Joseph Rowntree at Carmarthen Workhouse, 1864

THE POOR AND THE POOR LAWS.

No. 1. To the Editor of the Reporter.

Respected Friend,—Having for several years devoted a considerable portion of my time occasionally to the investigation of the practical operation of the Poor Laws in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, and in visiting prisons and reformatories, I have been induced respectfully to offer the following remarks, with the view, in the first place, of directing attention to the defects which exist in the system, and secondly, of suggesting such changes as would tend, if acquiesced in and adopted by the administrators of the law, to reduce the growing evil of pauperism and improve the spiritual and temporal condition of the poor. In the course of my enquiries I have been more immediately led to examine into the workhouse system, and to consider how far these establishments could be better regulated and improved. Allow me, however, to offer a few preliminary remarks upon the treatment of

THE CASUAL POOR.

Throughout England much disparity exists with respect to the treatment of the "casual poor." The standing orders of the Poor Law Board in respect to this class of paupers are not complied with in very many unions. The result is, great irregularity, and an undue pressure upon those unions where the law is observed, as the destitute naturally flock to such places where their immediate wants are relieved. I find in Wales that the same unfair system is adopted by some Boards of Guardians. In many towns the Guardians refusing relief has resulted in men damaging property to obtain food in gaol. The number of persons out of work in the manufacturing districts, renders it expedient that guardians, relieving officers, and overseers — or those whom they might appoint — ought to carry out the regulation for relieving the destitute casual poor with food and lodging, whilst some work ought to be claimed from vagrants.

"By the law of England it is provided that every poor person in a state of destitution shall receive relief from a public fund, in food, in clothing, in lodging, or in medical or surgical assistance. according to the necessity of such person. No question is raised as to the country, sex, age, character or conduct of the destitute person. The only enquiry is as to the actual destitution. It is administered by local functionaries and their officers, elected or appointed for the district. The origin of this provision of the law is a statute passed at the close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to the year 1601. The relieving officers are empowered to deal with urgent or sudden cases of distress without waiting for the discretion of the, Board of Guardians."

The above paragraph is a quotation from "A Sketch of the present System of the Relief of the Poor of England," published in 1862, by W. Golden Lumley, barrister-at-law, and assistant secretary of the Poor Law Board.

I would further remark that relieving officers should be subjected to more strict supervision by the guardians. Recent occurrences in some of our large towns confirm me in the opinion that far too much discretionary power is awarded to them, and they frequently prevent poor persons from going before the while they refuse to administer to their wants.

CARMARTHEN UNION.

This Union contained at the last census a population of 30,675 individuals.

The number of inmates in the Workhouse on the day of my visit was 93, viz., 12 men, 32 women, 21 boys, 18 girls, and 7 infants. There are included in this number 3 men and 5 women, who are lunatics or imbeciles.

The house and dormitories were generally in a clean condition. The ventilation is not sufficiently provided for, and the perforated zinc intended to admit a change of air were not in some rooms open, but it is evident that much more effective measures are requisite, especially in some day rooms and wards. The beds are made of straw, without having a good platted straw covering on the bed-frames, such as I have seen to-day at Cardigan. This I consider is quite essential when straw beds only are used. The pillows ought not to be of straw, but the same inferior stuff extends to the hospital where good bed and bedding are of so much importance to the consumptive invalid, the paralyzed, the sick, the aged, and lame individual. The bedding is insufficient for winter. Many of the beds have only one old blanket, one sheet, and cotton rugs. Some further attention I thought was required to the more frequent washing of the bedding.

The wash-house is in a very unsatisfactory state: it requires the attention of the Guardians. The large boiler is without a cover. At a low calculation one-fourth the extra quantity of coal will be required when it is in use. At present there are no suitable tubs affixed with piping to draw the hot water from the boiler and cold from the cistern. But not to have the boiler fed through pipes, and the boiling water drawn off through a tap is too primitive for the present age of mechanical invention and progress, more especially in reference to the concentration and power of steam and heat. The women ought to be supplied with wood grating to stand on to keep their feet dry.

No mangle has been supplied. I would recommend a pressing machine similar to what I saw at the Workhouse at Hay. It was represented as superseding the use of the mangle and of ironing for all ordinary articles. This house is also destitute of a laundry, a suitable lavatory, a bath-room, and a boy's day-room. All these are essential to a well-arranged Workhouse. I would recommend the sanitary condition of some of the yards and premises adjoining to the weekly attention of the Master. At present they are not in a good state.

The industrial department at this Union Workhouse requires more attention and skilful direction. Various branches of employment might be introduced for she men and elder boys. I would suggest that one or two might be instructed in making and baking bread. This training, with industry, would probably obtain for them a decent livelihood independent of the parish. I consider a carpenter's shop and a few tools to be necessary in all Workhouse premises, and when practicable, that a number of boys should be employed in it; and young men, when from some cause obliged to be in the Workhouse, should be taught to repair shoes, mend the clothes of the inmates, make and repair clogs, and work in the kitchen garden. All young persons should be trained by a practical teacher. I consider that educated Christian men who have a knowledge of mechanics are the most suitable to take the charge of boys when out of school and of Workhouse inmates — in fact to be the Masters of Union Workhouses.

I mentioned to the Master that the small kitchen garden required trenching this winter, so that at the return of spring no delay should arise in the succession of crops for the use of the inmates. Oakum picking is not worth following, as it is almost invariably accompanied with dirt in every form. The old men, who are kept long hours at work, have no desire to use the bath or lavatories. I found that the employment of the elder boys was in cutting oak brans into firewood. They were labouring earnestly. Could not a few of the men now out of work be employed in chopping up firewood for sale, and for the use of the Workhouse P This work would be suitable for the wayfarers who receive food and lodging for a night at the Union. This plan is extensively and successfully adopted at Wandsworth both at the Workhouse and at the Boys' Reformatory. The elder boys also assist the Master in the cultivation of the kitchen garden together with a woman who has had considerable experience in gardening pursuits. I consider this quite commendable provided the boys are not kept too many hours daily out of school, as their education is of the first importance.

The day-rooms on the ground floor are flagged, and the flags are damp. Such rooms are not suitable for persons out of health, or suffering from paralytic seizures or lameness. I saw cases of this kind in the women's day-room. The surgeon ought to take all these matters into consideration, and enter any deficiencies in his report to the Guardians. The supply of copies of the Scriptures is very far abort of what it ought to be, for I found some rooms without a Bible or Testament. Allow me to suggest that the New Testament and Psalms, printed in large type, would be found the most suitable In many uses; and that it is of great importance that spectacles should be supplied to all who require them. The inmates of the Workhouse require all the aid that volunteer visitors can give or reading impart. I have found that the in. mates of Workhouses have been much benefited through the introduction of Christian women visitors to the various wards of each sex, more especially for the reading of the Bible to the inmates, and inquiring into the condition of those who are suffering from infirmity of body or mind. Much good may result from their visiting oven the lunatic class, and especially as persons suffering from dyspeptic fits are generally consigned to these wards. At Carmarthen, no separate ward appears to be necessary for them at present. The girls' school ought also to form an interesting section for ladies to visit, and assist the young teacher in her onerous duty, and occasionally in examining the girls, and in assisting them to get suitable situations. Very much depends on this kindness being extended to the girls, and were the Guardians more thoroughly interested in their charge, they would exert themselves to find better situations for the boys and girls, and would most willingly accept the assistance of pious Christian women. The attendance of the paid Minister comes very much short of what men of experience would deem sufficient; were it otherwise, how could the excessive deficiency that I have named of large-type copies of the New Testament exist, and some rooms be without a copy of any sort? It is required that far more Christian sympathy should be exhibited in many Unions, and who should be the most forward to exhibit it but the Minister, who is expected to see after the library books, and periodicals being introduced and exchanged weekly. Has he sought to introduce the valuable periodicals, the Band of Hope and British Workman, and other appropriate publications well calculated to interest all within the walls, and more especially to form good habits in the minds of all Workhouse children, and prepare them I to resist the insidious intoxicating beverage so extensively sold in Wales, as elsewhere, to the perpetration of pauperism and the populating of gaols! I refer these subjects to the paid Chaplain of this Union, and entreat him to commence the new year with renewed energy and a deeper sense of Christian responsibility. An extra half-hour on Sabbath days, and a little more than that on week days, would enable him to perform his duties more satisfactorily. I would respectfully appeal to the Nonconformist Ministers and laymen of the town to occasionally visit the sick and all the wards of the house, including the school.

The surgeon is stated to be attentive. I hope he is so, and takes a broad view of his responsibility, and resolves to use the power the Legislature has placed in his hands in administering suitably to the sick, the infirm, and the aged. All medicines ought to be supplied by the Guardians. It is a great mistake to suppose that the Ratepayers are in any degree benefited by the surgeon providing medicines. They generally order more stimulants, when they supply the medicines. and which the Guardians have to pay for, and this abuse is often carried to a great excess. The salaries of the medical officers of Unions are generally too low.

As the subject of relief to the wayfarer has a wide bearing, the United Kingdom is interested in its equitable adjustment and administration. It is evident that many assistant Relieving Officers—the Superintendents of Police, who are very extensively appointed in Wales, to administer temporary relief to the "casual poor" and tramps—are not fully aware of their responsibility in refusing relief to "really destitute" persons. Although they may have come out from prison the previous day, or be considered the reprobates of the human family, they are not to starve on the highway; and able men out of employ have a legal claim for food and lodging; but all who are able ought to do some work in return. The casual poor who apply to the Relieving Officers at Carmarthen when destitute, are supplied with supper, lodging, and breakfast at the Workhouse, and those who are able have to do a certain quantity of work in the morning or go without their breakfast. It is very proper that some labour test should be enforced, but it is satisfactory to find that the Carmarthen Guardians are willing to do their share in suitably relieving persons when destitute and out of work who certainly ought not to suffer for the vagrant class of systematic idlers.

The dietary at Carmarthen Union is certainly very much below the average in Wales. A revision of the dietary tables is much wanted; for instance, 11 oz. of rice creed in water for a man's dinner, is about as low rations as can be offered, being under 4 oz of dry rice, not costing more than one half-penny. Then dividing the ounce of meat for men, and giving them 3½ ox of boiled beef only twice a week, is less than usual; and soup or broth three days a week is too frequent, and below par of many Unions. Good suet puddings ought to be substituted for rice, and one soup dinner for 4 oz. beef extra. I observe that the cost per inmate for maintenance is only 2s. 5¾d. for food and clothing. This is an additional reason why the diet should be improved.

I regret to find that no payment is made in this Union for the education of children whose parents are in receipt of out-door relief, although it is not usual to allow a widow and three children more than three shillings a week. It cannot fairly be stated that the Guardians include schooling in that amount. I understand that an enlightened member of this Board of Guardians (Chancellor Williams) made a motion some time ago to pay for the education of out-door pauper children, and that sensible proposition was negatived by the majority to the great loss of all parties concerned. Merthyr and Swansea Unions educate all their out-door children. The education of the boys and girls is carried on by a young woman of ability, who is anxious to improve her pupils. I suggested attention to mental arithmetic. She would be glad of the assistance of a few Christian ladies occasionally, and especially to assist on the Sabbath day with reading lessons from the Bible. In case this is not adopted, would it not be advisable that the elder boys and girls should attend the Sabbath schools in the town.

I wish to remark in conclusion that on my calling at the Union, I was courteously shewn over the house by the Master. The Matron also afforded me every facility to visit the women. I understand that she has been many years in her present situation, and that she is assiduous in attending to her charge, and kind to the sick and infirm.

I am, respectfully,

JOSEPH ROWNTREE 
of Leeds.   

Carmarthen, 12th month, 6th, 1864.