3.5 The government, self-help and charity, 1847-80 Flashcards
Andover Workhouse scandal 1845-46
The Andover Union in Hampshire had been used as a model of post-1834 Poor Law administration. It had been praised in the Poor Law Commission’s annual reports.
This was because the Union had abolished all outdoor relief and had the strictest regulations, including dietary regulations, inside the workhouse.
In 1837, Colin M’Dougal and his wife were appointed master and matron of the Andover Workhouse. They were so trusted that inspections were infrequent and hasty.
However, rumours soon started circulating about the poor conditions in the workhouse. Guardians and Commissioners were sent to investigate. The public were appalled
Henry Parker, assistant commissioner discovered that rumours were all true and that a range of dreadful abuses were being perpetrated in the Andover workhouse.
Sexual abuse of the female paupers by M’Dougal and his son
Serving less food than laid down by the worst dietary and so forcing paupers to suck meat and marrow from the bones they were supposed to be crushing to make fertiliser.
Blamed Parker for not uncovering the abuse sooner
Sacking Parker from his post of assistant commissioner
Issuing an order forbidding bone crushing
Problems with the PL Commission
Andover workhouse scandal
Poor Law Board 1847-75
Aimed to give more responsibility to the government
Poor Law Board successes
Improvements in terms of pauper education, 1848 PL schools Act (allowed unions to work together to provide district schools)
Foster’s education Act 1870 established schooling for 5 to 13 year olds
Medical care improved, pauper hospitals set up, separate to to workhouse
From 1852 a poor person who could not pay for medical or prescribed treatment was qualified for relief
Guardians were able to borrow money for pauper services
Poor Law Board weaknesses
1852, failed to issue a general order to forbid outdoor relief for the able bodied
Unions claimed they couldn’t afford to build e.g. separate accommodation for differently classed paupers
Improvements in medical care due to public opinion and the need for them, rather than morals
Only improved the financial situation in some areas
Charity Organisation society (COS) successes
Members were intellectual, and often powerful/influential
By 1880 listed and collected info systematically when visiting poor families formed the basis for later social work
Charity Organisation society (COS)
failures
Provincial branches often failed to recruit sufficient volunteers to raise enough funds
Their investigative methods were often resented by the poor
Friendly societies
successes
By 1877, registered membership of friendly societies topped 2.7 million
Membership gave companionship
Friendly societies
failures
Many societies charged entry fees and had weekly contributions, the poorest workers and the irregularly employed couldn’t afford it
Refused membership for those with dangerous jobs
Trade unions and co-operatives
succeses
TU
Eligible for a rage of benefits
COOP
supported families so they could pay their rent
Trade unions and co-operatives
failures
TU
Only skilled workers could afford the weekly subscription that would help if they were hit with hard times
COOP
Would not give credit, limited to skilled and semi skilled workers
Samuel Smiles
Calls for parliamentary change, though mostly within Leeds, favoured self help, some manuscripts weren’t published
Henry Mayhew
Work became national, though his categories not much better than deserving/undeserving
Charles Dickins
Subtle pressures for change= persuasive, though mostly focuses on the workhouses
