This, therefore, is a most important branch of what may be called Civil Police, highly deserving the attention of the Legislature; because it is not only contrary to Reason, but pregnant with evils which tend to the increase of crimes in a greater degree than is generally supposed.
The extensive and growing intercourse in commercial dealings, and the diffused state of property must, of course, progressively, increase the number of Appeals to Courts of Justice, even under the present System; till at length the duty of the Judges (infinitely more extensive than their predecessors experienced, and increasing every day,) will so multiply, as to render it an act of great cruelty and injustice, not to ease them of the unreasonable labour arising from small Law-suits.
The same reasoning applies to the Members of the Executive Government. As we advance in riches, population, and crimes, the management of the Country becomes more complicated. The labour attached to the higher departments of the State of all descriptions is infinitely greater than a century ago; and yet there is no increase in the number of the first executive responsible officers.—This, (although it has not heretofore attracted notice), when duly considered, will be found to be a very serious misfortune.
The mind, however active or enlightened, can only compass certain objects. It requires relaxation; it cannot always be upon the stretch.—There is a point beyond which human exertion cannot go—and hence the necessity of the division of labour, in proportion to the increase of responsible public duty. Wherever this does not take place, the Country suffers; an unreasonable burden attaches, by which means matters of great consequence to the Community must be overlooked, because it is impossible to compass every thing.
Having thus briefly explained that branch of the Police of the Capital which is connected with the department of the Law, together with some of the most prominent features of abuse, which have grown out of the present System; as well as the Remedies which have occurred, as apparently best calculated to remove these accumulating evils. It remains now to bring under the review of the Reader, the various Municipal Regulations, which have been established for the comfort, accommodation, and convenience of the inhabitants; and the means used in carrying them into execution.
The Metropolis of the Empire having been extended so far beyond its ancient limits;—every parish, hamlet, liberty, or precinct, now contiguous to the Cities of London and Westminster, may be considered as a separate Municipality, where the inhabitants regulate the Police of their respective districts, under the authority of a great variety of different Acts of Parliament; enabling them to raise money for paving the streets, and to assess the householders for the interest thereof, as well as for the annual expence of watching, cleansing, and removing nuisances and annoyances. These funds, as well as the execution of the powers of the different Acts, (excepting where the interference of Magistrates is necessary) are placed in the hands of Trustees, of whom in many instances, the Church Wardens, or Parish Officers for the time being, are Members ex officio; and by these different Bodies, all matters relative to the immediate safety, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants are managed and regulated.
These Regulations, however, are mostly founded upon Statutes made in the last and present Reign.
The Act of the 2d of William and Mary, cap. 8, for paving, cleansing, &c. within the City and Liberties of Westminster, and the Bills of Mortality, not having been found applicable to modern improvements, new regulations became necessary; and an incredible number of private Statutes applicable to the different Parishes, Hamlets, and Liberties, composing the Metropolis, have been passed within the last 50 years.
The Act of the 10th George II. cap. 22, established a System for paving and lighting, cleansing, and watching the City of London: but the Statute which removed signs and sign-posts, balconies, spouts, gutters, and those other encroachments and annoyances, which were felt as grievances, by the inhabitants, did not pass till the year 1771.—The 11th of Geo. III. cap. 29, contains a complete and masterly System of that branch of the Police which is connected with municipal regulations, and may be considered as a model for every large City in the Empire. This excellent Act extends to every obstruction by carts and carriages, and provides a remedy for all nuisances, which can prove, in any respect, offensive to the inhabitants; and special Commissioners, called Commissioners of Sewers, are appointed to ensure a regular execution. It is further improved by the 33d of his present Majesty, cap. 75, by which the power of the Commissioners is increased, and some nuisances arising from Butchers, Dustmen, &c. further provided against.