The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
'If his children are starving we should feed them first and punish him afterwards.'
'The rates is quite high enough as it is,' grumbled Harlow, who had four children himself.
'That's quite true, but you must remember that the rates the working classes at present pay are spent mostly for the benefit of other people. Good roads are maintained for people who ride in motor cars and carriages; the Park and the Town Band for those who have leisure to enjoy them; the police force to protect the property of those who have something to lose; and so on. But if we pay this rate we shall get something for our money.'
'We gets the benefit of the good roads when we 'as to push a 'andcart with a load o' paint and ladders,' said Easton.
'Of course,' said Crass; 'and besides, the workin' class gets the benefit of all the other things too, because it all makes work.'
'Well, for my part,' said Philpot, 'I wouldn't mind payin' my share towards a 'apenny rate, although I ain't got no kids o' me own.'
Sir Graball D'Encloseland, the member of Parliament for the borough, was one of the bitterest opponents of the halfpenny rate, but as he thought it was probable that there would soon be another General Election and he wanted the children's fathers to vote for him again he was willing to do something for them in another way. He had a little ten year old daughter whose birthday came in that month, so the kind-hearted baronet made arrangements to give a Tea to all the school children in the town in honour of the occasion. The tea was served in the schoolrooms, and each child was presented with a gilt-edged card on which was a printed portrait of the little hostess, with 'From your loving little friend, Honoria D'Encloseland' in gold letters. During the evening the little girl, accompanied by Sir Graball and Lady D'Encloseland, motored round to all the schools where the tea was being consumed; the baronet said a few words, and Honoria made a pretty little speech, specially learnt for the occasion, at each place, and was loudly cheered and greatly admired by everyone. The enthusiasm was not confined to the boys and girls, for while the speech-making was going on inside a crowd of 'grown-up children' were gathered round outside the entrance, worshipping the motor car; and when the
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