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&o fteatietg anto Corregponttent*
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THE iNORTHEEN STAR. SATFBDAY, DECEMBER 23, ISii.
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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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/ TO THE B . ECHABITES . / GxyrL-yizs , —The fact of several local associations --gf RecialHtes being in existence , and some of them , jil am informed , enrolled by the certifying barrister , placed your case before me in such a complicated farm , that I pxeferred taking the opinion of counsel 4 o relying on my awn knowledge of-the law . There is no Question more complicatedthan those connected -with the formation of associations of any Mud , from -the fact of out rnlers wishing to guard against a pos-TSabflity of such a thing as the existence of a thoroughly legal political association . It is not wonder-= fhl , therefore , that great difficulties should stand in the way ^> f the formation of societies of any description or character . These are matters which I candidly confess that I never lave , and perhaps never
« hall , measure b y legal criticism , and for this special . reason , if a societr is erer so legal , and if any - member , or any number of members , of such society * hail commit an illegal act , the legality of the society will not protect the wrong-doer ; nor is it now-a-days , «) r will it ever again , be the custom to prosecute members of any society for other acts than those committed by themselves , HoweTer different Acta of Parliament may prescribe rules under which societies may be made legal , yet , except in very very -extreme cases , such as are not likely to occur , and « epecially in so excellent , philanthropic , and praise-¦ worthT a bodr as the Kecnabites , the law generally ^ Seals with individuals , and not with the society . Feeling , howeTer , the verv great responsibility that advising on your case -would impose , from the fact of — — *¦ ^^ — ^ — - ^ V ^ F ^^ V - ^ m w - ^ ^^^^ ^ w ^ BM ^^ V m — # » ^^ ^ ™ W » W ^* *»
* great number of statutes bearing upon the question , and DotTepealed by the Combination Act , being vet in existence , 1 felt that 1 best discharged my duty to 4 he Rechabitesijy submitting their ease * to the consideration of counsel , who had time to reflect , and was surrounded by the requisite authorities . The following is the result of his very mature deliberation ; a result which , while it takes some legal technical objections to the constitution of the society , nererti ^ eless very clearlv and forcibly points out those -Sfceo&by which the body may be made legal , as it is praiseworthy . Trusting then , that you will believe that 1 have discharged my duty faithfullv and efficiently , not allowing my own vanity or feelings to « pem « against the interests of the Rechabites , I remain , your obedient Servant , FiiBGca 0 Coxxos .
OPDfLO >\ The ostensible object uf the members of the order of fieehabites seems to be . to constitute themselves into a fxi * nJlv or benefit society ; and therefore it may be better for them to conform to the provisions of the nvo principal statutes upon the subject , the 10 Georjp ? IT ., c . 5 tJ , and 4 and 5 Wffliani IV ., c . 4 t > . By these Acts societies may be formed for providing re-Bef to members , their wives , children , relations , ur nomi-« ets , in sirkness , or other natural state or contingency , fee occurrence thereof is susceptible of calculation b > " * a . y of averaj ^ , or for any other purpose izhich is nctt ffl-emaX : but for all such other purpose * the contributions must
be Kept separate and distinct frvni the payments required ^ n acconnt of relief in case of sickness , or uther natural ¦« c » Dtingem-Tf susceptible of calculation , as aforesaid , or bt Xaised at die time by extra subscription of the members . It is not compulsory on the Jlechabites to enrol theniselres under these statutes ; but whether they do * o or not tbt-v must be legal in purpose and in constitution . Therefare , ¦ whether they enrul or not , I am of opinion that—L . They must disband the general society , and make each body a separate society , having no connection whatever ¦ wit h each other , and not being a mere branch of the parent association . XL The members must not be required to take anv oath
or engagement , not required or authorised by law . -2 IL The names of all officers , committee , and * deleg-ates must be entered in a book , -which shall be open to the inspection of all the members ( see S 9 George 111 , c 79 , s . 2 , and 57 George III ., c 19 , s . 25 ) . IT . I think , also , the reference to arbitration ( mentioned ia the rules 41 , 42 , 4 S ) must not be made compulsory , -tat be offered as a recommendation rind susjgestion . T . All secrecy , -whether by declaration , engagement , or oath , shuold be axoided ; and therefore I think ii would be better to omit rule 50 . Sot the advantages which would accrue to the society ^ y conforming to the Friendly Societies' Act « . seem to potni to that course as the best one which can be adopted . Xmang thi ^ se advantages are the following : —
Tlie rxles art then hiadiiiir , acd caa be legally enforced ; protection is giTen to the members and their familifs agamy ? ar . y fraudulent dissolution of the society . i < r mis-» pj > ropriatli .-n of its funds ; disputes may be settled { then - ^ jlliOgt doobt ) by arbitration ; in case of death of members payments th ^ t £ 20 may be made "without the ei-^ scs « of obtaining letters of administration , and all do--cscaieiits , . i-e-, are exempt froni stamp duly . If the society adopt t > it > cuurse , they must , by * fea of their rules , declare tbe purposes for which feer are established , and direct to what uses the Ereaey subscribed , &c shall be appropriated , and im-^ ase a pe nalty on its mis-appropriaaon ( 10 George IV . C 5 S , s . S ) z and specifr the j « lacesat which the society is to
iRS&t , and provide for the powers and duties of the mem . iss and of committees or omcers ( 2 d- s . ID ) , and state the xumber x-f omcers , the purpose and mode of their election ami period of office ( 3 d . s . 11 ) , and so the number of memfers on committee as -kiHI as their powers ( 3 d . s . 12 ) . The T"l" also must direct in "what manner the consent of the BracVix is tw"be "had to authorize the creasurer to lay out HiB innds ( 2 d _ s , 13 J ; and whether in eases of dispute the reference shaD be to justices of the peace or to arbitra-¦ fcrs ; and , if to arbitrators , the number of them and mode « f eieetion ( id . 5 . 27 . ) Xone of the * arbitrators to be "heaeficiaDy interested in the funds of the society ( 23 ) . Precision must be made that the treasurer or other -prlx > c 5 pal oScer shall anntially prepare a statement of the ftrnAi . &C-, for the use of the members ; and the sum to Se paid for a capr is not to exceed sixpence C-d . o . 35 ) .
£ would ad-vise , howeTer , that the societies should apply Sariiibrai of rules by letter , addressed to " The Barrister ¦ appointed to certify tbe rnlt-3 of fiiendly socienes , Lon--d < za V * he J thtai hairing decided upon them , they must snb--prTt to the barristers app- > inted twu transcripts of the rules . Societies in England , Walts , and Berwick-upon-Tweed , secsi-snbniit theai to ilr . Tidd Pratt ; in Scotland to the larcLldrocate vr the deputy appointed by him ; and in Ire-Jsnd to the barrister appointed there by the . Attorney-^ S « neral i ' -jt Ireland . The fee is one guinea ( 4 and 5 , "WIBiajn TV ., c . « ., s . 4 ) . ^ Bt IO Ge .. .. 1 \\ ( c 56 . s . 4 ) , the barrister , if he refused ¦ ta ' siTe a certificate , was to tx > int out in what rest > cct tile
ndk wert Trpugnant or unlawful ; and , it apj > ears to me . ^? nt thU sccnoD is still in forc e , notirithstanrling ( 4 and 5 . "WilHain IT ., c . 49 , s . 3 ) ; or , at all t-vents , the barrister 3 iK > ald pive Teas < ™ 8 f >» r di ^ allowin ? liieni . a * bj s . 5 , of Ifi G ^ j . IV .. c . -56 ( which - section is certainly , in force ] , 'in cas « the barrister refuse to certify all or any of the nile * -file society may submit the same to the C « urt of Quarter Se&Jvns , t « -gethcr tritX tif reasons astigripi by the barrirttr * x tenting f .-r anv such rejection or disappi » Tal of any one « tr niore - » url > rule * , and the justices may in their dlscre-- £ ton c ^ n ^ T ~ ta anil -al }> m-- t ^ 2 e z- ule ^ -. HXVKI MAfSAMlH . Teiiil'l * -, Dn : 17 , 1 S 44 .
It d'jes ji .. t appear that the Juciety , if enrulled , will Ciar . t Aindt-r the recent Ad relating to Jomt- ^ tuck Compiiiits ( 7 ai . 1 * Ale ., c . 110 ) . Uy s . 2 of that act l \>< - ttrm Joini— -luvk Con ^ panj is to comprehend asuangrl OXJiera - i-. try ) u > tituUoii i-nrollpd under any of the Act * QiTarliuiL-t :: rrlatin ? t-jiriendly iwcieties , » lut-h insritu-H » m > tbxl . i . i-At i » Juraui- » -s oo lives or airain .-: any *¦• > n-HxLgmrj iii .- > j » -njr the duration of human life , to an trxt « iii upon out- VJ ~ . t tor » bt one l > er > . un . to a ., ui /^ i . f txcttilin-j xa » -
HKriAi . i > L « m > 03—TntTBsjuT Evlnlno , Dec . 20 . — The mcelii ^ j of this week hav e not been maijy , ou account of the festirhius of Chroinias , but at the jojup time tbe Kt-peal Wanlena have not been less ax-tive ; tbx-y have Ijelil tlieirlocalcommiiU ^ , auSprvparations have kf j niadp to oarrj outthe agitation ol tbe new 3 ? car tolli rtm-wnl vigour . < i » , \ 7 ' s 1 » Wabu , Albert , Gray ' s Inn I ^ anr . — The liei « aler » oftbi » ward held theirwec'kly meeting on Suniay vwuin ^ last , and but one se , ntuim » t animaicd them , which was , that the most vigorous exertiuus » boulJ be u »« l for a tboroagb tjj-gamsaiion of the wsnl in rcferenee \ o lh > - coilection of the sinew * of war for tbe approaching year . Mr . J . Collim , K . W . aji « l V ., was called to tbe i-liait-, wl » o addressed tbe
coottiitp , and was fi > llowc 4 J » J Mr . * 1 . R . Iteaduii :. fL W ., who , in a spetrh ofgnsit ? engtb , referred to tlie « K » i that arwse from agiUitiou . He showed that JiepeaJ would benefit -tbe workini : classes of England as well a& those of Ireland . He referred to the conduct < £ the Marquis of I > ontlonderry in threatening the Knoi ;« h coliiers with innuaating them witb IrLJimen . He said that he would not use that threat to the bonest artirans of England if Ireland had a Parliament , lie « ud It was foDy to talk of putting Ireland upon tbe same footing as Engbind , when Enjrland was crying oal for justu-e from her imperious rulers . The time log fast approaching when the millions of Enirland and Ireland would demand their rights in a voice that "would not be refused . Mr . Readinirwaslondlvobeered .
Mr . Calanan , R . W ., aext addressed the meeting ; in Hm course of a lengthened speech he said that the Irish people acted upon the defensive morally , but that it * aa constitutional to resist aggression , come from ¦ whereit may . ilr . T . G'Calkguan , B , W . ( Cork ) , then followed , and addressed the meeting in his usual eloquent style . In the course of hi 3 speech he stated thai the principles he had just adduced might be called Qiar tistprincaples ; rf so . aHlieliadtosay . was . xhey were good . He was perfectly right in adopting the principles of any party to carry out his own . He had oeen advocating the cause for the last eighteen years . He den condemned the Catholic Bequests Act as a measure fraught with injustice towards the Catholics of Ireland . Several were enrolled .
3 iooKTEELDS Wasd , Brown Bear , EAdon-street , Moorfields . —On Sundavevening last Mr . J . O'Brien , S . W . and V ., presided " . The whole of the evening - as occupied in denouncing the evil tendency of the Catholic Bequests Bill , upon which the chairman ¦ dwelt at considerable length with bis usual elo quence . Mr . Minton will preside on Sunday evening next . GRiiTix "WisD , "White lion , Drury Lane , —On Sunday eveningTast Mr . Eorgan , R . W ., was in the chair . After reading the late proceedings of the Association , "the ^ chairman dwelt at great length on the benefit "Siat Ireland-wonld receive "by the Repeal . Several ^ wereenrolled : after which the meeting adjourned .
Johs O'Cossixl " WiBD , Temperance Ball , Sey--street , Somers-town . —On Monday evening last © e&gwasield , bat was notso nmneroHalyatteDded , coount of its near approximation to Christmas . 34 r . . TF . J . O'Connell ( Inspector-General ) and Mr . W . ^ teiiie , R . V . j atteaded in the early part of the evenly , bat did not stay , expecting there would not be a ^ f After a short time Mr . Tfiggins , R . W ., -vas&Sed toib £ cha » , andMr . Kooney R . W ^ read Ott IrteOTOCeedinga at the Conciliation Hail , publin , ^ ftd called die attention of ihe meefing particularly ¦ 4 ^ I }* speech of ihe Liberator on the disturbed state 4 f & 0 oonnfes of Leitrim and Cavan , and Mr . S . jj ^ Bt ^ n ' s letter dq tiiesame subject . The meeting
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Rothsehithe WiBD . —A numerous meeting of this ward was held on Sunday « veningat the Rose and Summer , Paradise-street ; Mr . J . White , R . W ., presided . The proceedings of the late meeting of the Association were read by Mr . M . Gasserley , R . W ., aud sixty persons enroBea themselves as associates . A vote of thanks vraa passed to the chairman , and the meeting separated . Brighton Conciliation "Wabi > . —On Sunday , the loth , a most numerous meeting of this ward was held at the Thistle , Middle-street . Mr , Johnson , a Scotch gentleman , was in the chair . He opened the business of the meeting by emphatically calling on those
present to rally under the moral banner of Repeal . Mr . Bowmer , an Englishman , denounced the Catholic Bequests Bill . Several extracts were read from the Association reports . And it was announced , amidst loud cheers , that the Repeal Reading Room would be opened on the first Monday of the new year . Mr . Guinness , of Dublin , will preside at the " next meeting . On SrxnAT , Jan . 5 , a large meetingwill be held at the Prince'B Head , Pidnce ' s-street , Westminster , at whieh Mr . W . O'Connell , Inspector-general , Mr . W . Dunne , R . W ., Mr . O'Malley , R . W ., and others will attend .
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Mobs Muhdebs in Ibblaxs . —Dcbixs , Dec . 18 . —< Private letters have been received in town this afternoon , stating that Mr . John Carden , of Barnane , near Templemore , in the county of Tipperary , was yesterday shot dead near his residence . A letter from Athboy states that an attempt at assassination was made in that neighbourhood . An . extensive grazier , whose name 3 have not learned , went out yesterday evening , accompanied by his brother , to look at some cattle , when they were fired upon . The brother , it is stated , was wounded .
Case or Csm Con . —Mcllet . v . Llotd . —Court of "Exchbjceh , SAirEDAT . —This was an action brought to recover damages for criminal intercourse with the plaintiffs wife . The defendant pleaded not guilty . The damages were paid at £ 2 , 000 . The defendant " is the well known proprietor and publisher of JJovd ' s Weekly London Newspa per , the Pennv Sunday Times , and several similar publications of the Greenacre school The defendant , who is some years older than the plaintiff , and has a wife and two children , was on terms of intimacy with the latter , who is a papermaker , and supplied IJovd with paper for his
publications . The wife of the plantitf is the mother of four eliildren . Mr . Serjeant Talfourd stated the case to the jury , and called witnesses , whose evidence left no doubt of tbe defendant ' s guilt . Mr . Coekburn , counsel for the defendant , admitted the fact that his client and the plantiff ' s wife were at the present time living in adultery . His address to the jury seemed to be wholly directed to the reducing the damages which the jury might errant the plaintiff to as small an amount as possible . The Lord Chief Baron summed up , and the jurj found a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages £ 750 .
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OUR PAST rOLICT . The closing of the old , and the coming in of the New Year , is a j > eriod that inrariahlj gives rise ^ to much reflection , whether it runs in the direction of pleasurable reminiscences of the past , or flattering anticipations of the future . Families , friends , relatives , acquaintances , and customers , are at that period brought into closer contact ¦ nith each other . " Stock is taken , " as it were , of the past ; and a kind of balancing of accounts takes place . Old friendships are revived ; new associations formed ; and fresh alliances made . The present is not , therefore , an inappropriate time for us to talk over past events with our old friends , with whom we have been in weekly communication . ^ Te have headed this article
OUJ PAST POLICY , as the test whereon we would ground our present discourse . We have selected the theme because it was one that gave rise , not long since , to angry bickering amongst friends , that created sorrow in the minds of our Whig foes , and led the Tory partv into the anticipation of results which have not been realized . At thu last general d ^ tion public opinion was " » mverjng between renewed hope " , in Whi gsrerr and diminished dread of Toryism ;
while the prisons were filled with the leaders of that section of society upon whose decision the contest between rival factions niainly depended . little time was allowed to the forghing multitude for reflection ; and the Star , as the acknowledged organ of the people , was appealed to , and fearlessly took upon itself the responsibility of recommending the destruction of the old , the active , the cruel , and unbending foe , -without inspiring any , the slighest , confidence iii their victorious enemy .
Our policy , instead of being termed Anti-Whig , -was tletisnated "PRO-TORY . " The walls of ever } " borough , town , and city , were covered with " Chartist delinquency . " The columnJ of the Whig press teemed with rabid " denunciation of the Tory Chartists ; " and the mouth of every disappointed demagogue , "polideal pedlar , " and Whig lickspittle , foamed again with froth y rag < -, against those whom chains bad not convinced , whom the dungeon had not enlightened , or the tread-wheel
made more pliant . In vain was another trial besought for them- whose whole career was marked by treachery , disap ] Njintinent , and fraud . In vain was the bugabooism » i old Toryism presented to the affrighted imagination ' In vain was tin- attempt to ri-concile us to what the Wliigs . had done , by assurances of what the Tories , if Jn powtr , kvuZJ » io . We judged ]« ositivcly , and not comparatiw }\ . we felt aud saw the positive inflictions under which t- \ ert class of society , from the monarch to the worhhouse
pauper , writhed . \\\ . saw in the palace & kind of seraglio , and a ¦» cry young , an d , we believe , a very estimable wom .-m , subjected to the contaminating influences of h «; r .-ilitarj debauchees , reck te ** jjfculators in female plirinrr , and jwlitiral trafficker * crva ia a youthful nomau ' s fame . Kt saw class fed upon class—the lnflurtitial c . «>* i-h fc-d upon thv unprotected . We saw tho reul- > madt : by iiiuoiations patcbe < l up , yr daubed over , « ilh noie-ltie * still more- startling , to inakr the thing la « t our time" fft saw national bankruptcy staring an impon-m Ministry in the face . We saw Die P-imc Minister of the ynatcst nation upon earth lolling in luxurious
cas <\ and relying on the subs « rvitni support of a coDipnrt and . uiiprincipk-d section of Irish liberal place-hunters , title-ieck « - > , and hacks , through whose subserviency he vainly hopud to resist the growing genius of the nation . It wag at such a time that we were railed « n to decide between this monster evil and the worst substitute that could be presented in human form . Well , the result of our policy lias been canvassed from that period to the present . and we now find those who were ain <» ng * t the bitten-st of our re viler * adopting it as tUeir rule of action . Aud altbongb we have had more than three years of T orr * way , -we cannot find a single tongue of the old nalttercrs to wag in favour of pitiful Whiggerv ! Nav
more , not a crime charged upon the Torii-s that is not met by a heavier charge against the Whigs , and in the very » ame direction too . Ireland was the hot-bed of Whigg « -rv ; devoted exclusively to the -recruiting service of the " patronage administration ; " and therefore the acts of Whig and Tory , with reference to that country , may be very £ alrl \ relied on . as lesu , of their respective toess to govern . If , then , we take a review of Peel ' s Church policy , Education policy , or Catholic policy , we find no difliculty in awarding to them a very great advantage over the Melbourne policy in the same departments . Peel has struck the " heavy blow and deep
discouragement " which Melbocsss merely aimed at the Protestant Church . lie has carried out the national sys tern of education to an extent frightful to the old Eildare . street grub-worms ; while if we are to believe the Sight Rev . Dr . MrxBAT , —and upon matters of fact we have no reason to doubt the veracity of that prelate , —we learn that the Catholic clergy of Ireland petitioned the Whigs in 1840 , for a bill similar to that entitled " The Catholic Bequests Bill , " passed during the hist Session of Parliament : and as that measure is one opon which Mr . O ' Cossell has endeavoured to establish another " great grievance , '' let us see what the Eight Rev . Dr . Mcbbat , a man whose zeal in the faith of his church cannot be
disputed , says upon the subject : — " Tour memorialists therefore entreat that the Board of Irish Charities may be rendered more generally useful and po p ular , by the introduction to it of Roman Catholic commissioners , or by some other measure which may have a tendency to place their charities upon the same footing as those of their Protestant fellow-countrymen . " Thus spoke the assembled prelates of your church in 1840 . Their prayer -c « uld not then be heard ; but the recent Act appears to have been intended to grant all that
we then sought . It admits to the Board of Charitable Donations and Bequests Roman Catholic commissioners in suificient number to check any adverse influence which mi"ht be attempted regarding the application of Catholic charities ; audit takes away the dangerous power en . loved by the former boaru , of alienating , under certain circumstances , Catholic bequests from the known objects contemplated by the testator , and of applying them to purposes which , if living , he would abhor . So far our nrayer has been granted . The state of insecurity in which oux charities "were place d has been removed .
Kow , we never interfere in mere matters of religion j but when we find more than one Boman Catholic Prelate , and even Bepealers . bailing at ameasurewhichtheirMends the Whigs refused , surely it is not too much to say that even in Otis direction the Toryism of Peei has gone ferther
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than the liberality of Meibopbne : while we may further add , that Mr . O'CoNJfKii ' s opposition is altogether at variance with his " instalment principle . " Either that , or the distinguished Roman Catholic Prelates who have nndertaken the duties of Commissioners must stand charged with apostacy . Another result which we anticipated from a large Tory majority , was the inevitable contention and strife to which it would lead in the Tory ranks ; whereas , if Sir Robbbt Pkki , had so small * a majority that a few sectional Whig triumphs might convert it into a minority , dread of Whig
restoration would make his supporters as pliant and subservient as those to whom Melboubne so long owed his situation . Do we not then daily find our predictions fulfilled ! and has not , we ask , the very result which we anticipated been realised in the independence manifested by a section of Torie 3 in the House of Commons on the Ten Hours Bill , the Masters and Servants Bill , the Poor Law Amendment Act , and though hist not least , the Sugar Duties , when Cobden and Co . were obliged to do for Peel what in his strength his own supporters refused to do for him !
Add to these incontrovertible proofs , the fact of RusseU's altered tone ; the damning fact , that while session after session , the little Lord , with national bankruptcy staring him in the face , denied the existence of poverty , now , enlightened by the loss of office , has discovered that the working classes should hare not only a larger amount of the necessaries of life , but also their fair share of the luxuries . If our " pro-Tory" policy had produced no other result than that of such a conviction upon such a Malta usian mind , it was worth all , and more , of the vituperation , dirt , and slander that has been heaped upon us for recommending it . And although , when such another ocasion ipresents itself , we shall , in any alliance to be formed , srive the preference to candidates of
the most liberal character , —yet we shall not be intimidated from urging the claim , and pressing the return of a Chartist candidate , even at the expenso of being a colleague of a Tory , if that be the only means to secure him . Hence we shew that our policy was pro-Chartist , [ and not pro-Tory : and that , by recommending it , we sought the means of destroying the active enemy in power , and of sowing those seeds of dissension among the Tory ranks which are yearly presenting us with such an abundant harvest of strife iu the body . And surely , if " divide and conquer , " has becu the maxim on which factions have relied for the subjugation of Democratic principles , we Are not much to blame for having caused no small share of contention in the ranks of our opponents . So much for our much-reviled " pro-Tory" policy .
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ANOTHER NIBBLE AT " NATIONAL FAITH . " THE FCNDHOLDEB AGAIN SUBJECTED TO THE MINISTERIAL " SQUEEEZE !" The " screw" is to be put on again . " National faith " is to be kept with the Fundholder , by breaking faith with him , and reducing his rate of interest . The Three-and-a half per Cents , have been reduced to three . A " saving " out of " national faith , " of some two-and-a-half or three millions , has been effected on ono class of the Fundholders : and now another class is to take if *| ftjm , and experience the benefits of this " cheapening" age in a " cheaper" rate of payment , even though the " lives and fortunes" of the property holders were pledged aud signud , that the lenders of the means to put down " Jacobin principles" should be paid to the uttermost farthing '
The warning-note has been sounded . Intimation of the approaching " squeeze" has been given . The Minister has sent forth the announcement of his intention , that he may see the effect produced on the "holders" ( under " national faith I ") before the time for sacrifice arrives . Peel is a cactiocs man . He generally feels his ground before he ventures to tread . He tries the temper of the public mind before he dares to strike : and the force of his blow is generally just that which the ill-conditioned recipient can bear , aud no more . Peki . adroitly manages to make " events" first knock the " powerful interests" ho has to deal with , down ; and then he hits as hard and as
foully as he can while they are under . He has thus dealt with the Orangemen of Ireland , and the rampant adherents of " Protestant ascendancy . " It is thus he iealt with the " Kildare-street" proselutising crew , by setting aside their exclusive pretensions , and hoisting over their head the really useful and liberal system of Irish national education . It is thus he has dealt with poor Mother Church in the case of the Catholic Betjuest Act , recognising , by statute , the exiatencq of Roman Catholic Bishops in Ireland , and conferring on the Romish Church in that country advantages in connection with the bequeathment of land for the use of
the Church not enjoyed by the " Holy Mother" " ours" herself ! It was thus he acted towards the " landed interest" in the matter of the Tariff , making them , themselves , the unwilling instruments of their own destruction . It was thus he dealt with the Country-Bankers in 1819 ; and again with them and the Joint-stock Banks , in his . Bank Charter Act of last Session , in which he laid down principles which will close every one of them as Banks of issue ; aye , and even the " old Lady of Threadneedle-strcet'' heraelf , and ultimately establish one only " National Bank" for promissory notes , if any at all . It was thus he acted
towards tbe railway companies just before the hist breaking ¦ up vf Parliament , when he hurried , on the " Railway Regulation Bill , " embodying principles which , when " worked out , ' will destroy the huge separate monopolies that now exist , with their arbitrary , unsound , ill-advised , illiberal , selfish and grasping systems of management , and take the whole direction of internal communication , whether by rail , turnpike-road , or canal , into the hands of the General Executive , to be managed for general and public benefit . It is this course of conduct he has invariably pursued towards all that he has had to deal with , - friends" or foes ; and his " friends" have generally had to fare the worst : and this course of conduct he seems
disposed to continue to the end of his tether . His " friends , " the " holders" of the Three-per-Cents ., cannot therefore wonder that their turn has at length come ! Thattuvn has com *' . They may writhe , and wriggle , and fume , and sweat , and whin ? , and complain : but all to no use ! They may prate of " national faith " being pledged to them ; of the solemn engagements made with them , that , come weal come woe ; come fire , come water ; come plenty , come famine ; come national existence or national destruction , they should be borne harmless ; they should be scathless : they may remind Peel of the signing away to lAtfmofthe " lives and fortunes" of the nation ; putting the properties of all in pledge : they may do all this , but all in vain ! Their hour has come ! They quietly and laughingly suffered and aided the passing of the
Small-Note Suppression and the Bank-Restriction-Abohshing Bill of 1819 , by which theib " holdings" have ever since been doubled in real value ; and which bill has , in its operation , reduced hundreds of thousands to beggary , sent hundreds out of existence by their own hand , and causeduniversal confusion , and dismay throughout the land . They " aided and abetted" in the enactment of that measure which has made it necessary to resort to an Income-tax in time of peace , causing the Queen on the throne to pay tevenpenee out of every pound the nation " affords" , even when her own private " calls" demand the money elsewhere ! They administered the poisoned cup to others : the chalice U now returning to their own lips ! They have robbed , and robbed , and robbed , and helped to rob , others , without mercy or cessation : and now it is THEMSELVES thathave to submit to
" robbery , " however hardly they may take it ! The announcement of the Minister ' s intention to filch came before the public in rather a queerish fashion . Peel did not employ his own " organs" to promulgate the fact . He did not whisper it in Granny ' s ear , nor tell it -to the official Standard . He went a more " cautious" way to work . He got the " ball of horse-dung" to do his bidding the dirty , stinking Globe . This was discreet . If the threatened onslaught on " national faith" should raise " a pother" before which it might be desirable to retreat , the back-door was open . A hint given , and Grandmother , with spectacles high on nose , would have shaken tier " mob-cap" at the " unscrupulous Ministerial opponent " who could seek to do damage to the " strong" and
"honest" Government at the expense of the moat sacred interests , even that one involving the "faith" of the nation itselfi—while the less sedate but more vindictive Standard wouldhave cudgelled away in right good earnest , Irish fashion , giving its own side two blows for the one made to reach its opponent : and the enduring CRabe would have borne this lecturing and this trouncing with most wonderful magnanimity , never retorting nor even repining , but contenting itself with feintly hinting that " its source of information was first-rate , " and " that the Minister had seen good reason to abandon , for the present , the intention he had entertained . " Peel , who is weliToiown as one of the artrul . sort , knows this game well enough : and so accordingly he went to his opponent , the CRabe , to get the " ice broken'' as to his intention to
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eause " national faith" to be broken too . This was done in the following ^ words :- ~ It is currently reported , and generally believed , that the Chancellor of the Exchequer , having met with no opposition in the reduction of the Three-and-a-Half per Cents ., intends proposing the reduction of the Three per Cents ., on the meeting of Parliament . It was matter of indifference to the uttcrers of this notice , that the terms of it were untrue . It mattered not that the notiee itself was to raUe the " report" of which it spoke as being " current , " " generally believed" when it was not known of at all : it mattered
not all this : the authors of it had a work to do ; and they adopted the means that seemed likely to accomplish it . Your " statesmen" arenever nice . A good " white lie" or two has been of infinite service when the truth would have been destruction , on many occasions : and those who can sit coolly down in the Cabinet , and balance human life in myriads against personal ambition and party ascendancy , giving up sentient beings to sacrifice to gratify the ambition and maintain the ascendancy , are not the meu to boggle at truth when falsehood will serve the purpose better . So far from this same "
report" being " generally believed , " the first announcement of it came like a thunder-clap on the monied interests , and caused sundry wry looks and ominous shakes of the head " on 'Change : " , however , accompanied by a mannerism that but too plainly indicated the fear that resistance w ould be useless . The " men ou 'Change ' know full well that they are doomed ! that their fate is certain , spite of all the cant about " national faith" that can be raised . They know that it is but a question of time : a few months sooner or a few months latur . They may , aud will struggle to prolong that time :
" But come it will for athat !" and the sooner the better for the producing millions , whose heart-strings have been torn out to keep the bundle of injustice , called " national faith , " tied together ! But what are the disciples of " old Will , Cobbett " about , now that all these things , of which he so accurately foretold , are coming to pass ? Are they not anxious to uphold the character of their teacher , and vindicate his memory before his countrymen , whose sufferings he could have averted had his advice been listened to ; and whose dangers and difficulties he would have prevented ? Is Peel to be allowed to embody in practice every one of
Coubett ' s suggestions and plans , without his eyes meeting the Gbidibon , gilded in token of the triumph of its master ? Is the / east of the gridiron never to be had » Or are the friends of Cobbett content that the statute-book should contain the evidence that their teacher was aloue thu true-man ; and that after fitavi » g--ofl' as long as expedients would at all serve , to him were the " statesmen" that had sneered , and scortVd , aud taunted , in their day of prido and power , obliged to come at last ! Well ! perhaps it is as well that
it should be so ! L nseemly glorification could do little good—and might do much harm ; while the"dtteda of the day" are the best vindication of the political wisdom and foresight of the author of " Paper against Gold" that could by possibility be furnished . The condemnation of the enactors of Peel's Bill without eucitablh adjustment , is written in every statute that is now passed affecting finance : and the most just retribution of all is , that Peel , the author of the measure of 1819 , is forced , by circumstances , to bo the Registrar ! What more would even Cobbett himself hare desired ?
Great sensitiveness was manifested in the year 1834 , in the House of Commons , that the masterly resolution moved by Mr . Cobbett , setting forth the facts connected with the enactment of Peei / 's Bill ; the gross injustice it bad inflicted ; how tho course had been persevered in , in spite of warning and earnestful . remonstrance ; how caution had been set at nought , and advice insolently rejected : great sensitiveness respecting this resolution was manifested and a motion carried that it should be erased fro % >\ the journal * of the House—rthc voters for such motion fon < lly hoping that by such act they could annihilate all record of the facts ! And , since then , Peel himself has come down to the House with a measure to tax the Queen ' s salary , and tax the salary of every officer of state ! Since
then Peel has proposed a Bank Charter Act , which gives warning to the infnngers on " the Queen's prerogative to coin , " that their days are numbered ; and that they must " set their bouse in order ! " Since then Peel has proposed the reduction ' of the Three-and-a-half per Cents , to three ; or . In other words , proposed the reduction of the interest of the National Debt!—a good step towards equitable adjustment itself ! and now , at this moment , he is contemplating another step in that same direction , by tackling the greatest section of" holders" there are , — the Three-per-Cents , —reducing them , as we suppose , to t »" o , or tw ^ -and-a-half . ' These things cannot be blotted out " of the records of the House" if Cobbett'b resolution could ! and in them , those who have Cobbett's memory in charge , have more than a triumph !
From all this the people have much to learn . They learn , first , tho valiie of perseverance . The very plans now adopted by pEELuwe persecuted-iown only a few years ago . They learn , second , that THE THING is tottering to its fall ! They learn that the several orders of the state who have hitherto battened on thu people's toil , and devoured up their whole substance , are now at work DEVOtreiKO each otheb ! They learn that the lands are at the funds ; that the mills are at the lands ; and that tho Minister is at them all ! They learn , therefore , to be watchful and ready ; for "THE END cometh like a thief in the night . " Well will it be for those that are prepared !
&O Fteatietg Anto Corregponttent*
&o fteatietg anto Corregponttent *
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To oue Scotch Readebs . —This being Christmas week , it was impossible to make the required alteration in the despatch of papers for Scotland . Next week , however , we hope to bo able to comply with the request of our northern friends , So that the Star will arrive in Aberdeen ou Saturday ; and in other partsof Scotland at an earlier hour than at present . Our Aoents and Subsckibeks will bear in mind that this number completes the quarter ; those agents who do not pay their accounts , and those subscribers who do not renew their subscriptions , will not receive papers . Agexts and Booksellers will please to notice , that all orders for tho Star , and advertisements , mus } be addressed as Under : —
" Fkabocs 0 Connor , Esq ., Northern Star Office , 340 , Strand , Londou . " Remittances , whether bv Bank or Post-office Moneyorders , must also be addressed in the same manner ; and the orders made payable to Mr . O'Connor . Post-office Orders must be made payable at the Post Office , No . 180 , Strand . Attention to these instructions will prevent disappointment and save much trouble . Letters to Leeds . —Several of the agents continue to
address their orders to Leeds , as though unaware that the paper had been removed to its present place of publication . Their orders have been unattended to in consequence . We have given plain directions for them how to proceed ; where and whom to address to ; and it is t / wir fault if they do not comply with them . Let them remember that all orders for the paper , and all payments of money , should be addressed to Mr . O'Connor himself , at the Publishing Office , 340 , Strand ; and all Post-office Orders made payable to that gentleman , at the Post-office , 180 , Strand .
Tbe Oldijam Miners . —Their intelligence , though bearing date Dec . 25 , did not reach us till Friday morning , the 27 th , whieh was too late . Manchester Correspondent . —We cannot manage his last communication in this number . Frauds on the Wobkers in the Hosiery Trade . — We have often had to complain of , and expose , the downright robberies committed on the workers by the arbitrary system , of fines and deductions that has become bo general in almost every department of manufacturing labour . Through its operation a workman nowa-days scarcely ever knows what his income really will be , until he has passed the " ordeal" on Saturday night , and learned the amount set down against him in the " bating book . " Instances are not uncommon where the whole expenses of superintending and " overlooking" a large manufacturing " concern" are made up out of what is filched from the understood earnings of the parties employed at actual work ; and managers
have been known to have been dismissed trom their situations , because their consciences would not permit them to rob a 3 much from the poor slaves under them as the employer demanded . In some instances an average amount , made up as the over-lookers please , — from this or that source , this or that man , —is expected . In the factory districts the fraud is perpetrated by actual deductions from the amount understood to be earned : in the hosiery-and-lace-weaving districts the system of charging rent for the frames on which the poor toilers work , obtains ; which " rent "
is rigidly exacted whether the fi'atne be occupied by the " renter" or not . This plan is quite as efficacious as the other for getting directly from theworkn ;; ui the wages of labour , as the following facts , promulgated by the chairman of the Nottingham Board of Guardians , but too abundantly prove : —" When acting at the board of guardians in this town I frequently take memoranda of the cases of abuse , so common in the hosiery trade , which come under my notice . I consider that all Bucb memoranda may be useful , if there should ever be an inquiry into these matters . I allude particularly to the practice of letting frames to the poor workmen at
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Is . 3 d . or Is . 6 d . a-week , then " stinting" their employment , and still exacting every payment , just as if they were in full w ; ork . I send you two cases—one by way of illustration ^ , and the other because it is the climax of this species of petty larceny . A week ' s work—One dozen pair ojf drawers , 7 s . 6 d . —Deductions . —frame rent , Is . 6 d . ; jtaking-in , 9 d . ; winding , 6 d . ; candles , 3 d . ; needles , 2 d . ; fire , Id .: —total , 3 s . 3 d . . —net earnings , 4 s . 3 d . In fiill work the same man would make two dozen pairs at 15 s ., and the deductions would be no more than 3 s . 6 d . ; j consequently he would earn lls . Cd . aweek . Thus ! the operatives are pauperised for the advantage ofj a middle-man between the master manufacturer andj the workman . The second is what a poor man stated to be his own case last week—I need not say it is one that can very seldom occuri He was only allowed ito make two pair of hose at la . fid . ; deductions—framejrent , Is . 3 d . jure , 3 d .: —total , Is . 6 d .: —net wages , 09 . OdJ !! I remain , sir , your obedient servant ,
the Chairman . Nottingham , December 17 th . —Truly does the chairman of the Guardians characterise the practice , j It is larceny ! and if there was not " one law for the rich and another for the poor , " the filchers of the earnings of the workmen in the frames would be sent where the filchers of pocket-hankerchiefs and snuff-boxes are sent , when caught . It has been established that' all such charges are illegal . The Truck Act requires tthat the wages of the worker shall be paid in the current coin of the realm ; and not so much for " rent , " land the rest , if any , in money . Cannot the chairman induce his brother Guardians and the rest of the kindly disposed of his class , to form themselves into an association to enforce the law against the robbers ? Associations for the prosecution of felons are common enough amongst the holders of property ; cannot we have one to visit the " penalties of the statute " on those who commit " petty larceny " on the earnings of the labourers ?
Subscriptions i for the Haswell Sufferers . —We received the following list of subscriptions from Mr . Roberts previously to removing from Leeds , but too late to be acknowledged in that week ' s Star , It was put away among other papers for transmission to London , and has but just now turned up again . We therefore now give jt : —wj P , Roberts , Esq ., begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums , which he has received by Post-office orders , and paid to Mr . Martin Jude , Treasurer : Froiji Mr . H . Lafarque ' s pupils ( teacher of languages ) , West-street , Wakefleld , in addition to £ 3 previously remitted , per Mr . Sutherland , 13 s . 6 d . ; . 'from
the miners of Darleston , per Joseph Cope , 7 s . 3 d . ; from Cleater Moor colliery , near Whitehaven , per John Harrison , secretary , £ 1 16 s . Cd . ; Chartists of Bath , Us . 5 d . Case of Mb . T&omas Pbeston . —A Correspondent , " signing himself if . Earl , writes us to say , that " Calling at No . 12 , S ^ hire Lane , Temple Bar , the residence of the long tried patriot Mr . Thomas Preston , I was surprised as well as hurt to find the good old man lying on the Ho or without bed or bedstead , with only a rug to . cover him . " He desires us to recommend this case of extreme destitution to the attention of the London Chartists , who lie is sure will extend the hand of aid to sooth the sorrows and distress of a brother fast
travelling to the grave . The fact as to his present actual condition is / now before them : let them acquit themselves as duty prompts . It . P ., Southwark . —If he have a bargain with his landlord that the landlord is to pay the rates , whatever the amount of j them are he must pay . If he has been assessed too low hitherto , he has been favoured at the expense of the rest of the parish . Let not R . P . hesitate about enforcing his claim for the vote . By law he ouf ? ht to have it ; let him seek for what the law gives him that lib may use the power he thus acquires to the obtaining of a like right and power for every man .
Never mind the landlord and the rates . If these are higher in consequence , through the splenetic feeling of the parishJofficers , the fact will only show him tho necessity of supporting Mr . Duncombe in his endeavour to obtain a repeal of the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Act , and thus put it out of the power ofpartizan overseers , or other parish officers , to restrict the franchise by threats of increased rates to those- who seek to exercise a right the law confers on them . Will R . P . favour Mr j Buncombe with the facts of the case he mentions to us , giving the name of the official who so far forgot his duty as to try to intimidate him from getting on the'register by a threat of increasing Ms rate ?
W . Faibbaibn , Wednesbcby . —The election of churchwardens on any day in Easter weok is legal , if due and sufficient notice ^ las been given of the meeting . Such notice however ought to be affixed on , or near to , the door of every church and parochial chapel in the parish . Inattention to this ^ particular , renders not only such a meeting , but every vestry meeting , illegal ; and all the business done thereat may be set aside on an appeal against the rate . —When the churchwardens asked for a new rateJthey ought to have produced their accounts to shew how the old rate had been expended , and to convince the parishioners that a new one was necessary . They should have shewn why they deemed it advisable to lav a rate at so much in the pound . A neglect to
do these things would justify the parishioners in refuting to grant a rate . —If the meeting was an illegal oue , all th 6 motions , amendments , or resolutions in the world would not make it legal . —A poll can be demanded by any parishioner , after a shew of hands on any proposition has been taken . Indeed , such is the only proper time . It does not rest with the churchwardens to either consent or refuse . The chairman of the meeting is the party to take the poll , giving due notice , and making due arrangements , that every parishioner may , if he likes , register his vote . A refusal to grant a poll when duly demanded , invalidates a rate ; and our correspondent would do well to refuse to pay , and appeal .
Alex . CHEfOHTotf , Akbboath . —A Jew , if he be naturalized , can hold property , and will or devise it , the aame as any other Englishman : if he be an alien , he can do neither one ' nor the other . But a Jew , go long as he retains the faith of his forefathers , cannot be a privy councillor , nor fill any of the offices of state . He cannot even become , as we have recently seen , a member of theigormandizing club , the London , Court of Aldermen , j Holders of these offices have to take oaths that they jvill faithfully perform their duties : and this they do '' on the good faith of a Christian . " As the Jew necessarily abjures Christianity as on imposture , faithfulness to his creed will not permit him to swear by " ours ^ j : " and for his faithfulness he pays the penalty of exclusion . Mwugre all this , the Jew has the high
and inestimable privilege of fieeevng a Christian whenever he can catch him . As the latter is an infidel to the faith of Abraham , and a dog for being taken in by the rank imposture of the pretended Messiah , it is only fair to ease him of this world ' s goods , which should alone be conferred on the " chosen race . " Ever since Moses and his followers set the example of getting the gold and jsilver vessels of the Egyptians , by what the Americans would call " sharp practice , " the Jews in all ages have tried closely to imitate it . They have set their hearts on obtaining a good share of the precious metals either by hook or by crook ; and pretty successful they have been . J . G . writes as follows : —For a considerable time I have felt the want of a political library , or books treating on
the various branches and machinery of government . To supply this want I would suggest that our executive issucj recommendations to the ingenious advocates of our cause , requesting them to write a short article on a given topic ; such articles to be subjected to a commltte'e for selection and preparation for the press . Simple and concise articles on logic , grammar , composition , and perhaps elocution , would be found very useful ; andjfroni numerous enquiries that I have made , I think would ensure a large sale , especially if the proceeds were to be devoted to our cause . Information on the abov 6 topics is far out of the reach of working-men . It is generally found in expensive treatises ; and only to be arrived at by a course of reading of old works , not directly applicable to the present position of societv in
relation to government or political economy . Had a just conception of logic been abroad , a better judgment would have been formed of the villanous Whig press , and alsojof Ghambers ' s beautiful specimen of Unsound deductions derived from false premises . S , Wilson ; Ccpar . —It is the established rule in all wellordered { debates , from the House of Commons downward , that the mover of a motion , or introducer of a question ' , has the right of reply . It is reasonable that it should be so . It is fair to presume that when an individual ! mokes a question Ms own , which he does when he takes ! charge of it in the manner stated , he makes himself [ acquainted with its nature , its scope , its relationship ; and is able to give good reasons why other peoplo should arrive at the same conclusion respecting
it thnt he has . All this he details , or should do , when introducing Ins question for deliberation .: and in the debate that ensues , those opposed endeavour by all the power that in them lies to show that his- reasoning is unsound , and his conclusions untenable . If the weight of reasoning be against him ; if the premises he has laid down are demonstrated to be false ; if the deductions he has drawn are one and all upset , all the " reply" in the world will not establish bis case , unless we suppose that the- human mind is unable to judge of reason : and iu that case all debate is a farce . But if the opponents , instead of meeting the case , have fought beside it ; if they have used clap-trap , and not reason ; if they have attempted to bury the question beneath a mass of sophisms and cajolery , it is right that the champion of the question should have an opportunity of
demonstrating this . It is right that he should be at liberty to examine the reasons adduced against him ; show how irrelevant and inconclusive they are ; how his points are unassailed ; how his reasoning remains unanswered : and then the question goes to the vote . If it went before this process was complete , it is possible , and , indeed , probable , that injustice would be done to it . From this process no harm « ari arise , unless it be that of having the question too-well-debated . We are glad to hear jthat the socipty , on whose behalf our correspondent puts his question and seeks for information is doingjwell . It is only another instance , as he says , to thousands , proving that the sons of labour , if properly united , could work out their own salvation , independent of all " aid" whatever . Our correspondent , in conclusion , mentions a fact , which we shall let him tell
in his own language . He says : — " Tlie Trades have advanced of late to an extent one would n » t have ex . pected some years ago , —thanks to the admirable trinity ;—BJuncombe , Roberts , and O'Connor—and to the organ of Labour ' s Rights , the Northern Star . That is the book from which the working classes have received their instruction . The truly amiable defender of truth and hater of superstition , Miss Frances Wright ,
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| mw ^—^—^—^—^^ ^*^^—^—^ when in Dundee last rammer , told Mr .. Mylea that the Star was the only truly liberal and independent journal ia Europe . This is a high character , and comes from a high quarter ; but the paper deservei it . " The compliment is indeed a high one : one that raises just feelings of pride , when passed by one whose tribute to worth is so valuable , because not given as a matter of course , but in accordance with judgment formed after due examination and reflection . One encomium from such a quarter is worth a sackfull of empty compliment and common-place praise . We trust to showth&t we do deserve the high character so unreservedly given us by the gifted lady , by making the Star a better organ for the " men of the Progress" than it has hitherto been .
A Pooa Chartist of Staindrop , county of Durham , had better urge his neighbours to engage with himself in hastening the time when the remuneration , or return , for labour , shall be sufficient to procure for the labourer all that he desires , in moderation . Then neither he nor they will have to depend on the Church . Charity Clothing Club , with its 3 d . a week contributions , and its tickets to the Quaker draper for pasted calicoes and devil's dust woollens , some twenty per cent , dearer than at other shops in the regular course of trade . Your " charity" cluba are shocking dear
ones . A Pill fob the League . — The following morceau is from the Dublin Weekly Register of Dec . 14 th : — " The change in the tactics of this Association has proved the truth of what we always asserted , that there is but little hope for amelioration in British Institutions till the guides of the popular feeling in England turn a more zealous and honest regard to the necessities of the franchise . We perceive that the League has at length taken the bull by the horns ; and , like the athlete of old , enters the list to " conquer , or to die . " Inany case preferring the former alternative for our friends the League—notwithstanding their
unaccountable conduct on the West India Sugar Bill—we fear as greatly the later result will be their portion . There is only one way indeed : but we don ' t think the League leaders are the men ; , irsue it with the perseverance requisite to success . Some very honest men there are amongst them , we believe ; but we have a strong opinion that the momentum of the movement tends more to the interest of the manufacturers than to the extension of the people ' s rights and comforts . But time will tell . " Bravo Register !^—It was to benefit the manufacturers and millowners of England that the Union was called for , to ruin the rising trade of Ireland —and for the same reason are the people of England brought to the verge of starvation .
New Pooa Law at LEEDS .-r-The election for Guardians in the township of Leeds has just concluded : and right glad are w 6 to announce that not one Whig has there been returned in the whole batch ! The conduct of that base and perfidious faction , while paramount in the Council Chamber of the Corporation , has been so thoroughly partizan ; so exclusive , so overbearing , and so inimical to public weal , that universal disgust has been engendered against Whigs and Whiggery in erery shape : and the detestable faction has received its deserved reward at the hands of the rate-payers of all , and several , the wards of the township ' . For a long time there has existed a strong desire to introduce the Xew Poor Law into Leeds ; but the Commissioners dare not reuture , because of the altered state of public feeling
respecting the Whigs . Seven years ago they issued an order , forming Leeds and some other places into " an Union ; " and directing that an election of guardians should take place . The election was had ; and the result was , that every man returned was a Tory : not one single Whig could get the suffrages of the rate , payers . When this was known to be the case , tbe Commissioners withdrew the order , assigning no reason ; and Leeds from that time to the present has been under the old law , with a Board of Whig overseers , chosen by a Whig Bench of Magistrates . When the new batch of Tory Magistrates , created bj Sir James Graham , ascended the Leeds Bench , they demanded that a portion of the overseers should be Tory too ; and to save appearances , as the appoint .
ing body , the Bench , was not exclusively Whig—( thanks to Jemmy Graham for that J)—the Whigs consented ; and a number of Tories , for the last year or two , has . beea sent in to snarl and fight with the Whig Rump . The last Amendment , of the Poor Law Amendment Act having given new and vastly increased powers to the Commissioners to deal with such places as Leeds , and an effort having been made by the Chartists of Leeds to get into the Board of Overseers at tha Workhouse , through the Select Vestries Act , it was deemed expedient to form the Township into " a Union , " and take it into the charge of the Somerset-House despots . Bu : how to do this with safety was the question . Of latt years the Chartists in Leeds had carried all before them They had the whole Churchwardenship to themselves
they had the Board of Highway Surveyors in their hands ; they had more than broken-way into the Coun . cil Chamber , and were indeed rapidly gaining strengti there . The body of electors for Guardians were the rate-payers at large . True , there were the plurality d votes : but the main of these were not in the hands ot the Whigs . There was great danger then to be apprehended , that if an election was resorted to , a Board $ independent men , and not tools of the Commissioner ! , would be returned . Many and serious were the confabs that Sub-Commissioner Clements had with the magistrates : and we know that at those meetings feat of the Chartist strength was uppermost , and all sorts of schemes devised to render it inoperative . Amongsr other things it was determined that the qualification for
guardian should be a £ 40 rating , although , in almost every other " Union " in the kingdom a rating of one penny is as good a qualification as a rating of £ 100 . It was judged by the far-seeing Clements , that the Chartisti would be able to find few men rated at the amount , £ 40 ; while , if the qualification was a mere rating a ! all , the Board of Guardians would be , like the Board d Highway Surveyors , all Chartists ; men not disposed to let him play pranks with them or for them . Accordinglj , at £ 40 the qualification-was fbied , though a rating of £ 3 is sufficient to qualify for the office of councillor unde the Corporations Act . Another " move " was , to vote in wards . Beforetime the voting was throughout the whole township . There were so many guardians wanted , and every rate-payer in the township voted ft :
the whole lot if he liked . This was by far the most p * pular mode . But in it the Commissioners saw gre * danger of defeat . The " aggregate vote" they kne » would be against them ; but there was a chance tto if they split up the election piece-meal , and lei the wards choose so many , and so many , . tire ; could manage in some of them . In one ward to Chartists might be strong ; bnt if they were , si they could do was to carry their men . Their rotes could not go ia aid of their friends in another ward , » would have been the case in an aggregate vote ; so t ) elect by wards was determined on . To fix the qualification at the high amount of £ 40 rating , and to direct the election by wards , the Commissioners availed themselves of powers recently conferred on them . W- « IL , w work the rate-payers went ; and out of the eighteenelects ^
not one is a Whig ! but on the board appears two of tM most notorious and leading Chartists of the town-Councillors Jackson and Brook . Aye , Master Clement your fears were not groundless , though your precautions have failed you . The entire of the Board are ^ opposed to the harsh and unfeeling conduct of the PW Law Commissioners . They have been chosen for that very reason . They have been sent to the Board to stand between the poor and ' the Poor Law Commissioners ' There is every reason to believe that they .-will answa the expectations formed of them . To do this effectuallj . however , it mil be necessary that they make a el «« sweep of the workhouse officials . Out with every ssS of them ! They have been there so long—have to * so used to do the bidding of their Whig masters , that they cannot be expected to go easy in 'p 31 under their new drivers . Have a new set & *
gether . This point is of the utmost consequent The election of officers by the Board of Guardian ! ii the most important work they have to do . Get meff fl * will serve the Poor Law Commissioners duly install ^ and the Board are powerless . The Guardians tno . " remember that though they elect , they cannot display Let them therefore look well to it , who they invest m * power . Above all , and before all , let them be caution who they put in as clerk . He is either their serwA or their master , as they choose . With a kindly-dispos ™ staff of officers , they may protect the poor of Leeds , *^ see that every due relief and accommodation is afford ^ them . But to do this , they must sweep the placecle * of the present batch . Send every mother ' s son to <> right about :. " Begin at the beginning , " as the elff » at Beeston said . Teach the Whigs that if they will h * ? all the Aldermanships , they are not to have all the oflees and " pickings . " " Tit for tat . " Clear the pi **
Bundle every Whig out ! Condition of the wobkpeople of Bbadfobd . —^ "* * to direct attention to a most remarkable letter fro 1 " 1 working man , " taking stock" of the " creature col * forts" that have resulted to the operatives in «* quarter from the last two years of " roarin g t& % , The picture is a painful one , —but alas , " ovrer troe ^ We know the man who penned the production in 1 * tion , which we most gladly print . We have k no - him for years ; and always known him , as k ** straightforward , plain-spoken advocate for the n ?" of his class . We know that he worksamid thesW
he paints ; that he is , by the cursed system which k ^ such men of energy and native talent "down , »^ to feel and endure the wrongs and miseries he ^ |* jwe know that what he speaks of w not fustim Dut ^ . stern , unyielding reality : and we ask if it can ^^^ dered at , that men with an atom of spirit , situa » d ^ the mass of workmen in this best-paid , besUreg 1 " ^ ,, district are , should be " disloyal , " " disaffe « e * "dissatisfied ? " They would deserve all & *!¦ & they were otherwise i We trust to hear from our w respondent again and again . " Nabob" though *'' we shall always be glad to hear from , and see , one whom we have toiled in days " lang sync , " » r
cause of the labourer . T . R ., Abebdeek . —We do not know that the ia ™ ^ into the charges of Dr . M'Douall against Mr . - " ^ Leach , of appropriating public subscriptions to lus « use , has been made by the Manchester Comtnin 6 * . Council , to whom the Dr . proposed to refer the W ^ At the time named for the investigation to be hao ^ ^ Dr . was , most unfortunately , taken ill , and laid up . ^ scarlet fever ; and we have not heard that suweju » covery he has been in Manchester for tbe porp * quired after by our correspondent .
The Inortheen Star. Satfbday, December 23, Isii.
THE iNORTHEEN STAR . SATFBDAY , DECEMBER 23 , ISii .
Untitled Article
- ~ -4 / " ME NORTHERN STAR j ^^^ maimi ^^^ L .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 28, 1844, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1295/page/4/
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