Andover Union : extracts from the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons and an epitome of the evidence on the cases of Mr. Parker and Mr. Day, late Assistant Poor Law Commissioners.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Andover Union.
Date:
1847
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Andover Union : extracts from the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons and an epitome of the evidence on the cases of Mr. Parker and Mr. Day, late Assistant Poor Law Commissioners. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    10S In 1841 I prepared a statement of my views of the mode in which the business of the office was then transacted and re¬ corded : I objected to Commissioners sitting separately, dis¬ posing of letters j serious mischief continued to arise from that practice. (Chadwick, 19c200.) An Assistant Commissioner may be expected to act more con¬ fidently, and with greater security, upon the instructions re¬ ceived from a Board, than from a single Commissioner sitting alone. When acting by himself, a single Commissioner, may, in dealing with the business of the public, indulge in personal caprice, and act without the restraint and precautions which he would not fail to observe when acting with others. The subor¬ dinate officer, who receives an appointment in the expectation that his exertions will be constantly seen and appreciated by several, will not have the same stimulus when he is practically subjected to unrecorded directions, and for their execution is made dependent on the reports of an unauthorized and irrespon¬ sible officer, and is placed at the mercy of the misapprehensions, the unchecked caprices, or weaknesses of one. (App.29, p. 1758). Assistant Commissioners have expressed anxiety and have applied to me to have Boards held in order that they might make statements before the whole of the Commissioners and have the matter discussed and settled at a Board. These regular Board meetings, with a secretary present would afford a security for justice which the Commissioners’ mode of holding “ casual meetings” does not furnish?—In my view it would afford that security, and that has been the impression and positive expression of opinion and anxiety on the part of As¬ sistant Commissioners. I do not mean in cases where assistant commissioners have been dismissed, or where they have been found fault with. It has been a ground stated to me for having the business discussed at a full Board. (Chadwick, 19197-S.) Do you remember any occasion on which you asked Mr. Chadwick, when he was going away, to stay in the room ?— Yes, I do. Will you mention that occasion ? — I have a faint recollection of having asked Mr. Chadwick once to stay in the room 5 there was one occasion, that a good deal of difference of opinion had arisen between Mr. Nicholls and myself chiefly : and I remember I said to Mr. Chadwick, “ it may be necessary, if any occasion should