no We ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN. 95 Mr. Do you know that the judge can refuse, and often does refuse to fiat those pre- John M'Mullen. sentments, which the grand jury make for lessening the payments to the clerks ot the v ' peace and the clerks of the crown ?— I am not aware of the fact, nor have I ever ( 6 May-) heard that any such reduction was attempted in the city of Dublin by the grand jury; on the contrary, I am perfectly convinced that the majority of the grandjury, as at present constituted, would rather aid than retard the progressive and rapid augmentation of this tax, as long as they could continue to monopolize the patro- nage and profits of the system; this I can confidently assert, is the universal opinion of the inhabitants of Dublin upon the subject; and it is undeniable, that in this opinion they are borne out by all past experience. Are you aware that the grand juries have very little control over the fees of the clerks of the crown, as well as the clerks of the peace ?— I am not aware of any control which they can have in that respect, other than what I have just mentioned, and which, if rigidly exercised, would be very ample control. Then the Committee are to understand, that it is your mere opinion, that a reduction in those charges might take place ? — That is certainly my opinion, and it is founded upon my perfect knowledge that persons might be found, fully compe- tent to do the duty which has been alluded to, and who would be willing to receive much smaller presentments. With respect to the other charges of the grand jury, do not all the expenses of prisoners necessarily entail a great expense upon the citizens, without any great control being left to the grandjury?— A considerable portion of expense is no doubt unavoidable. Have you any positive reason to suppose that the grand jury of the city of Dublin are less likely to attend to economy in those matters than the grand jury of any county in Ireland?— I certainly think the grand jury of the city of Dublin are much less likely to attend to economy in the levy of the public money than the grand juries in the counties, inasmuch as the grand jurors of the city of Dublin, with few excep- tions, possess little property in the city, a considerable proportion of them do not even live within the limits of their own jurisdiction, and therefore they have, com- paratively, no interest in protecting their own property, or that of their fellow citizens; while, on the contrary, I should suppose that a leading principle and object with gentlemen in the counties, would be to guard their own properties and those of their tenantry from useless or extravagant exaction. You say that in many cases of presentments of the city of Dublin, the expense is unavoidable; are they in many cases, do you conceive, exorbitant and unneces- sary ?— I certainly do. Do you recollect that you have ever heard of a single instance where a contract was given to the relative of a grand juror, when a tender of a lesser sum was made by a stranger ?— I have never heard of any such circumstance, nor do I conceive it possible that I could hear of it if it occurred. Did you ever see the advertisements for the contract published in the papers ?— Yes, I have, but in one paper only. What is the number of houses in the city of Dublin, which are rated for the payment of taxes ?— The number rated for paving and lighting, within the boundary of the Circular Road, is 16,138. Jovis, 8* die Maii, 1823. THOMAS SPRING RICE, ESQUIRE, IN THE CHAIR. Mr. Isaac Stewart, called in; and Examined. IN what situation of life are you?— I am a merchant. iIr' Where do you reside ?— In Dublin. Imac Stewart. How long have you resided there ?— Since the year 1795, twenty- seven years. v " Have you paid any attention to the local taxation of the city of Dublin ?— Yes, ^ A ay>' I have. What circumstances have induced you to pay attention to the local taxation of the city ?— The very great increasing charge of the taxes, and decreasing capa- bility of paying, and the decline of property in the city of Dublin. In the county 549- 11 " 1807: