The Price of Public Charity in 1877
King County seeks the lowest bidder to house and feed the poor, a stark reminder of the nineteenth-century approach to social safety nets.
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., invites 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 collectively for their board, care, lodging and medical and surgical attendance.”
In 1877, King County handled homelessness by literally auctioning off the responsibility of the poor to the lowest private bidder. Today's debates over public health, regional homelessness initiatives, and the efficacy of private contractors managing social services still echo this century-old struggle to balance civic duty with the bottom line.
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