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TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
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Mr Dear Friends,—Once more we are called...
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Untitled
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AND NATIONAL TRADES' -JODRNAL.
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VOL. X. NO. 453. LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY ...
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Simurial farHflfflflit*
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HOUSE OF LORDS.—Mosdat, July. 13. The Lo...
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one of some bills which had been stopped...
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¦S. I \ 1 - I I J
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Transcript
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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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To The Imperial Chartists.
TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .
Mr Dear Friends,—Once More We Are Called...
Mr Dear Friends , —Once more we are called upon to rally round tie old standard and unsullied flag . A most unnatural and anomalous coalition lus been formed between the men who coerced Ireland and pledged themselves to resist Repeal to the death , and the man who has pledged himself to Ireland never again to place the question of Repeal in abeyance for the convenience of party , hut ffho has , however , not only abandoned the question , but has sought to qualify himself as a St accomplice of the enemies of Ireland and of liberty ,
br abusing the Chartists in Conciliation Hall . He lias attempted to renew the old bugaboo of physical force , in order to ronse a . fresh and more vigorous hostility against tbe princip les of Chartism . lie has , in short , handed himself , and those over whom he holds contronl , bound neck and heels to the service of the "Whi g party . And as if a combination of all that usurp was needed to hold all that are oppressed in subjection , we find a compact formed between all classes , all parties , and all shades < if the press for the ostensible purpose of supporting any farm of government that will resist progress and keep Chartism at bay .
I have now straggled with you for many years , and it is my pride and my boast , despite of the d ying League newspaper , its fabricated correspondence , and a , profligate press , to be able to declare in the face of open day and in the teeth of slanderers and rcvDers , that I have never in the vhole comae of my life , known positively one sing le Instance of a Chartist leader receiving other than CharffetTtnouey fo r Chartist purposes . I have
heard ^^ jTinio . arj . bntthe crime is only ascribed te those who ^ hav ^ proved themselves to be bad and profligate men , and worse Chartists . Tou are not to expect complete , entire , and unsullied virtue amoBC so large a mass as that constituting the Chartist body ; while you should feel proud in the fact that there is -virtue enough in the masses , the millions , to scout profligacy , when detected , from -our ranks . When was there an instance in this
world before , of an individnal and a party opposed by the combination which we have bean opposed by , not only maintaining our ground , bat makimr hesd and marching onward , as yon and I have done ? "We have now arrived at an important crisis , at a crisis which ,. if properly used , may j , ive to Chartism a strength that the most sanguine " would searcely dare to anticipate : and the purport of my present letter is to ask yon whether , in sp ite of the leeches wio sucked me all but drv , the vampires who lived
and grew fat upon my kindness , but would now suck my blood , —if , in sp ite of them , and all opposing elements , you are jprepared -to go as far to regain your liberties , yonr rights and privileges , as I am prepared to go with you . There is one fact which 1 wish you to keep in mind—it is this , that I Lave spent many years of a healthy life and a large fortune in the " advocacy of yonr cause , and that even yet I require neither aid nor compensation from you , farther than what I can derive from a steady
adherence to your principles . The Convention is now about to meet , when weighty and important matters will be submitted to its deliberation ! The prominent questions that will be submitted to you -will be the mode by which you may insure for the present a more extensive representation of yonr principles in tbe House of Commons—the means l > y which we can insure the conviction that cur principles have progressed by showing a larger augmentation of signatures to the next national petition , which should be ready for presentation to the next Parliament , and though last , not least , to strain every Jnerve for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Jones .
I have no deabt that by a vigorous effort we could secure the return of at least twelve Chartist members , and those / led on by Buncombe , would insure for oar principles sneli promulgation through , the press as uonM convince tie world that \ re were not mere visionary physical force destructives . I wrote you many letters upon this subject in 1838 , minutely describing the machinery for working the plan ; but from that hour to the present it has remained a dead letter , except when hastily and uselessly called into action upon the very eve of a contest . 1 could point out twenty places , for -which , by common attention and industry , we might return sneh men as Joseph Sturge , W . P . Roberts , Patrick O'fligsins , James Moir , EraeJt Jones , and many more that 1 could mention , who have cqnal claims upon our support .
Had we but one week ' s notice of tbe Elections that have recently taken place , we might have secured Nottingham . Halifax , and Plymouth ; or , what is the next best thing , we mig ht have read lhe Whigs a wholesome lesson , by defeating three officials in these p laces . I do sot say that we could succeed where there is only one seat vacant , but I do contend for it , that of the 653 seats , at a general election , we mig ht very easily possess ourselves of twelve ; and once possessed of that number , our principles would have a mouthpiece in the House of Commons , which backed by the pressure from without , would carry tiem triumphant !] through the land . The very fact
of being prepared with Chartist Candidates , even where we do not mean to stand the contest , is of the utmost importance . Although I did not secure the representation of Nottingham , and although I do not mean to contest a seat to which I am nndsubtedly entitled , yet I have the -vanity to believe that my speech at the nomination was worth many nights' debate to jour cause . It was so valuable , that , with the exception of the Nottingham Review , not one of the Press gang dared to publish a line of it . That speech is very imperfectly given , even in the Xerlhern Star—and , even if reported verbatim , the reader could form no estimate of the effect upon
those who heard it . In order that I may leave you a recent record of my opinions , it is my intention to pallish the ] Speech , from memory , the Stat ; and the Sotdngham Review , as extensively as possible ; as I do think it a pity that it should be lost . My reason for not claiming the seat is this , because I should not consider myself honourably elected if I gained my seat by trick or shuffle , by finesse or mistake . A great portion of the strength that I communicate to my party , is derived from the fact that I have never descended to meanness in the advocacy of their cause . And I feel that , even if seated , under the circumstances , that I should be an incomp lete and dishonourable representative .
Upon the first opportunity , however , as it appears to be the general wish of the Chartist party , I will endeavour to secure the representation of some free and independent constituency ; and if I do go to Parliament once more , I must go under the solemn pledge that I will in no wise interfere with Mr . Buncombe , as oat leader , but will by all the means in my power aid him , strengthen him , and support him , in the battle of right against might It would be ira possible to convey to you anything like an adequate idea of the progress that Chartism is making in Hertfordshire , through the aid oF the Land plan , and I feel more than ever convinced , that a locality in each wnntj would convert every man in that county to the principles of the Land and the Charter . On
Saturday night , after I pay the week ' s expenses , 1 shall start for Manchester , there to be present at the opeaingof the People ' s Hall . On Sunday , I shall place myself at the disposal of the Committee , with the single understanding that the arrangements may he so framed , that I may . be able to start by the night 3 nail at 9 o ' clock on Sunday ni ght , in order to be ready for work ' on Monday morning ; a ? I have to aeet a Mr . Gat , a teetotal lecturer , in discussion upon the Land plan on Monday ni ght , at Rickmausworth ; so that you see the Land has not diverted me from the Charter , nor the Charter from the Land . To-morrow ( Friday ) lam going to visit two esiatesof about 320 acres , and I hope by next week to announce l !; e fact , that we have purchased one or both
On Friday last we were very sporting—we hid £ 24 , 600 for a splendid domain of 530 acres , which however , was bought in at £ 28 , 000 . We bid that amount , because a large portion of the purchase money would be allowed to remain on mortgage . This U what the World newspaper calls land jobbing ; but , however , the Editor might have also said , that it evinces no great inclination upon my part to appropriate the funds to my own purposes . I should have published a very flattering account * f our finances last week , had it not been necessary to retain the funds in hand , to pay the deposit , had ¦ * e been declared the purchasers , and the same reason exists for witholding the balance sheet this
Mr Dear Friends,—Once More We Are Called...
weak , as , in the event of making a purchase tomorrow , I shall be required to pay the deposit in cash . Perhaps , however , you may be p leased to learn , that , besides paying ] for Herringsgate , and besides the expenditure of about £ 1700 up to the present time , we are still in possession of between £ 70 ) 0 and £ 8000 available at a moment ' s notice . » Now you are to recollect that our society differs from all others in this respect , that we have no column for sundries , and that wc have not paid a shilling for puffing the concern . On Monday evening the 3 rd of August , the evening of the day on which the Conference meets , I shall have much nleasure in accepting my Bradford friends
invitation to tea , and if the gentlemen of Huddersficld have the slightest desire for a set to upon any other night of the same week , they have only to name it andjl am their man . In short , during the sitting of the Conference it is my desire to make myself as useful as possible , and then to devote the intervening week to preparing Paradise for the reception of those who shall join in the demonstration . And once more assuring you , my friends , nhat 1 am not going to surrender a Whig coalition to Tory despotism , or to sham Chartist whispering and slander , and announcing that I will give to the whole army of malcontents a field day , where they please , ' during the meeting of the Convention ,
I remain , Your faithful , your sincere and unpurchaseable friend , Feabgus O'Connor . P . S . The Executive and Mr . Ernest Jones will attend the Camp Meeting to be held near Rochdale , on Sunday , 2 nd August .
Ar00108
And National Trades' -Jodrnal.
AND NATIONAL TRADES' -JODRNAL .
Vol. X. No. 453. London, Saturday, July ...
VOL . X . NO . 453 . LONDON , SATURDAY , JULY 18 ,- 1846 . ^^ iJ ^ t V ****™* " ¦ - * Vtre giHHiiigtunnd Sixpence per Quarter
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House Of Lords.—Mosdat, July. 13. The Lo...
HOUSE OF LORDS . —Mosdat , July . 13 . The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at five o ' clock . Lord Brougham retained his former seat on the Opposition benches , Lord Lyndhurst sat on his right , and the Earl of Ellenborongh on his left . Lord Stanlev was not in the house . ThcDnke of Wellington , who was in the house for only a short time , took his seat on the woolsack by the side of the Chancellor , and spoke from the bishops' bench . The Earl of Dalhonsie spoke from the Opposition benches . The Marquis of Laxsdowxe gave notice that on Thursday next , the report of the Dill for granting ! ensions to Lords Habdixge and Goucu being brought up , he wUl move that the Bill be restored to its original form . The Duke of Richmond intimated his intention to oppose this course , and take the sense of the house on the subject .
2 fo business of importance was transacted , and the house adjourned at a quarter past six o ' clock . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Monday , July 13 . The Speaker took the chair shortly before foui o'clock .
NEW MEMBERS . The following members , who have accepted office under the present government , took the oaths and their seats , upon their re-election : — Lord John Russell ( First Lord of the Treasury , ) for the Citv of London . SirGEOKGE GnEY ( Home Secretary , ) for the borough of Devonport . Colonel Fox ( Surveyor of the Ordnance , ) for the Tower Hamlets . Sir J . C . Hobhocse ( President of the Board of Contronl , ) for the borough of Nottingham . Lord Pauiehstox ( Foreign Secretary , ) for the borough of Tiverton . Mr . Jervis ( Attorney-General , ) for the city of Chester . Mr . Labouchere ( Secretary for Ireland , ) for the borouah of Taunton .
AdmiralDuxDAS ( oneof the Lords of the Admiralty , ) for the borough of Greenwich . Mr . C . Wood ( Chancellor of the Exchequer , ) for the borou ; b of Halifax . Lord MarcusHill ( Comptroller of the Household , ) for the borough of Evesham . Captain Berkeley ( one of the Lords of the Admiralty , ) for the city of Gloucester .
POSITION OF PARTIES IN THE HOUSE . This being the first nig ht of the new Ministry taking their seats in the house , they at once ranged themselves upon the treasury benches the protectionists preserving their old position . Lord G . Bentinek , Mr . D'Israeli , Sir'R . H . Inglis , and other leading members occupied their usual seats . Sir J Graham arrived at half-past four , and , with other members of the late ministry , occupied the Opposition benches , which presented a very scanty attendance of members , as compared with the ministerial side of the house . The house , indeed , has seldom
presented such an anomalous appearance : Mr . Duncombe . Mr . Wakley , and Mr . Collett , the opponents of the late minhtry , occupying seats on the same side of the house with the members ^ of Sir R . Peel ' s administration ; and the protectionist party , on the other hand , being below the gangway , on the ministerial side . Many hon . gentlemen seemed in considerable doubt as to the locus they were to assign to themselves , and Col . Sibthorp , in particular , remained for some time , evidently between two opposite impulses . The hon . and gallant member for Lincoln at length deposited himself on the ministerial side of the house among the protectionists .
BATHS AND WASHHOUSESOn the motion of Sir G . Grey , this bill was committed pro forma , in order that several amendments might be inserted in it , as several alterations had been suggested .
MEASURES OF THE LATE GOVERNMENT . Public business commenced bj Sir James Graham making some observations on three orders of the day , which stood for discussion that evening . The first was the Highways Bill , which stood for the second reading , and of which the principle had not been affirmed by the house . Looking at the period of the session , the length e-f the bill , and the different opinions entertained respecting it , he thought lit better that he should withdraw it at once and al / ow it to become a dropped order . The second was the Poor Removal Bill , which had been read a second time and committed pro forma . As it
was a measure of great importance , he did not think it expedient that lie , as an individual member of the house , should tafce charge of it . He therefore proposed to postpone it till Thursday next , when Lord J . Russell would be able to state what course he would take with respect to it . The third was a measure which had come down from the House of Lords , and related to the enlargement of the powers given to the Enclosure Commissioners respecting disputed boundaries . He wished to introduce some clauses into it . and he therefore hoped that the house would allow it to pass it through the committee pro forma . The house would then have an opportunity of subsequently exercising its judgment upon it .
After a short conversation between Mr . "V . Smith , Sir J . Graham and Sir G . Grey , the order of the day for the second reading of the Highways Bill was then postponed till this day six months .
POOR REMOVAL BILL . Sir J . Graham then moved , that the Poor Removal Bill be committed . Mr . T . Dctcohbe reminded the house that when Sir R . Peel introduced the Customs ' Bill and the Corn Importation Bill , he had given a pledge that the Highways Bill and this bill should proceed with them pari passu , and that they should both be conducted to a successful issue . On a former occasion , hehad said that the Poor Removal Bill , which was intended to give relief to tbe pauper in the locality
where his necessity arose , would be abandoned as soon as " the grand and comprehensive scheme of commercial policy" became law ; but such an idea was scouted almost as an insult by Sir R . * Peel . Sir J . Graham had already thrown the Highways Bill over somewhat unscrupulously ; and he ( Mr . T . Buncombe ) was afraid that Lord J . Russell would also throw this bill over on Thursday next , when he was to state his opinion upon it . What would the operative classes think of Parliament and of public men when they saw the pledges of both thus unceremoniously abandoned ?
Fir J . Graham defended the late Government , and himself as a member of it . from tho charge of Mr . ViP- i i ' tbai ^ heen S uiltv of a breach oi iaith to the operative classes . This bill had not been thrown over by the late Government ; on the contrary , the late Government had itself been thrown oyer by the house . If the late Governmpnt had now teen in power , he should have had no difficulty in proceeding with this bill . Whatever might be done with that part of it which was intended to establish union settlements , he was not clear that
House Of Lords.—Mosdat, July. 13. The Lo...
Lord J . Russell would throw oyer that part which gave relief in the locality at the moment of destitution to the pauper . His own opinion was , that the clause establishing irremovability after a certain term of residence , " unless it were accompanied by the establishment of union settlements , would be productive of great hardship , if not of great injustice , in some districts . Be that , however , as it misht . h-. should be sorry if this session should be allowed to close without passing into law the irreniovabilitv clause of this bill .
MINISTERIAL INTENTIONS . —BUSINESS 01 THE SESSIONS . Lord J . Russell observed that after what had . mst passed , it would perhaps be convenient to the house if he now stated the intentions of the Government with respect to the Poor Removal Bill ; for that statement would , he trusted , remove the susp icions entertained by Mr . Buncombe . He believed that , if the late government had continued in power , Sir J . Graham would havegonc on with bill , not only as it was introduced oricinally into the house , lui " ? also as it had been amended in the committee , -with the union settlement clauses . Sir . J . Graham now proposed to leave the bill in the hands of the . present Government ; and in consequence of that proposition
he now informed the house , that the present Government was prepared , net only to proceed with iti' but also to proceed with it before other measures . lie must , however , remind the house that , on giving his vote in favour of Mr . E . Deuison ' s instruction to the committee , he had declared that he had great doubts as to the propriety of establishing union settlements- On Thursday next . Sir G . Grey would move that this bill be committed , and would then state whether the term af residence establishing irremovability should be three or five years . With regard to that part of the Bill which established union settlements , he proposed to strike it out for the present , and to make inquiry hereafter into theproprietv of establishing ' them . Mr . Borthwick had given no ' tice
of a motion for tlieappointmentofa select committee to inquire into the administration of the Poor Law . Now , if Mr . Borthwick would defer that notice till the next sesssion , he ihonsht that it would be advantageous for the object which he had in view , and that an inquiry might also be institKtcd into the operation of the existing law of settlement . A * present , he was of opinion that union settlements ought not to be established without further investigation , but , he trusted , that the rest of the bill—h <> meant that part of it which established irremovability and the right of the pauper to relief in his locality at the moment of destitution—would be passed in the course of the present session . Ilnvii g
dismissed this subject , he proceeded to observe that as Ministers had only lately accepted office , and as some of them were even yet at a distance , in consequence of the nectssity of their beintr re-eleted , he did not think it advisable to state at present the measures which the govenment would either proceed with , or drop , or alter in some of their enactments . He promised to make a statement on that subject on Thursday next . On that day he would also state when he would bring forward the Suiiar Duties . He belived that it would be necessary to introduce a bill continuing the existing dutiesfora short period , as fhe measures which he intended to introduce might probably lead to consideraable discussion in that house .
After a few words from Colonel Wood , Mr . Wak ley , and Sir J . Pakikoton , the order of the day for the committee on this bill was postponed till Thur ? - dav next . The Chancellor of the Exechequer then moved the reading of the order of the day for the house resolving itself into a Committee of Supply . On the question that the Speaker do now leave the chair , Lord Isg estre , in pursuance of his notice , moved an address to her Majesty , praying that she would be graciously pleased to give directions for the investigation of Mr . Wftrnei '' si « ventions . A discussion followed in which Captain Pecholl , Sir H . Douglas , Mr . Wakley , and Mr . Brotherton , took part .
The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed that , without pronouncing any opinion on the invention of Mr . Warner , the Government was prepared to appoint impartial officers , in whose experience they could confide , to investigate their merits . He hoped that Lord Ingestre would be satisfied with this assurance , and would withdraw his motion . Lord Ingestre thanked the Chancellor < f the Exchequer for the spirit in which he had just announced the intention of the Government , and congratulated him upon the circumstance that the first act of his administration should be an act of justice . He then consented to have his amendant negatived .
The amendment was negatived accordingly . Mr . W . Williams availed himself oftheopportunity to call attention to the increased amount of the estimates now about to be considered . When those estimates were first introduced , the relations of this country and of the United States were of a threatening character , and therefore he had made no objection to them . The state of things was now altered , and therefore the necessity for large estimates no longer existed . Though it was not his intention to offer any opposition to these estimates , he must still call public attention to their increase in comparison with the estimates of former years . He wished Lord -J . Russell particularly to remark how much the public expenditure had increased since he last entered
upon office . In 1835 , when Lord Melbourne came intopower , the public expenditure was ± 48 , 780 , 000 . Now it was £ 55 , 500 , 000 . showing an increase of £ 0 , 720 , 000 in the interval ; or , in consequence of a reduction in the expenditure of £ 600 , 000 a-year , occasioned by the reduction of the 3 J per Cents ., a real increase of £ 7 , 320 . 000 . He hoped that Government , as soon as it was at leisure , would institute a rigid scrutiny into this expenditure , and would effect a great reduction in its amount . The amount of this increase was greater than the amount of the Property Tax , and also than that of the Malt Tax . If that were so , then one or other of them might beabolished . He then complained of the increased cost oi collecting the revenue .
Mr . iliiME reminded Lord J . Russell that one of the first acts of the Government of Earl Grey was the a p pointment of a committee to revise the salaries of all the officers of state . The inquiry which that committee instituted would have been carried through all the departments , had it not been thought proper that the head of each department should undertake the inquiry , and make the necessary reductions in his own department . He recommended the present Government to undertake a similar revision , and to submit all the miscellaneous estimates , in another session , to the investigation of a committee of that House . Dr . Bowmjfo suggested tbe adoption of a better system of public accounts . The gross revenue ought to be paid into the Exchequer , for , otherwise large sums of money must inevitably escape from the controul of the House .
Lord J . Russell reminded Mr . "Williams that the increase in the army , navy , and ordnance estimates of the present year was not entirely owing to the apprehension of a war with tbe United States . In reply to a question which he had put to Sir R . Peel , Sir R . Peel had observed that , though the apprehend sion of such a war had not been left out of the account , the increase of our colonies , and the demands of the public service on our naval and military forces were sufficient to account for that increase . In that statement he ( Lord J . Russell ) full y concurred . Mr . Hume had spoken of the increase of the miscellaneous estimates , and had expressed a wish to have them referred in another session to a select committee . He was not prepared to say that it might not be advisable to have a committee on the miscellaneous estimates next session ; it was a proper subject for consideration .
Sir R . Ihglis objected to this new mode of transferring the responsibility of framing the estimate ? from the Executive Government to committees oi the House of Commons . Lord J . Russell did not propose that a committee should frame the estimates ; he only proposed to refer them , when framed by the government , to a select committee ; and that was no new practice Mr . Cardwell , in justice to the late government , reminded the house that within the last twelv . months , in the department of the Excise alone a reduction had been made in the expense of cnl ' ection ol £ o 2 , 000 and that simply by the suspension of patronage . The house then resolved itself into committee , ami the rest of the evening was consumed in the discussion of the miscellaneous estimates .
THE POOR LAW COMMISSIONERS . On the vote for £ 120 , 700 for expenses connected with the administration of the law relating to the poor . Mr . Hcmk said , he had upon principle supported the Poor Law ; but hehad received information of what had appeared before the committee upstairs , which convinced him that the administration of this Jaw had been very much misdire cted . He thought the commissioners were wholly unlit for their situations ; and he was prepared to submit a motion to the house for their removal , and was only waiting for the evidence being laid upon the table . His ooinion was founded upon facts , and therefore to vote any further sums of money to these commissioners he was verv unwilling . It was trifling with the great interests o ' i
House Of Lords.—Mosdat, July. 13. The Lo...
the community to allow these commissioners longer to continue in office , and he suggested ' to the noble lord to defer a portion of this vote till a future period . He was unwilling , to stop the allowances and expenses to medical officers , and other disbursements ; but he thought a sum might be taken on account , and that the remainder might be reserved till the evidence taken upstairs were laid upon the table of the house . He submitted that they might p , iss a vote for £ 100 . 000 and he should move that the vote be reduced to that amount , taking that sum on account . Mr . Williams seconded the amendment . He concurred in the observations of his hon . friend . Such evidence had been brought before the house during the session as showed the total incapacity of those at the head of the commission . He was quite convinced that the country would not endure the present system , and he hoped the noble lord would consider the expediency of a complete change .
Hie Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the greater part of the expenses had been actually incurred , and the house would not be precluded by this vote for a further consideration of the Poor Law , It was hardly possible , whatever evidence might be laid before the house ; that , at this late period of the sessionpany measure could be introduce ^ . ; y . -Mr . Hume said they might withhold the pay oi the commissioners ; every day they continued ji > office he considered it was a great evil to the community . After a few words from Sir R . Inglis and Sir Dk Lacy Evans ,
Mr . Wakley said that the hon . member for Montrose was about to dividethehouseupon this question . The house ou ^ ht to show by its vote its opinion not only of the commission itself , but of the conduct of the commissioners and the manner in which they had exercised their functions . Was there a more effectual mode of doing this than by withholding the pay of the parties who had misconducted themselves ? It was in no spirit of ill feeling that he acted ; these gentlemen , he believed , were estimable and good men ; but the manner in which they had conducted themselves towards the poor was most unfortunate , if not raost cruel . lie was not aware of this vote coming before the bouse to-night , or he would have brought the diet-table of Bromley , in Kent . What
did the committee think was the amount of diet for an able-bodied man ? Wh y , the allowance of meat for a healthy , vigorous man was four ounces per week . An ablcbodied man , who had committed no uifence , was to subsist for seven days upon four ounces of animal food , thirteen ounces of bread a-day , and one ounce and a half of cheese . If thi .-vote passed , he would brin ^ down this dict-iabie to the house . He had considered that the Andover Union exhibited a fri ghtful picture ; but at Bromley lie found things worse . A guardian . had inforinci . ' him that there were eighty-seven poor in the house , and that forty or forty-seven out of the eighty-seven were on the sick-list . Such an allowance was next to starvation , and , medically speaking , he said that
if . a man were kept upon that diet for a year , it must ultimately be fatal to him ; and yet they were voting the commissioners i' 2 . 000 a-year each for thus treating the poor—torturing men in order to drive them fn > m the house ! What did the aged and infirm receive ? Fifteen ounces of animal food per week ; yet the ablcbodied hud only fuur . oimees per week and thirteen ounces of bread per diem . Then he said lhe object ofthccommis-rioiicYs appeared to him to be the object originally designed , —to make the workhouse a place of misery and torture to the ablebodied man !; and though the hon . ntcmbvr for Montrose arid others expected that the effect of the measure would be to raise wages , the labouring population viewed the workhouse with . such horror that
they would endure any misery rather than resort to it for relief , lie had been informed that , in n parish in Dorsetshire , the men at the hay harvest struck for a rise of wages , and had what they asked , namely , 5 s . a-week . What had they before ? Why , only 3 s . Od , a-week , This was at Frampton , in Dorsetshire . This statement had bce * i made bj a person resident there to a member of that house , lie was prohibited , by the forms of that house , from going into the facts stated before the Andover committee ; yet the house was legislating on the subject without that evidence . What was to be done ? To mark the sense of the house with respect to the Poor Law Comi . ' . is ^ ioners . He believed in all the social relations of life they were excellent men ; but they
were acting on a mistaken principle , and violating lhe rules of'justicc to the poor , when they said to the labourer that he should be tortured and driven from place to place by scanty and insufficient diet . From year to year there had been promises of amendment , but none appeared . The tone and manner of the noble lord to-night , in speaking of this question , inspired him with a better hope . He trusted that the noble lord was not so wedded to the Poor Law Act that he would not be willing to have a committee upon the subject . It was quite clear that the commission was useless—that it was worse than useless , that it was a monstrous grievance engrafted on tinconstitution , which ought to be removed . Not but that the poor must have some means of appeal from
the local authorities . It was quite clear that they could not be left to the management of the local authorities . There must be some appeal ; but how it was to be constituted it was not for him to say ; but that a radical change was necessary , must bt evident to every hon . gentleman who for the hifct five or six months had applied his mind to the subject . Therefore , he entreated the noble lord at the head of the Government to give his early attentioi to the subject . No subject more urgently claimed the noble lord ' s attention than this . The noble lord was bound to consider what was the condition of the destitute poor under the present system . If they applied for relief , they were told to go to the workhouse ; and if they went into the workhouse , the result was what the house was but too well aware of , It was evident that if in the workhouse relief were given at the rates he had mentioned , the poor man would rather starve having his liberty , than starvi
in the workhouse . Therefore he remained out , determining to subsist , as he could , upon any pittance he might piok up , than enter the workhouse . Thai being known to the employers of labour , they offered wages according to the scale of the poor man s necessities , find the consequence was , that wage . * throughout England ranged from 3 s , to 10 s . or lis . a-week . But 12 s . a-week was not sufficient for a man to support himself and his wife and children upon . It was quite evident that , as the poorhoust system was conducted , the poor would subsist on anything rather than go into the workhouse . He ( Mr . Wakley ) thought the poor man ought to be placed in a situation , if not of comfort , at least of sufficiency , whilst he was on the look-out for employment , lie entreated the hon . member for Montrose to go on with his motion and take a division , in order to show the Poor Law Commissioners the opinion of the house upon the way in which they had discharged their duties .
An interesting and lengthened conversation ensued but Air . Hume ultimately withdrew his motion , oithe understanding that the question should be revived on another occasion . Not a word was said in behalf of the Poor Law Commissioners , even by Sir J . Graham , who was present . A conversation of not less interest then took place on the subject of medical relief between Mr . Wakley and Sir J . Graham . In the course of it , the former paid a high and well merited compliment to Mr . Westlake , who had been dismissed from his office o ! medical attendant to the Andover Union , and who was still exposed to the persecution of the board o * guardians in that town , because he had ventured tn advocate the cause of the poor in the workhouse ; and the latter vindicated the conduct of the Poor Law Commissioners towards that gentleman , and threw the obloquy of his dismissal entirely on the local guardians .
After various grants having been agreed to , the House resumed , and adjourned at a quarter to one o ' clock . HOUSE OF LORDS , Tuesday , July U . The Lord Chancellor , took his seat on the woolsack at five o clock .
SALARY OF THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE . Lord Bkouohah wished to give a general notice ot his intention to c .: ll the attention of Government fo . a very important circumstance arising out of the iippointmcntof Sir Thomas Wilde to the office of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas . A most improper and unconstitutional negociation had taken place at the time of the appointment of Lord Den man to the otiice of Lord Chief Justice of the tiueen ' s Bench between the Noble Lord and tin . Treasury , by which the Noble Lord consented to receive £ 8 , 000 a year instead £ 10 , 000 , the sum originally granted to Lord Tcnterden . bv the 6 th ol
Geo . IV . That negociation , he contended , was most unconstitutional , and the Noble Lord had no right to take less than the £ 10 , 000 a year , payable quarterly , nor had the Treasury any rig ht to interfere in the matter . The Act of Parliament made the money payable to the individual , and in his opinion it was highly improper to bargain for judgeships in this way . —( Hear , hear . ) He trusted , therefore , that no such arrangement had been come to with the present Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas . Ho must add , in giving thisneticc , thathedid not wish to impugn the character or integrity of Lord Denman , than whom a purer or more upright judge had never sat upon the bench , —( Cheers . ) The Act
House Of Lords.—Mosdat, July. 13. The Lo...
says £ 10 , 000 , and the financial statement £ 8 , 000 . ' only wished that the matter should he looked into , and if there was no other Act found that the evil should be remedied . Earl Ghe y reminded Lord Brougham that if lie had disapproved of the arrangement made by Lord Denssan , ho ought to have brought the matter before Parliament at the time when lie held the office of Lord Chancellor . ¦ * Lord BnouoiiAM denied having known of the arrangement at the time it was made , and , in rather sharp terms reproved Earl Grey for venturing any opinion on the subject . Lord Brougham added the information , that such arrangements could not stand in a Court ^ of Law , for the executors of the Lord Chief Justice of England could claim the £ 2 , 000 a year which he had given up .
} Lord Campbell confirmed this opinion , and expressed himself decidedly adverse to- such arrangements . The Lord Chancellor announced that no arrangement of the kind was in contemplation in reference to the new Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas . The Coroners" ( Ireland ) Bill and the Ropemakers ' Bill were severally committed . The Juvenile Offenders' Bill was read a second time , pro fonha and the Marquis of Westminster then announced that he would not proceed with . it further this session . The Thames EmbanMment Bill was on the motion of Viscount Cankisg , read a second time . HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tuesday , July 14 th . The Spkaker took the Chair at a quarter before four o clock . NEW MEMBERS . '
Mr . Milner Gibson ( Vice-President of the Board of Trade ) took the oaths and his seat for the borough of Manchester , Lord Ebrington ( one of the Lords of the Treasury ) also took the oaths and his scat for the borough of Plymouth .
NEW WRIT . Mr . Tcfnell moved that a new writ be issued for the election of a Member for the county of Sutherland , in the room of Mr . Dundas , who has accepted she office of Iler Majesty ' s Solicitor-General . CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS . Mr . Ewart postponed his motion on capital punishments until the 23 th instant .
THE SUGAR DUTIES . Mr . II . Bailie begged to ask the noble Lord whether he proposed on Thursday to slate the precise nature of the measure he contemplated for the permanent settlement of the sugar duties . Tbe reason he asked the question was this : —at this late period of the session many members were leaving town , and it was of great importance that the matter should be brought forward at as early a day as possible . Lord J . Rufsbll , —What 1 said yesterday , and 1 repeat it to-day , lest there should bft any misapprehension , wastlv s , —that on Thursday I will state the precise day upon which I will bring forward the question of the sugar dutio ? . I will bring it forward at the earliest possible day ; but the house must be aware that some previous inquiries are necessary , and I cannot , therefore , fix the precise day now . Mi -, is . Bailie . —Then the noble lord will not on Thursday ftate the details of the measure ?
Lord J . Russell . —No ; I will state on Thursday the day when I will do so . Mr . II . Bailie . —Then , I pive notice that I shall oppose the temporary bill until I know the details ol lhe permanent measure . Lord J . Russell . —Before I nsk for the temporary bill , I shall state the precise nature of the measure : but , as the details requiresome consideration , I shall propose the temporary bill at the same time when 1 state the details of the permanent measure . Sir W . James inquired whether the noble lord could name Friday ? Lord J . Russell . —I will state on Thursday the day 1 will b : ing the subject forward , but I cannot fix Friday . POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT .
Mr- T , Duncojibb said , he understood that on Thursday the noble lord would state the measures lie would proceed with this session , and those he . intended to abandon . He wished to ask whether , on Thursday , the noble lord would state to the bouse tiie general principles by which his government would be guided , and the policy he intended to pur-H \ ti ( a laugh ;) and , if not , on what day he intended to do so ? Lord J , Russell—I do not consider it necessary to make any statement of the principles upon which the government will be conducted . The principles will be those upon which I have always acted , and which I have always declared in this house . Mr . Uuscomdb—Tiicu 1 shall put a few questions respecting those principles .
THE DUTIES ON TOBACCO . Dr . Bowking rose to call the attention of the house to a return , No . 295 , moved for by Mr . Hume , and ordered to be printed on the 11 th of May last , exhibiting , in a record of nearly one hundred folio pages , the miseries and the crimes created by the enormous duties levied on tobacco . Tobacco seizures were more in number than those upon any other exeiseablo article , and the augmentations of convictions within the last four years was neai ly 250 per cent . Theincreasc per annum in 1845 , as contrasted in 1812 was in England 102 per cent ; in Ireland 252 per cent ., and in Scotland 451 per cent . The steady increase in convictions forbade the supposition that it arose from greater vig ilance on the part ot the revenue officers ;
there could be no doubt that the offence of smuggling tobacco had gone on increasing with the number of convictions , and tbe state of thing , bad as it was last vear , would be worse this , and the present system would go on degrading , demoralising , and increasing the misery of the people . The cost of prosecuting persons guilty of the offence of smuggling tobacco was very heavy , and it all fell upon the public . The average period of imerisonment was vMuety-cight days , and within a short time 1 , 478 persons had been imprisoned for the offence at a charge of upwards of £ 50 , 000 , without reference to the cost of prosecution , or the charge of conveying them to ga-. d . It was hi g h time that a tax entailing such enormous evils on the community should be repealed . ( Hear , hear ,
hear . ) A great number of persons convicted of the offence were sailors , who it was kiwwn were constantly engaged in defeating the revenue . ^ They had evidence to show that there were smuggling schools in which persons were educated from infancy for the purpose of carrying on smuggling . The great profits to be realized , induced the rich to enter into the speculation , and the poor engaged in it for the sake of smaller gains . The machinery requisite to prevent smuggling cost the country between £ 600 , 000 and £ 700 , C 00 . It was clear that tin ' s expense might be greatly diminished by lowering the duty to a naaonable amount . It was difficult to ascertain the precise extent to which smuggling was carried on , but there was every reason to believe that the amount of
smuggled goods equalled the amount of goods that paid duty . It would appear that no less than 21 , 740 , 000105 . of tobacco , unmanufactured and manufactured , had been smuggled into the country . Lively , move minute microscopical observations gave a greater power to the revenue officers of detecting adulterated tobacco , but the same power enabled the smuggler to evade the minutest search of the microscope . It was , beside , a most unsatisfactory mode of detection , and the revenue had , on more than one occasion , found themselves bound in hononr to restore the goods which they had seized . The only way of
putting an end to smuggling in tobacco was to lower tlui duty to such an amount that it would not offer such great inducements to the smuggler . A great proportion of the population was engaged in the demoralising practice of smuggling- He trusted the government would look seriously to the subject . Mr . lluMERaid he had taken the greatest interest on this subject , and if tbe evil could be remedied the country weuld gain morally and in every other respect . The only objection was the diminution of revenue likely to arise , but it was worth while to make the experiment , and he hoped the ggvernment would take it into their serious consideration .
Mr . Stafford O'Brien rose to address the bouse when An Hon . Member observed that there were not forty members present . Tho house was countd , ind thirty-four members only being present , was adjourned at half-past six o ' clock . HOUSE OF COMMONS-Wkonesdat , July 15 . . The house met at a quarter before twelve o clock , when Mr . F . Maule took the oaths and his sent on his re-election for the borough of Perth . The Hon . W . Cowper took the oaths and his scat for Hertford .
COUNTY OF SOMERSET SMALL DEBTS BILL . Mr , Dickeksos wished to know whether It was tbe intention of the government to go on with this bill , or whether , as seemed to be the impression in some quarters , they would put it aside in order to introduce some general legislation on the subject . In order to ascertain that tact ho would now move that tbe bill be read a second time . Sir G . Gukt hoped tho hon . member would not press his motion lor the second reading . This was
One Of Some Bills Which Had Been Stopped...
one of some bills which had been stopped-bythe lata government for the purpose of introducing goms general measure as to local courts . There was no uouot out that tbaD government would support snek a general bill it brooght forward , and he hoped that irL ? jesty - s ?' esent government would even in the ? Cfc M ¦ B | i - to 8 etBnoha measure as that fn JSi i- W f tue objections which had existed ¦ SffiS le e 3 lailon on the subject had been removed . fh « « ' £ ZiKL T more general «»» TOTreiM » as . to the advantages of such a measure than bad exNted at any former period . It was known ihatUhc > He " vernment had . prepared a bill on the subject , andthaft f j n « . at pr sent underthe consideration , of th » Lord Chancellor ; but from its voluminous ^ nature . and from the fact of tho noble and learned lord having been in possession of the seals only a few ' ¦ days , it was impossible to go through it with that attention necessary to so important a measure ; he hoped , nevertheless , that the government would ba able to introduce that measure , with some modiuca « tions , even in the present session , but . if not , he > hoped that they would be able to do so early in , tha next . Under these circumstances he trusted that the hon . member would not press his motion . A conversation of some length , in which Mr . B . Escott , iMr . II . Berkeley , Mr . Acklakd , Sir James Graham , and Mr . Estcourt took part , then ensued . It terminated in Mr . Dickinson ' s acceding to the request of Sir G . Gre y , and withdrawing the ¦ bill .
. PAUPER REMOVAL BILL . _ captain Peciiell wished to know what were the intentions of Government with-respect to the motion for the PaupecRemoval Bill , which stood on the orders for to-morrow . It would be very s-atisfactoir to know the course which the right hon . gentleman the Secretary of State would pursue . SirG . CnuYsaid , the course he proposed to follow was this , —to take up the bill as it stood , to pass it through the committee pro forma , and to ask the house to agree to the first eight clauses of the bill , lhe b / 11 consisted of three parts ; the first merely altered the law as to the removal of paupers , the second related to the trial of appeals , and the latter part of the bill , which had been added since tho instructions moved by the lion , member for Maltpn , and adopted by the house , related to union settlements . He proposed to omit the latter part of the bill , and merely to ask the house to assent to that part which related to the removability of paupers . He hoped the course he proposed would render unnecessary the amendments contemplated by hon . members ..
SirD . L . Evans intended to move the substitution of three years' for five years' residence . . The Rating of Tenements Bill was withdrawn . [ The Times says with reference to the speeches of the new Secretary for ths Home Department . " We have not entire confidence in the verbal accuracy ox what is here attributed to the right hon . boronet ; and , without the most distant intention of commiting any irregularity , still less of offering personal disrespect , we may , perhaps , be permitted to mention the . greatdifficulty experienced in accurately reporting SirG . Grey , partly owing to the rapidity of his utterance and the lowne . ss of his voice , but chiefly to his habit of turning from-lhe Speaker ' s chair , which tenders him , especially when returning brief and abruptanswers to questions , almost inaudible bv those
behind the chair . In the discharge ot their duty to tlw public , the reporters arc anxious that not a word which falls from a speaker occupying so high a position as the right , hon , baronet should be lost ; but where extraordinary obstacles " are interposed and the alternative forced upon them is between suppression and misrepresentation , their anxiety is not merely fruitless , but is apt to defeat its ovvn ' ol . ject . From persona ! experience wc can verify this statement . Sir J . Graham when he choose could bo indistinct enough , but there was a chance of guessing at his meaning , with Sir G . Grey there is not even that chance left , and occupying the important posilic docs , it will be a perfect nuisance if he does not adopt , a less rapid and more distinct mode of expressing himstlf . ]
COMMONS ENCLOSURE BILL . On the motion of Sir J . Graham , the Douse re solved itself into a committee pro forma upon t Commons Enclosure Bill . The report was ordered to be considered Friday .
CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL . Mr . Hume moved the second reading of the Charitable Trusts Bill . As serious objections had b ; en . taken to this measure , he thought he should best I ' ullil the object in view by merely retaining those clauses which secured the accountability of those who had charge of public money . It was the duty of this house , after the expense which had be » : n incurred m inquiries , to have some accounts available that would show how the revi'mio * of esieh
trust had . been expended . It was not his intention to include the Bible Society , and other religious trusts or chavitibs where the found ' , rs were alive , but those only where the individuals were dead . The principle of the bill was to secure the nccoutability of persons intrusted with public monies . Sir G . Gm : x should not offer any opposition to the second reading of this bill ; but the house must not suppose that this was a substitute for another bill , which had been thrown out in the other house , or for a more general purpose .
After a few words from Mr . Brotherton und Mr . T . EoKfiTOiV , Mr . Beknal warned Mr . IIcme of tl . e difficulties which he would have- to encounter in carrying this measure and recommended him to withdraw it , and to leave the whole subject in the hands of Government . Mr . Stafford O'Btur . s concurred in the advice given by the last speaker to Mr . Hume , and protested against the principle that the House of Commons had a right to interfere with every charitable body . He moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months . , Mr . Buck seconded the amendment . Mr . T . Eokkton tendered his thanks to Mr . Flume for the introduction of this bill , and hoped that the house , with the knowledge of the abuses in the management of our charities , would read it a second time .
Mr . . sp ooser contended that a measure of such importance as the present could not receive adequate consideration at this advanced period of the session . Sir Df . Lacy Evans supported the bill as a preliminary step to clear the way for some more comprehensive measure . Mr . Estcourt considered this measure to be one of bo grave a character as to require the Government to take it into itsown hands . The present bill appeared to him to be very crude , and not likely to effect the objects tor which it was intended . Ho recommended Mr . Hume to withdraw it for the present , and to introduce it next session in a modified form .
Sir J . GiiAinvsi explained the crcumstances under which he had assented to allow Mr . Hume to read this bill a first time . He also gave a britf exposition of the provisions of Lord Lyndhurst ' s bill on this subject , and expressed his regret that it had been defeated in the other House of Parliament . He considered the object of the present bill to be very desirable , and insisted that the general rule of accountability ought to be enforced . After some observations from Mr , Nkwdkoatk and Mr . T . EoKRTON . and ashortreply from Mr . Hume , which led to a declaration from Lord G . Somekskt that he would vote for the second reading of the bill , although he thought that great alterations must be made in it in committee , the house divided , when the second reading was carried by a majority , of 42 over 12 voices . The other orders were then disposed of , and the house adjourned .
HOUSE OF LORDS . —Thursday , July 1 G . la the House of Lords the Marquis of Laxsohwsk moved that the Annuity Bills of Lord llardinee and Lord Gough be restored to ; the stage in which they originally stood . After some discussion the motion was carried by a majority of 47 against 18 , and the report brought up and agreed to . HOUSE OF COMMONS—Thursday , July 1 G .
MINISTERIAL POLICY . Lord Joiw Russkll , on moving the order ol * the day , stated that on Monday next he would explain , ia committee , the plan which the Government proposed with respect to tbe sUg & tf duties ; but be would , advise the postponement ol' the consideration of the plan until tho Friday following . > Oa Monday he would likewise propose a short Bill to continue the present duties for a month longer , or until Parliament shall otherwise provide . The noble lord tin a stated that be proposed to go on with that portion of the Poor Removal Bill which would secure to- residents of a certain period the right of immovability . The Drainage Bill he hoped would be can ictl this
session . 'lhe Ejectment ( Ireland ) Bill he would go on with , making some alterations in its provisions . Also the Leases ( Ireland ) Bill . The Tenants' C < mpensation Bill had a complicated machimry , but mo Government would give it their best attcut ' oii . The Small Debts' Bill he hoped to be able to . pnss sh : s session , after haying made some alienations in it . The Religious Opinions' Bill also he trusted wou'd bo carried this session . With respset to measures tobe introduced , the Govcrnmnent would bring in a preparatory measures if necessary ,, to provide for the improvement of waste hinds in Ireland ; but certainly they would propose some plan connected with , this important subject next year .
Mr . Evelyn Denison thought it right to inform his Noble Friend that there was one great defect in his Administration—the want of an adequate representation in it of the lauded interest . The great towns were amplv represented in it ; the Jaw was jvlso , inov « perhaps tban it deserved , represent * d m it ; but ho looked iv . vain for any powerful parties ioi-tweiscntthe land , which having just received a verv rude shock , mom particularly required soma V-erlous in the Government to attend to us wants ami wisbt-s . This defect would prevent him from "iving r . h : Govoi'r-. iuant that votifid-. 'iice which ha otherwise j-hould ail ' -rd it . ( Continued to the K ' yklh fays J
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 18, 1846, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_18071846/page/1/
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