Various other causes might be assigned for the general corruption of Morals, which has in so great a degree increased the calendars of delinquency.—Among these might be mentioned Smuggling, or illicit Trade; the evil examples arising from an indiscriminate mixture in Workhouses and Prisons; the profligate examples of parents, and the want of religious and moral education, so universal among the children of the labouring people.—And the too frequent cohabitation without marriage among the lowest classes of the Community. These, like other evils, which have been more particularly detailed, are objects to which the proposed Police System would gradually attach, and through which preventive medium the Public are to expect those ameliorating designs, which are to secure the privileges of innocence, and better the condition of Society.
Prevention of Offences.
MISDEMEANORS.
Cheating And Swindling.
The [5th Chapter] of this Treatise developes the extensive mischiefs and evils which arise from the phalanx of Cheats and Swindlers who infest the Metropolis.—There appear to be two remedies, namely—
1st. To look accurately at the evil in all its branches, and then to improve the two Statutes now in being[203] by framing an act of Parliament that would include all the various cases which have been shown to have occurred, where the barrier of common honesty is broken down.—These cases are detailed from page [115] to [132].
2d. The Establishment of a Board of Police on the plan detailed in the [18th Chapter] of this Work, with functions calculated to check and prevent this evil, by giving to Police the full energy of the Law.
Stealing Fruit from Orchards, &c.
This offence is only punishable by the act of 43 Eliz. c. 7. by compelling the party to refund the value of the fruit stolen, or in default suffer the punishment of whipping, which never takes place, as the small value of the fruit detected is always paid. It is probable at that early period Fruit was not a species of property of much consequence.—The case is, however, different at the present time, and surely it would not be thought too severe to place this offence on the same footing as stealing Cabbages, Turnips, &c.