If it were possible to meet with proper persons to execute our laws,they would not be so hurtful to the community as theyare at present.But where shall we find men qualified to be at once trustees and guardians for the public and for the poor?
An overseer should be endued with more than common patience;willing to hear with calmness and composure thecomplaints of the most untoward and perverse;blest with a command of temper such as few possess.He should be diligentand active,that he may visit the habitations of the poor,and examine with his own eyes the nature,the extent,and thecause of their distress.He should be a man of good understanding,sharp,sensible,and well-informed,that he may knowwhat is the best,the cheapest,and the most effectual method,at once to relieve and to employ the poor.He should be aman of penetration,quick in discerning,and ready in detecting the false pretences of impostors.He should be a man of themost humane and compassionate disposition;not merely that he may shed the sympathizing tear,but that he may exerthimself to the utmost to comfort and support the sick,and properly to sweeten the bitter cup for those who are drinkingthe dregs of life.He should be at the same time a man of firmness and resolution;not to be worn out and teazed intocompliance,nor yet to be moved either by threats or by deceitful tears.He should be inexorably just,considering the publicfund,out of which he is to relieve the poor,as a most sacred deposit committed to his care,in confidence that he willadminister it to the best of his judgment and ability.He should be a man of a disinterested and honest disposition,that,inthe discharge of this important trust,he may neither directly nor indirectly defraud the public,either to favour his friends orto promote his trade.In one word,if in him should centre all the excellencies,which are scattered with a sparing handamong the human race;if he had no other trade,occupation,or pursuit which required his attention;if,thus qualified,hewere willing to give up his time for the benefit of the public,and for the comfort of the poor;if a succession of such wereto be found,and if their power were supreme,subject to no controul from the interference of a magistrate;the burthenmight yet bc tolerable,and some of the evils,naturally attendant on the present system of our poor laws,instead of beingseverely felt,would for the present be seen only at a distance.
Many parishes have been sensible of this difficulty,more especially in the cloathing counties:but as if,whilst they severelyfelt it,they had only indistinctly seen it,they have made application to parliament,complaining that the business was toomuch for the attendance and attention of four overseen;and therefore praying,that one additional overseer might beappointed with absolute and sole authority to grant relief.Their argument appears to be absurd,but their meaning is preciseand clear.They would be thus at liberty to choose the most proper person for the charge;and he,having little else to do,could pay more attention to the business.The event has in some measure answered their expectation;but,at best,this canbe considered only as a good expedient to palliate one of those many bad effects which flow from a pernicious law.
