THE LAWBREAKER
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sra,—As a former prison visitor, I agree with " Solicitor " and disagree with Mr. Ensor. The findings of Courts in regard to the capacity of unemployed debtors -to make maintenance payments are at times exceedingly harsh and unreasonable. Not only are men imprisoned for not pro- ducing money that it is quite beyond their power to provide, but they may be punished for not continuing to support wives who have deserted them and are living with other men. In some cases an unemployed man, weary of the hopeless search for work in his own district, may, with his wife's knowledge and consent, start off on a longer trip in the hope of finding a job at a distance. While he is away the slender resources of the home run out and the wife is obliged to apply for relief to the guardians. The husband, as soon as he can be traced, is arrested and thrown into prison for "deserting " his family, although he is still on the best of terms with them and the woman has merely said that she does not know her husband's present address and has not heard from him for some days. This is not unnatural, for a destitute man tramp- ing the roads and liable to change his destination from day to day is hardly in a position to keep his family posted as to his future movements and the best addresses for the forwarding of letters. If we must have poverty in the midst of potential abun- dance to please the orthodox economists and financiers, there is no reason why the most afflicted class should not be treated with a little more common sense and consideration than often falls to their lot.—I am, Sir, &c., TAVISTOCK. The Place House, Peas-marsh, Sussex.
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