38 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



payers, by imposing on them heavy burdens, which 

 serve no purpose but to pamper the thriftless and en- 

 courage the worthless? 



When our forefathers framed these Acts, they were 

 full of the same Utopian ideas that filled Richard Cob- 

 den's ardent breast. They held the idea that we were to 

 be the manufacturing lords of the earth, and that our 

 great and ever-growing ii^dustries would find lucrative, 

 lasting employment for all our workers. They were full 

 of beliefs in our greatness ; in the phenomenal prosperity 

 that would attend their country ; and being full of these 

 pleasant thoughts they were as broad in their views and 

 as generous in their impulses as a man is when he is filled 

 with the good things of this life. But, alas, their ideals 

 were foredoomed to failure. Had these generous legisla- 

 tors known that pauperism, which they had provided for 

 with such lavish liberality, would grow into one of the 

 biggest items of public expenditure, the present Poor 

 Laws would never have come into existence. 



Poor Laws we want, because every great country 

 should support its poor. But Poor Laws, like all other 

 laws, should be drawn up with the nicest consideration 

 for every section of the people. Let our Poor Laws be 

 comprehensive and even generous, but let them provide 

 only for the support of the aged, infirm and deserving, those 

 who have been rendered poor by no fault of their own. Let us 

 provide liberally for this class of paupers, but here let 

 our provision cease. 

 Not It may be said: " This scheme of yours is as Utopian 

 pV^^'s'al" ^^ ^^^ ^^^ y^^ condemn, because it presupposes a condi- 

 tion of employment for all which does not exist." Pre- 



