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discontent, want of confidence in the laws, and agrarian crime; consequently the system of heavily incumbered property and nominal ownership is fraught with the most extensive moral evil. But this evil takes place equally, whether the incumbered proprietor be resident or absent. Inattention to the true cause of the distress observable on heavily incumbered estates has led to a great exaggeration of the evils of absenteeism. When a traveller meets with a scene of misery and neglect in the country, and learns that the landlord is an absentee, he seldom thinks of asking the further question, whether his estate is incumbered. Such an enquiry would convince him that the state of the tenantry on the properties of incumbered absentees, is quite different from their condition on the estates of wealthy absentees; whilst it is the same as the condition of those under heavily incumbered proprietors who are resident.
As to the political effects of the non-residence of incumbered absentees, it cannot be considered injurious; for those who have mismanaged their own affairs are ill qualified to discharge public duties in a manner creditable to themselves, advantageous to the public, or, above all, in a manner to gain the confidence of the poor to the administration of the laws. Whilst, therefore, the residence of landed proprietors, who are prosperous and successful in the management of their properties, has a most valuable effect in promoting the stability of social order and general confidence in the laws, which are amongst the most important elements in facilitating the production of natural wealth, the non-residence of embarrassed proprietors cannot be considered injurious to the community.
As to the effect of the expenditure of incumbered absentees, it is unnecessary to enquire. It is manifest that their rental is spent not by themselves, but by their creditors. This circumstance shows the gross exaggeration which takes place in estimating the amount of absentee rental spent out of the country at £4,000,000; as the calculation is founded on the assumption that none of the absentees are incumbered. It is absurd, too, to speak of the expenditure of incumbered absentees escaping taxation. Their personal expenditure is insignificant from the nature of the case. What they spend in law costs, for bonds, judgments, mortgages, receivers, equity suits, through the unwise and burdensome taxes on law proceedings, contributes in a greater degree than almost anye qual expenditure to the taxation of the country.
We may see also the folly of proposing a tax on absentees, as a remedy for absenteeism arising from incumbrances. The tax would only increase the burdens of the proprietors, and consequently only increase the cause of their being absentees.
So, that, whether we consider the moral, political, or economic effects of the non-residence of incumbered absentees, we find that these effects are not injurious to Ireland.
