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which "interested Vestrymen have thrown obstacles in
the way!" With those two exceptions the Vestry have
never refused to adopt sanitary recommendations, and no
difficulty has been placed in the way of the Sanitary
Committees or their chairmen carrying on their work.
Now I think I have said enough to call attention to the
statements which have been made. As I said at first,
so now I repeat, I am not here as a defender of the
Clerkenwell Vestry with respect to all it has done in
sanitary matters; but I say that if, as Sir Charles Dilke
says, there are pest spots in Clerkenwell which are a
danger to the inhabitants of the parish and the Metropolis
at large, ho has never pointed out where those spots
exist. And I think it would have shown a higher kind
of statesmanship, and a more laudable desire in the interests
of the inhabitants of the Metropolis, if, instead
of abusing us, he had told the Vestry where the evil
and danger lay, so that the evil might be removed and
the danger averted. This has never been done. And
even if it were true that there are men upon this Vestry
who have intentionally stood in the way of sanitary
reform, would it not have been wiser to help those who
are endeavouring to do their duty, than to throw
aspersions at them, and seek refuge in high position?
Justice then would have been done.
In the framing of the resolution I have endeavoured to
speak very clearly and very distinctly.
A Member of Parliament was, the other day, talking
to me on this matter, and he told me if I liked to supply
him with any information respecting it he would take
care that my name was not put forward. But I told him,
as I tell you, that my name shall be attached to my
opinions. I care nothing for high official position; but if
a person, whoever he may be, takes advantage of his
position, and makes statements which are not borne out
by facts, I shall feel it my duty, here and elsewhere, to
enter my protest against them in words as clear and distinct
as the English language will enable me to do. I
therefore move the resolution standing in my name.