The proposal is as follows
A Scheme for Setting the Poor to Work.
First, that such persons as shall subscribe and pay the sum of
300,000 pounds as a stock for and towards the better maintaining the
impotent poor, and for buying commodities and materials to employ
and set at work the other poor, be incorporated and made one body
politic, &c. By the name of the Governor and Company for
Maintaining and Employing the Poor of this Kingdom.
By all former propositions, it was intended that the parishes should
advance several years' rates to raise a stock, but by this proposal
the experiment is to be made by private persons at their risk; and
300,000 pounds may be judged a very good stock, which, added to the
poor rates for a certain number of years, will be a very good fund
for buying commodities and materials for a million of money at any
time. This subscription ought to be free for everybody, and if the
sum were subscribed in the several counties of England and Wales, in
proportion to their poor rates, or the monthly assessment, it would
be most convenient; and provision may be made that no person shall
transfer his interest but to one of the same county, which will keep
the interest there during the term; and as to its being one
Corporation, it is presumed this will be most beneficial to the
public. For first, all disputes on removes, which are very
chargeable and burthensome, will be at an end--this proposal
intending, that wherever the poor are, they shall be maintained or
employed.
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