The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-08-12 00:00:00

WANDERERS FROM THE UNION WORKHOUSE.

To at idigor.

hir.—Af ter denying the accuracy of your report of this
matter, which. however, by what I can learn appears to
be the one accepted by those who 'presumably would have
preceded acceptance by investlgstioo. Mr Pearce my. that
am soon m he found the boys at the Police-station, he
Immediately went his porter to the Superintendent of
Police, requesting him to allow than to be brought back
to the Markham., that the porter was there received with
a volley of abase, and that the finder of the boys threatened
II he could not " get matidaction *•—• somewhat doubtful
phrase—be would emulate on terra grew the Flying Dutch-
man and" ride till he did." Of this the porter seems to have
informed Mr. Pearce, who thereupon instructed that
functionary to again attend at the Police-stance with a
to the effect that he did not wish to punish the
gryirC, t simply to get them to return to the Workhouse.
In the meantime • policeman ?peers upon the scene
with •• charges and threateninp, which arouse the Ire of
Mr. Pearos, who in vindicating the dignity of mastership
authorise. his subordinate to adopt whatever mune he
thou/lit proper,"_ and declared he "would not move an
Inch. I read Kr. Psaree's statement with mime degree
of astonishment. Four unfortunate lade choose to
follow the example of Oliver Twist. I won't attempt to
o.lei on the agony by the introduction of imaginary details,
but limit myself to awing that they were found in the
night, on • lonely road, huddled together, and drenched to
the skin by the rain. They were taken to the Patios
elation. and the sequel may be gleaned from • permed of
Kr. Pearce*. letter, who admits that upon
of the boys being at the police Medan he could
there himself but seat his porter. What a picture this
repilla. I 01111 Imagine him luxuriating in his arm
chair, contemplating the " beasering" in the
" dreaming that "sees is s
;Itgi"ttlPirli
Mileeophlcally determining to vent the of a wrath
upon whoever interferes with his necessery and loved
✓ePO44l. To leave Simi= for the police station; the cosy
room; the scarcely Meted dewed ,• and all for whet For
• few ill-bred little paupers, who, being torableto perceive
when they are well o(, choose to run away from the
parochial nee and comfort. Such young
ought to be Wight what is really good for them, and the
consequences of their own conduct mon to be the=
thing' to teach them. One or two starved to death
exercise a beeedldal terrorism 01er the rest, and save a
great dial of trouble in inculcating the virtues of the
peoples sateohism. Something, however, mutt be done
—the poor-laws are too indulgent, and if the young Imps
mist the fate they deserved some haniterian (col would
V....ty on that account ventilate his troublesome
Yr. Poems soothes his conscience and die-
charms kis duty by leaving the Pilling but =1
meteor to the—porter? The pubile, of coons,
reasonably expect Mr. Nem to give his personal
attention to those matters, and comequintly ,
Mr. Poems doss not His prairies must be main-
tained by delegatioe, and this principle he carries
out as far as poisible. Them is abeam. detainee.
In Mr. Peerce's letter which I decline to Pass
without questioning, and it is that of his porter
Ming abused at the pollee steaks by the
tandeat of polim I do not want to
Mr. Batty to the detriment of another, oud I
be would be the last to desire it Intimately I am
unacquainted with him, but what I do know of kin is
aulSaient to convinces me that he would neither hiniaeU
nor permit those over whom he had control to be, guilt-y*4j
that attributed to him by Mr. Pearce, via, to reasive with
• Toney of abuse • poor workhouse porter calling open
him In the discharge of his duty. Of Mr. Batty. and I
speak with all sinomity. I DeWir beard anyone my an ill
word. and I shall be surprised to learn hale undeserving of
the good report
Kr. Pearce memo to have a great objection to bringing
paupers before the maristrates—pandbly he has for many
mem& I have not ; and for this one—that when brought
before than they have as opportunity of expressing theft air
grievances to an intelligent body and WM i
gem, and thereby ofmn esteiry (as In tut
case) to be made comerning that even now I regret
to my still ostosionallY &wawa our parochial institu-
tions, and if they lied the appointment of maestro I
believe that feeling for the poor which cheracterWei
than. allied to their social and educational advantages,
would Induce the not to overtook in ta for the
=tate.bigh testimonials of •'
a hemetVacnan feel for
I enclose my card, and am, be.,
A DORCHESTER RATIPAYBIL
August Paid