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IRELAND.
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j J ,] - * to ' ^ / te* ' ¦ I AND NATION...
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SiBBA-n*E OF MALCOLM M'GREGOR. j SO. TI....
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, ____ OJ,77. LONDON. ]*ATUtoAY, ~ DECE^...
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHARTIST LAND COMPANY.
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The delegates assembled at the People's ...
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Transcript
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Ireland.
IRELAND .
' ^ / Te* ' ¦ . ' R^*; • *•
' _^ te * ' ¦ . ' r _^*; _*•
J J ,] - * To ' ^ / Te* ' ¦ I And Nation...
AND NATIONAL . _' _^^^^ _f _^ Mi
Sibba-N*E Of Malcolm M'Gregor. J So. Ti....
SiBBA-n * E OF MALCOLM _M'GREGOR . j SO . TI . J . r _^ nntrammel myself for a short _timejor _, ] sav , I do not desire entire or even long refrom tbe witching influence that I feel Kathleen _^ _affrises over n , _- v er < -17 thou S > 1 wil I-f lhe reader the unadorned narrative of " THE _¦"• _fv-SE-X / ' for such "mine host" turned out to fhe reader must picture to himself a stranger - _** ' . . acCO stomed to all the comforts of a happy io * -
** ' - . i .: „ i , i \ . a . f . _« . _« . i . n _« _Aic _. _aov . r .. « . *< . i . or those which the best hotels can furnish , _^ l t he fbosen society from the Tanks of the gay , * _- * _.-grtinc - _^ " _* forined , as Ms companions , ' _wtcd wiiu all the dissipation that courts and * f _tf 0 I iri of lively fashion afford , sitting in the - ncv corner of an Irish cabin , with au aged and i tiered peasant , and his two peasant children , as ' host and companions . Yet , strange as it may _^ _ar . and cloyed as I supposed my appetite for i mrable enjoyment to be , I found a chord
afned . ffbich till now had remained mute and _tel within me ; 1 felt a mixture of honest deli g ht d astonishment , mingled with no small share of jr . _ienmach , for having spent so many years of the j _gttof my Wein search of what is termed polite _litepiareand a knowledge of the world , while I left _united and was ignorant of the sphere and circle t ( | lffC valuable knowledge may he acquired and pure a _^ _jjht enjoyed . The O'Donnell , a muscular looking aaa of neaily four-score years , -with his snow -white
• Otis streaming upon his brawny shoulders , with _^ erring blue eye that seemed to read my inmost _Noug hts , and a freshness that frugality aud contentment alone can give , sat in the chimney corner , leaning forward npon his staff , with the prop of the bBSKe , young Phelim , upon his left hand , while I _^ _senp _ied the opposite niche , witir Kathleen upon jiy right , busily employed in airing sheets , pHlowc 8 ses and a nig ht-cap , and mending stockings , not inattentive to her father ' s oft-told tale , nor much pat out of the way by the presence of a stranger . The little circle thus arranged after supper , and at my request , the O'Donnell gave roe the following _jnjiorv of his times and
familyyAKRATIYE OF THE O'DONNELL . •¦ Veil , " said the patriarch , " I ' m running on to fourscore years , and , thanks be to God , I never had a day ' s sickness . I ' m living in this townsland , and ay ancestors before me , over FIVE HUNDRED TEAKS , but we have no SURE account before that rime , only in them days , and till "William come with the English , it belonged to ourselves , but now we ' re dad , God be praised , to rent a bit of it , I had a _Jarge spot of over 100 acres from the ould Lord , God rest his sowl , hut I gave it up to Jack and
_>* edeen , when they got married , and I come to tbis place with the _Gossoon here , and Kathleen . I Lad two boys and two g irls be my first partner , ' God rest her sowl , * as good childer as ever a poor man ¦ was blessed with , and all , thanks be to God , well to do . Well , sure when they all got married , I used to act as herdsmen to the ould Lord , and but I p icked up with the dairymaid that used to milk the cows , as comely a girl as you'd see in a day ' s walk , and the ould Lord and my Lady was very fond of us both , and when the young Lord was born , Phelim
lae , too , "was _^ born on the same day , and the poor woman that ' b sick in there now with the rheumatics , lwing so clean in herself , they took her to the castle and gave her the nursing of the present lord , and they'd let her have Phelim there to see iirn on Sundays , and he and the young Lord was neat playfellows together , being they were fosterers ( foster-brothers ) , and we went on that way lill Fhelimeen and tbe young Lord _vras about 16 rears , always taking Phelim with him shooting and tonrsing , and bird catching ; and sure there was no one like Phelim with him . When he'd come from
school it was , ' where s Phelim ? and what he done was always sure to be rig ht . Well , my dear sir , this went on till the young Lord went to College , and wishing to settle Phelim first , he got the ould Lord to give him a raise of this spot , for all our own Eves and 31 years , and he helped us , and madegreat improvements - and Phelimeen is always putting hy for Kathleen , in case she might get married . " God forgive me I but my whole frame trembled ffheu I heard the last sentence . " And , " I observed , _i-astily , " what then , is Kath _, that is , is Miss O'Donnell going to be married : ' '
' No . sir , " replied Kathleen , ¦• I hare no notion oi it yet . " This assurance gave me relief , and the ODonnell continued , " Well , the young lord would come over to see us , and send us help , and would have Phelim down to the castle shooting and fishing when he came home from College , and Kathleen should go to hel p in the dairy . But sure , as bad hick would have it , when the young lord had done with college , the ould lord died , and then the young one wtnt on his travels , and indeed lie brought Lome an English wife , and ever since the ould place
lias been turned out of the windows , and all the ould ] » eonle have been sent upon the world . Nothing was good enough for her ; and all English sarvants 2 nd all English people , and all come to the castle ; aid them that was good enough to drive the ould ffli » K , God rest bev sowl , was nt fit to drive the sew one ; and who ever heard of a lady being _dre-xed b y Molly Mulligan—that was the one that istd to dress the ould lady—and think of axing lead ; for a plate at dinner , or calling to Murtougb , die footman , to tell Curlv , the coachman , to stop .
0 , says she , upon my honour , it's enough to frighten * ¦ lad y out of her wits : —so nothing would do , there ** <» 5 no company good enough for her , so pon my w ord , they say she took the sulks , and said she'de Hop at home and never go out till she routed the "whole house , and made the young lord sell up bag and baggage , and go off to . England ; and as they ladn ' t much spare money , Captain Squeezetenant , iat was alwavs fri g htening the English woman out M her wits about the danger of stopping here in the "inter , and telling her lies about the Irish , he comes
down with the money , and all the lau-. es being out then the ould lord died , he takes all , castle and all , ad they makes him a magistrate , and sure he came iiere a raw gossoon about forty years ago with his tater , without shoes or stockings , but the father « a a great man about elections , and was made SUES ' , and would whip up all the cheap farms over At Leads ofthe tenants , when the laises would he naming out , and now he has the parish to himself ,
< ad nobody dare say - Why did you do it , ' _whatsomfrtr he does , and God help us but he ' * ruining the _* _l . ole parish , and sure though we has alaise of thi 6 -JM , as I tould you , we don ' t know the day we may ? a tie road _^ s be begun already to clamper —( go to _•^' -for ould conditions , so we have no heart to - " " ¦ 5 manure , or do any thing that would rise the - _**•! upon us , or may be put us out after all we done . "
'' So , nor the devil an inch of it they'll get from - _" V ' says young Phelim , starting up , "they shall - _**» have my sweat , they shall have my life first , _*< s he ihe CROSS of—God forgive me 1 I'll die - "foe 1 * 11 give it up . " "Hould your tongue , you foolish boy , " said the fi * titr . " you don ' t know what you ' re talking about , _k-UXON LAW is too strongforyou . " , " _« _T observed Kathleen , with a sig h , " let them
_^ it rather than hurt , and you shall keep all _fc _•* _" '• _¦«* , and we'll both work to keep father and to _*" _- _- _"r . - * J was about to say , " No , you never shall ° _* V _liut 1 restrained myself . _J- < -1 ! , " continued O'Donnell , " Kathleen rer _* " -d at the Castle after the Captain and his j ** '** 1 ' " COu _* e _ti'ere , hut , one day , she comes lo " ! "'* 1 ) t , 1 , ' ' ou a Sunday , just as we were going " _*¦ - •••• and ihe cuius as if her heart would break ;
Sibba-N*E Of Malcolm M'Gregor. J So. Ti....
and Bbe never would tell me the reasonof her laving , but I believe she tould her mother . " "Yes " said Phelim , " Thevillain , and I'll have his life . "What , then , " said 1 , no longer able to restrain my indignation , " did he insult you ?" Kathleen wept ; and with a deep , deep sigh , answered " No , sir , I'de kill myself first , but he caught me and asked me to—" " Enough , enough , " I ejaculated hastily , " He ' s a villain . " O'Donnell resumed his narrative .
" Well , sir , ' * he Continued , "I ax you , is not it a hard case to be in dread of being sent to the road in my ould age , " rising slowly from the bench and , with great care , pulling an old leather bag from his breeches pocket , " look there , your honour , " he continued , taking a roll of old papers ont of several old bandages of leather and linen , " look there , them is the papers ofthe lands of Crief and O'Donnell ' s Town , that was in onr famil y for hundreds of years , and the Crowley's , and Bryan ' s , and Moore ' s and Father _O'Farrd , all has there ' s . " " And how did yon lose them ? " said I .
"Lose them "be -replied ; " why , when William and tbe English come over here , the ould Lord ' s great-gra ndfather was a corporal ; and I often hear my grandfather—God rest his sowl!—telling how he heard his father say , that Corporal Buttermiik watched Father O'Farrell ' s great-grandfather , night and day , till he found out his cave in the mountain . He was a priest , and was obliged to hide himself there ; and he and my ancestor _» sed to be in it together - * and he'd come out to celebrate mass in the hills ; and snre , Buttermilk , the ould Lord ' s
ancestor , nabbed them both , and they murdered them for being papists and saying mass—the Lord save us!—and he got all the lauds of the O'Farrell ' s , the O'Donnell ' s , the Moore ' s , the Crowley ' s , and the Bryan ' s . Musha , Phelim , show his honour the blessed cave ; I'll engage but not a child in the county but knows it , and blesses it when he passes . It ' s on tbe way to Father O'Farrell ' s . And now , " he continued , still standing ,
and with great energy , " I ax you—is it any wonder that my ould blood should boil , when 1 think of an upstart spladdereen living on the spot where my forefathers owned ; for , indeed , that child there , ( pointing to Kathleen ) , could show you where the ould house stood ; and to think that she , a real O'Donnell—for her mother was a cousin of ray own , and she has the eyes , and nose , and hair of the O'Donnell ' s—should he a scullion in his kitchen ; and that the thief shnnlrl _dsrA tn offend her . "
Here the old man seized his staff with both hands , winding it round his head , aud looking at Kathleen said , — " My child , why didn't you tell me the reason of your laving ? and , ould as I am , but I'd have the villain ' s life . Now , your honour , " be concluded ; ¦ ' is it any wonder that we should hate the Saxon laws , and that we should love our priests that sheltered us when the enemy come , and that lost their all rather nor forsake us -, for sure , if they'd only turn Proest ants , they might keep their estates and be gentlemen : and now , in my ould age , I suppose I shall be turned on the road . God help us !! 1 "
" I do not wonder , O'Donnell , I replied ; " and I join fully in your hate , and hate myself for having lived so long in ignorance of the history of such a race ; but you shall never be turned npon the road . " ( To be continued . )
, ____ Oj,77. London. ]*Atutoay, ~ Dece^...
_, ____ OJ _, 77 . LONDON . ]* ATUtoAY , _~ DECE _^^ «» . _^^ 2 _% _tZ ~ , ur
Annual Conference Of The Chartist Land Company.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHARTIST LAND COMPANY .
The Delegates Assembled At The People's ...
The delegates assembled at the People ' s Hall , Loreday-street , Birmingham , on Monday , December 7 th . The following is the LIST OF DELEGATES . Mr . James Sweet , Nottingham and district . Mr . William Hamer , Oldham and district . Mr . £ . RonsH . Reading and district , and the sereral districts in France . Mr . William Brook , Leeds and district . Mr . George Cavil , Barnsley and district . Mr . Johs Gilbertson . Carlisle and district . Mr . Joh . v Smvth , Bradford and district . Mr . William Ceffat , Metropolitan districts . _AncmnALD Walker , and Robert Burrell , Scottish districts . Daniel Donovan and William Dixon ,
Manchester and districts . Mr . William Conn * , jun ., Pershore and district . Mr . Hisrt Ross , Metropolitan districts . Mr J . Shaw , do . Mr . Robert Wild , Ashton-nnder-Lyne , and districts . Mr . Charles Smith , Halifax and districts . Mr . James Brown , Preston and districts . Mr . James Bootel , Wigan and districts . Mr . Henry Page , Plymouth and districts . Mr . George Holloway , Birmingham and districts . At eleven o ' clock , Mr : James Sweet was unanimously elected president of the Conference . Mr . T . M . Wheeler wa 8 unanimously appointed Secretary .
STANDING ORDERS . On the motion of Messrs . Brook and Smyth , it was resolved : — That the Conference assembles ! balf-past nine o'clock in the morning , sit until one , and then adjourn for dinner until half-past two , then resume tbeir sittings , and conclude for the day at six o ' clock . On the motion of Messrs . Donovan and Smith , it was resolved : — That the directors be allowed to submit motions , but not to vote thereon . On the motion of Messrs . M'Grath and _Cavill , it was resolved ;—That each delegate on making a motion be allowed to speak for ten minutes , and each other speaker five
minutes . On the motion of Messrs . Dixon and Cuffay , Mr . William Lees was appointed room door keeper , and occasional messenger ; his salary to be 3 s . per day . The Conference then adjourned until two o ' clock .
AFTERNOON SITTING . At two o ' clock the Conference resumed . A protest was presented from Bury against the election of Mr . Hamer , and declaring that Mr . Ireland had the greatest number of votes—Upon which Mr . J . Skaw moved : — That a Committee of five be appointed to investigate the return , _aa 4 report accordingly . Seconded by Mr . Brook , and carried unanimously . The following persons were selected as the committee : —Messrs . Cavil , Cuffay , Wild , Dixon , and Gilbertson . Mr . O'Connor moved *—That a committee of seven be appointed to examine the financial accounts of the Company from its commencement to the present time . Mr . Brook seconded the motion . —tarried unanimously
. . ....... In moving it Mr . O'Connor suggested that they should be selected from different parts of the coun try , in order that all mig ht be fully satisfied Messrs . Donovan , Conn , Walker , Burrell , Shaw , W . Brook , and Page , were appointed . Mr William Dixon brought forward the case ofa disputed claim to a heuse in the Chartist Co-OpcratlTe Land Company , between Messrs . Barber and _Houghton . of _Ashton-under-Lyne _, arising out of the sale of a share , which turned up a prize . Mr . Walker said be intended to submit a motion to the effect that no peison shall be allowed to cell a share after _drawing a prize . He would , therefore , -ue"esi tbat Mr . Dixon ' s question should stand oyer until such time as his intended motion was disposed of " . .. - ., Mr . O Connor thought it rather a question for the directors than the Conference .
Mr T M . Wheller said the ca « e had been already considered and disposed of hy the Board of Directors ; tbe facts were that a Mr . Mills , who held a share , _wished to go to America , and consequently had transferred his Share i . * -vio . i . s to the ballot , and when the
The Delegates Assembled At The People's ...
ballot took place , it happened to turn up a prize ; the person to whom it was transferred , held other _shareB at the time , but immediately transferred tbem _; this question had been submitted to the board , and decided on its merits to be a strictly legal transaction . Mr . Smyth thought thecountry was of opinion that no man could legall y transfer his share after having obtained his allotment by ballot . Mr . T . M . Wheeler said such things were of daily _o-currence . A man held shares , he became depressed in circumstances from slackness of work or other mbX fortunes , and thus was compelled to dispose of them ; such was the case with Mr . Mills . Mr . O'Connor thought there was no cause for alarm ; he had offered eighty pounds for a four acre allotment at Herringsgate , and his offer was declined .
Mr . G . Cavil moved that this Conference agrees with the decision made in this case b y the Directors , believing it to be strictly legal . Mr . Gilbertson seconded the motion , which , after a few words from Messrs . Cuffay and Donovan , was carried . Mr . _O'Cohxor in earrying out the programme of business , brought forward the question ofa
HANK 0 _F DEP 081 T AND I 88 UB . and said it was an important question—it would obviate the necessity of either sale or mort gage of the Land . Mortgage would to a certain extent cripple their exertions , as for twelve thousand pounds worth of property , they could not expect to get more than eight thousand by mortgage . He thought . their bank giving three per cent ., would be far better , and much more secure than the existing banks . He had received many votes from trade societies , requesting him to _establiBh ' _-ibank _. 'ahd-promising to withdraw their deposits , and deposit their cash in the People ' s Bank as soon as ' established , and there ' s would not be like many others , mere bubble security , but the good and substantial one of land . Thia would afford the
company time to wait , and not force on a sale ; whereby thoy might , if they determined to sell , realise sixteen thousand pounds for their Herringsgate property ; which , it would be seen , the amount of rent realised would justify a capitalist giving , and thus would they be enabled to carry on the operations ofthe society much quicker , and locate one thousand j where now they could only locate one hundred . The people had how begun to see the value of Land , and the Star of last week exhibited at one view the mind of the working men of England , Ireland , and Scotland , all co-operating for one object . The people were anxious to obtain immediate possession of land , and hence the necessity of taking some effectual step to secure that object .
Mr . Burrell rose with great pleasure to second the motion , he believed a bank of deposit and loan was the best thing that could be adopted . A provident bank had been established in Scotland , and the security offered was the docks and harbours of Greenock , which no one was likely to purchase , and our national Bank of England offered no better security than eight hundred millions of debt . He thought the proposed bank should be managed as a separate and distinct concern , apart from the Land Company , although in aid of its objects , and he would like it to be placed under the direction of the British Guarantee Society , which had the sanction of government , and he thought its directors should be paid as well as the directors of any other banks . He cordially seconded the motion .
Mr . Clark said many members of the company desired that their allotment ? should become freehold , the motion submitted would have the effect of accomplishing this . He believed , if the Bank could give three per cent ., gentleman ' s servants and other small capitalists wenld be happy to bank with them , taking their Chartist Land as their security , and he believed tho allottees , in six years , would be able to possess their allotments as freeholds . He did not agree with Mr . Burrell , that it should be separate and distinct from the society . Mr . W . Dixos said his constituents were much in favour of this object , and a trades' body , with whom he was well acquainted , were ready to withdraw their money from the savings bank and deposit it in the people ' s bank .
Mr . Donovan said he thought the proposition was calculated to put the people in possession of the land much speedier than they otherwise could . He believed the plea was well calculated to make the company what it was intended to be , the regeneration ofthe working classes . Mr . Wild said the question had been discussed amongst his constituents , and he thought if * the trades put their funds in their hands , there might be circumstances occur that would compel those societies to draw out their deposits , at the rate of thousands per week . Now he thought if a capital of £ 50 , 000 was raised there could be no difficult in keeping a capital of £ 15 , 000 in hand to meet such emergencies . His district was desirous of becoming _freeholders , and he thought this was the only course calculated to give the directors the power to hold the land Hntil such times as the allottees could purchase their own allotments .
Mr . Smttii _, Bradford , thought a vast number of freeholders would be the depositors , and consequently , no danger to be apprehended from precipitate withdrawal of capital . Many thousand pounds from his district only waited the establishment of the people ' s Bank and would be immediately deposited . Mr . J . R . Smart said his district was unanimousl y in favour of a bank of deposit and loan . Mr . Page said , he was acquainted with persons who were ready to deposit five hundred pounds in such a bank immediately it was opened , he wished it to be in connexion with the movement , and should support it . Mr . Shaw said , he was instructed to support the preposition , and not to part with the land under any circumstances whatever , the company was formed to get the land for the people . He knew there were many persons who were ready to deposit their superfluous cash with them .
Mr . O'Connor wished to be permitted to 9 ay a few words more before they adjourned . He meant by his projected _** . lan , three departments , first , deposit ; second , redemption ; third , sinking fund . As regards the withdrawals , timely notice would be given , the redemption fund too , would be security for more than any sum likely to be withdrawn . He hoped this Conference , before it gepirated , would put its veto , on selling the land , altogether . The great obect was to get the land and keep it . If a run was made , which he did not anticipate , a mortgage could be readily obtained to meet it ; establish this bank of deposit and the locating ofthe people would be easy —as easy to locate a thousand as it wasnow a hundred ; he had credit himself to raise a capital sufficient to meet any run that mig ht be made . ( Loud cheers . ) The question was then adjourned , after which , the _Conference , likewise , adjourned until the
following morning
TUESDAY . The Conference resumed its sitting this morning at the time appointed . Mr . Sweet in the chair . Mr . Gilbertson reported from the committee on the Oldham District election , that the election was informal , nnd that Mr . Hamer ' _s election was consequently null and void . Mr . _' BunftELL moved that Messrs . Hamer and Martin Ireland be allowed to sit as representatives of the Oldham district . Mr . Henry Ross seconded the motion . Mr . Brook : moved as an amendment that the report just presented be received . Mr . Rouse seconded the amendment . The original resolution was carried . Mr . Cuffat moved that the votes given by the two delegates just seated count as one . —Mr . J . Shaw seconded tbe motion .
Mr . Brook moved , as an amendment , that tbe minutes be read . —Mr . Clark seconded thc amendment . Amendment carried , and the minutes was accordingly read and confirmed . The Secretary handed in a protest against the election of Mr . Smith for the Halifax district which was referred to the committee on contested elections . The adjourned debate on the
BASK OF _DErOJIT AND ISSUE , on the motion of Mr . O'Connor , was resumed by Mr . _Suaw . who briefly expressed a wish for its
success . . Mr . Brook said the question of sale and mortgage had been much discussed in the Leeds district , where astrong feeling prevailed against the selling of the land , and they would be much gratified when they heard that this motion was adopted . Mr . Gilhhrisgn coincided with the view of the last speaker . Mr . Bkadlet said his constituents feared that the Government might take steps to break up tbe Bank , and therefore wished that persons desirous of withdrawing money to tlie amount of one hundred pounds should give six months' notice . Mr . Smith , Halifax , would support the proposition , if small deposits could be received . Messrs . Cavill , Conn , Brown , and Hamer , supported thc motion .
Mr . Holloway read some resolutions passed at Kidderminster , in favour of leaving the question in the hands of the directors , and from other places in favour of a Bank . He supported the motion .
The Delegates Assembled At The People's ...
Mr . Iwsb said , 'he represented . Borne fourteen towns , allbpposed to the selling of the Land , under any _ciroiiibstancet . His constituents + in France would _Juttdeitake f to deposit some seven hundred pounds .- _^ .... - Mr . CotfaysaU he had receivejl ho instructions ns regards the _Baijk , but he was instructed to oppose the _» aleofthe ; liind , and henco he would support the motion ,, and trusted great caution would be observed . _^ . * : _- .-, V . _^ Mr . SjiTTH ' a _hstructions was to support the motion ... : j . _ :... . .. ' . '•'• " _.,, ' ; _Mf- T . M . _W-gsi-LER would supportthe establishment ot a bank of j deposit , but he thought branch banks would be to anweildy for them to manage at present . He _thought a _redemption fund was an absolute necessity , r
Mr . O'Connor _vfeuld be sorry to see any large capitalist or meneimonger deriving benefits from the results of his labours . As to the slims to be paid m _, he w _« uld say any sura , as they had threepenny instalments he cdjld not" see why they should not pay threepenuy de / osits " to the' Redemption : Fund , and it would enabl _? the members to place the money in banks instead ; bf the _publieatils store . He' was decidedly opposed to loans . If they mortgaged , tbey 8 acrificed _,- _? nd if they sold , they must doit in a way that _wouldjiDsurea , profit . _TAere _. _tras no mortgage on a _tittlelrf'their property . - Hehad been offered seven _thoUBahdaamortsage on the Redmarleyestate , but had _OfMned-tke offer , *; determined to leave the
encei' _Afftr / the qnwHon _^ ofha T _* nig _* the ;& ank _;> epar ate , it was impossible , for where would be the security . Separate and distinct directions , would , of course , be necessary . As to branch banks , they were impossible ; they must have but one central reservoir forthe receipt of cash . He hoped they would come to ah unanimous vote on the question . He had never charged a shilling for his travelling expenses to view estates , although it had cost him fifteen pounds in . a week , but henceforth as tiiey were a wealthy society , he should consider them better able to piy than he was . ( Loud cheering . ) Again he trusted they would come to an unanimous decision .
Mr . Brook thought the best way would bo to submit a distinct proposition , he would therefore propose the following : — That it will be more conducive to th * interest of tlie Lp . nd Company , both collectively nnd individually , that funds requisite for the carrying out the objei-t of the company be raised by tbe establishment of a bank of deposit of either sale or mortgage , Mr . BoBRBLi * moved . ; - — That a committee of five persons be appointed to draw up a code of rules , on which the bank shall be established , Mr . Walker seconded the motion . -- Mr . J . Shaw proposed as an amendment—That the directors shall submit tbe details of a plan for the establishment of a bank of deposit , and report the same to-morrow . [ Mr . Shaw ' s amendment was not seconded . ] Mr . Donovan moved the following
amendment—That Mr . Burrell , and all persons who have any infor . mation to give , do convey the same by letter to tlie directors . Mr . Brook seconded the amendment . The mover and seconder having expressed a wish to withdraw the motion , it was accordingly withdrawn , and the amendment w _* is unanimously agreed to . Mr . O'Cohnor next submitted the next question on the programme : *—
What sort of cottages shall be erected for the allottees for the future , aud how much money shall ba expended in tbeir erection . ¦• He thought the cottages should be as ixuch alike as possible , and four rooms the greatest number of rooms He thought such cottages would not cost more than seventy pounds in their erection . Indeed he thought three rooms sufficient , giving the occupant the privilege of adding at his own pleasure and expense , and _, 'then these cottages would not cost more than sixty pounds each . It was of all things necessary that a plan of cottages should be decided on . Mr . Siuw thought it an important question for the consideration of this Conference , he would there * fore
propose—That a committee of five persons be appeinted , CQn 8 i 5 tingof tbe following persons , Messrs . Ross , Smart , Wild , Dixon , and Burrell , to carry out the object contemplated . Mr .- (/ _iviHyseconded the motion ; _--i _*^* _- * *'' - •' " - ¦ Mr . ' Smtth moved— ; , _, . That three room cottages on one floor be adopted _. Seconded by Mr . Page . Mr . Burrell moved—That each allottee shall hare his choice as to the size of the' houst ; he may wish to occupy , always provided , he dots not exceed the sum appropriated for thr . tpurpose , Mr . Bradley seconded this amendment . Mr . Wild thought the rule had better remain as
it was . Mr . Clark thought the several class of houses should be uniform , making the largest four rooms , and that no larger be allowed unless the allottee shall be prepared ta deposit the cash requisite for that purpose . Mr . Coffat was opposed to the motion for a committee . He wished faith to be kept with the present members , ho would wish them to have all that had been promised . Although as a democrat he admired equality and uniformity , he could not forget that the present system was founded on a rule adopted by the late Conference ,, and on which promise the shares had been taken up .
- AFTERNOON SITTING . Resumption of . the debate on the plan of cottages . Mr . Henry Ross , said he did not agree with Mr . O'Connor , that the cottages were too large , at the same time a feur room'd house was large _enough for moderate families . He thought that the members should be allowed to exercise their taste , and if there was a little diversity , it would only be in accordance with nature ' s Jaws . He was desirous of seeing some regulation made by which shareholders could build their own houses , he knew many members that would like to do so . Mr . Gilbertson , said he was instructed to vote far two , three , and four rooms , according to the several classes . Mr . Smyth , thought three room'd house would be deemed a paradise by the poor _woolcomhers .
Mr . DixGn , thought four rooms quite sufficient , and as many as would be kept comfortable when obtained . _&* Mr . _M'GRAin could not agree with any of the propositions now before the Conference . He thought provision should be made to suit the condition and circumstances of all parties . He would move the following resolution : — That there shall be but two classes of houses , _comprising respectively three and four rooms , of not less than twelve feet square , and that it shall be optional with the _allotees as to which of tbem they shall huve , allotees however to have houses of larger dimensions provided they advance the requisite capital for that purpose . Mr . Dotle would second the motion . Mr . _Baoox , suggested a slight amendment to Mr . M ' Grath ' s proposition . Mr . - _M'Gratu , had no objection to adopt Mr . Brook ' s suggestion .
Mr . O Connor said the object of this discussion was to ensure economy in the cottages combined with comforts , lie agreed with those who said , the members of the company had elected a Conference like this , to make alterations and amend rules for the government of the Company , and would doubtless be satisfied with the conclusion this Conference might come to . Mr . Ross had said he objected to uniformity . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) did not wish it in the way supposed . They might build the cottages like Noahs Arkif they wished _. but he wanted nn uniformity in price , and if the allotees wished and had the means , they might if they liked build castles . Hedid not think they broke faith , seeing that they did not charge tor that they did not build . Thev must come to some description of a house ; he had " drawn up this rule forthe opinion of Conference , and which he would submit : —
That the society shall not , out of the funds , build any house of more than four rooms , for four acre , nnd thnc acre occupants , and three room'd houses for two _ncre occupants , no room to be legs than twelve feet square ; wlulu all lots balloted for shall be assigned to the pnrtiu * getting prized before the houses are built , then leaving it optional with such occupants , as to whether or not tlio _\ wish for ' any addition to the society ' s regulation and for which such occupants shall pay themselves before such alterations are undertaken . Mr . Henry Boss seconded Mr . O'Connor ' s amendment . Mr . Shaw in reply said , the opinions he had heard expressed had only convinced him more forcibly of the neceosity of Im resolution . If it was the opinion of this Conference that four rooms should be thc maxims , he would submit , but he did think that a committee was the best medium of coining to a just conclusion . Messrs . M'Grath and Smyth withdrew tlieir repectivc propositions , and the vote was taken , and
The Delegates Assembled At The People's ...
tbe motion of Messrs . O'Connor and Ross declared to be carried . . The next portion of the programme was introduced by Mr . _O'CoRnor relative to
PLACING ONE FAMILY ON THB SAME ALLOTMENT . He submitted the following motion : — That in order to locate members of the same family upon the fame estate , tbe ballet in future shall be taken as follows : —In such cases , that is to say , suppose the members wishing to hazard their shares on one ballot shall amount to four snares , and suppose the number to be ballotted for be fifty , in such case when forty-six shall be drawn , all chances of such members then resting their chance upon one ballot f hall cease in that ballot . Mr . _Buookseconded the motion . ' Mr . Donovan thought the resolution would he unjust / and called upon a family to make too many sacrifices . It was an intricate question ; they had discussed it much in Manchester , and the more they discussed itthemoredifficulttheyfound it . He thought it would be beneficial to locate families together ; they would be better calculated to work together than strangers .
Mr . VVnBELBR thought Mr . O'Connor ' s proposition was decidedly unjust , as it would do away with nine chances out of thirty . Mr . Smyth approved of the resolution submitted by Mr . O'Connor , and could see no _injustice in it ; the sacrifice , if sacrifice it was , wis entirely voluntary . !* Mr . Rouse proposed the following : — ; _'•' TMt _&' ' « nBble ; j ( eft partments _be'dirided'In' proportion . to the ' number *« " ? acres ( making the'family allotment to consist of a _gifim number of acres ) the given number to be decided by , a subsequent resolution . Mr . Cuffay seconded the amendment . Mr . M'Gkatii thought Mr . O'Connor ' s a just and equitable proposition . He thought it was necessary that the family wishing to be located together , should belong to one class , and all the names of the family should be put on one ticket .
After some remarks from Messrs . Clark , Bradley , Holloway , Walker , Wheeler , and Dixon , Mr , O'Connor intimated a desire to make an addition to his motion , and said he thought his motion instead of being an injustice , was the very contrary . The addition he wished to make was That no name should be placed on thc ticket , but the names of such as were of sufficient age to occupy , and that only five names should be placed on one ticket . He thought this necessary to give security that the houses should be kept in proper order and repair . Mr . Buruhll was of opinion that a scale should be drawn out , on which members wishing to be located together should be required to act . Mr . Cuffay moved that the Conference resolve itself into Committee to consider the question ' . Mr . Wild seconded the motion .
The question was put , and an equality of votes were declared , whereupon the Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of going into committee . Mr . Ross thought the number of acres should be limited to four for one of those family or co-operating parties . Mr , Pa g e was decidedly of opinion that minors should be excluded . Mr . T . M . Whkeleb said , in some places in Scotland nearly the whole of a town was desirous of cooperating together . Mr . Donovan said , the more they discussed the more complicated the affair became , he could not see that Mr . O'Connor ' s plan was just , lie thought it was almost impossible to decide this question before they had discussed the rules . He would move " That this question stand adjourned until the rules be discussed . "
Mr . Wheeler read some instructions forwarded to Mr . Wilkinson , from the Exeter district , who wa- unfortunately detained at home by severe indisposition . The instructions were in favour of the bank of deposits , & c . & c . Mr . Cuffay seconded Mr . Donovan ' s amendment , which was , however , subsequently withdrawn . After some remarks from Messrs . Doyle , Wild , and Brook , the amendment was put and lost , and Mr . O'Connor ' s motion was declared to be carried . Mr , O'Connor moved , That no person make part ofthe aggregate of shares , constituting the family or co-operative party , under the age of eighteen years , Mr , Shaw seconded the motion . Mr . Cuffay supported the _mction as being well calculated to keep the land in tbe hands of working men .
Mr . Clark objected to the proposition on the ground that nny person who had paid their shares , had a right to the benefits resulting therefrom , and the lease should be made out in the name of the minors . Mr . O'Connor explained that in law they could not make the lease to a minor , the father orguardian would take it . Mr . Clahk persevered and moved : —• That minors liars the same right as majors . Mr . Holloway seconded the amendment . Mr . Donovan opposed the motion , as unjust and impracticable . After some remarks from Mr . O'Connor and Cuffay , the _Conference adjourned forthe night .
WEDNESDAY . The Conference resumed its sitting at the usual time , Mr . J . Street in the chair . Mr . Gilbertson reported from the Halifax District Election Committee , "That the election of Mr . Charles Smith eras wull and void , in consequence of gross irrogularitiGg . " Mr . Brook moved , and Mr . _Sxiyth ( Bradford ) seconded , that the report be received . Received accordingly . Mr . Smith entered into an explanation , and stated that if any blame was attached to him , it must be imputed to ignorance on his part , and should another election occur , and he be returning officer , he would act differently . Mr . Conn moved that Mr . Charles Smith be allowed to take his seat . Mr . Shaw seconded the motion .
After some discussion , this motion was withdrawn , and Mr . Smith retired from the Conference . The adjourned debate on the " Family ballot" and allocations was then resumed . Mr . Ross said he had received no particular instructions on the subject ; it was anything but clear ; but he thought the best way was to fall back on the motion of Mr . O'Connor . Mr . Burrell said neither the motion nor the amendment came up to his views , he would therefore
move—That in the event of minors having allotments assigned to them ou the same estate with their parents , the directors _rhall appoint two trustees to act in conjunction with the parents , whose duty it shall be to employ a sufficient amount of labour , and expend the requisitc quantity of manure upon thc minor ' s estate , in order that the rights of the minors may be secured , the rent guaranteed , and the value of the estate preserved , and further that the whole proceeds of the allotment , after the labour and other necessary expenses are paid , be invested in thc redemption fund to the credit of the
minors . Mr . O'Connor said he should be sorry to have to becora _* - the step-father of all tho minors ; it would be a dilhcu . lt and complicated affair . This business was found a cumbrous affair even to the Lord Chancellor , and he thought it could not be carried out . He appealed to fathers , would they like to live in the castle while trustees managed their funds ? If it was carried , he should move that Mr . Wheeler be the father ; he had hoped it was a crotchet of Mr . liurrell ' s ; ho was not _a- * vare that Mr . Wheeler had the bump of _philoprogenitiveness so largely developed—why , there would be a whole army of young Wheelers . ( Loud laughter . ) Mr . WiLDthonght it would be well if we refrained from legislation on the subject until a case occurred requiring it . Mr , Smyth thought such cases was certain to occur , and should be provided lor .
Mr . O'Connor moved that the Conference go into a Committee oftlie whole house . Seconded by Mr . Dixon , and carried unani _mously . Mr . M'Grath said some members seemed to think that the admission of minors into the company had beeni njurious , but he differed from that , in asmuchas the fund so created helped the adrilts _, and tlie minora when they became majors had something to fall back on . lie thought the idea of minors possessing the same right as adults was ridiculous , as duties attended rights which the minors could not perform _, lie thought it necessary for the Conference to define the _rbhts of minors , and concluded by moving a resolution in _accordance _. Which was seconded by Mr , Wild ,
Mr . Clark thought the parents would make better guardians than thc ' Land Company . Mr . M'Grath seemed to think bis motion would create an aristocracy , and that the minors would receive nine hundred pounds without labour , but it would be an extraordinary thin- , ' to find families of six without some of them beiug able to lab * ur ; for instance , a good stout boy of fourteen was able , and frequently was as useful _, as men on tlie land . Mr . O'Connor paid Mr . Clark in opposing Mr . M'Grath ' s , had supported thc _original resolution . Mr . Clark had said his system would not introduce
The Delegates Assembled At The People's ...
the _middlemenSystem , but he thought by _MmUMngg four or five children oh the same land as the father , ' , they would introduce the very worst feature of thatt system . He would use the words ' of ' the * late Mr .. _"Gobbet , and 'tell- them that they could not legislate 6 h . it ¦ the j subject , therefore ' h ' e ' said let the fathers ,, thei natural protectors , '' be the guardians of the * - children . If they passed the resolution proposed by iVIr . M'Grath , not a father in England would tako _) up a share for his child . ' ... Mr : Shaw would support Mr . _O'Connors motion . _Mr- _'CuFFAYjiaid he would support Mr * O'Connor ' s i motion ; " - * . Mr . " , _Ui-koiy . said he thought it was wrong that any man should obtain the tee-simple of twenty acres of land , but the more he considered the case the mora he was lost in it .
Mr . M'Grath said they inust not forget that the property would always remain the property of _ th ' e Company , until such time as they had . bought ithe thought fathers were bound to support their children on their allotments . ' '" _* . - Mr . Burrell said he believed it was quite consistent with the laws of the country , that _minorsshould hold . He thomrht it would be the father ' s part to look to his children , but it would likewise be the duty of the Trustees to see thnt the property and riehts of the Compahv were duly secured .
Mr . Holloway said he thought it Mr . Clark f propoattion was not adopted , it would create _diaaatidtnction among all those who were favourable to _amalgamation . And again , if fathers found Mr . O Connor s proposition was adopted , they would immediately transfer their shares to other persons . t __ Mr . Donovan said if Mr . O'Connor ' s proposition was adopted , it would be detrimental to the interests ofthe Company , rfe ' thr _. ught ' when capital waspaid in by one person , and circumstances compelled that person to _tran-fcr it to another , the person to whom it was transferred could not feel that interest in it , and the paying up of shares would decline in proportion .
AFTERNOON SITTING . Mr . Cuffay presented a petition from Glasgow against the return of Mr . Walker , signed by William McMurray and William McDonald , and moved that it be received ; at the same time protesting against its . ' praying' form . Mr . _O'Chnnoh seconded the motion . Carried unanimously . T The'dohatn ' ofi"Family Compact ; _aaftegards-tallofr " ing for allocation , was resumed . -. _.--.- ¦ Mr : Smyth said if the parent got the share the child should go witb , and vice versa . Mr . J . R . Smakt had arrived at the conclusion to vote with Mr . O'Connor .
Mr . Bradlbt had arrived at a similar conclusion with Mr . Smart . Mr . Gilbbrtson woul I support ( he original motion . Mr . Brown said , looking to the fourth rule , anybody was eligible to become members who took out cards and rules , andpaid one shilling and fourpence ; and the ctH had , therefore , commenced witb the origin of the company . He would , therefore , move : — " That henceforth no person , he admitted into the Chartist Land Company under the age of fourteen years , " Mr . Cuffat seconded the motion .
Mr . Siiaw opposed Mr . Cuffay ' s motion . Mr . Ross moved , — " That the Finance Committee be allowed to make their report . Seconded by Mr . Wild , and carried unanimously . Mr . John SnAW said , they had thoroughly sifted Mr . O'Connor ' s accounts , and found them correct to a halfpenny . Mr . Wild moved , that the report be received . Mr . Smart seconded the motion . Mr . Smyth wished to know thc total sum received , and was informed it amounted to £ 18 . 250 . is . Hid .
Mr . 0 Connor related the immense sums it , cust him in travelling to see estates , which were not , nor would they be , entered . He had vouchers for ail ; and never were men better satisfied than were the seven the Conference had _appointed as a committ ' e , And all he required was that they should refute and put down the rascals that went about the country stating that he was spending the money of the people in support oftlie Northern Star . The report was unanimously adopted . Mr . John Shaw moved the following resolution : —
Resolved , —That we , the undersigned _Dalegates , having been appointed to scrutinize the Accounts of Feargus O'Connor , Esq .. as Sub-Treasurer to the " Chartist _Co-operative Lam ! Company , " have now to report , that , upon themo _1- _*; minute examination of such Accounts , we find that every Farthing which has been received by him is duly accounted for . The Vouchers have been produced for every item of expenditure , however trifling , mid that from the Bank Book , which has beeu submitted to our inspection , it appears , that the various sums which he has received have been faithfully deposited in the hamls o £ the Company ' s Banker , in conformity with rule , and that upon comparing the date of the Receipts with the Bank Deposits , they equally correspond with _pnnh other .
"That in consequence of the _infamoM calumnies which have been circulated with the malicious intent of injuring the reputation of Mr , 0 ' Connor ; we hereby _declare the unbounded satisfaction wbich the inspection of his accounts with the Society has afforded us , and at the same time to express in the name of our numerous _constituents , the gratitude which is duo to him for his long and faithful services in the cause of the working classes . ( Signed ) John Suaw , William Uonn , Jun ., Henry Pagb , William Hrook _, _Robbrt Burrell , ' Archibald Walker . Damei , _Donotam , Chairman . " Mr . Smyth ( Bradford ) , seconded the motion .
When , after a tew words trom Messrs . Burrell , Ross , and Dixon , Mr . Brook said , he thought the gentlemen who mads calumnious statements did not think themselves ignorant ; therefore , he was anxious to be on the committee : and , having been , he could now return to Leeds , and say the assertions that had been made were falsp , and that Mr . O'Connor was In every way worthy to be trusted with the working men ' s money ; and heshould now call tor implicit confidence in Mr . O'Connor . He thought it was their duty to say to Mr . O'Connor , " You have served us faithfully and well ; and we will not allow you any longer to go about the country at your own expense . " He thought they _ouyht to express their thanks in even a more substantial way , and phtce Mr . O'Connor in such a position as to he out of the way of all his opponents .
Mr . Conn said , prejudices had prevailed to a great extent in the agricultural districts ; and hence ho was happy to have formed a member of the Finance Committee . He could now return , and say , that he had seen those accounts , and that they were perfectly _satisfactory . Mr . Walker said , ho was equally satisfied with the other members of the committee , and should havo pleasure in returning to Scotland and stating the
same . Mr . Pack ( Bath ) reiterated the like sentiments . Mr . Shaw said , he was much obliged to Daniel O'Connell for making us a present of the " niadbrained Fearsus , " and he was sure the people of England would make the most of the present . The motion was carried unanimously , amid gveat applause . Mr . _O'Coxson said he could only thank them for the attention they had paid to the subject . He thanked them sincerely for the appointment of the committee , and the committee for the resolution they had adopted .
Mr . Smyth moved that the resolution just adopted be printed in the shape of a circular , aud distributed in all the districts . Mr . Dixon seconded the motion , Mr . Clark had been through the country , and was sure Mr . O'Connor never stood higher in public opinion , and thought the motion unnecessary . Mr , Shaw supported the motion for printing . Mr . Ross also supported tho motion . Messrs . Smart and Cuffay supported the motion , which was carried with the condition that the resolution should be advertised in two Irish papers , a Scotch paper , and iwo or three English provincial papers .
The Debate on ramily Parties for purposes of ballot lor allocation , was again resumed by Mr . Donovan , who said he did not think the arguments adduced in favour of the original motion of any value . He had two sisters , members of the Company , and did they think he should be more careful for his sisters than he would for his own children ? Well , if land was to be cultivated for females , he could nofc see wh y it mig ht not also be cultivated for children , also . Mr . Ross moved that the Conference resume its sitting . Mr . Cupfat seconded the motion . Carried unanimously . Mr . Rouse said he was in favour of Mr . Clark ' a plan .
Mr . O'Connor in reply , said , he had shewed fully the superiority of his motion over others , and tha majority of members had expressed their approbation , it would therefore be unnecessary for him to take up their time . Mr . Buuuell , with consent , withdrew his amendment . Thc original motion made by Mr . O'Connor , as declared to be carried , Mr , Shaw moved Hint the directors get ten thousand hand bills as per motion of Mr . Smyth .
Mr . Siiaw moved that the family circles for ballots for allotments of land , shall be confined to four persons . Mr . Smtth seconded the motion . Mr . O'Connor moved that thc number behVe . Mr . Clark seconded thc amendment . The motion for four was carried . Tlie next subject on programme was . considered- ** ' What expenses shall be borne out of ' the Expense Fund . ( Continued in the Fifth ptgt ;) _.
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 12, 1846, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_12121846/page/1/
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