8.—Under the Small Tenements’ Rating Act, a better class of houses than that now existing amongst us will be introduced; for it will be only by attention to the comforts of the Tenant that the Landlord will be able to obtain any additional weekly charge, to repay the amount of the rate which he will have to pay. This will be one of the results of the adoption of this Act, which the Committee regard as most important, and as bearing materially upon the comfort of the working classes.
9.—Under the Small Tenements’ Rating Act, no encouragement will be held out to the idle and dissolute, at the expense of the industrious and sober workmen, which is the case under the present system, undermining that independent, truthful, and manly character which the Englishman should ever be most proud of, since it is that one of his national characteristics which has given to him the proud position which he now holds.
These, Fellow Ratepayers, are the reasons which induced the Committee to propose the adoption of this Act, and which lead them still to believe that while it will be to the advantage of all classes, it will be of the greatest advantage to the poorer classes. You ought to decide for yourselves as to the claim which these reasons for its adoption have upon your judgment and support, from their own intrinsic merit or demerit alone, and not from personal considerations having reference to the character of those who support or oppose the introduction of this Act.
If, however, the Parish is to be insulted by such disgraceful Handbills as those to which allusion has been made, the Committee will not shrink from the challenge thus given, and they call upon you to declare by your Vote, whether you place the greatest confidence in the integrity of purpose, the disinterestedness of motive, and the honour of the Gentlemen whose names were attached to the Requisition to the Ratepayers, advising the adoption of the Act—or in those who thus endeavour to raise the bitterest feelings of animosity and hatred, by assertions, as disgraceful in their object as they are false in fact.
The Committee have no other motive to influence them than an earnest and faithful desire, firstly, that the Poor Rates shall be collected upon a principle of justice, including all Property, but relieving to a great extent that property which is of the lowest class. Secondly, that the administration of the Poor Rates, both in their collection and subsequent distribution, shall be governed by that true English feeling which, whilst it willingly alleviates the suffering of the destitute, yet honours most of all the self-supporting workman who disdains the relief sought for by the idle and improvident: and lastly, that that state of things shall be put a stop to in this Parish, which has brought upon it the fearful notoriety of being described by the Board of Health as “the Town in which the work of human extermination is carried on more successfully than in any other part of England and Wales.”
They do not hesitate in expressing the conviction that the adoption of this Act must lead to the erection of a better class of houses, to greater attention on the part of the Landlord to the comfort of the Tenant, and to a higher tone of character in the people; and they are confident that when its operation has been fairly tested, the best thanks of the Parishioners will be awarded to them for the course they have now adopted, and which they are resolved to carry out, in defiance of the prejudices and narrow views of their opponents.
Signed on behalf of
The Small Tenements’ Rating Committee,
S. H. BLACKWELL,
Chairman.