SCOTCH POOR-LAW COMMISSION.
SURELY the Poor-law for Scotland might be allowed to remain no party question. In the House of Commons, a few nights ago, the Member for St. Andrews attacked the composition of the Commission recently appointed to inquire into this sub- ject. Lord JOHN RUSSELL and some others very properly rebuked Mr. ELLICE ; but some of them could not help offend- ing a little in the same way even while they corrected him. Among other suggestions, it was hinted that a Dissenting cler- gyman ought to be added to the Commission. Why a Dis- senting clergyman, more than any other person P—" Because there are clergymen of the Establishment on the Commission." It was proposed to add a new member to the Commission, not on ac- count of his being supposed to possess any peculiar fitness for the inquiry, but in order to preserve the balance of dignity and political influence between the Birk and Dissent. The speech was spoken at the Dissenting electors; and it has accomplished all that was wished or Expected from it, although no Dissenting clergyman has been added. So trifling, so transparent a trick of permanent canvassing—as also the indiscreet movement of the Member for St. Andrews, for which he was so well snubbed by his leader— might have been passed over in silence, but for the purpose of crushing in the shell any attempt to turn to party account a move- ment which, so far as it has gone, has been kept eminently inde- pendent of party considerations. No one can say that the Com- mission which numbers Mr. CAMPBELL of Craigie and Dr. ROBERT.. SON is a party nomination of the Conservative Government. Re- specting the fitness or unfitness of the members little is known by the general public : those who have had opportunities of observing speak highly of the fairness and business talent shown by Mr. CAMP- BELL on the Boundary Commission for Scotland ; and all parties bear testimony to Lord MELVILLE'S candour. The members of the Scotch Poor-law Commission may not be men of great note, but they are as good as can be had in Scotland at this moment. The object of the Commission is only to collect evidence; and that this will be done in a satisfactory, business-like manner, the experience and talent of Mr. TWISSELTON afford a satisfactory guarantee.
Previous page
