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32 SANITARY POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
every evil contingency; but it seems to me that a
regulation having the general tendency here indicated,
enforced by moderate penalties, would work
an important revolution in the economy of dwellings
affected by its operation, would render it indispensable
to the landlord of such holdings to promote
cleanly and decent habits among his tenants—even
to obtain security for their good behaviour, and
would make it difficult or impossible for persons of
opposite habits to obtain holdings under a landlord
who would be virtually punishable for their misconduct.
Such a regulation would apply, as I have said, to
the lowest and filthiest specimens of the first-class of
lodging-houses; for, to the large majority of that
class less stringent rules would suffice; and it would
apply most usefully to the second-class of lodginghouses—those
in which the single rooms of a house
are severally occupied by more than one family.
So great are the physical and moral evils attending
this indiscriminate admixture of adult persons of
both sexes (as I have submitted to you in my former
reports) that I entertain no doubts of the neceessity
for prohibiting it in the most absolute manner.
A regulation, to the following effect would, probably,
fulfil the purpose contemplated by the law, and
would disperse these loathsome heaps of disease,
destitution, and profligacy: viz.—There shall not
be lodged in this room, at any one time, more than
two persons over fourteen years of age, if of