Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/400

 386 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

yards, with shelters in connection, to which all persons not inca- pacitated for labor applying for relief shall (except in great emer- gency), be sent to work for any relief received. 1

While relief in homes is thus intended to be only temporary or to furnish only partial support, we do find a few exceptions to this in the treatment of indigent soldiers and sailors and their families. In New Hampshire, indigent soldiers and sailors and their families are not to be removed to the almshouse, but are to be cared for in their homes or elsewhere. 2 Like provision is found in Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin. 3 In Iowa indigent soldiers are not to be removed to the poorhouse without their consent, while in Washington and Illinois, they are not to be removed without the consent of the " relief committee" of the Grand Army of the Republic. 4 Michigan and Washington pro- vide for special taxes for the relief and care of such. 5

Sometimes special provision is made for medical attendance on the sick. Sometimes they are given hospital treatment in the almsholise or the hospital. If not so treated, they are usually given medicine and furnished with a physician when nec- essary, as a part of the "out-relief" system. Some states have what is known as the "county physician" or "poor doctor," whose duty it is to visit and prescribe for the indigent sick. Among these states may be mentioned Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Minnesota and Nebraska. 6 Ohio

1 Ch. 205, Acts of 1895. 2 9, ch. 83.

3 Acts of 1885, 1887, 1889 and 1891; 1984; 1524. In Wisconsin this is not mandatory, but merely authorizes temporary relief (outside the almshouse) for this class.

4 2148-2149; 1587-1598; 146-147, ch. 23.

s In Michigan the relief of this class is in the hands of a committee of three, of whom two are soldiers, and a tax of not to exceed one-tenth mill may be levied for such relief. In Washington the county commissioners are authorized to levy a special tax of from one-fifth to one-fourth mill for the relief of soldiers and their families. It should be noticed here, also, that many states, including some of those referred to already, have state institutions for the care of indigent soldiers and their orphans. These institutions, while they cannot in any respect be regarded as a part of a state's relief system, and are consequently unnoticed by us, do diminish the burden on the relief funds.

6 870; 4, ch. 46; 26, p. 96; 892; 1860; 3929. Most states have "county" or