well be removed to the alms- house. 5 Similarly, in Virginia, such relief is to be given only in case it is "injudicious, to remove the applicant to the almshouse. 6 The West Virginia statutes declare that such relief shall be given

1 Prohibited by an Act of 1887.

These states are Connecticut (3296) ; New York (Act of 1894, ch. 663) ; Virginia (88 1, 882, Code of 1887); West Virginia (7, ch. 46); Delaware (u, ch. 48); New Jersey (5, p. 2517); Pennsylvania (9, p. 94); Mississippi (3153); Georgia (762) ; Tennessee (2128, Code of 1884); Oklahoma (3651, Code of 1893); Michigan (1984); 10(111103(6073,6114*); Ohio (1499); Illinois (23, ch. 107); Minnesota (1962); North Dakota (1500); South Dakota (2147); Iowa (2154); Nebraska (3924, 3946); Kansas (4036, Taylor's Gen. Stat. 1889); Idaho (2175, R. S., 1887); Nevada (1992-1995); and Washington (1587-1598).

s See sees. 3296 ; 6073 and 6094 ; 1499 ; and 23, ch. I07/of these states respectively.

4 North Dakota, Revised Code, 1483 and 1500, and Dakota Territorial Code, 2150 and 2167.

sn.ch. 48. 881,882.