A Decade of Official Poor-Relief in Indiana

Abstract

The Boiard of State Charities of Indiana was organized in I889, and one of its first undertakings, in conformity to the statutory instruction to investigate the whole system of public charities,'' was an effort to obtain data relating to the relief of the poor by township trustees. Then, as now, the ninety-two counties of the state were divided into townships, of which there were i,oi6 in all.2 The chief official of each, outside cities and incorporated towns, is the township trustee. In addition to his duties in connection with the roads, ditches, schools, and elections of his township, he serves as overseer of the poor, ex officio, and as such his authority extends over all the township, including cities and towns. Those in need of assistance from the public treasury look to him for relief. In the administration of the poor-funds of the townships the trustees were acting under a law which was approved June 9, I852, and became operative May 6, I853.3 This gave them the oversight of all poor persons in their respective townships, and required them to see that those in need were properly cared for. What was proper care was left entirely to the judgment of the trustees, and according to their decision some were sent to the county poor asylum, some were granted aid in their own homes, some were given transportation to the next township. The bills were presented to the board of county commissioners, and as a rule paid without question. There was practically no supervision of any kind.