11th. By the adoption of the General System of Police, recommended by the Select Committee of the House of Commons, and explained in [Chapter XVIII.]—By licensing and regulating certain dangerous and suspicious Trades therein specified; and by raising a Revenue for Police purposes, from persons who shall be thus controlled.—See pages [536] to [546].
12th. By the Establishment of a Board of Police Revenue, who shall exercise the specific Functions detailed and explained in [Chapter XVIII.] pages [546] to [559]: and finally, by an Act of Parliament, authorising such a system, the heads of which and the elucidating observations are also specified in pages [560] to [564].
Let these measures only be adopted by the Legislature, not by piece-meal, but in the gross; and little doubt need be entertained of the most beneficial effects being experienced by the innocent part of the Community, whose privileges will be extended, in proportion as the Licence which an imperfect Police afforded to Robberies, Burglaries, and other acts of violence on the person and property of the peaceful subject is abridged.
The General Police, and the powers of making it effectual, will then be a charge committed to responsible Agents; whose duty it will be to penetrate into all its mazes, and to accomplish its purposes by a variety of Regulations, all tending to embarrass, and to render difficult and hazardous, the pursuits and operations of Criminals.—Experience will suggest modifications, which, aided by competent funds, must in a short time attain that point which shall establish Security.—But this is not all—Without taking large sums (as at present) from the Revenue of the Country, the effect of the System will unquestionably be, to add to its resources in the diminution of the enormous expence now incurred in the punishment of Convicts;[206] and which still must continue a burden on the Finances of the Country, until the General Police System is fully (not partially) in activity.
It will collaterally extend to every thing that can improve the Morals of the People, and better the condition of Human Life.—Its influence will be felt by giving vigour to the Systems proposed for checking all Misdemeanors, for securing Commercial Property, and also the Public Stores, from embezzlement and depredation; while the offences against the Mint Laws, under the new Regulations which are suggested, will tend much to the prevention of that enormous evil.
Amendment of the Existing Laws.
When in addition to the adoption of the foregoing measures, further improvements shall be made in the Laws now in force, or perhaps a general consolidation of the whole Criminal Code be effected, so as to render the System more simple, and in a greater degree applicable to the attainment of the ends of Public Justice, great indeed will be the blessings conferred on the Metropolis, and on the Nation at large.
The celebrated Lord Bacon denominated them almost two centuries ago, when they were much less voluminous, and infinitely more simple than at the present day—
"An heterogeneous mass, concocted too often on the spur of the occasion, and frequently without that degree of accuracy, which is the result of able and minute discussion, or a due attention to the revision of the existing Laws."