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The fourth class, -- the poor by reason of vice,--- constitute, here, and every where, by far the greater part of the poor; -- amounting always, probably to a full two thirds of the whole number of adult poor. As it is for these, that the proposed house of industry is intended, in its first operations, to provide, the present seems a proper occasion to explain the general views of your committee in relation to this establishment; and to what objects and plans those views, at present, and to what they ultimately extend. Indolence, intemperance, and sensuality, are the great causes of pauperism, in this country. Notwithstanding the imbecility induced by their habits and vices, it is yet found by experience, that generally speaking, all this class can do something; and very many of them a great deal; and some of them fall little, and often not at all, short of the ability to perform, daily, the complete task of a day labourer.

The present accommodations of the Boston Alms House, not furnishing the means, nor the space for actual employ, their labour is but little, and of small account. The course of the practice of this class is, to come, or to be brought to the Alms House in a state of disease, or intoxication, or, in the winter, in actual want, and after passing weeks, or months, crowded together, within its walls; after being cured, restored and supported, during sickness and through inclement seasons, they are permitted to depart; to enter upon the same career of vice and indulgence, until they are brought back again; to be again supported and cured; and again sent forth to commence and pursue the same circle. Now, it is apparent, that so long as this class can come when they will, and depart when they will, -- so long as Alms House fare is upon a level, in point of quality and comfort, and often a little superior to their out-of-door support and comforts, -- so long as little, or no, work is required of them, within the walls, and there is no land belonging to the establishment, on which they can work, without,-- -that they have little, or no inducement either to labour or to economize, in order to prevent their being compelled to resort to it: on the contrary, it is obvious that the certainty of a comfortable and easy life, in the winter, is a perpetual and very effectual encouragement to a thoughtless, dissipated and self-indulgent course, in the summer. Accordingly institutions of this kind, when from necessity, or any other circumstances, they are conducted upon such principles, may justly be considered as encouraging and augmenting the amount of pauperism in a community. It follows, therefore, from these considerations, that it is the great duty of every society to take care that their Alms Houses should be provided with space of land and accommodations, to enable those, who have the superintendance of them to provide work for this class; and for every class in it, according to its ability; to the end that they should never become the resort of idleness, for indulgence; nor of vice, for comfort; nor of disease, for cure, without cost.

Intimately connected with these vicious poor, is that turbulent and profligate class, who, travelling the high road of shame and of ruin, are found in the haunts of gambling, intemperance and debauchery; and whose quarrels, originating in their cups or their crimes, give continual occupation to the magistrates and officers of police. The only means, to which it is now in the power of the authorities of the town to resort for the purpose of preserving its peace from being disturbed by this class, are warrants of Justices, common law processes, and incurring all that trouble, vexation and expense, necessarily consequent upon proceedings of this nature. These means partake little of the character of punishment; and have still less the effect of reformation. Your committee have reason to believe that offences of this kind have of late, greatly increased; and they look with confidence towards the proposed institution, as a means of diminishing these evils, of breaking up the haunts, in which they originate, and relieving the town from a great expense, to which it is at present subjected.

The great defect of our present establishment is that, for want of space, and want of accommodation, suitable work cannot be provided. Previous to its being practicable to make any improvement in the existing arrangements for the poor, it is therefore, indispensable that such a house of industry should be established.

Having, unanimously come to this conclusion, the attention of your committee was next directed to the subject of the place, where such an establishment, taking into consideration all the interests of the town, had best be located; -- its extent; -- probable cost; -- and the general principles, on which it ought to be conducted. The result of their investigations, so far as they deem it necessary or practicable, they now ask leave to suggest.

With respect to the location of the establishment, a great predilection prevailed in the minds of a majority of your committee, in favour of an Island, for that purpose; and Deer Island it was thought would be very proper and suitable. In order to satisfy themselves upon that point, they paid a visit to it, and surveyed every part of it, and after inspection and consideration of all its relations, they came to an unanimous opinion, that to attempt to locate it upon any island, and certainly upon that, would be highly inexpedient. The soil was found to be extremely poor, the situation exposed, and the great difficulty of access to it and return from it, at all seasons of the year, with certainty, and its absolute impracticability sometimes for many days, or even weeks in winter, were, in the opinion of your Committee decisive objections.