Objections to Mr. Curv:en's Plan of Poor Rates, [Aug. 1, 



many of onr fellow-creatures the most 

 abject want and misery, the cause of 

 which is developed in tlic above men- 

 tioned pamphlet of Mr. Clarkson's, and 

 also a remedy suggested, the object of 

 ■which is to afford additional comfort to 

 the really distressed and nnfortun.ite 

 part of the community; to check, the 

 prodigate and impostor; to give ade- 

 quate wages to the labourer; to more 

 equalize the rales for the support of the 

 helpless; and, finally, to reduce the sum 

 eollected; all of which will be better un- 

 derstood by a reference to the subject, 

 ■which has met with Ihc approbation of 

 many thoughtful and cnlightexied men, 

 and there is evei7 reason to conclude it 

 lias been inslrninental in calling the at- 

 tention of the legislature to a matter of 

 such great importance and apparent dif- 

 ficulty ; for, on reference to the various 

 plans of systematic relief which has been 

 given by different countries, at all times, 

 it appears nothing like perfection has 

 *ver been attained ; but, as this is consi- 

 dered an age of superior wisdom and im- 

 provement, what in former limes might 

 prove difficult, it is presumed, may now 

 be obtained, if set about in good earnest; 

 for, as Dr. Busby has said, 

 "Wlien eiiergizins objects men pursue. 

 What are the prodigies ilicy cannot do?" 



As opinion does not depend on the 

 ■will, itis natural, and certainly allowable, 

 for one person to dilfcr in opinion with 

 another; as such, I beg leave to point out 

 my objection to the plan of the poor laws 

 brought before parliament, and referred 

 to a select committee of the House of 

 Commons. It appears, by the report 

 given in the Sun newspaper of the 2yth 

 May, that, "Mr Curwen proposes to 

 eause every parish, and all classes, to 

 subscribe towards a national bank in the 

 proportion of onc-Uiirticlh of every man's 

 income, which, for the working classes 

 ahme, in proportion to four pence out of 

 ten shillings a week, would produce 

 4,800,000/. a year, the higher classes 

 should be required to pay six pence in 

 the pound out of their inctme, which 

 would produce a total of 8,800,000/. per 

 annum, including the armj and navy, by 

 small stoppages IVoni their pay. 



We sometimes hear of propositions, 

 fey men who have the character for wis- 

 dom, so preposterous, that it becomes 

 absolutely necessary that mankind should 

 make use of the sense, however small, 

 which Providence lias given them, and 

 not to embrace an opinion because it is 

 ti;e child of supposed v, isdom. 'I'liis re- 



mark arises in consequence of seeing 

 lately a proposition for reducing the in- 

 terest of the public funds, for the benefit, 

 of course, of the land-holders and pos- 

 .sessors of other property, the stock-holder 

 only excepted, — a proposal whicii one 

 would think could scarcely be exceeded 

 for its absurdity. Muchlcouhlsay on the 

 subject, but, it being irrelevant to my 

 present purpose, — sutlice it to say that in 

 my opinion the above proposition to 

 take four pence from ten shillings of 

 weekly earnings is nearly on a par with 

 the reduction of interest on the funds; for 

 it appears to me intended to take tlie 

 burden from the strong and healthy, and 

 to throw it on the shoulders of the weak, 

 sick, and decrepit ; or, in other words, to 

 take it from the rich, and those who, liy 

 the laws of God and the present laws of 

 man, are required to afford assistance, 

 (though certainly more ccpially,) ami 

 throw it on the poor, and those who are 

 willing, but incapable, of supporting 

 themselves. It is one of the most absurd 

 anomalies I ever heard of — to require per- 

 sons who are already unable to maintain 

 themselves and families to be compelled 

 1o contribute to a fund for tlie distressed; 

 for, how is a man with a family, who 

 earns ten shillings a week, to spare four 

 pence ont of it, when their support at 

 this time would require thirteen shillings? 

 Is a [jioposal of this kind likely to con- 

 tribute towards peace and harmony, and 

 stop that dissatisfaction which has un- 

 fortunately shewn itself in various parts 

 of the country : it appears to me to be 

 similar to fastening down the water-plugs 

 when a town is on lire, tending to increase 

 the evil, rather than stop its progress. 



The second proposition is to levy six 

 pence in the pound on all other incomes. 

 Now, this would prove as inquisitorial as 

 the late income tax, which was consi- 

 dered so obnoxious ; for, whether an in- 

 come tax is 2\ per cent, or 10 per cent, 

 or levied for the use of the state, or the 

 maintenanceof the poor,itis in its nature 

 the same ; as such, I presume it cannot 

 be endured. Uesides, to lay eight pence 

 in the pound on the labourer, and only 

 six pence on the higher classes, appears 

 inconsistent. 



If dili'orent districts were to call meet- 

 ings, appoint committees, and take into 

 considcralion what has at various times 

 been suggested, together with fresh pro- 

 posals, and comnnmicatc with each 

 other, I doubt not but some better plan 

 might be hit upon, and followed up with 

 petitions to parliament for the adoption 



of 



