332 Fundamental Principles of 



But if the only effectual relief for the distresses of 

 the poor, and the sovereign remedy for the numerous 

 evils to society which arise from the prevalence of men- 

 dicity, indolence, poverty, and misery among the lower 

 classes of society, must be derived from the charitable 

 and voluntary exertions of individuals, as the assist- 

 ance of the public cannot be expected unless the most 

 unlimited confidence can be placed, not only in the 

 wisdom of the measures proposed, but also, and more 

 especially, in the uprightness, zeal, and perfect disinter- 

 estedness of the persons appointed to carry them into 

 execution, it is evident that the first object to be at- 

 tended to, in forming a plan of providing for the poor, 

 is to make such arrangements as will command the con- 



O 



Jidence of the public, and fix it upon the most solid and 

 durable foundation. 



This can most certainly and most effectually be 

 done : first, by engaging persons of high rank and the 

 most respectable character to place themselves at the 

 head of the establishment ; secondly, by joining, in 

 the general administration of the affairs of the estab- 

 lishment, a certain number of persons chosen from the 

 middling class of society, reputable tradesmen, in easy 

 circumstances, heads of families, and others of known 

 integrity and of humane dispositions ; * thirdly, by en- 

 gaging all those who are employed in the administration 

 of the affairs of the poor to serve without fee or re- 

 ward ; fourthly, by publishing, at stated periods, such 

 particular and authentic accounts of all receipts and 



establishment, and repeal or alter all such of the existing laws as might render 

 the introduction of it difficult or impossible. 



* This is an object of the utmost importance, and the success of the under- 

 taking will depend in a great measure on the attention that is paid to it. 



