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PROSPECTS OF INDUSTRY- 

 SUMMARY OF CAUSES OF DISTRESS REMEDIAL 

 AGENCIES. 



IT is surprising that amongst the multitude of works, which the 

 last ten years have given birth to, on the science of political economy, 

 none should have been produced bearing directly on the cause of the 

 present evil condition of the industrial classes. We say it is sur- 

 prising but yet it is hardly so, since the researches and inquiries of 

 their writers have had little reference to the state of the people ; 

 abstract opinions on natural rights, singular fancies as to national 

 wealth, being the summum bonum of national happiness : and amusing 

 tales, concocted in the most profound ignorance of society and of 

 morals, have occupied the place of philosophy and philanthropy. 

 And what is the result ? a Poor Law Bill ; the chief enactment of 

 which is, the punishment of poverty as a crime, and the immuring of 

 families in workhouses ; with an absolute silence as to any means by 

 which our pauperised population are to be helped out of their dif- 

 ficulties, except by passing through the ordeal of utter degradation. 



There cannot be a question, but that an immense amount of misery 

 and mischief has resulted from a bad administration of our Poor 

 Laws; and so far we are glad to see them re-modelled. The argument, 

 however, which endeavours to prove that this mal-administration of 

 relief is the one grand cause of distress and demoralisation, is un- 

 founded. That this mal-administration has been one agent we do 

 not deny, and therefore we hold that a better administration will be 

 one means of regeneration : but the bare fact, that any considerable 

 body of labourers seek parochial relief, is in itself a convincing proof 

 of the unhealthiness of its industrial condition ; which unhealthiness 

 springs, in the first instance, from causes totally independent of good 

 or evil systems of Poor Laws. Again, taxation and changes in the 



M.M. No. 6. 4 A 



