Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/401

 THE RELIEF AND CARE OF DEPENDENTS 387

has "city physicians," while in the country districts physicians are paid by the township trustee for attending indigents if the cases are reported to him within three days. 1

There is general agreement, spite of occasional criticism by reformers, that "outdoor relief," or "relief in homes," is good if limited and well administered. The duty of administering relief devolves upon officers of many kinds. Usually in the North and East a special officer (or officers) appointed for that purpose, administers it, while in the South and West the town- ship trustee, county commissioners, or some judicial officer administers it as one of his several duties.

In the six New England states where the town system exists, the poor law is administered by the selectmen or by elected over- seers. The selectmen are the overseers in Connecticut, 2 and may so act in most of the other states. In Vermont one overseer, and in Rhode Island as many as are required, are elected at the annual town meeting. 3 In Maine in those cases where the select- men do not act as overseers, overseers are likewise chosen at the annual meeting. 4 The towns of Massachusetts have three over- seers serving for three years, one being chosen each year. 5 In all these cases where special overseers are elected, their salaries are fixed by the town. In New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, elected overseers are also found. 6 In the former state the town overseers are elected as they are in the New England states. In Virginia an overseer is annually elected in each magistrative district, and he receives $2 per day (not to exceed $20 per year) for the time spent in the performance of his duties. The relief system of Pennsylvania is vested in a board of five direc- tors in each county. These are elected for two years and receive $100, $200 or $250 per year, according to the population of the county. Each county is divided into five districts, one of these directors serving as the "director of the poor" in each.

" poor doctors " but they are usually ** awarded " the "county practice " under the gen- eral authority of the commissioners or others to provide for the poor.

1 1494- 32666,2734; i, p. 162. s 7 8, p. 235.

3299. * 12, p. 79. 70, p. 3083 ; 95, 96 ; 17, p. 96.