Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1904 — Decrease of Pauperism in Indiana. [ARTICLE]

Decrease of Pauperism in Indiana.

The decrease in offioial poor relief in Indiana in recent years is notable. It has interested all who have had their attention called to it It means not only that great sums of money have been saved but greater still that thousands of persons have been saved from pauperism. Doth they and the State are better off as a result. In 1895 the first law was passed requiring reports from overseers of the poor and plaoing the supervis* ion of poor relief under the Board of State Charities. That year the aggregate amount of relief given the poor by the township trustees and for medical relief in this State was $630,168.79. In 1903 it was $245,745.8 i, a reduction of $384,* 422.97. In 1897, the first year when the information was obtainable, 82,235 persons shared in the relief. In 1903 the number was 40,012, a decrease of 42,253, From 1902 to 1903 there was a reduction of $21,131.14 in the amount of aid given and 8,837 in the number of persons who shared in the relief. Notwithstanding this reduction the needy poor generally have had letter care than ever before.

Of the 1,015 townships, 435 gave more aid to the poor in 1903 than 1902, 559 gave less, and 21 show no ohange. In 38 townships no relief was given last year; 13 of them also gave none in 1902. There are a number of townships in the State that praotioally have no poor. Muslin underwear sale Sat June 25th, at Chicago Bargain Store.