Star.
London, England, 1828-02-29 00:00:00

Is the fatvironsof Paris
Which. added to the foregoing, gives for the population
of Paris and the Department of the Seine a popula-
tion of eSI 656
• •

. 101,740

This, Sir, was the state of the population cf Yat s
and its Ealing): in the year 1817. In 1820, as I have
alueady stated, it is supposed to have been about the
same; but these can be little or no doubt dust in the
yea 1824 a considerable increase had :Asa place in
the population, for we find the births in the latter
period considerably exceeding rho e that occurred in
the former. Owing to this and other causes, lam of
opinion that the population of Pails has of late years
increased in amount :

In 1524 the number of bit the were .
In 1820 the births amounted to .

. 31,300
. 28,6440

Excess of births to 1824 novo 1820 • • 2,700
Allowing then for the increase which may have taken
place by births and other causes, between the years
1820 and 1824, perhaps it will nit be assuming too
much to suppose that in the hitter year the population
of Paris and its environs amounted to 900,000. lam
new talking of Paris, and the department of the
Seine, for great mistakes may arise from confound-
ing together the population of the two when only
speaking of that of the one. Thus, then, the account
stand:

population of Paris in the years 11117 and 1520 . 714,000
Population of Puts and the
,department of the
Seine in Iss4 and 1525 . . . . 000"0
So much it was necessary to premise in relation to
the population of Paris. I have now to add, that iu
France there are three descriptions or distinct classes
of criminal jurisdiction--
Ist. That which is carried on by the Cosa tr.:Wm.
541. By the /Wire Chrrectienneile.
3d. By the Java de raiz, or Simple Police.
Of these, the tour d'Assises takes cognisasett Hof
offences of the grosser and more enormous kind, eel.-
mitted against persons and property, and is autborisad

.diSiN.

~~..•:+.

_.

to inflict punishments proportidnualitsvere.`• The
Police Correctionnelle emblaces tis* juri 'vim of of-
fences of an inferior tattsterbuti still of such offences as
•we are iriAve of denominating crimes—some of
kh *frith it deals at least are of this de•
lee ption, though others are of a lighter and more trivial
. Astute.- Among-the cases which come before it may
be enumerated swindlingiossaqlts,,defamation, combi-
nation of workmen, and simple theft—its power to,
punish is !linked to imprisonment not exceeding five
ye irs. The Simple Police is only authorised to sentence
offenders to five days imprisonment at the utmost, and
to impose fines of from one to fifteen francs. It of
course deali'with offences of a very mitigated
' These 'are the three tribunals for the administration of
criminal jostiedn France ; and it is not very easy is
'aftision the particular nature or amount of the respective
trickles, 'with the correction of which they are charged,
rid account of the division in their several jurisdictions.
I proCeed, hoWever, to enumerate the offences brought
beforithe kiibimals of late years in Paris.
' Nuinher accused before the Cour d'Assises in 1823 692
Ithanibet accused in 1824 . . 845
Number accused in 1825 • . ses
If we consider the number of the accosed (before :his,
the principal criminal tribunal) in reference to the
amount of the population in each of these years, the
proportion of the accused to the inhabitants is one in
1,022. I may take this opportunity to add, that, in
Paris, out of 100 individuals accused of the commission
of grave offences, ninety of the accusations are for crimes
committed against property, and only ten for offences
against the person. On the contrary—and the circuit).
stance affords a striking elucidation of the difference
subsisting between the nature of the crimes generally
committed in a large metropolis, and in the less thickly
peopled districts of the country—in the department of
Corsica, out of 100 accusations made in the year 1825,
seventy-six-were for offences against the person, leaving
a remainder of only twenty-four out of the 100 for
crimes against property. The fact of ninety out of 100
criminals In Paris being brought before the Court for
offences against property, while 76 out of 100 were in
the same year accused of acts of personal violence in
Corsica, shows that the great tendency of congregating
large bodies of people together is, to increase offence;
against property, while it diminishes the number of those
offered to the person. This state of things is not con-
fined to Paris and Corsica,. for the same observation
*ill be found to hold good in our great towns and re
mute agricultural districts in this country. In the latter,
acts of personal malice and violence are much commoner
and more frequent, in proportion to the numbers of
the inhabitants, than in thickly peopled places in the
metropolis ; while in the metropolis every description of
fraud and offence against property is proportionably
greater than in the country. The variations observable
in the amount of crime, as compared with the numbers
of the population in different parts of,France, are
curious and extraordinary. There is one department
in that country, in which the number of the accused is
to the total number of the population as one to,1,000;
and there is another in which they are as one Lb 47,342.
These are the extreme points and proportions—the for-
mer department being that in which the commission of
crime is most frequent, in proportion to the number • of
the populktion ; and the latter being the district in
which Astill bearing in mind the same proportion) the
fewest offences are committed. Sir, I have looked this
morning at returns of the population, and amount of
crime in London and Middlesex in the year 1821 and
the subsequent years ; and I shall take leave to direct
the attention of the House to some of the details con.
netted with thi-se returns. In 1821 the population of
London and Middlesex was as follows :
London . 125,4,3,4,
Wrstmin.ter . • . 182,015
Middlesex . 837,612

Making a total of . 1,144,531.
Such, Sir, was the population of this metropolis in
1821. I now come to the returns of criminal commit-1
ments for time years subsequent to that period. And'
1 find, by a reference to these commitments in the yearsl
. 183; 1821, 1825, that the average amount of commit-,
ments in this metropolis during these years was 2,700.
. In this case, then, taking the amount of the population
to be the same as it was found to be by the census of
1821, the proportion of criminal commitments, as coin-
, pared with the numbers of the inhabitants of London,
is as 2,700 to 1,144,000, or one person in every 423.
Descending to a more recent period, we find, that in the
two last years the number of criminal commitments hits
. considerably increased—the average of the commit-
. ments in these years amounts to 3,100—and suppoSing
the population of London to have been at ibis petiod
1;300,000, the proportion of commitments, as compared
to the entire number of the inhabitants, is as one in
every 380. 1 say, Sir, taking our population in this
metropolis to have been 1,300,000 in the last two years,
nue individual out of every 380 cf these has been com-
mitted to prison on criminal charges within the same
peliud. The comparison which I have instituted be-
tween the amount of crimes committed in London and
Paris, as it regards the population ot either city, appears
to be evidently in favour of the latter ; for, according
to the estimate I have now made, the accusation% have
been in Paris 800 in 821,000 persons, or one person in
1,022, while in London they are 3,400 out of a popula-
r tion of 1,300,000, or one person in 380. however, this
estimate admits of a little correction, los the calculation,
as it respects Paris, only embraces the accusations made
before the highelt tiibunal, the Cour d'Assises. without
including the individuals charged before the inferior
Colitis. While the returns of commitments in this
metropolis in 1826 and 1827 comprehend all persons
sent to prison on criminal charges during that period,
the number of accused before the Police Cerredionnelle
in 1825 were 4,432—0 f these, 1,206 culprits stood
charged wish theft. Now, certainly, in making at,
e.timate of the respective crimes of the two cities, these
1.206 persons ought to be included in the Parisian, ac-,
count of criminal commitments. If we add these 1,206
accusations fur theft to the 804 accused in 1825 of more
aggravated offence,, before the higher Court—and they
ouitbt to be included, for similar offences are compile
hetided in the list of our commitments—we obtain a
gross amounts of 2,010 accusations preferred in Paris
during this period. Taking the population of Patio to
amount to 821„000,w e fieddm proportion of.the accused
to be in reintion to all the inhabitants as opc in 410.
Hence, the average nunifier of commitro. is here in
111V.3, 1824,, and 1825, w e find to amount to %.700, er.
one to 4'23 of the gross population, while in Paris (taking ,
. Sods account the 1.206 c 4 es of theft brought before the
'Vice Correelionnelle) the commitments are LOU), ot.
410..50 thit the balance is in our favour. Un;
• toitunately, in the years 1826 and 1827, commitments
have iiieatly iucteasedi ind this proportion is. dts-
titibta ; the criminal accusations
Under which persons have teen, consigned to prison,
amount to an average of 3,400 in each year, one I
perva in 380.—.• state of things that places os in a less
favourable point of view than the Bench. Sir, 1 Isji-
lieve 1 ought to beg pardon of the house for troubling
it ori.htlisse details, which it may be more convenient

and proper to submit to the consideration of aCom•
mhtee. However, of this I feel. assured, that Hon.
Members will concur with me in thinking it impossible
to bring forward too much information in relation to
this subject. It is my object to refer it t the proposed
Committee to consider the causes of the increase of
crime in the Metropolis, and also to exaMine low the
present state of our police establishments. lam aware
manT causes have beets assigned for the great increase
of crime in this ci:y ; but for My own part, I confess 1
am afraid to make up my mind as yet on the subject of
these causes, lest in doing so I should act piecipitately ;
and lest, what I select one or more supposed causes of
this effect, I should overlook others as likely to be the
true ones. Perhaps it may not be sale to ascribe the
increase of crime to any one cause or set of causes, ss hen
it is possible that many have been at, work to 'produce
the result in question. There can be little doubt that
the more advanced state of refinement and civilization

•which we now enjoy has a tendency to occasion the com-
mission of crimes against property. Our present luxury
contributes to a laxity on this point. Property is
more exposed to depredation, and• the motives to
plunder are augmented. Sir, even the improvements
that have been introduced in our mode of travelling
—the facilities afforded for passing from one part
of the country to another—the rapidity and certainty
with which the transit from place to place, how-
ever distant each may be from the other, is effected
—all this increases the means of committing offences
agairist property in a greater degree than it affords op-
portunities for protecting it—for recovering it when
stolen, or for leading to the detection of the offenders.
In addition to this. the increased facilities for disposing
of property unlae fully obtained may be alluded to as
affording encouragements to plunder. The consequence
of this state of things is, that men are content to em-
ploy their wits for the purl ore of preying on their
neighbours; and the inefficient state of our police does,
not give sufficient means for protecting the property thps,
attacked. 1 am not very sanguine, however, that an in-
quiry into the subject of the police will, if unassisted
rby the adoption of other means for the prevention of
crime, have the effect of accomplishing the object we
halve in view. Our police, it must be admitted, is
exceedingly imperfect, but the causes of the in-
crease Of chaste much deeper than in the im-
petfeetion of the police. The increase of crime
has been attributed by some to the want of sufficient
employment for the people. Now, the improvement of
our police can never remedy this. It has been said that
the existing state of the Game Laws tends to promote
the increase of crime in the agricultural parts of the
country; and perhaps in some particular cases it may
rave such an effect. If so, the subject is one that de
W
'eis to be inquired into. However, Sir, as I have al-
ready laid, I find it unsafe to rely upon any one abuse
as solely. rcoductive of etime. I.think to do so would
in ran, crises fallacious. ises be The operation of the Game
Laws may in panictiler instances tend to the increase
of crime; but I much doubt whether they are a leading
or principal cause of the evil complained of. You
should not shut your eyes on the effect of other causes
of the increase of crime, yet you must do so if you
attribute it to the Game Laws alone. Let Honourable
Members who are fond of adducing the state of the
GesneLaws as a reason for the existing state of criminal
offences, look at the increase of crime which has taken
place where game is not preserved. If they do this,
they must at once perceive, that it is impossible for
them to rely with confidence oil the Game Laws as.
occasioning the increase of crime, unassisted by other
causes. Sir, I voted for an alteration in the Game Laws,
not because I conceived that they were the sole or prin-
cipal cause of the increase of crime, and not because 1
was led away by the popular clamour which exists, in
relation to these laws, but because I conceived that,
they might be altered with benefit to the community..
I tcpept,.Sii, that I do not rely on any improvement in
the Game Laws for a material diminution lathe amouut
or character of our criminal offences. I think it win
be admitted that the Game Laws cannot operate as the
increase of crime in the metropolis. To be sure, lOC
Game Laws may influence the increase of crime in the
country, bT the dissolute habits to which some;
Ste of opinion the peasantry are led through them.
'And thus it may be argued that they remotely
affect the metropolis; but if they do, I ceanot admit
that they do so to a degree worth taking into ac-,
count on an occasion like the present. Another and'
more probable cause of the increase of crime may, I
think, be discovered in the operation of the Poor Laws,
which, under the present system, I consider extremely
defective. Sir, I believe that the practice, too generally
prevalent, of raying the wages of the working classes in
the agilcultural districts in part out of the poor rates,
has a most injurious tendency, and is calculated to destroy
the independence of the people, who in this manner re-
'ceive hallsiage., and half relief. I repeat, I cannot but
deprecate the custom of reducing the wages of labour
to. the lowest possible point, and then making up
whate'ver deficiency may exist from the poor rates.
There can be little question that such a practice
must have a tendency to increase crime among our
agricuhural labourers, by destroying their feelings
of independence. However, Sir, though the cause
to which I have alluded may have prodnced, and I
believe it has produced, no trifling or inconsiderable
effects in agricultural districts, I very much doubt
whether it has been sufficient to create any material in-
crease in criminal offences in London or Middlesex.—
It would be premature and presumptuous in me to
attempt now to sFeculate on the causes of the in-
crease of crime, which are no doubt numerous and
various. I therefore decline hazarding an opinion
on the subject without due consideration, and the rather
es I wish to enter into the inquiry wholly divested of
prepossession. So man, causes must have cense into
operation to produce the effect complained of, that it is
difficult at once to form a decided opinion; and I shall
therefore take leave to postpone mine to a future op-
portunity. 'I now come to the state of the Police of the
Metropolis, which, I regret to say, is extremely bad.,
And though its improvement may not be alone sal.'
chat effectually to remedy the evil of which we com-
plain, yet a chine in the Police system may effect a check
it the increase of crime; and if so, the subject is one
Which will well repay inquiry. I confess, Sr, I despair,
on
account of the peculiar construction and arrange-'
anent of the Police of each district—l despair putting
op! Police, on a sati.factory footing, without reducing
the systenNto an uniform standard.lle practice at most
'of the Offices is now different.. The consequences of this
lfin deer, are injurious, and I am satisfied that it will be
irpotsable for the Police to proceed effectively, except a
ouity,
_or iystern is adopted in regard to every branch of
kit. wimp we see that a division, of which Saint Paul's.
may bs taken as the centre, with a radius extended ten
milei rots:Q.4os managed in a manner so different in all.
ite Arts, it is impossible to wonder at the difficulties
:which irise. 'Than* flatter myself so much as to ,sup-
pre.. that the inetyrties of the Committee will enable
tlieglto remedy the evil, and shall be satisfied if we can
mitigate it. It is absurd to observe one institution of Po-
lice in Southway k,another inLondon,and a third inWest-

•
minster. Those distinct and di,cordant jurisdictions tied
to produce any effect rather than the decrease of mime.,
The worst too of it is, that any interference with these
jurisdictions, say, for instance, that of London, will
hardly fail to be met with jealousy. I observe that'
the Hon. Alderman opposite (Alderman Wood) shakes
his head at this observation, and I hope I may infer
from the motion that the City of London, of which he
is a Representative, is not unwilling to permit an inter-
ference in the regulation of its Peliee—l hope I may.
Infer that Honourable Aldermen are ready to give up

their present jurisdiction, if.called upon.
Alderman WPOU (acroft the table).—l de not think any such
concession necessary.

Mr: Secretary-PEEL.--No, I only wish to improve,
not to take away; the jut ',diction, and I shall place the
Worthy Alderman in my Committee, where I expect
considerable advantage &um his assistance. 1 hope tins'
will satisfy him, that if I wish for alteration in the je-
tisdiction of the City of London, as it regards the ma-
nagement of their police, it is only with a view to int
ptovement. Allowing, for the sake of argumelt, that
we have a tolerably good police during the day, when--;
its services ate not so necessary, 1 must be permitted to
observe, that at night, when we most stood is need of its
protection, it is most defective. The defect proceed:
from the want. of an uniformity of system, each parr
proceeding for itself doting the night, in a manner that
is very imperfect. It necessarily follows that separate
establishments must be imperfect, and a strong, and
perhaps proper disposition existing in each parish to ad-
minister the paroch►al affairs with great economy,the po-
lice of the night is left in a condition scandalouslydeficient,
so that at last, in consequence of the imperfect state
of the night police, crime has full scope to increase,
and private property becomes endangered. Honour-
able Gentlemen have only to look around them to
observe what a change has taken place of late years
in the environs of the Metropolis, Within that time
our suburbs have grown up to an extraordinary
eaten', yet no adequate provision has been made
for the safety of property Qr the administration of cri-
minal justice within their limits. The whole reliance of
the inhabitants of those districts is placed—not on the
Police Magistrates of London, who are too distant, and
otherwise too much occupied to afford them assistance—
but on such Gentlemen as are inclined to reside in the
neighbourhood. and to act in the Commission of the
Peace. These individuals, it is necessary to say, receive
no pecuniary reward for any assistance they may afford
their neighbours in their magisterial capacity, and the
natural effect of the draft upon their time and patience
is to drive away those who might otherwise be the
protectors of persons residing in the vicinity. Hew
does the case now stand ? The injured party is obliged
to go seven or eight miles in order to obtain redress.
ad when he balances the inconveniences and expense
Attendant upon attempting to procure it, the odds are,
that he abandons the pursuit of the criminal altogether.
This impunity, or the chance of escape, enceuragee the
offender. If it be a banker who has lost a sum of three
or four thousand pounds, he adopts a different course,.
'and endeavours to detect the offender. The com-
pounding of felony is another practice, of which it is
unnecessary to say I disapprove. lam aware that
the subject is one extremely difficult Wise reached
by means of legal enactments, but if penalties can'
be so framed as to prevent the practice, I should be ex.
tremely desirous of their adoption. In a metropolis where
proper facilities are not afforded for the administration
justice, on account of the absence or inefficiency of
the Magistracy, increase of crime is the necessary resalt.
Without attempting to point out at the present moment
the particular remedies which it may be desirable to
apply, I will observe generally, that I should feel much
disposed to follow the example of Scotland in regard to
prosecutions, and not throw upon the the poorer classes,.
as in this country.the charge of vindicating themselves
against the attacks of offenders, by a costly and tedious'
appeal to the laws of the country. When a man loses ten.
pounds, if he finds it will cost him twenty pounds to
prosecute the plunderer, the chances are that he de-
dines to do so, and till criminal justice is made cheap
and easy to the sufferer, clime may be expected to in-
crease. In Scotland an individual is released from the ne-
cessity of prosecuting a criminal, by the appointment of a
public officer for that purpose, who, apart from malice
and private considerations, is bound to execute his duty,
with impartiality and 6rmaess. But when an in.
dividual is obliged to prosecute, as in this country,
at his own hazard, prudential considerations may
induce him to refrain from billeting an offender to
justice, or to abandon his intention when the feel.
iags of resentment, in which in ail probability it
originated, have passed away. I throw out these
suggestions for the consideration of. the Committee,
the rasher as I do not expect that it will be in our
power to effect a remedy, without some firm and
due deliberation. When I look at the progressive
increase of crime c f late years, and the ill conse-
quences with which that increase has been attended,
I am convinced that the time has arrived for taking
the subject into serious consideration. My im-
mediate object, on this occasion, is confined to the
state of crime and the condition of the police in
the metropolis; yet so many subjects are connected
with it—so many topics, all calling for consideration—
that I feel it impossible for one man to do justice
to them all. It is my intention to confine the attention
of the Committee to the cbjects just mentioned—a
course which I think preferable to opening up before
them the entire state of the country. I entreat those
Members of the House who are engaged in agricultural
or manufacturing pursuits, to consider the prejudicial
effects which the increase of crime must inevitably
produce upon their own occupations. I think, Sir,
that the time will soon come when we shall all be sada-
, fied that this country, by the increase of its population..
the enlargement of its resources. and the multiplied
development of its energies, has outgrown those
institutions which were devised six or seven hundred
years ago, and which may have operated very well
when it was the habit for persons to begin and end their
lives in one parish. I says Sir, we will soon be son-
'vioced that the country has outgrown its system or
lice, among others of its institutions, and that the
Icheapest and the best measures for the improvement of
that system will be such as are calculated to provide an
efficient and adequate plan, calculated to check the
increase of crime. How do you act at present•? You
take an exclusive and populous district, and appoint
some tradesman, perhaps a respectable grocer, to
undertake the active management of a Police for five
or six thousand inhabitints, without stifordinghim, any
adequate remuneration for his labour; for if,he does re-
ceive any thing like an adequate:remuneration, it: can
only be by becoming venal' andAsbusing his authority.
It is manifestly absurd to expect. such an individual,
after attending to hit business dating the day, to perform
the duty of a parish constable at night; yet you compel
him to do so; and while you impose a hardship oil the
individual, you inflict aietious injury on the public ;for,a
person so appointed, and so inadequately compensated
for his exertions, cannot, be• expected to perform the
duties of his office aright. I have a document which 1

propose to place in thetands of the Noble Lord o;
site, which affords conclusive evidence that the same
necessity which led him to propose a motion last
year on this subject still exists. From this document it
appears, that crime in England and Wales has cnnsi.
derably increased in the year 1827, as compared with
its state in 1826. It is batter to look fairly to the state
of the case, for if crime is on the increase, there is no
use of our boasting of our superior morality. It would be
better to endeavour to provide a remedy than to lull oar.
selves and the cottony into a false security. I regret that
there has recently been a considerable interne in the amount •(
criminal offences committed in this country. However crinr:s
sf
violence, such -as murder and other iggilvited
diminished, crimes against property have grey increased—se
such an extent indeed, that it appears evident they imperatively
require to-be checked. I shall read a few items from a return
which I hold in my hand, relative to the' state of crime of late
years in this country. In 1825, the number of conunitsbesits in
England and Wales was 12,265; in 1824, it amounted to 13,498,
Inuking an increase of 1,435 on the preceding year. In 1825, the
commitments were 14,437, showing an increase on the year before
of 759. In 1826, the number was 16,147, an increase' strike pre-
ceding year of 1,710; and in 1827, the number Cotritititted alehilanted
t 017,921, being 1,774 beyond that of the former year—soda from
1423, when the number of committals was 12,265, to 1827, when se
amounted to 17,921, the increase is 5,658 committals in four years.
—t will now mention some of those counties in which there has
, been a decrease of crime, and in which there has been a consider-
4ble decrease in the n timber of colnmittnente &dug the year tort,
has then contrasted with those of 1826. In the county of Devoe
there has been a decrease, so also in the county of Gloucester, in the
city of Bristol, iu the county of Huntingdon, in the ctiinity of Mid..
diesel, and in the county of Surrey. The total decrease 'of
the number of commitments being 137, it may 'he insportant
to remark, that of these 157, in the counties of Middlesex and
Surrey alone there have been no less than 112. The House
May also wish to know the greatest number of ittereased com-
mitments in the various counties. In Cheshire, the number
is 82; in Lincoln it is 108; in Lancashire, it is 85—this being
by no means a large increase, when ch.: great extent of the portly.
tion of that county is considered. In Somerset his somewhat larger
—comparing the average of the year 1826 with the year 1827—is
that county it is 156. In Staffordshire it is 112; lo York, 227;
end in Worcester, 81. In all the other counties, missive of thole
I have mentioned, there has been undoubtedly an increase lit toe
Dumbet of commitments. I must, however, except two—the cost.
ties of Kent and Cardigan, in which the numbers have been 'trach
the same, having neither increased nor decreased during 1527, fuss
what they were during 1826. From this enumeration, however, I i•
not draw any inferences, because it opens a wide field for specs.
Luton, and abundant scope for theorists of all descriptions. Ime
satisfied that so conclusions can be drawn, either with reference t•
the Poor Laws, the Game Laws, or to any other specific matter
whatever, with any degree 'of safety or certainty, without takiat
into considerati6n s vast number of elements of inquiry. These
facts ought to be, and doubtless will be presented to the Com-
mittee, and by patient and deliberate investigation, we shall,
I feel assured, he enabled to satisfy ourselves as to the principal
causes of the increase of crime in 1127, as compared with its Kate is
1826. I feel that I ought to apologise for the length of time at
which I have occupied the attention of the House. The subieet is
one in which I feel so deep an interest, that I have been induced to
take a more extended view of it than perhaps I ought, in merely
moving the appointment of a Committee, to which, I believe, no
objection is likely to be raised. But feeling as Ido that these con-
siderations and the topics to which I have refereed involve matters
of deep importance to the best interests of the country, to its wel.
fare, to its security, and above all, to the usual habits of the people,
connected as they so intimately are with the well-being of die State,
I can readily look fer my excuse for having so long occupied rpm
attention. The Right Hoseurside Secretary then saosed--
" That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the
causes of the increase of crime, and of the incresstd number et
commitments In the cities of London and Westminster ; and also
into the state of the Police of the Metropolis, cad the districu
• adjoining thereunto, and so report uputt the sante to the House."
Mr. HUME attributed the great cause of the increase
of crime to the want of employment, the low rate of
wages, and the Game Laws. In -the year 1826 he showed
that in every article of consumption there was a Jinn-
notion, occasioned no doubt by excessive taxation, a
subject not at all noticed by the Right 'Hon. Gentlenns.
To prevent starvation, the people pillaged pioperty,and
-so destitute had they become, that they preferred halt%
loaf in a prison to starvation in their miserable do elliogs.
He believed theßeturns laid upon the table two years ago
showed a vetoer degree of crime in the country titan in
the manufacturing districts. The fact was, that capital
was leaving the country, hence the diminution of em.
ployment, and the smallness of wages. Taxation now
continued as high as when it was paid in a depreciated
currency, and that again must lead to poverty, and
poverty to crime. Low wages was the greatest mis-
fortune which could befall this country, and it was
one of the most exciting causes of clime. The Right
Honourable Gentleman said, that he had little hopes of
speedy or practical relief, and certainly if he shut
his eyes to excessive taxation he could expect but
little; but the House should not be blinded as to
the real causes of the increase of ohne. There was
again the emigration from Ireland—causing a !e-
-duction of wages, and as the result, producing
poverty, and beggary, and crime. No police, however
active, can prevent men who ate starving from taking
the means of subsistence how and where they could.
The situation in which Ireland was kept was a serious
injury to England, who had to pay for a standing
army to keep her down. Let the people of that roomer
be conciliated—let them be employed—let the rich
landholders, at all events, reside occasionally on their
estates, and then taxation might be easily decreased.-
The Poor Laws had much to do with the increase of
crime, and therefore he would not support such a Sys,
tern in Ireland. They might go on patching and mend-
ing from year to year—but until Ireland was in fact
made a part of England, and until taxation was lessened,
every effort they might make would be abortive.
Mr. PEEL said he did not regret the increase of Ma-
Sanctums t but that their great increase rendered
greater prevention necessary in the case of crime. The
great increase of manufactures, together with the ,
amazing growth of the population, outgrew the police
provisions, which might have answered ceatusies ago. •
These were the repressions which he had used, and iot '
those attributed to him.
Mr. SPRING RICE concurred generally in all the
observations which had fallen from the Right Hon-Gen- J.
demon ; but he begged to suggest,that the subjectshould
not be handled with timidity, but that they should, meet
it baldly, and with a determination that no obstacles
should. prevent their looking into the whole matter;
for if they acted otherwise, no useful-object could be
gained. He contended that it was impossible to do
any good in the reform of the Police of the Metropolis,
so long as the present system of a parochial' watch
was continued. That system was detective in over,
respect, and particularty in the circumstance of the
superintending officerkbeing annually and not perm°
trendy appointed. He was glad that the inquirrwas not
to be limited to London and. Westminster, for the effector
former measures which applied to those citiesezcluovell
had, been to drive the perpetrators of crime into the
suburbs and adjacent counties, where clime had coast-
quently increased to a very great extent. He regretted
that the Right Hon. Gentleman had not adverted to
one subject, which he thought of very great import'
;ince connected with the Police of the Metropolis-
he meant the licensing of public houses. As long el
that system continued in its present state, while hood
.could not be closed, be they ever so bad, nor other+
opened,,be they ever so good, according as they be •
longed or not to particular persons, it was quite ceo
tain that public houses would be the dens of deco'
where all crimes would be planned in security. Ancilie •
evil which pressed for the earliest possible remedy ;
the ecindition of juvenile offenders after committal.
number of this class of offenders had buconte so vole

I

t .

~:.

`r

-t. •

that it wouirturidoebtedlr form *
spiry by the Committee. • He believed
mode of indiscriminate imprisonment
the increase of this description of crik
the root of the evil would not be..
. confined in a separate prison and CI.
die nature of the offences ;hey had
ousted also that attention would be
tient of secondary punishment by
was known that the condition of
~, greatly improved by their being i
and that it was no punishment at
'', many of their letters to their friends
were ,so many inducements to crime.
, ',the superior advantages of their siti.,
'i'• declared it would be a good thing if the
• writing to could be enabled to join'
Mr. WILMOT-HORTON argued
• tiOn a the Hort. Member for Abet
of crime, as of all other evils, was
He contended that the lower cl-
. crime, by the lowness of wages, which
to a redundant population. He wr
there were other causes to be found in
• . the lower classes than that of tax:
remedies were required. When the
. for investigating them, he trusted ti
• the most deliberate attention of the -
Sir E. KNATCHBULL said, he
go into the questions of taxation, or
tween capital and labour, but as the
posed to extend to the county he
represent, he should trespass upon
few observations upon that subject.
Friend had said that the time I
when the country had outgrown her
Right Hon. Friend meant to limit '
tutions of Police—(Hear, from Mr.
agreed with him, that an alteration
sary. He was extremely glad to hi
measures were not to be confined to
cause there were evils existing in the
and still farther, which loudly call
• When he mentioned the town of -
be difficult to name another town
more required the interference of a
regulated police. He would extend
tthioitingtowCahstithdeanme
bad to
ynthe Sheerness.
e.tablished
places which they had power to do,
repressing crime were insufficient.
deserved better of their country than
whom he alluded, and he regretted
posed to attacks in that House, whi
to have been met and repelled at
were made. But as the motion
Learned Member for Winchelsea •
the House to.morro re night, an of
be found to defend the Magistracy
had been so unjustly made upon
Ho would not say more in the al•
Learned Member, but had he been
not have stopped where he now did.
meet of transportation he entertaidei
site to that of the Hon. Member for
letters from convicts, and althoi
edly stated that their situation
spects improved, yet they all cs
paration from their friends, whi
to be a punishment of a very .
punishment were to be abolished,
know what substitute the Honour:
propose in its place ? Was it the
fining convicts in the hulks?
would certainly not have his
the effect of that practice to be
comparisons made between their
the labouring poor in the neigh(
where they were confined, were .
then venture to repeat. The Gime
mentioned as one of the sources of
he would say that no man was
existing system of Game Laws
none who more anxiously wished
of the House with a view to •
agreed with those who thought ti
in prosecuting had added very con
ber of commitments. He had no
remedies would be found for the
Ile could see no ground for r
believed that there was in this cm
sense and good feeling, which,
respect for the laws, would indut
charge tneir duty by administer;
the attacks to which they were
and elsewhere—(Hear, hear).
would continue to have what he
defence of its liberties and its inf"
Magistracy, consisti, g of men
rulers from the suspicion of
partiality—(Hear, heal).
Dr. LUSHINGTON thought
prisons of the metropolis had a -
that unfortunate inmate of et
appointment of another Commit
from the Report of the last Cr
the crowded and inconvenient
Prison, describing the dormito,
only allowing sixteen inches in s
The only thing done by the Alit.
consequence or this Report was
Justices. He had been at the
and nothing whatever had been
the evils complained of. He
crowded, that in one sleeping
persons were locked up together
of less than sixteen inches ;
him, that when he opened tl
he was obliged to wait some ink
eater, so great was the stench.
Coldbath-fieldi Prison at preset.
was still worse. fle had never
horror in his life as upon going
at Newgate, and seeing three
whom was to be executed the
other two knew their punis-
No situation can be more the.
labour ing under the horrors
obliged to remain with two
feting death, had just learnt
heavenly climate of Botany ,
ber then contended that the a
to be opened to the counties of .
offences committed on the other
might be disposed of there, '
Judges on the C.rcuit lessened.
Mr. C. BARCLAY said, the
Committee of 1817, he knew
their Reports from which the
would find very valuable assist
that the late increase of ctimit
seeded from the increased facili
quending such prosecutions.
which he hoped the attention
be given, and that was the

iimm.

•
e. sub
elieved
meat
f crimi
reaches
nd clas
hadc
begs
by tra
of mo
ig sent
at all
*riends
crime.
situatio
if the
)in the
irgued
nerdeen
'as refer
classes
, which
:le was
mind in
taxatio-
n the p
sted th
f the H
he d
ion, or
as the
y he h
upon t
tbject.
e seem
n lier in
imit hi
Mr. Se•
ation h•
i to hea
ned to th
n the to •
ly calle
of Gr
town i
e of a
extend
ness. H •
fished a
to do,
cient.
7 than
gretted
se, whic
d at th
notion
el se a vra
to oppor
racy fro,
von th
e absent
,e been
ow did.
ertairicd
ber for I
althoug
ation
sll com •
s, whic
ry sever
)fished,
mourabl
s it the
lks ? 1
is apprs
be mo
heir co
!ighbour
were suc
e Game
ces of cr
I was 111
Laws
wished f
tv• to th
3grahyd ct:t:shadit,
or the e
for de
his coun
hich, co
I induce
inisterin;
were ex
tr). He
hat he
its inde
men re
on of
bought
lad a po
of erns
)mmitte-
last Con
enient st
n mito.
les in wi
he Mid
,rt was t
at the p
d been
. He
eying
together,
ches ; a
used the
hale min
stench.
t present
d never
s going i
three cot
the ne
anishme
e dreadf
orrors o
two othe
trnt that
any Bay.
the Old
ales of K
se other
there, an
ssened.
aid, that
knew tl
ich the It
le assista
crimina
;ed facilit
Lions. '1
.ention of
as the o