The Price of Compassion: King County's 1877 Call for Bids
In an era before robust public social services, King County officials solicited private bids for the 'care, lodging and medical attendance' of the city's indigent poor.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of King County, W.T. invite sealed proposals for the care of the indigent poor of said county for one year from and including the first day of March, 1877. Said proposals are solicited separately for the board, care and lodging of said poor, and for their medical and surgical attendance, and collectively for their board, care, lodging and medical and surgical attendance. All bids to be delivered to the Auditor of said County on or before the third day of February, 1877, and to be opened and acted upon by the Board during their regular session, to commence February 6th, 1877; the Board reserving the right to reject any and all bids.
“Said proposals are solicited separately for the board, care and lodging of said poor, and for their medical and surgical attendance.”
This 1877 solicitation highlights the historical reliance on private-sector, low-cost contracting for social welfare. It serves as a jarring precursor to today’s complex and often contentious debates over the procurement of services for the unhoused in Seattle, reminding us that 'care' has long been commodified.
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