The county legislative body may, in its discretion, allow and pay to poor persons who may become chargeable as paupers, and who will probably be benefited thereby, such sums or such annual allowance, to be paid according to the direction of the legislative body, as will not exceed the charge of their maintenance in the ordinary mode.
Code 1858, § 1621; Shan., § 2705; Code 1932, § 4821; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 14-1001, 14-20-301.