• ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN, 319 Do you not think that the prohibition of fees altogether, as it now stands by the Major statute law of the country, is one which protects the public from the misconduct James Palmer. likely to arise from allowing certain fees, and leaving a discretion with regard to v those fees any where and to any body ?— I think so. ( 27 May.) Is there any superintending committee appointed for the management of the Dublin prisoners, or any of them; we will say for Newgate?— No; if there is any appointed it has a local character under the Act; I think the Act excepts the city and county of Dublin. Do you not conceive that exception is destructive to the internal discipline, and the proper regulation of the prisoners of Dublin ?— I do. Is there anv reason which could induce Parliament to recommend the establish- ment of superintending committees elsewhere, that do not apply, in your judgment, to the prisons in Dublin ?— None; I am not aware of what could have been the cause of making them an exception. Do you think the appointment of superintending committees, in the Dublin prisons, would be productive of advantage?— I think it would if other persons were added, as in the country gaols, to the committee besides grand jurors ; not excluding the grand jurors. Why do you think the addition of other persons, besides grand jurors, would be advantageous in the appointment of superintending committees?— Because in that case the persons chosen would be such as could give their time to the business, and who were disposed to go there. From your acquaintance with prison matters in Dublin, do you think any diffi- culty, in procuring the attendance of benevolent persons, would be found for the superintending committees ?— There would be no difficulty; but I should be dis- posed to recommend, if such a plan was adopted, that the magistrates of the head police offices should be upon that committee. As ex- officio members ?— Yes, I think so. Do you conceive the superintendence of the contract system of supply by such committees, appointed under the authority of the grand jurors, would produce an improved system in the Dublin prisons?— I think it would. Are you aware of the present mode of supplying the prisoners by contract ?— I am. Explain it to the Committee ? — The grand jury advertises for contracts imme- diately previous to the assizes, and they decide upon such contracts during the few days they sit. Are you aware that they advertise for contracts for almost every separate article necessary for prisons, such as blankets, ticking, flour, soap, bread, ah separately; are you aware of that being the practice ?— I think it amounts to being separately, but they are all mentioned in one advertisement, and certain things are put together under one head; it is the practice for a man to put in a contract for more than one article. Are you aware of the mode practised by the grand jury in the city of Dublin in accepting these tenders ?— I have always understood they take the lowest, if security is given. Are they obliged by law to take the lowest?— I am not aware of it. Have you ever heard of instances of complaint, that undue favour has been shown by the members of the grand jury to certain of their own dependents, and that they have not selected the lowest tender?— I have heard it as a constant commentary of the citizens of Dublin, that the general feeling is, that favour is shown ; but I am not aware of any instance myself of such a thing. Are you aware, that, if such is the general opinion, that any one person contributing his share to the taxation of the city, may appear in court and ask the judge to ex- amine the different contracts that have been sent to the grand jury ?— No, I am not aware of it; I never heard of it. If the witness is informed that such is the law, does it not appear to him that the general complaints of the citizens of Dublin are rather unfounded, having the means of redress in their own hands ?— I do imagine that there may be circum- stances connected with contracts that would make it almost impossible to correct the error, if there be any, except by either having it under the government or under a committee, who had the means of prompt payment. If the law obliges the grand jury to select the lowest tender for supplying any article by contract; and if any individual supposes that the grand jury has not 549 J chosen