Poor Law Guardians Election - Aftermath

Two Contrasting Reports

Two local newspapers published contrasting reports on the aftermath of the Carlow Poor Law Guardians Election. The Carlow Sentinel was Conservative and Unionist in bias. It frequently reported on matters concerning the British Crown, the local landed gentry and the Established Church. It ran from 1831-1920. The "Leinster Reformer" was a Liberal newspaper from Carlow 1839-1841.

Carlow Sentinel Masthead

A masthead of the "Carlow Sentinel" newspaper for Saturday, March 6th 1841. This newspaper which was Unionist and Conservative in its bias was published in Carlow between 1831 and 1920. The Sentinel reported on local news as well as world topics. It frequently reported on matters concerning the Established (Protestant) Church and the local landed gentry. It also contained articles on social and personal details of the aristocracy at home and abroad. The "Sentinel" is an important source for the history of the Carlow Poor Law Union from its beginnings in 1840.

Carlow County Library

Carlow Sentinel Masthead
Carlow County Library

Carlow Sentinel Masthead

A masthead of the "Carlow Sentinel" newspaper for Saturday, March 6th 1841. This newspaper which was Unionist and Conservative in its bias was published in Carlow between 1831 and 1920. The Sentinel reported on local news as well as world topics. It frequently reported on matters concerning the Established (Protestant) Church and the local landed gentry. It also contained articles on social and personal details of the aristocracy at home and abroad. The "Sentinel" is an important source for the history of the Carlow Poor Law Union from its beginnings in 1840.

Carlow County Library

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Carlow Sentinel 17th Oct 1840

After the election the Sentinel was loud in its delight at the result, which gave the Conservatives a 3 to 1 majority in the Carlow Union. According to Rev. James Maher "none should hold office under the Poor Law but Catholics". He maintained that "Protestants can have no sympathy with the poor". The editorial replied that with one voice "the cess-payers of the Carlow Union" had given that intolerant assertion a "flat contradiction". It was obvious to them that the cess-payers had done their duty admirably. The successful candidates were, after all, interested in their welfare and "identified with the soil". They would discharge their duties well and faithfully represent them. The Radicals only managed to acquire ten out of the forty seats. They have been rendered a salutary lesson and were disappointed and "filled with dismay".

BLeinster Reformer Masthead

The Leinster Reformer which was published in Carlow from October 1839 - July 1841. It was a newspaper with Nationalist leanings and was often confrontational in style with the other Carlow newspaper "The Carlow Sentinel". It retailed at a price of 4 pence. It gave coverage of news from all over the world and Ireland and not just of Carlow interest.

Carlow County Library

BLeinster Reformer Masthead
Carlow County Library

BLeinster Reformer Masthead

The Leinster Reformer which was published in Carlow from October 1839 - July 1841. It was a newspaper with Nationalist leanings and was often confrontational in style with the other Carlow newspaper "The Carlow Sentinel". It retailed at a price of 4 pence. It gave coverage of news from all over the world and Ireland and not just of Carlow interest.

Carlow County Library

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Leinster Reformer 14th Nov 1840

The Leinster Reformer took a different view. In its opinion the Poor Law Guardians were not acting fairly to the press and to the public at large. The Tory Poor Law Guardians were seemingly determined to conduct their proceedings behind "closed doors". The Reformer stated that this attitude typified Toryism where "deeds of darkness shun the light". They felt obliged to register a protest on behalf of the rights of the Ratepayers. The Ratepayers have appointed the Guardians to transact their business. They must not therefore be kept in ignorance of the proceedings of the Board. Every public department should be open to the surveillance of the press. The duties of the Poor Law Guardians should be discharged openly. The people had a right to follow the proceedings.

The Reformer hoped that those in Carlow should follow the example of the Poor Law Guardians of Cork, Limerick and Ennis where they have authorised the public press to give publicity to their proceedings. Functionaries then would no longer be able to closet their agenda from the public. A recommendation would be sent to Liberal members of the Board at their next meeting, to propose a resolution for the admission of the press.

The exclusion policy seems to have been changed because the Sentinel reported that "our reporter was in attendance" at the meeting of the Poor Law Guardians held on 31st Jan 1842.