1。Thenaturalburthensofanyparticularservice,maybecomprisedunderthefollowingheads:———Theintensityoflabourrequiredinitsperformance,———theulterioruneasinesswhichmayarisefromitsparticularcharacter,———thephysicaldangerattendingit,———theexpensesorothersacrificesnecessarymadepreviouslytoitsexercise,———thediscreditattachedtoit,———thepeculiarenmitiesitproduces。
Thewagesoflabourindifferentbranchesoftrade,areregulatedinexactproportiontothecombinationoftheseseveralcircumstances。Tothelegislator,however,exceptincaseswhereitmaybenecessarytoaddfactitioustonaturalreward,considerationsofthissortareingeneralsubjectsonlyofspeculation。
Thatanyparticularserviceismoreorlesshighlypriced,isoflittleimportance:itaffectstheindividualsonlywhostandinneedofit。Thecompetitionbetweenthosewhowantandthosewhocansupply,fixesthepriceofallservicesinthemostfittingmanner。Itissufficientthatthedemandbepublicandfree。Toassist,ifnecessary,ingivingpublicitytothedemand,andinmaintainingreciprocallibertyinsuchtransactions,isallthatthelegislatoroughtdodo。
2。Naturalrewardsareliabletobeinsufficient,inrelationtoservices,whoseutilityextendstothewholecommunity,withoutproducingparticularadvantagetoanyoneindividualmorethananother。Ofthisnaturearepublicemployments。Itistrue,manypublicemploymentsareattendedbynaturalrewardsintheshapeofhonour,power,themeansofservingone’sconnexions,anddeservingthepublicgratitude;
andwhentheserewardsaresufficient,factitiousrewardsaresuperfluous。
Totheirambassadors,andmanyothersoftheirgreatofficersofstate,theVenetiansnevergaveanypecuniaryreward。InEng1and,thepublicfunctionsofsheriffsandjusticesofthepeacearegenerallydischargedbyopulentandindependentindividuals,whoseonlyrewardconsistsintherespectandpowerattachedtothoseoffices。
3。Therearemanycircumstanceswhichmaydiminishthevalueofareward,withoutbeinggenerallyknownbeforehand,butagainstallofwhichitispropertoguard。Doestherewardconsistofmoney?Itsvaluemaybediminishedbyaburthenofthesamenature,orbyaburthenintheshapeofhonour。Honourandmoneymayevenbeseenatstrifewithoneanother,aswellaswiththemselvesBythesemeans,thevalueofarewardmaysometimesbereducedtonothing,andevenbecomenegative。
Inthiscountry,where,properlyspeaking,thereisnopublicprosecutor,manyoffences,whichnoindividualhasanypeculiarinterestinprosecuting,areliabletoremainunpunished。Inthewayofremedy,thelawoffersfrom£;10to£;20,tobelevieduponthegoodsoftheoffender,towhoeverwillsuccessfullyundertakethisfunction:sometimesitisadded,thattheexpenseswillberepaidincaseofconviction:sometimesthisisnotpromised。Theseexpensesmayamounttothirty,fifty,andevenonehundredpounds;itisseldomtheyaresolittleastwentypounds。Afterthis,canwebesurprisedthatthelawsareimperfectlyobeyed?
Itmaybeadded,thatitisconsidereddishonourabletoattendtothissummonsofthelaws。Anindividualwhointhismannerendeavourstoservehiscountry,iscalledaninformer;andlestpublicopinionshouldnotbesufficienttobrandhimwithinfamy,theservantsofthelaw,andeventhelawsthemselves,haveonsomeoccasionsendeavouredtofixthestain。Thenumberofprivateprosecutorswouldbemuchmorenumerous,if,insteadoftheinsidiousofferofareward,anindemnificationweresubstituted。Thedishonourableofferbeingsuppressed,thedishonouritselfwouldcease。Andwhocansay,whenbysuchanarrangementthecircumstancewhichoffendsitisremoved,whetherhonouritselfmaynotbepressedintotheserviceofthelaws?
Thereisanothercaseinwhich,bythenegligenceoflegalandofficialarrangements,aconsiderableandcertainexpenseisattachedtoandmadetoprecedeavariableanduncertainreward。Anewideapresentsitselftosomeworkmanorartist。Knowingthatthelawsgranttoeveryinventoraprivilegetoenablehimexclusivelytoreaptheprofitsofhisinvention,heenjoysbyanticipationhissuccess,andlabourstoperfecthisinvention。Having,intheprosecutionofhisdiscovery,consumed,perhaps,thegreaterpartofhispropertyandhislife,hisinventioniscomplete。Hegoes,withajoyfulheart,tothepublicofficetoaskforhispatent。Butwhatdoesheencounter?Clerks,lawyers,andofficersofstate,whoreapbeforehandthefruitsofhisindustry。Thisprivilegeisnotgiven,butis,infact,soldforfrom£;100to£;
200———sumsgreaterperhapsthanheeverpossessedinhislife。Hefindhimselfcaughtinasnare,whichthelaw,orratherextortionwhichhasobtainedtheforceoflaw,hasspreadfortheindustriousinventor。Itisataxlevieduponingenuity,andnomancansetboundstothevalueoftheservicesitmayhavelosttothenation。
RuleIII。Rewardshouldbeadjustedinsuchamannertoeachparticularservice,thatforeverypartofthebenefittheremaybeamotivetoinduceamantogivebirthtoit。
Inotherwords,thevalueoftherewardoughttoadvancestepbystepwiththevalueoftheservice。Thisruleismoreaccuratelyfollowedinrespectofrewardsthanofpunishments。Ifamanstealaquantityofcorn,thepunishmentisthesame,whetherhestealonebushelorten;
butwhenapremiumisgivenfortheexportationofcorn,theamountofthepremiumbearsanexactproportiontotheamountexported。Tobeconsistentinmattersoflegislation,thescaleoughttobeasregularintheonecaseasintheother。
Theutilityofthisruleisputbeyonddoubtbythedifferencethatmaybeobservedbetweenthequantityofworkperformedbymenemployedbytheday,andmenemployedbythepiece。Whenaditchistobedug,andtheworkisdividedbetweenonesetofmenworkingbytheday,andanothersetworkingbythepiece,thereisnodifficultyinpredictingwhichsetwillhavefinishedfirst。
Hope,andperhapsemulation,arethemotiveswhichactuatethelabourerbythepiece:themotivewhichactuatesthelabourerbythedayisfear———fearofbeingdischargedincaseofmanifestandextraordinaryidleness。
Itmustnot,however,beforgotten,thattherearemanysortsofworkinrespectofwhichitisimpropertoadoptthismodeofpayment;whichtendsindeedtoproducethegreatestquantityoflabour,butatthesametimeiscalculatedtogivebirthtonegligenceandprecipitation。Thismethodoughtonlytobeemployedincaseswherethequalityoftheworkcaneasilybediscerned,anditsimperfections(ifany)detected。
Thevalueofarewardmaybeincreasedordiminished,inrespectofcertaintyaswellasamount:when,therefore,anyservicesrequirefrequentlyrenewedefforts,itisdesirablethateacheffortshouldrendertheprobabilityofitsattainmentmorecertain。
Arrangementsshouldbemadeforconnectingserviceswithreward,insuchmannerthattheattainmentoftherewardshallremainuncertain,without,however,ceasingtobemoreprobablethanthecontraryevent。Thefacultiesoftheindividualemployedwillthusnaturallybekeptuponthefullstretch。Thisisaccomplishedwhenacompetitionisestablishedbetweentwoormorepersons,andarewardispromisedtothatonewhoshallrenderserviceinthemosteminentdegree,whetheritrespectthequantityorthequalityoftheserviceproposed。
RuleIV。Whentwoservicescomeincompetition,ofwhichamancannotbeinducedtoperformboth,therewardforthegreaterserviceoughttobesufficienttoinducehimtopreferittotheless。
Inacertaincountry,mattersaresoarranged,thatmoreistobegainedbybuildingshipsontheoldplan,thanbyinventingbetter;bytakingoneship,thanbyblockadingahundred;byplunderingatsea,thanbyfighting;bydistortingtheestablishedlaws,thanbyexecutingthem;byclamouringfororagainstministers,thanbyshowinginwhatmannerthelawsmaybeimproved。Itmusthoweverbeadmitted,thatinrespectofsomeoftheseabuses,itwouldbedifficulttoprescribetheproperremedy。
Bywhatmethodcancompetitionbetweentwoservicesbeestablished?Theindividualfromwhomtheyarerequiredmust,eitherfrompersonalqualificationsorexternalcircumstances,haveitinhispowertorendereithertheoneortheother。Itispropertodistinguishthecasesinwhichthispositionistransient,fromthoseinwhichitispermanent。Itisinthefirstthatthefaultcommitted,bysufferingdisproportiontosubsist,ismostirreparable。
DuringtheAmericanwar,upwardsofanhundredshipswereatonetimeinoneoftheharboursoftherevoltedcolonies。
Itvasofgreatimportancethattheyshouldbekeptinastateofblockade,sincemanyofthemwereloadedwithmilitarystores。AnEnglishcaptainreceivedorderstoblockadethem。Sufficientlyskilledinarithmetic,andinproverbs,toknowthattwoorthreebirdsinhiscagewereworthahundredinthebush,heactedasthegreaternumberofmenwouldhaveactedinhisplace。Hestoodofftoasufficientdistancetogivetheenemyhopesofescaping:assoonastheyhadquittedtheharbour,hereturned,capturedhalf—a—dozen,andtherestproceededtotheirdestination。Idonotanswerforthetruthofthisanecdote;buttrueornottrue,itisequallygoodasanapologue。Itexhibitsoneofthefruitsofthatinconsiderateprodigality,whichgrants,withoutdiscrimination,theproduceoftheircapturestothecaptors。
Anotherexample。Amanwhohasinfluenceobtainsthecommandofafrigate,withorderstogouponacruise。Thecommandofafirst—rateisacceptedbythoseonlywhocannotobtainafrigate。
Itisthusthatinterestisputincompetitionwithduty———cupiditywithglory。Therearedoubtlessnotwantingnoblemindsbywhomtheseductionsofsinisterinterestareresisted:butwhereforeshouldtheybesomuchexposedtowhatitissodifficulttoresist?
Itistrue,thattheirearsmaynotbealtogetherinsensibletothecallofhonour。Thelawhasbestowedpecuniaryrewardsuponthecaptorsofarmedvessels———(anotherexample,whereoneinstanceofprofusionhascreatedthenecessityofasecond)———buttheserewardsarestillunequal:thechaseofdovesismoreadvantageousthanthepursuitofeagles。
Theremedywouldbetotax,andtaxheavily,theprofitsoflucrativecruises,toformafundofrewardinfavourofdangerous,ormerelyusefulexpeditions。Bythisarrangement,thecountrywouldbedoublybenefited,theservicewouldberenderedmoreattractive,andconductedwithmoreeconomy。Itmaybetrue,thatifthistaxweredeductedfromtheshareoftheseamen,theirardourmightbecooled:neitherinvalueorinnumberaretheirprizesinthislotterysusceptibleofdiminution。
Butthoughthisbetruewithrespecttothelowerranksoftheprofession,oughtwetojudgeinthesamemannerofthesuperiorofficers,whosemindsareelevatedastheirrank,andonwhoseconducttheperformanceofthedutyhasthemostimmediatedependence?
Inthejudicialdepartment,theservicewhichbelongstotheprofessionofanadvocate,andtheservicewhichbelongstotheofficeofajudge,areinastateofrivalry:theyconstitutetheelementsoftwopermanentconditions,ofwhichthefirstamongmostnationsisthepreliminaryroutetothesecond。InEngland,thejudgesareuniformlyselectedfromamongtheclassofadvocates。Nowtheinterestofthecountryrequiresthatthechoiceshouldfalluponthemenofhighestattainmentsintheirprofession,sinceuponthereputationofthejudgesdependstheopinionwhicheverymanformsofhissecurity。Itisnotofthesameimportancetothepublicthatadvocatesshouldbesupereminentlyskilful:theiroccupationisnottoseekoutwhatisagreeabletojustice,butwhatagreeswiththeinterestofthepartytowhichchancehasengagedthem。Onthecontrary,themoredecidedlyanyadvocateisexaltedinpointoftalentsabovehiscolleagues,themoredesirableisitthatheshouldnolongercontinueanadvocate。Inproportiontohispre—eminence,istheprobabilitythathewillbeopposedtothedistributionofjustice。Theworsethecauseofthesuitor,themorepressingishisneedofanableadvocatetoremedyhisweakness。
InEngland,theemolumentsoftheLordChancellorarereckonedat£;
20,000
———Vice—Chancellor,5,000
———MasteroftheRolls,4,000
———Chief—JusticeoftheKing’sBench,6,500
———Chief—JusticeoftheCommonPleas,5,000
———Chief—BaronoftheExchequer,5,000
———NinePuisneJudges,4,000Now,amongsttheclassofadvocatestherearealwaystobefoundabouthalf—a—dozenwhoseannualemolumentsaveragefromeighttotwelvethousandpounds。Ofthisnumberthereisnotonewhowouldnotdisdaintheofficeofpuisnejudge,sincehisprofitsareactuallytwoorthreetimesasgreatastheirs。Totheseadvocatesofthefirstclassmaybeaddedasmanymore,whowouldequallydisdainthesesubordinatesituations,inthehopeeverydayofsucceedingtotheadvocateswhoshallsucceedtotheprincipalsituations。Therearetwomethodsofobviatingthisinconvenience:theonebyincreasingtheemolumentsofthejudges。
(Thiscoursehasbeenadopteduponmanyoccasions,andtheyhavebeenraisedtotheirpresentamount,withoutsuccess。)Theotherconsistsinloweringtheprofitsoftheadvocates:adesirableobjectinmorerespectsthanone,butwhichcanresultonlyfromrenderingthewholesystemofthelawsmoresimpleandintelligible。
Inthedepartmentofeducation,thereisanearlysimilarrivalrybetweentheprofessionoftheclergyandtheofficeofprofessor,betweentheprofessionofadvocateandtheofficeofjudge,inthedepartmentofthelaws。Inproportionasheiswhatheoughttobeinordertobeuseful,aclergymanisaprofessorofmorality,havingforhispupilsalargerorsmallernumberofpersonsofeveryclass,duringthewholecourseoftheirlives。Ontheotherhand,aprofessor(asheiscalled)hasforhispupilsanumberofselectindividuals,whosecharacteriscalculatedtoexercisethegreatestinfluenceuponthegeneralmassofthepeople,andamongtheirnumbertheclergyaregenerallytobefound。
Theperiodduringwhichtheseindividualsattendthelecturesoftheprofessoristhemostcriticalperiodoflife———theonlyperiodduringwhichtheyareunderobligationtopayattentiontowhattheyhear,ortoreceivetheinstructionpresentedtothem。Suchbeingtherelationbetweentheservicesofthetwoclasses,letusseewhatistheproportionbetweentheamountofrewardrespectivelyallottedtoeach。
InEngland,theemolumentsoftheclergyvaryfrom£;20to£;10,000a—year,whilethoseoftheprofessorsinthechiefseatsofeducation———theuniversities———arebetweenthetwentiethandthehundredthpartofthelattersum。InScotland,theemolumentsoftheprofessorsdifferbutlittlefromwhattheyareinEngland,buttherichestecclesiasticalbeneficeisscarcelyequaltotheleastproductiveprofessorship。Itisthus,saysAdamSmith,that``inEnglandthechurchiscontinuallydrainingtheuniversitiesofalltheirbestandablestmembers;
andanoldcollegetutor,whoisknownanddistinguishedasaneminentmanofletters,israrelytobefound’’;whilstinScotlandthecaseisexactlythereverse。ItisbytheinfluenceofthiscircumstancethatheexplainshowacademicaleducationissoexcellentintheScottishuniversities,and,accordingtohim,sodefectiveinthoseofEngland。
Betweentwoprofessionswhichdonotenterintocompetitionwitheachother(forexample,thoseofopera—dancersandclergymen,)
adisproportionbetweentheiremolumentsisnotattendedwithsuchpalpableinconveniences;butwhenbyanycircumstancetwoprofessionsarebroughtintocomparisonwitheachother,theleastadvantageouslosesitsvaluebythecomparison,andthedisproportionpresentstotheeyeoftheobservertheideaofinjustice。
RRBook1Chapter11TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXICHOICEASTOREWARDSInmakingaproperselectionofpunishments,muchskillisrequired:comparativelymuchlessisrequisiteintheproperselectionofrewards。Notonlyarethespeciesofrewardsmorelimitedinnumberthanthoseofpunishments,butthegroundsofpreferencearemoreeasilydiscoverable,andtherearenot,asinthecaseofpunishments,anypassionswhichtendtomisleadthejudgment。
Thequalitiesdesirableinrewardsarethesameasinthecaseofpunishments:weshallenumeratethem,andthenproceedtopointoutinwhatdegreetheyareunitedincertainmodesofremuneration。
Arewardisbestadaptedtofulfilthepurposeforwhichitmaybedesigned,whenitis———Variable,susceptibleofincreaseordiminutioninrespectofamount,thatitmaybeproportionedtothedifferentdegreesofofservice。
Equable,thatequalportionsmayatalltimesoperatewithequalforceuponallindividuals。
Commensurable,withrespecttootherspeciesofrewardsattachedtootherservices。
Exemplary:itsapparentoughtnottodifferfromitsrealvalue。
Thisqualityiswanting,whenalargeexpenseisincurredforthepurposeofreward,withoutitsbecomingmatterofnotoriety。Theobjectaimedatoughttobetostriketheattention,andproduceadurableimpression。
Economical。Moreoughtnottobepaidforaservicethanitisworth。Thisistheruleineverymarket。
Characteristic:asfaraspossibleanalogoustotheservice。
Itbecomesbythismeansthemoreexemplary。
Popular。Itoughtnottoopposeestablishedprejudices。InvaindidtheRomanemperorsbestowhonoursuponthemostodiousinformers;theydegradedthehonours,buttheinformerswerenotthelessinfamous。Butitisnotenoughthatitdoesnotopposetheprejudices:itisdesirablethateveryrewardshouldobtaintheapprobationofthepublic。
Fructifying:calculatedtoexcitetheperseveranceoftheindividualinthecareerofservice,andtosupplyhimwithnewresources。Intheselectionfromamongthevarietyofrewards,ofthatparticularonewhichmostcertainlywillproduceanydesiredaffect,attentionmustnotonlybepaidtothenatureoftheservice,butalsototheparticulardispositionandcharacteroftheindividualuponwhomitistooperate。Inthisrespect,publicregulationscanneverattaintheperfectionofwhichdomesticdisciplineissusceptible。Nosovereigncaneverinthesamedegreebeacquaintedwiththedispositionsofhissubjects,asafathermaybewiththoseofhischildren。Thisdisadvantageishowevercompensatedbythelargernumberofcompetitors。Inakingdom,everydiversityoftemperament,andeverydegreeofaptitude,maybefoundunitedtogether;andprovidedtherewardbeproportionatetotheservice,itwillbeoflittleimportancewhatmaybeitsnature:likethemagnet,whichoutofheterogeneousmassattractsandseparatesthemosthiddenparticlesofiron,itwilldetecttheindividualsusceptibleofitsattraction。
Besides,thenatureofpecuniaryreward,whichisadaptedtothegreaterproportionofservices,issuchthateveryindividualmayconvertitintothespeciesofpleasurewhichbemostprefers。
Toformajudgmentofthemeritsanddemeritsofpecuniaryreward,aglanceatthelistofdesirablequalitieswillsuffice。
Itwillatoncebeseenwhichofthemitpossesses,andofwhichofthemitisdeficient:itisvariable,equable,andcommensurable。
Itoughttobeadded,thatitisfrequentlyindispensablynecessary:therearemanycasesinwhicheveryotherreward,separatedfromthis,wouldnotonlybeaburthen,butevenamockery,especiallyiftheperformanceoftheservicehavebeenattendedwithanexpenseorlossgreaterthantheindividualcaneasilysupport。
Ontheotherhand,pecuniaryrewardisnotexemptfromdisadvantages。Speakinggenerally(fortherearemanyexceptions,)itisneitherexemplary,norcharacteristic,norevenpopular。[2]Whenallowedtoexceedacertainamount,ittendstodiminishtheactivityofthereceiver:insteadofaddingtohisinclinationtopersevereinhisservices,itmayfurnishhimwithatemptationtodiscontinuethem。TheenrichedmanwillbeapttothinklikethesoldierofLucullus,whobecametimidsosoonashepossessedpropertytopreserve。Ibiteò;,quovis,quizonamperdidit,inquit。Hor。Epist。II。lib。2。Therearealsocasesinwhichmoney,insteadofanattractive,mayhavearepulsiveeffect,———insteadofoperatingasareward,maybeconsideredasaninsult,atleastbypersonswhopossessanydelicacyintheirsentimentsofhonour。Acertaindegreeofskillisthereforerequiredintheapplicationofmoneyasareward:
itisoftentimesdesirablethatthepecuniaryshouldappearonlyasanaccessarytothehonorary,whichshouldbemadetoconstitutetheprincipalpartofthereward。[3]
Everypecuniaryrewardmaybe,asitwere,annihilatedbyitsrelativesmallness。Amanofindependentfortune,andofacertainrankinsociety,wouldbeconsideredasdegradedbyacceptingasumthatwouldnotdegradeamechanic。Thereisnorulefordetermining;whatispermittedorprohibitedinthisrespect:customhasestablishedtheprejudice。
Butthedifficultyitpresentsisnotinsurmountable。Bycombiningtogethermoneyandhonour,acompoundisformed,whichisuniversallypleasing:medals,forexample,possessthisdoubleadvantage。Byalittleartandprecaution,asolidpeaceisestablishedbetweenprideandcupidity;andthusunited,theyhavebothbeenrangedunderthebannersofmerit。Prideproclaimsaloud———``Itisnottheintrinsicvalueofthemetalwhichpossessesattractionsforme;itisthecircleofgloryalonewithwhichitissurrounded。’’
Cupiditymakesitscalculationinsilence,andaccuratelyestimatesthevalueofthematerialoftheprize。
BytheSocietyofArtsastillhigherdegreeofperfectionhasbeenattained。Achoiceiscommonlyallowedbetweenasumofmoneyandamedal。Thusallconditionsandtastesaresatisfied:themechanicorpeasantpocketsthemoney;thepeerorgentlemanornamentshiscabinetwithamedal。
Theapparentvalueofmedalsisinsomecasesaugmented,byrenderingthedesign,uponthemcharacteristicoftheserviceonaccountofwhichtheyarebestowed。Bytheadditionofthenameoftheindividualrewarded,anexclusivecertificateismadeinhisfavour。Theingenuitydisplayedinthechoiceofthedesignhassometimesbeenextremelyhappy。
ABritishstatutegivestothepersonwhoapprehendsandconvictsahighwayman,amongstotherrewards,thehorseonwhichtheoffenderwasmountedwhenhecommittedtheoffence。
PossiblytheframerofthislawmayhavetakenthehintfromthepassageinVirgil,inwhichthesonofÆ;neaspromisestoNisus,incaseofthesuccessoftheexpeditionhewasmeditating,theveryhorseandaccoutrementswhichTurnushadbeenseentouse。
Itisequallypossible,thatthesameknowledgeofhumannature,whichsuggestedtotheLatinpoettheefficacyofsuchareward,suggesteditatoncetotheEnglishlawyer。Bethisasitmay,thisprovisioniscommendableonthreeseveralaccounts。Intheassignmentoftheprize,itpitchesuponanobject,which,fromthenatureofthetransaction,islikelytomakeaparticularimpressiononthemindofthepersonwhoseassistanceisrequired;actinginthisrespectinconformitytotheruleabovelaiddown,whichrecommendsanattentiontothecircumstancesinfluencingthesensibilityofthepersononwhomimpressionistobemade。
Italsohastheadvantageofbeingcharacteristic,aswellasexemplary。
Theanimal,whenthustransferred,becomesavoucherfortheactivityandprowessofitsowner,aswellasatrophyofhisvictory。
Anarrangementlikethis,simpleasitis,orratherbecauseitissosimple,wasanextraordinarystretchinBritishpolicy;
inwhich,thoughthereisgenerallyagreatmixtureofgoodsense,therereignsthroughoutakindoflittlenessandmauvaisehonte,whichavoids,withtimidcaution,everythingthatisbold,striking,andeccentric,scarcelyeverhazardinganyofthosestrongandmasterlytoucheswhichstriketheimagination,andfillthemindwiththeideaofthesublime。
ExamplesofrewardsofthisnatureaboundintheRomansystemofremuneration。Foreveryspeciesofmerit,appropriatesymboliccrownswereprovided。ThisbranchoftheiradministrationpreservedtheancientsimplicityofRomeinitscradle;andthewreathofparsleylongeclipsedthesplendourofthecrownsofgold。Iwasabouttospeakoftheirtriumphs,buthereIamcompelledtostop:humanityshuddersatthatprideofconquestwhichtreadsunderitsfeetthevanquishednations。Thesystemoflegislationoughtnodoubttobeadaptedtotheencouragementofmilitaryardour,butitoughtnottofanitintosuchaflameastomakeitthepredominantpassionofthepeople,andtoprostrateeverythingbeforeit。
Honoraryrewardsareeminentlyexemplary:theyarestandingmonumentsoftheserviceforwhichtheyhavebeenbestowed;
theyalsopossessthedesirablepropertyofoperatingasaperpetualencouragementtofreshexertions。Todisgraceanhonoraryreward,istobeatraitortoone’sself;hethathasoncebeenpronouncedbrave,shouldperpetuallymeritthatcommendation。
Tocreatearewardofthisnature,isnotverydifficult。Thesymbolicallanguageofesteemis,likewrittenlanguage,matterofconvention。Everymodeofdress,everyceremony,sosoonasitismadeamarkofpreeminence,becomeshonourable。Abranchoflaurel,aribband,agarter———everythingpossessesthevaluewhichisassignedtoit。Itishoweverdesirable,thattheseensignsshouldpossesssomeemblematiccharacterexpressiveofthenatureoftheserviceforwhichtheyarebestowed。Withreferencetothisprinciple,theblazonryofheraldryappearsrudeandunmeaning。Thedecorationofthevariousordersofknighthood,thoughnotdeficientinsplendour,arehighlydeficientinrespectofcharacter:
theystriketheeye,buttheyconveynoinstructiontothemind。Aribbandappearsmorelikethefineryofawoman,thanthedistinctivedecorationofahero。
Honorarytitleshavefrequentlyderivedapartoftheirgloryfrombeingcharacteristic。Theplacewhichhasbeenthetheatreofhisexploitshasoftenfurnishedatitleforavictoriousgeneral,wellcalculatedtoperpetuatethememoryofhisserviceandhisglory。Ataveryearlyperiodoftheirhistory,theRomansemployedthisexpedientinadditiontotheotherrewardswhichtheyconferreduponthegeneralwhocompletedaconquest。———HencethesurnamesofAfricanus,Numidicus,Asiaticus,Germanicus,andsomanyothers。
Thiscustomwasfrequentlybeenimitated。CatherineII。reviveditinfavouroftheRomanoffsandOrloffs。Mahon,twiceintheeighteenthcentury,furnishedtitlestoitsconquerors。ThemansionofBlenheimunitestotheeclatofthename,amoresubstantialproofofnationalgratitude。[5]
TheRomansoccasionallyappliedthesamemodeofrewardtoservicesofadifferentdescription。TheAppianwayperpetuallyrecalledtothememoryofthosewhojourneyedonit,theliberalityofAppius。[6]
Thecareeroflegislationmayalsofurnishsomeinstancesofhonourswhichpossessthischaracterofanalogy。InthedigestoftheSardinianlaws,everypraiseworthycarewastakentoinformthepeopletowhichoftheirsovereignstheywereindebtedforeachparticularlaw。Itisanexampleworthyofimitation。Itmayhavebeenintendedasamarkofrespect,aswellasforconvenienceofreference,thatithasbeencustomarytodesignatebythetitleoftheGrenvilleAct,theadmirablelawwhichthisrepresentativeofthepeopleprocuredtobeenactedfortheimpartialdecisionofquestionsrelativetocontestedelections。
HadthestatueofthislegislatorbeenplacedintheHouseofCommons,fromwhichhebanishedascandalousdisorder,itwouldbothhavebeenamonumentofgratitude,andanoblelesson:itmighthaveforitscompanionastatueofhisnoblerival,theauthorofEconomicalReform。Itisthusthattheimpartialjudgmentofposterity,forgettingthedifferenceswhichseparatedthem,delightstorecollecttheexcellencieswhichassimilatedthemtoeachother:itisthusthatithasplaced,sidebysideofeachother,EschinesandDemosthenes。Themoremenbecomeenlightened,themoreclearlywilltheyperceivethenecessity,atleast,ofdividinghonourbetweenthosewhocausenationstoflourishbymeansofgoodlaws,andthosewhodefendthembytheirvalour。
Amongthemostobviousandefficaciousmeansofconferringhonoraryrewards,arepictures,busts,statues,andotherimitativerepresentationsofthepersonmeanttoberewarded。Thesespreadhisfametoposterity,and,inconjunctionwiththehistoryoftheservice,handdowntheideaofthepersonbywhomitwasrendered。Theyarenaturallyaccompaniedwithinscriptionsexplanatoryofthecauseforwhichthehonourwasdecreed。Whentheartofwritinghasbecomecommon,theseinscriptionswillfrequentlygivedisgust,bythelengthorextravaganceoftheelogium;
anditwillthenbecomeanobjectofgoodtastetosayasmuchinasfewwordsaspossible。Perhapsthehappiestspecimensofthekindthatwere,oreverwillbeproduced,arethetwoinscriptionsplacedunderthestatuesofLouisXIV。andVoltaire;theoneerectedbythetownofMontpellier,thelatterbyasocietyofmenofletters,ofwhomFrederickIII。kingofPrussiawasone:———``ALouisXIV。aprè;ssamort。’’``A
Voltaire,pendantsavie:``Totheking,thoughnolongertheobjectofhopeandfear:tothepoetandphilosopher,thoughstillthebuttofenvy。Thebusiness,onoccasionslikethese,isnottoinformbuttoremind:
historyandtheartofprintingdotherest。
Thegreaternumberoftherewardsofwhichwehavespokenabove,areoccasional,thatis,appliedtoaparticularaction。
Thereareotherswhicharemorepermanentintheircharacter,suchastheHospitalsofChelseaandGreenwich,inEngland,andl’Hô;teldesInvalidesatParis。
Doubtshaveoftenbeenentertainedoftheutilityoftheseestablishments。Rewards,ithasbeensaid,mightbeextendedtoamuchgreaternumberofindividuals,iftheannualamountoftheexpensesoftheseplacesweredistributedintheshapeofpensions,whiletheindividualswouldthusberenderedmuchhappier,sincemenwhohavepassedtheirdaysofactivity,unitedinaplacewheretheyarenolongersubjecttothecaresandlaboursoflife,areexposedtothemostceaselesslistlessness。
Ishallnotdisputethetruthoftheseobservations,butontheotherhand,shallexaminetheeffectoftheseestablishmentsuponthemindsofsoldiersandsailors。Theirimaginationsareflatteredbythemagnificenceoftheseretreats;itisabrilliantprospect,openedtothemall;anasylumisprovidedforthosewho,havingquittedtheircountryandtheirfamiliesintheiryouth,havefrequently,intheirdaysofdecrepitudeandage,nootherhomeintheworld。Thosewhoaremutilatedordisfiguredwithwounds,areconsoledbytherenownwhichawaitstheminthehospital,whereeverythingremindsthemoftheirexploits;Itmayalsobeforthebenefitoftheservicemoreprudentthustounitethantodispersethem。Itisaluxury;butitisrational,exemplary,andpossessesacharacterofjusticeandmagnificence。
Theseestablishmentsbeingnecessarilylimitedwithrespecttothenumberwhichcanbeadmittedintothem,maybeconsidereduponthefootingofextraordinaryrewards,applicabletodistinguishedservices。Theywouldthusconstituteaspeciesofnobilityforthesoldiersandsailors。Theywouldacquireanadditionaldegreeofsplendour,weretheirwallsadornedbythetrophiestakeninwar,whichwouldthereappearmuchmoreappropriatelyplaced,thanwhendepositedinthetemplesofpeace。
Thedecorationsofthechapelofl’Hô;teldesInvalidesareadmirable。TheflagssuspendedinthecathedralofSt。Paulonlyawakenthoughtsatvariancewiththoseofreligiousworship:removedtoChelseaorGreenwich,theywouldbeconnectedwithnaturalassociations,andwouldfurnishatexttothecommentariesofthosewhoacquiredthembytheirvalour。
Itisnotoftenthateverydesirablequalityisseentobeunitedinoneandthesamereward:thisunion,however,frequentlytakesplaceinanalmostimperceptiblemanner。
Aninstanceofarewardparticularlywelladaptedtothenatureoftheservice,isthatofthemonopolywhichitisalmostuniversallythecustomtocreateinfavourofinventors。Fromtheverynatureofthething,itadaptsitselfwiththeutmostnicetytothoserulesofproportiontowhichitismostdifficultforrewardartificiallyinstitutedbythelegislatortoconform。Itadaptsitselfwiththeutmostnicetytothevalueoftheservice。Ifconfined,asitoughttobe,totheprecisepointinwhichtheoriginalityoftheinventionconsists,itisconferredwiththeleastpossiblewasteofexpense:itcausesaservicetoberendered,whichwithoutitamanwouldnothaveamotiveforrendering;andthatonlybyforbiddingothersfromdoingthatwhich,wereitnotforthatservice,itwouldnothavebeenpossibleforthemtohavedone。Evenwithregardtosuchinventions(forsuchtherewillbe)whereothers,besideshimwhopossessedhimselfofthereward,havescentoftheinvention,itisstillofuse,bystimulatingallparties,andsettingthemtostrivewhichshallfirstbringhisdiscoverytobear。Withallthisituniteseverypropertywhichcanbewishedforinareward。Itisvariable,equable,commensurable,characteristic,exemplary,frugal,promotiveofperseverance,subservienttocompensation,popular,andrevocable。
RRBook1Chapter12TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXIIPROCEDUREASTOREWARDS。Theprovinceofrewardisthelastasylumofarbitrarypower。Intheearlystagesofsociety,punishments,pardons,andrewards,wereequallylavishedwithoutmeasureandwithoutnecessity。Theinflictionofpunishmenthasalreadyinameasurebeensubjecttoregulation:atsomefuturetimeruleswillbelaiddownforthegrantingofpardons;andlastofall,forthebestowmentofrewards。Ifpunishmentoughtnottobeinflictedwithoutformalproofofthecommissionofcrime,neitheroughtrewardtobeconferredwithoutequallyformalproofofdesert。
Itmaybeallowed,thatinpointofimportance,thedifferencebetweenthetwocasesisgreat;thatpunishmentinflictedwithouttrialexcitesuniversalalarm,whilstrewardconferredwithoutdesertexcitesnosuchfeelings。Buttheseconsiderationsonlyprovethattheadvantageofformalprocedureinthedistributionofrewardislimitedtothepreventionofprodigality,andoftheotherabusesbywhichthevalueofrewardisdiminished。
AtRome,ifcertaintravellersmaybebelieved,itisthecustom,whenasaintisabouttobecanonized,toallowanadvocate,whoinfamiliarlanguageiscalledtheadvocateofthedevil,topleadagainsthisadmission。Ifthisadvocatehadalwaysbeenfaithfultohisclient,thecalendermightnothavebeensofullasatpresent。Bethisasitmay,theideaitselfitexcellent,andmightadvantageouslybeborrowedbypoliticsfromreligion。L’Italicovalornonè;ancormorto:thereareyetsomelessonstobelearnedinthecapitaloftheworld。
ItisreportedofPetertheGreat,thatwhenhecondescendedtopassthrougheverygradationofmilitaryrank,fromthelowesttothehighestinhisempire,hetooknostepwithoutproducingregularcertificatesofhisqualifications。Wemaybeallowedtosupposethatevenwithinferiorrecommendationstothoseproducedbythegreatprince,hecouldhavesucceeded。Therewasnoadvocateforthedeviltocontestthepoint,andevenhadtherebeenonehisfidelitywouldhavebeendoubtful:buthadthequalificationsoftheCzarbeenasimperfectas,accordingtothehistory,theywerecomplete,hissubmittingtoproducethemwouldhaveofferedanoblelesson。
InEnglandwhenadormantpeerageisclaimedbyanyindividual,theattorney—generalisconstitutedtheadvocateforthedevil,andchargedtoexamineintoandproduceeverythingwhichcaninvalidatehistitle。Whereforeishenotthusemployedwhenitisproposedtocreatenewpeers?Whyshouldhenotbeallowedtourgeeverythingwhichcanbesaidagainstthemeasure?Isitfearedthathewouldbetoooftensuccessful?
Inthedistributionofrewards,wereitalwaysnecessarypubliclytoassignthereasonfortheirbestowment,arestraintwouldbeimposeduponprincesandtheirministers,towhichtheyareunwillingtosubmit。ThereformerlyexistedinSwedenacustom,orpositivelaw,obligingthekingtoinsertinthepatentconferringapensionortitlethereasonforthegrant。In1774,thiscustomwasabolishedbyanexpresslawinsertedintheGazetteofthatcourt,declaringthattheindividualshonouredbythebountyofthekingshouldbeidelitywouldhavebeendoubtful:buthadthequalificationsoftheCzarbeenasimperfectas,accordingtothehistory,theywerecomplete,hissubmittingtoproducethemwouldhaveofferedanoblelesson。
InEngland,theremuneratorybranchofarbitrarypowerhasbeguntobepruned。Exceptinparticularcases,thekingisnotallowedtograntapensionexceeding£;300perannum,withouttheconsentofparliament。Sincethepassingoftheactcontainingthisrestriction,thecandidatesforpensionshavebeenbutfew。
WhenM。NeckerundertooktheadministrationofthefinancesinFrance,thetotaloftheacknowledgedpensions,withoutreckoningthesecretgratuities,whichwereveryconsiderable,amountedtotwenty—sevenmillionsoflivres。InEnglandwherethenationalwealthwasnotlessthaninFrance,thepensionsdidnotamounttothetenthpartofthissum。Itisthusthatthedifferencebetweenalimitedandanabsolutemonarchymaybeexhibited,eveninfigures。
InIreland,thekinguponhissoleauthority,inl783,createdanorderofknighthood;thusprofitingbywhatremainedofthefragmentsofarbitrarypower。Noblamewasimputedtohimforestablishingthistaxuponhonour:hadheleviedataxuponproperty,thenationmightnothavebeensotractable。Thosewhohopedtoshareinthenewtreasurewerecarefulnottoraiseanoutcryagainstitsestablishment:thoseatwhoseexpensethistreasurewasestablished,didnotunderstandthispieceoffinesse;theyopenedtheireyeswidelybutcomprehendednothing。Themeasurecouldnothavebeenbetterjustifiedbycircumstances。Everydaythecrownfounditselfstrippedofsomeprerogative,justlyorunjustlythesubjectofenvy;itwasthereforehightimetoavailitselfofthesmallnumberofthose,intheexerciseofwhichitwasstilltolerated。
BecomeindependentofGreatBritain,thehonouroftheIrishnationseemedtorequireadecorationofthiskind:forwhatisakingdomwithoutanorderofknighthood?
Toenterintotheconsiderationofthedetailsrequisitefortheestablishmentofasystemofremuneratoryprocedure,comesnotwithinthepresentpartofourdesign:averyslightsketchoftheleadingprinciplesonwhichitmightbegrounded,istheutmostthatcanherebegiven。Thegeneralideawouldofcoursebetakenfromthesystemestablishedinpenalandcivilcases。Betweenthesesystems,themoststrikingdifferencewould,however,arisefromtheinterestandwishesoftheagentwhoseactmightbethesubjectofinvestigation,withrespecttothepublicityoftheact。Intheonecase,theconsequencesofsuchhisact,incaseitwereproved,beingpernicioustohim,allhisendeavourwouldbetokeepitconcealed:intheother,theseconsequencesbeingbeneficial,hisendeavourwouldbetoplaceitinthemostconspicuouslightimaginable。
Inthefirstcase,hisendeavourswouldbetodelaytheprocessandifpossiblemakeitvoid:inthelattertoexpediteitandkeepitvalid。
Themoststrikingpointofcoincidenceistheoccasionthereisinbothcasesfortwoparties。Inthecivilbranchtherecanhardlybeadeficiencyinthisrespect;therebeingcommonlytwoindividualswhoseinterestsareopposite,andknownandfelttobeso。Butinthepenalbranch,inoneverylargedivisionofit,thereisnaturallynosuchopposition;Imeaninthatwhichconcernsoffencesagainstthepubliconly。Here,therefore,thelawhasbeenobligedtocreatesuchanopposition,andhasaccordinglycreateditbytheestablishmentofapublicprosecutor。Intheremuneratorybranchofprocedure,thereisasimilarabsenceofnaturalopposition,andaccordinglythegranddesideratumistheappointmentofanofficerwhosebusinessitshouldbetocontestonthepartofthepublic,thetitletowhateverrewardisproposedtobegrantedinthisyear。Hemightbeentitled,forshortness,bysomesuchnameasthatofContestor—general。Withoutaprosecutor—general,inthelargeandimportantdivisionofcasesabovementioned,therewouldnot,unlessbyaccident———Imeanwhenanindividualisengagedinthetaskofprosecutionbypublicspirit,orwhatisthemorenatural,byprivatepique———beanysuitinstituted,anypunishmentinflicted。Forwantofacontestor—generalthereisnotunlessbyasimilaraccidentanycheckgiventotheinjusticeofunmeritedremuneration。Uponthewhole,then,thepenalandcivilbranchesofprocedure,butparticularlythepenal,mayinallcasesserveeitherasthemodels,or,ifthetermmaybeadmitted,astheanti—modelsoftheremuneratorybranchofprocedure。
RRBook1Chapter13TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXIIIREWARDSTOINFORMERS。Theexecutionofalawcannotbeenforced,unlesstheviolationofitbedenounced;theassistanceoftheinformeristhereforealtogetherasnecessaryandasmeritoriousasthatofthejudge。
Wehavealreadyhadoccasiontoremark,thatwithrespecttopublicoffences,wherenooneindividualmorethananotherisinterestedintheirprosecution,ithasbeenfoundnecessarytocreateasortofmagistrate,anaccuser—general,tocarryonsuchprosecutionsinvirtueofhisoffice;butitisindispensablynecessarythatoffencesshouldbedenouncedtohim,beforehecanbegintoact。
Inawell—orderedcommunityitwouldbethedutyofeveryindividualpossessingevidenceofthecommissionofacrime,todenouncethecriminaltothetribunals;andsuchindividualwouldbedisposedsotodo。Inmostcountries,however,meningeneralaredesirousofwithdrawingfromtheperformanceofthisduty。Somerefusetoperformitfrommistakennotionsofpitytowardsthedelinquent;others,becausetheydisapproveofsomepartofthelaw;others,fromthefearofmakingenemies;manyfromindolence;almostallfromadisinclinationtosubmittothatlosswhichwouldarisefromtheinterruptionoftheirordinaryoccupations。
Inthesecountries,therefore,ithasbeenfoundnecessarytoofferpecuniaryrewardstoinformers。
Sofarasmyknowledgeextends,governmentshaveneverbeenadvisedtodiscontinuethispractice。Itissupportedbyauthority,butitiscondemnedbypublicopinion:mercenaryinformationsareconsidereddisgraceful,salariedinformers,odious。Henceitresults,thattherewardofferedbythelawdoesnotpossessallitsnominalvalue;thedisgraceattachedtotheserviceisadrawbackuponitsamount。Theindividualisrewardedbythestate,andpunishedbythemoralsanction。
Letusexaminetheusualobjectionsmadeagainstmercenaryinformations。
1。Itisodious(itissaid)toprofitbytheevilwehavecausedtoothers。
Thisobjectionisfoundeduponafeelingofimpropercommiserationfortheoffender;sincepitytowardstheguiltyiscrueltytowardstheinnocent。Therewardpaidtotheinformerhasforitsobject,theservicehehasperformed;inthisrespect,heisuponalevelwiththejudgewhoispaidforpassingsentence。Theinformerisaservantofthegovernment,employedinopposingtheinternalenemiesofthestate,asthesoldierisaservantemployedinopposingitsexternalfoes。
2。Itintroducesintosocietyasystemofespionage。
Tothewordespionage,astigmaisattached:letussubstitutethewordinspection,whichisunconnectedwiththesameprejudices。Ifthisinspectionconsistinthemaintenanceofanoppressivesystemofpolice,whichsubjectsinnocentactionstopunishment,whichcondemnssecretlyandarbitrarily,itisnaturalthatsuchasystemanditsagentsshouldbecomeodious。Butifthisinspectionconsistinthemaintenanceofasystemofpolice,forthepreservationofthepublictranquillityandtheexecutionofgoodlaws,allitsinspectors,andallitsguardians,actausefulandsalutarypart:itistheviciousonlywhowillhavereasontocomplain;itwillbeformidabletothemalone。
3。Pecuniaryrewardsmayinducefalsewitnessestoconspireagainsttheinnocent。
Ifwesupposeapublicandwell—organizedsystemofprocedure,inwhichtheinnocentarenotdeprivedofanymeansofdefence,thedangerresultingfromconspiracywillappearbutsmall。Besidestheprodigiousdifficultyofinventingacoherenttalecapableofenduringarigorousexamination,thereisnocomparisonbetweentherewardofferedbythelaw,andtherisktowhichfalsewitnessesareexposed。Mercenarywitnessesalsoareexactlythosewhoexcitethegreatestdistrustinthemindofajudge,andiftheyaretheonlywitnesses,asuspicionofconspiracyinstantlypresentsitself,andbecomesaprotectiontotheaccused。
Theseobjectionsareurgedinjustificationoftheprejudicewhichexists;buttheprejudiceitselfhasbeenproducedbyothercauses;andthosecausesarespecious。Thefirst,withrespecttotheeducatedclassesofsociety,isaprejudicedrawnfromhistory,especiallyfromthatoftheRomanemperors。Thewordinformeratoncerecallstothemindthosedetestablemiscreants,thehorrorofallages,whomeventhepencilofTacitusfailedtocoverwithalltheignominytheydeserved:
buttheseinformerswerenottheexecutorsofthelaw,theyweretheexecutorsofthepersonalandlawlessvengeanceofthesovereign。
Thesecondandmostgeneralcauseofthisprejudiceisfoundedupontheemploymentgiventoinformersbyreligiousintolerance:
intheagesofignoranceandbigotry,barbarouslawshavingbeenenactedagainstthosewhodidnotprofessthedominantreligion,informerswerethenconsideredaszealousandorthodoxbelievers;butinproportiontotheincreaseofknowledge,themannersofmenhavebeensoftened,andtheselawshavingbecomeodious,theinformers,withoutwhoseservicestheywouldhavefallenintodisuse,partookofthehatredwhichthelawsthemselvesinspired。Itwasaninjusticeinrespecttothem,butasalutoryeffectresultedfromit,totheclassesexposedtooppression。
Thesecasesoftyrannyexcepted,theprejudicewhichcondemnsmercenaryinformersisanevil。Itisaconsequenceoftheinattentionofthepublictotheirtrueinterests,andofthegeneralignoranceinmattersoflegislation。Insteadofactinginconsonancewiththedictatesoftheprincipleofutility,peopleingeneralhaveblindlyabandonedthemselvestotheguidanceofsympathyandantipathy———ofsympathyinfavourofthosewhoinjure———ofantipathytothosewhorenderthemessentialservice。Ifaninformerdeservestobehated,ajudgedeservestobeabhorred。
Thisprejudicealsopartlyspringsfromaconfusionofideas。Nodistinctionismadebetweenthejudicialandtheprivateinformer;
betweenthemanwhodenouncesacrimeinacourtofjustice,andhewhosecretlyinsinuatesaccusationsagainsthisenemies;betweenthemanwhoaffordstotheaccusedanopportunityofdefendinghimself,andhewhoimposestheconditionofsilencewithrespecttohisperfidiousreports。
Clandestineaccusationsarejustlyconsideredasthebaneofsociety:theydestroyconfidence,andproduceirremediableevils;buttheyhavenothingincommonwithjudicialaccusations。
Itisextremelydifficulttoeradicateprejudicessodeeplyrootedandnatural。Fromnecessity,thepracticeofpayingpublicinformerscontinuestobeinuse;butthecharacterofaninformerisstillregardedasdisgraceful,andbysomestrangefatalitythejudgesmakenoeffortstoenlightenthepublicmindonthissubject,andtoprotectthisusefulandevennecessaryclassofmenfromtherigourofpublicopinion。
Theyoughtnottosuffertheeloquenceofthebartoinsultbeforetheirfacesthesenecessaryassistantsintheadministrationofjustice。TheconductoftheEnglishlawtowardsinformersfurnishesacuriousbutdeplorableinstanceofhumanfrailty。Itemploysthem,oftentimesdeceivesthem,andalwaysholdsthemuptocontempt。
Itistimeforlawgiversatleasttoweanthemselvesfromtheseschoolboyprejudiceswhichcanconsistonlywithagrossinattentiontotheinterestsofthepublic,joinedtoagrossignoranceoftheprinciplesofhumannature。Theyshouldsettlewiththemselvesonceforallwhatitistheywouldhave:theyshouldstrike,somehoworother,abalancebetweenthebenefitexpectedfromtheeffectsofalaw,andtheinconveniences,orsupposedinconveniences,inseparablefromitsexecution。Iftheinconveniencespreponderate,lettherebeanendofthelaw;ifthebenefits,lettherebeanendofallobstacleswhichanaversiontothenecessaryinstrumentswhichitsefficacydepends,wouldopposetoitsexecution。
RRBook1Chapter14TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXIVREWARDSTOACCOMPLICES。Amonginformers,criminalswhodenouncetheiraccompliceshavebeendistinguishedfromothers,andtheofferofpardonorrewardstoinducethemthustoact,hasbeencondemnedasaltogetherimproper。
Itmustbeacknowledged,thatsolongasthereisanyothermeansofobtainingtheconvictionofacriminalwithoutthusrewardinganaccomplice,thismethodisbad;theimpunitynecessarilyaccompanyingitisanevil。Butiftherebenoothermeans,thismethodisgood:sincetheimpunityofasinglecriminalislessevilthantheimpunityofmany。
Inrelation,however,toweightyandseriouscrimes,nosuchrewardscanwithproprietybeappointedbyagenerallaw。Agenerallawofferingpardonandrewardtothecriminalwhoinformedamongsthisaccomplices,wouldbeaninvitationtothecommissionofallsortsofcrimes:
itwouldbeasthoughthelegislatorhadsaid,``Amongamultitudeofcriminals,themostwickedshallnotonlybeunpunishedbutrewarded。’’Amanshalllayplansforthecommissionofacrime———shallengageaccompliceswiththeintentionofbetrayingthem:tothenaturalprofitsofthecrime,suchalawwouldaddtherewardbestoweduponhimasaninformer。ItiswhathasoftenhappenedunderEnglishlaw。Itisoneofthefruitsofthemaximwhichprohibitstheexaminationofsuspectedpersonsrespectingfactswhichmaytendtocriminatethemselves。Itis,however,criminalswhocanalwaysfurnish,andwhoofoftencanalonefurnish,thelightnecessaryfortheguidanceofjustice。Buttheexaminationofsuspectedpersonsbeingforbiddenasameansofobtainingintelligence,thereremainsonlythemethodofreward。
Butwhenthereward,insteadofbeingbestowedinvirtueofagenerallaw,islefttothediscretionofthejudge,andofferedonlywhennecessary,thisinconveniencedoesnotexist。Advantageouscrimescannolongerbecommittedwithsecurity。Recoursebeinghadtothiscostlymethodonlywhenallothermethodsfail,therewillalwaysbealongerorshorterinterval,duringwhicheverycriminalwillfeelhimselfexposedtothepunishmentdenouncedagainsthiscrimes。Theemploymentofrewardinthismannerhavingbecomeusual,willexerciseuponthesecurityofcriminalstheeffectofagenerallaw:itmightevenbeprescribedbysuchalaw。Thismethodwouldthenpossessalltheadvantagesofanunconditionallaw,withoutitsinconveniences。
Beccariahascondemned,withoutexception,everyrewardofferedtoaccomplices。Asthefoundationofhisopinion,heproducesonlyaconfusedsentimentofdisapprobationattachedtothewords``treasonandfaithlessness’’。
Voluntaryconventionsamongmenaregenerallyusefultosociety。Itwouldbeinmostcasesproductiveofevil,weretheynotconsideredbinding。Infamyhasthereforebecomeconstantlyattachedtothetermstreasonandfaithlessness。Theacts,howevertowhichthesetermsareapplied,areonlyperniciousinasfarasthecontractsofwhichtheyareviolationsareatleastinnocent。Torenderthesecurityofsociety(whichcrimes,weretheytoremainunpunished,woulddestroy)
subordinatetotheaccomplishmentofallmannerofengagements,wouldbetorendertheendsubordinatetothemeans。Whatwouldbecomeofsociety,wereitonceestablishedasaprinciple,thatthecommissionofacrimebecameadutyifonceithadbeenpromised?Thatpromisesoughttobeperformed,isamaximwhich,withoutalimitationexceptingthosetheperformanceofwhichwouldbepernicioustosociety,mighttohaveplaceneitherinlawsnorinmorals。Itisdoubtfulwhichwouldbemostinjurious———thenon—performanceofeverypromise,ortheperformanceofall。Farfrombeingagreaterevilthanthattowhichitisopposed,itwouldbedifficulttoshowthatthenon—performanceofcriminalengagementsisproductiveofanyevil。Fromtheperformanceofsuchanengagement,anunfavourablejudgmentonlycanbeformedofthecharacteroftheparty:howcanaasimilarjudgmentbeformedfromitsviolation?Becausehehasrepentedofhavingcommittedorbeenwillingtocommitanactioninjurioustosociety,andwhichheknewtobeso,doesitfollowthathewillfailtoperformactionswhichheknowstobeinnocentanduseful?
Fromtheviolationofengagementsamongcriminals,whatevilcanbeapprehended?———Thatunanimityshallbewantingamongthem?———thattheirenterprisesshallbeunsuccessful?———thattheirassociationsshallbedissolved?Itisproverbiallysaid,``thereishonouramongthieves’’。