The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-26 00:00:00

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01140.0791:-:;trot 11

LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1865.

It must be a satisfaction to every one concerned
in the matter that the Union Chargeability Bill
has been read a third time and passed, for during
its discussion there has been nothing but angry
feelings aroused, and useless discussions have taken
place, that have tended still further to embitter and
irritate the disputants. A great deal of prejudice
has been entertained respecting this measure by
those who see its inconveniences, but cannot be
persuaded to recognise its advantages. On the
other hand, it would have been much better if those
on the Ministerial benches had shown more mode-
ration in bringing in the measure—a little concilia-
tion often goes a great way in expediting an
arduous undertaking, and in smoothing the
rugged road over which an unpopular measure
must pass. Mr. VILLIERS has scorned the
aid of these allies, and preferred to force on his bill
nolens volens. This course of proceeding has ren-
dered the task more difficult, and will, no doubt,
increase the obstacles that are sure to oppose them-
selves to the work of an unperfected measure. There
was no need for the hesitation and mystery that have
been mixed up in this affair, and one very unwise
instance of this was mentioned last night by Mr.
BRIGHT, when he alluded to the delay which had
taken place in printing the return, so that it might
be seen what amount the boroughs would save by
the working of the bill. Doubtless, as Mr. HENLEY
said, there has been great exaggeration in the de-
scriptions given of the demolition of cottages, and
such like proceedings ; but the right hon. gentleman
did not improve his case by being so strong in his
opposition to the measure, because in the eyes of
many his strictures will be taken as a part of his
diatribes against the measure, and not as mere
argument, in themselves. Mr. HENLEY stated very
truly that if Mr. VILLIERS had agreed to his amend-
ment being passed there would have been very
beneficial results to the poor, but as it was they
would have to bear the evils of the " removability"
system that pressed so heavily upon them. It
would have been much better if the President of
the Poor Law Board had been more frank in his
explanations and taken more pains to show that
there would be a change in the boundaries of
parishes. It is not enough to make a change in
some respects if the will and power be
wanting to
carry it out to a successful end, and thus afford ad-
vantages to those who so much require protection.
A great responsibility will rest upon those who have
introduced this measure ; and it is sincerely to be
trusted that the results of its working will conduce
to the benefit of those concerned, and realise the
expectations and fulfil the prophecies of the sup-
porters of the Bill. It will not satisfy the public if
a mere temporary advantage be taken of the pro-
visions of the measure to gain points and obtain
votes at elections, and no real efforts made to far-
th:. interests and proraoto the welfare of tbo
1111i4 ilz4estli took° aid and usistsice.

It remains for those who have been successful in
carrying it through the House to render the Union
Chargeability Bill as deserving of the support it has
met with, and thus inaugurate those improvements
for the poor and labouring classes which society has
ever pronounced to be necessary.

The annual report of our principal Metropolitan
Coroner is a matter of some importance, and of
considerable interest to those social reformers whose
business it is to examine into the moral welfare of
the population. The origin of sudden and violent
deaths is a very necessary subject of inquiry ; since
whether they arise from malice, from accident, or
from physical privation, there is an evil that calls
for remedy. But the good that is done, or rather
the evil that is prevented, by the institution of an
official inquiry into every case of sudden death is
not visible, and we can only perceive it by inference.
One of the most dangerous and easy forms of mur-
der is, undoubtedly, held in check by it. With all the
facilities which the necessities of trade offer to the
poisoner, there is no doubt but that one of the most
cruel and treacherous of crimes would find many
more victims whose destroyers would escape with
impunity. Suicides are most likely not affected by
it, since there is generally a craving for notoriety in
the morbid view of the self-murderer, which prompts
him or her to give some indication of the act, or to
leave some sign of how it has been accomplished.
But if the frantic suicide may rather court than
shun the excitement of an official inquiry, it is very
certain that the secret murderer holds the coroner
and his jury in wholesome horror, and that,
without that protecting investigation, the
number of our poisoners would be increased ten-
fold. In the numerous eases of cruelty to children,
apprentices, or weak-minded persons, the inquest is
a great protection ; while in those instances of death
from accident or carelessness which are growing,
unhappily, so common, it is very desirable to have
some investigation into the origin of the catas-
trophe. The recommendations which the jury fre-
quently find occasion to append to their verdicts
have great moral weight, if no legal force, and one
often very valuable. Dr. LANKESTER, who is well
qualified for his arduous duties, has analysed
the list of inquests from August, 1863, to July,
1864, and has given us an interesting ac-
count of the various divisions. In the first
place, it is noticeable that the number of inquests
has increased considerably. The number held in
the year 1863-64 was 1,271, showing an increase
of nearly 200 on the previous year. The additions
are due to two causes—first, the natural increase of
population ; and, secondly, the increased vigilance
of the summoning officers. The latter rea-
son has been the most powerful, seeing that
the rise in the number of the population would only
account for about forty additional cases, so that we
may infer that the activity and vigilance of the
local authorities have very considerably increased.
St. Pancras, Islington, and St. Giles show the
greatest increase, and in these large and populous
parishes new officers have been appointed, and there
are no longer any complaints of neglect.
It is not altogether a matter of surprise, though
certainly it is very much to be regretted that the
list of accidental deaths should be so very large.
Their number in this report is no less than 70, and
since, as Dr. LANKESTER remarks, we cannot suppose
that any were previously overlooked, we must con-
clude that they are growing more frequent. There
are two reasons for this increase given by the
coroner. He attriVutes it partly to the increased
traffic in the metropolitan thoroughfares, and
partly to the immense extent to which buildings
and alterations are now being carried on. The
frequency of accidents in our streets is a serious
evil, and one which is growing more and more con-
spicuous. As Dr. LANKESTER remarks, " Just as
the metropolis increases on all sides does the traffic
of its central streets become developed, and either
the carelessness or foolhardiness of drivers of
vehicles and foot passengers become the source of
accidents destructive of life." This is a problem
very difficult to deal with. We can neither
expect nor desire to interfere with the
traffic of our thoroughfares, and we have al-
ready the legal power to punish any reckless
driver. A great deal might be done by the foot-
passengers themselves being more cautious, and
not risking their necks for the sake of
saving half a minute. An extra policeman
or two might be employed with advantage at
some specially dangerous corners, with directions to
assist the foot passengers when asked, and to obtain
occasionally a momentary pause in the ever-rolling
stream of vehicles. As for the building disasters,
thousands of men are now employed in pulling
down old buildings or in constructing new ones ;
and, as many of the first are ricketty and unsafe,
and many of the latter are of enormous size, there
is, of course, an increased liability to accident. Still

there is no doubt that there is very often great
carelessness both on the part of the men and their
employers, and the recommendations of the coroner's
jury are beneficial in this respect. Dr. LAN-
KESTER, who ought to be a judge, says that in
the majority of instances their recommendations are
attended to. The accidents on railways happily
show a decrease in number, and a great proportion
of them occur to the workmen employed on the
1 lines, who frequently suffer from their own disre-
gard of rules. Frequent accidents on railways arise
from the bursting of boilers, and Dr. LANKESTER
strongly recommends the adoption of a regular
system of testing the strength of boilers.
The increase of verdicts of suicide and homicide is
not disproportionate to the corresponding increase
of the population. An alteration in other respects
is due to the fact that juries have recently returned
verdicts of " Wilful murder," instead of "Deaths
from unknown causes," in the case of infants found
dead. The alarming extent to which infanticide is
practised-150 dead children being found annually
in the streets of London—is certainly sufficient to
justify Dr. LANKESTER'S assertion that it demands
special inquiry. Another important suggestion
made by the coroner is, that deaths in
i workhouses should require an inquest the same
as deaths in prisons and asylums. It is manifest
that such a regulation is a great protection
to the helpless inmates of prisons and lunatic
asylums, and the bedridden inhabitants of the sick
wards are surely in equal need of such protection.
An accident revealed the terrible case of RICHARD
GIBSON, but if there were the certainty of an in-
quest after every death the subordinates in work-
houses would be more careful in their treatment of
the infirm. There has been a remarkable increase
in the number of deaths in the prisons, and espe-
cially ;in the House of Correction, which is not
easily accounted for, and deserves inquiry on the
part of the prison authorities. The report touches
on many important points, giving facts from which
every one may draw their own conclusions, and
adding considerably to our knowledge of the prac-
tical working of the social machine.

The question of which Sir JOHN WALSH has
given notice for to-night is one which excites general
attention and interest, and the reply of Lord PAL-
MERSTON will be eagerly looked for throughout the
length and breadth of the land. It is very essential
that this subject zhould receive due attention in the
Holm beton the don of the seselcD) Imam we