1st. The prevention of crimes and misdemeanors, by bringing under regulations a variety of dangerous and suspicious trades;[170] the uncontrolled exercise of which by persons of loose conduct, is known to contribute in a very high degree to the concealment, and by that means to the encouragement and multiplication of crimes.
2d. To raise a moderate Revenue for Police purposes from the persons who shall be thus controlled, by means of Licence Duties, and otherwise so modified as not to operate as a material burden; while a confident hope is entertained, that the amount of this revenue will go a considerable length in relieving the finances of the country, of the expences at present incurred for objects of Police, and that, in the effect of the general System, a considerable saving will arise, in consequence of the expected diminution of crimes, particularly as the chief part of the expence appears to arise after delinquents are convicted.[171]
By the consolidation of the two Boards of Hackney Coaches, and Hawkers and Pedlars, the functions of the Commissioners will become very extensive and laborious, since in addition to the inspection and control of the different suspicious trades proposed to be licenced, it will be useful to the Public, and, indeed, the System will be incomplete, unless they not only keep constantly in their view the general Calendar of delinquency; but also carry into effect such plans as, on mature deliberation, and (many will unquestionably be found practicable), shall, in a great measure, prevent the terror—dangers—losses and inconveniences which arise from foot-pad and highway robberies, burglaries, and other atrocious offences, which are so prevalent in and near the Metropolis at present.—This duty will naturally attach to the Central Board, and which the Commissioners, (from the accurate information their situation will enable them to procure, and the Civil Force they may have at their disposal,) will be well qualified to execute with advantage to the Community; and while competent pecuniary resources will arise from the Licence Duties imposed, aided by legislative regulations, applicable to this, and other objects tending to the general prevention of Crimes, blame may fairly be imputed wherever a considerable degree of success is not manifest, by the gradual diminution of the more atrocious, as well as the minor offences.
The Select Committee of the House of Commons having stated it as their opinion, that the principle upon which the plan which has been brought under their review is founded, "if liable to no error; and that supposing it faithfully executed it gives the fairest prospect of success:" the Public will naturally become anxious for an enjoyment of the benefits which may be expected to result from its adoption.
As its leading feature is the security of the rights of the innocent, with respect to their Life, Property, and Convenience, the measures of this board must, in a peculiar degree, be directed with prudence and discretion to this particular object. This will be effected not only by increasing the difficulty of perpetrating offences, through a control over those Trades by which they are facilitated and promoted, but also by adding to the risk of detection, by a more prompt and certain mode of discovery wherever crimes are committed. Thus must the idle and profligate be compelled to assist the State, by resorting to habits of industry, while the more incorrigible delinquents will be intimidated and deterred from pursuing a course of turpitude and criminality, which the energy of the Police will render too hazardous and unprofitable to be followed up as a trade; and the regular accession of numbers to recruit and strengthen the hordes of criminal delinquents, who at present afflict Society, will be in a great measure prevented.
These objects (in the opinion of the Select Committee) are to be attained by the establishment of a Central Board of Police Revenue; the views of the Members of which should be directed to the means of adding "Security to the Person and Property of the peaceful Subject; the Morals of the People, and the general Finances of the Country; by those powers of action which are likely to operate most beneficially towards the prevention of Crimes."
To accomplish these purposes it would seem, (after mature deliberation), to be necessary not only to extend the Licensing System over the whole Kingdom; but also to form a chain of connection between the Central Board, and every district of the Country, with a view as well to a more effectual Control ever those suspicious Traders, who are to become immediate objects of attention on the part of the Police, as to establish a more correct and certain mode of collecting the proposed Revenue.
This chain of connection would appear to be only attainable through the medium of Select local Magistrates,[172] to whom a certain degree of responsibility would attach, and who by means of Stationary Surveyors, (being Constables), appointed by themselves, and under their immediate Control, would be enabled to superintend the collection of the Licence Duties, and in a particular manner to inspect into, and regulate the general Police of the District, while in conjunction with other Justices in the division, they granted the Annual Licences to the different Dealers upon the same plan which is at present pursued with respect to Alehouses.
From this general rule, however, on account of the peculiar situation of the Metropolis, a deviation might be necessary and useful to the Public. It would, therefore, seem that the Dealers resident within a certain distance round the Metropolis, should receive their Licences from the Central Board, and be immediately under its control.—The advantages resulting from this arrangement are obvious.—The chief part of the Receivers, and Criminal Dealers, who contribute in so great a degree to the increase and concealment of the numerous offences, which are committed in and near the Metropolis, require that the superintendance should not be divided, but that it should be confined entirely to the Board, where all intelligence is supposed to center; and whose peculiar duty it will be to watch the progress of Crimes in all their ramifications, and to adopt measures for preventing the growing corruption of Morals, by which every species of delinquency is generated.
For the purpose therefore of compassing this and every other object in the view of the Select Committee, it is suggested that the proposed Board should be authorized to exercise the following