The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-05 00:00:00

CLERKEN WELL.

Several poor creatures in wretched distress applied
to Mr. Tyrwhitt, for advice how to proceed in order
to obtain relief from their parish, St. Andrew's,
Holborn.

Oue woman said that her husband had died in the
workhouse, and she had been relieved by the overseer
of St. Andrew's, Holborn, and was well known there.
On Wednesday morning last she went to the work-
house to ask for relief, and she remained there from
an early hour until five o'clock in the evening without
any sustenance, and perishing with cold, when she
was admitted into the workhouse, but nothing was
done for her, and she was turned out into the street.
Mr. TYRWHITT said if her statement was true it
was too bad, and he ordered Mr. Nesbitt, the usher;
to proceed to the workhouse immediately, and request
the attendance of Mr. Wilkes, the relieving-officer,
who shortly afterwards made his appearance.
Mr. TYAWIIITT explained to him the nature of the
application.
Mr. Wilkes knew the applicant, and said that her
case could be answered in one word. She knew the
rules of the establishment as well as he did himself.
The board of guardians sat on particular days ;
Wednesday was a busy day, on which they had to
paypensions, and they could not leave off to attend
Ithe, numerous applications made to them ; but an
asylum was open for their reception, and it was the
rule,that ' inquiries should be made into each case
befdre relief could be given.
Mr. TYRWHJTT said, he could not make it out why
those,belonging to the parish, applying:t• the relieving
overseer, should be told that nothing should be done
for them, and be kept perishing the whole day in the
street, in such weather as this, and to be turned out
entire 'workhouse and left to starve because it was
their rule to make inquiries. It was the fault of the
board of guardians, who ought to have some addi-
tional force, in order that the poor might be properly
attended to.

Mr. Wilkes said, it was necessary to have their
rules, and, if not attended to, they would be inun-
dated with such cases. He and the whole of the
officers were engaged all the day, and they could do
no mere thatt they had done.
Mr. TYRWHITT—Then poor persons belonging to
your parish may starve on those days that you are
engaged ! Would not the ratepayers in a body con-
demn such a practice ? Why are the poor-rates paid
but to relieve the poor? If they are not properly
attended to it is nothing but an arbitrary tax upon
the public.

Mr. Wilkes—lf we did not adopt the practice of
inquiry we should be liable to a series of impositions.
Mr. TYRwHITT—Then what would be done if a
person applied to you in a state of destitution and
starvation ?

Mr. Wilkes—Oh, if they were in absolute destitu-
tion and starvation they would be taken into the house
directly.
Mr.TTR*IIITT—The fact is that the ratepayers are
made to pay, and their pockets are heavily dipped
into, and if the poor are not properly attended to,
they in return might say, " Then we won't pay the
rates." He again said they ought to have extra force
for the purpose of paying proper attention to the poor,
and it was too bad Ito suffer them to remain in the
street near the workhouse all day in such an incle-
ment season, and then to have nothing done for
them, but left to starve during the interim of making
inquiries. He hoped this would be altered, and the
present cases attended to.
Mr. 'Wilkes promised to attend to them, and the
applicants left the court.