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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd May 1846, Edition 2 of 3, Page 1, X M ' tunecapability and thebeen introdu...

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    • FK,OM PARADISE-No. L - r
    • Smpm'al f)arlfammt-
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      Fk,Om Paradise-No. L - R

      FK , OM PARADISE-No . L - r

      Gereditajytxradsmen,Knowyeiiot, . ... «!...

      gereditajyTxradsmen , knowyeiiot , . ... «! , > would be fr © e , POK SELF M 5 ST TILL THE XAND

      2 ir Drib Faroros , —Atlength weare in pMsesaon # labour ' s first pnreliase . I say at lengtti , for so numerous , watchful , touted , powerful , and cunning are labour ' s enemies , that I much feared , HATING fAILED TO BUT ME OFF , they would by gome hocus poeus , disentitIe me off , that is—that they < fftrald throw some obstacle in the way of making out such a title as I would haveaecepted . However , it is done , but not without nearly a fortnight's delay ; no fault of ours ; and as I am always more ready to state good than evil of men , I am bound to say that nothing could be more honourable , straightforward , and :

      creditable than the conduct of the vendors , their solicitor and surveyor , from first to last . I now write from this paradise , a lovely spot &> r weather beaten , oppressed labour , to have hit upon as its first port . I'have ever held , and I believe all disinterested writers , especially democratic writers , have held , $ at pure liberty can only spring from the " possession of the soB , or such a right to cultivate it for the labourer ' s own benefit , as will make him independent of the caprice of employers . The mouthing patriots have denounced us as traitors for advising the people jo purchase what was theirs b y RIGHT DIVIDE , fey MORAL RIGHT , and CONSTITUTIONAL

      RIGHT , but those worthy philosophers appear to have forgotten that your share of those many rights are about as small as yonr share in the land . We can one and all admire the courage , the digidty , and patriotism of the noble Roman who threw his sword into the scale as the purchase of his country ' s liberty , but let ns remember that in those days there was no such thing as gunpowder , no such thing as Congreve rockets and cannon and musket , that the battle was shoulder to shoulder , club to club , and fist "to fist ; no law of conspiracy , or sedition , or constructive treason . Bui this line of argument is too comp limentary for mad men who . would say , if you cannot TAKE TOUR OWN , STARVE , OR BE

      SLAVES FOR WANT OF IT . However , here I am in TOUR HOUSE , addressing you as YOUR BA 1 LIEF , performing all the cheerful duties of TOUR STEWARD , and in that situation lam more happy than I have been since I abandoned the cultivation of the soil , for the road speculation of amending the Laws of the Land . Since 18231 have been prosecuted as a White-boy I I have been persecuted and prosecuted as an Antiiithest ; I have been persecuted as a Radical ; and persecuted and prosecuted as a Chartist . I have been plundered by process of law , and hunted by process of conventional society . I have borne more persecutions , more systematic and continuous persecution , during the whole of that long period , than any

      single one of my class has ever borne before , and for tills simple reason , that the persecution of my prededecessers has always been mitigated by the sympathy , countenance , and support of a portion of the upper and middle classes , while all have united to hunt me down . But behold , after 23 years of dangerous navigation , I have sailed through the shoals and quick sands , and have reached the looked for port in safety with my crew unscared , their confidence and ^ their hope of victory stronger than ever . When before has a gentleman , an M . P ., a barrister , a journalist , and landed proprietor derived dignity from the occupation of Bailiff to paupers , but here lam giving employment to 50 who have long been destitute , and wanting 100 nest week .

      This project of ooxs is now beginning to inspire good men with confidence , and had men with terror ; while its certainty of success does , I confess , more than repay me for the loss of friends , the law ' s persecution , and society ' s impertinence and supercilious arrogance . In Ireland we have a very . appropriate and significant term for a fool ; we call him a BOSTHOON ; and of all the Bosthoons it has been my fate to come in contact with , the editor of the Shef field 3 iDiesis , withoutexception , the very greatest . This Bosthoon has attempted to criticise our rules , and to controvert our every assertion . This Bosthoon , like Mr . Chambers , has created his monster , Mr . Smith :

      and , like Chambers , has also created pigmies for Mr . Smith to demolish most easily and most cunningly . He thinks , because RENT ONLY represents £ 6 , 000 of £ 7 , 000 , that , therefore , only £ 1 , 000 represents the original £ 6 , 000 ; and this Bosthoon argues as if every location was a positive loss to the Society ; and commencing with a purchase of £ 6 , 000 , 4 e logically—like the man that stroked the woodcock I till the poor gamekeeper was afraid it would become a wren- fritters our £ 6 , 000 down to £ 1 , 000 , making j no margin at all for £ 390 a-year rent , representing j the original £ 6 , 000 , hut Sosthcon having for- ; gotten rent confirms our profit of £ 1 , 000 upon the outlay of £ 6 , 000 ; and then proceeds to demolish that also , forgetting rent until it diminishes down to less than nothing . Bosthoon speaks of bad land and

      bad houses , and the impossibility of purchasing land for £ 18 15 s . the acre , and complains that the Direc tors have not given him a finger-post to the estate . Well , he has it this week , from B , a gentleman who has long resided in the neighbourhood ; and then Bosthoon is outrageous that the Directors mean something substantial , and that some parties , and those parties the "Directors , of coarse , " are to do this , that , and the other . Bosthoon appears to think , that all the necessary work is to be done by magic ; for he objects to any one doing anything . Bat I cannot waste time and space upon such rubbish , and shall conclude by assuring the scribbler , that if he dares to repeat his nonsense , I will publish fits article at full length . I have it in pickle for him . Bosthoon thus winds up : — .

      "We do not believe that there is a sensible mechanic in Sheffield , or elsewhere in the kingdom , who , if he carefully considers the question , will fail to see that the whele is a complete piece of nonsense . Let him be as dissatisfied with Ms condition as he may , he will see that this is net the way to mend it . The good sense of many of our mechanics is proverbial , let them discuss the matter with those -who are inclined to go into the scheme . We hare not said

      onehalf of what might be said on the subject . We hare ren-alued from using many hard words which suggested themselves , and from indulging in ridicule though the temptation is very strong . We pray those of our readers who are working men , to accept in a good spirit those remarks from one who , like themselves , lives on the wages of labour , though his labour is less of the hand than theirs , but not oa that account less wearisome , and sometimes not very profitable .

      "Sometimes not very profitable " : —the only true sentence in Ms rigmarole , and more true if he had saiu , " and NEVER VERY PROFITABLE . " . Sow , working men , hear my plain and simple answer to all the ravings of ignoramuses who know no more about the soil and its capabilities than an Irish horse knows of navigation . A labourer , who is now doomed to all the horrors of uncertainty and the caprice of capital- ^ to the whim of free trade policy—to whatever terms wealth may think proper to prescribe as the condition upon which statesmen shall hold office —to the law ' s changes and the market ' s fluctuations —purchases for himself and his family , released for ever from those galling casualties by the payment or

      £ 2 12 s . 4 d ., and health , improved station , and earthly " comfort , for £ 5 4 s . 4 d . Either sum once paid , his emancipation is secure , without the possibility of failure , and without the chance of further demand upon his resources ; and this is accomplished solely upon the same principle that Joint Stock Banks , Insurance , Railway Companies , Building Companies , Mining Companies , and Shipping Companies , make fortunes—the PRINCIPLE OF COOPERATION ; a principle that has never before been trie & for the slave class , upon the plan ol individual possession and co-operation of means , and free from any descri ption of religious bias or sectarian interference .

      1 will now describe the condition of an occupant who has paid £ 212 s . 4 d . for a two-acre allotment for which he receives a good well-built convenient cottage , two acres of land , and £ 15 capital to commence operations ^ for about £ 6 a year , the additional ^ l a year being at the rate of £ 5 per cent , upon the additional £ 20 paid upon making his cottage more comfortable . The man who pays £ 3 ISs . 6 d ., receives three acres of land , a four-roomed cottage and £ 2210 s . capital , and pays in the same proportion . The man who pays £ 5 4 s . 4 d „ receives four acres of land , a five-roomed cottage , and £ 30 capital at a rent of about £ 11 10 s . per year , less than double what the two-acre occupant pays , because the increased amount expended npon his cottage will not be so large . And now to deal with a two-acre tenant ' s

      Gereditajytxradsmen,Knowyeiiot, . ... «!...

      , , opportunities . From middle of June , hay-time , till the latter end of Au . gust , harvest-time , the usual wages paid to men is £ 1 eek , which for ten weeks makes £ 10 . There are many factories , not cotton-mills , in the neighbourhood , besides there is constant DOMESTIC EMPLOTMENT for women and children in plaiting straw , for which there is always a demand , and for which the neighbourhood has always been celebrated . A girl of fourteen years of age at this work will plait ten yards a day , for which she will receivejls ., or 6 s . a week—say that each family has a mother , and daughter who can'help her , and that between them they do far amusement in leisure time as much as one person in constant employment

      would do in aday , that is , that both will earn 33 . a week , or do half as much between them as one can do with ease , that is £ , ! lfe . a year , for the work goes on all the year ; put the £ 10 earned by the man in harvest-time to the £ 1 16 s . earned by the wife and daughter , it makes £ 17 16 s . from which deduct £ 6 for rent , it leaves £ 1116 a . a year and the whole produce of two acres to be devoured . Deduct the rent of four acres , £ 11 10 s ., and it leaves £ 6 6 s ., and the produce of FOUR ACRES TO BE DEVOURED . Now , February , March , April , and May , and to the middle of June , are the months the small farms would require most labour , and from that period to the end of August , is the very period that they wonld require least labour .

      Ton must always bear the fact fresh in memory , that such arguments as these are merely intended as an answer to FOOLS , who cannot see the means by which the rent is to be paid . "While for myself I contend , and always have done , that , inviting as a pound a week would be for ten weeks in the year . any man would find himself more profitably employed at home ; and if we even take the £ 7 16 s . earned by the amusement of a mother and her daughter , we see the means of paying rent and eating all the stuff .

      MASTER BUILDERS ARE SUCH CHEATS that we , the Directors , . have resolved upon building all the Cottages ourselves . This will insure the best materials , and will save the masters' profits for the shareholders , so that by next week I shall be labour ' s bailiff over 200 labourers . Surely this will be a satisfactory answer to all correspondents for the present , and will plead my excuse with the men of Kensington and Westminster , for my absence on Monday and Tuesday nights . I save the fund £ 5 a day , and more ; and I will save it £ 20 a day when the building commences . To-morrow ( Friday ) I am going to contract for two draw Wells , in convenient

      parts of the Estate ; and to lay eut the roads , and -then to commence the Buildings . And now in conclusion , my friends , hear what I have to say . My mind , my soul , is set npon this project ;—I have sworn in my wrath THAT IT SHALL SUCCEED . And now that your masters are likely to secure the experiment of Free ' VTrade for themselves , you have no possible hope of escape but the FREE LABOUR agricultural market . Mind that I have always told ! you , that labour would be the greatest sufferer , and the first sufferer from free trade ; and that npon yourselves rests the responsibility of mitigating the

      evil . Again , remember , that for twenty-three years I have been foremost in every one of labour ' s struggles , under whatever name they were fought . And above all , and before all , bear the fact proudly in your recollection , that I have never had a meal at your expence , that I have never travelled a mile at your expence , or received one fraction for any poor service I have rendered you . THE LAND PLAN SHALL SUCCEED . No earthly power can prevent it . Read every werd of D'Israeli ' s noble speech and see your future prospects , if you do not improve the present opportunity , of being freemen instead of slaves !

      I am , my dear friends , Tour friend and bailiff , Fbabods O'Connor

      V —¦^^ ,- J . V > * S >~*^J^ ¦' .. -¦ ¦ ...

      v —¦^^ ,- J . v > * s >~*^ J ^ ¦' .. - ¦ ¦ '¦ - " ¦ ' - ¦ ' AND MTIQNAL TIAPE ^ JQ UENAL .

      X M ' Tunecapability And Thebeen Introdu...

      X M ' tunecapability and the j VOL . . NO . 445- LONDON , SATUBMY , AY 3 ^ 1846 . f . ^ . j ^***^^ ,, \ . ¦ .... ,. .. ¦ ¦ ,., ¦ . . . ' ... ' . . .. , '¦¦ - * falTiA . f * 9 Tial \ ilitw m ** J - _ -. „_ t .. — : i : __ t ? xi _ . fi t 1 i I i ' » l

      Chartist Co-Operative Land Association. ...

      CHARTIST CO-OPERATIVE LAND ASSOCIATION . KOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS . The Directors are now in treaty for an estate of between 200 and 300 acres of land , of prune quality and most delightfully situated , and will proceed on the first Monday in July to ballot for from SO to 100 occupants . The Directors would have been in a position to have taken the ballot during Whitsunweek as originally intended , but for the unexpected delay in making out the title to the first Estate . No notice can be given of actual locality of purchases about to be made until the purchase is completed , as such course would inevitably lead to injurious competition . Fearcbs 0 'Cos . von , Pump M'Grath , Christopher Doyle , Thomas Clare , Thomas Martin Wheeler , Secretary .

      I The Executive Committee To The ' Membe...

      I THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO THE ' MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Friends , —We are led to address you on the present occasion in consequence of an attempt which has been recently made to induce the Chartists of Manchester , Sheffield , Barasley , and other towns in the north , to join in a movement for the Ten Hours ' Factory Bill , Efficient Poor Law , Reduction of the National Debt , & c ., all of which measures are good in themselves , but which we have strong reasons to believe are urged at this particular time , net with any hope of success , but with a design thereby to defeat the Corn and other measures of ministers which are now pending in Parliament , and it is because we are not prepared to allow ourselves to be made use of for such a purpose that we feel it to be our duty to warn you against sanctioning a course which wonld terminate in our discomfiture and

      disgrace . Public opinion , no matter how created , has doomed Hie old system , and to contend for its continuance would be to render ourselves contemptible and odious without the slightest advantage to any of the great interests involved in the foregoing questions . We must not shew ourselves impervious to reason and experience . We entertain the same opinions of the results of Free Trade now as we have always done , hut we think at the same time that it would betray a great want of judgment on our part to get up an agitation against the Government measure , being fully satisfied beforehand that the state of public feeling is such that our efforts would . be futile , and our intentions liable to be very seriously questioned . And as nothing but an actual experiment will satisfy the public mind that great benefits will result from the changes proposed by ministers , we would rather

      hasten than retard them , feeling conscious that all our predictions will be fully realized , and that disappointment and disgust will be the consequences of a policy which aims at cheapening labour as a means of maintaining the commercial supremacy of the country and the elevation of a class who , from their wealth and power , consider themselves entitled to wield the destinies of the empire . Any opposition which we are now capable of offering would not have the effect of preventing the measure from becoming law , and even if it would , where would be the advantage of such conduct ? The present system might be maintained a little longer , but surely no Chartist is so deeply enamoured of things as fhey are , as to wish for their continuance , and yet such would be the effect of our opposition , even if it were successful . We are aware that a demand for an

      EFFICIENT POOR LAW does not imply an approval of the present horrible and barbarous state of societ y , but it cannot be denied that a movement for such a nieasureiiwt now is meant by its Originators as a mere ruse to attract popular attention , with the hope of entrapping the democracy to the support of adecayingand tottering aristocracy . Property oughtto betaxed , and taxed heavily , for the support of the unemployed poor , but where is the party in the House of Commons at the present time that would support aproposition to that effect ? The abominations of the present Poor Law wasmade a hustings cry , a dap trap , at the last general election ff . f party to whom we arenow called upont . look with confidence for aid in establishing an efficient . PoorLaw founded on the 43 rd of Elizabeth . " But what has been their conduct during the present Parliament ? Have they Aown themselves friendly to the principle of the 43 rd Elizabeth . " Has a bifi

      I The Executive Committee To The ' Membe...

      been introduced for the repeal of the present law , and the establishment of a better ? Or have they shewn any disposition whatever to carry out in practice / what they so glibly propounded in theory ? We say they have not ! and therefore to expect their support now would be a delusion , and lending ourselves to a party who would use us for their own purpose and afterwards prosecute us as a reward for our confidence and credulity . Such has ever been the return which Unpeople have received for assistance rendered totheir " friends" when such "friends " have been incapable of serving themselves . :-l __ J .. aaJ 1 am 4 t ,- — . ^^^ i _/» .- ' . -

      THE " TEN HOURS BILL . " Is another of those great public questions in favour of which yon are called upon to petition Parliament , and were it not meant more for obstruction to other measures than as ameans of forwarding the question itself , we could cordially join in the request that petitions from all parts of the countrv should be immediately poured into Parliament in favour of Mr . rUeldens bill , which has been so strenuously opposed by Sir James Graham on the part of Government . Treachery and imbecility have unfortunately beset this question on all hands and at every stage . During the session of 1 S 44 , it was decided by two divisions in the House of Commons that ten hours per day was long enough for young persons and women to labour in factories , but on the Government expressing a determination to resign , if the measure was allowed to pass through its third reading , the parties who now wish to make it a stalking

      horse , were base enough then to undo what they had so justly sanctioned , and in order to retain the services of the ' * Renegade Premier , " voted themselves knaves , and doomed the women and children of the manufacturing districts to continued torture and life destroying toil . We appeal to you , therefore , if under these circumstances , it would be wisdom to place any reliance upon the promises of those who , when they had the power lacked the courage or principle to serve the people , but who , when labouring under adversity , would fain court the aid of those whom they h . ve betrayed and deceived . We have only one course open to us , and that is to act upon the decision of the Convention held at Manchester in December last , viz : To remain as a separate and distinct body not assisting any other political party who will not consent to make the principles of the " People ' s Charter" the basis of their action . Such was the

      resolution of the Convention , and we cannot see any thins to justify a departure from the line of policy laid down by that body . We hav » , with your sanction and concurrence , postponed the annual Convention until circumstances transpire which are expected to afford us an opportunity of advocating our views and principles on the hustings . In the face of our oppressors , in the meantime , you must prepare for the struggle . The Convention cannot meet without preparations being made to defray the expences , which we propose shall be borne from a General Fosd for that , purpose , and to which all are expected to subscribe . We have to request the Councils of

      the following localities to take steps for the election of delegates , viz—Manchester , Stockport , Oldham , Preston , Bolton , Burnley , Todmorden , Rochdale , Macclesfield , Hanley , Leeds , Northampton , Birmingham , Bradford , Halifax , Huddersfield , Nottingham , Leicester , Sheffield , Derby , Oxford , Reading , Bristol , Norwich , Bath , Cheltenham , Sudbury , Brighton , Plymouth , Coventry , Carlise , Sunderland , Newcastle-upon-Tyne , London and suburbs , Tunbridge Wells , Aberdeen , Edinburgh , Dundee , Glasgow , Southampton and the Isle of Wight . , The surrounding districts are of course included in these places , and are called upon to forward with the least possible delay their quota to the fund .

      Christopher Dotle , Thomas Clark , Phiup M'Grath , Feargus O'Connor . Thomas M . Wheeler . Secretary

      To The Chartists Of Great Britain. Breth...

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Brethren , We , the Chartists of Manchester in meeting assembled , consider it to be our duty to address a few words to you upon the resolutions passed at the city of London locality , and our opinions on the same . There is no body of Chartists in the kingdom who have a more decided dislike to bickerings then the Manchester men ; at the same time , whilst they would by all honourable means endeavour to conciliate parties who may have differences amongst them , and create a feeling of brotherly love and affection in the ranks of democracy , yet they cannot allow Mr . O'Connor and the Executive to be blamed for that which they themselves , in connection with a majority of the Chartists of the country , have agreed

      The resolutions in question were laid before a full meeting of the members of this locality on Sunday last , and , after some calm conversation , they came to the following conclusions : —That Mr . O'Connor had a perfect right as a Chartist to recommend a Conference in London , and that we at the time concurred in putting off the annual convention to be held at Leeds , inasmuch as it would save expense ; nor was it the opinion of Manchester alone , as the returns from the country fully proved . And so far from thinking with the men of London " that an extraordinary Convention to oppose political parties at elections would be useless , " we are of opinion that such a Convention wouid be of the greatest service to the cause , should circumstances takcplace which may render such a step necessary ; and the good that would be done by such convention would much more than counterbalance any possible inconvenience that can possibly arise from putting off the usual Convention for a few weeks .

      We likewise must dissent from the language of the third resolution passed by our London friends , in which they say— " We do not advise , but demand the assembling of the annual Convention at Leeds on some day in the week following the appearance of the Star of the 16 th instant . " We must protest against such democracy as this , andenforce the principle of the majority ruling the minority . The Executive appealed to the country , and the response was , that the people preferred putting off the annual convention to see if it would be necessary to call one in London ; therefore the demand of the men in London is one which neither Mr . O'Connor , nor the Executive , nor the men of London , can carry out without the consent of the people being first given .

      Our object is not to differ with the men of London , or cause any bickering ; but to express our honest opinion . We have done so , and we trust that this matter will be as amicablv arranged as the case of the Somers Town Chartists was , for it was gratifying to us to see good feeling again restored in that locality . On behalf of the Manchester Chartists , Thomas Rankin , Chairman .

      Smpm'al F)Arlfammt-

      Smpm ' al f ) arlfammt-

      House Of Lords-Fbidat, Max 15-On The Mot...

      HOUSE OF LORDS-Fbidat , Max 15-On the motion to go into Committee on the Religious Opinions' Bill , The Bishop of Exeter moved as an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months . The Bishop of St . Davids heartily . " supported the Bill , declaring that he approved of every clause in it , though he thought it ought to have gone further . The Bishop of Oxfohd , and Lords Brougham , Campbell , and Stanley , having addressed the house the amendment was rejected without a division , and the house went into committee . The unopposed clauses were agreed to , and those objected to were postponed for the purpose of being amended and having the amendments printed . Some Bills on thcir Lordships table were advanced a stage , and the house adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Fridat , May 15 .

      CORN IMPORTATION BILL—ADJOURNED DEBATE . The adjourned debate on the third reading of the Corn Importation Bill and the Marquis of Granby ' s amendment thereto , was resumed by Mr . Colquhoun , who opposed the Bill in an able speech . He was followed by Mr . C . Wood on the other side . Mr . P . Rennet , Mr . Hudson , the Marquis of Worcester , and Air . Lawson , gave their decided opposition to the Free-trade measure of the government . Mr . Montague Gore and Mr . Vernon Smith spoke in favour of the Ministerial measure .

      Mr . D'IsRAELi delivered one of his telling invectives against the Premier , which are so heartily enjoyed by all the Anti-Peelites . The right hon . baronet was accused of entirely changing , but of that he ( Mr . D ' Israeli ) acquitted him , because from the days of Horner to those of Cobden , the right hon . baronet had traded in the ideas and intelligence of others . His life had been one great appropriation clause . He was the burglar of others * intellects , a committer of petty larcenies on others' brains . The right honourable baronet told the house he did not feel humiliated ; but humiliation depended on the organisation of the animal ; and though ^ he might not fool humiliation ibr himself , the country ought to feel it for him , The great comprehen-

      House Of Lords-Fbidat, Max 15-On The Mot...

      sive plan of Ins was not his at all . It was the plan of Popkins , and was the country to be convulsed for Popkins * plan ? Away with this political pedlar , who had bought his party in-the cheapest and sold it in the dearest market , Mr . D'Israeli's speech was enthusiastically applauded by the Protectionists . Lord John Russell supported the Ministerial measure . Sir R . Peel considered he would insult the house and the country should he condescend to bandy personalities when this great question was under discussion . He had foreseen the serious responsibilities his course on this question would subject him to—that it would interrupt political friendships and party ties ; but the smallest annoyance he had anticipated as its true result was the continued venomous . - ___ _ p I •_ _ _ - ____•_ __ . _ n n « *

      attacks of the hon . member for Shrewsbury . All he should say was , that if the hon . member believed in 1841 that he ( Sir R . Peel ) had been guilty of those petty larcenies spoken of , it was strange the hen . member should have consented to unite his fortunes in office with one whose conduct he thought so con * temptible . Mr . D ' Israeli completely denied the insinuation cast by the Premier that he had solicited office . The hon . member pledged his honour that he had never applied to the government for any appointment ; although such rumours had been propagated by persons about the Minister . Sir R / Pbbl insisted that Mr . D'Israeli had intimated to him in 18 * 1 that he was willing to " co-operate in office with the Government .

      Lord G . Bbntinck opposed the BUI , which Mr . Villiers supported . The House then divided : — For the reading 327 Against 229 Majority 98 The Bill was then read a third time , and passed , and the house adjourned at a quarter-past four .

      HOUSE OF LORDS , Monday , May 18 . The House met at five o ' clock . A Message from the House of Commons brought up the Bill "to amend the laws ' relative to the importation of Corn , " and several private Bills .

      CORN LAWS . ;;**'' The Duke of Wellington moved that the Corn Law Repeal Bill be now read a first time . ( Hear , The Duke of Richmond immediately rose and said , he could not allow even the first reading to pass without entering his protest against it . It was not his intention , on that occasion , to state the many reasons he had against the Bill . He reserved that for another and more proper period , but in the mean time he had strongly to object to the conduct of Sir Robert Peel , in bringing forward such a measure . The noble Duke then delivered a severe invective against Sir Robert Peel for his inconsistency and

      cowardice in truckling to the Anti-Corn-Law League . To show that the Protection party had no factious view in their opposition to this Bill , he consented to allow the first reading , and to debate the second reading on Monday next , when , confident in the justice of their cause they would only demand a fair field and no favour . , lie concluded his remarks by declaring , that the Premier must have lost his head by cowardly political fear ere he had so debased himself before an interested conspiracy out of doors . The Earl of Ripon said , he knew the reproaches that might be cast on him and his colleagues for undertaking the awful responsibility of introducing this Bill , but he was prepared to meet them .

      • CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL . The Lord Chancellor moved the second reading of the Charitable Trusts' Bill . He related its history , and acknowledged that he felt compelled to give way to the opposition that was raised against some of its clauses , he said that if their Lordships were of opinion that a number of exemptions should take place , he was prepared to accede to it , and would include the names of those trusts that they wished to be so exempted in the schedule he would attach to the Bill . He proposed to exempt all the Universities and schools that had royal endowments , all the great

      hospitals that were supported by voluntary contributions , and many others that it was not necessary for him then to enumerate . Their Lordships could in committee , take from , or add to , the number . Lord Cottenitam moved as an amendment that the Bill be read . a second time that day six months , lie hoped their Lordships would not fall into the snare of nut objecting to a bad measure , by the promise of having amendments introduced in committee , which were only offered by the Noble and Learned Lord , because he despaired of getting the measure through either House , without giving up nine-tenths of the entire provisions of the Bill .

      Lord Brouoham supported the Bill with extraordinary vehemence , and , professing himself for the once a Whig , asserted his right of charging with inconsistency all the other Whigs in the house who should vote against the Bill . He declared , that , in his opinion , nothing but a desire to give annoyance to the government could have united Whigs with the Protection party in voting against this measure . The Earl of Eldon denied that any such unworthy motive actuated him . He had not determined , when he came down to the house , positively to oppose the Bill ; but the explanations given by the Lord Chancellor were so unsatisfactory , that he should vote against the second reading . Lord Campbell ridiculed the idea of Lord Brougham and Yaux setting himself up as a solitary monument of consistent Whiggery in their Lordships ' house , and appealing from old Whiggery to himself . Lord Campbell contended that the simple remedy for the abuses of charitable trusts would be to reform the

      Court of Chancery . The Bishop of Salisbury supported the second reading , without pledging himself to any of the details . Lord Abinoek and . Lord Wbottesley spoke in favour of the Bill . Their Lordships divided , when there were—Contents for the second reading 40 Tven-eontents 41 Majority against the government — 1 . ' Their Lordships adjourned at a quarter past twelve o ' clock . HOUSE OF COMMONS , Monda y , May 18 . The House met at four o clock . Mr . O'Connell presented 147 petitions numerously signed , from various places in Ireland , praying for the release of Mr . W . Smith O'Brien from the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms .

      A great number of petitions in favour of the Ten Hours' Bill were presented by Messrs . Buncombe and Fcrrand .

      SMALL DEBTS ACT . Mr . R . V . SMiininquired whether the government intended to introduce a general small debts bill , as he understood they had stopped all the local bills that were belbi e the house . Sir J . Graham replied , that he had certainly notified to the parties promoting local bills for the establishment of small debt courts , that they should suspend them till opportunity was afforded to the government of introducing a general measure . The President of the Council was about to introduce into the other house a bill , which would be the complement of the measure adopted last session , carrying it into general execution without further legislative interposition . 'The bill would enable the Queen in Council to establish Courts throughout England and Wales for the trial of causes for the recovery of debts under £ 20 before a qualified judge , to regulate the procedure universally , and to establish a code of fees .

      ADMINISTRATION OF THE POOR LAWS . In answer to some questions by Mr . Christie , as to several cases of oppression by magistrates and Boards of Guardians , to which public attention has recently been directed , Sir J . Graham answered , that with regard to one of those cases , occurring at Loughborough , he stated to the house on the former occasion that the warrant of conviction was illegal , and that he . had conveyed to the magistrates a strong opinion on the subject of their conduct in that instance as being harsh and reprehensible . In reference to the conviction of the female servant , stated to be a servant in husbandry ,

      he had asked for various explanations , and was bound to-8 tate that the explanations given were not satisfactory ; ho had thought it advisable on the whole , to send down a commission to inquire into the proceedings ; and that inquiry was about to be instituted . With reference to the third case , at Burrowon-Soar , he ( Sir J . Graham ) had no right to interfere , but he had intimated to the Poor Law Commisioners that it was desirable there should bo an inquiry into the mode in which the workhouse officers had exercised their discretion ; and after what had been said , he would make it his duty to ascertain in what mode the inquiry was being conducted .

      INFORMERS UNDER THE GAME LAWS . A long conversation on this topic arose , originating in a poor woman having been entrapped into the purchase of a hare and pheasant belonging to Sir C . Taylor , belbre | whomshe was dragged , andsentenced ly him to hard labour and imprisonment . Sir J . Graham redo off upon some verbal mistakes . Several members , among whom was the liberal Mr . Liadeh .

      House Of Lords-Fbidat, Max 15-On The Mot...

      gave Sir C . Taylor an excellent character , as one of the mildest , meekest , kindest hearted old gentleman of 70 years of age , to be found in the country , and the subject dropped . BROAD A » D NARROW GAUGE . Sir R . Peel in answer to some enquiries as to when the report on this subject would be presented , informed the House that the report of the commission was at present before the Board of Trade , aiwtas soon as that board had digested and prepared a report thereon , it should be laid on the table . o ?„ r * m n - « . . * . - _ __

      EDUCATION IN IRELAND . In reply to Mr . Wyse , Sir Jambs Graham stated the Government intended forthwith to establish at least thirty district schools in connection with the National Board of Education in Ireland . . BREACH OF PRIVILEGE . Mr . G . Bankeb complained of a commentary upon a speech of of his colleague Mr . Floyer , by the Hon . and Rev . Sidney G . Osborne , and which appeared in the Times as a breach of privilege ; he did not wish this " popularity hunting parson " as Sir J . Graham had called him last season , to be brought up to the bar of the House , but hoped this not ! no Would induce his Bishop to give a hint to keep quiet in future . Another long " palaver " ensued on this subject , and the order of the day was then read for bringing up tho report on . . -

      CUSTOMS' DUTIES BILL . Mr . Dunoombb presented a petition from about 300 jewellers of Middlesex , representing that a trade had sprung up in French and other foreige watchesj'te the detriment of native manufacture—( Hear , hear ) —and paying for an alteration of the duty on the importation of such foreign watches . The report having been brought up and read a first time pro forma—on the question that it be read a second time . Lord G . Bbntinck opposed the motion , first , on the ground that the best mode of levying taxes for revenue was by duties on Customs rather than by duties on Excise ; and secondly , on the ground that we ought not to remit £ 2 , 400 , 000 of Customs' duties until we had satisfied ourselves that we could not remit any of the duties of Excise , which pressed so heavily on the people of England . His third ground

      of opposition was that , if we were determined to reduce Customs' duties in preference to Excise duties , we ought to apply ourselves—and his complaint was that we had not applied ourselves—to the reduction of duties on articles the produce of those countries , which dealt most leniently with our commodities . His ourth ground was that , when you reduced a Customs' duty , the producer abroad shared the benefit of the reduction with the consumer at home , whereas , whenyou reduced an ) Excise duty , be it on hops , soap , or corn , the entire reduction went into the pockets of the subjects , of Great Britain . The noble lord then poceeded to object , in detail , to the reductions which it was now proposed to make in the duties on silk and timber , and to point out the injury which , in both cases , would be inflicted on our native industry . Re concluded by moving that the report be taken into further consideration that day six months . Mr . Lawson seconded the amendment .

      The Chancellor of the Exchequer maintained that the system of dividing the revenue between tho Customs and Excise was the best possible , and that the reductions which had been made were made upon the wisest and safest principle . He said the noble Lord's plan would lead to a perpetual war of . tariffs , and that the plan proposed by the Government would lead to an universal adoption of the principles of Free Trade . Mr . Bankes , Mr . Borthwick , Mr . Plumptrb , Colonel Sibthorp , Mr . Henley , and Mr . Hudson , spoke in favour of the amendment . The original motion was supported by Mr . Hawis and Dr . Bowring . Lord G . Bentinck then , by leave of the house , withdrew his amendment . The report was then received , and the bill was ordered to be engrossed and to be read a third time on Tuesday .

      The Annuity Bills of Lord Viscount Hardinge and Lord Gough were then committed . The other orders of the day were then disposed of , and the house adjourned . HOUSE OF LORDS . —Tuesday , May 19 . The house met at Five o clock . Lord Campbell . —In the exercise of that undoubted privilege which belongs to yeur Lordshipsthe Lord Chancellor not being present , and it now being nearly a quarter past five o ' clock—I move that a Speaker be elected ; and I am sure that we cannot make a better choice than my Noble and Learned Friend , Lord Brougham . ( "Hear , hear , " and a laugh . )

      Lord Brou gh am . —We have an undoubted right to exercise that privilege , and it may be necessary from time to time to exercise it . Lord Shaftesbury would have been here , but he is most importantly occupied on a private Bill . Here the Lord Chancellor entered the House , and took his seat on the Woolsack .

      EDUCATION IN WALES . The Bishop of St . David ' s presented a petition praying that some means might be devised to promote education amongst the poor in Wales , and especially to teach them the English language . The Rig ht Rev . Prelate urged the subject of education on the Government , and recommended that pecuniary assistance should be afforded to some districts . The Duke of Buccleucii said that the subject had not escaped the attention of the Government , nor the attention of the Committoe of Council of Education .

      CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL . Tho Duke of Buccleucii . moved the first reading of the Customs Duties Bill , which had just come up from the Commons . ... The Di'ke of Richmond instantly rose and said , he felt it impossible to permit the first reading to pass without entering his protest against it , and declaring that in his opinion it was an insult added to injury . Their Lordships were called upon to consider the Corn Bill which abolished agricultural protection altogether , and this Customs Bill , which maintained protection to manufacture , while those Bills which were called measures of compensation to the agricultural interests were not befsre the House . He objected to Free Trade altogether , but if they were to have it at all , let it he fair to every party . Now the ministerial measure maintained protection to manufactures while they abolished it entirely in the case of agriculture .

      Lord Monteaole maintained that a customs duty mig ht be levied on foreign manufactures for the sake of revenue , while foreign corn might be admitted doty free , without any violation of the principle of Free Trade . Lord Beaumont said , Lor < l Montcagle might put what construction he pleased on the term breoTrade , but tho country would only understand it in the sense the Anti-Corn Law League applied it to com-that is , a total absence of duty . , „ ,, . _ _ .. Lord Brougham contended that tho Corn Duties were io be repealed solely because they were a bad

      tax . . .,,,., , Earl Grey denounced protection of all kinds , and said ho should accept this measure only as an instalment . He asserted with the greatest confidence , that the manufacturers were ready and willing to abide bj a perfectly . Free Trade policy , and to give the same to all our colonies . Lord Ashdurton complimented Lord Grey as bebig the solitary Free Trader who purely and manfally avowed his Free Trade principles . As to the definition gives , by Lord Monteagle , Lord Ashburton said he considered ik a mere tricky , shuffling one , noa very intelligible or distinct . The question was Protection or no Protection to all or none . And if no Protection , then of what use would our colonies be ? As to the Tariff being any compensation to the farmer , it was no more a compensation to him than to the crew of a foundering ship to be told that their neighbours in another ship , which had struck against a rock , were going down also . Some further discussion followed , and the tall was then read a first time .

      The Duke of Wellington then proposed that the Bill should be ordered for a second reading on Friday , the 29 th inst . , „ r ± . Lord Stanmjy suggested that the second reading allOUld be fixed pro forma for Thursday the 28 th , with the understanding that it should then be postponed to a later day , so as to come on after the discussion on the second reading of the Corn Bill . The Duke of Richmond said , that he was prepared to agree to any suggestion that his noble friend ( Lord Stanley ) would make , as he looked upon him as the leader and mainstay of the Protection party . The second reading of the Bill was fixed accordingly . Their Lordships adjourned to Friday .

      HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday , May 19 The Speaker took the chair at tho usual hour .

      CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL . Sir R . Pbel moved the third reading of tho Custom Duties Bill . Mr . Stapbord O'Briem took tho opportunity of asking the Government if they had framed any ma .

      House Of Lords-Fbidat, Max 15-On The Mot...

      chiriery for the obtaining o ! correct agricuituralsta * tistics . The hon . member said , that the Protectiea party had laboured under great disadvantage in the late discussion in consequence of not having correct Jtotistical information to refer to . He suggested that the Highway Commission might be made avail * able for the purpose . - > sir G . ^ Clerk replied that the government had , i ? , ma ? ng experiments by means of parochial scnooimastersin Scotland and Ireland , and by means of poor law officers in England , and the result should in ashort time be made known . The Bill was then read a third time , and passed .

      QUARANTINE . Dr . Bowring moved that an humble address off presented to her Majesty , that she will be graciously pleaaedto direct such correspondence or exttacts on the subject of the quarantine laws as has taken placet with foreign governments since the last returns to > Parliament , to be laid on the table of this house ; and that this house will see with pleasure such relaxations in the existing system as may be compati ' bio with a due regard to the public health , and the general interests of the nation . The hoa . and learned gentleman said , that in the case of the Eclair , much human life had been sacrificed in consequence of ttiff laws of quarantine . Those laws were now held bw

      the highest authorities no longer to be necessary m Western Europe . In the east , where there were no * sewers , no ventilation , and vast masses of peopkr living in the grossest habits of filthiness , the plague still raged , bit it was almost conclusively proved nofc to be contagious . It was , in its worst character , an epidemic disease , propagated by atmospheric influences , and not by contagion . Such was the result of the recent French eommission appointed upon the subject . These quarantine laws taxed the commerce of the world to the amount , at least , of one or two millions per annum . And the amount of human suffering and annoyance they caused was much greater .

      Sir G . Clerk had no objection to the production of the papers on the subject which had engaged the attention not only of this bfefc of other countries . Ine doctrine of contagion was losing ground , . but ifc was desirable , of course , not to excite unnecessary alarm in other countries , though it was desirable to relieve commerce of these regulations as soon as posi * i '¦ ' - r ' hear - ) Experiments had been tried at Alexandria , whence it appeared that the garments of those who had died of the plague while it was at its greatest height , were , after having been exposed to a heat of about 100 degrees , worn voluntarily by nearly eighty persons , not one of whom had suffered in consequence . It was to be hoped that the prejudices prevailing on the subject wonld , ere long , ba removed . ( Hear . ) Mr . Humb , Mr . Mackinnon , and Sir R . Inglm having severally made some remarks on the subject . The motion was then agreed to .

      , BRIDPORT ELECTION . Mr . Bankbsmoved , "That William Rockett have leave to state his case at the bar with reference to the Bridport election . " Mr . Bankes stated that ths committee which tried the Bridport return had g iven an adjudication , not on tho matter contained in the petition against the return , bat on a matter quite extraneous . There was no allegation in the petition against Mr . Cochrane ' s return that one vote had been placed upon one poll instead of the other , and therefore the committee had nc- authority or right ! to decide on that point . Besides , Mr . Rockett , whose vote was transferred by the committee , stated that he had voted for Mr . Cochrane , and never had the idea of voting for Mr . RoroiEy .

      The Atiobnet-Genkral objected to the motion , though he was willing that am in « fcuiry , should be had into the matter contained in Mr . Rockett ' s petition . Mr . Christie moved , as an amendment to Mr . Bankes' motion , "That the petition of William Rockett be referred to a select committee , which shall be appointed to inquire into- all the circumstances under which Joseph Welch gave evidence before the select committee on the Bridport election petition that William Rockett voted for Mr . Romilly ; and whether any compromise or arrangement was entered into by the parties to- the petition , their counsel , or agents , to prevent the disclosure of bribery

      or treating ; and also , whethev and to what extent bribery and treating were practised at the last election for the borough of Bridport . " " The Attornet-General consented to the first ; part of this amendment , but objected to an inquiry by the committee with the questions for compromise or bribery . A dwbate ensued which occupied the whole of the night , upon this motion and amendment , and in which Mr . Gisborne , Sir R . Inglis , Mr . * Waklet , Mr . Homillt , Mr . Agliosbt ,. Mr . C . Woon , Mr . T . Duncombb , Mr . Henlbt , and other Honourable Members took part

      Mr . Ba . nkhs withdrew his motion ; and Mr . CnnisriK ' s amendment then stood as a substantive motion . The Attorney-General moved the omission of all the words after the word "Romilly ** The House divided—For Mr . Christie ' s motion 47 Against it ... _„ ,... - ^ . ^ .. „„ . i ? The numbers being thus even , the Speaker gave his casting vote in favour of the Government , and against the motion ; there was consequently a majority of one in favour of Ministers . # Several hon . Members , thinking the question decided , left the House , and other business was commenced , when Mr .. Law arose and . said , that though the original motion had been put and lest , the amendment had r . ot been put from the chair . The Speaker acknowledged , that such was the case and put theamendinent .

      Mr . Dumb thereupon moved the adjourament of the debate to 'Shureday , on the ground that many hon . Members had left the house under the erroneous impression that the question liadi been altogether disposed-of . The Government made no objection , and the debate was adjourned to Thursday .. The Railway Companies Dissolution Bill passed through committee . The other orders of the day were disposed of , and the House adjourned at twelve o ' clock . HOUSE OF COMMONS . — Wednesday , Mat 20 . The Speaker took the Chair at twelve o ' clock . . THE LACE FACTORY B . 1 L . L . On the question that the order ot ths day for the second reading of this bill be read , Mr . T . Duncombb presented a petition from Nottingham , signed by'l / iStoperativcsin thelace manufactiarc , in favour oi' the bill .

      Lord J . Massbus presented a petition to tho snnio effect Jrom 4 " 9 master , lace manufacturers in Nottingham and Derby , Mr . Buncombe then said , that in asking the House to give its conseniUo a second wading of the Lace Factories' Bill , he could assuse-thein that he was not insensible to the difficulties of the task he had undertaken ; but having convineadi himself that it was . imperatively necessary , if they , were to regard themoral and social comfort of that class of persons who . were employed in that trade , that something shonkl be done for them , he . entcvediiipon the task with less , diitkience thasthe wouklotlienvisohavefelt . In ask-, ing the house to permit the bill to lie read a second :

      time , he would take lea-A ) to subniis that the question did not stani . in the same position as what was ealW ed" the factors question , "" inasmuch as there hadnot as yet been any legislative iaJerlerence at all in the manufacture of . ! aee . The- question was not Whether liherc should be a-certaiji . number of houra lor labour ornot , but whither , there-should be interference or non-interference . The various objections that might he offered to . the details of the bill couldi very easily he altered iaoommittuo-if the House would consent " td . the second reading ofithe bill . All ihose factories , I lint were driven bysteamorwatcr-pflwer , were kept in full worit from 1 £ o : cloek on Susday mshfc till Itf o ' clock oa . Saturday night , without any . recess .. In cotton factories there- was a nrohifciton against

      th & employment of children under nine-years ot aj-e * as , well as a . restriction up « i the number of hours , thftt children of a more advanced Age should beemployed , and- what then , he asked , would ihe > House think , whea they were told that in lace factories children from , six to eight years , of age were employed ; and kept at labour all night .. It mighfc be said that their labour was not great ; but many of thesa . never saw their beds at all—they were jbliged to . lie down on the floor of their work-rooms and sleep as they could—and those who lived in the immediate aeigkbourhood of the factories , and were allowed to . go home to their beds , were raised up every two . or three hours to wind up thoir bobbin machines . It could not therefore be supposed that

      children could be properly brought up , who were employed in such a manner . He would also call the attention of the House to tho immoral influence that was exercised of many of these children , wbo > were induced by the adults who wrought in the factories with them , to go out at three or four o ' clock in the sumner mornings , when not engaged in winding up their machines , and plunder all the gardens , in thoir neighbourhood . Such a state of things should not be allowed to continue without some cheek : being put upon it . Conflicting opinions had been g iven by several inspectors of factories as to the restriction of labour in lace mills ; but Mr . Saunders and Mr . Bury had both declared that it would be most desirable that some interference should take

      place . Objections had been got up to the Bill by the proprietors of factories , whose machines were driven by power , on the ground that it would le unfair to put restrictions upon them unless they were also put upon hand-looms as well , lie admitted that there was some justice in the objection , and that restrictions should bo put upon thein both » He found that the total number of bobbin-nett and , other machines , driven by steam or water power that would be affected by that Bill amounted to 3 . 1 C 0—and that the number of children under thirteen years of age that were employed in the-ae factories engage * in the bobbin-nett trade amounted to 1 , 300 , and above thirteen years there were 500—and in the warp »» trade there were 650 additional , making ini a" ^ Dr . Hutchinson , the senior physician to the genenn , I Cmtimcd to m Ei 9 h * ^

      Ar00114

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 23, 1846, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_23051846/page/1/