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Leader (1850-1860), 1st November 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 1035, INCREASE OF PAUPERISM IN MANCHESTEK

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      Untitled Article

      « rpre also present . The following resolution , somewhat vague in its terms , was carried unanimously : — " That the present state of the representation is such o « to render it the duty of every one aspiring to the ^ roffress of humanity to work for an effectual reform in the Commons House of Parliament . " The interpretation of this mystic and impractical resolution was given by Mr . Lattimore , and he exp lained reform to mean the programme of the National Association .

      A meeting of the Council of the Manchester Parliamentary Reform Association was held at Manchester on Tuesday , Mr . George Wilson in the chair , and influentially attended , to consider the propriety of a Conference being held in reference to the measure of reform said to be contemplated by the Government . After a deliberation , in which great unanimity of sentiment prevailed , it was agreed , upon the motion of Mr . Bright , M . P ., seconded by Mr . Kershaw , M P . that the Prime Minister having announced it

      to be the intention of the Government to introduce a measure for the reform of the representation in the coming session of Parliament , this Council , complying with many urgent requests from various parts of the country , resolves to convene a meeting of the friends of reform , chiefly , though not exclusively , from Lancashire and Yorkshire , for the purpose of conferring on the steps which may be necessary to give due expression to public opinion , and thus to secure such a measure of reform as may be

      satisfactory to the country . Arrangements were to be made , if possible , to hold the Conference in the first week of December .

      Increase Of Pauperism In Manchestek

      INCREASE OF PAUPERISM IN MANCHESTEK

      A document has been issued in the shape of a report , by Mr . Harrop , clerk to the Board of t 3 ruardiang , showing some important results , imputed as consequences , to the Irremovable Act of 1846 . That act , which took away from the guardians the power of removing paupers after five years' industrial residence , " has had the effect of throwing a large and increasing permanent charge upon the local rates of towns like Manchester . To show this , Mr . Harrop compares the expenditure of 1846 in outdoor relief with that of-the year ending September 1851 . The comparison shows a total average increase over the year 1846 of 1212 families , and an increase in cost of

      £ 139 . 10 s . weekly . By an analysis of this total increase it appears that , while the English poor in receipt of outdoor relief have only increased from 2463 to 2624 , or less than 7 per cent ., and in amount by £ 7 . 10 s . per week , the Irish poor have increased from 427 to 1478 families , or above 300 per cent ., and in amount by £ 132 per week , or £ 6864 per annum . " This enormous increase in our expenditure , " saya Mr . Harrop . " I am inclined to believe , is the direct and immediate consequence of the abolition of the power of removal , effected by the 9 th and 10 th Victoria , cap . 06 , passed in the year 1816 , and subsequent acts renewing the same . "

      Mr . Harrop states some other facts useful m connection with the question as to settlement and removal , which , it is rumoured , will be one of the great questions of next session . He says : —¦ " During the last few years the Poor-law Board have been causing extensive inquiries to be made throughout the country into the practical effect of the law of settlement , and the result has been most extensive reports , in one of the most able of which , however , it is stated that no confidence can be placed in the evidence obtained ; showing thereby the difficulties surrounding ( he question . There is , however , much valuable matter in these reports , mid much that may perhaps influence the Poor-law authorities in their recommendations to Parliament .

      I here appears in some of them a tendency m favour of the abolition of the law of removal , rather , I think , from theoretical impressions than from practical proofs of the necessity for such an important change—a change which , if applied to Irish poor , it is greatly to be feared must inevitably result in a serious Increase of Irish immigrants into every town in England , mid an equally serious addition to the poor rates , even though new laws might be enacted , as appears to be suggested , to repress vagrancy , which laws would have the effect , merely of filling the houses of correction instead of the workhouses , at a probably increased cost to the country . Dm ing the quarter lust ended 1 caused to be prepared a variety of returns , with n view of placing belore the Hoard the results of their proceedings as to relief generally , and with the view also to effect any alteration therein which might , be deemed deairable .

      Among other matters , my uilrution was directed to the orders granted to applicants for relief , and I find that out of 14 K ) ciihch ordered fiorn the . respective relief hoards to ihe workhouse , 670 refused uucli relief , and ceased to be chargeable ; that , out of ( ilfi persons ordered to the house of iudustiy to work , 30 / 3 refused to go there , and ceased to be chargeable ; and that out of 2 U 4 pdtioiiis ordered to the stone yiird , 140 refused to go , " »» d ceased to be . chargeable . Hence it . will be seen , that , one-half of the applicants for relief during the p < riod I ] , « . referred to , refused the relief ratlier than work ut employment found for them . Again , of the iMimbcr of ci . Hen ordered to the workhouse , 220 were Irish , und 71 English families removable , to their respective places of settlement ; of these Iribh families , thrco iourtlm refused to be removed ; mid of the English , lather more than one-half refused , at the same time ( ocnrnng to lie chargeable , * a aboyo uUted- This fret i *

      suggestive of the necessity for maturely considering the propriety of retaining the law of removal , especially as applying to Irish poor .

      Untitled Article

      THE FAMINE LOANS . Pending the ultimate decision of Parliament , the " Lords Commissioners" of the Treasury , have arrived at certain conclusion as to what Government is prepared to do with the Irish "Unions , and the repayment of advances . " My Lords , " having considered the memorials hold that " the present state of the greater part of Ireland , does not call for any relief from the operation of the act ; " that they " cannot doubt , there are districts in which relief must be given ; " that is , in districts where the ordinary rate is quite insufficient to meet the ordinary expenditure , and recourse is had to the rate in aid Lords

      fund ; that " with regard to postponement , my are of opinion that such a course would only tend to prolong a feeling of uncertainty as to future payments ; " that , as the great object is to restore confidence , " the demands of the Government ought to be definite , both in amount and also in time ; " and therefore , ' Lords , " think • that remission of payment , either altogether or to a certain extent , according to the circumstances of each district , is far preferable to postponing the payments ; " but as . the sanction of Parliament must be had to any definitive arrangement , ' Lords , " are prepared to adopt the following course in anticipation of the measure to be submitted to Parliament .

      " The Poor Law Commissioners in Ireland are authorised toldirect thetreasurerof any unionin Ireland to retain in his hand any sum which he may have received from , or on account of an electoral division in which the expenditure for the relief of the poor , in the year ending September 29 , 1851 , has amounted to 4 s . in the pound en the valuation then in force , and not to pay over to the Paymaster of Civil Services in Ireland the annuity due from such electoral division for the current year ; and where the annuity for the current year added to such expenditure amounts for any electoral division to a sum exceeding 4 s . in the pound , on such valuation , to pay over to the Paymaster of Civil Services such sum only , in respect of the annuity , as , together with the charge for relief of the poor in the past year , will amount to 4 s . in the pound , and to retain the remainder in his own hands .

      " Her Majesty ' s Government will propose to Parliament that the sum so retained in respect of the annuities due for the current year shall be entirely remitted . "

      Untitled Article

      EMIGRATION AND PAUPERISM . The Irish " Exodus , " as the emigration from that unhappy land has been fancifully called is , it seems , rather encouraged than otherwise , by the landowning class . The Monaghan Standard states that a number of families have left that county during the past week , most of them farmers of the * better class , and some labourers who had obtained money from relations settled in the United States . The landlords and farmers in some electoral divisions of the Carlow Union are still engaged in sending out able-bodied paupers and their families to America . From the Fernan division , Queen's County , 148 paupers have embarked for St . John ' s , New Brunswick . All of them had been in the workhouse , chargeable to the estate of John Edyn , Esq ., at an annual cost of £ 120 more than the entire expense of their emigration ! The average charge for the emigration of each pauper is about £ 3 . Gs . The cost of clothing and maintenance in the workhouse for each had been £ 4 . 2 s . 4 d . per annum . Several other landlords , including Sir Charles Coote , Sir William Hurt , Lord Congleton , and Mr . Pullard , are carrying out this principle of pauper emigration , as a mode of lessening the poor rates on their respective estates .

      As a further illustration of the mode of administering the poor laws and dealing with pauperism , we give the following letter from Lord Besaborougli to his tenants . " lltuaborough , October 3 . << * * I understand that the guardians of the Carlow Union have found it necessary to strike a rate of Gs . in the pound upon the Garryhill division . I rrgret this very much , but am not surprised at it ; instead of receiving any assistance from the ratepayers in keeping down the , rates , I have found that tho more 1 did to lessen the rates the more they have done to increase them . 1 gave money to tcnaritM unable to hold their land , on condition of their leaving the country . They were taken in as lodgers until their money was spent , und arc now u charge upon the division . 1 have during

      the last four years given very extensive employment in draining , and found work for an many of the poor of the division as I could . The farmers , on the contrary , have generally employed strangers , many of whom am now chaigeable . upon them . They cim , therefore , only bl . nne themselves for the heavy rate they will now liave to pay . If they would have listened to the repeated ^ fc "'" K which 1 have conveyed to them , their rate wouMnow , probably , have not been one half of what it . is . In ( addition to ihis , the ratepayers in Mil town and StradufBhave been continually bringing utnmgcrs and lodgerH , for many of whom the ( Jarryhill division is now paying . " If the farmers are anxious to lighten the rate , they hud better at once , discharge the titrangcrs th . it they are employing and employ their own poor . If they do this , 1 Hindi be ready , ntao , to net some work on foot . If they do not , I am only waoting money in iny endeavours to

      assist them , and the result of a continuance in their present course must be a constantly increasing rate . " Bessborouqh . "

      Untitled Article

      internation . —England and " THE STATES . " Mr . Peabody , the gentleman who so magnificently kept the 4 th . of July , 1851 , gave a farewell entertainment to the American Exhibitors at the London Coffee-house , on Monday . Lord Granville , Mr . Abbott Lawrance , Sir Henry Bulwer , Sir Charles Fox , and Sir Joseph Paxton , were the " notables " of the evening . But of all these Sir Henry Bulwer occupied the floor to the greatest advantage . He was warm and generous in his praises of America . As to the part she played in the Exhibition all he had to ask was , What impression had been made upon them with respect to the mind and character of America ?

      " In reply to such interrogatory he would state that , in all that pertains to the practical purposes of life—and he might say of death too—the United States certainly stood at the head of the poll . { Cheers . ) Where should they find such pistols as Colt ' s , which would kill , he believed , eight enemies in a second ?—a reaping machine , which would clear twenty acres of land in a day ?—or where could they find locks superior to those of Mr . Hobbs ? To proceed a little further , there was that graceful and melancholy statue which well fitted the chains and misfortunes of ancient Greece , which also recalled the preeminent power of sculpture , and , he might add , the preeminent genius of Powers . { Loud cheers . ) But again , what was the small speck which the broad Atlantic ?

      they saw casting its shadow over That little vessel had given the ' go by ' to all the yachts in our own waters , and that too under the very eyes of a Sovereign whom we are proud to call the ' Mistress of the Seas . ' ( Loud cheers . ) But he always spoke his mind , and he thought that if the Americans had given us a lesson in one way , we had also given them another . He had heard of a story of Fox , who , when asked one day what he thought of a young man who had made a capital first speech , replied that he did not like to judge a man after success , he would like to see him after a failure . Now , they ( the Americans ) had taught us how to win the race , and we had taught them how to bear the loss of one . { Laughter and cheers ) . He described the modern principles which

      controlled the diplomatic relations of the two states as consisting in a smoothing away of small and irritating ^ differences ; " whereas , all those great points of honour , sympathy , and ties which must ever connect two great nations which speak the same language , have the same origin , and which do the greatest amount of business with one ano'her—those great points of opinions and sympathies lie was for making as much and as widely known as possible . ( Cheers . )" The concluding passages of his speech are of some importance to us . We must remember , however , that they are uttered by a diplomatist . the treatb

      When , the other day , he was signing y y which England and America reciprocally guarantee the security of the means of transit , whether railway or canal , which unites the Atlantic with the Pacific , he felt that he was " assisting in laying the foundation of an enduring alliance between the two countries—an alliance which , unlike those of old , was formed , not for the purpose of securing advantage to one or other of the parties , but calculated to promote the interests of mankind . " " Feeling , as he did , such a deep interest in this alliance between the two countries , he could not help thinking that if ever there was a time when such a step was required , it was at the present time . Did they not

      see that the nations of the world were vibrating between two extremes ? and was not some influence required which would moderate and regulate these motions ? Where could such influences be found ho safely and so securely as in a heaitfrlt good underrttamlinK and cordial union between Great Britain and the United Stutea . ( Cheers . ) lie knew that the Americans were Republicans , but what of that ? ( Cheers and latKjlUer . ) lie had but small respect for names , and still less respect for that ' mockturtle ' constitutional kind of liberty which he saw elsewhere . ( Cheers and laughtrr . ) He did not care what name it might be called , but it was evidently made by bad cooks from calves' heads . ( lienewed laughter . ) Tho foundation of our society in the United Slates and Great

      Ihitain were religion and luw—the purpose of b > 'th Government s was liberty and order . ( Cheers . ) Inasmuch as the Americans loved their Republicanism , let them detest , all those principles of division and confusion which would destroy it ; and iinunnuch as Kuglishnicii loved their Monarchy , let them prize and cherish all those principles which they know will preserve it from destruction . ( Cheers . ) A Socialist in the American Republic would be as popular as a favourer of the Divine ri ^ ht of kings in our own island . Ilcnco it . was that . lie . was happy to nee standing together side by side the President of the United States Republic mul his IJiieeii , Sovereign of henside bside

      these realms . ( Cheers . ) Standing , I , y , they also stood opposed to the anarchist , who spoke , na the friend of ( he 1 ' eople , ' and the absolutist who spoke as the friend of the Crown . ( Cheers ) Kong , then , let us stand together iih the champions of pence , moderation and patriotism , nmoiiK tll ( 1 nations of the world . ( Cheers ) And if it should unfortunately happen that war ever should occur , and that war should be a war of opinion , let us still ' stand together- the red cross of linqland ai ' id ( he stars and stripes of America aide by Hide , and he had no doubt that they would be able to leave recollectioiiH to their posterity which would be worthy of those they had received fiom theirs . { Loud cheers . ) ' *

      Untitled Article

      N 0 V . i , 1851 . ] ' gftg itgaftm 1035

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 1, 1851, page 1035, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1907/page/7/