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KINGSTON, ULSTER COUNTY.

(Note.-Commissioners of the almshouse appointed by the mayor for a term of three years. Compensation fixed by the common council.)

Chapter 747, Laws of 1896.

TITLE VII.

OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ALMSHOUS

Section 75. Terms and appointment.

76. Powers defined.

77. General powers.

78. Duties of superintendent.

79. Annual account.

80. Annual estimate.

81. City a separate district.

Section 75. The commissioners of the almshouse in office, and their successors, shall constitute a department of the city government and be designated "the commissioners of the almshouse of the city of Kingston," and may sue and be sued by that title as if a corporation. The term of office of commissioner shall be three years. Appointments, in case of vacancy therein, shall be for the unexpired term and at the expiration of a term for three years.

§ 76. Such department shall have the sole and exclusive management of the poor who are by law chargeable against said city; the power and authority vested in overseers of the poor of town. and superintendents of the poor of counties, except as modified by this act; have the possession and be custodian of the almshouse and all property therein contained and all lands, premises and improvements thereon which may hereafter be acquired for the maintenance of the poor. The title of such lands shall vest in the city of Kingston and the commissioners of the almshouse are directed within thirty days after the passage of this act, to convey to said city all lands and premises to which they have acquired title.

877. Such department may:

1. Appoint one of said commissioners president; establish rules and regulations for the government of the department and its superintendent, agents and servants, and for the examinations of persons applying for or entitled to relief, or admission to the almshouse and for the distribution of food, fuel, clothing and other necessaries among the city poor.

2. Appoint a superintendent of the almshouse and such other agents and servants as may be necessary, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the department and receive such salary as shall be fixed by it.

3. Visit the poor at their places of residence and make such examination of their circumstances as it shall deem proper.

4. Contract with the city of Kingston hospital for the medical and surgical treatment of the city poor thereat and expend therefor forty-five hundred dollars per annum, or so much thereof as may be necessary. (As amended by chapter 91 of the Laws of 1900.)

5. Prosecute all actions and proceedings maintainable by overseers of the poor of towns and superintendents of the poor of counties. Bonds required by law in bastardy proceedings and in relation to bastards shall be given to said department.

6. Prosecute actions and proceedings to recover against any municipality the amount expended by it in supporting and maintaining any poor person properly chargeable to such municipality.

7. Appoint such competent practicing physicians as may be necessary to render surgical and medical services to the city

poor.

8. Prosecute actions and proceedings to compel the relatives of poor persons to support them or recover the amount expended for the same.

§ 78. The superintendent of the almshouse shall keep an office, to be provided by the department, which shall be open and accessible to all persons having business therein at such hours as the rules determine. He shall attend the meetings of the commissioners of the almshouse; be the secretary thereof and keep the record thereof; keep an account of the receipts and disbursements of the department, including warrants drawn upon

the treasury, the number and amounts thereof; the names of persons relieved, the manner and date thereof; prepare the annual report of the department and such other reports as may be required of it; carry into effect the order and directions of the department and perform all other duties lawfully required

of him.

879. The department shall, on the first day of November of each year, prepare a report showing an exact and accurate account of all moneys received by it during the preceding year; all expenditures for the same period of time and the reason for such expenditures; to whom paid; the number of persons admitted to and discharged from the almshouse; the number of persons supplied with outdoor relief; the cost thereof and of keeping the almshouse. The report shall be signed and verified by the commissioners and superintendent, filed in the office of the city clerk and published in the official papers.

§ 80. The department shall, on the first day of November of each year, furnish the mayor with a written statement of the balance to the credit of the department and an estimate of the amount, not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, which will be required for the support of the poor of said city for the ensuing year. Such statement shall be signed by the commissioners and presented by the mayor to the common council together with other city estimates. The common council may reduce such estimate, or approve the same as presented, and when approved the amount thereof shall be levied and collected the same as other city taxes.

§ 81. The said city, for the purpose of supporting the poor within its limits and carrying into effect the law for support and relief of indigent persons, deaf-mutes, blind, insane and idiotic persons of said city shall be a separate and distinct district. The city shall not hereafter be subject to any quota of county charges for the support of such persons, nor shall any portion of the county of Ulster, without the limits of said city be taxed or required to contribute to the support of such persons within said city.

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LACKAWANNA, ERIE COUNTY.

(Note.-Commissioner of charities, appointed by the mayor for the term of two years. Salary fixed by common council.)

Chapter 574, Laws of 1909.

TITLE I.

5. Care of the poor.

The said city of Lackawanna shall be considered a town for the purposes specified in the " poor law" of the State of New York. And the poor of said city shall be received and cared for in the county almshouse of the county of Erie in the same manner and on the same terms and conditions as the poor of other towns in the county of Erie.

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DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES.

Section 170. Appointment of commissioner.

171. Powers and duties of commissioner of charities. 172. Monthly report of commissioner.

173. Common council to audit claims.

174. Commissioner not to be interested in purchases.
175. Penalties.

176. Liquor not to be sold to city poor.

§ 170. Appointment of commissioner.— The mayor as soon as practicable, after the first election under this act, shall appoint a commissioner of charities who shall hold his office for the period heretofore specified.

8 171. Powers and duties of commissioner of charities.- Except as provided by this act the commissioner of charities of the city of Lackawanna shall within the city of Lackawanna have and exercise the same powers and discharge the same duties to the exclusion of any other officer as overseer of the poor of towns. The commissioner of charities of the city of Lackawanna shall also by virtue of his office possess all the powers and authority of overseers of the poor of the several towns of the state in relation to

the support and relief of indigent persons; the binding out of children; the care of habitual drunkards; the support of bastards and proceedings to charge the fathers and mothers of such bastards; and shall have all such other powers as are conferred on overseers of the poor in the respective towns of the state; and he shall be subject to the same duties, obligations and liabilities. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of charities to visit the poor of said city at their several places of abode and to examine into their circumstances and ascertain to what extent they are or may be in need and entitled to permanent or temporary relief or medical attendance. No physician other than the health officer shall be employed by the commissioner of charities to attend poor persons unless otherwise authorized or directed by the common council. The commissioner of charities shall have power to administer oaths to and examine under oath any person applying to him for relief; and false swearing during such examination shall be deemed perjury. The commissioner shall issue written orders for all meals, provisions and supplies furnished to the poor of said city. The said commissioner may at any time apply to the board of health for the services of the health officer to attend the poor of said city.

§ 172. Monthly report of commissioner.-The commissioner of charities at the first regular meeting of the common council in each month shall under oath report in detail to the common council all expenditures for temporary relief, medical attendance and allowances made by him as such commissioner during the month preceding, which report shall specify the name and place of abode of each person relieved, the quantity and price per pound or otherwise, as the case may be, of each article furnished or ordered, and from whom the same was obtained; said report shall also contain the names and places of abode of all persons to whom meals or lodgings have been furnished, from whom obtained or by whom furnished, and the cost of the same. Said report shall be filed with the city clerk.

§ 173. Common council to audit accounts.-All charges and accounts against said city for services rendered, acts done or meals, provisions or supplies furnished under the direction of the commissioner of charities of said city or for medicines fur

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