[172] It is presumed, that the distinction of Select Magistrates, joined to the patronage arising from the appointment of inferior Officers of Police in the respective Districts of the Country, (as Surveyors and Collectors of Licence Duties), would be considered as a sufficient inducement to men of Property, talents, and respectability, to undertake this very honourable Trust: to which it may reasonably be hoped, that many would be stimulated, in a particular degree, by the impulses of patriotism, and a desire to introduce a correct and improved System of Police in their respective Districts.
[173] Nothing can exceed the pains and labour which have been bestowed in settling the description of the persons, proposed to be licenced, with a view to an accurate system of Legislation. A regard to this accuracy made it necessary to abandon classes recommended by the proposer to the Select Committee; because on attempting to frame a Bill, it was found impracticable in one case, and impolitic in another, to apply Legislative rules that would not either be defeated or invade the privileges of innocence.[H]
[H] Persons keeping Crucibles, and Auctioneers.
[174] If Twine Spinners and Rope Spinners of a certain class could be brought under similar regulations, it would prove extremely beneficial, inasmuch as the small Manufacturers in this line are known to give considerable facilities to the Stealers of Hemp on the River Thames.—A number of small Rope and Twine Manufacturers have undersold the fair trader, by working up Stolen Hemp, purchased at half price; and it is but too evident from discoveries which have recently been made, that this evil has gone to a very great extent, and that considerable benefits would be derived to the Public, by placing Twine and White Rope Spinners under the control of the Police, at least within the proposed District of the Metropolis.
[175] See the [Chapter] on the subject of Base Coin, in this Treatise; and the remedies ultimately proposed for suppressing this enormous evil.—The Author has great satisfaction in stating that a Bill is now nearly prepared, grounded chiefly on his suggestions, for improving the Coinage Laws; and that sanguine hopes are entertained of its passing during the present Session of Parliament.—The proposition now made of bringing this feature of Police, so far as relates to Presses, and other Machinery, under the inspection of the proposed Central Board, will certainly have a powerful effect in deterring evil-minded persons from following the Trade of Coiners of Base Money, or Engravers and Stampers of forged Bank Notes.—In this kind of Control, the Police Revenue Board would have an advantage arising from the nature of the System, which may be considered as invaluable in a national point of view, since no part of the Country, however remote, could be said to be out of their reach, as Officers, under their immediate direction, would be found every where.
[176] From an estimate which has been made, the three Classes mentioned in division IV. might be made to produce above 100,000l. for Police purposes, in addition to what is received at present from Pawnbrokers, and Horse Dealers.—The chief part would arise from the transfer of Horses.
[177] The most œconomical mode would, apparently, be to consolidate in one person the office of Constable and Collector of the Licence Duties in the respective Districts; having it understood that the poundage received on the money paid to the Board, should not only be considered as a remuneration for the Collection, but also as a reward for occasional Services in the general Police Department.—By such an arrangement, a chain of Select and reputable Officers may be established all over the Country, without being felt as a burden of any kind on the Community; while those Services under the general arrangements of the Board, could not fail to be productive of infinite benefits in the well-ordering of Society.
[178] The Registers of our Courts of Record, and other well-attested accounts, have developed scenes of unfeeling Cruelty and Rapacity, in cases of Shipwrecks, which would have disgraced the rudest and most ferocious Savages, and would lead a Stranger to suppose that we have no Laws for the prevention of such outrages.
[179] Nothing can be offered as a more irrefragable proof of the utility of a Police Institution, such as has been recommended by the Select Committee on Finance, than the effect of the Marine Police Establishment upon the River Thames; where, in spite of a crippled System, and deficient Laws, the energy of the superintendence, and the strength of the Civil force, has, at a very trifling expence, applied with strict œconomy, worked such a change in the Port of London, both with respect to the security of commercial property, and the Revenue, as would scarcely have been conceived possible. For an Account of this System, see the [8th Chapter] of this Work: but for a more enlarged and comprehensive view of the nature and effect of the design, recourse must be had to the Author's Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames, &c. now in the press; in which the whole plan is developed, together with the Legislative System necessary to give permanent effect to the design.
[180] See the 28th Report of the Select Committee, page 4.