Posted with permission of the transcriber, 'Ann'. Geo. SICKNESS & POVERTY IN Nineteenth Century Whitehaven. # 43. THE POOR LAW GUARDIANS AND THEIR CONTRACTS. _________ TO THE EDITOR OF THE CUMBERLAND PACQUET. Sir, - You have often thought proper to censure the New Poor Law, and to point out many hardships consequent upon its operation; but you have not yet noticed the conduct of the guardians of the Whitehaven Union, whose treatment of the tradesmen of this town I deem anything but fair and straightforward. It appears that amongst the tradesmen the guardians have their favorites, and in providing for the wants of the poor, their orders are liberally bestowed upon them to the exclusion of those who may not happen to have a friend in Court, or to be a favourite of the Board. Now, I think you will agree with me that this is decidedly wrong upon two grounds. First, it is unfair towards tradesmen who are overlooked by the guardians in the dispensation of their favors; and in the second place, it is not exactly an act of justice to the rate-payer to adopt a close system of dealing. In my opinion the contracts ought to be made public for all kinds of necessaries supplied to the Union; but such is not the case. The butcher's meat, for instance, is supplied by two or three persons in that line of business, and of this I think that, along with many others, I have a right to complain. The guardians cannot excuse themselves by saying that they are better or cheaper served with meat by those with whom they deal than they would be by others, if they choose to divide their custom. I hope, sir, that these remarks on the exclusive dealings of the guardians will be the means of inducing them to extend or divide their orders in the future. If they don't, you may depend upon hearing from me again. - I am, sir, your's to the backbone, John GULLY Shambles, August 23, 1839. ___________________