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cluded from the local authority because they carried on a particular
trade, do you think that is the general opinion of the
parish ?--I think so. I am quite sure of it.
17,848. Is it not true that some of the people who carry on the
victualling trade are about the best local authorities that we
have?—I am convinced of that.
17,849. That they are free from personal blame although they
are heavily rated?—Yes.
17,850. Can you give us an instance or two? I do not ask you
to indicate names where it is reproachful but where they are
examples of good citzenships, I have no hesitation in asking
you to name to me two or three of the publicans?—I will
give you two or three instances. One of the members
of our board is a Mr. Gillard of the "Peacock Tavern" near
to the "Angel," High Street, sometimes called the "Angel,"
Islington. He is one of the most respectable men we have in
the parish, and is and has been for some time churchwarden of
one of the district churches.
17,851. Is he highly rated ?—Very highly rated.
17,852. Is he a punctual attendant at the vestry?—Very good
indeed. I would specially mention another of our best men on
the board of that class, and of the class altogether, another
publican, a Mr. Thurston, of Pentonville, a most respectable
man, very highly rated; and I could instance also a Mr. Spires
and many others.
17,853. Mr. Thurston is rated above £300 a year, is he not?
—Yes.
17,854. Do you think that the fact that a man who is rated
above £300 a year sells a particular article which the legislature
recognises is a reason for disfranchising him or excluding him
from the local authority?—Certainly not; rather the contrary,
I should say.
17,855. Is either of these men a man to be distrusted?—No,
quite the contrary.
17,856. Is there any reason that you know of why men
occupying such a position should be excluded from the Government
of their parish, when distillers and brewers are not excluded
from the House of Commons?—I cannot see the reason
at all.
17,857. Have you any doubt that the same selfish influences
may prevail in both cases; I do not say they do?—If there are
any selfish influences at all in the matter I should say that they
would apply to the one as much as to the other.
17,858. Take another trade, the trade of money lending;
money lending is a trade which is not very high in popular