A Bill has been circulated by Gentlemen opposed to the
introduction of the Small Tenements' Rating Act, _many_ of them
Owners of Small Houses, all of them being desirous of being
considered "_The Poor Man's Friend!_"
In what does their Friendship consist?
They say Small Houses are not profitable;--they assert that
they never get half their Rents. Is this true--or is this
_Libel_ upon our honest character the best proof they could
offer that they are the Poor Man's _Foes_?
When sickness or distress has overtaken you, or trade been bad
and employment scarce, so that you have been prevented meeting
their demands for Rent, which in most cases yields them, from
10 to 15 per cent. upon their outlay--how do they show their
_Friendship_ towards you? A small voice says, by sending the
_Bailiffs_,--meaning, no doubt, the "Poor Man's Friends."
Again, ask them to improve--nay, even to limewash your
ill-ventilated and miserable dwellings,--like the "Poor Man's
Friends" in general, they reply, _they can't afford it_.
Ask them for a supply of that all-important blessing, "good
water" and like "Poor Man's Friends," though you tell them it
will not cost them _a penny_ a week, they feelingly reply, "Oh,
yes! you can have it, by allowing me to put _twopence_ a week
on your Rent!"
They are about to _feel for you_ in reference to the
introduction of the Small Tenements' Act. The present law
_compels_ the Overseers to summons you before the Magistrates
for the non-payment of every rate granted, consequently putting
you to serious trouble and expense.
The New Tenements' Act _compels them, instead of you_, to pay
the Poor and Highway Rates, and allows them to compound for
_half_ the amount rated; thus again showing their _friendship_
for you, knowing that the adoption of the Small Tenements'
Rating Act will injure their interests, but benefit yours.
But turn a deaf ear to their _Hypocritical Friendship_, for,
like Shylock, they will have their "pound of flesh."
A few words to the _Operative Classes_, that are now, and,
probably have been for years past, Ratepayers. You have, with
that forethought which characterises the operative classes
of this country, succeeded in making provision for sickness,
old age, and death, by joining Provident Societies, and other
Institutions of which this country abounds; consequently, you
never expect to partake of that fund which the present law
makes you pay to, in the shape of Poor Rates.
Then, I ask, is there not something required, when thousands of
the labouring classes of your parish, equally as able were they
only prudent and careful, who, when out of employment or sick,
fall back upon a fund that the present unequal law compels you
to subscribe to.
No appeal is necessary to make the fact apparent to you, that
the introduction of the Small Tenements' Rating Act will tend
to operate to the benefit of the Rate-paying interest of this
over-taxed Parish.
Again, there is nothing visionary in the matter, it is plain
and simple; evidences of its true benefits are visible right
and left--Rowley and Sedgley.
Therefore, be prepared to attend the Poll at the Vestry of St.
Thomas's Church, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next; and
honestly, fearlessly, and independently register your votes in
favour of the Small Tenements' Act, that must materially tend
to benefit the _poor_ and _industrious_ of the Parish of Dudley.