Chapter 2249 - 263: The Utilitarian Betrayer? A New Era Interpretation of Utilitarianism!_3

For a while, public opinion erupted across the country, unrest was unceasing, and various petitions broke out all at once.

To assist the counties of England in quelling the unrest, Scotland Yard dispatched police units several times recently.

The Government initially thought that with Scotland Yard stepping in to maintain order, the unrest should soon subside; however, what surprised the Home Office was that before the unrest was calmed, Sir Arthur Hastings’ analysis report and Scotland Yard’s protest memorandum arrived first.

The content of the police department’s protest was quite simple—reflecting to the Home Office that after Scotland Yard went to nearby cities and counties to quell the English Poor Laws unrest, there was a massive wave of resignations within the police forces. Many officers submitted their resignation reports the day after returning to London, having witnessed the real conditions inside and outside the Poorhouse. Some even quit on the spot, and some joined the parade in support of protesting against the New Poor Law.

The largest wave of resignations occurred during the anti-New Poor Law unrest in Yorkshire. According to the Police Commissioner Committee’s statistics, nearly 300 officers from Yorkshire Police, borough police, and Scotland Yard resigned after the unrest ended.

For any organization, a wave of resignations on such a scale can be considered a grave situation.

If several more resignation waves were to occur, Arthur, as the Permanent Secretary of the Police Commissioner Committee, might not have anyone left to lead.

Moreover, even without considering immediate interests, just the act of suppressing the Yorkshire anti-New Poor Law unrest was already intolerable for Arthur.

York has been his second hometown for over a decade, and he had once been a long-term resident of the Yorkshire Poorhouse. Back in those days, the treatment at the Poorhouse was already outrageous, and now the new New Poor Law intends to add layers to it.

Adding insult to injury, it was asking Scotland Yard officers to quell the situation.

From this perspective, Arthur being able to hold back until the local situation in York was quelled before voicing protest to the Home Office is already showing great consideration for the larger situation.

If it had been when he just graduated from the University of London, it’s likely he would have stormed into the Home Office to slap Lord Russell and Permanent Secretary Phillips by now.

Objectively speaking, the New Poor Law did indeed significantly reduce fiscal burdens.

However, this law certainly violates humanitarian principles and severely offends the plain class sentiments of Sir Arthur and many officers from humble beginnings.

What makes Arthur even more intolerant is that the New Poor Law is supported by the Radical Party, or more precisely, it’s pushed by the London University System.

Just weeks ago, Arthur’s mentor Lord Brougham had just single-handedly refuted several lords’ attacks on the new New Poor Law in the House of Lords and publicly opposed three demands conveyed by the Conservative Party: relaxing family separation, restoring outdoor relief, and weakening the power of the Poor Law Commission.

If at the time, Arthur wasn’t considering Earl of Dalmo’s uncertain future because the Radical Party was in a precarious state, he would have taken "Oliver Twist" to the palace for an audience with the Queen by now. And now, Earl of Dalmo’s appointment has been signed and issued, finally giving the Radical Party someone temporarily to uphold the political banner, so Arthur can finally have a chance to tackle the Poor Law issue.

Even though in Buckingham Palace he verbally said he brought these friends to ease Victoria’s mood.

But his friends, of course, aren’t just there to cheer up a young girl.

Although Dickens has always been a supporter of the Whig Party, his reasoning for supporting it mainly stems from the fact that most of the Whig Party’s policies align with Dickens’ vision of a better future. On the issue of the Poor Laws, "Oliver Twist" itself demonstrates Dickens’ stance.

As for Disraeli, this gentleman is naturally a Conservative Party member, and he knows very well how to sweet-talk in front of the young lady. Being an experienced expert in romantic affairs, he can provide backup in case anyone misspeaks, ensuring there’ll be no worries afterwards.

Eld mainly came to establish acquaintances since currently Eld is a bureaucrat at the Navy Department. Having the impression of connections with Buckingham Palace will surely aid his future promotions.

Darwin, well...

Considering his future plans to publish "Origin of Species," it’s also important to leave a good impression on the Queen beforehand.

Dickens was silent for a moment, his fingertips gently stroking the edge of the wine glass, as if giving himself some time: "Arthur, I have to ask clearly. If, and I mean if... tomorrow afternoon, in front of Her Majesty the Queen, I openly express my views on the new New Poor Law, unfiltered, without rhetoric or implication, but directly presenting what I’ve seen at the Poorhouse and written in my book, will it impact Lord Brougham?"

Arthur did not respond immediately. He lowered his head, lightly tapped the table edge with his pipe, clearing nonexistent ash, with movements that seemed deliberate.

Only when everyone’s attention was firmly caught by this insignificant sound did he raise his head.

"Charles," Arthur spoke, "you’re overthinking it."

Eld raised an eyebrow in surprise, while Disraeli let out a bemused grunt.