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    326 «*» ' **«&* " *? [Saturday,

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    Proceedings Of The Chartist Convention.—...

    ______ —^ The expenses , where necessary , be borne by the National Chartist Fund . I . — The Land . This Convention believes that the land is the inalienable inheritance of all mankind ; the present monopoly of the soil and its minerals is , therefore , repugnant to the laws of God and nature . The nationalization of the land is the only true basis of national prosperity . With a view of arriving at that ultimatum , it is resolved that the following measures be successively urged upon the Legislature : — 1 . The establishment of a Board of Agriculture . 2 . The restoration of poor , common , church , and crown lands to the people .

    under their National Kings , by Henry . The latter author has acknowledged his errors , and made due submission to the Congregation . Cooperative Butchers' Meat Shops in France . — The recent discussion in the French National Assembly on the condition of the labouring classes , notwithstand . ing the -violent attack made by Royalist speakers on the principle of . association and the whole Socialist movement , as well as on certain of the Paris labour associations , and the large majority which supports such views in the Assembly , seems to have done much good to the Socialist cause throughout the country . There are now springing up , apparently stimulated by this very discussion , various cooperative associations in the provincial towns in the south

    north , in the east , and in the . In particular , there are a number of cooperative butchers' meat shops ( boil * cheries socie'taires ) just being set on foot , —an entirely new development of the Socialist principle . And this movement is extensive enough to have made the butchers in many other towns , apparently with a view to check its progress , reduce very considerably the prices of fresh meat . This reduction has amounted to nearly one-third in Boulogne , Arras , Lille , and Cambrai . From a late number of La Republique we learn that a society of this kind has just been established at Nancy , in the department of the Meurthe . It includes the sale of butchers ' meat and of pork . It is established by shareholders , or foundation members , who receive no dividends on their shares , but only the right to deal at the shops of the association , and to nominate one other dealer for each share after the first ; no member , however , being allowed

    to hold more than fifty shares . The cost price of the meat , including th <* purchase of stock , the killing and preparing for market and other expenses of distribution , is calculated every fortnight , and posted conspicuously in all the association shambles . The selling prices is fixed according to the relative value of the different parts of the carcase . Five centimes per kilogramme are added to the cost price , for a reserve fund to provide against casualties , to supply meat gratuitously to the famishing and the sick , to provide for-the workmen employed in their declining days , and , finally , to form a fund destined to aid the application of Socialist principles to other wants of life , and establish solidarity with other associations having similar objects . Purchases are to be for cash only ; except that workmen receiving salaries periodically are permitted to purchase on credit on the guarantee of their masters , such credit not to exceed one month in duration without a special vote to that effect . The foundation members , or first

    A list of the subscriptions received will shortly appear . — Henry A . Ivory , Hon . Sec . Redemption Society . — Moneys received for the week ending March 31 : —Leeds , £ 2 5 s . 4 $ d . ; Stockport , per Mr . Thomas Bowden , 5 s . ; London , per Mr . Corfield , 16 s . Communal Building : —Stockport , per Mr . Bowden , 7 s . 6 d . The Polish Refugees . —I wish to call your readers serious attention to some few important considerations respecting the 232 Poles who are now at Liverpool . They are all picked men—stanch and well-tried Republicans , who can ill be spared from the coming European war , and whose services meanwhile here , in spreading republican principles , were it only by example , will he of immense value to the cause of English freedom . There is one wav in which we can insure their support . Not by

    leaving them to chance subscriptions , which almost always fall short , but by individuals guaranteeing the support of individuals . If the Chartists of Great Britain will divide themselves into relief committees of twenty men , each committee undertaking to guarantee ^ the support of one man , the work is dose . 20 times 232 is 4640 . I believe there are 4640 Chartists , not one of whom ought to shrink from even the sacrifice of sixpence a week to save his brother from starvation . Sixpence a week is ten shillings a week for each Pole-till he can learn our language and obtain employment . We would not keep such noble guests on even the poor fare of the

    wretched of our own land . Recollect itis not a life-burden , but a temporary hospitality . We would treat them like guests . Let me also be understood when I say guarantee . I do not ask for sixpence a week paid down ; but for the names of those who will undertake to be ready with sufficient for the support of one man , or so much as may be needed to make up any deficiency , whenever subscriptions fail or fall short . So that whenever there is any lack of means the central committee may know on whom to fall back for a certain supply till subscriptions come in again . Honour to those whose names shall stand first on the list of the Refugee Guarantee Fund . —W . J .

    Linton , Miteside , March 21 , lool . Manchester Sociai . Reform Conference . —At a Conference of delegates held at Manchester , March 2 nd , from the surrounding districts , an address to the following purport was agreed to : — " To the Social Reformers of the British Empire . —Your watchwords—Social Reform—but a few short years ago were considered words of such terrible import that few men in public life were disposed to use them in their legitimate sense ; and yet such has been the progress of public opinion , that they have now become ' part and parcel' of the language of our native land ; they are , nevertheless , used with such a variety of significations , that the duty of the Social Reformer is now to provide that these words should not fall into vagueness . With some parties Social Reform means but a slight alteration in the principles of modern society ; with others , but a modification of their repulsive

    shareholders , with such citizens in town or country as shall , upon their own request , be admitted by the administrative council , form the association . It does not seem , that the nominees of shareholders , although entitled to purchase of the association , are members of it . The society reserves to itself the right to repurchase shares , thereby extinguishing the rights of the shareholders bought out . The wives and families of deceased members are all entitled to membership . The amount of the original shares is ultimately to be returned , but without interestv or profits . The order of this repayment to be decided by lot . At the same time , the society invites the donation of shares on behalf of the reserved fund ; the names of all donors , except upon their own request to the

    features . Originally it was intended to include a complete change in the character and condition of mankind ; and by that meaning the Social Reformer should abide . The monopoly of land and capital , in the hands of the few , has been a prolific source of evils ; but whilst declaring against the present state of landed possessions and the monopoly of capital , he must make it clearly understood that he does not desire to possess himself of either the one or the other , by force , by spoliation , or by any other means than future accumulation or honourable principles of exchange . The Social Reformer must be aware that to open up the great question of original right to past accumulations would be likely to cause more toil and trouble , and to arouse more hostile feelings , than any other mode of effecting the change he desires to accomplish , and thus cause it . to be retarded by the application of all those destructive aKenciea that selfishnrss , avarice ,

    contrary , to be published as benefactors to the society . The business of the society is conducted by a responsible manager , chosen by the administrative council , w :. o must be a person understanding the trade . He is required to give security , and , having the appointment of the workpeople employed ( subject to the approval of the council ) , he is responsible for their conduct . The accounts are kept by the manager , under the surveillance of a special committee of six , elected half-yearly . A general meeting of members is to be held quarterly , all questions being decided by the majority of the members present . The shops are to bear the inscription , Boucherie Societaire ( Cooperative Meat Store ) . The immense price still obtained for butchers' meat in London renders this example of association one worthy of imitation , especially now thnt

    and injustice , usually employ to prevent improvements in human affairs . The success of the Social Reformer depends upon the creation and direction of thoughtful and peaceable dispositions , and , therefore , it it ) necessary that he should eschew all proceedings that do not harmonize therewith . His is a peaceable movement , and must be carried out by peaceable means . No known portion of human history presents en a rational scale any example of the harmonious production and equitable distribution of wealth ; and that , in consequence the future will be a type of the past , if the same systems are maintained . Erroneous principles in connection with the production and distribution of wealth have rendered it impossible to properly educate and govern mankind , thus dooming many millions of human beings to the evils of ignorance and inisgoverrnnent , and then throwing the bliimeupon human nature , instead of attributing it to the in their

    the inroads of so many thousands of strangers will increase so greatly the consumption of all articles of food . Whatever may be yet the case in France , or may once have been the case in England , butchers' meat certainly is not now amongst , the English working man ' s first necessaries of life . Bitter experience lias unfortunately taught him that it is possible to live without butchers ' meat , or oven pork—the poor man ' s last table luxury ! But , with the price of stock at its present rate , we do not sec why the working classes should not obtain some share of good flesh food by means of an associaton which should furnish it at the mere price ol firBt cost and necessary expenses of distribution ; and we recommend this example to the consideration of our Socialist friends in Charlotte street . —11 . E . Kxim ' . kiknceb oi' a Dhai ' Pkuhon . —I fainted one day from having , in a freak , put a musical snufl-box <> n my head . The delicious precision of the music , and the revival of the old clearness , after tin : muffled piece ol confusion that instrumental music hud been to me . lor some years , overcame me in a second of time . I am Hxxr <> . 1 heard thnt performance quite as well as uny one could through the ; ear ; and I have since clapped on my | i * 'n « every musical snuff-box I could lay hands on . You may like to know the following : —When I Mad become ju « t . deaf h to have difficulty in catching the p itch of a

    bad HyKteins that men had , inexperience , produced and maintained , and that any system of general education , not providing f »> r a more equitable distribution of the neceKsuries unri comforts of life , must bear many hcmouh obstacles in its path . The course of proceeding under present circumstances is pluin ; we nuint content , ourselves with mich aids as the platform and the prt'HS can give ; both should be used for the attainment of our ends ; both can and ought to he made available in the creation of public opinion , with a view to direct it in itk proper channel at the proper time ; and , above all things , Social Reformera should know and remember that , ' a « man in the creature of circumstances , ' it . will be . the wittent plan to propound principles and to propone changes , in the language of propriety and in the spirit of peace . —John Chan it , Chainnan ; Wilkinson J 1 i ; iiki , am , Seeretury . "

    enoug piece of music , in the concert room w « attended , wlnca hud benches , with a long wooden rail to lean against , could always get right by pressing iny shoulder bl »»«<¦» afraiimt that rail : otili / , the pitch was always a thvra below . 1 'inding this with music which I was familj » r with , I soon got to allow for it alway'H , and so did very well for the time . Ah the deafness increased , 1 found ft " Imhh houikIh lose their smoothncHn , und come in puwe « , heating upon the ear , und vibrating through tho pit ot the Htomach , while , an yet , higher sounds were ag ioxinerly . —Atkimo ? i and Marlineau ' s Letters on Man ,

    The Gimnale di Roma pubhsheH a decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Index at Rome , prohibiting Heveral books . Amongst them we find the Italian translation if the Diclionnaire den Dates , or Chronological Dictionary , by D'lliirmoiiville , 18-14 ; tlio lilnmenla of Loi / u :, by the Reverend Richard Whately ; A I'iltjrimatjo to Home , by the Reverend Ilobart Heymour ; and 1 , 'liyypta I'haraoniiino . or History of the Institutions of the Egyptians

    Such , lands to be divided among the poor in suitable proportions . Those located to be tenants of the state , paying a proportionate rent-charge for their holdings . 3 . Compensation to the out-going tenant for improvement , or improvements to be effected of the landlord . Tenants not to be tied down to any old covenants of rotation of crops .

    The repeal of the Game-laws . All rents to be commuted into corn-Tents . 4 . The state to be empowered annually to purchase land , for the purpose of locating thereon the surplus population , as tenants , individually , or by association , paying a rent-charge to the state . The funds for such purpose to arise partly from the rent-charge payable on the common , church , poor , and crown lands abovementioned , and such other sources as may

    hereafter be determined . 5 . Government purchasing land as above , not to be permited to sell again , but to hold such lands as national property for ever , letting them to tenants in such quantities , and under such conditions , as may secure freedom to the tenant , and safety to the state . 6 . The state to have priority of purchase , at fair current prices . 7 . To provide for the final and complete nationalization of land , the state shall assume possession of the soil as rapidly as the existing interests can be extinguished by process of law , by death , by surrender , or by any other means accordant with justice and a generous treatment of all classes .

    II . —The Church . Religion should be free ; as spiritual , it ought not to be subject to temporal control . Therefore the Convention recommend—1 . Complete separation between church and state . 2 . All church temporalities to be declared national property for secular purposes , except such individual endowments as have been voluntarily and legally made since the Reformation . All ecclesiastical buildings anterior to the Reformation , and all such subsequently erected , of which it can be clearly shown that their cost was defrayed from national funds , to be confiscated for the use of the state . 3 . Tithes and church rates to be abolished .

    4 . The state not to interfere with the internal policy of any church . All ecclesiastics to be appointed in any way their respective congregations think lit , and to be paid voluntarily by the congregations who employ their services . 5 . Ecclesiastical licences for the purposes of education to be unnecessary . III . — Education . As every man has a right to the means of physical life , bo he has to the means of mental activity . It is as unjust to withhold aliment from the mind as it is to deny food to the body . Kduoation should , therefore , be national , universal , gratuitous , and , to a certain extent , compulsory . At a meeting of the committee ; of the Society for Promoting the Principles of Cooperation , held at . the Working Tuilors , 4 , l ' lineess-street , Manchester , on Marca 2 / Jth , 1 H 61 , it . was resolved : — " 1 st . That in consequence of tho

    meeting held in Heywood , on March 16 th , removing on a conf . rencc of delegates in Hury on Good Friday , tins committee considers it expedient to suspend their arrangemeiitH for a similar conference intended to be held in thin town during Master week , and for which object it was mainly called together . 2 nd . Th » t they will still act together as a committee for the purpose of calling a conference in Manchester whenever it . may be deemed advioable an tvell an to promote the principles of cooperation by other means at their command . "—On behalf of the committee , Reverend T . ( J . Luk , Chairman ; Wil-K 1 NSON BlIKSI . AM , IIoil . tSrO .

    JUlllllHT OWliN AND TIIK KxiIIlHTION OF 1861 . The . Central Committee h « 'ld their usual weekly meeting on Wednesday evening , at f > 2 , College-place , Camden-town , when communications , accompanied by Hubscriptions , were received from Ashtou , Bristol , Derby , 1 ' ainley , # o . The Committee are preparing a scries of tractH , written by Mr . Owen , of which they intend to circulate ( JO , 000 copies in the F . nKlish language , to be followed by transitions in French and Germim for distribution among our Continental brethren . The Committee arc also d * niroiiB of establishing a series of lectures by Mr . Owen and other gentlemen competent to develops the great principles of lin « lj « h Socialitim . They tnint , therefore , thnt their friendn throughout the country will lose no time in Heading in their contributions in aid of this work .

    326 «*» ' **«&* " *? [Saturday,

    326 «*» ' **«&* " *? [ Saturday ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 5, 1851, page 18, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_05041851/page/18/