The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-21 00:00:00

THE POOR-LA 1P AND CHARITY.

A meeting, under the auspices of the Social
Science Association, was held at the rocens of the
Society of Arts last night to hear and diQcuss a
paper on "The best means of obtaining concerted
action between representatives of the Poor law and
private charity respectively." The chair was occu-
pied by Mr. T. CharnberA, M.P., and amongst those
present were the Earl of Lichfield, 1)r. Stallard,
Mr. Talbot, M.P., members of boards of guardians,
and others interested in the question.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the paper had been
written as a compromise betwe n several parties,
and was not to be taken as binding upon any-
body.
Mr. ALSAGER Him read the paper, which had,
be said, been prepared by practical men connected
with the administration of the Poor-law. The
views expressed in it were that either directly
or indirectly supplementary relief must be
given until a more complete classification of
paupers can be effected. The Poor-law, police,
charitable, and general agencies were at present
working not in concert, but in opposition to each
other, and so had failed to accomplish their pur-
pose. Excellent as the law might be in providing
for the necessities of the poor, it failed altogether
to promote habits of economy and self-dependence,
and it therefore needed reforming. Then came the
question whether the existing supplementary agen-
cies were to continue in opposition to the Poor-law
authorities, or should work with them. Paupers
were of two classes—the temporary or casual, and
the chronic or permanent ; and it was held that
under the existing system a man who casually falls
into pauperism was likely to become demoralised
by association with older and less honest prac-
titioners. It was maintained, therefore, that
the law should relieve absolute necessity only,
and that further aid should be given, as in
eases of sickness, by private charity, thy, object of
which should be to set the recipient on foot again,
and urge him to gain his own living and to make
provision for the future. The question as to chro-
nic pauperism should be reduced to one of discri-
mination and combination of agencies legal and
voluntary. lie would advise that the part of the
minute recommending the printing of a list should
be adhered to, and that there should be every op-
portunity for those engaged in the relief of the
poor to know the proceedings of others similarly
engaged. As a detail the establishment of work
rooms for those requiring relief was advised, the
workers to be paid out of the charity funds. To-
wards such a house for the reception of women to
sew, the guardians should be required to contribute
at the same rate as if the women were still at their
own homes. To effect this half the amount spent
in iudiscrithinate relief would, if properly applied,
be more than sufficient. Those who would not
avail themselves of the work rooms should be com-
pelled to go to the workhouse, unless absolutely
incapable .of useful labour. It was believed that
this system would effect an entire change of the
demoralising agencies at present in operation.
Mr. ALEXANDER THWAITES7 of 11,!ading, gave an
account of the system adopted in that town, by
which pauper boys were drafted from the union
through district schools into useful employment.
Dr. ROGERS said that, seeing that the average
earnings of the working
classes
twelve and sixpence per vvt.ek, there
onlydidamnootunsteetmo
to be much chance for those habits of providence
which the upper classes so highlyf yearlhraeelfo- y listmmended.
(Hear, hear.) The publication of
for relief should be urged on Mr.
(Glfotshcoliseenl,vahnodaPhrelY believed that it would be a wise
plan to leave casual mendicants to be dealt with
by the police. The increase of the cost of pauperism
since 1852 was £2,000,000, the population having
increased by 5,000,000. in Ireland the increased
cost since 1860 was £8387000.
The meeting was adjourned
untilnext Monday
week.

LADVER TISFYIENT. I—lioiloway's Oiuttueitt and Pills.—
Rheumatism and Gout. —These purifying and soothing
remedies demand the earnest attonticu of all persons liable
to rheumatism, gout, sciatica, or other painful afflictions
of the muscles, nerves, or joints. The ointment should
be applied after the affected parts have boon patiently
fomented with warm watet, when this unguent should be
diligently rubbed on the adjacent skin, unless the friction
should cause pain. Holloway's pills should be simulta
neously taken to reduce inflammation and to purify the
blood. This treatment abates the violence, and lessens the
frequency of gout rheumatism, and all spasmodic diseases
which spring from hereditary predispositions, or from any
accidental weakness of constitution. The ointment checks
the local gialedy—tllopille ream the vitel power.