The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-20 00:00:00

PAUPER LUNATICS.

• It will be remembered that at the last sitting of
the Court allusion was made to the subject of the
great expense that was cast upon the City by what
may be termed pauper lunatics being sent from dif-
ferent parts, and particularly from abroad, into the
city of London, where the
,magistrates were com-
pelled to provide for them ; and it was said that it
might eventually become necessary to consider
whether a county rate might not be required to be
levied generally upon the citizens to defray the
expense. The idea that a county rate for this pur-
pose might possibly be added to the already heavy
burdens borne by the ratepayers of the city of Lon-
don naturally created a good deal of interest, and a
great many of the parishes have held meetings to
consider the subject.
tAßßhricShSurperhewseaurtdeednsa,
guardians of the parishes within the city of
_n doe
CourtAld erfmroamn
the
oe
Union, praying the Court not to proceed petition
o:ersefeLrste,on end
of
maintaining pauper lunatics whose settlements can-
hose
question of making a county rate for the P
not be ascertained,
the necessary funds.
Council shall have haelouvnaindtiilnopthe Court of Common
gportunity of consider-
ing the question of pr
The worthy alderman said that, although he felt it
his duty to present tho petition in accordance with
tlie desiro of the petitioners, he must at the
same time state that a very great misapprehen•
in point of fact,
sion had gone abroad as to what had occurred
there was not the slightest intent'
at the former Court; and,
adeed a
tthey
upondid ntoht possess
citiz e
citizens
e f Pr o waenry,
ion, and in-
ohsf
hoped
pcmaking
d ipthu that
pose as the one referred to. He said he
this statement would have the effect of removing
the misapprehension that prevailed upon the sub-
ject. (Hear.)
ELAND,
Alderman COP M.P., said that possibly
the idea had originated from the observations that
he had made on the former occasion, but it was
very far from his intention to have it inferred that
the Court of Aldermen intended to make a county
rate for the support of the pauper lunati the -
den of whose maintenance was throwncs, uponbur the
City of London. The Court of Aldermen, in the
first place, had no power to make such a rate, and
the only legal tribunal for that purpose was the
Court of Quarter Sessions. (Hear, hear.) At the
same time he must observe that a regular system
appeared to prevail of sending lunatic paupers
from all parts of the world into the city of London,
and if the burden of maintaining Fuch persons were
to be thrown upon the City's cash, it would become
gi serious matter, and it would certainly become ne-
cessary that something should be done. So far as
a county rate was concerned, however, the Court of
Aldermen had nothing whatever to do with that
question, and it was certainly a most erroneous im-
pression that prevailed that they had any intention
to take such a step. (Hear, hear.)
ng t that w
ie.
tsh
theth e
The LORD MAYOR, after some further desultory
ccoonuvretrsoaftioAnl,deerxmpernessheadd
opinionannoti
question. the petition could not be rec • d
eive , but he
said that, of course, it would be underst d
oo that
not the slightest disrespect •
was intended to the pe-
tioners. (Hear, hear.)
The suggestion made by the dLo accepted by the Court, and after ther lay or was
private matter with
closed
discussion of a
journed. olours) the Court ad-