[181] London Workhouse is a large building, which might, with great advantage, be turned into a house of industry, or Penitentiary House for Petty offenders, for which purpose it was used in ancient times. Although it is said to be sufficient to lodge about 500 people, it is now used only as an asylum for a few old persons; and is a sinecure for the Keepers and Officers, who live comfortably as the servants of the Community without doing any good. This house is amply endowed by a power of levying contributions on all the parishes for its support.
[182] But particularly that branch of it, which relates to the management of the Poor, than which nothing in a greater degree requires immediate improvement; since it is unquestionably true, and has, indeed, been already shewn, that from this source incalculable evils have arisen, which must proportionately increase, until some effectual remedy is applied.—See [Chapter 13th], where a remedy is proposed.
[183] See for some further particulars the 27th Report of the Finance Committee.
[184] The following authentic table, divided into four Classes, will shew in forcible colours, the evils which arise from there being no distinction between the amount of the sum to be recovered in one action and another, in settling the costs. In the county of Middlesex, in the year 1793, the actions for recovering debts stood thus:
| Classes. | Number of Writs. | of which | Bailable. | Executions. | Costs of Actions undefended at 12l. each. £. | Costs of Actions defended at 50l. each. £. | Net Amount of Debts sued for £. | |
| 1 | from 10 to 20l. | 5,719 | 4,966 | 753 | 68,728 | 285,950 | 81,791 | |
| 2 | 20 to 30 | 2,267 | 1,878 | 389 | 21,090 | 113,350 | 85,675 | |
| 3 | 30 to 100 | 4,367 | 2,492 | 1,875 | 52,404 | 238,350 | 237,358 | |
| 4 | £.100 & upw. | 2,324 | 1,769 | 555 | 27,160 | 116,200 | 1,010,379 | |
| 14,677 | 11,105 | 3,572 | 169,382 | 753,850 | 1,385,203 | |||
Thus it appears, that upwards of one million of money, in the 4th class, is recovered at considerably less than half the expence of 81,791l. in the 1st class.
[185] It is to be observed, that the Debtors comprised, in the first three classes mentioned in the [foregoing note], [page 587], are generally the objects of imprisonment; while the bankrupt-laws relieve the fourth, the insolvency of which class generally produces the distress of the other; who must languish in a gaol and suffer a severe punishment, although it is clear to demonstration, that the Debtor for ninety-nine pounds is equally an object of commiseration as another whose debt amounts to one hundred; and almost in the same degree subject to accident and misfortune.
Under a System so contrary to reason, and so shocking to humanity, too much praise cannot be bestowed on the founders and supporters of the excellent Institution for the relief of honest, industrious persons imprisoned for small debts. The immense number relieved by this benevolent Society, who have appeared upon inquiry not to have brought misfortunes upon themselves by imprudence, is one of the strongest proofs that can be adduced of the imperfection of the laws; which are tacitly acknowledged to be erroneous, in the case of every person who is discharged by the bounty of the Public.
[186] No Rules or Orders have yet been published, although nearly six years have elapsed since the passing of this Act. The Public are, therefore, without the means of punishing or controlling Watermen, which is felt as a serious misfortune.
[187] See Table in [page 215].