The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-30 00:00:00

THE NEW POLICE ACT.

(From the Spectator.)
It has always been necessary to keep a watchful eye
on the conduct of the Magistrates and Policemen in
London. That necessity has not been diminished by
the enactment of the new Metropoiitsn Police Bill,
which gives at the same time increased powers of pre-
venting annoyance and of causing annoyance. It is a
middle-class measure, and as such will be regarded by
the classes below the gentlemen who keep (rigs, and
" shopocrates." The nuisances it is intended to abate
are those which vex " ten pounders ;" and it unfortu-
nately happens that multitudes derive enjoyment and
subsistence from the sources of annoyance to their su-
periors. Several clauses in the Act will occasion in-
convenience, if not privation, to the poor of the metro-
polis. For instance, clause 47th provides that
"'No licensed victualler, or other person, shall open his
house, within the metropolitan police district (fifteen
miles in a straight line from Charing-cross) for the sale
of wines, spirits, beer, or other fermented or distilled
liquors, on Sundays, Christmas Days, and Good Fridays,
before the hour of one o'clock in the afternoon, except
for refreshment for travellers."
Now the usual dinner-hour of the working classes is
twelve o'clock, and on Sundays they indulge in a morn-
ing draught rather earlier than on other days ; but this
Police Act prohibits such indulgence. The shopkeeper
has commonly a cask of ale or a bottle of wine in his
house, and may lunch when he pleases. The excep-
tion—for the " refreshment of travellers"—opens the
door to disputes and difficulties. How is the " licensed
victualler or othe: person" to know whether the lad who
buys a glass of ale or gin wants it for the wayfaring man,
as he will pretend of course, or for himself ? The po-
li3eman must decide that point, and he will decide it
according to his own inclination.
Another clause enacts, that—
" Every person licensed to deal in excisable liquors,
within the said district, who shall knowingly supply any
sort of distilled excisable liquor to any boy or girl appa-
rently under the age of sixteen years, to be drunk upon
the premises, shall be liable to a penalty not more than
20s. ; and upon conviction of a second offence, shall be
liable to a penalty not more than 40s. ; and upon convic-
tion of a third offence, shall be liable to a penalty not
more than 51."

This is too vague for a penal enactment. The moat
skilful surgeons are deceived in the age of persons,
and may not the retailers of spirits plead ignorance ?
Besides, the law may be easily evaded by taking the li-
quor into the street, and drinking it within a foot of the
" premises." By the .54th section, a penalty of 40s. is
attached toan immense variety of offences. For instance—
" Every person, except the guards and postmen be-
longing to her Majesty's Post-office in the performance
of their duty, who shall blow any horn or use any other
noisy instrument, for the purpose of calling persons to-
gether, or of announcing any show or entertainment, or
for the purpose of hawking, selling, distributing, or col-
lecting any ankle whatsoever, or of obtaining money or
alms."

Alas for poor Punch ! this must be a finishing blow to
the babe-delighting exhibition.
" Alter the first day of January next, every person
who within the Metropolitan Police district shall use
any slog for the purpose of drawing or helping to draw
any cart, carriage, truck, or barrow, shall be liable to
a penalty of not more than 40s. for the first offence, and
not more than 5/. for the second or any following
offence."

This is kindly intended for the canine creation ; but
the inconvenience it alt! occasion to a great number of
poor persons in the Metropolis will render it most unpo-
pular and offensive.
" Every person who shall fly any kite, or play at any
game, to the annoyance of the inhabit ,nts or passen-
gers, or who shall make or use any slide upon ice or
snow in any street or other thoroughfare, to the common
danger of the pas,engers."
The youthful dwellers in the noisome courts and cel-
lors of London will soon learn, that to play at marbles
or chuckfarthing on the side-walks, is a grievous
offence, wnich, if committed ‘- within view of a consta-
hie," will subject them to arrest " without. warrant."
The cited specimens of the Act show that the dis-
cretionary power of the policemen is very extensive,
and that its exercise must be vigilantly inspected.
Increased care ought to be taken in the choice of con-
stables, and the magistrates must use all the discretion
they are gifted with in controlling and directing their
myrmidons.