Chapter 271: A Way Out |
The administrative efficiency of the British government had waned in recent times, which was to be expected given the increased intensity of parliamentary struggles. In the past, the main players in the country's parliament were the Tories and the Whigs, and ever since the reign of King George III, the Tories had gradually gained the upper hand, ensuring swift passage and implementation of government policies.
But recently, this situation had abruptly changed. The previously dominant Tories had splintered, turning the entire parliament into a complex triangle of the Tories, the New Tories, and the Whigs. These factions were constantly at odds with each other on various issues, causing government bills to face delays in parliament, and the formulation of certain laws to become slower than before.
However, on the matter of restoring order in London, there was little need for communication between the three factions. In less than half an hour, they swiftly passed the government's proposed "Public Order Act" and reinstated the ancient "Vagrant Act."
According to the old "Vagrant Act," loitering, idleness, and a lack of industry were all defined as criminal behaviors. The unemployed and those without work were considered "criminals," subject to arbitrary arrests by the police and incarceration.
Of course, the prisons couldn't accommodate all these "criminals." So, the "Vagrant Act" provided an opportunity for these offenders to reform. After the first arrest for "crime," the punishment was not too severe; they'd receive a few lashes, have their records marked, and then be released.
But if the "criminals" continued their idle and criminal ways, the punishments grew harsher. After three days of flogging for the same offense, they would be sentenced to hard labor.
Of course, the British legal system was quite merciful. The purpose of hard labor was not to inflict suffering but to help these individuals reform their idle and criminal habits. However, such habits were challenging to change, and recidivism was common, much like some web novel authors' frequent hiatuses and unfinished works. Hence, longer sentences were often necessary to reinforce the treatment, similar to how certain web novel authors needed extended time in the "black room" or 14-day isolation.
Those sentenced to hard labor often found themselves leased to enterprises like mines. Although the government did specify compensation for losses (which went to the government, not the "public slaves" or their families), it was a virtually costless transaction for the government. Consequently, the conditions for these "public slaves" were harsh.
However, in a sense, this system was still considered benevolent. Even though the plight of "public slaves" couldn't compare to the cotton-picking, watermelon-eating black slaves in North America, they were not the most wretched. The most miserable position went to a type of slave formally known as "free laborers."
So, this was why Subi preferred Blackwell Island over becoming a "free laborer."
For unrepentant "criminals" who persisted in their idle and criminal lives after their release, the law permitted them to be hanged. Nevertheless, the reformation efforts in Great Britain were showing remarkable results, and most "criminals" did not commit the same offenses again. After undergoing rehabilitation, they typically heeded the call of a better life.
Of course, the final punishment in the original "Vagrant Act" was a bit too severe. Therefore, the Addington government made some modifications, replacing hanging with exile. Fortunately, Great Britain had many territories to choose from.
Following this decision, the British state machinery immediately kicked into high gear. Large numbers of criminals were apprehended and incarcerated, and masses of "public slaves" were sent to various coal mines, iron mines, and other high-risk industries.
As George walked down the street, a police officer suddenly stopped him.
"What do you do? Do you have a job?" The police officer asked, placing his hand on the handle of his gun tucked into his waist.
"Officer, I do have a job. I work at Andy Machinery Factory. Look, I have the factory's work permit right here," George replied while handing a small card to the police officer. The officer took the card, glanced at it, and then tossed it back to him, saying, "You have a job, so why are you roaming around here?"
"Officer, I'm on the night shift. I came out to buy some food to eat before going to work," George quickly replied, picking up the small card and carefully placing it back into his pocket.
"Now, get lost," the police officer said.
George hurriedly walked away, took a few steps, turned a corner, and disappeared into an alley.
George did indeed work the night shift, but not at Andy Machinery Factory. His work permit was a forged one he had acquired from the local gang. However, in this era, there weren't any sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures, so it was generally easy to pass off a fake.
His real job was housebreaking.
With the enforcement of the new laws, rather than diminishing, criminal activities had become even more intense. Everyone was racing against the clock.
All the "criminals" knew that staying in Britain was a perilous choice. Whether becoming a "public slave" or a "free laborer," neither was a way out. The only viable option was to quickly gather enough money to buy a ticket to the New World and seek freedom in America.
George, of course, had no intention of becoming a "public slave" or a "free laborer." He planned to take a chance with his comrades. Tonight, they would try to borrow some money from a respectable household and then flee to the land of liberty, America.
However, as he emerged from the alley, ready to scout the vicinity near a large mansion, he heard a cry, "Recruiting tenant farmers, recruiting tenant farmers! Louisiana is recruiting tenant farmers! If you can farm, you can go to Louisiana to grow wheat. Farm consecutively for five years, and you'll gain land ownership!"
"Is there such a thing?" George was surprised. He turned to see a newsboy waving a newspaper and running towards him while shouting.
George quickly grabbed the newsboy and asked, "What does it say on there?"
"How should I know?" the newsboy retorted.
"Then why are you shouting?"
"People told me to. If you want to know, go to Apron Lane; there are people there who handle this."
"Apron Lane?" George wasn't a local Londoner and was unfamiliar with these place names.
"Just ask around yourself. Many people want to go there."
George thought it was still early, not yet nighttime, and a trip to Apron Lane wouldn't waste much time. In any case, if he could indeed become a tenant farmer again, it would be a better option than risking burglary.
In Apron Lane, the "butcher" who collected fees was busy selecting tenant farmers willing to go to Louisiana. This task was assigned to him by Jacques Gurlong. It was said that Jacques and his associates had purchased a significant piece of land in Louisiana, and they were in need of settlers for farming. However, the butcher felt that things might not be as straightforward as they seemed.