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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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This declaration of the Prime Minister , and the marked and emphatic manner in which it was delivered by his lordship , elicited a loud cheer from the deputation , who after the usual courtesies , withdrew .
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ANARCHY IN THE LAW . SEIZUEE OF THE UNSTAMPED PRESS—TRIAL OF A PUBLISHES . Mr . Edward Truelove , of 240 , Strand , appeared on Thursday before Mr . Henry , at Bow-street , upon an information laid at the instance of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue , under the 6 th and 7 th of William . IV ., chapter 76 , charging hini with having knowingly and wilfully sold a certain newspaper printed on paper not duly stamped according to law , and called The Potteries Free Press , and Weekly Narrative of Current Events .
Prom the copies of the periodical exhibited in court , it appeared that four numbers had been published at Id . each . They were printed at Stoke-upon-Trent , " for the proprietor , Collet Dobson Collet , " the Secretary of' the Society for the Abolition of Taxes on Knowledge , and avowedly ( as inserted at the head of the paper ) " in conformity with the practice of the Stamp-ofEce , which permits records of current events , and comments thereon , to be published without a stamp in the Athenmum , Builder , Punch , Racing Times , &c . " The defendant is one of the London agents for the sale of the paper , the leading articles of which invite a Government prosecution of the journal , "in order that a jury of Englishmen might determine what description of news is to be entitled to exemption from the penny stamp . "
Mr . Phinn , M . P ., the standing counsel for the Inland Hevenue , appeared in support of the , information , and Mr . J . H . Parry represented the defendant . Mr . Wood , Chairman of the Inland Revenue , Mr . Scholefield , M . P ., and Mr . Ricardo , M P ., were present during the investigation . Mr . Phinn , in opening ftie case , drew attention to the 17 th section of the act , which enacted that any person who shall " sell , utter , or expose for sale" an unstamped newspaper shall forfeit a sum of 201 . The object of the act was to amend the laws relating to the duties on newspapers , and in schedule A definitions were g iven of the kind of papers liable to the stamp . The first clause of the schedule defined it to be " any paper containing public
news , intelligence , or occurrences , printed in any part of the united kingdom , to be dispersed and made public . " The third clause of the schedule added , " and also any paper containing any public news , intelligence , or occurrences , or any remarks or observations thereon , printed in aiiy part of the united kingdom for sale , and published periodically , or in parts or numbers ., at intervals not exceeding 26 days between the publication of any two such parts or numbers . " Now , he ( Mr . Phinn ) presumed that no person who looked at the paper in question could have any doubt that it came within the class here described , for it contained all the information of an ordinary newspaper . It was true that a recent decision in the Court of Exchequer limited the definition of a newspaper to certain conditions , relative to size , interval , and price .
Mr . Henry . —Do you think the decision went so far as that ? Mr . Pbinn . —That was the construction which had l > ecn put upon it , and be was willing to give it its widest interpretation for its present purpose , although he might state that the Government and the Stamp-oflice had always contested that decision , and that application of "it ; and that Baron Parke dissented from the judgment of the other judges . He did not consider , however , that the question could arise in the present instance ) , from tho obvious difference ) in the character of the two papers . James Merrett , a inesisenger attached < o the Inland Revenue , proved the purchase : of a copy e > f the Potteries . Free Press , of the ) UJrel e > f . February , at the shop of the defendant , lie obtained it from a -woman in the shop , but on previous oe-ca . siona lie had purchased numbers of Mr . True-love ; himself .
Mr . IVirry .- - On what number of the paper in this procoeeling- founele'd r Mr . J'liinn . —The- one published February 23 . Witness e-roHS-exainiiu . 'd . - ¦ - ! elo not know anything of a jmj > or culled tho Atlte . iiuuiii . I never saw it , eir heard of it . ( A laugh . ) I know nothing of the ; It wilder either . Mr . Parry .- —Nor any either newispuper , 1 suppeiHei ? WitnuHH . — I don't , know . The copies produced having been handed up to bus worfvhip , Mr . riiiim ( stated that thin wan the e : use > for the Crown . Mr . I ' nrry took a preliminary objection to the huiiiiiioiih , e > n the ground that ( lie ) act required proof eif the ) aetuul and manual nale * of the pul > lie-at ion , where-un it had boon nhown that the purchase was made of a woinuu in the tihnp .
Mr . II KNltY ( litl not allow the ) objection , as it , wa . s provotl that either miniberH e > f the name work hael been e > b ! , ained from Ilir elelcndniit . Mr . Parry winlie-d it to be ; uneler . sl . ood that liohuel takon tliiMe > l ) j u upon Inn own responsibility . 11 in client hud nei elewo to get rid of the e : uH <> by ii ejuilible ) , hut he ) ( Mr . Parry ) Jiael miggewted Miei point , hcciuiHC ) it would certainly be : niiHe'd lieu-emitter , n » the e | iie ; . sl . iem would not be ) finally dinpoMed eif hero . Tho loarned ewin . sel then adelreHHed the ) Court at groat Thei loarncel ewin . sel then adeln-HHeil the ) Court at groat
length in eonelemnation of the ) e-einducl , eif the Inland Re ; - venuo , in Kflecling a pe >» ny paper e > f the ) ele ) ne ! ii |> Jion Jireieluce'd for |> rc > Ncciiiioii whilo suffering nuch pcrieidie-nln aw thei Jt / inuevm , the Itui / dar , and Rachuf Times to ewcupe ) their notice ' . The ; real elillicully of his e ; lient hael beou to auccrluin wliat const ilnte'd a nenvupape-i '; and , in eirele'r to try t . ht ) e | u « 'Hl . ieui , lie had taken upon liiuiHelf tile rcH |) enisihility of lliei prcHcnl , publication . Wlw ) ii ho Hpol < c > of bin e-liciit , he ) wmhitel it , to be ) uneleiHtoeid that the ) preipriotor i'V the papor , Mr , Ceiljot , wua tho real dofciu | iu ) t m thitj
matter , and that he had published this paper on his own account , and not in connexion with the Bociety with which he was associated . When he resolved upon its publication , he made the officers of the revenue fully acquainted with his intention , and duly transmitted copies of the paper for their inspection and the assessment of the advertisements . Then , why was he not at once informed that his paper would be prohibited ? No proceedings were taken , and several numbers were permitted to be issued . By the 24 th section of the act , all persons having
printing presses were compelled to give returns of tho purposes to which they were applied . These conditions had been complied with by Mr . Collet , but it was not until now that proceedings were taken against him ; but the course they had pursued would not prevent the final discussion of the question before a jury . He had never been apprised of the illegality of his paper , although it was duly registered ; and meanwhile other journals , unquestionably containing information of occurrences , were proceeding unmolested . The learned counsel then read several extracts from the Athenceum and Builder which contained
weekly information relative to the fine arts , scientific discoveries , &c . —information he would say , with great deference to the Legislature , of far more interest and public importance than the debates in Parliament . The Atheneeum also contained particulars of news , such as the oppression exercised towards the English reporters for the press on the Continent , and the recent apprehension of a man ha Paris for laughing at an ugly portrait of Louis Napoleon in one of the shop windows of Paris . These papers had constantly been brought under the consideration of the Inland Revenue , but they had declined , from fear or otherwise , to take notice of them , and had capriciously selected the defendant ' s paper .
At the close of his address , Mr . Parry called Mr . Joseph Timm , Solicitor to the Inland Revenue , to prove that intimation had been duly given to them of the intention to publish the Potteries Free Press , copies of which were duly transmitted to the office ; and that no prosecutions had ever been instituted against the Athenceum , Chamhers' Journal , or such papers . Mr . Timm stated that Mr . Collet had written to request that the prosecution might be directed against himself , but that he had declined adopting this course , considering that the evidence against him would be insufficient . By Mr . Phinn . —The rule of the Inland Revenue has been to allow papers which relate to a special or class subject to be exempt from the tax , although a paragraph of information might be occasionally inserted .
Mr . Collet was called to prove that he had published the paper avowedly to test the question , and that he was prepared to discontinue it if a jury should decide against him . After a few words in reply by Mr . Phinn , who relied upon the internal evidence presented by the paper itself , as to its true character—differing widely from the other journals cited , Mr . Henry announced his intention to reserve his decision upon the case , with the view of taking time to look through the papers produced , and to furnish a guide as to what the law is , and ( as we understood the learned magistrate to say ) a guide to Vendors . The summons was then adjourned until his worship sits again ,
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SUPPRESSION OF A STRIKE . We find the following curious story quoted from the Ipsivich Express . We should be glad to know whether this is an authentic report of what occurred : — " A meeting of farmers' labourers assembled at Chelmoneliston on Saturday last , and came to a resolution to strike for an increase of wages , anel to go round the several parishes of Chelmonelistejn , Shotley , Harkstead , Holbrook , anel Freston , with a view to increase their numbers . On Monday morning they assembled in considerablo numbers , many armed with formidable bludgeons , anel suececdeel in persuading the labourers of several largo and respectable occupiers to join their ranks , and leave their work . They proceeded as far as Shotley , when Mr . W . Iteidwell , a magistrate resident in the neighbourhood , having had intelligences of their route , immediately proceeded to that place , accompanied only by his servant . Ho there addressed tho assembled numbers ( upwards of a hundrcei ) , and tolel them ho hael only two modos of elealing with thorn . He ) would first show them what they eiugbt to elo , anel if he ) i'aileel inpersuaeling them to elo that , lies must havo recourse ) to tho peiwer with which ho was intrusted to preserve ¦ the peace ) . After nomo further ob-Hervatiems , many separated from tho maHH , the others , in increasing nunibiirs , reported to tho Queem ' s Hcnel , at Erwarton , whe : ro Mr , lloclwoll feilleiweel them ; lie rernaineel at the elenir for about twei hours , tho numbers continuing to dimiiiinh . Thevy afterwards iHsue ; el in ceinHielerablo numbe ; r . s from the public-house , anel the disposition to tumult increasing , Mr . Jiodwcll thought it necessary to read the Rieit Act , anel , afte ) r warning them eif the ) oonno < iuenee ; n eif remaining assembled leige'thor , lie at lesngth nue : e'e ) edeel in dispersing the neutral gn > upN . By three o ' esloe-k tho wheilo hael elispeu-suel , anel the ; neighbourhood resumed itH usual cmietude . "
Now , what was Mr . Re > dwe : H ' s function in tho nnitte : r ? Ah far as this account goes we ) se : o no rc : uson for his inle'riisreiiere ) . Are ) agricultural labourers without the ; right of public meeting ?
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RAILWAY "ACCIDENTS . " T 11 . H DIXON FOLD BMASIf . Ai'Tioit u leing and HCMircliing inquiry , in which tho most conclusive ) evidence wiiHeilleml hh to tho bad Hiutei of the line at JHxem Fold , especially by tho < Jovornineiiit iiiHpevleir , Captain Wynn , the ceironer ' n jury returned tho following comprchontjivo vcrelict ou Monday ;—
" "Wo find that the deceased Thomas Croston , enginedriver , Richard Simmons , and George Barbour , were killed on the 4 th day of March instant , by the engine No . 13 running off the rails , and upsetting near the Dixon Fold station , on the Manchester and Bolton Railway , caused by the excessive speed at which it was driven by the deceased Thomas Croston , against whom , we therefore return a verdict of ' Manslaughter ; ' and we state , that although the . rules of the company furnished to the guards and drivers limit the speed of express-teams to thirty miles an hour , this train has usually far exceeded that speed , and we think this could not so constantly have occurred without
the knowledge and approbation of the company . We find also that the engine Ne > . 13 , from having only four wheels , and the length of time it has been in use , was not a proper engine to attach to a tram running thirty miles an hour , even on a railway in good and efficient order ; that the permanent way of this railway as regards sleepers , chairs , and rails , in material and construction , is generally defective , and by no means safe ; that the speed at which the points to branch lines are passed is highly dangerous ; that the quick succession of trains on the line from Manchester to Clifton junction with the East Lancashire Company is also very aangerous , and that the general arrangements of the company , as to maintenance of way and management of trains , do not conduce to the safety of the
public , and we cannot too strongly condemn the management of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Eailway Company on this portion of their line , known as the Bolton and Preston district . We are also of opinion that the speed at which express trains travel on all railways is so great , that a stringent investigation should be instituted by the Board of Trade as to the construction and present condition of the permanent way , engines and carriages , as well as the working arrangements ; and we fear it will be found that the Lancashire and Yorkshire Eailway is not the only one on which such a system of economy prevails as seriously to endanger the safety of the public . "
Another person has died , making the seventh death resulting from this " accident . "
EAILWAT ANATOMISTS . About seven o ' clock on Thursday morning , three men were killed at the Brighton Railway station , Brighton . The engine which was to bring up the eight o'clock train to Littlehampton , had just emerged from the shed to be attached to the train—on it were three persons , the driver , stoker , and engine-fitter—when the boiler blew up with a terrible report , filling the station with a dense body of steam ; which , for several minutes , filled the place , and veiled the very extent of the calamity .
The screams of dozens of persons at the station added to the general terror and confusion prevailing , and caused it to be supposed that a great number had sustained injury . Upon the clearing away of the steam and smoke , it was found that the three servants of the company had been killed , and the bodies frightfully mangled . The engine driver had his head completely blown off from the neck ; and it was found some sixtyyards from the engine . The body of tho stoker was
found dismembered of both arms , and the head was smashed into a shapelesa mass . The engine fitter ' s legs were both blown off , and his body was dreadfully shattered . The remains of the men were gathered up . The force of the explosion may be imagined from tho fact that portions of the bodies were picked up at the corner of Surrey-street , some three hundred yards from tho station . A p iece of the engine , a heavy iron mass , was driven through tho roof , and fell two hundred yards from the station .
According to tho official report , " the directors have too much cause to believe that tho accident arose from the ; elrivcr having screwed down the safety valve shortly beforo tho explosion took place . Tho directors will cause the mutter to bo strictly investigated without delay . "
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The jury who heard tho evidence on tho liOngsight oxplosion , liavo found that tho deceased woro killed by the explosion of the ) boiler of the No . 1 leicomotivo of tho London and NorthWesteirnCo ' mpany , and "from the ovidonco wo are of opinion that the boiler was in a defective condition , and unsafe to bo worked . "
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THE LATE DUEL AT EG HAM . Tin ? business of tho hhsuzch for tho county of Surrey commenced on Friday morning , whc ; n Mr . Justice ) Coleridge delivered the charge to tho Grand Jury , e > f which Viscount Crauley is tho foreman . In referring to this case , bin lordship observed , that tho English law did not recognise duelling ; and that killing a man in ii eluol was therefore , in tho oyo of tho law , neither more nor less than murder . Ho referred to tho
prchcuco of si piece ) of rag in one of tho pistols merely to diHiniHH it , us , in hin opinion , tho proHoncu of tho rug might be . ) are-eiuntod for without supposing any unfair conducts The trial is fixed for Monday , at ton o ' cloerk We ) hear that Mr . Montague Chambers and Mr . Parry have ) been retained for MM . IJurronnot and Allnin by Mets . srH . Ah 1 iui-h ( , and Son , their uttornoy »; and that Mr . HiiUimLino anel Mr . JNccdham , instructed by Mr . IJenhum , wjU appear for MM' Barthojejny arjd J ^ ornoy ,
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274 THE LEADER . [ Saturday , — ¦ . ' ¦* ' ¦ ~ '
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Leader (1850-1860), March 19, 1853, page 274, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1978/page/10/
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