SECT. XXVII.] RESULTS OF THE INQUIRY. 297 



There is, however, a difference of opinion amongst us 

 as to the best means of so doing ; some think the neces- 

 sary funds should be provided in part by the public 

 through a national rate, and in part by private associa- 

 tions, which, aided by the public, should be authorized to 

 establish mendicity-houses and alms-houses, and to admi- 

 nister relief to the indigent at their own dwellings, subject, 

 however, to the superintendence and control of the Poor 

 Law Commissioners ; while others think the whole of the 

 funds should be provided by the public, one portion by a 

 national rate, and another by a local rate, and should be 

 administered, as in England, by the Board of Guardians 

 of each district. 



We give in the Appendix (H.) to this Report the rea- 

 sons stated for each opinion ; the majority of us think 

 that the plan of voluntary associations, aided by the pub- 

 lic in the way we shall subsequently mention, should be 

 tried in the first instance. 



REMARKS. 



We must let the reader into the secret of the 

 difference of opinion which exists among the Com- 

 missioners. They consist almost entirely of Pro- 

 testants, and the few who are Catholic, not having 

 lived in a free Catholic country, are unacquainted 

 with the resources which an unmarried priesthood 

 offers to society in favour of the poor. It is there- 

 fore no matter of surprise that they all agree in 

 not engaging the services of the priesthood in 

 the ameliorations which they propose. They how- 



