Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: New York (State) Dept. of Social Welfare Annual Report - 1869 =========================================================================== Page 119 COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC CHARITIES Madison County Poor House The poor house of Madison county is located at Eaton, in the southern part of the county. The condition of the buildings shows a lack of proper regard for the wants of the poor of the county, on the part of those in authority. The principal building is contstructed of stone, is two stories high and one hundred and fifty by forty feet on the ground. The structure is old, the floors are broken, the plastering is off in numerous places, and the roof is leaky, and it can hardly be deemed fit for use. In the judgement of the keeper, extensive repairs will be required to render it comfortable during the coming winter. Any classification of inmates in such a building is utterly impracticable. Old and young, sane and insane, idiotic, vicious and depraved, have access to a com- mon yard, and mingle promiscuously with one another during the day. It is aimed by the keeper to separate the sexes at night, but this can be accomplished only by constant watchfulness and care. A small wooden building, situated at the right of the main one, was found occupied by a few of the aged and more respectable inmates, and the commendable effort put forth in their behalf by the keeper and his wife, contributes in no small degree to their comfort. They are especially cared for, and provided with delicacies and luxuries to which the other inmates are strangers. The children are taught in week-day and Sabbath schools, but when out of school they neccessarily associate with the other inmates, many of whom are middle aged, vagrant and profane; and the effort made in their behalf by those in charge, responsible for their culture and moral training, must, in a great measure, be counteracted by the influences of such association. The report of the superintendants shows a large amount of pauper- ism in the county, and exhibits a lack of proper discrimination in the distribution of alms on the part of those charged with that duty. During the past year, one hundred and ninety-three persons were supported in the house, at a cost of $4,435.84, and one thousand seven hundred and eighty were the recipients of temporary relief, for whom $9,101.72 were expended, the total expenses for the year on account of the poor, thus aggregating $13,587.56. The amount expended is not beyond that of many other counties in proportion to the population, but its distribution is worthy the attention of the tax- payers of the county. Of the one thousand nine hundred and seventy- three persons supported or relieved during the year, two hundred and nine are reported as having received aid on account of idleness; two- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Page 120 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE hundred on account of vagrancy, and seventy-three on account of debauchery. Intemperance contributed largely towards the balance, while but few were brought to want by infirmity, disease, or old age. Those supported in the house were maintained at a weekly cost of sixty-three cents each, over and above the products of a farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, valued with the other property at $17,- 000. No revenue is reported as derived from the of pauper labor. The house was visited on the 13th of June, at which time one hundred persons were found present, two-thirds of whom were males, and the majority were of foreign birth. Twenty-two were children under sixteen years of age, all of whom were boys but two. There were also present twenty-four insane, five idiotic, one blind, and two mutes. The apartments provided for the insane were found entirely inade- quate to meet the wants of that class of inmates. Two small build- ings are appropriated to their use, both of which are out of repair, crowded, imperfectly ventilated, and without bath-tubs or appliances of any kind for the promotion of personal cleanliness. An attendant at $12.00 per month, was found in charge of the men, but the only care shown the women, except such as is given by the keeper and his wife, is bestowed by a pauper woman, the mother of three children, with herself inmates of the house. Five of the insane were confined in cells, and no other means of restraint is ever employed. Six had been inmates of the State asylum at different periods; but little could be learned of their comparative condition since their discharge. Recent cases are received, but any treatment with a view to recovery or improvement, seems impracticable. A physician visits the house and devotes to the insane such attention as the arrangement and condition of the buildings will admit. There is a dungeon in one of the build- ings, but it was stated that its use had been discarded. The keeper, quite recently appointed to the place, manifests a proper interest for the insane, but the demands upon his time in the discharge of other duties, prevents him from accomplishing much in their behalf. The Institution is not a desirable one to assume charge of, and it is diffi- cult to conceive how any person possessing suitable qualifications could be induced to undertake the task. It is well kept as practi- cable in the present condition of the buildings, but more commodious and better arranged ones are requisite to meet in a proper manner, the wants of those dependent upon the public for care and support. ========================================================================