Poor

As used in law, this term denotes those who are so destitute of property or of the means of support, either from their own labor or the Care of relatives, as to be a public charge, that is, dependent either on the charity of the general public or on maintenance at the expense of the publlc. The term is synonymous with "indigent persons" and "paupers." See State v. Osawkee Tp., 14 Kan. 421, 19 Am. Rep. 99; In re Hoffen's Estate, 70 Wis. 522, 36 N. W. 407; Heuser v. Harris, 42 111. 480; Juneau County v. Wood County. 109 Wis. 330, 85 N. W. 387; Sayres v. Springfield, 8 N. J. Law, 169.

— Poor debtor's oath. An oath allowed, in come jurisdictions, to a person who is arrested for debt. On swearing that he has not property enough to pay the debt, he is set at liberty.

— Poor law. That part of the law which relates to the public or compulsory relief of paupers.

— Poor-law hoard. The English official body appointed under St. 10 & 11 Viet. c. 109, passed in 1847, to take the place of the poor-law commissioners, under whose control the general management of the poor, and the funds fqr their relief throughout the country, had been for some years previously administered. The poor-law board is now superseded by the local government board, which was established in 1871 by St. 34 & 35 Viet. c. 70. 3 Steph. Comm. 49.

— Poor-law guardians, gee Guardians of THE POOR.

— Poor rate. In English law. A tax levied by parochial authorities for the relief of the poor.