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THE SANATORY CONDITION OF THE WORKERS OF BRADFORD . A short time ago we inserted in the Star a report of a public meeting of the working men of Bradford , at which the question of their sanatory condition was mooted and commented on , and a committee of working-men appointed to institute inquiries on the SHbject , and lay the facts they could thus gather before the public of Bradford generally , and the liifluentian mill-owners and merchants in " particular , with a view to steps being taken to remedy a state of things existing in the heart of one of the most" prosperous" and " active" of our manufacturing "hives of industry , " that would disgrace even a horde of savage Hottentots . That committee on its
appointment entered energetically on its labours . The town was divided into districts , and parties appointed to visit the habitations of tlie producers of wealth in person , that they might see with their own eyes the " SHARE" oi comfort and convenience which the present system of "high civilisation" deals out to those engaged in labourious pursuits , and report the facts exactly as they found them . The committee , we find , have done this ; and the result is , a mass of detailed misery and consequent depravity absolutely appalling ! The report has been published : and from it we shall select a few eases by way of sample , to give the workers generally an ideaof the condition in which " glorious prosperity" in manufactures has placed their brethren of Bradford . The report is introduced by the following :
ADDBESS OF THE SAKATOEY COMMITTEE , Appointed at a numerous meeting of Wootembers , field at Peckover Walks , on Monday , May 5 ft , 1815 . The Committee having observed with unfeigned pleasure the exertions that are now being made by Government , as evidenced in tlie labours of the Itojal Commission , to bring the ' deplorable condition of the large towns and cities in this kingdom before the attention of the public , in the hope of inducing all classes of society to take up this all-important and- absorbing question . ' Considering that we are mutually bound to assist each other at this emergency , we have taken up our portion of the burden , and prepared a report of the condition of the Working Classes of this town , in order to iaduco the co-operation of all who can sympathize with the sufferings of their fellow creatures ; * and also with the hope that working-men in other parts of the country may be influenced by our example .
We Have upwards of 10 , 000 Wooleoinbere in this town and ueiglibourhooa , the major part of whom are compelled to make a workshop of their sleeping apartment ; and as the nature of their occupation compels them to work over a charcoal fire , which is constantly burning in their apartment by day , and frequently left smouldering at night , in order to expedite the labours of the following day , the most dangerous and deadly vapours are thus diffused through the confined aud ill-ventilated room , and continually inhaled by the inmates , who unfortunately have no property save their health , and no means of providing for their families when their bodily vigour is impaired and broken down by the ravages of disease . Sufficient proof of these facts are exhibited in the emaciated appearance of the victims of this awful state of things—uniformly followed by premature death . And numerous are the widows and orphans who are thus thrown upon the world , to share its sympathies , or sink under the sorrows which oppress them .
we feel deeply grateful to those who are now exerting themselves to remove this monstrous evil , and are dis ^ posed to give our hearty co-operation , in order to obtain for our families comfortable homes and healthy habitations ; our dwellings are improperly constructed , and totally inadequate for the uses to which they are now subjected , and , as will be seen from the report , a most alarming state of physical and moral degradation is the inevitable result—our streets are filth y and in a most neglected condition—contagious and noxious vapours arc hourly accumulating around us : even the common decencies of We appear to be disregarded ; all of which circumstances might be avoided , if a proper system of sewerage and ventilation were adopted , and due attention paid to the other matters essential to health and common dtcencv wanting which we must ever remaiu exposed to attacks of fever and other contagious diseases .
The philanthropist cannot engage in a more noble , and praiseworthy undertaking . TVhat can be more commendable than to befriend those whose labour hath contributed to make this great empire the most wealthy in the world ? The moral condition of the peeple cannot be much improved so long as the homes of the workingclasses are so physically impure . Many of the vices of the age have their origin in the squalor and filth which surround the poor , and render them too familiar with scenes of drunkenness and crime , to remove which we must elevate the character and exalt the condition of the whole people . Let all unite and make this a labour of love . All may unite on this question , and the only
distinction be , which can do most for society and for himself . Let us hope that the wealthy and tta educated win co-operate with , and give efficiency to our labours on this occasion ; and the heartfelt thanks of thousands will be their rich reward . We are , yours respectfully , " Wk . DiiraoN , George Flimk , John Howe , John Caes , John Dewhbbst , President , Thohab Spubb , Treasurer , Geobse White , Secretary ,
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P . S . —Ministers of religion , surgeons , physicians , or other gentlemen , are respectfully requested to assist us by forwarding reports of their experience on this question —addressed to the Secretary , at the Committee Boom . Roebuck Inn , Bradford . The Report then enters into details . It sets forth the place of residence of each case reported , with the the number of family , the number of apartments in the dwelling , the number of persons working in the house , the number of females resident therein , the dimensions of the apartments , aud the sort of fuel used at work . Then there are appended to each case such " general remarks" as the ease seems to call for , from which we shall give a few extracts , to impart to the general reader some idea of the condition of the working population in one of the but of our manufacturing towns : — FBOM MESSES . FLINK AND HOWE'S REPORT .
Case No 6 . Situate » Cannon-street . Eleven of family , five of ftem females . Seven work in the house , which consists of three apartments . Four beds . The visitors give an appalling description of this dwelling—six persons work in the bed-room . Two females sleep there . Bad ventilation , no drainage , pig-stye , ' and other miU
sances . Cases 7 and 8 . Situate in " Commercial (!) street . " Extremely unhealthy . Intolerable heat . Three men aud a woman work in the bed-room . An idea may be formed of No . 8 , from the fact that two persons , / o ther and son , inert some time hack found dead in the place , from suffocation . No . 13 . In Marjerison ' s-row . This is a cellar , with two apartments , three feet below the surface . Bad drainage . Continual stench , and the ashes suffered to accumulate in front of the door . An adult male resident suddenly expired in this cellar two months back . The coroner and jury expressed ttieir astonishment at the existence of such unhealthy places , aud pledged themselves to bring it before the public , but nothing has since been done to effect that object . No . 15 . In same place . A female now lies ill in bed in a room where four persons work . The apartment is three feet below the surface .
Ao . 28 . Situate in M'apping . Upper room very hot . Four persons work and sleep in the apartment . The under apartment serves as bed-room for two , and kitchen for six . No . 43 . Situate at New Leeds . A miserable cellar , in which four persons work , and five , including three females , sleep ; four feet below the surface . Walls black with damp . Stench intolerable . ' No . 45 . At same place . Four persons , including three females , sleep in this cellar ; one man works at a charcoal fire . 5 TE 99 BS . SAWSOK AND DEWBIRSt's REPORT .
Cases 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 , at Mill Bank . Mill Banlus situate in a low part of the town , behind the Sun Inn stables . It is filthy in the extreme . The street is narrow—drainage bad—stagnant water suffered to accumulate , and a most offensive smell continually emitted from the refuse which lies about in various directions . Notwithstanding the foul atmosphere which exists in this locality , it is augmented to a fearful extent from the crowded state of the apartments in which the parties follow their occupations ; and also increased by using coke at their work , which emits a most noxious effluvia . It will likewise be seen from the five cases selected , that there are only seven beds for the accommodation of thirty-three individuals .
Cases 6 to 18 , situate at Thompson ' s-buildings . Here arc twelve cases taken by rotation , which will give a fair average of the condition of the inhabitants of that neighbourhood . This locality is situate on au eminence at the foot of which runs a filthy beck , or stream , impregnated with the refuse of dye-houses , manufactories , and dwellings contiguous to' it The streets are narrow and filthy , and the general arrangement of the dwellings unfavourable to health . The inhabitants uniformly complain of ill health . These twelve dwellings are inhabited by ninety-five persons , having only twenty-three apartments for all purposes , arid twenty-four beds , wafting ati average of four individual * to each led , or eight to one bed-room , the average size of w 7 uc ? i is seventeen feet by fifteen . In case No . 6 , the brother and sister worked together . Only one apartment and one bed . She lias now left in a state of pregnancy .
Cases 21 to 25 , situate at lower West-street , Tetley-row , This locality is described by the visitors as being extremely filthy and ill ventilated , and the stench arising from the heat and crowded situation of their . workshops or bed rooms as intolerable , resembling a stove room where sulphur is used . Fifty-five persons reside in five dwellings with eleven apartments , and only nine beds , being little less than six to each bed . Case 27 . Bottom of " n
Case 48 . At High-street , White Abbey . A cellar six feet below the surface . This wretched cellar is a workshop for three , and a sleeping apartment for two . Foul vapours from gas cinders infest the place , and a pool of stagnant water near the door . Case 56 . At Burner ' s Fold , White Abboy . This is a wretched dwelling . Five persons lie in one bed on the floor of the upper apartment near the charcoal fire . Cases 60 to C 9 . At Regent-street , White Abbey , are truly horrifying . There are two privies within six feet of the dwellings , from whence the excrement overflows and sends forth an intolerable stench . Ashes , refuse , and nltby water accumulates with this , and contributes to most disgusting scenes , truly disgraceful . The dwellings near this vile place are thronged with human beings working and sleeping in crowded apartments . Mr . Bootli , overseer of Manningham , has expressed his disgust at this locality . Various diseases have afflicted patties , from causes enumerated , especially in hot weather .
Cases G 9 and 70 . At "GoWen-square" (!) , White Abbey . The upper apartments in these dwellings , are thronged with workers , and seven persons work aiid sleep in the first mentioned , who are continually inhaling the fumes of charcoal . Drainage bad . Case 83 , At Gracechurch-strCEt , White Abboy . Five feet below the surface . Shameful ! A mass of filth . A man , his wife , and four children , together with Ms mother , lie in one bed in this wretched apartment . Case 109 . At Club-houses . Four persons work in the upper apartment , in which a man and his wife sleep . TJteyhad to cease from work a week since , vMlst the woman was lying in . She noio lies in bed exposed to their gaze . A DEaD CHILD IS LAID IN THE SAKE ROOM . Such Cases are of frequent occurrence , and ought to awaken the better feelings of those whose circumstances place them above such a revolting and humiliating position .
Case 110 . At same place . A filthy cellar , in which two men . work . There ave two beds in the Batte vile apart , ment , in which a number of men and women sleep indiscriminately . It is no better than a common brotheJ .
KES 5 RS . 6 PCBR AND CAKE ' S BEPORT . Cases 12 to 22 . Situate in Queen-street . One general description will suffice for this street and neighbourhood . It is a mass of filth . No drainage . The horso road unpaved and nearly a foot deep in mud , together with stag . nant water . Houses generally crowded with men and women working together Indiscriminately . The back parts of the streets on both sides have filthy yards and cellars , in which tneinmates are also crowded together to a great extent . All this , added to the fumes of charcoal in several of the apartments , arc calculated to generate disease , Several children have died of fov c * within the last few weeks , and a number of men and women are suffering from various complaints . An inspection of this part will convince the most sceptical of the necessity of establishing a comprehensive and efficient remedy .
Cases 26 to 30 . Situate in Dul-e ( . ') street , Mancliesterroad and Holgate-squarc . The whole of the yards between Duke-street aud Victoria-street are unfit for human dwellings . There are a number of filthy cellars there , which are chiefl y occupied by wooicombers . Those places are dark and ill ventilated—wretched beyond conception . Ilol gate-siuiare is a miserable hole , surrounded by buildings on all sides . This place resembles a deep pit . No chance of ventilation . A number of men and women work in the cellars near charcoal fires . Seven feet below the surface .
Cases 42 to 48 . Situate in Nclson-couit . A great many wooicombers reside in this court . It is a perfect nuisance . There are a number of cellars in it utterly unfit for human dwellings . No drainage whatever . The visitors cannot fiud words to express their horror of the filth , stench , and misery which abound in this locality , and were unable to bear the overpowering effluvia which emanates from a common sewer which runs from the Unitarian Chapel beneath the houses . Were this to be fully described the committee mi ght subject themselves to the charge of exaggeration . We trust that some of those in affluent circumstances will visit these abodes of miserv and disease . * Case 119 . At Back-lane , Westgate . This is a wretched dwelling—truly disgraceful . Thirteen persons Ik Middled together , on two bundles of straw , on a damp floor , four o f whom arefemaks . The filth , misery , and tendency to immorality which such a condition is calculated to engender is truly disgraceful .
Cases 121 and 122 . Situate at Leys . This locality is well known to bo the filthiest and most unhealthful part of Bradford . It is occupied by the poorest and most abandoned portion of the working classes . The visitors give a revolting description of the crowded state of the houses and sleeping apartments , and the modem which both sexes lie huddled together , regardless of morality or decency . We have not space sufficient to describe this place . It is a perfect nuisance in every respect . ... _ rLINN *™ CAM ' S EEPOKT .
Cases 46 to 73 . Situate atBowling . This is a large and important district , situate on an eminence , having the extensive iron works in the immediate nei ghbourhood The same general neglect of drainage , sewerage , &c which has been already described , prevails here also J and is rendered worse by t f > e close proximity of a large number of furnaces , which continually send forth volumes of sulphureous smoke . All this , added to the crowded state of the upper apartments and the noxious fumes of charcoal tends to produce a state of things inimical to health and destructive of domestic comfort .
Case 74 . At same place . In this dwelling two females narrowly escaped suffocation from the charcoal vapour . A woman named Barber died some time since from the
same cause , , . . Case 76 , at same place . Two persons work , and five , including three females , sleep in the upper room near a
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charcoal stove . This place is occupied by a widow , whose husband was laid out in the room where the inmates worked . The report from which we have selected the foregoing extracts , closes as follows : — The committee feeling deeply the great and paramount importance of the present inquiry , and being extremely anxious that a vigorous effort should now be made to remedy the grievances under which the working classes are compelled to suffer ; her Majesty ' s Government having felt the necessity of taking the initiative in this great work , voluminous reports , emanating from the scientific , the wise , and benevolent , having been prepared and laid
before the country , the thinking and humane must feel convinced that the time has arrived when something effectual and comprehensive shall be done . The co-operation of every friend of his species is urgently required , as an opportunity has occurred for removing the causes which lead to such a large amount of misery and disease , It has been clearly shown that malignant diseases can , to a great extent , be removed , and health secured to all classes , in an infinitely larger degree than lias previously existed . We therefore come before the public of Bradford with this report , trusting that the same ardent love of their fellows may animate those who peruse it , as has been the guiding principle of the originators of the inquiry .
From the kindness aud excellent feeling displayed towards US by clergymen of every denomination , and the wealthier classes generally , we have reason to feel a sanguine hope of the result of our labours . Our deputations have received a cordial reception ; the most lively interest has been taken in the success of this great design , and from all sides promises of co-operation and support have been received . We have likewise been kindly favoured with communications from Sir Robert Peel , and the Duke of Buccleugh , as president of her Majesty's Commission " for inquiry into the health of large towns and populous districts , " and received from the latter nobleman voluminous reports concerning the present question .
It appears by those reports that the rate of mortality in Bradford is five per cent , greater than the average in all England—that medical aid is sought for to a great extent—that the heat and state of the air is most offensive and destructive of health , especially in the dwellings of the wooicombers , and that the streets and yards occupied by this class of operatives are infected with foul vapours , sufficient to disseminate disease and extend it to the other classes . ' Having thus far developed our general views on this subject , and without the most remote idea of assuming to dictate , we trust that the following suggestions will be received with that good feeling which we avo so desirous of establishing .
In the first place , we propose that proper steps should be iaken in order to cause the removal of those who crowd the sleeping apartments , and whose occupations engender the noxious vapours complained of , to commodious and well ventilated shops . This would , in a great degree , tend to make the cottages of a great portion of the working classes of this town subservient to domestic purposes , and to a considerable extent remove the evils arising from the amalgamation of both sexes to which we have previously directed attention . Secondly , —In order to effectually work out this praiseworthy object , we think it desirable to conciliate the good will and co-operation of the manufacturers , believing that even on pecuniary considerations they would find such an arrangement tend to their advantage , as well as conferring a great public benefit in which themselves , as inhabitants of the town , would become participators .
Thirdly , —The propriety of applying to Parliament , or by a deputation , to the Government , requesting that any clause or clauses deemed necessary for carrying out the general question of sewerage , drainage , &c , should be introduced into the general Act now contemplated by the Government , or to apply for a local Act , if suck should be considered necessary . Finally-, —That anything necessary to carry eut the remedy which is contemplated , and which does not come within the immediate jurisdiction of Parliament , shall be providedfov by the united efforts of thebencvolent portion of the wealthier inhabitants , by means of a general subscription for the purpose , and that the committee to carry out this important business should b& partly composed of the wealthier classes .
We have great pleasure in announcing that the inhabitants of Leeds have cordially taken up the question of sanatory improvement , and that all classes and parties are united in working out the great blessing . A committee has been formed , consisting of the mayor , the vicar , and other highly respectable gentlemen on the one hand , and by a number of intelligent working men on the other . This is a truly pleasing state of things ; and we trust that the excellent example of Leeds may be followed by the respectable portion of the inhabitants of Bradford . May this feeling go on and increase , and may the estrangement
which has heretofore existed between the various classes of society , give place to nobler sentiments . Wo now leave the question to the discernment and humanity of the public ; and feel convinced that all who read the facts set forth in this report , will conclude that the time has arrived when a great and comprehensive change shall take place iii the condition of the working classes . And we sincerely hope that no interested or party feeling may enter into this question , in which the health and happiness of all are concerned . —On behalf of the Committee , GfcOKQE White , Secretary .
THE IMMEDIATE RESULT . The publication of the Report , the result of the aboursof the Working Man ' s Committee , has not been without its effect : for on Tuesday evening week a numerous meeting , convened by the constables , on a requisition signed by about thirty-seven gentlemen ( including the Vicar , three magistrates , clergymen , merchants , and manufacturers , of all parties ) , was held in the large room of the Exchange Buildiegs , for the purpose of considering the necessary steps to be adopted for improving the sanatory condition of the labouring classes . The roomwhich
, is one of the largest in Bradford , was crowded in every part , and included a great number of clergymen , manufacturers , tradesmen , and other men of local influence , and in circumstances of ease and comfort , evincing by their marked attention to the heart-sickening details -which were laid before the meeting , their deep interest in one of the most lm-) ortant inquiries that can engage the minds , or draw : orth the united efforts of men , towards the ameliora-; ion of the hard lot of numbers . The Vicar of Bradford , Dr . Scoresby , occupied the chair . In the course of his observations he said : —
There was one expression commonly used by politicians , which , though of a political character , he would use , because it represented a great truth ; and that was , that if they wanted to obtain any right they must agitate , agitate , agitate . In a better than a political sense he would adopt the word , and exhort them to agitate ; this was a moral , a social , a godly object , and he would say to his brethren of the working classes , continue to labourcontinue to bring forward your claims , your sufferings , and your requirements—continue to bring these before the public inind , and in due time , whether the iron were hard or no , the impression would be made . But he was far from supposing the iron would on trial be found to be unreasonably or extremely hard . It was in the
nature of the public mind that it required effort to move it . There was another condition they had to contend with , as regarded progress . The human mind was sensible of cases of suffering that affected the eye ; it was a natural condition of the mind to sympathise with what was seen by the eye , because such affliction associated itself with the individual and forced the thought , —If it had been I that had so suffered ! Suffering which came by imperceptible steps , by minutes and small portions of time , by a slow , deliberate progress , which could scarcely be traced , was hardly appreciated ; the public mind could not apprehend that kind of suffering . It was the kind of suffering , however , tho burden of which many of thoio before him had to lament , and the remedy for which they were seeking . Take the case of the dwellers in un .
wholesome dwellings . It did not atfivst sight manifest itself to the community that a man living in one of those dwellings was a slain man ; but the observant mind of the medical practitioner , or the registrar-general , who analysed the deaths , found that though such a man were not slain by machinery suddenly , yet he was actually slain by inches ; his days were shortened—there was an imperceptible advance of maturity and old age , and death . Tins being the case , it would be requisite for the working men to bring forward and press suchstatistics on the public mind as those they had appended to theirreport , which showed that the average mortality in Bradford was five per cent , more than that of the kingdom in general ; and if tho report had gone further it would have shown that the mortality among certain of the working classes—they
who were obliged to work in the day over the fumes of burning charcoal , and sleep in the night with the residue of those fumes , or perhaps the still brewing noxious gas —if the scrutiny had gone to them , the case drawn out , and the balance been struck , there would 'have been found a still greater proportion of mortality to those engaged in different trades . The public mind required to have these facts impressed upon it : and he hoped the committee would make respectful , earnest , and he would say , affectionate appeals to those who had the means to come over and help in the effort to remove such evils . He should be most anxious , and rejoiced to see the work carried out by them with good heart and perseverance , until they had impressed it on the public mind , and carried it along with them to ultimate success , ( Cheers . )
Resolutions in accordance with the object of the meeting were moved by the Rev . J . S . Frost , of St . John ' s , Bowling ; Joe . Poppleton , Esq . ; the Rev . W . Morgan ; Mr . JolmCarr , workingwoolcomber ; Thos . Beaumont , Esq . ; George Flinn , working woolcomber ; the Rev . James Cooper , of St . Jude ' s ; Dr . Farrar , and Mr . George White . A committee , composed of clergy , gentry , and working men , was appointed to forward the desirable object : and the meeting , which lasted f our hours with unabated interest , separated in the best of feeling . In relation to the whole question thus raised by the W . oolcombers * Committee , the Bradford Observer justly remarks : —
The disposition to effect such a union is now stronger on both sides than ever it was before j and the will in such cases is a pretty sure element of eventual success . But it were foolish to hide from ourselves that there are formidable difficulties in the way of a speedy and permanent elevation of the general social condition of the working classes . The question at once arises , "How and why do the working classes inhabit such pestilential dens as many of our narrow , crowded , ill-drained , ill-ventilated streets confessedly are V The answer is , « Their poverty
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but not their will , consents . " This loads us one step nearer the original evil—the poverty of the working classes . After making the largest allowances for the improvidence , and intemperance , and other bad habits of the working classes , we fear we must come to the conclusion that large masses of them are in the receipt of such miserably incompetent wages as necessitates much of the physical wretchedness which is to be found , not in towns only , but in villages , and among the rural peasantry . This is the peculiar phasis of the great social question of our age , which calls for the most thorough and sifting investigation of the leading intellects of the country . But waiving this view of the question at preseut , it is clear that nothing but a resolute will and a good heart is
wanting on the part of the middle and upper classes to effect , almost at once , great and beneficial ameliorations in the condition of their less fortunate fellow-countrymen . Nothing else is wanting to pave and drain the streets in which they live ; aud nothing else is wanting to build workshops for the combers who are now compelled to make their miserable houses workshops aud sleeping rooms . These are points which Ave hope the committee appointed to carry out the object of Tuesday ' s meeting will not fail to vwge upon all our mill-spinners and influential citizens ; and if these points were carried , and these alone , they would reward all the labour that has been expended in getting up the Wooicombers' Report , and in conducting the other proceedings which have resulted from it .
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IMFKISOXMEXT x OR DEBT . ; June 4 th , 1845 . Tnymr Northern Starof the 31 st nit , under this title , in die last column of the 8 th page of that paper , the following words are stated as having come forth from that man of MtcNe eminence , Sir James Graham , Bart ., Home Secretary , Ac . ; and I cannot refrain from thinking that T 0 DB THOXOUGH and INDELIBLE DIE Of Cftartuja haS caused you to misquote the words of the "Honourable " Secretary , for the express purpose of making your readers conclude that be is either in a state of insanity or absolute idiotism : for certain I am that no man of sane mind could 3 ndwonldsttersuchIanguageastlus > -r iz . "Themeasure bad , on the whole , worked well . No complaintshad been made by the great body of the people : the complaining parties were tradesmen , who had the remedy in their oua hasbs if they chose to exercise it—the withhold IHG OF CMDIT . "
Knowing from conversations you and I have had together , in reference to this non-imprisonment Act , that yon are a pretty strong advocate for all iaws for becovxet of debti toie abolished , and to have nothing to depend on but the bokodb and hosestt of eaeh other , or the- refusing credit to one another ; knowing this , fed .- « ¦; ?•! more fintig convinced that iou have made the Ho . i-y . -a'Si . i Secretary utter words which he never dreamt on Do yon think it at all likely that a man of such Kterory eminence ^ of such profound knowledge of the affairs of fiie community in every grade , could possibly so far forget
himself as to wholly overlook the fact that the "tradesmen , who had the remeda in their own hands ( whom you make the Honourable Secretary treat -with no ordinary degree of contumely ) , form a very numerous and truly useful class of society 3—a class , in my humble opinion , backed by a like opinion of tens of thousands of the orderly and thinking members of society , of a thousand times more real national value than all the lords , dukes , baronets , d hoc genus onme , in the nation lumped together I condemn you and you alone , Mr . Editor , for making it appear as if the Honourable Secretary had forgot the fact abovementioned .
I condemn you and you alone , Mr . Editor , on a yet more Berions ground . Ton make it appear as if the Honourable Secretary said they ( to wit , the despUed tradesmen ) " had the remedy in their own hands if they chose to exercise U , vi ^ , tie icVMoMbig of credit . " Now , can you seriously think , or expect , or entertain the faintest hopes that any yea , the most ignorant of your readers , will believe that the "honourable" and eminently literary Secretary could utter any such like » illy sentence , knowing at the very time when sppatnng that " t&e remtdjf was sot in their Own hanffej oat that tens , yea hundreds of thousands of pounds -rare at that moment , owing to those dapkxMe ( in the aristocratic Secretary ' s eyes at least ) trodemm "the only coaplainhig parties" of the hardships and injustice of an Act which , at one fdl swoop , deprived them Of every remedy for recovering their debts t Further , you represent him as saying
' There were , no doubt , defects in the old (? new ) law : $ tUl it had been lntboddced after cheat attention and CQSSXDS&xnoKliadbcaiocstowed upon if . It was no such piece of crude legislation as had been affirmed . " It admits of a doubt whether this be not the most nn-Mndly cat from your hand of all others : —for in this paragraph you make a man whose veracity is running with railway-carriage rapidity into a proverb ; one whose kaowlcdge of the circumstances attending the introduction of the bill was of the mostconsummate character—/ a « y and irredeeniablycontradict the true facts connected with that bill . You yourself know—the whole kingdom know , thai it was prepared by Brougham in a crude form , without temperate and cool consideration of the probable , yea , certain effects ; that it was introduced at almost the
last moment of the then Session of Parliament ; that it was hurried through with a haste rarely practised , except in State Bills , especially of a coercive character ; that it fell like a direful ana desolating thunder-storm upon the heads of the people ; and that its amiable , and consistent , ana BESEvotEsr father , Brougham , was " one of the very firstmen to complain of it as soon as the ensuing session opened ! Clumsy enough , God knows , and despicable enough loo were his awkward endeavours to saddle his colleagues with the whole blame for the harshness of its provisions , by laying a charge against them of having greatly altered its classes , and "humping" thatthey , not he , had made it the ruinous measure it has become to the industrions tradesmen and professional men in the middle ' rank of life .
Graham , according to toce torsion of his speech , makes a merit , forsooth , that" No complaints had been made by the great lody of the people—ihe complaining parties were tradesmen I " Pray , is it your desire and expectation that all or any of the steady and reflecting part of your readers , from the most intelligent down to those poor unfortunate victims to the worshippers of Mammon , who never have had leisure to learn to read , but are beholden to kind neighbours to communicate the truths of your paper ( and I trust that all bofli literate and illiterate are a steady and
reflecting class ) tctB believe that the honourable Secretary's faculties were so much obfuscated that he wholly forgot the immense number of petitions , complaints , and remonstrances that "the great body of the people ? have from time to time sent—and the only answers given were —" bcbjj them fa the stoves of the norsE "—and bob > t 1 % alwats webe ; and will it be too much to say that not a few of the men in office , their hangers on , and of f honourable members" also , would not have voted against many of the petitioners being burnt along with the petitions , had their wills and powers been co-equal 1
1 have more upon this and Borne kindred subjects to communicate , provided you think this worth part of a column in your paper . I am , Mr . Editor , yours , Zeta . [ When we have received the communications promised above , and learn tie fuU extent of our implication in Sir James Graham's " sayings and doings , " we may perhaps try to wriggle out of the " mess" in which that " dirty functionary" has involved us . Meantime we endeavour tobear up under the load of obloquy attachable to him , but viatod on us , as stoically as we can . —Ed . iV : . S . l
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May tie wrath of God smite him icho breaks our vow ! May the arm of God hasten our liberty I Dear liberty!—Liberty , for which Sarsfieldfought , and tone organised;—Libertygained at Clontarf andDungannon—lost by division—Gome;—come quickly ; we are athirstfor freedom ! We can readily believe , when Mr . Doheny got this length , that he most have been in a thirst }* condition ; and , as the freedom he requires is not yet attainable , we hope there was some kind Gannymede at hand to present him with a bottle of ginger beer , of unexceptionable quality , to quaff . One cannot help laughing at "the prose run mad " we hare quoted , when it is remembered that the
writer did his possible to return three W Ings to Parliament—namely , Justice Perrin , thelate Chief Baron TVolfe , and Mr . Sergeant Stock , and would , while the Melbourn Administration existed , have put any impracticable politician upon the rack who dared to avow himself a Repealer or national regenerator . We now , for the present , bid adieu to the Cashcl patriot , that we may drawattentionto another article , written , it is said , by hie . Thomas Davis , the weeping philosopher , and which shows that disunion is stfll possible , and that there be some who , if the weekly stipend could be secured , " would ratherreign in hell" than serve in Conciliation Hall . We must permit Mr . Davis to offer his own explanation , though it savours sadly of egotism : —
> O UOUbt , the Severance of Monday last wason a graver question . No more serious subject ever agitated a Senate . Its seriousness should have prevented flippancy ; its sacredness should have deterred hypocrisy . Unfortunately both suddenly intruded , and an earnest difference of opinion was changed into a strife . Neither side did or would yield—extreme language was used ( some of it to us , hut it was in the heat of debate , sad we forgave it ) . An accident prevented recrimination , a soft answer turned away wrath—and not only was a breach avoided , but a better understanding , and a wanner co
operation for the future , were secured . "We are quite sure the chief parties engaged in that controversy look back on its termination with unmixed pleasure , and are content to be railed at and misrepresented till the heat of passion and the chargin of baffled virulence have subsided . There was no compromise of policy , no surrender of opinion on either side—there was the retraction of an unguarded epithet—the expression of a kindly feeling—of a willing faith , and of a fervid patriotism . That expression was raceived as it was offered , aud the greatest peril the association ever knew was weathered .
Now this , we say , -with , all respect to Mr . Davis , is sheer nonsense , and the reverse of fact . Would he have us believe that the Repeal Association would hare broken up , had he and a few others retired , or that he was not in greater peril when Mr . Smith O'Brien , in a fit of trepidation , proposed its dissolution ? No , no ; had our baffled mutineer been thrust out , or voluntarily retired , one hundred , with as good lungs and as voluble a tongue , would hare remained behind to play his part and pocket his salary . We used to be discredited when we hinted that , harmonious as matters generally appeared upon the stage in Conciliation Hall , the leaders of the movement were accustomed to fight behind the scenes like wild-cats . Mr . Davis , in whatfollows , verifies to the letter that which we asserted :
The Association is formed onl y to Repeal the Unionit cannot bind its members to anything else ; and the introduction of any ether topic is at the discretion of the committee . It has hitherto been the custom of that committee to prevent discussion . in public when the differences ¦ were extensive , and passion roused ; and it has kept the Conciliation Hall as a theatre for action , not au arena for dispute . On the maintenance of that policy the existence of the Association depends , and we do not doubt it will be maintained . ' On rare occasions the disagreement may break into , the pnbh ' c meeting , and will need no little watchfulness . We pray that the occasions may be rare , and the watchfulness against our passions and oui enemies great indeed !
So , then , there have been , dispute , Mr . Davis , in close divan—serious wranglings , as you inform us—of which the public was kept in the dark ! Ah , Mr . Davis , this is a startling disclosure , and will , we think , produce among a shrewd public a great sensation . The RepealerswUl learn authoritatively , for the first time , from the columns of the journal which has been circulated extensively with their money , that there are secrets connected with the internal management of the affairs of the Corn Exchange which it would be imprudent to reveal even to them .
Air . U Oonneli seems , however , determined to be no longer badgered in committee-rooms , but , upon the contrary , manifests a disposition to drag his feeble assailants to the platform in Conciliation Hall , and there , in not a very conciliatory fashion , do execution upon them ; and such being his present frame of mind , it is not difficult to perceive how the contest must terminate . We cannot suppose , after what has lately occurred , that Doheny , Davis , Barry , and Co ., are so infatuated as to think they could successfully get up "mlMego" for themselves . —Dublin World '
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THE YOUNG IRELANDERS . Wo t ? ere anxious to hare a peep at the ifa& ' on of Satuniay last in order that we might sec with what spirit "Young Ireland" bore the recent severe chastisement . " The Nation , which was started to annihilate ns , and prepare the way for a new generation—the Nation , which placarded upon every dead wall the "liberator" himself as being among the number of its literary contributors—the Nation , which since iis birth , has breathed nothing but bullet and bayonet defiance to the Saxoa—surely , " we said , " will be in a fine phrcnzy after the choice fellows who illuminaie the columns with theirfarthing rushlights have been scourged like whipped spaniels . " We procured from an obliging newsman the warlike
print , and commenced poring over it to satisfy the craving of curiosity . A danceatthejoumal was sufficient to convince ns that Mr . O'Connell had only "scotched the snake , " and that notwithstanding all the late " weeping and gnashing of teeth , " with the prodigal professions of fealty and devotion , "Young Ireland" meditated mutiny when opportunity served to tender it tolerably safe and not utterly ruinous . The first article which caught our eye was a sort of hysterical outpouring of the soul , smacking strong of whiskey punch , and wearing the appearance of laving been tpun-out just after the writer had reeled from the banquet , where he had been enjoying himself with the « allants of the 'S 3
dub and provincial burghfiR , who love fatherland nrach , ana hate not " potations pottle deep . " The diatribe , however , although full of sound and fury , still aimed at accomplishing a covert object , fiy leaving it to be understood all , hitherto , had not been right as regarded some lieiKalers , and that a solemn pledge not to stop half way , even at this tune ofday , was necessary . We believe there is not a scintilla of doubt that this literary bomb-shell—a portion of which we will now present to our readers forthenf amusement and edification—was manufac tured by that ardent Repealer , and , at one time , zealous Whig undertaker , Mr . Michael Dohenv , civic Chamberlain of the ancient citv of Cashel : —
IRELAND'S OATH . Friends and Foes ! know ye that Ireland is pledgedin words the most solemn—by representatives the most competent ^ -on an occasion the most august—pledged before Goa ana man , to achieve independence ? The bridge is broken behind us . He who falters now is a traitor , a perjurer , and a coward . If Ireland ever—but never , never can it break the vow ef to-day . The soldier who sells his nag—the husband irho yields domestic honour to a threat—the priest who barters his creed—are pure , brave , and holy , compared to Ireland , if Ireland ever accept the Union . That pledge was the deed of the day—the day will be ver illustrious for the pledge .
Sever , in our soil , was a prouder pomp—not even when mustered for a monarch . There was a parade that might have graced an Emperor's triumph . Iu a noble nan , consecrated by the remtmberance of 17 S 2 , in the presence of a thousand fair women , stood the men whom Englann had accused , convicted , and imprisoned , for seeking Irish liberty . Here is veritable thunder and lightning ; but we will gratify our friends with another display oi fire rockets—albeit , the report may shake the nerves of Lord Hcytcsbury : —
The garrison of Dublin was paraded yesterday . Its cartridges were ready aud its battalion concentrated to meet—unarmed citizens ! Viceroy of the alien ! yourprecautioas were cowardly against us as we were , and would hare been \ ain had we been what you assumed us . Your troops wonld have perished in our streets , like a rivulet anumgsands £ but you actedjas great a felsehoodas the Indictment of 18 * 4 , when you took precautions against our raBurrectioa . if mS *?^ *» *¦»» ****» Clever loyalty waoaue ^ u , treatedI nffli scant courtesy . ' We , hW l ^ ram away infli pleasure from this gasconade to Sifhe kS ^ to mount mtJl unsteady pinions , May the ^ r . of ™ ^ ounte tavern :-Maf the opportKffi ^ J- ^ toe friendship » - ^ *'*^ r ^ £ tss =
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b ramewouk Knitters' Movement . — A general meeting of the whole of the branches of this trade in . and near Nottingham was held on Monday , June 9 th , at two o ' clock , in the Town-hall . Mr . Samuel Winters , of Carlton , being called to the chair , said that he felt great pleasure in being appointed to preside over sucli an important meeting as was then assembled . Subjects important to them as Framework Knitters were about to (^ brought before them , and he trusted that each speaker would be heard without interruption . He then called upon Mi . Jonathan Barber , who addressed the meeting on the importance of the frame-rent trial , the present position of the 1 ' ramework Knitters with respect to their consolidated Union , the general Trades Union and the
forthcoming Conference , and urged , with great force , the necessity o £ the workmen uniting for mutual protection and benefit . Thomas Stone next addressed the meeting , and spoke at large on the conduct of one of the largest manufacturers in Nottingham towards his workmen . He stated that the firm ( the Messrs . Morlcy ) were in the habit of reducing to a serious amount the earnings of their hands by the most unjust means , such as giving orders to have the work done in a particular form" and when such work had been made in the best possible way according to the directions given , still findin" a fault , and deducting—though , in fact , there was no fault to be found , except the complying with the directions given . This was a practice of frc
qucnt occurrence with the firm he had just named , who have been held up as the most honourable amongst the master manufacturers . But that was not the worst part of the story : if any of the hands working for that firm should take any ' part in Trades business , he is punished ; first found ' fault with ; and then deducted for inferior uvri ; and at last thrown out of employment : and still these mcu were puofessikc Christians ! Air . Joseph Souter came forward to give the meeting an account of the results derived by him from a small portion of land which he held , and enjoined the Framework Knitters to never cease in their endeavours until they got a fair portion of the soil for themselves . ' B . Humphries , general secretary , came forward , and gave an account of the business connected with the Governmental inquiry . Thomas Stone was called on by the
chairman to read a petition . It was then proposed by Joseph Harrison , and seconded by D . Bland , that the petition bo adopted by this meeting , and that it be signed with as little delay as possible , which passed without a dissentient vote . Mr . John Clark came forward and read several letters—one in particular received from Leicester , stating that the framerent case now stood the 12 th on the list , and the court would sit for the dispatch of business until the ¦ 1 th July . The chairman then brought before the meeting the outstanding debt of the central committee , which being very considerable , it ^ Yas agreed that a levy of one penny per frame per week be paid until such debt be liquidated and the petition expenses paid . The committee of management will sit to receive the same every Saturday evening , at t he King George on Horseback , Nottingham .
Meeiisg OF Tiiades at Derbv . — In com pliauce with a request of the iron trades of Bury , a pup meeting of trades was held in this town on Thursday evening , June 5 th , to take into consideration the position of the men now on strike at Bury , when tl ^ following resolution was passed : — " That , Jn the opinion of this meeting , the men now on strike at the firm of Messrs . Walker and Co ., Bury , ought to stand out with vigour and determination " until they obtain their . just ends : and we pledge ourselves w assist them with pecuniary means for so desirable aw » laudablean object . " After hearing a lecture deliverer by Christopher Doyle , on the subject of a cons olidate union of trades , and also on the Land scheme , as tuc remedy for the evils that press on the vorkiu e maJlf | a goodly number of rules were sold ;
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THE FARMERS ACTING , AS WELL AS SPEAKING . The " WnisiiiBRS at the Plough" against the WlHSIiEBS IX DOWMNG-STKEET . " Central Agricultural Protection Society . Repeal of the Malt Tax . — Owing to the extraordinary movements of Sir R . Peel in the House of Commons , and the consequent defection which he has caused in the ranks of those who had been sent to Parliament to watch over the interests of the farmer , the efficiency of this society had become of late greatly impaired , and it has somewhat disappointed the high expectations which had been raised on its formation . The ill effects of the Premier ' s free-trade nostrums M'ere seen at the commencement of the
session , when a deputation from the committee of the society waited upon him . Several of the yeomen wished particularly to press upon the attention of the Premier their claims for the total repeal of the malt tax : but the supporters of the Government , supposing it might embarrass the Premier , cried " hold" ; and , at their suggestion , the farmers gave way . The consequence was , as many had expected , Sir Robert Peel took advantage of this circumstance to give the manufacturers all they asked for , and the farmers just nothing at all . At the subsequent meetings the yeomen complained of their leaders , and seeing themselves deserted , and the cause of protection jeopardised by her Majesty ' s Government , expressed a strong determination , under their increasing difficulties , to
direct their energies to the removal ot their burdens . At the April meeting Messrs . W . Bennett and Baker placed a notice on the books of bringing the repeal of the malt tax before the Society . At the general meeting of the committee in Bond-street , on Tuesday the 3 rd instant , pursuant to notice , this question came on for discussion . Mr . AV . Bennett , being called on from the chair , said that he felt great trepidation in venturing in so respectable and influential a meeting to take so prominent a part ; his friend Mr . Baker , of Writtle , he thought should have been put first , as he had drawn the motion he was about to submit : but somehow or other his ( Mr . B . ' s ) name had been first coupled with it . He regarded the malt tax under any
circumstances , as a frightful incubus on agriculture , but under its present increasing depression a most unjust and intolerable impost . He would not take up ' the valuable time oi' the meeting by attempting to prove what he thought had been already reduced to demonstr ation , but would simply give some authorities on this subject , and then answer one or two objections to its repeal . Thelato William Cobbett ( though doubtless extravagant in some of his views ) was regarded on all hands as a man of strong mind , and greatly acquainted with men and tilings . Mr . Cobbett , through the whole course of his life , always denounced this tax as the most iniquitous scheme for raising money that was ever devised by any minister of any country—a scheme which not even the necessities of war could
justify ( cheers ) . He had given one authority from the people , he would now give them one or two from a very different quarter . John , late Duke , of Bedford , a nobleman endeared to all who knew him , in a letter with which he ( Mr . B . ) hadbeen honoured some years since , and which he then held in his hand , uses the following emphatic language : — " I have always been , and am still a decided friend to the total repeal of the malt tax ; I consider it as an impost pressing heavily on the industry and energies of the farmer , and deeply injurious to the comforts as well as to the morals of the labourer" ( cheers ) . And then , who does not remember the name of the Marquis of Chandos as coupled with this subject ? Who does not remember the nice calculations liemade of the benefit the farmer
would derive from its repeal ?—calculations which he thought , by the bye , much under the mark . Who , lie repeated , did not remember how all Buckinghamshire rung with the noble marquis ' s protestations against this tax ? But where is that nobleman now ? Does Buckinghamshire ring now with that nobleman ' s appeal to her spirited yeomanrv on this subject ? How is this ? Are the noble dulse ' s sympathies for his former associates quite exhausted ? O , he would not , he must not , insinuate ; but one thing he would say , and he wished he had a trumpet-voice that could be heard through the land . He would say . that that nobleman , and scores besides , voted for a repeal of this tax whn not a penny could be spared from tlie exchequer ; hut now , forsooth , when the minister
annonnced that hehad three millions to give away , not a single voice was raised among these farming representatives for the repeal of this abominable impost ( cheers ) . Could it be thought that the yeomamy of England would quietly look on allthis , and not feel that tlte bonds which unite the waddle and higher classes were beina severed ' asunder ( cheers )? But ho had been speaking of authorities for the repeal of tho malt tux . We had not merely hero and there a commoner , a marquis , and a duke , the advocates of repeal , but the House of Commons had twice ( if he were not mistaken ) voted off this tax , anil then , under the whip of the minister , votedit on again ( a laugh ) . But he had a higher authority than tills . The master of the House of Commons—yes , lie repeated it .
the master of the House of Commons —( laughter ) , Sir R . Peel , had more than once admitted that this tax was a heavy burden on agriculture . With Mich authorities , then , on his side , he would not detain the meeting by answering any little paltry objections , such as , all farmers would not be equally benefitted The people in one or two counties drink cider ( and by-the-bye , untaxed cider ) . The benefit of malt for feeding cattlo may not besogrcatas is expected . No , he would not honour such puerile objections with a word ot reply . ( Cheers . ) But there were one or two objections to repeal which he admitted had the air of plausibility about them . It has been said that the benefit would be more foreign than native ; that the increased demand would cive creator fiinilifipa t « + im
introduction of foreign barley : this , however , would turn out more imaginary than real . He did not contemplate in the first place so great au advance , esp ecially in the price of the best barky , but vather to restore the second and third-rate qualities to their relative difference in value to the good bariev ; whereas that difference is now measured by 22 s . p ' er quarter duty , added to the price . Besides which arley being less expensive to cultivate than wheat , an increased demand would produce a greater growth of home-grown grain of this sort . Further , the large importations of barley are only found in deficient seasons , like the last . Had the crop been anytluV approaching to that of wheat last year , instead of upwards ot 30 s ., we shouldunder the depression of
, agriculture , have barely secured 20 s . per quarter ; and foreign barley would have been out of the quesiion . But let us even suppose we arc mistaken in these calculations , and that tho repeal of this duty would somewhat increase importations—what then " ? If you arc making good prices—if you can do what you like with your owu—if you are allowed to turn the produce of your own farms to all such purposes as the most improved science can point out , without let or hindrance , what need the farmers trouble their heads about the importations ? Why not be glad that the foreigner is replenishing the exchequer , while they are pocketing tho the malt tax , and their families ' their labourers , and the public at large , gcttiiv at theirhomesa cheap , useful , and invigorating hcvor . w
Cheers . ) But we are told again , as a second objection , that this burden got rid of , will furnish an additional argument for the total repeal of the Corn Laws . A \ hat , have not the farmers of England been already sufficiently plucked in this way to entitle them to this boon ? Is it too good a thins in their present circumstances ? Is the payment 6 ? so large a share of the poor-rates , county-rates , highway and church-rates nothing , besides their share of assessed and income-taxes ? He appealed' to his brother farmers , whether their hands were not everlasthHv in tlieir pockets for payment to these things , bid any nan in his senses su 2 > pose that , in On event of entmfree trade in com , these other charges could l ~ e endured ? Besides , he had said nothing of the landtax , assessed and property taxes , with the rent charge upon the landlord . It ivas imposiiblt , however , not to perceive that the shadm of protection we still have is frittered
being away , and that by an amalgamation of the othenvise most discordant 2 > arties . The yeomanry of England had been betrayed ; but thev had this satisfaction—they were not the betravers " ( Cheei-s . ) He now implored them to muster their shattered troops , and to attack the enomy in the most vulnerable part of his fortifications . Let them tell the minister , in a tone and manner not to be mistaken , that he is taking away the means of our vavina the taxes , and we find ourselves neither ableorvAlUnn to endiire them He did not say that the repeal of the malt tax would do everything ; but he would take it as an instalment . The third and ( he admitted tic most potent ) objection was , how is the lost revenue o be raised ? . To find a substitute was , perhaps no pai-t of their business ; buthe would say , if you i saddle on the right 6 « cfc—raise thk property tax t M iiiitEE 1 . 0 hve psrceo t .: that Yin one mode .
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But , on the other hand , if the artu . 'U . M . f beer « , „ » . be taxed in some form or other , let it be in tlio nufactured , and not in the raw Btate ; liberate mu and the use of it in every form where used foil mestic purposes , and let it be taxed when consun ?^ in public-houses , where men resort mostly for tK sake of company , and not because they need ) h article . It was not his intention , however to mthat part of his motion which referred to a substih t if it should appear at all to be the opinion if t £ gentlemen around him that it would be bust tn . 1 : it ( cheers ) .-Mr . Bennett then read his vesol ,, ?^ which embraced the total repeal of the malt-tax ¦ tv precise words we did not catch . * ' , * K ? \ > ' ° niEsS f rose > and admitted tint while Mr . Bennett on a former occasion was « n « . i .
upon this subject , and it appeared doubtful wCtW the question could be entertained without a nrnni notice being given to that effect , he drew the m < E which had been placed on the books , and which W just been so ably moved ; and he concurred he «• . !? most heartily , in every sentiment which his fW « ni had uttered in bringing this motion before the me * I ing . Mr . Baker then took an enlightened vie ? * - I the present state of the agricultural question W I considered , under all the circumstances of the ' ctZ' I deceived as they _ had been , a united effort for tS I repeal of this insupportable burden wag the W I course that could be at present pursued We re « w- I that our limits will not allow us at all to do iustiw I to this gentleman . He concluded b y heartily sVnirf ing the motion . " m < I
Mr , T . Umbehs , from Warwickshire , was clad ( ti an opportunity to support the proposition which ha just been so ably moved and seconded bv Mew * Bennett and Baker ; and he was jrlad to ' find ttat there would be no objection to the reconmiendatior ot a substitute for the tax being dropped wt thought , as did many of his friends with wjlonifr had conversed , that we had better name no substi tute , about which there might be , and doubtless was . " a difference of opinion ; he moved , therefore as ar amendment , after the word " repeated" the othp ' words should be expunged , and others added ( whid we could not distinctly collect ) . Mr . Jons Hudson , from Norfolk , seconded tin amendment , which was agreed to by the mover ani
seconder to stand as part of the original motion . Mr . Stapfoiid O'Brien said lie was not surprised at the disappointment which the agricultural gentlemen below had expressed as to their present 1 ) 03 ! . tion , nor at the i ' act that they , under such disappoiltment , were anxious to turn to some other source of relief . The Government had certainly manifested n > disposition to relieve agriculture , but rather the contrary . Ihcrc was no hope from the present Parlia . ment ; the fanners must fight their own battle attl 5 next election , lie had not failed to impress upon tlie Government the great probability that the rejection < r the late measure he had introduced would be me ; *
by a systematic attack upon the malt tax . ( Cheers ' The Duke of Cleveland had , in years back , souelit the repeal of this tax without effect ; the position oi agriculture was different now , although he could not hold out immediate prospect of success , Mr . Alnut , from Berkshire , thought the rep eal of the malt-tax would strengthen the demand for the repeal of the Corn Laws , while he considered it more important to get the Canada Corn Bill and the tariff repealed . The malt-tax was a bad and oppressive tax but he would not give up the chance of { jetting better Corn Laws . He therefore moved as an amendment that it was not expedient for the societv to take un the repeal of the malt-tax . *
Some gentleman from Shropshire seconded the amendment . Mr . Fisher Hobbs , Mr . J . Ellmax , and several other gentlemen whose names did not roach us . strongly supported the original motion for a total repeal of the malt-tax . A gentleman from Lincolnshire , although he had for many years regarded the malt-tax as a he . m burden on agriculture , thought the restriction of the currency even worse , and would rather vote for a repeal of the currency laws . Mr . Weal , from Surrey , was in favour of tlie original motion . Lord Worsley had lieiwd the discussion with a deep interest ,, although he regretted lie had lost the former part of the debate . He thought at anv rate
it would be mischievous for this society to decide against the repeal of a tax which was admitted on all hands as pressing so heavily , not so much directly as indirectly , on agriculture . He thought , under the altered circumstances of the fanners , they had made out a good case . Mr . Bexxeti rose to reply . —lie thought he could gather from this discussion a great majority of this meeting were in favour of the motion he had the honour to introduce . If the two or three gentlemen who had spoken in opposition had pointed out any practicable mode of relief , he thought it would have been another thing . Mr . Alnut might as well whistle to the moon , as to hope , under our present circumstances , to obtain greater protection ; and he thought
it was m bad taste , and a most unpopular sentiment out of doors , to seek to retain a bunion as u justification for protection . He would find , in fact , no member of the legislature , in the present state of parties , to take up his cause . And , however true it was , that a restricted currency was an evil to agriculture , he ( Mr . Bennett ) had still less hopes of a redress of grievances in this way . His intention was to press us motion to a division . Notice of the motion had been given to every local society in the kingdom ; from several we had letters of approval , and none to the contrary , and tv very large share of them was represented in this meeting . We had done little good hitherto , and he thought it high time to make a move in tlie ri « ht direction .
The Duke of Richmond , after stating that the farmers must look after their own interests at the next election , said he feared they would do but little good with the present Parliament ; but he had informed the Government that they might prepare themselves for a very spirited attack upon the malttax lie then put the amendment of Mr , Alnut , for which four hands only were held up . The original motion for the total repeal of tlie malttax was then carried triumphantly . Mr . Gihj aves and Mr . Umbers , from Warwickshive , moved that the resolution be printed , and copies sent to the different local societies of the kingdom . Lord Worslby moved thanks to the chair , and the meeting separated . —Bell ' s Weekhi Messawcr .
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V " - THE NORTHERN STAR . June 14 , I 845 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 14, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1319/page/6/
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