A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis Part 27

ESTIMATE.

1. Asylums for the Relief of Objects of Charity .

and Humanity 30,000

2. Asylums and Hospitals, for the Sick, Lame, and Diseased 50,000

3. Inst.i.tutions for Benevolent, Charitable, and Humane Purposes 205,000

4. Private Charities 150,000

5. Charity Schools for Educating the Poor 10,000

6. To which add the annual a.s.sessments for the Poor Rates, paid by the Inhabitants of the Metropolis and its Environs 255,000

Total estimated amount of the annual Sums paid for the support and benefit of the Poor in the --------- Metropolis, &c. .700,000

7. Besides the endowed Establishments, for which the Poor are chiefly indebted to our Ancestors 150,000 --------- Total .850,000

In addition to this, it is highly proper to mention the n.o.ble benevolence, which has been displayed by the Opulent of all ranks, but particularly the Merchants, in the very large sums which have been, at various times, subscribed for the relief of the brave men, who have been maimed and wounded, and for the support of the widows, orphans, and relations of those who have meritoriously lost their lives in fighting the battles of their country.

Such exalted examples of unbounded munificence the history of no other nation records.

It is to this source of elevated virtue, and n.o.bleness of mind, that an appeal is made, on the present occasion, in behalf of those unhappy fellow-mortals; who, in spite of the unexampled liberality which has been displayed, still require the fostering hand of Philanthropy.

The cause of these distresses has been explained; and also the evils which such a condition in human life entails upon Society. It is not pecuniary aid that will heal this _gangrene_: this _Corruption of Morals_. There must be the application of a correct System of Police, calculated to reach the root and origin of the evil.--Without _System_, _Intelligence_, _Talents_, and _Industry_, united in all that relates to the affairs of the Poor, millions may be wasted as millions have already been wasted, without bettering their condition.

In all the branches of the Science of Political Oeconomy, there is none which requires so much skill and knowledge of men and manners, as that which relates to this particular object: and yet, important as it is to the best interests of the Community, the management of a concern, in which the very foundation of the national prosperity is involved, is suffered to remain, as in the rude ages, when Society had not a.s.sumed the bold features of the present period,--in the hands of changeable, and in many instances, unlettered agents; wholly incompetent to a task at all times nice and difficult in the execution, and often irksome and inconvenient.

One great feature of this evil, on which it is deplorable to reflect, is, that nearly one million of the inhabitants of a country, the utmost population of which is supposed to be short of nine millions, should be supported in part or in whole by the remaining eight.

In spite of all the ingenious arguments which have been used in favour of a System admitted to be wisely conceived in its origin, the effects it has produced incontestably prove, that with respect to the ma.s.s of the Poor, there is something radically wrong in the execution.

If it were not so, it is impossible that there could exist in the Metropolis such an inconceivable portion of human misery, amidst examples of munificence and benevolence unparalleled in any age or country in the world.

Impressed with these sentiments, so far as they apply to the state of indigence in the Metropolis, a design has been sanctioned by the _Benevolent Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor_, the object of which is to establish a department for inquiring into the history, life, and the causes of the distress of every person who asks relief in any part of the Metropolis: not with a view to support these unfortunate persons in idleness and vice; but to use those means which talents, attention, and humanity can accomplish--(means which are beyond the reach of parochial officers), for the purpose of enabling them to a.s.sist themselves.[95]

[Footnote 95: An office has for some time past been inst.i.tuted under the direction of _Mathew Martin, Esq._ a.s.sisted by one or two philanthropic individuals, for inquiring into cases and causes of distress.--The generality of the poor persons have been invited to the office by the distribution of tickets, directing them when and where they are to apply. On such occasions a small relief has been afforded, arising from a fund const.i.tuted by private benevolence;--but the chief advantage which these poor people have derived has been from the consolatory advice given them, and still more from the a.s.sistance afforded by the indefatigable industry, and laudable zeal of Mr.

Martin, in getting those into workhouses who have parochial settlements in the Metropolis, or a.s.sisting in procuring the means of pa.s.sing them to their parishes, where such settlements are in the country. Seasonable pecuniary relief has been also extended in certain cases, and small loans of money, made to enable those who are able to work to redeem their apparel, and tools to rescue them from despondence, and to help themselves by their own labour, in such employments as they could either themselves obtain, or as could be procured for them.

From the beginning of the year 1796 to the end of the year 1797, Mr.

Martin investigated the cases of 120 poor persons, who attended him in consequence of the tickets which were distributed.--Of these 21 were men; the greater part maimed or disabled by age or sickness, only two of whom had any legal settlement in London.--Of the women, 99 in number, 48 were widows, about one-third were aged--some crippled, and others distressed for want of work, while many were embarra.s.sed by ignorance of the mode of obtaining parochial relief, or by the fear of applying for it--of the wives, in most cases, the difficulty arose from want of work or incapacity of doing it, on account of a child in arms. There were cases of very great distress. Above half had two or more children. Some of them infants, and the chief part too young to work. Of the women 24 claimed settlements in London and Westminster--33 in different parts of England--22 belonged to Scotland and Ireland, and the remaining 20 said they could give no account of their place of settlement. In most instances by an application to their parishes, and in some to their friends, Mr. Martin was enabled to obtain effectual relief to all of them; the gift of a little food, and hearing their melancholy story, afforded some comfort; and had a small fund been appropriated to this object, it might have been possible to have enabled those who were in health to have earned a livelihood. See 12th Report of the _Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor_.]

In the Metropolis the Magistrates interfere very little in parochial relief, except when appeals are made to them in particular cases, or when called upon to sign orders of removal, which is generally done as a matter of course. Hence it is that the poor are left almost entirely to the management of the Parochial Officers for the time being, who frequently act under the influence of ignorance or caprice, or are irritated by the impudent importunity of the profligate Gin-drinking poor. These Officers also, it is to be remembered, have private affairs which necessarily engage the chief part of their attention, and are frequently no less incapable than unwilling to enter on those investigations which might enable them to make the proper discriminations: the modest and shame-faced poor are thus frequently shut out from relief, while the vociferous and idle succeed in obtaining pecuniary a.s.sistance, which is soon improvidently dissipated.

The distress which is thus shewn to prevail, by no means arises from the want of competent funds:--the misfortune is, that from the nature of the present mode of management it is not possible to apply these funds beneficially for the proper relief of those for whom they were intended. A much more moderate a.s.sessment, under a regular and proper management, would remove great part of the evil.

The expence of the cla.s.s of persons denominated _Casual Poor_, who have no settlement in any parish in the Metropolis, amounts to a large sum annually.--In the united parishes of St. Giles in the Fields, and St. George, Bloomsbury, this expence amounted to 2000_l._ in the year 1796. It arose from the support of about 1200 poor natives of Ireland, who but for this aid must have become vagrants. The shocking abuse of the vagrant pa.s.ses previous to the year 1792, produced the Act of the 32 Geo. III. cap. 45. which requires that Rogues and Vagabonds should be first publicly whipt, or confined seven days in the House of Correction, (females to be imprisoned only, and in no case whipped) before they are pa.s.sed, as directed by the Act of the 17 Geo. II. c.

5. Hence it is that so many who are either on the brink of vagrancy or have actually received alms, are permitted to remain a burden on the parishes; the Magistrates being loth to incur the charge of inhumanity, by strictly following the letter of the Act, in whipping or imprisoning poor miserable wretches, whose indigence have rendered relief necessary.

In all the 146 parishes within and without the walls, including the Bills of Mortality, &c. it is not improbable that the casual charity given in this way may amount to 10,000_l._ a year.

The loose manner in which it is given, and the impossibility either of a proper discrimination, or of finding in the distributing these resources, that time for investigation which might lead to the solid benefit of the Pauper, by restoring him to a capacity of earning his own livelihood, makes it highly probable that instead of being useful, this large sum is perhaps hurtful, to the major part of the poor who receive it. The trifle they receive, from being injudiciously given, and frequently to get rid of the clamour and importunity of the most profligate, is too often spent immediately in the Gin-shop.--No inquiry is made into the circ.u.mstances of the family--No measures are pursued to redeem the apparel locked up in the p.a.w.nbrokers' shop, although a small sum would frequently recover the habiliments of a naked and starving family--no questions are asked respecting the means they employ to subsist themselves by labour; and no efforts are used to procure employment for those who are willing to labour, but have not the means of obtaining work.

Hence it is that poverty, under such circ.u.mstances, contributes in no small degree to the multiplication of crimes. The profligate thus partly supported, too often resorts to pilfering pursuits to fill up the chasm, and habits of idleness being once obtained, labour soon becomes irksome.

Why should not the whole nation, but particularly the Metropolis, be considered, so far at least as regards the vagrant and casual Poor, as one family, and be placed under the review of certain persons who might be considered as worthy of the trust, and might devote their time sedulously to that object?--Were such an establishment, inst.i.tuted, and supported in the first instance by a sum from each parish, equal to the casual relief they have each given on an average of the five preceding years, with power to employ this fund in establishing Houses of Industry, or Work-rooms, in various parts of the Metropolis, where the Poor should receive the whole of their earnings and a comfortable meal besides:--it is highly probable that while the expence to the parishes would gradually diminish, beggary would be annihilated in the Metropolis--the modest and deserving Poor would be discovered and relieved, while the idle and profligate, who resorted to begging as a trade, would be compelled to apply to honest labour for their subsistence.

This is a point in the political oeconomy of the Nation highly important, whether it relates to the cause of humanity or to the morals of the people, upon which all good Governments are founded.--That such an inst.i.tution is practicable is already proved from the partial experiments that have been made. That the advantages resulting from it would be great beyond all calculation, is too obvious to require elucidation.

While it operated beneficially to the lower cla.s.ses of the people and to the State, it would relieve Parochial Officers of a very irksome and laborious task, perhaps the most disagreeable that is attached to the office of an Overseer in the Metropolis.

To give this branch of Police vigor and effect, the aid of the Legislature would be necessary; which would be easily obtained when the measure itself was once thoroughly understood, and it could not then fail to be as popular as it would unquestionably be useful.

They who from their habits of life have few opportunities of considering the state of the Poor, are apt to form very erroneous opinions on the subject.

By _the Poor_ we are not to understand the whole ma.s.s of the people who support themselves by labour; for those whose necessity compels them to exercise their industry, become by their poverty the actual pillars of the State.

Labour is absolutely requisite to the existence of all Governments; and as it is from the Poor only that labour can be expected, so far from being an evil they become, under proper regulations, an advantage to every Country, and highly deserve the fostering care of every Government. It is not _Poverty_ therefore, that is in itself an evil, while health, strength, and inclination, afford the means of subsistence, and while work is to be had by all who seek it.--The evil is to be found only in _Indigence_, where the strength fails, where disease, age, or infancy, deprives the individual of the means of subsistence, or where he knows not how to find employment when willing and able to work.

In this view _the Poor_ may be divided into five Cla.s.ses:--

_The first Cla.s.s_ comprehends what may be denominated _the useful Poor_, who are able and willing to work--who have already been represented as the pillars of the State, and who merit the utmost attention of all Governments, with a direct and immediate view of preventing their _poverty_ from descending unnecessarily into _indigence_. As often as this evil is permitted to happen, the State not only loses an useful subject, but the expence of his maintenance must be borne by the Public.--The great art, therefore, in managing the affairs of the Poor, is to establish Systems whereby the poor man, verging upon indigence, may be propped up and kept in his station. Whenever this can be effected, it is done upon an average at one-tenth of the expence at most that must be incurred by permitting a family to retrograde into a state of indigence, where they must be wholly maintained by the Public, and where their own exertions cease in a great measure to be useful to the Country.

_The second Cla.s.s_ comprehends the _vagrant Poor_, who are able but not willing to work, or who cannot obtain employment in consequence of their bad character. This cla.s.s may be said to have descended from poverty into beggary, in which state they become objects of peculiar attention, since the State suffers not only the loss of their labour, but also of the money which they obtain by the present ill-judged mode of giving charity. Many of them, however, having become mendicants, more from necessity than choice, deserve commiseration and attention, and nothing can promote in a greater degree the cause of humanity, and the real interest of the Metropolis, than an establishment for the employment of this cla.s.s of indigent Poor, who may be said at present to be in a very deplorable state, those only excepted who make begging a profession. It is only by a plan, such as has been recommended, that the real indigent can be discovered from the vagrant, and in no other way is it possible to have that distinct and collected view of the whole cla.s.s of beggars in the Metropolis, or to provide the means of rendering their labour (where they are able to labour) productive to themselves and the State.--And it may be further added with great truth, that in no other way is it possible to prevent the offspring of such mendicants from becoming _Prost.i.tutes_ and _Thieves_.

If, therefore, it is of importance to diminish crimes, and to obstruct the progress of immorality, this part of the Community ought to be the peculiar objects of a branch of the National Police, where responsibility would secure an accurate execution of the System. This measure ought to begin in the Metropolis as an experiment, and when fully matured might be extended with every advantage to the Country.

_The third Cla.s.s_ may be considered under the denomination of the _Indigent Poor_, who from want of employment, _sickness, losses_, insanity or disease, are unable to maintain themselves.

In attending to this description of Poor, the first consideration ought to be to select those who are in a state to re-occupy their former station among the labouring Poor; and to restore them to the first cla.s.s as soon as possible, by such relief as should enable them to resume their former employments, and to help themselves and families.

Where insanity, or temporary disease, or infirmity actually exist, such a course must then be pursued as will enable such weak and indigent persons, while they are supported at the expence of the Public, to perform such species of labour, as may be suited to their peculiar situations, without operating as a hardship, but rather as an amus.e.m.e.nt. In this manner it is wonderful how productive the exertions of even the most infirm might be rendered.--But it must be accomplished under a management very different, indeed, from any thing which prevails at present.

_The fourth Cla.s.s_ comprehends the _aged and infirm_, who are entirely past labour, and have no means of support.--Where an honest industrious man has wasted his strength in labour and endeavours to rear a family, he is well ent.i.tled to an asylum to render the evening of his life comfortable. For this cla.s.s the grat.i.tude and the humanity of the Community ought to provide a retreat separate from the profligate and vagrant Poor. But, alas! the present System admits of no such blessing.--The most deserving most submit to an indiscriminate intercourse in Workhouses with the most worthless: whose polluted language and irregular conduct, render not a few of those asylums as great a punishment to the decent part of the indigent and infirm as a common prison.

_The fifth Cla.s.s_ comprises the _Infant Poor_, who from extreme indigence, or the death of parents, are cast upon the public for nurture. One fifth part of the gross number in a London Workhouse is generally composed of this cla.s.s.

Their moral and religious education is of the last importance to the Community. They are the children of the Public, and if not introduced into life, under circ.u.mstances favourable to the interest of the State, the error in the System becomes flagrant.--Profligate or distressed parents may educate their children ill; but when those under the charge of Public Inst.i.tutions are suffered to become depraved in their progress to maturity, it is a dreadful reproach on the Police of the Country.--And yet what is to be expected from children reared in Workhouses, with the evil examples before them of the mult.i.tudes of depraved characters who are constantly admitted into those receptacles? Young minds are generally more susceptible of evil than of good impressions; and hence it is that the rising generation enter upon life with those wicked and dangerous propensities, which are visible to the attentive observer in all the walks of vulgar life in this great Metropolis.

The limits of this Treatise will not permit the Author to attempt more than a mere outline on the general subject of the Poor; a System of all others the most difficult to manage and arrange with advantage to the Community; but which is at present unhappily entrusted to the care of those least competent to the task.

The principle of the Statute of the 43d of Elizabeth is certainly un.o.bjectionable; but the execution, it must be repeated, is defective.

In short, no part of it has been effectually executed, but that which relates to raising the a.s.sessments. It is easy to make Statutes; but omnipotent as Parliament is said to be, it cannot give _knowledge_, _education_, _public spirit_, _integrity_ and _time_, to those Changeable Agents whom it has charged with the execution of the Poor Laws.

In the management of the affairs of the State, the Sovereign wisely selects men eminent for their talents and integrity:--Were the choice to be made on the principle established by the Poor Laws, the Nation could not exist even a single year.

In the private affairs of life, the success of every difficult undertaking depends on the degree of abilities employed in the management. In the affairs of the Poor, the most arduous and intricate that it is possible to conceive, and where the greatest talents and knowledge is required, the least portion of either is supplied. How then can we expect success?--The error is not in the original design, which is wise and judicious. The 43d of Elizabeth authorizes an a.s.sessment to be made for three purposes.

1st. To purchase Raw Materials to set the Poor to work, who could not otherwise dispose of their labour.

2d. To usher into the world, advantageously, the Children of poor people, by binding them apprentices to some useful employment.