The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-07-15

by human lribin;hs, or the ifowna ol OpT
Creator, whenthr Archaugers trump shall
summon us TO his bar
ron TIT vIReIsfAN.
The system of the poor hwsol Virginia
isa subject worthy Ibe attention oi persons
more conversant ~ public affairs, having
more leisure, and better information and
abilities than Lazarus There are now e.
leeied to the Legislature, some Of his friends,
possessing AL the qualifications that he
wants. If the observations he has written
should have the effect of calling their atten-
ton to Il, aud convincing them that il de-
serves and requires their consideration, he
will have succeeded 10 the full extent OF
his expectations and wishes.
THE POOR LAWS or JIRGtNLf.
The Virglnians are censured by their bre-
tlrrcnofthe east, with gfaspng at the accom-
pishmeni of enterprises, difficult or imprac.
teablc with promulgatng ingenious thco-
ries, upon subjects ei remote or prehfmati-
cal adsaatags, and negloctinr the hemely
bot useful details Of domestic aud pubic
economy.
The oapspv ~ ia ns,tl.inp better proved,
nrifnatrated thaniaihe SCHEMES OF internal
improvement, PROJECTED aad projecting in
that commonNealth,a alta timc when the PEG
pie are totally uninfu med Il indifferent up
onthe suhjectoflhe alarming increasing bur
theas oftheir connty and parish police, both
az TO the sums levied, the purposes for
wlnchl tle leges arr made and, the appli-
cath,a OF the money 10 the purposes for
which tits destined.
ltsihe part ola wise and prudent people,
to watch over the legislative provisions, ON
subjects of1,ermanen; interest, aud 10 watch
with vigilance the practical operation aud
effect of those provisions, 60 modify them
by experience, To exirpate abuses aud cor
Teet errors, before they obtain The sauction
Of habit and prejudice; 60 preserve to
themselves, III far asis practicable, the ear
uings, OF their ownlsbor,and to protect pos
terity from unnecessary burthens.
Ii is no small grievance, on the contrary,
it's perhaps the greatest, incidcutto ciyiiiza-
ton * government, that the surplus made
by the labor of the frugal, sober, prudent
s.l industrious, should by the law be taken
from them, To sustain the impravident,
\ debauchcd and idle that they who labor
and save, should be compelled TO curtail
their enjoyments, to afford food aud rai
ment to those who are idle and wasteGuI I;
and it must be admitted that such a sys-
tenn ought to be 50 managed as to produce
the greatest possible relief to the indgcnt,
with the least possible pressure upon the
prosperous.
Although person may be willing in the
spontaneous generosity ~ his heart, TO aid
N allordng relief Ia his fciiow-men, vet,
wren the law takes from HIM the means of
gratifying these humane and charitable
propensities, and undertakes to dispense
his charity for him the law ought, in com
mon justice, To provide that II shall be be-
slowed in no other manner than that in
which kina and feeling individual, would
hestow 1t and ought by its ministers to
cause il 10 be So bestowed
Canary system, authorised by the laws
of Virgins, be organized, that will pro
duce these results l apprehend that none
Can.
Two experiments, somewhat varied in
the details, have been tried. The FIRST and
most common, Is pro'lalnb Tor the paupers
by contract, between the oyers.ers of the
poor and nndertakers for their mainte-
nance: Tue second, poor houses. The
increase OF the parish eyies, under the first
system, has afforded just cause of alarm to
every person who pays any attention TO
the subject: many who participate of this
bounty, are able bodied, & capable Of earn
Ing subsistence for themselves; pfthose who
nc Incapable, fromimpotence ofboJy many
are illsgitimate children, persons disabled
By disease and infrmity, brought on by
lntemperance and idleness. Considerable
Sums are expended in administering the
fands. II is sometimes carelessy, and
sometimes nnjustly applied (; mprovideni
contracts are made with persons alnos
raupsrs themselves, for the maintananc.
Of raupeu In such cases. the undertaken