The Sun.
London, England, 1834-02-24 00:00:00

MR. HARVEY'S MOTION.

LIST of the SIXTY-ONE MEMBERS of the COUNTIES of
MIDDLESEX, SUSSEX, SURREY and KENT,
Who voted on Mr. Harvey's Motion, on the 18th of February,
for art inquiry into the Pension List ; and also noticing
those absent. _

MIDDLESEX.
-Byng, George:
Hume, Joseph'
Grant, Right Hon. Robert
,Spank e, Mr. Sergeant
Wood, Alderman
Grote, George
Crawford, William ......
,Lyall, George
Home, Sir William
Whalley, Sir Samuel
`Clay, IA illiam
Lushington, Dr. r
'Burdett, Sir Francis
Evans, Colonel
U REY.
Briscoe, J. I.
Beauclerk, A. W
'Denison, W. J.
Leech, John
'Nlangles, James
Wall, C. B
`Tennyson, Right Hon. C..
Hawes, Benjamin
;Eastnor, Viscount
;-Broughain, William "
LHumphery, John
,USSEX.
Cavendish, C. C.
Curteis, H..
Surrey, Earl of
Lennox, Lord John
%Stuart, Lord Dudley
-Faithful, George
Wigney, Isaac
Smith, J. A.
!Lennox, Lord A
.Hurst, R. H.
;-K mp, T. R.
jßlunt, Sir C. It.
Hastings
tWarre, J. A
Midhurst Spencer, Captain3F
Rye Curteis, E. B
Shoreham SBurrell, Sir C. M
Goring, Harry D
_KENT.

County

Finsbury

London

hlarylebone

Tower Hamlets....

Westminster
County....
West.

Guildford

Lambeth
Reigate
Southwark

East...
County ....
West.

Arundel
Brighton .......

Chichester
Horsham
Lewes

East ..
County....
West.

Canterbury
Chatham
Dover

Groan ich .....
Ifythe
Maidstone

Rochester

Sandwich:

'Knatchbull, Sir Edward
Plumptre, J.
*Hodges, T. L.
Rider, Thomas
`Watson, Hon. It.
Fordwich, Lord
:Moberly, W. L.
'Reid, Sir 3. R.
Halcomb, John
Dundas, Captain
Barnarn, E. G.
:Marjoribanks,
-Robarts, A. W
Bal nett, C. J
`Bernal, Ralph
Mills, John
i'Marryatt, Joseph
LTroubridge, Sir E. T.

notion

For the
Against ..
Absent ..

26
21
14
-61

Total

The Prefect of Police has issued an order
that all Parisian theatres shall be closed at eleven o'clock.
When that hour arrives, the curtain is to fall, and if the
audience do not immediately retire, the police is to force them
into the street.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT A LATE MEETING
of REVERENDS and RIGHT REVERENDS.

Resolved,—to stick to every particle
Of every Creed and every Article.
Reforming nought, or great or little,
We'll stanchly stand by " every tittle (1),"
And scorn the swallow of that soul
Which cannot boldly bolt the whole.

Resolved,—that, though St. Athanasius
In damning souls is rather spacious,—
Though wide and far his curses fall,
Our. Church "bath stomach for them all ;"
And those who're not content with such,
We wish them d—d ten times as much.

Resolved,—such liberal souls are we,—
Though hating Nonconformity,
We yet believe the cash no worse is
That comes from Nonconformist parses.
Indifferent whence the money reaches
The pockets of our reverend breeches,
To us the Jumper's jingling penny
Chinks with a tone as sweet as any;
And ev'n our old friends Yea and Nay
May thrcugh the nose for ever pray,
If also through the nose they'll pay.
Resolved,—that Hooper (2), Latimer (3),
And Cranmer (4), all extremely err,
In taking such a low-bred view
Of what Lords Spiritual ought to do :
All owing to the fact, poor men,
That Mother Church was modest then,
Nor knew what golden eggs her goose,
The Public, would in time produce.
One Pisgah peep at modern Durham
To far more lordly thought would stir 'em.

Resolved,—that when we, Spiritual Lords,
Whose income just enough affords
To keep our Spiritual Lordships cozy,
Are told, by antiquarians prosy,
How ancient Bishops put up theirs,
Giving the poor the largest shares,—
Our answer is, in one short word,
We think it pious, but absurd.
Those good men made the world their debtor ;
But we, the Church Reformed, know better ;
And, taking all that all can pay,
Balance th' account the other way.

Resolved, our thanks profoundly due are
To last month's Quarterly Reviewer,
Who proves (by arguments so clear
One sees how much he holds per year)
That England's Church, though out of date,
Must still be left to lie in state,
As dead, as rotten, and as grand as
The mummy of King Osymandyas,
All pickled snug,—the brains drawn out (5),—
Fine, costly cerements swathed about,—
And " Touch me not," those words terrific,
Scrawled o'er her in good hieroglyphic.—Timea.

(I) One of the questions propounded to the Puritans in 1573
was—" Whether the Book of Service was good and godly, every

tittle grounded onHoly Scripture ?" On Which an honest Dis_
senter remarks—" Surely they had a wonderful opinion of their
Service Book that there was not a tittle amiss in it.
(2) " They," the Bishops, " know that the primitive Church
had no such Bishops. If the fourth part of the Bishopric re-
mained unto the Bishop, it were sutlicient."— On the Com-
mandments, p.
(3) "Since the Prelates were made Lords and Nobles, the
plough standeth, there is no work done, the people starve."—
Lot. &rm. . .

„..
(4) ” Of whom have come all these glorious titles, styles, and
pomps, into the Church. But I would that I, and all my bre-
thren, the Bishops, would leave all our styles, and write the
styles of our offices," &c.—Life of Cranmer, by Strype,Appendiz.
(5) Part of the process of embalmment.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.

The King's Hounds meet on Friday at Iver.
The Norfolk Hounds meet on Thursday at the Kennel—at
half past 10.
Mr.Villebois's Harriers meet on Wednesday at Mr. Abbott's
Castleacre; Friday, at Fryar's Thorns—at 11.
The Knapton Harriers meet on Friday at Walcot—at 11.
Mr. Dansey's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Radcliffe ; Fri-
day, at Annesley Lodge—at 11.
Mr. Drake's Hounds meet on Tuesday at Souldern Gate;
Thursday, at Barton Common ; Saturday, at Bicester Windmill
—at halt past 10.
Lord Radnor's Hounds meet on Friday, at Tyfield Tree.
Mr. Moreton's Hounds meet tomorrow at Stonehill Wood;
Saturday, at Fairfold.
Mr. Fane's Harriers meet on Wedesnday at Crowell ; Friday,
at Wapsgrave Lane.
Mr. L. Stone's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Stoke, near
Tetsworth.

The Sandbeck Hounds meet on Wednesday at Maltby ; Satur-
day, at the Kennel—at half past 10.
The Holderness Hounds meet onThursday, at Burton Agnes ;
Saturday, at Lockington—at 11.
Mr. Osbaldeston's Hounds meet on Wednesday, at Welton
Place; Friday, at Sibbertoft ; Saturday, at Harrington—at a
quarter before 11.
The Duke of Grafton's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Stoke
Bruern Park; Friday, at Litchborough—at half-past 10.
Mr. Berkeley's Hounds meet on Tuesday at the Kennel ;
Thursday, at Snelson Turnpike ; Saturday, at Hail Weston—
at half past 10.
Mr. Goodricke's Hounds meet on Thursday, at Armsby ;
Friday, at Stanton Wyerle—at a quarter before 11.

The Atherstone Hounds meet on Thursday, at High Cross;
Saturday, at Wharton Village—at 11.
The Duke of Rutland's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Eas-
ton Hall; Friday, at Cold Harbour—at half past 10.
The Duke of Cleveland's Hounds meet on Friday at Winstone
Bridge—at 11.
Lord Harewood's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Hook
Moor; Friday at Bickerton Bar—at half past 10.
Lord Middleton's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Lobster
House; Friday, at Millinton—at half.past 10.
The York and Ainsty Hounds meet on Thursday at Sessay ;
Saturday, at Whixley—at half-past 10.

The Galewood Hounds meet on Wednesday at Rodes Whin ;
Friday, at Longridge—at 10.
The Hurl% orth Hounds meet on Friday at Low Middleton—
at 10.

The Sinnington Hounds meet on Friday at Woollah--at 9.
The Bedale Hounds meet on Wednesday at Moulton Village;
Friday, at Busby Stoop—at half past 10.
The Cleveland Hounds meet on Friday at Upsall—at half
past 10.
The Lambton Hounds meet on Thursday at Great Stainton ;
Friday, at Stotfold—at 11.
The Badsworth Hounds meet on Thursday at Womersley
Park; Saturday, at Ringston Hill—at half-past 10.
The Northumberland Hounds meet on Wednesday at Bolsam
—at half-past 10.

The Haydon Hounds meet on Wednesday at Glendhue ; Sa-
turday, at West Banks—at 9.
The Boroughbridge Harriers meet on Friday at York Gate—
at half-past 10.
The N. F. Hounds meet on Thursday at Stony Cross; Satur-
day at Beaulieu Manor House—at half past 10.
Mr. Codrington's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Eastwell,
near Potterue ; Friday, at Great Ridge, Heytesbury Riding-10.
Colonel Wyndham's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Coster's
Mill; Friday, at Gelhurst Park—at half past 11.
The Vine Hounds meet on Thursday at Worting—at half past
10 ; Saturday, at Chinham—at half past 11.

The Craven Hounds meet on Wednesday at Minal Borders;
Friday, at Chilton Lodge; Saturday, at Donnington Castle—at
half past 10.
The H. H. Hounds meet on Thursday at Nutley Church ;
Saturday, at Northington Down—at 10.
The Llantilio Hounds meet on Friday at Talycoed—at 9.
Sir John Cope's Hounds meet on Wednesday at the King's
Kennel, Ascot Heath ; Friday, at Riseley Mill—at half past 10.

The Chesterfield Harriers meet on Friday at Woodthorpe
Mill—at half past 9.

The Slaley Hounds meet on Wednesday at East Dipton; Sa.
turday, at Cocklake—at J.
The Morpeth Harriers meet on Friday at Catchburn—at 10.
The Alnwick Hounds meet on Thursday at Lesbury—at 10.
The Ashdown Forest Hounds meet oh Friday at Coldman's
Hatch—at a quarter before 11.
Mr. Phillips's Hounds meet on Thursday at Trebartha Vil-
lage—at 10.

Mr. Murray's Hounds mee on Thursday at Springkell—at
half past 10.
The Duke of Buccleuch's Hounds meet on Friday at the
; Saturday, at Legerwood—at half past 10.

The Pembrokeshire Hounds meet on Wednesday at Ford
Bridge; Friday, at the Race Course.
The Newent Harriers meet on Thursday at Okle ; Saturday,
at the Kennel—at half past 10.
Mr. Barnard's Harriers meet on Thursday at the Dragon,
Corse Lawn ; Saturday, at Pamington Furze.
Mr. Peel's Harriers meet on Thursday at the Hurdles—at 10,
The Llanblethian Harriers meet on Wednesday at Cowbridge
East Gate; Saturday, at St. Mary Hill.

It is already generally known, that whenever
questions which Ministers deem important are expected to
come on for discussion in the House of Commons, notes are
sent from the Treasury to the usual supporters of the Govern-
ment, requesting their attendance on such occasions. We are
assured that no intimation to that effect was given to the
Ministerial Members on Friday, and it was not until late at
night, and within a very short period of the division on the.
Marquis of Chandos's motion, that any effort was made to col-
lect them. Much was effected in that brief interval by the
activity of Captain Gronow, the Member for Stafford. It is to
be hoped, however, that the result of Friday's proceedings will
afford a salutary warning, and that the public will not, by a
recurrence of such displays, be led into the belief that the
Government is weak, when the real state of the case is, that its
agents in the House of Commons ,have omitted to take the
usual course for procuring the attendance of its friends. Lest
it might be supposed that in what we have said on this subject,
we intended to insinuate a charge of neglect against Mr.
Charles Wood, the Secretary of the Treasury, we think it right
to state, and we do so with regret, that Mr. Wood was unable
to attend to his Parliamentary duties on Thursday or Friday, in
consequence of the afflicting illness of his only child.—
Observer.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE POOR

LAW COMMISSIONERS.

A copy of the report made to his Majesty by the cons
missioners appointed to inquire into the administration and
operation of the laws for the relief of the poor has beer
put into our hands, unaccompanied, however, by the evi
dense on which it is founded. The report itself fills c
folio volume of not less than 215 pages—whilst the evi-
dence, which is not yet published, is said to extend ov.•t
five thick folio volumes, containing upwards of 500 page,
each. In the short interval which has elapsed since th•
report reached us, we have not been able to give it 'wire
than a cursory perusal. We find it to consist of two
parts—one detailing the abuses of the poor laws—tht
other the remedies which the commissioners recommend tt
he applied to those abuses. A= the public, partly from
its own experience, and partly front the evidence alreaA
published by the commissioners, is now pretty welt aware
of the nature and extent of the evils denounced in th,
first part of this report, we shall not refer to them at pre-
sent, but shall confine our attention to the remedial me,-
sures which are suggested in its second part, as the means
of alleviating and removing the pressure of those evils.
When we state that there are spread over 80 closely
printed folio pages 22 distinct propositions for importan
changes in the poor laws, we state sufficient to convinct
•'ur read rs that it is impossible for us to spare room it
our columns for any thing but a very brief and meagre
abstract of the various rea•ons which-the co:ronissioners
urge in deftnce anti support of their recommendations.
We shall therefore content ourselves with stating tiles,
recommendations in the words of the commissioners
themselves, and with describing with th, utmost concise-
ness the objects which they are intended to accomplish,
as well as we can discern them from the langnage of the
report.
I. The commissioners commence by declaring that the indi-
gent alone come within the province of the law, and that the
principle on which relief ought to be administered to the indi-
gent is, that the condition of the pauper shall in no case be so
eligible as the condition of the independent labourer of
the lowest class. They argue that the immediate effects pro-
duced by the application of this principle, are the conversion
of the able-bodied paupers into independent labourers, and
the reduction of the parochial expenditure—that these
effects are soon afterwards followed by a rise in the wages
of labour—that this arrests the increase of population, and
that it thus produces an increase of content and a dimi-
nution of crime among the labourers. Supposing this to
be correct, they say that results, so important afford sufil.
dent ground for the general introduction of the principle of
edministration under which those results have been produced.
They therefore submit, as the general principle of legislation
on this subject in the present condition of the country, that
those modes of administering relief which are represented to
have been tried wholly or partially, and have produced bene-
ficial effects in some districts, be introduced with modifications
according to local circumstances, and be carried into comp'ete
execution in all. They say that the practice of giving relief
in well-regulated workhouses, and the abolition of all partial
relief, has been tried and found beneficial, and their first re-
commendation therefore is, " that, except as to medical atten-
dance and subject to the exception respecting apprenticeship
hereinafter stated (see recommendation 10), all relief what-
ever to the able-bodied persons, or to their families, other-
wise than in well-regulated workhouses (i. e., places where
they may be set to work according to the spirit and intention
of the 43d of Elizabeth), shall be declared unlawful, andshall
cease in manner and at periods hereinafter specified, and
that all relief afforded in respect of children under the age of
16 shall be considered as afforded to their parents." They
contend that the offer of relief on this principle will be a
self.acting test of the claim of the applicant, for if the claimant
does not comply with the terms on which relief is given to the
destitute, he will get nothing; and if he does comply, the
compliance will prove his destitution. They insist that it will
draw a broad line of distinction between the paupers and the in-
dependent labourers ; for experience, they say, has shown, that
the abolition of partial relief has induced many of those whose
wants arose from idleness to earn the means of subsistence,—
has repressed the fraudulent claims of those who had adequate
means of independent support,—and had obtained for others
assistance from their friends, who were willing to see their
relations pensioners, but were unwilling to let them become the
inmates of a workhouse. They likewise maintain that it will
remove much of the evil arising from the inability of the
distributors of relief to ascertain the indigence of the appli-
cant; and they conclude by stating, that as out-door relief is
the master evil of the present system, it must be abolished, if
we do not wish to see pauperism, with its train of mischief,
steadily advancing in every parish in the country.
11. The next subject which the Commissioners considered
was the agency by which partial relief to the able-bodied
might be abolished, and a continued administration of relief
on the principle contained in the first reeommendation might
be retained.

They commence by stating that the local authorities,
who at present have the distribution of relief, are changed
every year ;—that they are often illiterate and ignorant
men, who c to neither read nor write;—that their moives
are often as faulty as their capacity for business is deficient;
—that they are swayed by local habits, passions, and in-
terests ;—and that they are peculiarly liable to intimida•
tion, on account of the danger to which their persons and
properties are at present exposed. They therefore suggest
that these parties should be divested of all discretionary
power in the administration of relief, and " they recom-
mend the appointment of a central board to control the
administration of the poor laws, with such assistant corn-
missioners as may be found requisite ; and that the com-
missioners be empowered and directed to frame and
enfOrce regulations for the ryet nment of workhouses,
and as to the nature and amount of the relief to be given,
and the labour to be exacted in them; and that such regu-
lations shall, as far as may be practical:le, be uniform
throughout the country." Their reasons for establish-
ing this central board are, that no legislative enact-
ments can in this department of administration be
relied on as self-acting ; that tliey will be perverted
by the want of appriniate knowledge on the part
of the distributors—by their interest in abusive ad-
ministration--and by intimidation on the part of the rate-
receivers ; that some special and responsible agency is ne-
cessary to carry them into execution ; and that this agency
will be best performed by distant and independent autho-
rities, who, having no local interests or affections, would
enforce the law without feeling ill temper, and without
exciting animosity. They propose that in forming this
agency the Legislature should proceed in the same manner
as it proceeded in establishing an agency for the control
of the saving-banks and friendly societies throughout the
country. There the agency is vested in a single barrister,
Mr. Ttdd Pratt, whose duty it is to see that the rules and
regulations of benefit societies are in conformity with the
spirit and intention of the Legislature. This board, which
will have the most extensive information on the subject,
is to be invested with the same powers of making rules
and regulations which are now exercised by upwards of
15,000 unskilled and practically irresponsible authoritie.
111. The chief remedy proposed for the principal evil of the
system—the increase of the number of the able-bodied paupers
—being their reception in a well-managed workhouse, the corn.
missioners next proceeded to consider the means by which
such workhouses could be provided, and the requisite ma-
nagement enforced. They say they find that the first difficulty
arises from the small population of a large proportion of the
parishes in England and Wales. They stated that out of
15,535 parishes, 9,325 have a population of less than 300 per-
sons, and that few of these 9,325 parishes support a work-
house. They add, that out of 9,353 parishes, containing a
population varying from 300 to 800 inhabitants, the majority
possess workhouses, though they are managed inefficiently at
a very enormous expense. In the workhouses belonging to
large towns they declare that the internal divisions do not
afford the means of classification, and assert that it is thus
rendered almost impossible to prevent the formation and ex.
tension of vicious connections within them. Much improve-
ment, they admit, has been accomplished in some of these
houses of late years ; but much more, as appeared to them,
might be accomplished, and at a less expense, by dividing
the paupers into four classes, the first consisting of the aged
and really impotent, the second of children, the third of able-
bodied females, and the fourth of the able-bodied males, and
by placing them in these classes under different roofs. A se-
parate building being assigned to each class, the existing work-
houses, they say, might in most cases be made use of. For
this purpose, the parishes possessing these houses must be in-
corporated. By such means four parishes, they say, each pos-
sessing a workhouse, might at once obtain the means of the
most effectual classification, whilst it is obvious that a much
larger number might unite and obtain the advantages of whole-
sale management and good superintendence, not only without
any increase, but with a great diminution of expense. Acting
upon evidence to this effect, the commissioners recommend
" that the central board be empowered to cause any number of
parishes which they may think convenient to be incorporated
for the purpose of workhouse management, and for providing
new workhouses where necessary; to declare their workhouses
to be common workhouses of the incorporated district, and to
assign to those workhouses separate classes of poor, though
composed of the poor of distinct parishes, each distinct parish
paying to the support of the permanent workhouse establish.
ment, in proportion to the average amount of the expense
incurred for relief of its poor for the three previous years,
and paying separately for the food and clothing of its own
paupers." The commissioners add, that, though they can-
not state that there may not be some districts where
new workhouses must be erected, they have no doubt that
where this does occur the erection of appropriate edifices,
though apparently expensive, will ultimately be found eco-
nomical.

IV. One of the most prominent suggestions of those who
have written on poor law administration is, compelling the
adoption of an uniform and well-arranged system of accounts,
a provision which they often appear to consider a sufficient
check on mismanagement and peculation. There can be no
doubt that arrangements to insure completeness, uniformity,
and publicity of parochial accounts, are as requisite in this as
in any other department of public administration. The com-

missioners therefore recommend "that the central board be
empr.wered and required to take measures for the general
adoption of a complete, clear, and, as far as may be, me-
ticable, uniform system of accounts." The commissioners
state that it appars to them that new arrangements as to the
mode of transacting the business in question, and the estab-
lishment of self acting ch. cks (independent of accounts),
are equally requisite. They add, that it is one advantage of
management on a large scale, that it admits of these arrange-
ments and securities without any increase of expense. They
likewise declare that the sources of peculation will be to a
great extent extirpated by the abolition of money payments,
by the supply of goods on public contract, and by the adoption
of the checks rendered practicable by more extended ma.
nagement.

V. The commissioners declare it to be their opinion that a
further advantage of extended districts arises from the com-
parative facility of providing for the paupers useful employ-
ment. Employment of smile kind cah indeed be always pro-
vided for them : but the commissioners insist that that -em-
oloyment ought to be useful employment. They complain that
parish officers, whilst they have had sufficient labour of this
description before their doors, have resorted to the expedient
A' sending paupers on fictitious errands, with baskets full of
'tones, or blank paper directed as letters, and other devices of
the same nature, obviously intended to torment them. Such
contrivances are pernicious in the revengeful feelings which
they generate in the minds of the paupers themselves, and they
are also pernicious in exciting sympathy in behalf of the indo-
lent and vicious, and in the obstacles which they create to the
use of legitimate labour and salutary discipline. The commis-
3ioners maintain that they ought to be carefully prevented.
The association of the utility of labour to both parties, the
3mployer as well as the employed, is one which they consider
it most important to preserve and strengthen; and they deem
everything mischievous which unnecessarily gives it a repuL
sive aspect. They believe that in extended districts the re.
quisite sources of employment will Le easily found, and they
therefore recommend that " the Central Board be empowered
to incorporate parishes for the purpose of.appointing and paying
permanent officers, and for the execution of works of public
labour."

VI. The commissioners do not conceal their fears that the
appointment of efficient permanent officers will be difficult.
They therefore recommend that " the Central Board be directed
to state the general qualifications which shall be necessary to
candidates for paid offices connected with the relief of the poor,
to recommend to parishes and incorporations proper persons to
act as paid officers, and to remove any paid officers whom they
shall think unfit for their situations."

VII. The alteration of some portions of the existing law
with respect to contracts for the supply of food and other ne-
cessaries to the workhouses is declared to be requisite, to pro-
tect the public from continued jobbing, fraud, and mismanage-
ment. It is also necessary to facilitate a change, which in
many districts will be more strenuously opposed by the few who
will lose than supported by the many, who will gain by more
rigid management. The commissioners therefore recommend,
that " the Central Board be empowered to direct the parochial
consumption to be supplied by tender and contract, and to pro-
vide that the competition be perfectly free."
VIII. Direct embezzlement must also be guarded against
more effectually than while left to voluntary prosecution.
It is in vain to expect men to proceed on public grounds
Against their own neighbours, friends, or connexions. The
commissioners therefore recommend, that " the Central Board
be empowered and required to act in such cases as public pro-
secutors."

In closing tbieir remarks on this recommendation, the
commissioners observe, that " the whole evidence proves
hat if a Central Board be appointed, consisting of fit por-
.ons, and armed with powers to carry into general effect
he measures which have been so successful wherever they
hate been tried, the ex penditui e for the relief of the poor will
n a very 811111 period he reduced by more than one-third."

IX. Complaints have been received by the commissioners
from all parts of the country, that large classes of persons who
obtain, during particular seasons, such wages as would enable
them to maintain themselves and their families until the return
of the season of work, and provide by insurance against sickness
and other casualties, spend the whole of their earnings as fast
as they receive them, and, when out of work, throw themselves
and their families on the parish, and remain chargeable till the
period of high wages returns. To meet the evil generated in
this manner, the commissioners recommend that, " under re-
gulations to be framed by the Central Board, parishes be em-
powered to treat any relief afforded to the able-bodied or to their
families, and any expenditure in the workhouses, or otherwise
incurred on their account, as a loan, and recoverable not only
by the means given by the 29th section of the 59th of George
111., c. 12, but also by attachment of their subsequent wages, in
a mode resembling that pointed out in the 30th, 31st, and 32d
sections of that act."

X. In the first recommendation of the Commissioners, by
which partial relief to the families of the able-bodied was pro-
hibited, it was proposed that relief by apprenticing should, to a
certain extent, be exempted from that prohibition. It is a mode
of relief expressly pointed out by the 43d of Elizabeth, and is
much Interwoven with the habits of the people in many dis-
tricts. The information which the commission received upon
this point was less than that which they received upon any
other. The commissioners therefore recommend that " the
Central Board be empowered to make such regulations as they
shall think fit respecting the relief to be afforded by appren-
ticing children, and that at a future period, when the effect of
the proposed alteration shall have been seen, the Central Board
be required to make a special inquiry into the operation of the
laws respecting the apprenticing children at the expense of pa-
rishes, and into the operation of the regulations in that respect
which the Bard shall have enforced."
XI. It appears from the evidence collected by the commis.
sioners, that vagrancy has actually been converted into a trade,
and notan unprofitable one; and it also appears that the severe
and increasing burden arises from the vagrants by trade, not
from those on account of destitution. In those few districts
in which the relief has been such as only the really destitute
will accept, the resort of vagrants has ceased, or been so much
diminished as to become only a trifling inconvenience. Feeling
convinced that vagrancy will cease to be a burden if the relief
given to vagrants is such as only the really destitute will ac-
cept; feeling convinced that this cannot be effected unless the
system is general ; and also feeling convinced that no enact-
ments to be executed by parochial officers will in all parishes
be rigidly adhered to, unless under the influence of strict inde-
pendence and control, the commissioners recommend, " that
the Central Board be empowered and directed to frame and
enforce regulations as to the relief to be afforded to vagrants
and discharged prisoners."
XII. The commissioners, after stating that the members of
the Central Board will have the advantage of having well-defined
objects assigned to them, powerful means at their disposal,
clear rules for their guidance, and in a short time varied and
extensive experience, suggest that the best means of prevent-
ing their negligent or improper use of the discretion with
which it is necessary to invest them, will be not to restrict that
discretion, but to render their interest coincident with their
duty, and to let them be removable at his Majesty's pleasure.
The commissioners add, that they entertain no hope that the
complicated evils with which we have to contend will all be
eraiicated by the measures they propose. The mischiefs which
have arisen during a legislation'of more than 300 years must
require the legislation of more than one session for its cor-
rection. In order to secure the progressive improvement, from
which alone an ultimate cure can be hoped, and in order to
bring the proceedings of the Board more constantly and com-
pletely within the superintendence of the Executive and the
Legislature, the commissioners recommend " that the Board
be required to submit a report annually to one of the principal
Secretaries of State, containing-1. An account of their pro-
ceedings. 2. Any further amendments which they may think
it advisable to suggest. 3. The evidence on which the sug-
gestions are founded. 4. Bills, if any, carrying the amend-
mends into effect, which bills the Board shall be empowered to
prepare with professional assistance."

X 111. The report considers three to be a sufficient number of
commissioners to transact the business of the Central Board.
The Central Board would probably require eight or ten assist-
ant commissioners to examine the administration of relief in
different districts, and aid the preparations for local changes.
As the Central Board would be responsible for the performance
of the duties imposed upon them by the Legislature, the corn.
missioners recommend that " the Central Board be empowered
to appoint and remove their assistants and all their subordinate
officers."

XIV. The evidence proves that the liability to a change of
settlement by hiring and service, apprenticeship, purchasing or
renting a tenement and estate, are productive of great incon-
venience and fraud, and it does not appear that those frauds
and inconveniences are compensated by any advantage what-
ever. The commissioners therefore recommend " that settle-
ment by hiring and service, apprenticeship, purchasing or
renting a tenement, estat paying rates, or serving an office,
be abolished."

XV. There will remain parentage, birth, and marriage.
There are some difficulties with respect to parentage, which are
best met by continuing settlement by parentage during that
period of a child's life during which it is dependant on its pa.
rents, and to put an end to it at the age at which that depend.
ance has so nearly ceased as to render their separation compara-
tively unimportant. This age may be said in general to com-
mence at 15 or 16 years. At 15 or 16 a child can generally earn
his own maintenance, and if his parents cannot maintain him,
it cannot be advisable that he should continue a member of
their family. The commissioners therefore recommend " that
(subject to the obvious exceptions of persons born in prisons,
hospitals, and work-houses) the settlement of every legitimate
child born after the passing of the intended act follow that of
the parents or the surviving parent of such cloild, until such
child shall attain the age of 16 years, or the death of its sur.
viving parent ; and that at the age of 16, or on the death of its
surviving parent, such child shall be considered settled in the
place in which it was born." The commissioners remark that
they do not recommend the introduction of settlement by resi-
dence, and give various reasons for their not doing so. They
further recommend that, instead of the present mode of first
removing a pauper, and then inquiring whether the removal
was lawful, the inquiry should precede the removal.
XVI. In order to afford further facilities to the proof of a
birth-settlement, the commissioners recommend that " when.
ever there shall be any question regarding the settlement by
birth of a person, whether legitimate or illegitimate, and whe-
ther born before or after the passing of the intended act, the
place where such person shall have been first known by the
evidence of such person, by the register of his or her birth,
or baptism, or otherwise, to have existed, shall be presumed to
have been the place of his or her birth, until the contrary shall
be proved." I
XVII. With respect to the bastardy laws, the evidence
shows that as a general rule they increase the expense which

they were intended to compensate. and olTbr temptations to
the cruse which they w. e itit,t,cteft to pos,sh, ind that their
working is too frequcmly accomp nied by perjury and extor-
tion, disgrace to the innocent>, and reward to the shameless and
unprincipled, and all the domestic misery and vice which arc
the necessary consequences of premature and ill..assorted
marriages. The commissioners, therefore, advise their total
abolition.

In lieu of the existing law, the commissioners make
►n ateration in the settlement of the child. "In the
11
litoral state of things," say they, "a child, until etnan-
•ipa•ed, depends en its parent. Their legal domicile or
place of settlement is also the settlement of their offspring.
Anil such is the existing law with resp et to legitimate
children. Only one of the p ►rents of an illegitimate child
can 1),! ascertained." The commissioners therefore recom-
mend " that the general rule shall be followed as far as it
poss:bie, and tl at every illegitimate child born after the
passing of act shall, until it attain the age of 16,
tiollow its tug Cher settlement." " The immediate effect of
this recommtolat:o n," say the commissioners, " will be
-o prevent a Breit amount of waste, suffering, and demo-
ralizition."
XVIII. As a further step towards what they call the na.
tural state of things, the commissioners recommend that
" the mother of an illegitifnate child born after the passing of
the act be required to support it, and thfit ally relief occasiohed
by the wants of the child be considered relief afforded to the'
parent." This is now the law with respect to Widow, and
an unmarried mother has voluntarily put herself id the situa-
tion of a widow. She has voluntarily become a mother ;:vitti),
out procuring to herself and her child the assistance of a hus-
l•and and a father. There can be no reason for giving to vice
privileges which we deny to misfortune. This plan has bcci
tried and tried with success, according to the commissioners,
in Boston, Baltimore, and Salem.
XIX. The commissioners recommend " that the same
liability be extended to her husband." The general law of
the country throws on the husband all his wife's liabilities—he
is bound to pay her debts, he is answerable for her engage-
Monts, even though he may not have been aware of them ;
and there seems no reason, say the commissioners, why this
peculiar liability—a liability which must almost always be
notorious to him—should be accepted. The commissioners
consider it no objection, that this will make it more difficult for
a woman who has misconducted herself to obtain a husband,
and they add that, if this plan be not adopted, it will be difficult
to follow out the system of giving no relief to the child inde-
pendently of the mother, and of giving that relief in the work.
house.

XX. The commissioners recommend i" the repeal of that
part of the 35th of George 111., c. 101, a. 6, which makes au
unmarried pregnant woman removable, and the 50th George
111., c. 51, s. 2, which authorizes the committal of the mother
of a chargeable bastard to the House of Correction." The first
of these enactments will cease to be applicable as soon as the
child follows the mother's settlement. The second appears by
the evidence to produce on the whole much more harm than
good, and the commissioners object to both, as unnecessary in-
terferences.

XXI. As to the father, in affirming the inefficiency of human/
legislation to enforce the restraints placed on licertiousnese by
Providence, we have implied our belief (say the com*lissioners)
that all punishment of the supposed father is uselat."l.
believe that it is worse than useless. Without consideriqf the'
numerous cases in which that punishment falls upon the iniah
cent, without dwelling upon the perjury by which that injustice
is accomplished, we will confine ourselves to the effect produced
on the woman's mind by her power of calling for that punish-
ment. That power is the security to which the woman looks
at present; she expects that the parish will right her. If she
is ill. disposed, this adds to the force of her temptation ; if
iswell.disposed, this removes the prop which should support her
self-central. Marriage will always be preferred by the woman if
she can attain it, and she ought notto be placed in circums.ances
in which marriage shall be most easily atta 'noble by previous con-
cession. " One day," says a witness examined by Mr. Chadwick,
" I went into the house of one of the people who work at the chalk
quarries at Northfleet to buy fossils, and a young woman came
in for a few minutes, whose appearance clearly showed approach
to maternity. When she went out, I said to the woman ofthe
house, Poor girl, she has been unfortunate.' She replied,
Indeed she has, poor girl, and a virtuous good girl she is too.
' The fellow has betrayed her and gone to sea.' I said,' She
should not have trusted him till she had been at church.' Ds
this observation the woman replied, and let me observe her
own children were all about her,' What could she do, poor
girl ? If she did not do as other girls do, she would never get
a husband. Girls are often deceived ; and how can they help
it ?' "

The commissioners therefore recommend that " the se-
co❑d section of the 18th of Ebiabeth, c. 3, and all other
acts which punish or charge the putative father of
bastard shall, as to all bastards born after the passing of
the intended act, be repealed." " Cases," continue the
commissioners, " will no doubt occur of much hardship
and cruelty ; and it often he regretted that these are
lot punishable, at least by fine upon the offender. But
the object of the law is not to punish, but to prevent :
and if the existing law does not prevent, as is too clear, it
wust not be maintained against its proper design with a

iew to punishment, still less must it be maintained if it
lets as an incentive. It must he remembered, too, that
we do nit proposa to deprive either the woman or her
parents of their direct means of redress. She may still
bring her action for breach of promise of marri tge, and her
parents may still bring theirs for the loss of their daugh-
ter's service."
xxII. Before the commissioners examined the expediency
of resorting to measures for facilitating emigration, they
deemed it necessary to consider the questions whether there
exists in any part of England a population which materially
exceeds the actual demand for labour, and whether such an
excess is likely to exist after their recommendations shall have
been put in force. They observe, that after a system of ad-
ministration, one of the most unquestionable effects of which
is the encouragement and increase of improvident marriages
among the labouring class, has prevailed in full vigour for
nearly 40 years, it is a remarkable proof of the advance of the
wealth of this part of the kingdom, that a question should
arise as to the existence of a surplus population ; and a mere
inspection of the comparative account of the numbers of the
people, especially in the agricultural districts, at the times of
the three last enumerations, would seem to remove any doubt
which may have arisen on such a question. Not only, they
say, has an increase of population, which would have hereto-
fore been deemed extraordinary in a long settled country, taken
place in the manufacturing counties, but the increase has been
nearly as rapid in those purely agricultural districts from which
we have received general complaints of a decrease of the capital
of the fanner.

In the answers to the questions received from the
middle, southirn, and eastern counties, are found fre-
quent statements of a great excess of lab; urers above the
means of employment in the respective parishes ; and the
fact of multitudes of able-bodied young men wasting their
rime on the roads and in the gravel pits, at the expense
of the rate payers, who deem it cheaper to pay them for
their idleness than fur their labour, is instanced in con-
firmation of these statements. The excess, in some districts of
labourers, beyond the actual demand, is taken to be est ,blished
beyond dispute ; hut in case of labour, as of commodities,
the extent of the demand, as comp aced with the supply,
will depend in some degree on the quality of the article
offered. The present state of the administration of the
poor laws does not allow the commissioners to ascertain,
in the great majority of parishes, what the demand fur
labour would la-, if work were sought for with energy,
and performed with diligence.
The commissioners believe, that in proportion as their
other remedies are applied, there will be an increased dis-
position on the part of parishes to supply the means to
paupers desirous of emigrating, if they were enabled by
law to do so. They therefore recommend " that the
vestry of each parish he empowered to order the payment
out of the rates raised for the re:ief of the poor, or the
expenses of the emigration of any persons having settl,-
talents within such parish who may be willing to emi-
grate, provided that the expense of each emigration be
raised, and paid within a period to be mentioned iu the
act." The commissioners think it also would be ex-
pedient to adopt the measures for facilitating and regulat-
ing emigration contained in the Bill introduced into the House
•if Commons in 1831, and to be found, as amended by a
Committee, in the Parliamentary Papers of that session.
(No. 358.)

There are some other waters connected with the ob-
jects of tl:eir inquiry on which the commissioners do not
propose the immediate adoption of any specific measure,
oecause they are unwilling to embarrass the progress of
the remedies which they deem of paramount importance,
by any change not nece•-sarilyconnected with them. For
instance, the commissioners think that for eff:cting
an
improvement in the composition and conduct of vest' ies,
and for securing the more full and punctual payment of
the rate■, it is desirable that the owner of every dwelling
or apartment let to the occupier at any rent not exceeding
151. for any less term than seven years should be rated
instead of the occupiers.

The actoftheth4e relief of
43d George
the
families 47, fur
ing the laws for
of militiamen
,!es.rves to be reconsidered by the Legislature.
The commi,sionvrs at the conclusion of their report
:nuke ibis ststetuent—

" The measures we have suggested are intended to produce
rather negative than positive effects—rather to remove the de-
basing influences to which a large portion of the labouring
population is now subject, than to afford new awaits of prospe-
rity and virtue. We are perfectly aware that for the genet,'
diffusion of right principles and habits we are to look not Si
much to any economic arrangements and regulations as to the
:nfluenco of a moral and religious education. 4 *
As that subject is not within our commission, we will net dweil
it further than to record our conviction that as soon as a
good administration of the poor laws shall have renderedfur-
ther improvement possible, the most important duty of the
L-gislature is to take measures to promote the religious and
ilioral education of the labouting classes,"