On this page
-
Text (4)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
THE GANGES CANAL . The most important item of intelligence , by the last mail from India , is the opening of the Ganges Canal , by the Lieutenant-Governor of the north-west provinces , Mr . John Colvin , on the 8 th instant . Colonel Cautley , the projector and principal executive officer , was entertained by the Lieutenant-Governor , and the compliments which he received on the occasion were not greater than he deserves . A telegraphic message announcing the opening of the canal was sent from Roorkee to the Governor-General at
Calcutta . It ran thus : —" The Ganges Canal was opened tins morning toy the admission , at half-past six p . m ., of water over the paved channel of the Solani aqueduct . Every thing went off happily-amidst the rejoicings of spectators . " To this , message the following reply was received at Meerut at half-past two p . m ., from the Governor-General : — "I have rejoiced over your message . All honour to Colonel Gautley . " The time of transit was forty-seven minutes twenty-nine seconds . The scene at the opening , as described by the local papers , — English clergymen reading a form of prayers for the
occasion , Brahmins throwing flowers into the stream , an imposing display of troops , a general distribution of sweetmeats , missionaries preaching to the" crowd , racing in sacks , and the like , —formed a . melange that could only have been presented in British India . Though the great trunk of the canal has been thus formally opened , the branches required for the distribution of the water mil not be fully complete for some years . By the time they are so the work will have cost , a million and a half ; and it is thought that the direct net return will be at the rate of about 7 per cent , on the outlay , and the indirect return ; arising from the increase of cultivation and land revenue is
estimated at about the same sum . The results of the canal , ha . preventing the recurrence of the famines that have invariably followed the failure of the monsoons in the districts it traverses , and in creating numerous lines of easy and economical transit connected with the great rivers of the Doab , are incalculable . The total length of channel navigable throughout , including the trunk and terminal lines into the great branches , is very nearly 890
miles . The principal engineering work is an aqueduct over the Solani river , having a water-way of 750 feet . This work cost 300 , 000 / ., about nine times as much as Telford ' s aqueduct over the Dee , at Pont-y-Cysyllt , which is half as long again , and nearly three times as high , but with a much narrower channel , and there can be little doubt that , had Telford ' s mode of construction been adopted by the military officer who constructed the work , the cost would have been very much less than it has been .
Untitled Article
THE PEACE SOCIETY AGAIN . The Peace Society has attained to years of discretion , if we may judge by its age rather than its acts . It held its thirty-eighth anniversary last week , in Finsbury Chapel , Moorfields . The chairman of the occasion was Mr . Charles Hindley , M . P . His speech is instructive , and describes faithfully enough the position of the party at the present conjuncture . The meeting , he said , was rendered peculiarly , painfully interesting by the fact that England is now at war . 3 ? or thirty-eight years this society had been endeavouring to impress upon the public mind the sinfulness of war and the duty of preserving
peacethe necessity and desirableness of leaving disputes to bo decided , not by might but by right , not by gunpowder and physical force , but by dependence upon that Great Being Avho wished his creatures to live together in harmtony and peace . They had sought to indoctrinate the public mind by distributing tracts , by holding public meetings , and "by reading lectures , and they had so far persevered in their efforts that it was thought to "be almost impossible to agitate the people in favour of war . But they must lament that their labours had not been so successful as they could ^ ish , and in making this observation he could not help saying ho did . hope thnt the members of the Christian Churches would have taken this
matter up , and that they would lmve acted upon the principles inculcated in the Bible upon this important subject , lie had hoped that no Christian would dissent from the doctrine that it was wrong to take up the sword in vindication of what the ;; called their national rights ; but ho received the other day , from one of his constituents—a man of great ability , and a member of tliu Christian Church—a letter which contained these words : — " I sco you are to provide at a meeting of the Peace Society . I hope you will give Husaiii whut alio deserves . 1 would blow up all her ships and soldiers . I am a man of l > euc « , but this ia Lhe time for lighting . " The meeting laughed heartily , as well they might , at tho thoroughly British sentiment conveyed in tlie last sentence .
Mr . Hindley prophecied that if the war lasts Finsbury Chapel will not hold the adherents of tho Peace Society ; and resolutely maintained that we ought not to have gone to war at all . The other speakers wero the Kevereud William Brock , the Itevcrend John Burnett , Mr . Robert Churl ton , of
Bristol , and Mr . Joseph Sturge . Mr . Charlton praised Lord Aberdeen in this wise : — " When Lord Aberdeen filled the office of Foreign Secretary , under the Administration of the late Sir Robert Peel , disputes arose between England and France respecting the Tahiti question , and between England and America in reference to the Oregon boundary question . At that time any harsh or hasty proceeding on the part of our Government might have involved the country in embroilments from which they would have found it extremely difficult to extricate
themselves ; but the calm and digniBed conduct of Lord Aberdeen preserved to us the great blessing of peace on both the questions he had mentioned . And , more than this , he thought that -within the last ten years Lord Aberdeen had shown that strict adherence to principles with which the moral value of military heroism admitted of no comparison at all . Although lie had failed on . the present occasion in averting war , it was only fair that they should properly estimate the difficulties of his position , and he begged that the meeting would understand that the resolution vras not intended to censure him and the Government . "
The resolutions sufficiently express the peace view of national duty at present : — " That this meeting regards with the deepest sorrows and ? pprehension the war ¦ recently broken out in the east of Europe ; and while gratefully acknowledging the long and strenuous efforts made by her Majesty ' s Government to secure a pacific adjustment of the question in dispute , cannot but earnestly regret that , instead of appealing to arms , they did not persevere in negotiations , or that the matter y * as not submitted to the arbitration of some competent and impartial umpire , and thereby the calamities be averted ¦ which are now impending over the nations in prospect of a general European war , the extent , the duratioa , and the consequences of whitn-TO human eye can foresee . "— " That this meeting regards -with unfeigned satisfaction the subeidence of those feelings of suspicion and distrust towards
1 ranee which so lately agitated this country , and cannot but consider the mischievous results that have already flowed from that panic , and the evidence of its utter groundlessness presented by the cordial alliance existing between the two ( Governments , as affording a significant warning to the press and people of this country how they surrender themselves to unjust suspicions and degrading alarms , under the influence of blind and unreasoning prejudice . "—• ' That this meeting cannot but regard the war with Russia as furnishing additional illustration of the evils that have frequently come apon this country from the practice , nnhappily too common in our history , of interfering by force of arms in the quarrels of other nations , and is of opinion that it is tbe duty and wisdom of the English people to urge upon their Governments the adoption of the full principle of non-interference in their foreign policy . "
The whole gist of the meeting- was a mourning over the failure of the society , and a tolerably plucky expression of trust in the principles it represent s .
Untitled Article
THE SOCIETY OF AKTS kWb THE LAW Or PARTNERSHIP . Progress continues to be made in the agitation of the question of limited liability . On Wednesday , at the usuul meeting of the Society of Arts , Mr . Slaney , formerly Member for Shrewsbury , and well known for his efforts on behalf of the poorer classes , read a paper « ' On Limited and Unlimited Liability ia Partnerships . " He said that when a member of the House of Commons , he had addressed himself with some labour to the subjects connected with the social improvements of the middle and working classes . Such inquiries led him to consider other circumstances bearing on the encouragement to industry , and in 1850 he had obtained a committee on investments , or the savings of the working portion of the community . That investigation and evidence was the precursor of a second committee in 1851 , on the law of partnership , of which he was chairman . After collecting much information , the report was presented in July of the same year . The committee stated that the existing law of partnership placed obstacles in the way of any body of workmen who desired to combine their money and labour on industrial undertakings . The law afforded no effectual remedy against the fraud of any dishonest party , and no summary mode of enforcing the rules agreed to for mutual government . Tho difficulties which affected the law of partnership operated with increased severity in proportion to tlio smallness of tho sums subscribed and tiio number of
persons included m the association . Any measure for the removul of such difficulties would l > e most acceptable to tho middle and working classes . By the present law a person taking a share was liable to tho lust shilling he possessed . Such a risk prevented many cautious men front taking any part in these undertakings . Hence many improvements of iv local nature were impeded or thrown into the management of reckless speculators , and many
enterprises of acknowledged utility were prevented . In consequence of the great mass of favourable evidence adduced before the committee , lie obtained tho following year a committee on the partnership laws . Among the witnesses wereMr . l'hilliinore , M . P ., Mr . llowell , partner in Ellis and Co . ' s house in the City ; Mr . Leone Levi , whose prize essay on a commercial code is well known ; Mr . Cecil Fane , Commissioner of Bankruptcy ; Mr . Field , nn experienced solicitor ; Mr . Bancroft Duvls , secretary to tho American
Legation , ana others . 3 n the course of evidence submitted , it was stated that under certain restrictions the law of limited liability prevailed in the United States , France , Holland , and Geitiiany . Excepting . Lord Brougham and . Mr . Baker , the witnesses , rep , I avouraWy to the P of limited liability . He suould mention among such Mr . Stuart Mill , whose name stood high , and whose -works were quoted At home and abroad ; Mr . Babbage , whose name was esteemed and honoured wherever scientific
discoveries were appreciated ; and the late Mr . G . R . Porter , well known as the author of tie " Progress of the Nation . " A letter from the Bengal Chamber of Commerce to the chairman strongly advocated an alteration of the law . The report contained two recommendations of great importance to large classes—1 st , That charters of limited liability for small undertakings should be granted by the Crown , with due caution , but at a far more reasonable cost . 2 nd . That where several industrial men worked
together with a small capital , the law should provide a remedy against fraud on the part of any dishonest partner , and a summary mode of enforcing the rules agreed to for mutual government . The committee of 1851 recommended a commission on the subject . That had been issued by the present Government , consisting chiefly of eminent lawyers , with a few great merchants , but containing no statesmen nor representatives from the industrial classes . Their report had been just what might have been expected , namely , hostile to limited liability , though ia favour of charters at a cheaper rate . Our unrivalled position as a country had
arisen from natural as well as artificial causes , such as its insular situation , mineral wealth , < oal , iron , railways * . boundless trade , and . civil aad religious liberties .. In Great Britain there was annually raised 37 , 000 , 000 of tons of coal , while iu the rest of Europe the amount did not exceed 17 , OQ 0 $ « O . 0 . < Great changes in society demanded corresponding changes in the laws . In 17 SO the rural population was 2 to L compared with that of the towns . Now , the tables were exactly turned . Since 1801 there had been an increase of 15 per cent , in agricultural districts , wlule in the large cities the surplus was equal to 30 per cent . During the last half-century the . popula
tion had augmented as much as since the Norman Conquest . With all this , personal property had been greatly multiplied . Since 1815 it had increased to 50 percent , in towns , in rural districts 30 per cent ., and in 23 years had risen to 250 per cent . With such immense increase there should be additional means devised for its safe investment . What were the modes of investment ? Was it in land ? There was no end of difficulties and intricate proceedings connected with title , conveyances , and mortgages . Small farms had been conglomerated into a few } large ones . The funds liad greatly diminished , as , during
forty years' peac * , great portions every year were locked up in the hands of trustees . A separate act of Parliament Avas required for local enterprises , whether of a public or a private nature ; and persons taking a share in such undertakings were liable to the uttermost farthing they possessed . He considered that the present law favoured the great capitalist , and did not give fair play to the poor man It was a check upon all industrial investments , created feelings of dissatisfaction , embittered strikes , and widened the area between the upper and the lower classes .
According to custom a brisk discussioa arose . Mr . Elliott said he would yield to no man in his intense sympathies for tlie working class . The term , however , had been misused , and had been improperly applied solely to men with hard , horny- hands and fustian jackets . He considered Mr . Slaney's resolutions to be of a dangerous nitture , and A-ould lead to immorality . Besides , the working part of the community did not ask for an alteration in the law of partnership . Tlve great difficulty with most of them was to obtain savings for investment . He thought it dangerous for persons to go about tho country , and tell the working men that the lavs were made for the rich . The law , on the contrary , was full , fair , and open . No statute , ancient or modern , was more equitable than the present one regarding
partnerships . The whole country was full of undertakings for the safe investment of money . There was a gas company established about ten years ago in the City , 10 / . only each share , and giving 10 per cent . There was the Necropolis Company , with shares of 10 ^ . The great object to the poor man was sec urity in investing hit ) little savings . Half tho national debt was paid to persons who had not more than 20 i . per annum . Mr . tSlaney had done nothing more than state plain , bold opinions unsupported by faote , and originating only from theoretical dreamers . He should not forget that ilio limited liability system had caused much distress in tho United States , had not improved tlio condition of France , had been moat disastrous in the I ^ evant , a » u \ had destroyed all eu ~ terpriaing commerce in Italy .
Mr . Hill moved that the discussion bo adjourned till next Monday week , which was unanimously agreed to . A vote of thanks waa given to Mr . Slaney , nnd the meeting : separated .
Untitled Article
Junjs 3 , 1854 . THE LEADER . 61 g
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), June 3, 1854, page 513, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2041/page/9/
-