第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Rationale of Reward",免费读到尾

  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,inwhichthesonofÆneaspromisestoNisus,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。aprèssamort。’’``A

  Voltaire,pendantsavie:``Totheking,thoughnolongertheobjectofhopeandfear:tothepoetandphilosopher,thoughstillthebuttofenvy。Thebusiness,onoccasionslikethese,isnottoinformbuttoremind:

  historyandtheartofprintingdotherest。

  Thegreaternumberoftherewardsofwhichwehavespokenabove,areoccasional,thatis,appliedtoaparticularaction。

  Thereareotherswhicharemorepermanentintheircharacter,suchastheHospitalsofChelseaandGreenwich,inEngland,andl’HôteldesInvalidesatParis。

  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’HôteldesInvalidesareadmirable。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’Italicovalornonèancormorto: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’’。

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