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4 " TH£V-NQ:M1^^R ; N^ ^f ^ : #., ri ,I ...
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co dorresuonneius
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TSamsovux.—J. Sweet acknowledges the rec...
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SALE OF THE GREAT DODFORD ESTATE. There ...
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fflE HOBTHEM STAS. SATURDAY, MARCH 30, IH5©.
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THE SHORT TIME QUESTION. A more unanswer...
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KILLING NO MURDER. It would seem that wh...
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PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW. St. Stephen's is c...
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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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Ad00409
N . . A T I ON A L BENE F I T S OG I E T Y ' EnroBed , pursuant to » t « tate 9 th . « adlWa "Victoria , c . 27 " T ^ viS ^ S 0 CIETr > * amen and legalised , waa formerly known as tl Wn XAT " « A 1 ' CO-OPERATIVE BENEFIT SOCIETT ; the ^ antgers of whiThaveTonff seen " hTneeessitr , SEEShE ? *? "M itsmembcr -: ' Iaft » n » ° Stte-newruks , carelSaTbeTn £ tTequSkeTe e * £ e , ^ r £ ?^ H ^ - S ^ - . ° ^ ttte ^™ nent ^^ „ iir * - 'S ^ - "dea into threo sections , to meet the necessities and requirements ofaU classes of mechanics ai abourers , from eighteen jears of age to fort j . «»« = •» w ui «* T 3 E I 01 MWK 6 I * THR SCiM OF IKES TO BE IMS A 3 ! mmt AUOWAKCE K SICKNESS . ENTRANCE : — s . 4 , Age . 1 st section . 2 nd section . Snd section . First Section 15 " 0 - „ , „ , s . d . s . d . s . d . Second Section . " . ' .. .. 10 J FromlSto 24 .... S 0 .... 2 0 .... l o Third Section .. .. .. 5 0 — 21—27 .... 6 0 .... 4 0 .... 2 0 — 27—30 .... 9 0 .... 6 0 .... 3 0 members death . wife's beatd . — 30—33 .... 12 0 .... 8 0 .... 4 0 £ s . d . £ s . d . — 33-Sfi .... 15 0 .... 10 0 .... a 0 First Section .... 15 0 0 7 10 0 — 36—3 S .... IS 0 .... 12 0 .... 6 0 Second Sectioa .. 10 0 0 * 0 « — 38—40 .... 21 0 .... 14 0 .... 7 0 Third Section .... 5 0 0 SOU MO . NTHETCOXTaiBOTIOXS . . i « o , l First Section , 3 s . Gd . Second Section , 2 s . 4 d . Thu-d Section , is .-u . The Soeioiy meets every IW ^ eren ! ^ , at tU « T ™ Chairmen . WarJour-street , Solio , Middlesex ^ vliere . ererj : infoi mation can ne tail , and membersWoUetL Country Mends , tppljing for rules , can have them forwarded , by enclosin MemSfSateCo ^ peratire Benefit Society , who have paid all dues and demands up ^ to the 25 th Decembe . 1 S 49 , can atonce be transferred to either section ef the National Benefit Society , without ainj «*» « TO ; . Agents and sub-secretaries of the late National Co-operative Benefit Society , {« ^^ * ? 2 SS wisl . L General Secretary of the number of members likely to transfer to the National * ^ *™ ny , ™ i parties « islnng ; 1 become agents , ortoform branches ofthe new society , can be supplied with every information , on application to a Sewetary , toy enclosing a postage-stamp for an answer . , „ , „ ., T . mWi ^ Tames Qbassbt , Geaend Secretary , 86 , RegemVstreet , Lambeth .
4 " Th£V-Nq:M1^^R ; N^ ^F ^ : #., Ri ,I ...
4 " TH £ V-NQ : M 1 ^^ R N ^ ^ f ^ # ., , I „ . ..,, MABcqrSp ^ is ^
Ad00410
THE CHEAPEST EDmOS EVES . rCBUSHE * . Price Is . Cd ., A new and elegant edition , with Steel Plate of the Author , of PAIUE'S POLITICAL WQRKS .
Ad00411
PORTRAIT OF JOUX J 1 ITC 11 EL . This day is published , price One l ' enny , No . XXII . of EEYNOLDS'S POLITICAL INSTRUCTOR . Edited bt G . VT . M . REYNOLDS , Author of the First and Second Series of 'TnEMrsTEMES orLosDox . ' . ' The Mtstewes of the Couetof London-, ' * The Dats oe Hogarth , ' * Kobekt Hacaike , * < fcc , & c ., ic . Ibis number of the Instructor contains a portrait of
Ad00412
" Just Published , 1 C pages , Svo ., price One Penny , THE FEESC miAlT ; Oe . THE EXPOSITOR OP THE ORGANISATION OF LABOUR . Edited by a Fbesch Gestloias , In direct coinmumcation with the rropagandists of Taiis . Contests of No . I . Address to the Reader . —The Communism ofthe English Press Exposed . —Education on the Continent—Secrets of the Revolution of ISIS . — Co-operation , or the Power of lahour . —The Proletarians of France to their Brothers in England . —Notices to Correspondents , etc . London : IV . Strange , and aU BookseUers .
Ad00413
Oil this day , the 30 th of March , will appear , No . I ; of a NEW WEEKLY JOURNAL , —Price 63 . ENTITLED THE LEADER Its master principle will be , the right of every opinion to its own free utterance . It Trill s " eek to afford § xpression for the most advanced opinions on tiie questions ofthe day—Political , Economical , Social , and Religious . Contents of tke Paper : —The News ofthe Pay , treated so as to expand the most interesting into full and animated narrative : accurals Commercial Intelligence ; discussion ofthe stirring topics of thr day , national and local ; an Open Department free to Correspondents on subjects in eonnoversy ; a review of the literature of the day : not only in books , bat also in the events and influences of the literary world at home and abroad ; accounts of the progress of Science ; elucidation of the Arts of the day , in criticism and description : Original Essays ; Fiction , and occasionally Pictorial Illustrations . The Leader will advocate the most complete forms of national and individual freedom , in action , industry , and thought . Earnest convictions will be told in language direct and unequivocal . Published by Joseph Clayton , Jun ., 2 G 5 , Strand , London .
Ad00414
THE PEOPLE'S REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND POLITICS . Edited by Friends of' Order and Progress . ' 3 fow ready , price Cd . No . 3 , for April , containing ;—Art 1 . Calculations of Progress . 2 . Literature of American Individuality . 3 . Foreign Colonisation Debated , 4 . Importance ofthe Polish Question in the Politics ofEurepe . 5 . Ancient and 3 fodern Notions of Democracy . £ ^ t > . Thm ' c eotiolidin ^ Cuts at the Times . Tol . I . of The Peoms'e Review , in an illustrated wrap per , price . Is . CI . will be ready in a few days . C . MitchelL Red Lion-court , Fleet-street
Ad00415
BOROUGH OF FrXSBURr . A PUBLIC MEETING , convened by the PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER A ^ SOCLVTION , for the purpose of resusitating the Chartist Agitation in the borough of Finsburv , will be lield at the HALL OF SCIENCE , CITY ROAD * on rTEDXBDAT Ensure , Apjiil San . Messrs . G . W . M . Reynolds , G . Julian Harney , Samuel JL Eydd , and Gerald Massey , TtiU attend and address the meeting . Chair to be taken at eieht o ' clock . ADMISSION FREE . Jons Abxoit , Gen . Sec .
Ad00416
SOCIAL EEFORM LEAGUE , Paningilon Hall , King ' s Arms yard . Bottom of Snow HilL On Sgn-dat Evening , Mamh 3 hlat Seven ; Mr . S . KYDD willlecture on the Organisation ot Labour , —Theories of Louis Blanc and M . Chevalier , —Condition of J > ntaxn , and -what the Government should do to secure the Peace and Prosperity ofthe Empire . Admission , 2 d . Heskt A- Itoet , Hon . Sec .
Ad00417
PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT . A PUBLIC-MEETING , Convened bv Uie Phovkioxai . Committee of the NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION , will be held at the LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTiTUTE , JOHNSTREET , TOTTEMLiH-COCRT-ROAD , on TUESDAY EVENING NEXT , Aran , 2 xd . 1830 , for flie purpose of Beriewing the Piwceedisgs is Paellujen-t during the past ¦ week . G . Julian Harney , "W . J . Vernon , -Walter Cooper , Gerald Massey , S . Kydd , and others , are expected to address the meeting . Chair to he taken at eight o ' clock . ADMISSION FREE .
Ad00418
-THE FUND FOR TUB WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF WILLIAMS AXC SHARP . A TEA MEETING IN AID OF THE above ihnd land to celebrate the second anniversary ofthe memorable 10 th of April , 1818 ) , TdUtake place in the NATIONAL HALL , 242 , HIGH HOLBORN , On WEDNESDAY , APRIL lftra . After the Tea A PUBLIC MEETING Will rie held , at which Hie advocates . of democratic and social progress are hereby invited to attend . Tea on the table at Six , and thePubnc Meeting to commence at Eight o ' clock . WoiiAM Datis in the Chair . Tickets for the Tea , One Shilling each , may be had at Keynolds ' s Poliiicai . Lvstkoctoe Office , 7 , WellinKtonstreet North , Strand ; Land Office , 144 , High Holborn - the several [ Metropolitan Localities ; of Mr . Mills , at tbe Na . faomj Hall ; ofthe Members ofthe Committee ; and of the Secretary , John J . Ferdinando , 18 , New Tyssen-street , Bethnal-green . - , Admission to Public Meeting s—Hall , 2 d . Gallery , 3 d .
Ad00419
DEAFNESS . — Impprtaut Notice . — Mr , FRANCISj ^ tLe eminent aurist , who has devoted his attention solely to DISEASES of the EAR , continues to effect the most astonishing cures in aU those inveterate cases which have long been considered hopeless , and of thirty or forty years standing , enabling the patient to hear a whisper , withontpain or operation , effectually removuv deafness , noises in the head , and aU diseases of the aural canal . Mr . F . attends daily from 10 until c , at his con-Suiting rooms , C , Beaufort-buildings , Strand , London . Persons at a distance can state their case by letter . Advice to the poor , Monday , Wednesday , and Friday , from 6 tHI Sin the evening .
Ad00420
TO THE EMBARRASSED . THESE are thousands of persons who have long struggled against the force of misfortune , but few are aware that , by-very recent Acts , aU small traders owing debts not exceeding £ 300 , fanners , private and professional gentlemen , and all others , owing to any amount ( the latter without any publicity ) , can be entirely l-aised from their difficulties at small expense , and without imprisonment or bankruptcy . AU such Mr . Wistox begs will apply to Mm at 6 , Essex-street , Strand , by letter , or personaUy . Office hours from 10 tffl 2 , and 6 tUl S . „ JJ—The above Acts stay aU Palace Court , County J-o nrt , and other proceedings . Clergymen need not submit to sequestrations .
Ad00421
nr S £ I 0 S T 0 * T 0 RTn AMERICA . W . ^ PSCOTT Am ) CO ., SHIPPING a « pi * aJSEsfc- Asents ' Livcrp 001 - eon & lue i 0 ToBOST « Afe & 2 ^ Tery meeBl ) aygj -seas ift ssgtenM * . <« toSSwJSWS-ia ^ on New Tork , payable fflSSiBSg- ***^ neut ron receipt of ^^^^^^^^^
Ad00422
HUM C « U ( j »*» j » v » o * u , « . 2 ? o . XI . op THE DEMOCRATIC REVIEW Of BRITISH and FOREIGN POLITICS , IIISTOU 1 and LITERATDRE . Edited by G . JULIAN HARNEY . contests : 1 . Th « Stamp Tax on Newspapers . 2 . March of the lied ltepublic . 3 . Revelations ofthe Building Trades . Tart II . 4 . A Glance at History . Part III . 5 . The History of Socialism . By Louis Blanc- Lee tuve IL G . Democracy defended in reply to the ' Latter-Day ravings of Thomas Carlyle . 7 . Two Years of a Revolution . 1 S 4 S—1 S 49 . 8 . The Fraternal Democrats . 9 . Poetry : ' The lied Plag , ' ic ., ic . 10 . Letter from Prance . 11 . Letter from America . 12 . Political Postscript . Fortt Pages ( in a coloured wrapper ) , Pbice THREEPENCE . London : Published by J . TFatson , 3 , Queen ' s Head rassairo . Tatcruoster-row .
Ad00423
ARMAND BARBES . THE DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIAL REPUBLIC . Q . JULIAN HARNEY has the pleasure vX » of announcing that he has received from Paris a number of copies of a superb portrait ofthe incorruptible and suffering patriot Barbes . The engraving beautifully executed , and the likeness warranted . Price Is . Cd , G . J . H . has also received copies of a series of lithograpic prints descriptive ot the foundation and progress ofthe Universal Democratic and Social Republic . Price 2 s . each . The immense superiority of French over English lithography is well known , and theie lithographs are perhaps the most beautiful ever published in Paris . To b » appreciated they must be seen . Every democrat should possess these magnificent and invaluable compositions . To be had only of G . Julian Hamey ; Mr . J . Watson , 3 , Qucen ' a Head Passage , Paternester How ; Mr . Truelove , bookseller , John-street , Tottenham Court Koad ; and Mr . Packer , 53 , Great James-street , Lisson-grove .
Co Dorresuonneius
co dorresuonneius
Tsamsovux.—J. Sweet Acknowledges The Rec...
TSamsovux . —J . Sweet acknowledges the receipt of the folloiving sums , sent herewith , viz .: —For tue O'Connor Lnoemsitt Fran . —Mr . John Haddon , Is ; Mr . Carter , fid ; Ml ' . Hudson , 3 d ; Mr . Scrimshaw , Is ; Mr . Chippindale , Is ; Hyson-green district , third subscription , 7 sSd ; Mi- . Ileuson , Sd ; Mr . Simpkin , Gd . Fob Victim Fond . —Mr . T . Fox , 2 d ; Mr . \ V . Lees , Is Monument Fund . —Mr . TV . Lees , Cd . CoSHAD Spkixguall , Norwich . —Thanks to the contributors of the fund Mr . B . Smith , near Otley , in Yorkshire , must write through the secretary of the branch to which he belongs—to C » nrad SpringhaH , the secretary ofthe Norwich branch of the Land Company . J . Skerritt , Nottingham , begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums for the Honesty Fund , viz .: — New Basford , per Mr . Fletcher ' s Book , £ 1 2 s ; Mr . Ligett ' s Book , 3 s lOd ; Mr . Oldknow ' s Book . 9 d ; Mr . Mason ' s I ' ook , Is Cd ; Mr . TYardley ' s Book , 3 s 9 u ; Mr . French ' s Book , Is ; Mr . Treece ' s Bosk , 2 s : Mr . Roberts .
Eoi'k , 4 s 4 Jd ; Mr . Peyser ' s Book , 3 s . Mr . J . Brown , Preston . —The payment of the amount of your order for the Honesty Fund ( £ 3 ) is refused at , the General Post Office , in consequence of some error . You stated it to he obtained by yon and made payable to tne . It appears not to be the case . "Will you " call at the Preston Post Office and inquire into the ' mattcr . and let me know the result . TV . liiDBU . Honesty Fund . —The sum total of monies received from Heywood and Johnstone by Mr . llider , will be found in his list . —Hetwood , per J . TVhohtenholme : —J . Ilampson , Is ; James Key Taylor , Is ; John Haworth , Is ; James TVholstcnholme , Gd ; James Key , Cd ; Amos Smith , Cd ; Joseph Fitton , Cd ; John Chedwiclf , 3 d ; A Taylor , 3 d ; James Ashwortli , 3 d ; Josiah Slater , 3 d ; James Livsey , 3 d . Johnstone , per John MThail : —David Moray , weaver , Kankin-street , Johnstone , Is ; John Caldwell , do ., Is Id ; John MThail , do ., 2 s lid ; Win . Becker , do ., Cld ; Daniel M'Caul , do ., Oid ; Archibald M'Ca . ul , inn .,
da ., 6 Jd ; James Love , do ., Eldersley , 64 d ; for the order 3 d , and Id for paper and a stamp . —fotal , Gs -lid . Cuatuau . —Mr . J . Fleming begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums for the Honesty Kur . <> , send herewith : —G . Putlison , Cd ; C . Pattison , Is : Morrison , Is ; JJutcher , Cd : Hunter , Cd ; Ivory , Cd ; Fleming . 6 d ; Harris , 3 d ; Gledall , 3 d ; Webb , Cd ; Moss , Is Sd ; T . B ., Is ; C , Cd ; D ., Gd ; B ., Gd ; S ., Gd ; D ., Cd ; B ., 3 d ; P ., Is . Foa Dtt . M'DouAix ' s Familf . —llcccived by Andrew M'Fee , Liverpool , a post-office order fur as , ' from the Eagle Tavern Localitv , Jfottingham . John Peacock , Covk . —Received . Thanhs . JAMES BABBIE , Ashford . —The friend named in your letter of the 12 th , will attend on the conditions specified . JcLuxHARXEr has received the invitation to Birstall , and
will try to visit Ms friends in that place in the course of the ensuing summer . JdhasHarxei- has received , and paid over to Mr . Kider , for the Honesty Fund : —Sheffield , per G . Cavil , 10 s . ; Gorgie Mills , per Mr . Median , 15 s Gd ; Norwich , per Mr . Hurry , 20 s , and Mr . Matchetr , 4 s ; Heading , per H . Ellis , IGsCd . J . H . has also received , and paid over to Mr . Reynolds , for the Sharp and Williams Monument Fund : from Nciveastle-on-Tyne , per Mr . Jude , 10 s ; also received , and paid over to Mr . Arnott , for the Chartist Executive , from Sheffield , per Mr . G . Cavill , 5 s ; also , for the Fraternal Democrats , from Nottingham , per Mr , Kadford , 13 s . * Mr . T . Gbees , Greasborough . —Your paper was posted on the evening on the 22 nd inst . We posted another on the 27 th .
J . F ., Nielsfone . —No room . A number of communications have been received for which we have no room this week .
Sale Of The Great Dodford Estate. There ...
SALE OF THE GREAT DODFORD ESTATE . There are eighty acres , or thereabouts , of the Dodford Estate yet unoccupied , -which will be put up and sold b y auction in Bromsgrove , and-will be dul y advertised in the local newspapers . The sale will take place on the loth of April .
Ffle Hobthem Stas. Saturday, March 30, Ih5©.
fflE HOBTHEM STAS . SATURDAY , MARCH 30 , IH 5 © .
The Short Time Question. A More Unanswer...
THE SHORT TIME QUESTION . A more unanswerable and perfect case than that of the factory , operatives , as represented by Lord Ashley , was never laid before Parliament . By tbe somewhat stringent rules and necessary formalities of such a body , many things are excluded in the consideration of questions which would be admitted elsewhereif not as valid arguments , at least as elements in forming an opinion . But the most rigid Parliamentary martinet and disciplinarian must confess , that the case was complete at all points ; and , indeed , at the conclusion of Lord Ashley ' s speech , it puzzled us to conjecture upon what possible ground the shadow of an opposition could be raised .
In reviewing the decision of the Court of Exchequer , we recently took occasion to show that that decision was adverse to the spirit of the law , and the intention of the Legislature in passing it . The specific object of Lord Ashley , was to remedy the defect in the verbal construction of a particular clause , and to make the hours of labour continuous instead of intermittent . The omission ofthe term continuous or consecutive , was held by the Judges to vitiate the act , and render it null and void for the purposes intended . Lord Ashley on behalf of the factory operatives , and a large portion of the factory owners , asked for a declaratory and specific enactment on that point Aart from all other
p considerations than the single one of good faith , he had a right to call upon Parliament to do this . There was no more doubt as to what the Legislature meant , fW th ! PaSS - ? ? ™?> *« there is that the sun is above the horizon at noon-day . But Lord Ashley did not content himself with merel y calling upon the so-called representatives of the people to be honest—he adduced a host of evidence as to the moral , physical , and intellectual advantages that had resulted from the law , wherever it had been earned out , of the most gratifying and conclusive description . Fortunately the law-breakers are in the minority , and , therefore , its operation has been tested upon a large scale . The health of the operatives hag decidedly
The Short Time Question. A More Unanswer...
improved under the restricted hours of labour . The books of the Sick and Burial Societies distinctly , prove that ' fact , „ Ifader the o . ld system , many of them Tvero unable—cir barely able —to' " makeboth ends meet ;"; the ' smaller demand upon their funds now leaves them a considerable balance at the end of the year . Here , then , is an immense advantage ' to the working man , and his family . To the wealthy , whose income does not depend upon personal exertion—who are enabled , by the cunninglycontrived machinery of society , to set others to work for their benefit—a fit of sickness matters very little . The comforts and enjoyments of their families are untouched . The fee of a
doctor is an infimtessunally-small per centago upon the annual income . But to the man who has to depend upon the labour of his hands , or of his head , for every shilling he receives—who , by the very fact of his being so dependent , and having , at the same time , to compete with a host of others similarly situated , is always paid the very lowest pittance in return for his exertions , sickness is synonimous with poverty and want . The sufferings of the patient are aggravated by the knowledge that his cupboard is empty , and his table bare unless , indeed , he can get credit ; and then when he recovers from his illness he
finds what is , to him , a huge debt , to the huxter and the doctor , strapped upon his weakened shoulders . Health—a prime blessing to allis , therefore , the first and most essential blessing to the working man ; and , so far as tho Ten Hours Act has been tried , there Is clear and distinct proof that it has greatly improved the health of the factory " hands . " "With health and greater leisure , cleanliness , comfort , and greater economy have followed . Schools are more numerously attended the women and girls are now enabled to attend to domestic and household duties .
Home is made attractive . It is , becoming almost for the first time in the history of "Mill hand * , " Home in the true sense of that term ; a place wherein the kindly affections and sympathies which knit parents and children , brothers and sisters to each other , are nurtured and developed , Hundreds , are engaged in learning to read and write , to knit and sew , and make their own clothes , who , under the old system , would have grown
up utterly ignorant of all that pertains to tho duties of a wife and a mother , and the mistress of a household , however humble . Fifty nig ht schools have been opened in Leeds alone , since the passing of the Act and whereever we turn , we find that the operatives have eagerly seized upon the opportunity afforded by the " law , of more leisure to acquire that knowledge which , after all , is the soundest basis of national greatness , and the best guarantee of its continuance .
Another consequence of the law may . be specially noticed : — " In many of the districts , " says Lord Ashley , " Tho operatives have got small portions of land , and have cultivated them in . their leisure hours , and have in some instances , raised not only vegetables for themselves , but enough food for a cow ; and so eager are they in this work , that they frequently labour until twelve o ' clock at night . "' What a pity it is , that the selfishnsss and ingratitude of some , and the malignant opposition of others , should have prevented the realisation of the Land Plan ! God never intended that men should
wear out life and strength , in the body-andmind-prostrating and enervating atmosphere of the factory . Under tho broad blue canopy of Heaven , with its fresh breath fanning his cheek , and the song of the lark to cheer his toil , the labourer at once produces that which is of universal and intrinsic value to society , and wins health and longevity for himself . It appears from a letter of the Sub-Inspector to Mr . Saundehs , that the district in wliich these small
allotments are most numerous is—that of . Todmorden , where the extensive works of the Messrs . Fielden are situated . The Son of the late excellent and amiable John Fielden , is a worthy successor of his father , aud to the fidelity with which the firm has carried out the law , which his father introduced , and liad the hig h gratification of carrying through the Legislature , we , no doubt , owe many of the facts stated by the Sub-Inspector . He says : ' Three-fourths of the land which is now ap" propriated for garden purposes in this neigh" bourhood , have been called into existence bv
" the factory labourer having more spare "time . * * * Diverge from Tod" morden which way you please two and a-half " miles , and you will find plots of land , rail" way slopes , odd bits and ends which -used to "be waste , now furnishing recreation , health , " and food , to the cottager . " Similar evidence is given as to Keighley , and in Oldham , the Spinners' Association have made a step forward in a most important direction . They " have taken a considerable piece of land , and " whenever any one of the body was out of work , "INSTEAD OF FEEDING HIM IN IDLENESS , they " put Mm ontltal piece of land , and the result " had been a saving in the rates of £ ^ 5 last " year . " The whole of that passage from
Lord Ashley ' s speech should be conned by heart , and be thought over deeply . It contains tho germ and the illustration on a small scale , of the principle through which the Labour class can alone effect their emancipation from the fell and deadly gripe of capital . On the whole , never was there a single measure so manifestly and so speedily productive ofthe most valuable physical , intellectual , and moral advantages , as this law for which tho people struggled hard in defiance of wealth , power , and political influence for nearl y thirt y years , and which a section of greedy and unprincipled mill-masters would now wrest from them , after they have barely entered in possession of their hard won victory .
When we turn to the contra side of the account , the case of the opponents of the law is as weak and indefensible as that of the operatives is strong . Not one of their predictions has been realised . Every one of the anticipations of the advocates of regulated labour have been fulfilled . We were told in 1844 and 1847 , that complete ruin would befal the manufacturing interest , if such an interference with the rights of capital was sanctioned . What is the fact' { Wh y , that under an Eleven Hours Act for three years , and a Ten Hours Act for two years , we have the
admission of the opponents of the measure ( when boasting of the beneficial effects , of Free Trade on manufactures , )—that the prosperity of that interest has been wonderM , notwithstanding the restriction as to hours , ' ' to which it has been subject . They must not bo allowed to blow hot and cold on the subject . The language put into the mouth of the Sovereign by the Ministry , at the opening of the session , iu which she congratulated the country upon the great and general prosperity oftbemanufacturingdistrictsmustbepresumed to be true , Of course nobody can believe , that
for the purpose of bolstering up a favourite theory , even the Whigs would cause the Queen to tell a lie . And , of course , also Mr . Villiers , who moved the address to that Royal Speech , was well , assured that all the glowing pictures he drew of the extraordinary prosperity of the manufacturing interest were founded in fact . The Ten Hours Bill has , therefore , not ruined it . False prediction number one . In the next place , capital was
tobe withdrawn from factories in this country , and carried off to others , where no such interference existed . What is the fact ? Why , that a very great additional amount of capital has been invested since 1848 , either in additions to old mills , or in the construction of new ones . False prediction number two . Their production was to be diminished one sixth , co-ordinately with the reduction of the hours of labour . The very opposite has been the case . In cotton goods the increased
The Short Time Question. A More Unanswer...
export has been twelve per cent . y instead of a decrease of sixteen per cent , as was calculated ; while , in yarn and twist , the production has been also enormously increased . False prediction number three . The case of the inillowners mamly rested upon these grounds , and on every one of them it has utterly and totally broken down . They pretended also a g reat concern about the reduction of wages ,
wliich would , they asserted , inevitably follow a reduction ofthe hours of labour . Everybody that knew anything of them , knew very well that this was a piece of pure hypocrisy on their part ; aud it has turned out to he as true as everything else they said in opposition to the Bill . Iu the few cases where Tvages have been slightly—very slightly—reduced , it has been more than compensated by the saving which the shorter hours of labour enabled the
operatives to make at home . In many—nay , in most cases , the result has been , either that wages have been stationary , or have advanced ; and , under any aspect , the condition of the operative has been vastly improved . The contrast between these different results raises some grave reflections as to wider and more universally interesting questions . We are constantl y told , b y the organs ofthe ruling and influential classes , that tho labour class , and their advocates , are ignorant of the principles of sound Political Economy , and that the industrious classes are not to be intrusted with the selection of their representatives , or a voice in making the laws .
Let us test these assertions b y facts . Here we have an Act of Parliament which was passed in the very teeth of all our great Political Economists , which attacks their whole system at its very foundation , and which they have assailed , with their usual vituperation , as being Communistic and Socialist . They predict all kinds of mischief to arise from such fatal and such ignorant legislation ; and when time has tested the working of the law , it is found , that , in every instance—gvgu by their own statements—they are in error ; while every anticipation of the " Communistic and
Socialist Economists is fully realised . Ought not this to convince the nation that , in following such blind leaders , we are certain ultimately to fall into an abyss of difficulty and adversity , which it may , perhaps , bo impossible to extricate ourselves from ? We solemnly avow our belief , that the predominant party in the Legislature have turned their backs upon the point they profess to be marching towards , and that every step they
take leads them further from it . They have adopted an antagonistic and disorganising principle , instead of a combining and constructive one . Repulsion and Selfishness are their motive powers , not Attraction and brotherl y Love . With such devil ' s doctrines to guide us , nothing but devilish passions and devilish actions can be expected . Our wise men , and sage legislators , turn the country into a Pandemonium , and then call upon us to admire their handywork !
For their sakes , and for our own , it is time that such madmen should no longer have the power to abuse and pervert the magnificent resources of this great country . The infernal gospel of " every man for himself , and the Devil take the hindmost , '' must no longer be preached in high places , as the true salvation of nations , and the onl y rule of Governments . Ten Hours Acts arc but the faint heralds of
a new social economy , and a new principle of legislation and government , in which the principle of regulation will supersede that of selfish and uncontrolled free action , for individual purposes . Society must not always be divided into oppressors and oppressed—plunderers and plundered . It possesses the elements of better things , and despite the professors of the " Dismal-Science , " will yet use these elements aright .
Meantime , notwithstanding the inexpressibly mean and disgusting equivocation of Sir ( t . Grey—despite the disgraceful peddling of the Government , as a whole—and the bolder opposition of Mr . Bright , and tho lawbreakers , the new " Declaratory Act" has passed the second reading .
Killing No Murder. It Would Seem That Wh...
KILLING NO MURDER . It would seem that what is called justice in this country is dispensed , not upon any fixed principle , but according to the caprices of the presiding Judge for the time being . A case has just occurred , which must rouse universal indignation and disgust throughout tho country , and tend more to weaken any sentiment of respect for the law and its administrators , than tho most inflji . mm . ablo and seditious
harangues . If it is to he sot up as an exam p le , the lives of the poor will in future be less protected than they were in tho " good old times " of villainage , when , for a fixed sum , members of the privileged orders might indulge in the amusement of killing the lower classes , " an it pleased them . " A brief recital of the facts will bo enough to place the monstrous nature of the case before our readers . Maky Anne Parsons , a girl between fourteen and fifteen years of age , was the daughter of a widow , both of whom povert y and misfortune had driven into the workhouse
of the Bideford Union . The poor creatures , who are so placed , are saleable by tho guardians as much as if they were slaves ; and this girl was sent out to service , from whence , in a short time , she was returned as not being strong enough . Sho was a cleanly girl when sent out , she returned suffering from itch and ringworm , a decisive proof of the habits of the people she had been sent to be a slave to . Misery would appear to have been her lot from the beginning . After her return to the workhouse , Robert Bird , a farmer , and Sarah Bird his wife , applied for
a servant , and Parsons was recommended to them . They took her to her new home , well and in perfect health , on the 29 th September . From that time she was subjected to such a continuous and diabolical system of ill-usage from these two fiends as , probably , is without parallel . Blows , stripes , and kicks , and poor living , were the return for her labour . The application of a rough stick>—of leathern thongs—of part of a prickly furze-bush—to her shoulders , and other parts of her person , as well as to her head—for tho blood was seen trickling down
her neck—was , in the long-run , too much for a frame reduced by semi-starvation ; and , at last , she could not carry the pail which contained the pigs' victuals . Upon this , the inhuman monsters , who were thus . remorselessly and surely murdering their wretched victim , complained to the master of the workhouse , and he advised " more stick to her back ! " The torture and the ill-usage was too severe to last long . Happily for the helpless child , death stepped in , and sent her " where the wicked cease to trouble , aud the weary are at rest . " On the 4 th of January
—three months after entering into this illfated service—she died . The circumstances attendant upon her death were in keeping with the horrible details throughout . Unable to move about , the poor girl had crawled to bed in a loft . . Faint , thirsty , and dying , she cried for even a draught of water , to which her mistress replied , that " if she wanted water , she had better come down for it , or keep a servant . " From her death-bed , the tortured girl rose , crept down stairs in oz-der to assuage
the agonies of thirst ; but , on reaching the kitchen , tottered and fell by the fire-place . It was evident death had commenced his work . Her mistress ordered her to return to bed . Fear of the results of their cruelty induced them to visit her during the ni ght . Her extremities were already cold , and they applied hot bottles to them , In vain . " Nothing could harm her further . " On going to her bed in the morning , she was found dead , with a smile upon her face , as though rejoiced to
Killing No Murder. It Would Seem That Wh...
leave a world in which sorrow , poverty , and cruelty had been heir constant companions during her short pilgrimage , Three days elapsed before these twO wretches gave notice of the fate of their murdered victim to a surgeon . In the meantime , they , had been endeavouring in every possible way to escape the consequences of their crime . The mother was sent for , and Mrs . Bird fell on her knees , and implored jier not to let . the case go before a coroner ' s jury , but the poor woman refused to be a party to hushing up the murder of her daughter . At last the surgeon was sent for , and this is the description of the results of his post mortem examination , as sworn to before Mr . Justice Talpourd , at Exeter , on Sunday , the 22 nd inst . : —
"Qn tho legs and thighs I saw several wounds , varying in extent , and evidently inflicted by some irregular or rough weapon . It struck mo to have been by a birch . There was a bruise on the chest . TRe face was discoloured , and the forehead , and some abscesses were on tho arms and fingers . The skin over the bowels was discoloured . On the left arm there was an abscess , and the skin immediately round it was discoloured , as if it had been bruised some time , perhaps a fortnight . The abscess had burst below the elbow . There was another abscess just forming . Tho nails of tho little and fore finger
were gone , apparently some time . The two middle finger nails were also gone , apparently more recently , and in one the bono protruded . On the right arm there was also an abscess that had also burst . On the right hip there was a large slough . On the posterior part of the hips were several wounds , apparently inflicted some time . They were covered with plaster , and appeared to be old sores . Between tho shoulders were two trivial bruises . There was also a mark on the face , from the temple down to the cheek . On removing the scal p I found another bruise on the back of the head , with considerable extravasation of blood diffused between the
scalp and the skull . ' Then , after stating that he observed congestion of the membranes ofthe brain , and at the base of the brain extravasation of blood , and that ho " found the cause of death in the head . " Mr . Turner continued : — "In my judgment , death was the rcsultbfthc external injuries . I could not form a judgment how that violence had been inflicted . I don ' t think the injuries I saw in tho head were produced from falls . The condition of the girl must have been extremely reduced before death , and tho powers of life weakened . The injuries I observed would have produced an effect on the nervous system , which is connected with the brnim" Another medical witness , Mr . Edge , a surgeon to the hospital at Exeter , " conceives that Mr . Turner is correct in the opinion that he formed , as to the time of death , and the cause . "
Who inflicted these horrible injuries upon a young and helpless girl ? Three witnesses gave direct and positive evidence of haviug witnessed ill-usage both b y Bird and his wife , and in the presence of both . The house was a lone one but human eyes and ears were not always absent when these floggings were inflicted . One of the farm labourers distinctly deposed to having seen Mrs . Bird flog her across the shoulders with a hazel stick , and upon another occasion Bird struck her twice with a "furze stub , " "the stick had spraggles on each side of it , and the thongs were used to mend the harness with , " When produced in the Court , they " were dirty at the ends . " That "dirt" was the browned and
encrusted blood of Mary Anne Parsons Besides this , an abundance of corroborative evidence , and the all but confession of the murderers themselves , was produced , for the purpose of fastening the criminal act upon its perpetrators . If ever a clear case was presented in a Court of Justice—this was one . . Not so thought Mi . Justice Talfourd . To his mind there was no legal evidence . Ho required it to be distinctly proved who struck the blow that caused the injury upon the head , which was the immediate cause of death ; though tho surgeon distinctly intimated the previous wounds and injuries , and tho general injury to the nervous system , were the proximate cause . His second reason for directing
an acquittal , was , that , even if the blow had been struck , there was no reason to fix it upon ' one of the parties more than another . If this is to bo the law in future , Mr . Ewarx need not trouble himself about tho abolition of Capital Punishments . . It will onl y be necessary to take care that nobody sees the blow struck ; and to show that it is possible , secondary causes may have been the immediate cause of death . The Mannings , however , seem to have been very badly treated by the Jud ' ge and jury who tried them , if this bo so . Nobod y saw which of them fired the pistol that killed O'Connor , yet that did not prevent their being hanged upon circumstantial evidence not a whit more conclusive than
that adduced at Exeter , and which resulted in Mr . Justice Talfourd letting loose upon society two persons , who are morally , if not legally , murderers . ; Of the jury we say nothing , because they could not , after such a summing up , do other than they did . But wo again warn lawyers and Judges , that to play with life , and the most sacred feelings of the poor , in this way , is to sow the country with Dragon ' s teeth . They will spring up armed men . Let but the conviction once spread that the life of the poor man , or the poor man ' s child , is as little protected as we all know his property—labour—is , and the fee-simple of the " Glorious British Constitution " will not be worth many years ' purchase .
Parliamentary Review. St. Stephen's Is C...
PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . St . Stephen ' s is closed , and ouv legislators rest from their labours . The cabmen , who for the last eight weeks have thronged Palace Yard , have sought other " stands , " and tho neighbourhood of tho "New Pakco of West . minster , " has relapsed into its usual quietude . It is well understood that the anti-Paschal sitting determines the character and results of the session . Measures brought in
afterwards are merely for show or ventilation , not immediate use . Here and there , when a more than ordinarily tempting job has to ho perpetrated , ov something pressingl y required for official convenience presents itself , an exceptional measure may be hurried or smuggled through ; but , generally spoalcing , we may predicate pretty accurately with the commencement of tho Easter recess , what will bo the product of tho session at its close about the end of July or middle of August .
The present Ministry did not beg in the Parliamentary season with any very great promises ; their ' programme was meagre enough as to the uumberof measures promised , aud the measures themselves only as large as Avas to be expected from Whigs ; but , as far as we ean see at present , it appears as though the performance would be infinitely smaller . They have got into an inveterate habit of trifling with the public time and money , which is , TnosiAS Carlyle says , " curable by no hellebore . ' ' According to their practice , it would 6 eem as if they believed the highest art of statesmanship to consist in doing as little as possible at the greatest possible cost , Abuses of every kind , whether large or small , from the maintenance of a mischievous
slave squadron at an annual cost of a million sterling , down to an encroachment by Lord Ellesmeke on the public rights in the Green Park , find in them congenial defenders . In foreign politics they can bully and swagger , and thrash small states like Greece , while they cringe and fawn to powerful despotisms , aud receive insults with a meekness that ought to satisf y even the members of the Peace Society . ' In domestic affairs a similar policy is manifested . Powerful parliamentary
parties are conciliated , petted an'l bribed ; weak ones insulted , cuffed aud despoiled . Having no inherent or intrinsic strength as a party , they maintain an official existence simply by playing off one party against another , according to the exigencies ofthe movement , or when that fails , they summon their retainers to Downing street , and frig hten such simple souls as poor Charles LusniNGTOsr into hysterics by a threat of resigning . How we should like to- catch them at that ? We can see "the members of the Cabinet" who were present
Parliamentary Review. St. Stephen's Is C...
at that memorable interview , winkinff ^ f r 5 other , and laughing in ; their sleeves % hJ ^ Premier threatened the country with ft i 8 of their inestimable and peerless serving * What are we to ' expect from the t session ? -On , the-first night the n < K ^ presented a list of subjects which iftak c in good earnest , and treated in anytmnvi ^ a comprehensive style , might have alrnnff e conciled us to the absence for ayoar re more of any organic reform . The f ^ tw mont promised to deal , among other tv * with the questions of Colonial U > Savings Banks , Sanitary Improvement w > Parliamentary Reform , Woods and t f „ * Charitable Trusts ,. Law of Landl i ts Tenant , and similar matters . "What I , an 4 done ? * vllat k « been . Colonial Reform has translated itself ^ homo 3 pathic doso of representative r a ment , so exceedingly infinitesmal in ft 1 *' uia 6
jjuinouo , we suspect the patient will know he has been blessed with tliP ^ Dever self Government . In tho Colonies , « ! ffT ° r f the great horror of our legislators is « PT ? » mocratic element . " Unless that he L ° " and controlled by all manner of evvn manacles , everything will be turned I ' m * down , and perhaps the advocates of t h * e strictions have an uncomfortable fePlir . « ?*? re " them , that , if that was the case S ^ the Highland reiver would he realised U 1 " every honest man get his ain a * ain »• V nd however do not wish to see restftution 3 nor do they wish that labour should biiLJ * Colonies other than what it is athwnV 2 ° bond slave of capital—the sponge 5 , power and cunning may squeeze wealth T * luxury for iho . idle , an ' d non-Su ^ classes of the community . Hen " - the new Constitutio which tm ln
ns are ,... to our Colonies in the Southern HemisnG ? everything is . carefull y calculated 1 3 Pv ' pressly derived , for the purpose of rendnvL ™ the subjugation of the labouring classes toThf wealthy classes , as complete as possible ftor a small portion of the period during ' which Parliament has sat has boon consumed \ n thediscussions on this Bill , which will yet a bsorb a large amount of time in the subsequent " sittings ; and if passed in its present shape , will on . ly be valuable because it gives—or professes to give—the Colonists the power of afterwards framing such institutions as they may think
best fitted for their peculiar circumstances . We say professes to give , because we are not certain , in case of any of these Colonies availing themselves of this right , whether the final sanction of the Crown , or , in other words , of the Colonial Office , which is reserved would be very easily obtained , should the Colonists give a predominance , or even an equal chance to the " democratic element . " As to the Irish Parliamentary Reform Bill —which , like the Colonial Bill , has occupied some time , and will occupy more—we have only to say , that it is as paltry in conception as it will be delusive in practice . It is a mere
party "dodge' on the side of the " \ Thi gs , to give them a preponderance over the Protectionists in case of a General Election . As to any intention of enfranchising the people of Ireland , they arc at least honest enough not to pretend they wish for such a thing . It is strictly a party fight , and as such is opposed and advocated . "What have the people of Ireland to do with such a faction-fWit ? Simply to let the belligerents fight it out , while they bestir themselves earnestly to create such an enlightened and powerful public opinion in Ireland , as will , nltimately , conquer both factions , and give the government of " Ireland to the Irish . "
Bills for tho improvemement of the Mercantile Marine—with the view of elevating the standard of qualifications of commanders , and protecting tho persons and interests of the seamen ^—have been introduced ; but there the matter rests . Mr . Labouchere , like all the Members of the Cabinet , is dreadfully bold when he has got hold of a weak interest , but craven enough when he has to grapple with a strong one . Tho shipping interest threatens a strong opposition , because a higher standard for captains , and just and humane treatment to sailors , pro-supposes a pull at profit , and ( slightly to alter tho well-known couplet ) : — " When per cent is in the case ,
All other things ot course give place ;" So the President of tho Board of Trade , " willing to strike , but yet afraid to wound , " lets his bills stand on the notice paper a mere brutum fidmeh . Perhaps at the end of the Session they will be found consigned to that limbo of " good intentions , ' * which somehow or other seems to be the destination of the great mass of Whiff measures .
The great measures of Sanatory Reform have not yet made their appearance ; " Churchy ards , still yawn " for corpses in the middle of the metropolis , " and graves give up their dead , " to the mutilating spades and crushing rammers of sextons and their brutal assistants , in order to make room for more . The Cockney population are still doomed to drink partially filtered sewer water , in order that shareholders in monopolising water companies may enjoy a good dividend ; and large masses are doomed to die daily in districts undrained , unventilated , and uusewered , while rival factions and engineers are disputing about plans , and wasting the public money in their disgraceful
squabbles . A Public Health Bill for Scotland has been brought in , but since its first introduction sub silcntio , we have heard no more of it . In like manner the Woods and Porosis Reform Bill has not advanced a single step since it was broug ht in . Charitable Trusts have not yet been touched ; and Savings Banks , after standing on the paper for weeks , disappeared at last—though in that case we presume the ill health of Sir Charles Wood was t e cause of delay . In short , at the termination of the first two months of the Session , wo find that absolutel y nothing has been finished , save one or two merely routine bills , aud sundry votes of good round sums of money .
' As to the budget , which this year was presented earlier than usual with Whigs , it iS almost certain , that the only part of it which enters into details , and requires business habits , namely—that relating to stamps on transfers , leases , conveyances , & c— will have to beentirely withdrawn . Under the false pretence of reducing seme 300 . 000 J . of taxes , Sir Charles in reality proposes a very large increase of the duties levied on these transaction s . Whatever may be the abstract propriety of such additional duties , aud tlioir extension to transactions at present unburdened with such taxes as , for instance , transfer of stock and railway shares , now free—that is
not the immediate point at issue . It is whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer , under the pretence of reducing , is justified in increasing taxation ; and if taxation is to be increased , what is he going to do with the surplus ? Are we to have the duties on the windows taken off , erthe tax upon soap , or upon paper ? Positively then , it will be seen that Parliament up to this time has done nothing—and farther , that when measures upon which they are at present employed , and still unfinished , aro completed , they will bo worth very little deal
indeed . Negatively it has done a good . It has resolved that the people shall not te enfranchised , even to the extent of M r » Home ' s motion . Representative Reform # > as far as Parliament is concerned , a dreaul the distant future . Retrenchment to the extent recommended by Mr . Cobden it will bo * have ; and a revision of taxation with the view of lightening the burdens upon the 1 , or ^ S and industrious classes , as proposed by ** J Drtcmmond , it resolutely ignores . Such is tu fl account for the past . Among the new topics on the notice paper , foi'talking about when the Houses rc-assembie » we find the repeal of the Window Duties , w
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 30, 1850, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_30031850/page/4/
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