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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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Mr O ' Connor having ' stated that he had to lecture at ^ ne South London ^ all , for the benefit of thePohsh ^^ - waTtheTr-aiKrat ^^ 8 that before Mr . O'Connor withdrew he was desirous of asking that gentleman a question . Would Mr O ' Connor be so kind as to state who were the ^ rnfpssed leaders of the people to whom he re-? erredYu \ i letter in the Star of Saturday last , addressedto the " Slaves of England , " who were actuated by « sordid motives , " " are struggling for popularity and gain , " » know nothing of your principles and care not a straw for you , but merely Sink of themselves , " and " who create disunion for the mere purpose of elevating themselves , and living upon your disunion and credulity ?" Mr O ' Connor , in reply , said that he did not allude to anv particular individual , and he could assure the Executive committee that he did not apply such remarks to any member of that body .
On the motion of Messrs . Milne and Holyoake , it agreed * ' that the report ^ of Mr . Ernest Jones be printed with the minutes . " The list of places entitled to send delegates to the forthcoming conference was then taken into consideration , but as several inaccuracies appeared it was referred , for correction , to a sub-committee , consisting of Messrs . Arnott , Grassby , Harney , and Jones . OiTthe motionof Messre . ^ irnott and Holyoake , it was agreed , " That a deputation of two be appointed from this Committee to attend the meetings of the Metropolitan District Council . " Messrs . Arnott and Milne were deputed for that
purpose . . . Mr . Le Blond being present , it was unanimously agreed , " That Mr . Robert Le Blond be requested to take his seat , ex officio , as the treasurer of the association . " The Secretary was instructed to state , in reply to several localities who had applied for the services of the two members of the Executive on the proposed tour , that arrangements will be forthwith made for such tour , provided the necessary funds are forwarded . After the transaction of financial and other business
the Committee adjourned to Wednesday evening , Jan . 15 . Signed , on behalf of the Committee , John Abnott , Gen . Sec .
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THE SHEFFIELD FR 10 E PRESS . AVe nre r IucI to ace that the Liberals of Sheffield have , "" ice . more , an organ which will faithfully represent their ) irm <; i |) l ( . . Kather more than four years ago that town - 'id three newspapers—the thriving Whig Independent , with a good circulation , and rather a large kIiow of advertiae mentH ; the Tory Mercury , a paying concern , but not "ouriahiiiK ; * i > d , lant and lowest of all , the Itadical Iris , founded by James Montgomery , about iifty years ngo , : u » d onco a paper of note , but , at the time we speak of , <> n its last legn . To these three a fourth was added—the Ttmas , which made its appearance in 1840 with great pro mises of Liberalism , and with no lack of money apparently , for , within two years , it had contrived to purchase the copyright of the Tory Mercury , and the Radical Iris .
By this bold movement the proprietors of the Times succeeded at once in making it a good advertising sheet , ^ rid they took greafcredit to themselves for having relieved the auctioneers and solicitors of that district from the necessity of advertising in so many newspapers as they had hitherto done . But they forgot that there is in every large town a numerous class which will insist upon having a downright earnest organ of its opinions , whatever the feeling of advertisers may be , and that when a newspaper throws politics overboard—as the Sheffield paper naturally did in order to please its Tory advertising friends—it must lay its account with losing a very large portion of its readers .
The Sheffield Times having given up its politics for advertisements , its place has been taken up by the Sheffield Free Press , the first number of which now lies before us . Judging from this specimen , and from what we know of the Liberals of Sheffield , we think it bids fair to become a prosperous and powerful organ . As regards its principles , the following passage from the prospectus will show that it has taken up strong ground , and is likely to prove a valuable auxiliary in promoting many important measures of reform : — " In politics , the Sheffield Free Press will be found the uncompromising defender of every man ' s ri ^ fht to the privileges of citizenship . To attain the great principle of ' Manhood Sufend
frage , ' with the safeguards for its free exercise , —to put an to class distinctions , and make men practically brethren , —to free the arm of labour , by removing all imposts on the exchanges of industry , —to extend knowledge by opposing the odious taxes on paper and newspapers , and by enforcing the duty of the State to provide an efficient system of national education , —to hasten the advent of universal peace , by protesting against aggressive war , —to christianize our criminal code by advocating the abrogation of death punishments , —to enforce economy , by calling attention to the abuses of the civil list , the corrupt pension list , and to our needlessly great military and naval power , —and to advocate a simple , inexpensive , and just mode , of obtaining the revenue of the country- These will be the principles and objects of the Sheffield Free Press . •¦
" The great Social problems which are commanding the attention and dividing the opinion of the world , will be fully and impartially canvassed . Theories which promise to redeem society from the tyranny of cla ^ s , and to elevate the depressed , without committing injustice to any , shall have the warmest support . For the present mode of the distribution of wealth , which exhibits anomalies threatening the dissolution of society , a remedy will be anxiously sought , and , if found , earnestly impressed on the popular mind . "
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ANOTHER DARING BURGLARY . A most daring and successful burglary was committed early on Thursday morning week at Downland House , Uckfield , the residence of the Misses Farncombe , four maiden ladies , who have resided there for many years . Downland House is situated about a quarter of a mile from the main street of Uckfield , and stands back a short distance from the road in a small lawn . In front , on the opposite side of the road , scarcely a hundred yards oif , is the house of the Reverend Mr . Streatfeild . On one side is a plantation , and immediately at the back , within forty yards , is a small farmhouse , occupied by a Mr . Merchant , his family and servants , and a man employed on the farm . At a short distance are also one or two cottages . A residence so situated would , under ordinary circumstances , hardly have been selected as the scene of a burglary , and this strengthens the suspicion that the robbers were well acquainted with the premises . The inmates of Downland House consist of the four Misses Farncombe , two female servants and a butler , Thomas Wood ; there is also a gardener , but he does not sleep on the premises .
The burglars entered by a small gate on the lawn , and having cut a bludgeon from the branch of a tree overhanging the path , proceeded straight across the lawn to the front of the house , where they attempted in vain to force open the window of the breakfast parlour . They then went to a small window in the dairy , protected only by a perforated zinc or wire blind . Having wrenched off the wire covering , entrance was gained to the dairy , and by a similar process the cellar adjoining it was entered . At the end
of the cellar is a passage communicating with the kitchen , the door to which was only fustened by one of the two bolts upon it . This was easily forced , and it is presumed that one of the robbers ( who was very smallj was put through the dairy window and left to make his way into the kitchen , having gained which he opened the back door and let in the rest of his companions . Having reached the kitchen , the band proceeded up tho back staircase leading to the manservant ' s room .
Thomas Wood , the butler , had retired to rest at his usual hour on tho previous night . Tho night was very dark , and there was a great deul of wind . He was first awoke about three o ' clock by 11 noise , as if from Borne one trying tho handle of his door , which was locked . He called out , " Who ' s there ?" twice ; at first supposing that it wan one of the servants . Receiving no reply , it at once flushed across his mind that there were Uneven in the house , and he Bprung out of bed in order to seize a loaded gun which lay near him . At that moment the door was burst open with a violent crash , in rushed five men , and before ho could level the gun lie received a violent blow on the shoulder ( aimed at his head ) from tho butt-end of a horse pistol , which knocked him down . The gun woh wrenched from his grasp , and he was at once overpowered , and threatened with
instant death if he moved hand or foot . The robbers all wore masks ^ were each armed , and had each a lighted candle . Three of them wore masks of what appeared to be white calico ; one of black crape , the disguise of the fifth being made out of a red pocket handkerchief . They wore no shoes or hats , but two of them had each put on a straw bonnet belonging to the servants . Having ordered Wood to get into bed , the robbers retired outside his door , where they held a consultation as to whether he should be despatched or not . He lay quiet , and in a few minutes the robbers reentered his room , and one with a violent oath levelled a large horse pistol at him . At this moment
another , who appeared to be the leader , interfered , and struck back the pistol ; this caused a sort of quarrel amongst them , the first man still seeming disposed to murder Wood , and asking his comrades if they did not see that he had tried to use his gun . At one moment he had the muzzles of five pistols levelled at him , but eventually they ceased to threaten his life , except he attempted to move . This settled , they set to work to ransack his drawers . They asked for his keys , and on his telling them where they were , one of the party threw his trousers at his head , and told him to give them the keys . Without waiting for them , however , they forced open
the desk and took out nearly £ 20 in money , a gold ring and key , a silver watch , and several other things Having satisfied themselves that no more was to be had here , they went out of the room , leaving one man , armed , to keep guard over Wood . In a few minutes one of the burglars came back , and , grasping him tightly by his shirt collar , dragged him from his bed , and , without allowing him to put on shoes or trousers , forced him to go down stairs to show them where the plate was lodged . Before , however , he had got down stairs a crash was heard , followed by a jingling of plate , which , at once showed there was no need of his assistance , and that the plate cupboard had been
broken . Indeed , as one of the ruffians observed , while having the keys in his hand , " They didn ' t come there to open locks . " Wood , after this , was taken back to his room and again delivered to the custody of the former guard . While under his charge Wood entered into conversation with this man , who did not scruple to answer him . Upon Wood ' s observing that , " If they hadn't come so strong , or had given him half a minute more time , they would have had the contents of the gun among them , " the robber replied , " Oh , yes , I dare say you would ; I have known you , Tom , from your infancy . " In fact , from several circumstances that have transpired ,
there seems to be little doubt that some one , at least , of the robbers must have been well acquainted with the habits of the family and the situation of the different rooms . Wood next heard the panels of the door leading to the room occupied by his mistresses burst in , and soon afterwards a loud scream from one of the ladies reached his ears . He implored the man to go and persuade his comrades not to maltreat the ladies , and , on his consenting not to move , the man went away for that purpose , and soon Teturned , apparently having fulfilled his errand , as the ladies were subjected to no personal violence . The thieves , however , ransacked every drawer , taking money .
watches , jewels , and , in fact , everything they could lay their hands upon . Fortunately , one of the ladies rose on becoming acquainted with the fact that the house was in possession of the burglars , and , possessing herself of a valuable box of jewels , Becreted it in the bed . When the ruffians entered her room her collected manner afforded them no suspicion , and the jewels were saved . Another of the ladies , on finding thieves in the house , was making her way into the room of one of her sisters , when she met thrpe men in the passage ; she insisted on passing , which' they
allowed , but they forced her to get into bed with her sister . The burglars next proceeded to the maidservants ' room , and there took a watch and what money they could find . The cook , however , had the precaution to conceal a watch under the mattress , and it thus escaped the eyes of the robbers . Ono of the servants having been alarmed by the breaking in of Wood's door , began to ring a handbell out of a bedroom window ; this being heard by the burglars , one of them immediately rushed up stairs , and threatened to shoot the girl unless she returned quietly to bed .
The work of plunder completed , the men returned to Wood ' s room , where they left him , uftcr uttering the most fearful threats against him if he dared to follow them down stairs , or to leave the house for an hour and a half after them , during which time they pretended to depute om ; of their body to keep watch outside the house . They then descended , and ho heard them packing up their booty , about the distribution of which , however , they begun to quarrel .
As they left the bonne the clock struck live , the work of plunder having occupied full two houra . On their departure it wan found that they had not confined their depredations to mere valuables They broke open a closet from which they took out sevcrul bottles of wine ; the necks of these thoy knocked out and drank tho contents . They ulso helped thomnelves to the con touts of the larder , taking nway with them two hiuriH , several loaves of bread , cIicomom , &c Six of the gmig , all of whom are suspected of having been concerned in the burglary , were apprehended
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Jan . ii , 1851 . ] gft < at c after . 31
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WEST-RIDING DELEGATE MEETING . A West-Riding delegate meeting was held at Nicholl ' s Temperance Hotel , Broad-street , Halifax , on Sunday , the 5 th instant . Delegates were present from the following places , namely—Halifax , Bradford , Huddersfield , Holmfirth , Todmorden , Bristol , Midgley , Wheatley . Mr . Horsfall in the chair . Resolutions were carried unanimously to the following effect . — " 1 . That we , the delegates assembled , consider that the Manchester Council acted contrary to the principles of Democracy in calling a . conference without consulting the Executive , the only legitimate head of the Chartist body , and who alone have the right to call a conference . We do , therefore , recommend that no delegate be sent to the above conference from this riding . " 2 . That , as Mr . O'Connor has stated his intention of deferring to the will of the majority , it is the opinion of this meeting that any further opposition to the now expressed will of the majority will lay that gentleman open to the charge of aiding an anti-Democratic faction . " 3 . That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Executive have been elected by a fair and open vote ; we , therefore , pledge ourselves to assist them in carrying out their views , and to tender them all the pecuniary aid in our power . " 4 . That it is the opinion of this meeting that the letter of David Lawson , published in the Star of Nov . 16 , is a tissue of gross and malicious falsehoods , and we hereby record our unmitigated abhorrence and indignation at such conduct . " /> . That we , the members of the "West Riding Delegate meeting , having read the attack of the Manchester Council upon Mr . Jones and the men of Yorkshire , view it as unworthy of any body of men calling themselves Reformers . A meeting of delegates of the Halifax district was hold on Sunday , the 6 th instant , at Lower Warley . The following places were represented : —Halifax , Midgley , Wheatley , Lower Warley , and Sowerby . The delegates pledge themselves to act under the direction of the Executive Committee , and endeavour at the same time to assist them as much as possible in a pecuniary point of view .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 11, 1851, page 31, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1865/page/7/
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