The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-13 00:00:00

for
every
co
onyereates a
douse
sPnar OF TliE PUBLIC Ina go
• pecuniary interest in preserving their isolation. There
HERALD.—The suppression of vagrancy and the is, too, an avowed mistrust of the motives by which
extinction of the National Debt may be almost the Canadian politicians are actuated. It is believed
ranked as parallel enterprises. We have scarcely that the chronic difficulties between Upper and
any more hope of the one than of the other. It may Lower Canada are as troublesome as ever, and that
be well to aim at the highest kind of success. Yet the politicians of both parties are seeking a way out
we doubt whether a fond delusion is altogether a of their difficulty by obtaining the separation of
healthy thing. We are now encouraged to believe the two provinces under the cover of a general
that, by the adoption of two or three peculiar clauses Federation. These are in substance the views re-
in the Metropolitan Houseless Poor Bill, the reproach presented in the letter upon which we lately corn-
of mendicancy will be altogether swept from the mented, and the justice of that representation is
streets of London, providing- the bill passes into law since amply confirmed. We need not repeat the
and the authorities are faithful to its provisions. The arguments which we urged at that time in answer to
grand panacea is found in the granting of enlarged these narrow and one-sided motives. Of course
powers to the police, whereby the latter will be New Brunswick would have to give up something,
enabled to convey all destitute persons not having and it is easy to make out a respectable list of
committed or being charged with any offence punish- disadvantages ; the question, as in all such cases,
able by law, to the nearest casual ward or work- ;is whether these are not more than balanced
house, where such persons will find shelter, and , by advantages, and of these latter we do not read
where they will receive some measure of relief. It that any account has been made. What may
is expected, on the other hand, that being thus ' be the object of the Canadians is not worth discus-
enabled to provide for what may be termed the de- sion. Half the useful things that are done in the
serving members of the vagrant class, the police will world are done from selfish motives under the cover
supplement the process by taking before the magis- of larger designs. There is, however, one of these
trates all who are mere professional beggars andim- arguments which seems to us to be refuted in great
postors. This they might have done long ago, and measure by the maritime colonists themselves. They
so far as concerns the plan of handing over the have, they say, no common commercial interests
really destitute to the parish authorities, even that with Canada. But, at the same time, they are
has been a legal and practicable duty on the part of clamouring eagerly for the completion of the Inter-
the police during the temporary operation of the colonial Railroad. What can be the use of such a
Houseless Poor Act. The President of the Poor- railroad if they neither have, nor wish to have,
law Board recently stated in Parliament that in the commercial relations with Canada ? For our part,
case of the Strand Union an arrangement had been we can conceive nothing more desirable than the
made between the guardians and the police, whereby establishment of such relations, and to encourage
the police-station became a species of relieving office them might be one of the most beneficial results of
where tickets were distributed conferring the right the proposed Federation. There is probably, how-
of admission to the casual ward. The same provi- ever, a further and still less satisfactory reason for
sion was available for all the metropolitan parishes, this disposition of the Maritime Provinces. We
and Sir Richard Mayne had announced that three noticed in the letter of " Union" the other day that
constables would be placed at the disposal of each scarcely anything was said of the importance of the
board of guardians for such purpose. Only one union, Federation as a means of defence. That is one of
however, took advantage of the offer, and it is corn- the chief motives urged by the Canadian Govern-
plained that the streets still swarm with beggars, and ment, and is one of the principal reasons why the
did so while the temporary act was supposed to be scheme is thought desirable in this country. It seems,
in full operation. At the same time, we make no however, to have little weight in the Maritime Pro-
question that that the amended bill, if passedintolaw, vinces. The fact is, they do not feel the danger,
will be far more perfect than that which existed and are not so sensible of the sacrifices which
during the past winter, and the results will be more threaten them as Canada is ; and this, probably,
complete. After all the boasting which inaugurated for two reasons. In the first place, as Canada
the defunct measure, it is palpable that from some is the principal colony, they may think that it
caue or other it fell short of its promise. In the case would be the main object of attack and the chief
of three important parishes the relief was so niggard sufferer in a war. Newfoundland, indeed, and
that the expense has been disallowed, on the ground Prince Edward Island may perhaps delude them-
that the act has not been complied with. In two selves with the notion that they are sufficiently pro-
of these cases—St. Mary, Rotherhithe, and St. tected by the sea. But there is a further reason
George the Martyr, Southwark—it was shown by still. They have a notion that we might, without
Mr. Henley in the recent debate, that the mode in serious danger, decline to defend Canada, but that
which the poor creatures were " packed" away, was, we should find it absolutely necessary to hold at
to say the least of it, highly objectionable on the all cost the Maritime Provinces, as affording us
score of health. But for the fact that it was winter our only naval station in the North American
instead of summer a case of asphyxia might have waters. They suppose, therefore, that we shall be
been expected. In St. George's, Southwark, it would sure to defend them, whatever they may do for
appear by the returns that the women were not themselves. Moreover, out of the small and sparse
allowed sufficient space to lie side by side upon the population of the minor colonies it would be ab-
floor ; and it was suggested by the hon. member surd for us to expect the formation of any effective
who drew attention to the fact that these recipients militia, and therefore, so long as they retain their
of parochial hospitality must have laid one upon feeble individuality, they fancy themselves secure
another, somewhat after the fashion of " candles in from all the ordinary sacrifices of independence. If
a shop window." Turning, however, from the con- they were incorporated with one large Federation,
templation of these horrors, we are flattered with they would have to contribute their proportion both
the expectation that destitution is at last to be of men and money. It will be strange if the recent
vigorously dealt with—so far as concerns the me- debates on Canadian defences do not show them
tropolis. The shameless scamp who hates work and that these calculations are entirely mistaken. What
simulates misery must fly from the capital, or points of the Maritime Provinces it might be neces-
Policeman X will take him by the arm and do his sary for us to hold in the event of war with the
best to get him lodged in gaol. This, we say, might United States need not be considered. It is certain
have been done before ; but the mere fact that there that it would be unnecessary to hold the whole of
was no certain relief for destitution practically un- their territory, and that from a military point of
nerved the arm of the law, and beggary was gene- view it woulLl be undesirable. If ever we attempted
rally winked at, though occasionally punished. to defend either Canada or New Brunswick, it would
Now there is to be no more of it—the poor law at only be in the event of the colonists displaying so
last is to relieve us of this pest. The suffering poor resolute and high-spirited a determination to defend
are to be taken under shelter, and the scamps are to their soil that we should feel bound in honour to
be left for the gaoler. Encouraged by the perma- support them even at a great sacrifice. For the sake
nency of the law, the metropolitan parishes are ex- merely of maintaining our ultimate possession of
pected to prepare sufficient wards, and the very sight the colonies it would be unnecessary, and probably
of a beggar is to be unknown in the streets of London. very imprudent, to adopt such a course. In any
We wishit may comet° pass; butwe have our doubts. case, such a system of defence must be for all the
The deserving poor must be really cared for, for this North British Provinces together. If, in short, these
purging of our thorougnfares can only be accom- colonies ever wish us to defend their whole soil, they
phshed by a process which will multiply the deaths must combine in a general organisation and in
by starvation which now horrify us so often in the mutual assistance. These unsatisfactory revelations
records of the coroner's court. The question arises— could not come at a more opportune moment than
Will the guardians allow effective relief ? The fact when we are considering what course to take with
is, that at the present time the poor rates have to be regard to Canadian defence. It is plain that Canada
largely supplemented by the hand of private charity. is not the only colony which will think itself entitled
Not only do we find the casual wards of the work- in the event of war to special and complete protec-
houses opened under the provisions of a general me- tion from all the consequences of invasion, and with
tropolitan rate, but at the same time the " refuges" the whole force of the Empire. We must make up
and " asylums," provided by the voluntary benevo- our minds, once for all, whether we will admit any
lence of the public, are in full operation, receiving such claim. If the Canadians think that because the
more than 27,000 persons during the month of Empire would suffer in Canada we should be bound
January. It is notorious that in the case of paupers to defend it there, we should recommend the depu-
receiving regular out-door relief the allowance is tation which is about to come over here to take a
often so small as scarcely to pay for the rent of the few lessons in boxing. They would then learn that
miserable room in which the recipient dwells. But one of the first maxims of self-defence is not to put
for private beneficence, either the poor rates must your hand wherever you are hit or expect to be hit.
rise or many of the poor must perish. The clergy of If the French invaded Ireland, and we thought we
those parishes which contain a large leaven of the could better make them loose their hold by,a counter
working classes can tell sorrowful tales of the desti- invasion of France than by fighting a battle in Con-
tution which they are compelled to witness, and for nemara, we should certainly never listen to such
the relief of which they are perpetually imploring nonsense as that every man in Connaught had a
funds from the rich and charitable. The poor law right to protection from the enemy. From the
administers but a part of the relief which is required Peloponnesian War downwards, it has always been
for the sustenance of those who from sickness, the hardest part of a General's duty to persuade his
widowhood, or other causes, are rendered really des- countrymen that the half is often better than the
titute. Many a half-starved woman carries on a whole, and that even to abandon everything for the
practical mendicancy under the guise of selling time may be the best means of regaining everything
some trifling articles which she carries in her hands in the end. But it is a lesson which must be sooner
from house to house. If this be vagrancy the law or later learnt, and the House of Commons ought
dare not touch it ; for if it is to be prevented to have the courage, if necessary, to enforce it upon
there must be a wondrous enlargement in the the colonies.
amount of out-door relief, or else in the size of our

metropolitan workhouses, unless we are to build
bigger prisons, and shut up the destitute out of our
sight along with thieves and veritable vagabonds.
At the same time, we have no objection to the
experiment on which Mr. Villiers seems so san-
guine.
ine Some good will come of it, no doubt. It
will throw the plumb-line a little deeper, and show
yet more distinctly how far we have come short of
a law which really helps the destitute while it
frowns upon the idle and disorderly. The tempo-
rary nature of the relief offered under the proposed
system is one defect. Destitution is a slow fever,
and is not soon over. There is misery in this
mighty London which needs a very patient and dis-
criminating hand for its successful treatment. We

COUNTRY MARKETS

HULL.--TUESDAY.
At our market to-day there was a rather limited supply
of English wheat which met a heavy sale at a decline of 10
per qr.—red. 368 to 3781 white, 42s to 43s per 5041 b.
Foreign held with firmness, although much neglected.
Barley rather cheaper. Peas very scarce. Beans fully as
dear. Oats in demand, at is per qr. advance. The arrivals
of linseed during the week were very large, being 10,239
qrs., principally from Calcutta.

SALISBURY.—TUESDAY.
At to-day's market a moderately good supply of wheat
was shown as regards quantity, but samples out of condi-
tion. Barley in favour of buyers. - For oats there was
better inquiry, and rather higher prices were paid. Beans
dearer, and peas firm at previous currencies. For flour
there was the usual inquiry.
The following are present prices :—Wheat realised from
36s to 42s ; barley, 23s to 29s ; oats, 19s to 28s ; beans, 40s
to 46s ; and peas, 34s to 48s per qr. Winter tares, from 8s
to lls per bushel ; Best bread, 10d ; household ditto, 9d
per 81b loaf.

have great faith in the operation of our voluntary
institutions. The money placed in the hands of the
clergyman of an east end parish goes far more
directly to the relief of the poor than the so much
per pound which is paid in obedience to the demand
of the overseer. The poor rate is a compound
article, only a small portion of which goes towards
filling the belly or clothing the back of the hungry
and ragged Lazarus who appears at the gate. There
are those who boast of the poor law ; but to this
hour the relief of the poor is very largely dependent
on other hands than those of the parish officer. The
police are now called to the rescue; and we are told
to expect great things when the man of the trun-
cheon helps to distribute the parish loaf. The beg-
gars are to vanish, and we hope they may; but we
have no doubt that destitution will yet remain, and
we are rather doubtful whether even the beggars will
be got rid of. No modification of the poor law will
be successful until the guardians are able and willing
to afford effective relief.
TIMES.—The result of the elections, in New Bruns-
wick is now completely known, and it is quite as
adverse to the prospects of Confederation as was
anticipated in the letter which we recently noticed.
Out of the 41 members who compose the Assembly
30 are returned in opposition to the scheme, so that
its rejection must be expected by a majority of three
to one. There is reason to fear that this unfortu-
nate result will greatly affect the decision of Nova
Scotia, and Newfoundland, it is said, will require
the exercise of considerable influence to insure the
success of the proposal. In short, there can, we
fear, be little doubt that the prospects of the
scheme were at first represented to us in too flatter-
ing colours. It was said to have the approval of
the Colonial Governments and of the principal
members of the Oppositions. We are now told that,
at least in New Brunswick, it was only approved by
a majority of the Government, and that if the
leading members of Opposition assented they ex-
pressed no opinion but their own. Under such cir-
cumstances the project must probably be considered
to have failed for the time, and indeed we lately
published the intelligence that one of the Govern-
ments had already assumed its failure, and had pro-
posed to proceed instead with the scheme for the
legislative union of the Martime Provinces, which
was already under formal discussion last year,
when the larger scheme was started. To any such
scheme, however, even if completely arranged be-
tween the Maritime Provinces, the assent of the
Home Government would, of course, be necessary,
and we should be justified in refusing our consent to
a partial Union when a wider, and therefore more
complete, Federation has been proposed, and has
been heartily accepted by the most important of the
colonies. If the New Brunswickers and other colo-
nists reject so peremptorily a proposal which we
think desirable, they could have no reason to com-
plain if we acted from Imperial considerations in a
similar way. The motives of their perverse determi-
nation are but too evident. There is plainly, in the
first place, a keen jealousy of Canada, and a very
strong dislike to any plan by which the minor Pro-
vinces would become liable to the influence of the
larger colony. The New Brunswickers say they are
very good friends with the Canadians, and wish to
remain' so, but that is no reason why they should
enter into a partnership with them. They have,
they say, no common commercial interests, and it
may be added that the present establishment of a

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.--TrEsnAr.
There was a small supply of wheat from the growers,
and only a moderate quantity coastwise, with nothing from
abroad.. Trade ruled dull. Barley, being scarce, was is
per qr. higher; both for malting and feeding, Malt, beaus,
and peas 6d to is dearer. Oats is advance. Flour was 6d
lower.
Northumberland wheat sold from 32s to 44; Norfolk and
Suffolk, 39s to 458 ; Dantsie, 398 to 46s ; oats, '2ls to 26s ;
barley, 26s to 318 ; beans, 36s to 40s; rye, 27s to 365; malt,
ois to 62s per qr. ; flour, 26s to 28s per sack.
The averages were—wheat, 40s ld.; barley, Us Od;
oats, 21s 7d ; and beans, per quarter.

At to-day' LYNN.—TUESDAY.
demand s market the show of wheat was limited, the
was slow, and where sales were made a reduction
of 6d to is per qr. had to be submitted to. Several of our
large growers refused to sell unless at last week's prices.
Barley, beans, and,oats were the turn in favour of sellers.
New wheat, 44s to 47s ; new red, 38s to 39s ; old white,
41s to 42s ; old red, 38s to39s per 36 stone. Barley for
malting, 33s to 36s ; secondary, 30s ; ordinary, 26s to 280
per qr. Oats, 22a to 245-per 24 stone. Beans, large, 350
to 86s ; Small, 37s -to 408 per 38 stone: •

MARKET HARBOROTIGH.—TVESDAY.
At to-day's market the supply of wheat was not over
large, and the trade was quiet. Barley steady. Oats firm.
—New white wheat, 40s 'to 44s ; new red, 37s to 40s per 36
stone. Barley, fine, 345; other' kinds, 26s to 28s.per qr.
Oats, new, 19s to 23s ; old, 25s to 28s per qr. Bean; old,
40s to 425; new, 34s to 38s per qr.