In the town of Hempstead there is fund of
$566.92, for the support of the poor, and in the town of Jamaica a
like fund of $1,700.
The subject of the gradual increase of the poor expenses
in several towns in this county, has claimed and received the serious
and candid consideration of many of our discreet and observing
citizens; and different plans have been proposed and adopted from time
to time, which have tended to lessen the burthens of the public, and
improve the comfortable support of the poor. Three of the towns,
viz, Oystebay, Hempstead and North Hempstead, have for a few years
past adopted the plan of employing the lowest bidder, to defray the
whole expenses of every sort, for the support of the poor at a sum
certain; the overseers always reserving to themselves the power to
annul any agreement, when the contractor shall neglect or refuse to
provide comfortable and reasonable support for the paupers. And
the town of Oysterbay, has for the last two years, been able to defray
the whole amount of expenses of the poor, from the monies
arising from the sale of the grass on their marsh islands, authorised
by the act of 1822. And it is probable that the proceeds of such
sales, will always be adequate to meet those expenses, except what may
be necessary to defray the contingent charges of the county, and it is
reasonable to infer, that Hempstead (which has a much greater quantity
of marsh islands, and other commons, than Oysterbay) will shortly
adopt the same measure. [Letter from the county clerk.]
NORTH HEMPSTEAD.
Previous to the last year, the poor
of this town have been put to board, where the same could be procured
for the least price, which placed them generally with their connexions,
where they, in most cases, lived at ease and exempt from labor.
This practice evidently tended to promote the growth of pauperism
operating as an inducement for the idle and dissipated, to apply for
relief, more especially in the inclement seasons of the year.
Being thus placed beyond the reach of necessity to exert themselves in
labor and unrestrained in the enjoyment of their personal liberty they
became in fact pensioners on a small scale. The accumulation of
paupers under this arrangement, plainly shews that restraint
rather than the idea of degredation causes this portion of our
population to loathe the thought of becoming tenants within the walls of
a poorhouse. Our poor were put to board on contract the last year,
and are again, the present year, with the privilege, to the person
contracting for them, to get from them all the labor they were able to
perform. This at once furloughed all but the aged, infirm and
children, and of course materially lessened our expenses. Our laws
on the subject of pauperism appear to provide for the three leading
objects intended to be attained by our government; and in my judgment,
leave as little room for litigation (judging from our section of the
state; as we could promise ourselves from any new legislative act on the
subject, viz. injunction on the inhabitants of the respective towns to
provide for the means of supporting their poor: Uniformity in
establishing settlements--and directing the manner of making
removals. As to the first, it was reasonable to suppose that our
officers could make as judicious application of the means provided for
the support of paupers, especially when we consider them as acting under
the immediate direction and control of our primary assemblies, as could
possibly be prescribed by any general law on this subject. The second
as to settlements, might perhaps be improved for the relief of the city
of New York, That city seems as the great receptacle for emigrants
from every part of the civilized world, a considerable portion of whom
arriving literally penniless, become a prey to want immediately, or soon
after landing. Judicious legislation on this point, would
undoubtedly be fair and proper to place the city and county on something
like an equal footing. [Letter from the supervisor's clerk.]
HEMPSTEAD.
A great saving of expense is made by
contracting for the support of the poor. [Letter from the
supervisor.]
NORTH HEMPSTEAD.
After seven years of age, the poor children
are bound out, and are no longer chargeable to the town. There is
no poor-house nor house of industry, in this town. Sealed
proposals are received, and the lowest contractor takes the poor,
&c. [Letter from the supervisor of North Hempstead.]
OYSTERBAY.
From 1817 to 1821, the paupers were
supported under the inspection of the justices and overseers in a
regular poor-house and house of industry. The annual expense was
about $2,000. From 1821 to 1823, the paupers have been hired out
by the overseers to an individual; the expense from 1821 to 1822, was
$1,800, from 1822 to 1823, was $1,099. As the expenses in the
different towns have been very considerable to ascertain the lawful
residence of paupers, appeals, transporting, &c. it is my opinion
decidedly, that every person residing twelve months in any town within
the state, previous to his or her being a town charge, shall be the
lawful residence, and the said town ought to be bound by law to support
the same. There are no permament funds belonging to this
town. There is a quantity of beach and marshes in the town, and by
an act of the legislature passed in 1822, authorising the town to lease
the same, provided there is a majority of voters to that effect, at
their annual town meeting, and the equal half of the amount collected to
be applied to the support of the poor. For the last two years
there has been a majority for leasing said marshes; the amount arising
therefrom for the support of the poor, is about $400 per annum.
[Letter from the supervisor of Oysterbay.] |
