If the local majority
attempts to oppress the minority, or one class another, the State is
bound to interpose. For example, all local rates ought to be voted
exclusively by the local representative body; but that body, though
elected solely by rate-payers, may raise its revenues by imposts of
such a kind, or assess them in such a manner, as to throw an unjust
share of the burden on the poor, the rich, or some particular class of
the population: it is the duty, therefore, of the legislature, while
leaving the mere amount of the local taxes to the discretion of the
local body, to lay down authoritatively the modes of taxation, and
rules of assessment, which alone the localities shall be permitted
to use.
Again, in the administration of public charity the industry and
morality of the whole labouring population depend, to a most serious
extent, upon adherence to certain fixed principles in awarding relief.
Though it belongs essentially to the local functionaries to
determine who, according to those principles, is entitled to be
relieved, the national Parliament is the proper authority to prescribe
the principles themselves; and it would neglect a most important
part of its duty if it did not, in a matter of such grave national
concern, lay down imperative rules, and make effectual provision
that those rules should not be departed from. What power of actual
interference with the local administrators it may be necessary to
retain, for the due enforcement of the laws, is a question of detail
into which it would be useless to enter.
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