Should boards of guardians endeavour to make pauper-labour self supporting or should they investigate the causes of pauperism?

Abstract

The controversies, as well theoretical as practical, respecting the mode in which poor laws should be administered, have generally arisen from taking too narrow a view of the subject. The all important question of the nature and extent of the public relief that should be provided for paupers, involves considerations in every department of social science. The decision of this question involves an application of the principles of moral philosophy, of the science of government, of jurisprudence, and of political economy.