The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-27 00:00:00

THE NEW POOR-LAW.

The case of John Shaw, and the conduct of the
officers of the union at Slough, have come before a
jury, and the jury have decided that the rule of treat-
ment in that workhouse is inhuman and scandalous.
" They are unanimously of opinion that the refusal
of the matron and governor of the Eton Union work-
house to allow any conversation to pass between the
afflicted man and his wife, sister, and mother-in-law,
except in the presence of a listener and spy upon their
conduct, is a part only of a moral treatment adopted
towards the poor man which is a disgrace and scandal
to a Christian country." Details more shocking, more
revolting, more sickening than those which accom-
panied the dying bed of this poor man, and which
this coroner's inquest has brought out, we cannot
imagine. The scene and the animus which it deve-
lopes are equally horrible ; and we seem transported
into a lower and viler atmosphere than the daylight
. could tolerate. A poor man on his death-bed—a
death-bed more wretched and loathsome than we can
describe : the details are unrepeatable. His wife,
sister, and mother come at twelve o'clock at night to
see him. They want to see him before he dies: they
have been brought for that purpose by a servant of
the workhouse out of pure compassion. At twelve
o'clock at night they are refused admission within
the walls, and have to find a lodging for
the night elsewhere, while their relation is hour by
hour approaching his end. In " a strange place "
(as the verdict of the jury states), "many miles from
their homes," the walls which contain the dying hus-
band are closed upon the wife. "Are they come
down at this time ?" is the truly humane speech of
the governor of the union, which expresses the sole
view which he takes of the matter. And pray, if
they were not to come down at that time when were
they to come ? Are people only to see one
another when they are alive and well, when nature is
vigorous and can support herself; has resources of
her own, and is independent? Is not the comfort of
a familiar face, a kind look, a sympathising eye, and
the accent of tenderness required a thousand-fold in
the despondency of a fatal illness ? " Are they come
down at this time ? " indeed. This is the New Poor-
law humanity, this is straight from the moral code of
Somerset-house. The governor of the Slough poor-
house is a worthy, faithful servant of the department.
He represents it well. It does not appear to disadvan-
tage in his hands. Dead indifference, coldness and
thickheartedness, which lowers the objects of charity
to an incubus and identifies the poor man with the
animal, are the attributes of the system. The go-
vernor of Slough Union ought to have promotion.
He has obviously imbibed the principles of his pro-
fession. But let us suppose the relations at last ad-
mitted. The night is over, and the next morning
come. The wife goes to the bedside of the husband.
She cannot speak to him, except in the presence of
some servant of the establishment.

" Mr. Wakley—l want to know by whom the order
has been issued that a person is to be present to listen at
the interviews between inmates and their relations?
" Witness (opening a small book he had in his hand)—
I will show you the rale. He then opened the book, and
having examined it a minute or two, closed it, and, hold-
ing it with his hand behind him, said—' It is a rule that
an officer of the establishment shall be present at all the
visits of persons to inmates, be:they sick or well.'
" Mr. Wakley—That is a rule of the Poor-law Com-
missioners ?
" Witness—lt is."

This, then, is a rule of the Poor-law Commission-
ers ; and a more cruel and shameless interference
with the right of human privacy—the right that
every one in society who has not forfeited it by crime,
has of talking about his own affairs and of talking to
those whom he wants to hear about them, and those
only—we cannot conceive. We should really call it
gross impertinence, were not the impertinence ab-
sorbed in the cruelty of the thing. The idea of
espionage comes in to complete the prison tactics of
the poor-law system. It is most remarkable how,
every way it turns, this system developes in the iden-
tification of poverty with crime. There is a fate
about it. That stamp is seen everywhere, and shows
like a plague-spot.
The jury in the present instance then have done
boldly and honourably. They have confronted the
Poor-law Commissioners manfully, and have told
them to their faces, that their system is a scandal and
disgrace to the country. That a jury have done this
is an important thing to notice. "This (referring to
the espionage) is part of a moral treatment towards
the poor man, which is a scandal and a disgrace to
a Christian country." We repeat the words, for they
deserve repeating. That a jury tell the Poor-law
Commissioners this, is a strong evidence of that
power coming at last into collision with the national
character and nature. A jury represents the popular
mind; it is one form of representation by which the
national feeling is expressed. Juries are as old as
parliaments ; they speak on such a subject as the pre-
sent, in which ordinary human feeling is alone con-
cerned, with a voice of authority. And we seem now
to have a regular formal constitutional representation
of public feeling against a cruel and unnatural sys-
tem. Juries have power, Their influence catches.
Their example is followed. This is a legal judicial
manifestation against the New Poor-law, and it will
have its effect as such.—Times

ROYAL ARSENAL, WOOLWICIL—fiIe number of
men required for the carriage and other departments of
the Royal Arsenal have now been obtained, and consi-
derable progress has been made with the ship-gun car-
riages ordered to be supplied to the advance ships at
the out ports, to keep them always ready in the event of
their services being required at short notice. There are
always a sufficient number of large guns ready for use
in the Royal Arsenal, and at all the out-ports, which,
within twenty-four hours' notice, could be mounted and
ready for service, and the facilities afforded by steam
conveyance places it in the power of the authorities to
concentrate them at any particular station, on very short
notice being given that they would be required.

RELAND.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE DUBLIN
CORPORATION.

DVIILIN, SEPT. 25.—The City Assembly-house
and the several approaches to it were crowded from
an early hour this morning with persons anxious to
obtain admission for the purpose of hearing the de-
bate, which it was very generally expected would issue
upon the following notice of motion given by Coun-
cillor Maunsell, a Conservative Corporator, on the
last day of meeting ;—" That an humble address be
presented to the Queen, praying that her Majesty
will be graciously pleased to hold her Court, and to
sunimon an Imperial Parliament, to meet at least
once in every three years, in her loyal city of Dub-
lin. Also, that she will recommend to the considera-
tion of Parliament the propriety of making such
provision as shall secure that the same shall be done
in future times."

From the moment the notice was given, and that
it became generally known that the learned proposer
was a staunch Conservative, the greatest interest was
manifested as to what the result of the discussion
would be. Whatever might be the fate of the motion
itself' whether it was supported by the Liberal or
the Conservative portion of the Corporation—it was
felt to be at least a step in the right direction,
and that, too, by an influential member of a party
which had been on every occasion the
decided opponents of every plan which tended
to improve the condition of the country.
The population of the country—the nobility, gentry,
and clergy, Catholic, Protestant, and Presbyterian—
are divided into three classes, consisting of repealers,
or advocates of an independent Parliament, such as
that which existed in 1782 ; federalists, or those who
think a Parliament on the principle of that in Canada
would answer every purpose ; and a third party, at
the head of which is Doctor Maunsell, who are con-
vinced a visit of her Majesty and her Parliament
every three years to her "loyal city of Dublin"
would cure the unhappy evils which now distract and
disturb this country.
The Lord Mayor entered the assembly at one
o'clock.

Dr. MAeNSELL said he should not waste any un-
necessary time in preliminary observations, but come
at once to explain why it was that he felt it his duty
to bring forward the present motion. He might, in
the outset, state that there never was a time more
favourable for some change that would bring about
an amalgamation of parties, and unite the heretofore
discordant elements that existed in the country ; for
there never was a time when there was less animosity
or party spirit amongst Irishmen of all classes.—
(Cheers, and cries of " Hear," from Mr. O'Connell).
He thought, therefore, that the present time was fa-
vourable for bringing forward his motion. He did
so without consulting the party with whom he had
the honour of acting, and generally coinciding in opi-
nion. He would not interfere with other men's
opinions, at the same time he should say one word
about a repeal of the union, and that was a mere re-
petition of what he said in that house when the sub-
ject was discussed there upwards of a year ago. He
was then, as well as on the present occasion, of opi-
nion that total repeal would damage the Protestant
interest and lead to the domination of the Romish
clergy—(" No, no ")—and was therefore opposed to
it. Perhaps he might be wrong, but such being his
opinion he candidly and fearlessly expressed it. But
at the same time it did not follow that something
ought not to be done for Ireland that would preserve
the Protestant interest, and give equal rights and
liberties to all parties. He would discuss the matter
under three heads—first, as it effected the Protestant
interest; secondly, with regard to the interests of
England; and thirdly, to examine it as it might affect
the legitimate objects of the repealers and the people
of Ireland. Then, first, as regarded the Protestant
interests, lie would ask were they safe under the pre-
sent system ? He was sure that there was not a Pro-
testant on his side of the house who could answer in
the affirmative. There might, he said, be two Pro-
testant institutions in the country—the Church and
the University—and he would ask, after what had
taken place during last session, if any man could say
that either of them were safe—(Hear, hear) —and
whether they would not be in less danger With the
Imperial Parliament sitting amongst themselves,
seeing with their own eyes what the country
wanted, and legislating for them accordingly ?
People might tell him that the present Government
would support Protestant institutions and Protestant
interests ; but let them not deceive themselves after
the declaration of the Premier during the last session
—let them not fancy for a momentthat the University
—ay, and the Church too—would not be gladly given
up in a hop to the monster of agitation.—(Cheers and
laughter.) That Ireland wanted some change was
beyond all doubt, and he would be glad to know what
interest it could injure to have a Parliament sitting
in College-green ?—(Loud and long-continued cheers,
and cries of " Hear, hear," from Mr. O'Connell.)
Would not the poor artisan and mechanic have their
condition bettered by having the nobility of England
and Ireland resident in Dublin for one year in three?
Would it not be an advantage to keep those in the
country who had money to spend. To keep the land-
lord at home, at the deer of the r,easant, where at pre-
sent he was hardly ever seen but as a rent collector ?
(Loud cheers.) Dr. Nlaunsell next alluded to the
second head of his subject, namely, what effect it
would have upon the interests of England? and went
to show that the principle of centralisation, which was
drawing everything towards London, ought, for the
sake of the country in general, to be counteracted.
He had no doubt that, so far from the measures he
proposed being injurious to England, it would have
quite a different effect, even if the principle were
carried out of making a similar concession to Scot-
land. Then, as to the benefits to Ireland by having
men of capital coming to reside amongst them, and
learning the true nature of the country and its re-
sources, no man could deny it. It was want of
capital that left Ireland in the wretched condition she
was at the present moment.—(Hear, hear.) Dr.
Maunsell next contended that the objects of the re-
pealers would be advanced, not retarded, by this plan.
His plan was a simple plan, which involved no ques-
tion of a religious character, and he called on his
Lordship and the members of that house, to assist
him in breaking the political spell which bound them
so long to the heels of English Whigs and Tories ;
and, if only for the novelty of the thing, to give one
unanimous vote for the prosperity of old Ireland.—
(Loud cheers.) The Learned Gentleman then read
his motion, and stated that, as the gentleman who
supported him, and intended to second his motion, had
changed his views, on the ground that the time had
not arrived for brniging it forward, the motion, of
course, dropped; but he could only say that he had
done his duty.—(Cheers.)
—_ _ _

The LORD MAyon then declared the motion lost,
and was about to put the question of adjournment,
when

Mr. O'CONNELL said that before the house ad-

journed, he wished to say a few words. Had the
discussion proceeded he would not have availed him-
self of it to make a repeal speech. He thought it
would be unbecoming, and he was glad to perceive
that the Learned Gentleman who had just concluded
had been heard with that respect which he merited,
from his tone and temper, and moreover, his firm-
nessin, and the assertion of, his own religious prin-
ciples—for in 'politics they very nearly agreed.)—
(Lond laughter.) He :had not said one word which
could be construed offensively to any party, and it
was delightful to have such topics discussed in such a
spirit as he had evinced. He (Mr. O'Connell) heard
the entire of his speech with great unmixed pleasure ;
he concurred in a great portion ; he thought the ar-
guments all but conclusive, for they only wanted a
proper conclusion—(Laughter)—but he was, above
all, delighted to see the philanthropy displayed—to
perceive that the elements of society in this country
were shaken from their ancient state, and a new com-
bination forming which admitted that something was
essentially necessary to be done for Ireland.—(Hear,
bear, and cheers.) As to the University of Dublin,
he should be exceedingly sorry to see it lessened, or
its property in danger, for he had the honour of be-
ing a tenant under it to very good landlords---(A
laugh)—but he thought no injury would be done if
the number of persons who attended lectures in that
University were augmented—if the number of fellows
were increased with the increasing demands of
education ; and while the Protestant theological
department should be kept perfectly independent
and untouched for Protestants, yet that the doors
should be thrown open to all, and that its honours
and educational advantages should be equally shared
by Irishmen of all sects and persuasions.—(heers.)
As to the Church—if he (Mr. O'Connell)
.were to
consult his own sentiments, he certainly desired that
no Church should have any connection whatever with
the State ; but he would rather perish on the scaffold,
than wish ono man should be deprived of the vested
interest which he then enjoyed.—(Loud cries of
" Hear, hear.") He thought no Protestant ought to
be apprehensive of his religion for not having a, State
Church—and he called on them to look at the Roman
Catholic Church in Ireland, which existed notwith-
standing the emaciating cruelty of the barbarous
penal code for centuries, without the aid of the State,
its
and withhierarchy in full vigour to the present
time. It was a consolation to know that in political
matters they came to the conclusion that things could
not remain as they were, and that a change should
be effected with the assent of all parties, and of all
religions.—(Loud cheers.) For his own part he
would consider it, not a blessing, but a curse, if it
were accomplished by only one portion of the Irish
people ; but he rejoiced to say that every hour was
bringing such an union more inevitable, and that the
time was at hand when it should be accomplished.
They should meet from him more than half way
every assistance he could give, towards restoring
those advantages which the Learned Doctor only
wished once every three years, but which he should
I wish to see every summer season.—(Cheers.)
1 The meeting then separated.