3d. To provide for the lame, impotent and blind, and others, being poor and not able to work.

Nothing can be better imagined than the measures in the view of the very able framers of this act: but they did not discover that to execute such a design required powers diametrically opposite to those which the law provided. The last two centuries have afforded a series of proof of the total inefficacy of the application of these powers, not only by the effects which this erroneous superintendence has produced; but also from the testimony of the most enlightened men who have written on the subject, from the venerable Lord Hale to the patriotic and indefatigable Sir Frederick Eden. But the strongest evidence of the mischiefs arising from this defective execution of a valuable System, is to be found in the Statute Books themselves.[96]

[Footnote 96: In the Preamble of the Statute on 3 & 4 _William_ and _Mary_ _cap._ 11. and particularly -- 11 of that Act, in which the sense entertained by Parliament, of the shocking abuses of the Statute of Elizabeth, "through the unlimited power of Parish Officers," is very forcibly expressed--the truths there stated are found to have full force, even at the distance of more than a Century.]

"The want of a due provision," says Lord Hale, "for the relief and education of the Poor in the way of _industry_, is what fills the gaols with Malefactors, the Country with idle and unprofitable persons, that consume the stock of the Kingdom without improving it; and that will daily increase even to a desolation in time--and this error, in the first concoction, is never remediable but by gibbets and whipping."

That this will continue to be the case under any species of changeable management, however apparently correct in theory the System may be, must appear self-evident to every man of business and observation, whose attention has been practically directed to the general operation of the present mode in various parishes, and who has reflected deeply on the subject.

But to return to the immediate object of inquiry, namely, the means of more effectually preventing the numerous evils which arise from indigence and mendicity in the Metropolis, whether excited by idleness or extreme and unforeseen pressures: Under every circ.u.mstance it would seem impracticable without any burthen upon the Public, to provide for all such at least as are denominated Casual Poor (from whom the greatest part of this calamity springs) by adopting the following or some similar plan, under the sanction of Government, and the authority of the Legislature.

That a Public Inst.i.tution shall be established in the Metropolis, with _three Chief Officers_, who shall be charged with the execution of that branch of the Police, which relates to STREET BEGGARS, and those cla.s.ses of Poor who have no legal settlements in the Metropolis, and who now receive casual relief from the different Parishes, where they have fixed their residence for the time;--and that these princ.i.p.al Officers, (who may be stiled _Commissioners for inquiring into the Cases and Causes of the Distress of the Poor in the Metropolis_) should exercise the following

FUNCTIONS:--

1st. To charge themselves with the relief and management of the whole of the _Casual Poor_, who at present receive temporary aid from the different Parishes, or who ask alms in any part of the Metropolis or its Suburbs.

2d. To provide Work-rooms in various central and convenient situations in the Metropolis, where persons dest.i.tute of employment may receive a temporary subsistence for labour.

To superintend these work-houses, and become responsible for the proper management.

3d. To be empowered to give temporary relief to prop up sinking families, and to prevent their descending from poverty to indigence, by arresting the influence of despondency, and keeping the spirit of industry alive.

4th. To a.s.sist in binding out the Children of the Poor, or the Unfortunate, who have seen better days, and preventing the females from the danger of becoming Prost.i.tutes, or the males from contracting loose and immoral habits, so as if possible to save them to their parents, and to the state.

5th. To open offices of inquiry in different parts of the Metropolis, where all cla.s.ses of indigent persons, who are not ent.i.tled to parochial relief, will be invited to resort, for the purpose of being examined, and relieved according to the peculiar circ.u.mstances of the case.

6th. To exercise the legal powers, through the medium of Constables, for the purpose of compelling all Mendicants, and idle dest.i.tute Boys and Girls who appear in the streets, to come before the Commissioners for examination; that those whose industry cannot be made productive, or who cannot be put in a way to support themselves without alms, may be pa.s.sed to their Parishes, while means are employed to bind out dest.i.tute Children to some useful occupation.

7th. To keep a distinct Register of the cases of all Mendicants or distressed individuals, who may seek advice and a.s.sistance, and to employ such means for alleviating misery, as the peculiar circ.u.mstances may suggest--never losing sight of indigence, until an asylum is provided for the helpless and infirm, and also until the indigent, who are able to labour, are placed in a situation to render it productive.

8th. That these Commissioners shall report their proceedings annually, to his Majesty in Council, and to Parliament; with abstracts, shewing the numbers who have been examined--How disposed of--The earning of the persons at the different Work-rooms--The annual expence of the Establishment; together with a general view of the advantages resulting from it; with the proofs of these advantages.

Towards defraying the whole expence of this Establishment it is proposed, that (in lieu of the Casual Charity, paid at present by all the Parishes in the Metropolis, which under this System will cease, together with the immense trouble attached to it,) each Parish in the Metropolis shall pay into the hands of the Receiver of the Funds of this _Pauper Police Inst.i.tution_, a sum equal to what was formerly disbursed in casual relief, which for the purpose of elucidation, is estimated as follows:--

. _s._ _d._ 97 Parishes within the Walls, average 10_l._ each 970 0 0

16 Parishes without the Walls, in London and Southwark, average 60_l._ each 960 0 0 --------------- .1,930 0 0

23 Out-parishes in Middles.e.x and Surry, average 100_l._ each 2,300 0 0

10 Parishes in Westminster, average 100_l._ each 1,000 0 0 --- --------------- 146 .5,230 0 0 ---

This sum (which is supposed to be not much above one half of the average Annual disburs.e.m.e.nts of the 146 Parishes above-mentioned; especially since it has been shewn, that the expence in St. Giles' and St. George Bloomsbury alone, has been 2000_l._ in one year) will probably, with oeconomy and good management, be found sufficient for all the relief that is required; more especially as the object is not to maintain the indigent, but to put them in a way of supporting themselves by occasional pecuniary aids well and judiciously applied.

The experiment is certainly worth trying. In its execution some of the most respectable and intelligent individuals in the Metropolis, would gratuitously a.s.sist the Commissioners, who as taking responsibility upon them, in the direction of a most important branch of Police, ought undoubtedly to be remunerated by Government, especially as it is scarcely possible to conceive any mode in which the Public money could be applied, that would be productive of such benefit to the State.

If that utility resulted from the design, which may reasonably be expected, it would of course extend to other great towns, as the private _Soup Establishments_ have done, and the condition of the poor would undergo a rapid change. The dest.i.tute and forlorn would then have some means of communicating their distress, while information and facts of the greatest importance, to the best interests of Society, would spring from this source.

With respect to the general affairs of the poor, much good would arise from consolidating the funds of all the parishes in the Metropolis.

The poor for instance, who are supported from the parochial funds of Bethnal Green, and other distressed parishes in the eastern parts of the Metropolis, are the labourers of the citizens and inhabitants of the 97 Parishes within the Walls, who, although opulent pay little or nothing to the Poor, since the city affords no cottages to lodge them.

Why, therefore, should not the inhabitants of the rich parishes contribute to the relief of the distresses of those who waste their strength in contributing to their _ease_, _comfort_, and _profit_? In several of the most populous Parishes and Hamlets in the eastern part of the Town, the Poor may actually be said to be a.s.sessed to support the indigent. In the very populous Hamlet of Mile-End New Town, where there is scarcely an inhabitant who does not derive his subsistence from some kind of labour, the rates are treble the a.s.sessments in Mary-le-bone, where opulence abounds. Nothing can exceed the inequality of the weight for the support of the Poor in the Metropolis; since where the demand is greatest, the means of supply are always most deficient and inadequate.

Certain it is that the whole system admits of much improvement, and perhaps at no period, since the Poor Laws have attracted attention, did there exist so many able and intelligent individuals as at present, who have been excited by motives of patriotism and philanthropy, to devote their time to the subject.

At the head of this most Respectable Group stands Sir FREDERICK EDEN; a gentleman, whose entrance into life, has been marked by a display of the most useful talents, manifested by an extent of labour and perseverance, in his elaborate work on the Poor, which may be said to be unparalleled in point of information, while it unquestionably exhibits the respectable Author as a character in whose patriotism and abilities the State will find a considerable resource, in whatever tends to a.s.sist his Country, or to improve the condition of Human Life.

To the Lord Bishop of Durham, the Earl of Winchelsea, Count Rumford, Sir William Young, Thos. Ruggles, Esq. William Morton Pitt, Esq.

Jeremy Bentham, Esq. Robert Saunders, Esq. Thomas Bernard, Esq.

William Wilberforce, Esq. Rowland Burdon, Esq. the Rev. Dr. Gla.s.se, the Rev. Thomas Gisburn, the Rev. Mr. Howlet, Mr. Davis, Mr. Townsend, Arthur Young, Esq. and William Sabatier, Esq. as well as several other respectable living characters, who have particularly turned their thoughts to the subject of the Poor, the Public are not only already much indebted, but from this prolific resource of judgment, talents, and knowledge, much good might be expected, if ever the period shall arrive when the revision of the Poor Laws shall engage the attention of the Legislature.

The measure is too complicated to be adjusted by men, who have not opportunities or leisure to contemplate its infinite ramifications.

It is a task which can only be executed with accuracy by those, who completely understand the subject as well in practice as in theory, and who can bestow the time requisite for those laborious investigations, which must be absolutely necessary to form a final opinion, and to report to Parliament what is most expedient, under all circ.u.mstances, to be done in this important National Concern.

Happy is it for the country, that a resource exists for the attainment of this object, than which nothing can contribute, in a greater degree, to the prevention of Crimes, and to the general improvement of Civil Society.

CHAP. XIV.

_The state of the Police, with regard to the detection of different cla.s.ses of offenders, explained.--The necessity, under the present circ.u.mstances, of having recourse to the known Receivers of stolen Goods, for the purpose of discovering Offenders, as well as the property stolen.--The great utility of Officers of Justice as safeguards of the Community.--The advantages to be derived from rendering them respectable in the opinion of the Public. Their powers, by the common and statute law, are extensive.--The great antiquity of the Office of Constable, exemplified by different Ancient Statutes.--The authority of Officers and others explained, in apprehending persons accused of felony.--Rewards granted in certain cases as encouragements to Officers to lie vigilant:--The statutes quoted, applicable to such rewards, shewing that they apply to ten different offences.--The utility of parochial Constables, under a well-organized Police, explained.--A fund for this purpose would arise from the reduction of the expences of the Police by the diminution of Crimes.--The necessity of a competent fund explained.--The deficiency of the present System exemplified in the effect of the presentments by Constables to the Grand Inquest.--A new System proposed.--The functions of the different cla.s.ses of Officers, explained.--Salaries necessary to all.--The System of rewards, as now established, shewn to be radically deficient; exemplified by the circ.u.mstance, that in 1088 prisoners, charged at the Old Bailey in one year, with 36 different offences, only 9 offences ent.i.tled the apprehenders to any gratuity:--Improvements suggested for the greater encouragement of Officers of Justice.--1043 Peace Officers in the Metropolis and its vicinity, of whom only 90 are stipendiary Constables.--Little a.s.sistance to be expected from Parochial Officers, while there exists no fund for rewarding extraordinary services.--Great advantages likely to result from rewarding all Officers for useful services actually performed.--The utility of extending the same gratuities to Watchmen and Patroles.--Defects and abuses in the System of the Watch explained.--The number of Watchmen and Patroles in the Metropolis estimated at 2044:--A general System of superintendance suggested.--A view of the Magistracy of the Metropolis.--The efficient duty shewn to rest with the City and Police Magistrates.--The inconvenience of the present System.--Concluding Observations._

As it must be admitted, that the evils arising from the multiplied crimes detailed in the preceding Chapters, render a correct and energetic System of Police with regard to the _detection_, _discovery_, and _apprehension_ of offenders, indispensably necessary for the safety and well-being of Society; it follows of course, in the order of this Work, to explain _how this branch of the public service is conducted at present, the defects which are apparent,--and the means of improving the System_.

When robberies or burglaries have been committed in or near the Metropolis, where the property is of considerable value, the usual method at present, is to apply to the City Magistrates, if in London; or otherwise, to the Justices at one of the Public Offices,[97] and to publish an Advertis.e.m.e.nt offering a reward on the recovery of the articles stolen, and the conviction of the offenders.[98]

[Footnote 97: It is a well-known fact, that many persons who suffer by means of small Robberies, afraid of the trouble and expence of a prosecution, submit to the loss without inquiry; while others from being strangers to the laws, and to the proper mode of application, fall into the same mistake; this, by proving a great encouragement to thieves of every cla.s.s, is of course an injury to the Public.--In all cases where robberies are committed, the parties sustaining the loss have only to inquire for the nearest Public Office, and apply there, and state the case to the sitting Magistrates, who will point out the proper mode of detection; every a.s.sistance through the medium of constables, will then be given for the purpose of recovering the property and apprehending the offenders.--The same a.s.sistance will be afforded by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, sitting at the Mansion-house and Guildhall, whenever the offence is committed within the limits of the City of London.]

[Footnote 98: It had been usual for many years previous to 1752, when robberies were committed, to make a composition of the felony, by advertising a reward to any person who would bring the property stolen, to be paid without asking any questions; but the pernicious consequences of recovering goods in this way from the encouragement such advertis.e.m.e.nts held out to thieves and robbers of every description, became so glaring and obvious, that an Act pa.s.sed the 25th year of George II. cap. 36. _inflicting a penalty of 50l. on any person_ (including the printer and publisher) _who shall publicly advertise a reward for the return of stolen goods with "no questions asked," without seizing the person producing the goods stolen:--or who shall offer to return to any p.a.w.nbroker, or other person, the money lent thereon, or any other reward for the return of the articles stolen_.]

In many cases of importance, to the reproach of the Police, recourse is had to noted and known Receivers of stolen Goods for their a.s.sistance in discovering such offenders, and of pointing out the means by which the property may be recovered: this has on many occasions been productive of success to the parties who have been robbed; as well as to the ends of public justice; for however lamentable it is to think that Magistrates are compelled to have recourse to such expedients, yet while the present System continues, and while robberies and burglaries are so frequent, without the means of prevention, there is no alternative on many occasions _but to employ a thief to catch a thief_.

It is indeed so far fortunate, that when the influence of Magistrates is judiciously and zealously employed in this way, it is productive in many instances of considerable success, not only in the recovery of property stolen, but also in the detection and punishment of atrocious offenders.

Wherever activity and zeal are manifested on the part of the Magistrates, the Peace Officers, under their immediate direction, seldom fail to exhibit a similar desire to promote the ends of public justice. And when it is considered that these Officers, while they conduct themselves with purity, are truly _the safeguards of the Community_, destined to protect the Public against the outrages and lawless depredations of a set of miscreants, who are the declared enemies of the State, by making war upon all ranks of the body politic, who have property to lose;--they have a fair claim, while they act properly, to be esteemed as "_the civil defenders of the lives and properties of the People_."

Every thing that can heighten in any degree the respectability of the office of _Constable_, adds to the security of the State, and the safety of the life and property of every individual.

Under such circ.u.mstances, it cannot be sufficiently regretted that these useful const.i.tutional officers, destined for the protection of the Public, have been (with a very few exceptions) so little regarded, so carelessly selected, and so ill supported and rewarded for the imminent risques which they run, and the services they perform in the execution of their duty.

The common Law, as well as the ancient Statutes of the kingdom, having placed extensive powers in the hands of _Constables_ and _Peace Officers_;--they are, in this point of view, to be considered as _respectable_;--and it is the interest of the Community, that they should support that rank and character in society, which corresponds with the authority with which they are invested.--If this were attended to, men of credit and discretion would not be so averse to fill such situations; and those pernicious prejudices, which have prevailed in vulgar life, and in some degree among the higher ranks in Society, with regard to _thief-takers_, would no longer operate; for it is plain to demonstration, "_that the best laws that ever were made can avail nothing, if the Public Mind is impressed with an idea, that it is a matter of infamy, to become the casual or professional agents to carry them into execution_."

This absurd prejudice against the office of Constable, and the small encouragement which the major part receive, is one of the chief reasons why unworthy characters have filled such situations; and why the public interest has suffered by the increase of crimes.