The Express.
London, England, 1868-11-28 00:00:00

LAMBETH WORKHOUSE.

As inquiry has just terminated at Lambeth
Workhouse, of which it would be useful to know
more. Dr. liLutirmut has, it appears, been en-
gaged for four days in conducting an investiga-
tion into the alleged misconduct of the master
and taskmaster of the workhouse; and the
decision he arrived at has been communicated to
the I Guardians by the Poor-law Board. It is
much to be regretted that the representatives of
the Press were not invited to be present at the
inquiry. A Poor-law Inspector is on such occa-
sions invested with so much absolute power
that it is of the first importance that
the moderate guarantee afforded by publicity
should be given. In a Gass of life sad death,
moreover, when witnesses are examined, and the
people implicated end their assailants make sepa-
rate and contradictory charges, a seems monstrous
that a solitary government official should act as
judge and jury, as public prosecutor, and as
counsel for the defence. But to discharge these
complex functions in the board-room of a
workhouse, to cross-examine witnesses, and

to sift the evidence of paupers, prone
to lying, and of officials interested in upholding
the system impugned is a duty too difficult and
delicate to be entrusted to any one man unless the
responsibility of publication attaches to his official
acts. A refractory pauper girl had been placed in
solitary confinement in Lambeth Workhouse by
order of the master ; had been seised with fits, and
when supposed to be dying had made attain de-
positions out of which Dr. IfAnynAm'ainquiry rose.
That the taskmaster had dragged her on her knees,
and by the hair of her head, before the workhouse
mister, and that he had violently knocked her head
against the walls of the refractory ward when in
a fainting condition, were among the allegations
made, and which the Poor-law Board, acting on
the advice of Dr. 11.A.RICHAK, pronounced un-
proved. The official letter adds, however, that
the master was justified in punishing by con-
finement, but condemns the use of dark cells as
improper. Them comes a statement full of signi-
ficant import to those who remember the Lambeth
workhouse master's antecedents and reputation :
It further appears that the board, in reference to Jane
Short, the superintendent of the imbecile ward, express
an opinion that she was guilty of neglect in not sending
for the resident medical otiose as soon as Garnham was
seised with the lit, and they request that this opinion may
be cormnunieated to her, and that she may be cautioned
against administering any medicine in future except under
the special dilution of the medical ofilear. The board
repot to observe the contradictory evidence given by Mr.
catch, the master, and Mr. Bullet, the medical officer,
in reference to the application made by the latter to see
the refractory ward ; the eseertions of the two officers
Wag ineconcilablw it is imposeible for the board to de-
termine which of the two is correct, though possibly the
diserepency may be owing to Inaccuracy of recollection
rather than to any wilful perversion of the truth. It
certainly appears to the board improbable that Yr. Bunch
having twice applied through Peacall to me the refectory
ward, should, if an offer to see it had been made to him
by Mr. Oat* have again postponed doing what he pro-