Mr. Fowler, speaking at Wolverhampton on Friday week, gave some
interesting figures in regard to local self-government, local indebtedness, and local resources. In 1818, when the population was below twelve millions, and when the country was very much less rich than it is now, we spent some seven- and-three-quarter millions on poor-relief. Now, with a popu- lation just under thirty millions and vastly increased resources, we only spend eight-and-a-half millions sterling on the poor.
In 1803, the Poor-rate pure and simple was 3s. ; now it is is. lid. The present total local debt is 2200,000,000. Of this, 31 millions represent harbours and docke, 88 millions water - supply, 15 millions lighting, 5 millions markets, 1 million tramways. These are productive items. Again, 19 millions stand for schools, 20 millions for sewerage, 7 millions for hospitals, asylums, and cemeteries, 6 millions for libraries, parks, and baths, 5 millions for artisans' dwellings, and 29 millions for public improvements. The local and National Debt together are less than the National Debt after Waterloo. The local assets have greatly increased. In 1818, the rateable value of the country was 240,000,000. It is now 152 millions. The figures, as a whole, are very striking, and bear out Mr. Fowler's declaration that local government has been a success. It is a pity that he marred his speech by "clap-trap" about no statesman or constituency now sanctioning such an outpouring of national treasure as was sanctioned sixty or seventy years ago." If we got into a great war, which God forbid, we should spend money like water,—or say, as Abraham Lincoln spent it during the Rebellion.
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