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Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd April 1842, Edition 3 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      PUBLIC MEETING . A public meeting of journeymen and master boot and shoemakers -was held pursuant to advertisement , on Wednesday week , at the Crown and Anchor , Strand , to consider the question of Sir Robert Peel ' s amended tariff The chair -was announced to be taken at two o ' clock , but long before that time , the place was crowded to excess , and thousands went away without even having a prospect of obtaining admittance . Mr . Laidlow , a master shoemaker , having been called to the chair , commenced by congratulating them on the number and respectability of their attendance ; it proved that tbty entertained feelings of strong and painful excitement upon the subject , and he wisied it to be clearly -understood , that the meeting was

      composed exclusively of boot and shoemakers , and not with other persons connected with the leather trade-, ho would draw their attention to the alteration which the Government intended making in the duty on foreign boots and shoes . The present duty was 4 s . 6 d . a pair on boots , and 2 s . on shoes ; the Government proposition was to admit boots at a duty of 2 s . Id ., and SQOeS at a duty of Is ., thus making a reduction of more than one half . In- London and its suburbs there were from 26 , 000 to 30 , 000 persons engaged in the boot and shoe trace , having at least 100 , 000 souls dependent upon tSeir employment for daily bread ; they had not even

      aow half employment The alteration in the duty would greatly reduce that quantity , and the distress and misery it would produce was incalculable . They were not asstmbled for any party purpose—their object was not to make enemies but to create friends . He trusted they would keep to the question before them , and avoid the introduction of politics—daughter—and cries of " its a political question . '") He trusted they would noi break faith with him . He took tke chair only on the condition that politics should be excluded—( confusion in the meeting . ) He knew that a few men could make a great noise , out lie trusted to be Mipported by the great majority of the meeting .

      Mr . Grieve had great pleasure in moving the first resolution . The interest they felt in this question could be readily observed by the alarm and anxiety depicted in their countenances . Mr . Grieve then read that portion of the tariff which applied to the trade . ( The reading of this was interrupted with repeated cries of " Shame . ") " Without going into the price of provisions feere or abroad , or other topics connected with the sutject , it would be quite elear to them that this contemplated alteration wo » ld deprive a great mass of

      them of-employment , that in fact it would be the complete ruin of all engaged in the manufacture of the lighter descriptions of goods . He appealed to them whether-they did not already experience considerable difficulty in competing with the foreign manufacturer ? whether they were not at present in a sufficiently distressed condition , without its being further aggravated by tins enormous reduction of the dnty . He hoped that they would conduct themselves with decorum and goed feeling towards alL He would conclude by moving the first resolution : —

      " That this meeting , consisting of masters and journeymen engaged in the manufacture of boots and shees views with feelings cf anxiety and alarm ths alteration proposed by her Majesty ' s ministers in the tariff duty upon the importation of foreign boots and shoes , and is . of opinion that it will be totally inadequate to protect the interests of tha British manufacturer . " Mr . Shippebseconded the resolution . . It might , at first sigh , appear anomaleus to oppose the principle of free trade , that principle which was so desirable should be carried into full effect , but it was impracticable ; England was burthened with a debt of £ 800 , 000 , 000 , whilst the dtbt of France was only £ 200 , 000 , 000 , and she had a much larger population to enable her to pay it , and the necessaries of life were to be procured at a much cheaper rate ; under these circumstances

      it was impossible to compete with them "Without the aid of a heaTy protecting duty ; even with the present duty the shoemakers of this kingdom were a pool poverty-stricken class cf the coamunity . Pour years ago a statistical enquiry was made into the wages of journeymen shoemakers in London , and from the returns from bootmen , shoemen , closers , jobbers , and all the branches of the trade , the average wages was only 17 s . a-week ; this too was taken in . the b * st month of the year ; since then the average rate of earnings was considerably decreased . If this scheme was not abandoned it would create a degree of misery and destitution among a large and useful class of artfzans , greater than he could- attempt to describe ; he called upon them never to cease importuning the legislature until they compelled them to let the duty remain as at present ( cheers . )

      The resolution was then pnt and carried with two dissentients . Mr . Medwin moved the following resolution : — ' That the preaefit depressed state of the home ar . d export trade in boots and shoes , having already suffered considerably from various causes , this meeting rely upon Her Majesty ' s government—to continue in force such an import duty as shall afford a due and sufficient protection to the British manufacturer . " He saw in the meeting before him a vast body of men brought from their homes and their enjoyment , to consider a subject which deeply interested them , and bore upon their welfare in life . He considered that Great " Britain

      anu her Cpiomes was one vast machine , the interest of esca being bound up together ; it was like a whetl -within a wheel , if the one was injured it injured the other . He bslieved that the present depressed state Of the trade siose from the depressed state of the colonial trade ; owing to the distress in the "West Indies , the disturbances in Canada and the East Indies , our trade in exporting boot 3 and shoes had greatly fallen off ; one house in the city which previously employed 1400 hands in the export trade , now only employed 180 hands—this would show the state © f the trade . When the last speaker stated that four years ago the average wages was 17 s . a-week , he should have qualified it by deducting the expense paid by the journeyman for grindery . Other trades had a place found them to work in , but the shoemaker bad to rent his own

      manufactory . He did not think , when all the deductions were made , that the present average wages were mere than 10 s . or 12 s . a week ; and when they considered that the majority of them had wires and children te support , they could not be at a loss to account for the depth of their present distress , amounting almost to starvation . Fifty or sixty years ago we manufactured sho&a for the -whole rwoiia j now Germany , Holland , and France were competing with us , and in neutral markets completely beating us out ef the field ; and in the West Indies , where there vraa but a low protecting duty , our trade was fast dwindling away . Germany , Holland , and France were not boot-wearing countries ; their home sale consisted chiefly of low . priced shoes ; but the wage 3 being better for boots , they , from a natural

      feeling of gain and emulation , manufactured boots , and , having no home sale , seat them to this country , to the ruin of our artisans . How could we compete with the "French manufacturer , whe only paid Is . 8 d . for making boot 3 , and Tld . for c osin ? them ? Tiien , in the women ' s branch , snk ~ and satin shoes , which are the besi-paid description of work , are made for 5 d . a pair , and bound for 9 d . or lOd . a dozen . If this Government plan is carried , I see around me twenty or thirty manufac turers from the City , who must e : ther torn factors for the sa ' e of foreign goods , cr establish manufactories in the sea-port towns of the French coast , and distribute there thoss wages of which you will be deprived , and Britain , inst « 3 d of being an exporting , will be an importing- country , at least fer the liehter and batter paid

      descrij-ticn if poods . In the metropolis there were 100 , 000 persons dependent on this trade for support , in the " ^ hole country 1 , 000 , 600 of people ; and would they allow this large body of persons , amounting to a twenty-seventh of the whole population , to be ruined by this measure ? They must besiege the Legislature with thtir complaints , and never let them rest until thty abandon it , er else they must seek on foreign shoT 63 that protection which the British Legislature denied tbeisi . Their employers wtnld be equally ruined "by the introduction of foreign salesmen . They would e * tabish depots at the East and at tho Wtst .

      Already had . many gentlemen declined giving him orders until tr . e reduction took place ; they would not be satisfied e-tvn with the reduced finty , when it was taken tff the leather , it was a loss to them . Free trade was a charming thing , it bound nation to nation , but they shcuid stand on an equal footing and duties Bhould be levied on those articles best able to bear them , Leather on which only three hours labour was expended was pr&tected by a dnty ot Is . 0 . } d . and only a similar protection would now be given to shoes , on which twenty eight hours labour was expended . He trusted they would not cease agitating until they made Ministers abandon the scheme .

      Mr . Davis seconded the resolution . As a manufacturer and an exporter of shoes to nearly all parts of the world , he could bear testimony to the truth of all which Mr . Medwin had stated . In the Brazils asd South America , not a single pair of light goods will they take . They are happy to take our strong made boots and our men s , but not a pair of women's . At the Cape of Good Hope , we once had an extensive trade ,, but it TFas no-w monopolised by the Germany . To show them the extent of our export trade , he would mention that at the port of Sydney alone , in the year 1840 , our exj xjrts in boots and Bhoes , was of the value of ^ £ S 0 , 000 . It bad been said that the average wages was 17 s . a week ; be knew that ia the country , many a man had 4 o ne a hard days' work for less than Is . 6 d . This rate of wages , the altered tariff would again reduce .

      Mr . Bexbow here rose to address the meeting , but not being appointed by the committee , they would not allow him , some asserting he was not a shoemaker , nntil his hands convinced them to the contrary . Immense confusion was the result , the gents , on the platform being loud in taeix vociferation to turn him out ; the tables were speedily filled with the adherents of both parties , and the business for a time , completely suspended . Mr . Benbow . at length retired , on the concition of having an opportunity of expressing his views at a later period of ihe meeting . This , in a measure allay-d the disturbance , but from the pressure on the platform , it was impossible to give anything like a report of the ensuing resolutions . A GenUeman , whose name we could not learn , movtd the following resolution as near as we could ascenun it ¦ .-=-"That It is the opinion of this meeting that the contcn-nlated reduction in the import duty on boots and sices will ihrow cut of employment great numbers rof

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      workmen , and produce a corresponding degree of destitution in the trade ; and we call upon the Government to pause before they cause it to become the law of the land . " - Mr . Skeltok . a working man and a Chartist , secended the resolution in a very eloquent address , in which he administered some very hard hits to the employers on their past treatment of their men ; it was only when the shoe pinched them—when the misery was likely to approach their own door—that they once thought of the distress of the journeymen . He was aware that the grand master evil was class legislation , but he would not dwell upon that after what had taken place . Why had not Sir Robert Peel taken the duly off silks and satics ? Foreign shoes could be imported for less -money than they could in England buy

      the silk and satin to make them . The weavers were already ground down below starvation point That the Government did net dare to take off tae duty on silk and satin . If this measure passed , they would soon be in as wretched a condition as the poor silk weavers . He called upon the gentlemen he saw around him ta cease looking upon the interests of those gilded butterflies , who basked in the sunshine of the Court , and fattened upon its corruption . If they looked to them in the present hour of tribnlation , they would be bitterly deceived . He called upon them to look to the working men , and treat them as rational beings . ( Great cheering . ) The day was gone by when they were called a drunken set cf men . He could tell them that the men could now calculate and look to their interest as well as Sir Robert Peel . ( Cheers . )

      The resolution was then put . to the meeting , and declared carried . Mr . Honkers moved a resolution appointing a deputation cf six journeymen and six masters , to wait upon her Majesty ' s Ministers , and likewise on the M . P . * s in their respective districts . Ml . HAB . ROG . kH s&conded the resolution . Mr . Bole y moved a resolution ordering the insertion of the resolutions as an advertisement in certain newspapers . Mr . Christopher was called upon toBecond it , who said that since ke had entered the room he had seen so much unfair treatment made use of towards Mr . Benbow , that he should decline giving his sanction to the preceedings , and -would not second the resolution ; they complained of Sir Robert Peel ' s one-sided legislation , and yet acted in the same one-sided way themselves . ( Cheers . )

      Great confusion here took place , loud cries of Benbow to address them being uttered from all parts of the room , amid the confusion several attempted to address the meeting , and a Tote cS thanks was said to be given to the Chairman , -who with a portion of the Committee quitted the room . Mr . JLejgh was then called to the chair , and attempted to address the meeting amidst considerable clamour . The proprietor tf the place then appeared on the platform , and atated that the Committee had pledged themselves that the meeting should ciose at five o ' clock , they had informed him the business was closed , and authorised him , if necessary , to send for the police to clear the room . An adjournment was then moved to the Craven Head , Drury-lane . :

      The Mon . ing Advertiser asserts that , after the committee left the room , a scene took place which was a disgrace to humanity , &c ; this it must know to be a base b and maiicious lie ; for tile meeting dispersed in a most gakt and peaceable manner , and what little disturbance did take place , after the committee left , was not created by the Chartists .

      ADJOURNED MEETING AT THE CBAVEN HEAD . On our arrival at the place its every avenue was literally besieged -with claimants for admission . Mr . M'Frederiek was called to the chair , and briefly addressed the meeting . Mr . 1 £ 1 GH moved the following resolution : — " That this adjourned meeting fully agree with tho resolutions passed at the Crown and Anchor , but are nevertheless of opinion , that until the working classes of this country have the management of their affairs v&stad in their own hands , according to . the principles laid down in the People ' s Charter , they will never be able successfully te struggle with those who oppress , injure , and deprive them of their employment "

      Mr . Leigh , in a speech cf great ability , showed the ene-sidedness of the union betwixt themselves and other employers , and that if the masters could get more profit by turning factors for the sale of foreign goods than by their labour , they ( the journeymen ) would immediately be left to perish . Fifteen out of twenty of the great boot and shoe manufacturers had joined heart and hand with that great monied faction , the Corn Law League ; they cared nothing about the distress that a Repeal of the Corn Laws would create under present

      circumstances ; that they tell you must not be regarded , if it produced a great national benefit ; yet , how speedily they cried ent when the same principle was applied to them ; he considered that Sir Roteit Peel had given them a Rowland for an Oliver . They had j » ined in the cry of " down with the aristocracy ; " and now in return , he was tantalising them . It was not by joining the employers on this subject that they would permanently benefit themselves . He called upon them to unite for a grander object—the attainment of political freedom .

      Jlr . Benbow seconded the resolution . He had no intention of disturbing the meeting ; but they refused to hear him because they suspected he was a Chartist . He was surprised to hear it asserted that he was not a shoemaker ; he and his family before him , for a century past , had been shoemakers . The late Mr . Cobbett had dedicated his grammar , of which a hundred thousand copies had been sold , to William Benbow , shoemaker , of Manchester ; and yet at the Crown and Anchor , above all oiher places , he had been asked if he waa a Bhoemaker ? Mr . Benbow then ably supported the resolution in a lengthy address . Mr . M'Cabthy also in a clever manner addressed the assembly , and showed the folly of the Chairman at the Crown and Anchor asserting that politics could not be introduced ; it was not politics , but Chartist politics he was afraid of .

      Mr . Children , a German , next addressed the meeting , and thought that , instead of opposing the plan of free trade in boot * and shoes , they should have demanded a free trade in everything else , so would the nations of the earth best become united and prosperous , they would then prefer their family to themselves , their country to their family , and mankind to their country . He then went into the details of the foreign trade in boots and shoes , with which he appeared to have- a perfect acquaintance , and explained that there was only three bouses in London that imported shoes from France , they could get French goods / made bttter and cheaper here ; the cheap shoes

      they had been told of w « sre Bent to the colonies , not more tn : iB 15 , 000 pairs were imported into England in a year , and these were high priced articles . There was only two houses in London had their goods made in Paris ; those shoes for which 5 d . a-pair was paid for making were seat to Mexico , no one would purchase them here . He knew a man who smnggied a quantity over , he set up in business , but could not sell them , and was forced to hawk them about . He was afraid they had injured themselves by their meeting of to-day , the aristocracy would think they could not compete with tho French and there "would bo a greater demand for Parisian goods . If we had open trade in all things good might flow to the human race ,

      Messrs . Washington , Ford , and others addressed the meeting , and the chairman ably wound up the proceedings , and stated his intention to call a meeting of the City Shsfcinakers , to give tLeir unbiassed opinions on the subject . The resolution -was then carried with two dissentients . A vcte of thanks was given to Mr . Christopher , for his manly conduct in refusing to second their resolution after their unfair treatment of Mr . Beabo ^ r , shoemakers only to vote ; to prove that it was a bono fide meeting of -shoemakers , every hand , with the exception of nhout three , was then held up . A show of lianas ' -was then taken from all tbose who would aid in procuring the return of Frost , WiliiamB , and Jones , which was unanimous , and . the meeting separated .

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      therefore more an amendment that there be nineteen ratepayers elected as Surveyors for the ensuing year . Mr . T . MORGAN Seconded this amendment , which was _ put to the meeting , and negatived , the oricinal m ? orit fim > Urof thirteen , being carried by a large Mr . WiiiTEUEAD then read the names of thirteen person * whom he proposed as Surveyors , men who he believed would endeavour to economise the public money , and to reform the bad system that had prevailed at the Board . They were as follows :--Mr . George Hammond ; Mr . Christopher Heaps , Mr . Jospph tobiey ,. ¦; Mr . John Sellers , Mr . Robert WrigUt , Mr . JohriKirk , Mr , John Wales Smith , Mr . George Hogg , ™ T , ? « Wh ' lfc 9 > Mr ; Thomas Tifney , M * John Goofiisou , Mr . John Frankland . Mr . John Hinder ,

      After tiding these names , he proceeded to state that when he first went into office , he and hiscoUeagueslound the boobs of the Board in a most wretched condition , but they had now got the accounts into a fcusinesa-like style , ^ t th 08 e * ° fk ° p ™ wou ld find things as they ought to be , aud that their predecessors bad set their house in ° "; ^ hen'M wnt into office , there was a debt of £ 1777 owing by the Board ; but at the enddfthe first year this was all paid off , and tUty had £ 100 in ttie hands of their Treasurer . They then thought that a fWrpenny rate would be sufficient , and such a ; rate was collected , and they had left office wi th £ 500 in . their favour . A great deaVof the money raised as highway-rates was paid for what might be denominated ** - rank jobs ; " for , according to the general Highway Act , if the tolls taken on the different highways did hot pay the trustees the interest of the money expended in the making of such ds

      roa , the ratepayers of the townships through ¦ which the road passed had to mate up tbft deficiency . One ^ of these " jobs - was the Wellington-road , on which £ 300 was yearly fxpended . TJiieMeanwoodroad , which had been made for the benefit of the landlords on each side , was another of thcae jobs ^ an d which cost £ 600 year before last , and £ 350 last year . And there was the York-road for which the surveyors were paying j ? 250 a ,-ytar , although not in their hands . Taking these tbingu into consideration , tbemeeting would see that the Burveyors had not much money to spend on tho streets , but he thought if the stretts were to be better paved ; there should be a public meeting of the ratepayers , and , a rate laid afc 8 d . or I 0 d . in the pound : it ought not to be done by the surveyors . —Ihear , hear , and laughter . ) It ought not to be forgotten , however , that not more than one-eighth of the streets were in the hands of the surveyors .

      Mr . Wm . Brooke said he had a list of men to propose as surveyors , which he would now exhibit to the consideration of the ratepayers The list was as follows : Mr . Ed ward Bluudell , Mr . David Winter , Mr . WillLim Greigi Mr . Henry Morley , Mr . Joshua Hobson , Mr . John Holroyd , Mr . John Ardill , Mr John Beacock , Mr . Thomas Otley , Mr . JohnFrankland , Mr . Henry Wiika , Mi . William Fletcher . The name of Mr . George Wood was also included , but , being in the room , he declared positively he would not stand , and it / was therefore withdrawn ; the name of Mr . Jonathan Sugden Darby was substituted , but not by the Chartists . . . . ¦ - .

      Mr . Whitehead objected to the list , bQcause > he said , it contained a number of gentlemen Who WOT 6 Improvement Commissioners , and he had been told that no men bad neglected their duty so much as they had . But , moreover , it was propesed by one who inraa not a ratepayer , and no person who was not a ratepayer , or who had not paid hia rates , had a right to take part in the proceedings , and was only allowed by courtesy to be present . The principle was a fair one —it - was representation band in hand with taxationand no one but ratepayers ought to vote or take part in the business that day .

      After a few words by Mr . Bhooke in defence of the names in the list he had proposed , and in denunciation of what had fallen from Mr . 'Whitehead , the latter gentleman delivered a saif-hudatory speech , avowing himself to be a staunch frksnd of deinociacy and a republican , but i » condomner of "those Hifen who \ rahtd to lead the working classes , and thrust a thing called the Charter down men ' s throat ^ ' He concluded by imputing to Mr . Brooke a paltry trade jealousy . Mr . Roberts said , as Mr . Brooke was not a ratepayer , an imputation which v / ould not attach to himself , he would propose the list that that gentleman had offered to the meeting . After soine demur , a show of handa was then taken for each name , one being taken frohi each list successively . Mr . Whitehead and Mr . Brooke were appointed tellers , to assist the chairman . The result was as follow : —

      John Frankland ... 150 : John Wales Smith ... 86 JohnArdill 115 George Hammond ... 81 Henry Wilks ......... 114 Joseph Lbbley 81 Joshua Hobson Ill Thomaa White .,... ; ... 81 Wm . Greig ...... i ..... 110 John Gopdison ......... 75 David Winter loa George Hogg ......... 66 John Beacock .... 108 John Kinder ............ 66 Thomas Otley ...... 107 John Sellers ......... ; .. 62 Win . Flbtcher 104 Johu Kirk ............... 56 John Holroyd 104 Thomas Tilney ......... 54 Henry Morley ... 102 Christopht-r Heaps ... 51 Edward Blundell ... 98 JonathanSugdenDarby 44 Robert Wright .... 83 Mr . John Praukland , it -win be seen , was in both lista : the thirteen gentlemen in tho first column having the largest number of votes , were called over by the Law Clerk , and declared by the chairman to be duly elected .

      Mr . Whitehead said , that feeling confident that the election had not been made in accordance with the interests and wishes "of the inhabitants of the borough of Leeds , he demanded a poll in the ^ ame and on the behalf of George Hammond , Joseph Lobley , John Wales Sinjth , Thos . White , John Goodiscn , John Rinder , Christopher Heaps , John Sellers , John Kirk , George Hogg , and Thos . Tilney , the unsuccessful candidates . ( Cheers and disapprobation . ) The expense of the poll would have to be paid out of the highway rates ; and those only who paid poor rates and highway rates , or who were liable to pay highway rates , in the ,-township of Leeds would be entitled to vote .

      Mr . Roberts said it had been suggested to him ( by Mr . Nelson ) that some arrangement might be coine to between the two parties . Ho did not propose any ; but in order to save the town expense , and as he knew there were a great number of liberal men oil the other side , he had no objection that six names should be selected from each list . ( Applause . ) , Mr . Whiteuijad object . d to act upon this suggestion , and said he would not move a jot In answer to a ijuestion from Mr . Roberts , Mr . Whitkhead said the expense of taking the poll would be about £ 40 , and the poll could be kept open three days .

      Mr . NELSON submitted a resolution to the meeting to the effect that , a poll having been demanded , the meeting shouid be immediately adjourned to the Court House , where a poll should be commenced and kept open until three o ' clock , and then adjourned until Monday , on which day it should commence at ten o ' clock in the morning , and continue till four in the afternoon , and in the same way continue on Tuesday and Wednesday , closing on the latter day at four in the afternoon . Mr . Ciiiesman here declared his intenti&n to

      submit a resolution to the meeting ; He thought the reading of it might have a good effect , at least he intended that it should do . sol / It waa this : — " That this meeting disapproves cf the conduct of any party endeavouring to put the ratepayera of this town to the expeiice of a poll for : surveyors of the highways , and considers the proposition to avoid a poll by substituting an equal number of each party to complete the surveyors'board , a fair proceeding . " This proposition seenied to meet the views of the majority of the meeting , and one or two parties stated that the cost of taking a poll would be from £ 200 to £ 300 , rather than £ 40 . Mr . Whitehead said he saw no reason to alter his determination , and was assailed by cries oi disapprobation . Mr . CUBI 5 TOPHEB . Heaps said if Mt . Whitehead gave up a poll , he would demand one .

      Mr . Roberts thankod the other party for setting a precedent , and promised them they should have plenty of polling . They couldhot go away , and say that heand his friends had not been inclined to meet them— - ( Applause . ) He would like to aak the Lav ? Clerk if it was in the power of the meiting t » adjourn at once , and fix their time and place of meeting . Mr . Nelson thought it was . . ¦' . '" . Mr . Roberts then moved that the meeting should adjourn until Wednesday , and meet them at the Chartisfc Association Ksota , Gheapside , where the poll should continue on that and the followings days . Some doubt having been started whether the meeting had the power of legally . adjourning beyond Monday , Mr . NELSON was questioned : oiitlie subject , ; m 4 he said he thought the meeting could be legally adjourned until Wednesday , if they desired it ; but as the law of vestry was very uncertain , it would be better to take a few votes now , and then adjourn until Monday .

      Mr . T . MOP . GAN said the Court House was public property , and much more convenient than the Ghartlst Association Room . He therefore begged to propose that i poll should immediately commence , and close at three o ' clock , and then be adjourned to the Court House on Monday morning , and be continuedthere en Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday . : This was seconded by Mr . Gbetesoit . Mr . Whitehead asked the Law Clerk if the Chalr ^ man had not the power of fixing the place where the poll should take place . '¦ - V ; i . ¦ . ., '; . V ; Mr . NELSON said that if the proceedings were interrupted in any place that the ratepayers ' might appoint , the Chairman then bad the power to take the poll to what place hethought proper . - -, ' ;¦ : The Chairman . —Without the meeting can agree as to the place , I will commence to take the poll immediately , and then adjourn till Monday mornings at the Court House , ' ¦ ; !

      Mr . Nelson . —No , no ; adjourn te th& place—( disapprobation . ) ; . Mr . Joshua Hobson asked what waa the meaning of this attempt to thwart the will of the meeting , when they had been ) toti that the majority of the meeting had it in their power to decide where they would adjourn to ? ( Applause . ) In allusion to the

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      imputation cast upon the Improvement Commissioners by Mr . WMehead , he ( Mr . Hobson ) coald tell the meeting that hai bad attended every meeting of that body since the last election , except on two occasions , when he was prevented by sickness , aud he was quite sure that the majority of those elected by the ratepayers had attended weil , and acted efficiently . The magistrates , who were Commissioners ex-offitcio , were the only parties who did not attend properly , but who did make their appearance to vote £ 500 out of the pockets of the ratepayers . ( Hear , hear . ) He should , in order to sa-re expence and inconvenience , bo glad if there were no poll on . the present occasion ; ' but if the other party persevered in demanding one , why , let them have it ; but , as to the time and place of tafeirig it , those were matters not in the hands of the Chairman , who-was the servant of the meeting , but in the power of the meeting alone . ( Applause . )

      After some warm discussion , in which Mr . Whitehead , Mr . Brook , and bthet 3 took part , aa to tlie powers of the Chairman to fix the place and ^ time of adjournment , Mr . Roberta consented to alter his amendment , bo as to allow the poll to commence immediately , and be closed at three o ' clock , and then adjourned until Wednesday , at tna Gkartist Association Room , to be thetecoutinued on Thursday arid Friday . , The Whig-Rada seemed now to bavelost all self-control , and begnn to conduct themselves in the : most riotous and disorderly manner , and questioned the " res ~ pectqbility" cf the Chartist Association room , which they declared totally unfit for the purpose , doubting at the same time -whether they would be allowed to peaceably exercise their right therein . Thistaunt was 'indignantly repelled by the Chartists , and an undertakinj ? was signed by two of the trustees of the bulling that : tha room should ba had free of charge for the purposes of the election .

      Mr . Bake , in whose absence Mr . Nelson had been acting ,. having just couie into the vestry , lie was asked by Mr . Whitehead and some of his friends if the Chaiririau could not adjourn the meeting to some other place , if ho thought the place fixed upon was nob fit for takiug the pollin . Mr . Barb , replied that if the Chairman knew the Chartist Association Room waa not a convenient place , he had the power of adjourning to the Court House , or some other convenient place , if he thought proper . The Chairman said he "was convinced that the Chartist Association Room was not a convenient place . Mr . Joshua Hobson said the Chairman ought to act upon the opinion of the meeting ; and if he afterwards found any obstructions to the taking of the poll , he might then ai ' . jourri to the Court House .

      Mr . Baiu * rather inclined to think that if they commenced to take the poll today , and then adjouine , over Monday , the whole proceedings might be objected to ( is being unjuatiflabie and illegal . It would , in rtUer to avoid the grounds of such an objection , be much better to adjourn until Monday ; and then , if desirable , a few votes might b » taken that day , and then an adjournment , and the next day the same , and so on till Wednesday , when the poll might go on in earnest and closd on Friday as proposed . In answer to questions from Mr . Roberts , Mr . Barr

      further said that he waa quite sura the Chairman would be perfectly safe if he adjourned the meeting until Monday j and if he was perfectly satisfied that ; the place flx&ii upon by the meeting to take the poll in was inadettviate and unfitted for the purpose , he ( the chairman ) had the power of now adjourning to a place in which it was convenient to take the votes . If objections were taken to the legality of the proceedings , the matter would have to be settled by the Court of Queen ' s Bench , and the contending parties would huve to pay the law expences . .

      The Chaibman then mounted the table , and in an excited manner said , "I deteraiin * that the poll shall be now adjourned , and opened again at the Court House on Monday morning , at ten o ' clock j there it shall cour tinue on Tuesday and Wediiesday , and close at four o ' clock o i the latter day . And I now declare thiB meeting dissolved . " He then jumped from the table . Uproar and " confuaiou worse confounded" followed this announcement . White ' s friends , and the supporters of Whitehead ' a list , saw that he had tiono wrong— - that be had voluntarily resigned the chair . And so strong was the foeling of disapprobation among the Chartists , -who wished for nothing but fair play , that the great majority of the meeting calied out for Mr . Hobson to preside , andthere were cries of " White ' snot fitforir . "

      Mr . White had removed from the place where he sat as Chairman , when he was reminded by Mr . Nelson and some others , that it was his duty to stay about ten minutes—till three o ' clock—to take the votes . He accordingly made an atttmpt to return to his post , Mr Nelson , in the meanwhile , taking the names of those who wished to vote ; and whilst this was going on , Mr . Roberts moved that Mr . White do leave the chair , whfch was carried amidst cheers , by a very large majority . He next moved that Mr . Hobson do take the chair , which was carried in the same way , amidst tremendous cheers .

      Mr . Hobson at once took the chair , and said that having been elected by the meeting , he was ready to hear any proposition ; and after two or three unimportant remarks from Mr . Whitehead and others , he ( the Chairman ) put Mr . Roberta ' s resolution as previously agreed to by the meeting , but with the alteration of keeping the poll open there until half-past three instead of three o ' clock , and thia resolution , as amended , was affirmed by a very large majority . Mr . Hobson accordingly announced that he would then Open the poll , and keep it open until halfpast three , after which it would be adjourned until Wednesday morning , at ten o ' clock , at the Chartist Association Room , and be there continued until Friday , in accordance with the terms of the resolution ; and he ordered tho Law Clerk , Mr . Nelson , to continue to take the votes t ' lll half-past three ; and he also proceeded to appoint six . other persons to act as clerks at tke taking of the poll on the Bucceeding Wednesday , Thu . aday , aud Friday .

      B ; f » rb these appointments had been completed , three o ' clock had arrived , at which hour .: ¦ ' ¦"' .-Mr . WhitEj assuming himself chairman , declared that the meeting waa adjourned , amidstjtsbe laughter and jeers of tha whole assembly , and much to the discomfltUTO Of Mr / Whitehead and his small clique . Mr . HOBSON said the meetins \ ras to be kept open till half-past three , according to Mr . Roberta ' s resslutidn , and it would be kept open until that time . Mr . Nelson then gathered up the papers on whfch the names of the persons who had voted were entered , as well as the resolutions of the meeting , and he , Mr . White , Mr . Barr , and others proceeded to leave the meeting . / Mr . Whitehead seized the Vestry Minute Book , which was lying in front of Mr . Hobson , and declared that , aa a churchwarden , he was responaible for the safety of that book , and he would not leave it in the hands of Miv Hobson or his friends , after the meeting had been adjourned . - '" . "

      Mr . HOBSON said the book should not be taken away until the minutes were duly entered ; ha as Chairman was responsible for tkat , and no man should deprive him of his right ; or nullify the proceedings of that meetiog . Mr . Whitehead attempted to take the book by force , upon which both Mr . Hobson and Mr . Roberta seizsd it as well . Several persons told Whitehead he was wrong , blithe still seemed determined to persist . Mr . Roberts insisted upon his resolution being entered in tbe book before it was takenaway . Mr . Whitehead said it could be done afterwards . Mr . Hobson and Mr .

      Whitebead having each hold of the Minute Book , contended for the possession of it for some time , during which Mr . Whitehead sent for a policeman . At last Mr Whitehead consented to give the boek into the hands of Mr . Pickar / 1 , who has the charge of the vestry , and he at once handed it to Mr . Hobcon , having previously obtained a promise from him that it should be returned safely aa soon as the resolutions passed duiing the timo ho was Chairman were entered . These were accordingly written in the said book , signed by the Chairman ( Mr . Hobson ) and some of the ratepayers present , and the meeting broke up at half-past three o ' clock .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE CHARTISS OF GREAT BRITAIN . BROTHEft Democrats , —It is the urgent request of the JExecutive that the Convention Delegates should bring with them all the petition sheets in their respective districts . This will save a vast amount of money , that otherwise would have to be paid for . carriage . The Convention monies ia the hands of tae local Treasurers ought to be forwarded immediately to Mr . John Cleave , bookseller , 1 , Shoe-lane , Fleet-street , London , who has been appointed Treasurer . And that every Delegate should be in London on the appointed day , viz . April 12 th . Yonra in the cause , John Campbell , Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      NOMINATIONS TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL . ACRIN 6 T 0 N . Mr . William Beesley 3 chaiErmaker . Mr . Stephen Dixon , engraver . - Mr . Robert Asliwoftn , engraver . Mr . Thomas Deen , block-printer . ' : Mr . Stephen ; Sutcliff , engraver , gub-Treasurer . Mr . John Dixon , jblook-printer , sub-Secretary . ¦ . "¦'' ¦ " . ' : - . " BOSTON . " ' . .. ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ , "¦ - ' ¦ ¦ " . : Mr . David Waterfield , tailor , FowJer ' s-row . Mr . David White , tailor , Wormgate . Mr . Jamss Thompson , shoe-maker , Tattershallroad . - , ¦ ¦ ¦ " -. . ¦ . ; ¦ - " . ¦ " .. -v 1 ; . v ¦ ¦ . - •; . Mr Mark Clarkson , blacfcsmith , Union-stredt . . Mr . John Morley , whitesniitlij George-strce !; . Mr . Thomas Marshall , shoe-maker , ¦ Innocent-¦

      street . ¦ ¦ . . . ¦• ¦ .. . ¦ ¦ ¦ Mr . William Fox , stone-mason , West-streei , sub-Treasurer . . ; : Mr . John Mumby , shoe-maker , High-street , sub-Secretary .

      CRAIG . Mr . Joseph H&'stead , spinner . Mr . Joseph Stoifc , ditto . Mr . John Leach , carder . Mr . Thotaas Greenwood , warper . Mr . Joha Waring , tailor . Mr . Rich . Hinchclifife , beer-seller , sitb-Treasarer . Mrs Chaarlcs Eastwood , sub-Secretary , LANCASTEB . Mr . Richard Wearing , Pointer-houses . Mr . John Parkinson . ChapelrCOlirt . Mr . James Wilson , Barrow's-garden . Mr . Samuel Pilkin ^ ton , Brewery-yard . Mi-. Thomas' MarsnaiJ , Giina-laue . Mr . Williani Gudgeon , Skerton ; Mr . John Thomas Lund , Monmouth-street . Mr . Ghristopher Nixon , Roseniary-lane . Mr . James Walley . Mr . George Baiv , loo Moor-lane , sjib-Treasurer . Mr . John Gibson , news-agent , 102 , Moor-lane . sub-Seeretary .

      • WALSAtt . Mr . James Livsey , brass founder , Windmill . lilr . John Griffiths , plater , Portland street . Mr . Joseph Dixon , hamnier maker , Stafford street . ' . . ' : . . . •; -. ' .- . .. ¦ . : : ¦' . "' . ¦ Mr . Thomas tlnitt , brass founder , St . John street . . ¦' .- ¦ .- ¦ ' Mr . Jobu Mayo , plater , New Hall-street . Mr . Edward Wells , stirrup maker , Long-aerei Mr . William . M'Gullinn , tailor , Rushall-street . Mr . John Crow , plater . Peel-street . Mr . Charles Goodwin , bridle cutter , Marsh-lane . Mr . James Scholefield , miner , eub-Treasurer . Mr . Robert Valoise , tailor , Dudley-street , sub Seetetarj . ' : '

      COVENTRY . Mr . John Starkie , silk printer , Hill-street . Mr . Peter Hoy , silk printer ^ Grey Friar ' s-lane . Mir . Robert Mahon , silk printer , Grey Friar ' alane . ¦'¦¦ ¦ " ¦ ' ¦/ . ¦ ' " ¦¦ . - ' ' ; . ¦ Mr- Thomas Williams , cordwainer , Victoria ^ strwt , Hill . Field . . ¦ / Mr . William Parker , weaver , New Leicester Road , Foleshill . Mr . George Hemmings , confectioner , Marketstreef . . "' ¦ ¦ ' ] Mr , Georgo AHen , watch-maker , Sovereign-place , Butt ? . Mr . Enoch Ramsbottom , silk printer , Fleetstreet . . . ; ¦ .. v-Mr . William Forrister , silk printer , Saint John ' s Bridge . Mr . David Buckney , ribbon manufacturer , Milllane ' . . '¦"' .

      Mr . David Haines , weaver , Sherbourne-street , Spon-strpoti . '¦' - , . ¦ . ' ¦'¦"¦¦ ¦' , - . . Mr . Thonias Hcmbury , grocer and provision dealer , Jspon-street , snb-Treasurcr . Mr . John Plant , weaver , Sherbourne-street , Sponsfcre 6 t , sub-Secretary . Mr . Samuel Knight , watch-maker , Spon-street , corresponding' -Secretary .

      BUBION-ON-TaENT . Mr . William Dudley , coal-dealer , New-street . Mr . Thomas DavercuK , labourer , NRvr-street . Mi' . William Sudlow , news-agent . New-street . Mr . Daniel Beesby , stone-naason , Wood-street . Mr . William Hall , cooper , Goose Moor . Mr . Philip Ty ' zack , Brewer , IliKh-strect , sub-Treasurer . ; . ' ¦"¦¦ ¦ ¦' ¦ ¦ . ' . . ' Mv . Joseph Hallj painter , New-street , sub-Secretarv . '

      HUCJCNA-Lt-UNDER-HTJIU-WAIIE . Mr . John Alffey , framework-knitter . Mr . Wm . Marshall , jun ., do . Mr . Wm . Ellis , do . Mr . V / m . Marshall , sen ., do . Mr . James Hardy , do . Mr . John Vardy , do ., sub-Treasurer . Mr . Thomas Sellors , do ., sub-Secretary . DTJK 1 NFIELD . Mr . William Woolley , spinner , Parliament-street . Mr . William Cook , calico printer , Oxford-road . Mr . William Smith , coppersmith , Ciay-buildings , Mr . Elijah Andrew , spinher ,: Queen-strset . Mr . Thomas - Cartwright , spinner , Gretton-baildings . ' ¦ ¦ '¦ ' .:-- ¦ . ' - ¦ -: ¦¦ . . ' : : " ¦ -. ' - . : ¦ " .: ' ¦ ¦ '¦• ¦"¦ ; : ;¦ ' ;¦ ¦ .. v Mr . Nicholas Whittaker , joiner , Gaorgtons ' -sffeet . Mr . James Hague , hatter , sub-Treasurer . Mr . Jamea Lockett , shoo maker , sub-Secretary . . * ¦;• ' ¦ KAUNDS . . ' Mr . Alfred Nichols , Carrier , Raunds . Mr . Joseph Bates , cordwaiaer , do . Mr . Daniel Manniug , do . Ringstead . Mr . John Webb , do . Raunds , Mr . Daniel Skagnor , do . do . Mr . John Bailey , do . do . Mr . Thomas York , do . do . Mr . John Wignell , tailor , Raunds , sub-Treasurer . ¦ ' .. , ¦ ' ¦ '¦ . ¦'¦ ... ¦ ' ¦ ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦¦ . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ . . ' ¦ . Mr . John Marriot , labourer , Stanwick , sub-Secretary . . JULNROW . Mr . Benjamin Sutcliffe , weaver , Milnrow . Mr . James Milnes , do . do . Mr . James Bclfield , do . Stonepitfield . Mr . Thomas Buckley , do . do . Mr . John Tatteratall , do . Milnrow . Mr . Henry Clough , do . do . Mr . Joha Ctowther , do . Cross-gates , sub-Treasurer . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦¦ : ¦ ¦ -.. ' ¦ ¦ ¦ -. ¦ ; . ' : ¦ ¦ Mr . John Butterworfch , do . Stonepitfield , sub-Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      HUCKNALtcrNDER-KUTHWAITB . —OnSun day afternoon , Mr . Bairstow delivered an interesting and instructive le ' EtuTe on the principles of the People ' s Chattel ; to an attentive audience . TONBHIDGS WBXiLS ( KEKT % —A lecture on the principles of the People ' s Charter , was delivered by Mr . L . Snelling , of Tonbridge , in the Hall of the New Temperance Ssciety , oh Thursday ^ March 24 th . The place was well filled . The Petition was proposed , and u / naainiously carried . . - KXIiBXRKXE ( AYRSHIRE ) . —A public meeting of the inliabitants of this place was held on Thursday last , to hear a lecture on the Social and Political State of the Country , from Mr . John M'Crea , Perth . At the clos « of the lecture ; the National Petition , as drawn up by the Executive , was ^ unanimously adopted , and a committee appointed to : get the signature sheets as nuiaQrously ' signed as possible . , ; : : ' ¦¦ ' ¦

      CARLISLE . —The Council of the Chartist Associa tion held their weefcly meeting at the Council Boom , John-atreet , Caldersgaite , on Wedheaday evening , Mr . Armstrong in the chair . After acme business was settled in regard to public lectures , which wera recently delivered by Mr . Jas . Bronterre O'Brien . Mr . . William Atkinson moved , and ; Mr . Henry Bowman seconded ) , the resolution , " That the balance due to the Eseoutive Council be remitted to the Becretary without delay . " The motion was carried unanimously . The town has been divided into twelve districts , which ara collected weekly , and the meney paid into the handg of Mr . Thomas Sinclair , treasurer , who will soon be able to meet the expenditure of tho Association . Mr ; Willtom Knott gave nbticb of a motion which he intended to

      bring before the ' Council at their next Bitticg , for holding a public meeting for the purpose of changing the members * of the CounciL We trust ; Mr . Knott wfli bring forward and carry his motion , as it is a fundamen tal prinidiple of the Charter , to give the people frequent opportunitiesi-of either approving of the conduct of their present rejpresentatives , orchoosing others , who they may think more qualified to serve them , and in whom they can place more implicit confidence . Several members spoke in terms of the highest commendation of the very able leading article , which appeared in the Star of that day , on the Peel Budget ; which ,, on the whole , seems to be partiaUy satisfactory to the people , -who hope to derive sonie benefit from its being enacted . It has created a strong feelibg here , as In pfhet placets , amongst all classes of society . Nearly all the Tories support it because it is a Tory measure ; whilst th «

      Whigs rail bitterly against it for the same reason ; neither party having much regard to the principle of the bilL The Chartists approve of it ftom a strong conviction that , the working classes are quite sufficiently taxed already , and that none are more able to pay taxes . thin those -whose incomes . exceed £ 159 a-year . The anti-Cora Law League , though It iraa expiring in Its last dying agenies at the timei of ' the announcement of the Peel Budget , became at that moment totally eitlnct ; and has never been heard of since . A . public meeting is expeefed ; to be got up against the Income Tax . Should such be the case , we feel convinced that the humbugging Whigs , and insincere , shuffling , and hypocritical anti-Corn Law League s will be taught such a lesson as they will not readily forget ; for , whateVer the lying newspaper press may in general say , the people almost universally approve of the measure .

      Untitled Article

      ELECTION OF SURVEYORS OF THE HIGHWATS FOR LEEDS . On Saturday last , at twelve o ' clock at noon , a meeting of the ratepayers cf the township cf Leeds , assessed under the Highway Act , was held in tie Vestry of the Parish Church . ¦ . On the motion of Mr . Turnus Morgan , seconded by Mr . William Brooke , Air . Thojias White was called to the ch ; Jr . Tbe Chairman having read the notice by which the meeting had been convened , Mr . "William Whitehead moved that the Board for the ensuing year should consist oi thirteen ratepayers , and not cf nineteen a 3 last year . Mr . QOODISOJ * seconded the motion . Mr . CHIES 5 UX asked Mr . Whitehead to give bis reasons for reducing tha ; . umber of surveyor ? .

      Mr . Whitehead , in the course of his reply said that he had been in c £ Bca two years , and that he had attended the meetings of the Board much better than , most of his colleagues , and he then read a statement of the Dumber of meetings eaeh snrveyor had attended during the post year . ' There had been fifteen meetings , and two of the surveyors ( himself being one ) had attended thirteen of those meetings . The others had attended much less frequently , some of them , indeed , not more than two or three times . He , in this statement , kept out cf view the weekly Board , at which most of the business was done , and which was not attended by more than two er three persona . The Board previons to last year consisted of only thirteen , and he thought that number was preferable to nineteen ; for six right intelligent men would get through the business better , to the comfort of themselves , and to the benefit of the inhabitants of the town , than would a mncb larger nnmber .

      Mr . ChiesmXn said that Mr . Whitebead ' s statement about the bad attendance of the late Surveyors , did not prove that a Board might not be elected who would attend better ; and if thirteen could be got to attend well , he saw no reason why they could not get nineteen . Thirteen would not be tufiicient to apportion to the different Wards , some of them—the West Ward for instance—requiring more thf " two ; and he should

      Untitled Article

      Olv Parr . —It is impossible to calculate the many benefits to the human race which must result from the discovery of Old Parr ' s receipt . The fine herbal medicine Which ' . . is compounded from its ' direction has , in thousands of cases , proved thai nothing else is required to secure health and prolong life . MiBACtixous Escape . —Mr . Charles Bright , of Niton , waa restored , da Monday last , as if from the dead , to hia family and friends . He was believed by them to have lost his life on the night of Wednesday , the ; 2 d instant , amid the fearful storm , which proved fatal to so ^ many persons . Mr . Bright was on board a small fiahing vessel , beloriginc to Mr . M . Lock , of Shariklin , laden with coal , from

      Portsmottth , for ; Ventnor , together with the owner , his son , arid James Heal , manner , from Atherfield . The vessel was driven down Channel on Wednesdayj and by the evening their rigging was blown to ribbonde , and their hull was . 'Jjalf fall of water . At about three in the morning , their little vessel was struck by a , large Russian ship of 500 tons , bound for Algiers } she was &teo driving before the gale , and unmanageable . Bright sprung up the » owsof the Russian vessel , \ a « d reached the deck ; his companions and their vessel were all lost . Bright remained on board the Russian , beating about in -the ; Channel for a week when , at last .. their signal of distress was seen , and they wore relieved . —Hampshire Advertiser .

      Untitled Article

      DEMONSTRATION AT MANCHESTER , ( Concluded from our sixth page . ) shines the sams upon one as the other , and af tei each had travelled through this transitory life , each has to descend to tne cold and gloom ? gzsre ; the grass after death trail grow-with tie same freshness , greenness and verdour on one as on the other ; the worm -will feed ¦ u pon the bodies of the rich the same as the poor , the one as delicious a morsel as the other to them . Then through a ll the changes and vicissitudes of life , and of universal nature there was no privilege given for one to be a tyrant and the other a slave ; God and nature bad ma de no difference , no distinction . And the system which made such an inequality was contrary to the aforesaid powers , consequently , -wicked , and unjust ,

      and ought not to be permitted to coEtinne- Hfcr . ee the necessity for the People ' s Charter , which w-uld give justice to all and injustice to none . When mouldering in the cast the parents , relations , sons , and daughters of the poor cherished their memory and talked of ; hem as affectionate ly as these of the rich . Then amidst gach numerous , abundant , and conclusive evidence , that nature had made no distinction , he -would laugh * o scom the assertion , tbe iiapndent and "Wicfced falsehood and Kbel upon the poor , which had been insinuate d and uttered by a base leader of the Whigs —( loud cheering * . The poor had hitherto been the unwelcome guests at nature ' s bounties ; they , althonsh producing gl \ that g ive sustenance and snpport to the aristocracy , had been treated by the parsons , the law , and the

      go-Yernment , with all the cruelty , with all the severity , and 'itfa s 31 the barehnfts . s of a step-mother—( loud ckeers ) . They till the soil , but are without food ; they ¦ weave the cioth , but are clothed in rags ; they protect and defend the nation , bnt are net protected themselves . When he saw nature bringing the rich wian ' s ckild into the world with Epurs upon its heels , then , and not till then , -would he permit such inequality of the law , without endeavouring to effect a change . Then , and not tOl then , -would ce be convinced that one \ ras born to govern ana tie otner to be Bis Blave —( cheers ) ilr . Jones then gave a dear and vivid description cf tfc . j aansei in which all other living agents in the universe could partake cf the good th ' ngs of nature , whilst man in that respect , who had been considered the ornament of nature , stood alone . After an impassioned strain cf eloquence , vf fcich carried all hearts with him , he attributed all the evils of the present aaamolo-as state of society wholly and solely to the system which had been

      tronght about by class legislation , ilr . Jones then related the following anecdote . He remembered reading of 3 little boy who once got into conversation -with a parson , who asked him if he ever read his bible or prayed , to which the boy replied he did not The parson , whe had just before relieved the boy with a mouldy crust of bread , engaged to teach him how to pray . The parson requesting the boy to follow him , who i > egan as foBo-ws : — PaTSon—Ota Fattier "sQio art in hsaven . Boy—Our Pather who ait in heaven . But stop , Sir , allow me to ask you one question . Do you mean , Sir , to say that your Father is my Fattier , and my Father your Father , and your God my God ? Parson—Tes , God has made us al ! of one family . Boy—Then of course we are brothers and sisters ? Parson—Tes . Boy . Then how can you be so cruel and hard hearted bs to give your little brother such a stinking mouldy crust as this ?

      The manner in -which Mr . Jones told this , convulsed the audience with laughter . Mr . J . showed how willing the parsons -were to educate the people in a state of servility and passive ob&dienca , but -would never te&ch tliem the doctrines ¦ which Christ taught , namely , those of equality ; they would sooner give them any descrip tion of education , than mate them politicians —( cheers . ) They -srished themselves to partake of the good bread , and the millions to get but the mouldy crust . In order to carry out ths sentiments of the toasi , it required the xaiiiy , talent , a = d energy of the people ccaiiinea , every inda £ trioBS and sober man should exert himself in order to change the system ; and , in order to stimulate them to their duty , let them think that those poor creatures ¦ srhoTrsra confined in ths various prisons—those who ¦ jrere transported to a fsreign country for theft , and

      these "who -B-ere brought to the scaffold , came to such by the bad institutions -which ¦ were calculated to make than more vicious tfesn virtuous ; and let them remember that though they were brought to that point , and looked upon with scorn and contempt , although no one seemed to pity them , et tbe fathers and mothers bring to mind that they -were osce Emiling- innocent babes—tossed npon their mother ' s knee—kissed , loved , ani cherished as affectionately as they kissed , loved , aiid cherished their babes—and that the suise system "which brought them to such an end , vras yet in existence , and if not destroyed was as likely to bripg their children to the same Serial position . Mr . Jones then exhorted all , in a Etrain of glowing tloquence , to assist for the Charter , and concluded amid the most rapturous applause .

      The Cta-nnan then gave , " The Executive , and Euy their exertions in the canse of the people be cro-sraed "with success . "

      Tune . — " A man ' s a man . for a' that " ilr . 3 t : i . ia 5 Hab > et came forward and vfas greeted ¦ with loud cheers , to Ept ^ k to the toast , Mr . Chairman , Uroihtriiid sister Democrats , he had the honour of appearing before than that evening as the representatiTc cf the Chartists of Sheffield . He had come thither ttat day far the purpose of "witnessing the grand display vrtieh he and they sa"w that day in the streets cf of iLircheiter . ilr . Barney congratulated them for ttdr conduct in protecting Feasgus O'Connor , and said if he came to Shtmeld he ¦ would not be -wanting of the strong arms of the -working men to protect him . He then congratulated them for the manner in which they had performed zn act of gratitude to the late Henry Hunt . It -was -with pleasure he spoke to the toaBt of the

      Executive ; tteii actions had been before the public , and every one "who took any interest in the movement must fenotr that they "were men of integrity , and had performed valuable services to the cause . They all know the opposition-which Mr . James Leach , had given to the Com Law League ; how he had txposed theii fallacious statements , and opened the ejea oi the working men to thtir true interests . Mr . James Leach stood very high in the estimation of every grade of working men of Sheffield , and of the ceuntry generally . ( Hear , hear . ) Tien there was Dr . M'DoualL Mr . Harney then speke as to the honesty and cansistenfy of the D ^ etor . as Member » r the flnt Convention , . He was £ s = nr £ inehing and undaunted friend of the people , and £ he sa-focate of the rights of the insulted millions ; and for his ruSerings and firmness he was eiititled to

      Its rapport and confidence of the people . ( Cheers . ) Then there -was p ' ain John Campbell ; they could bear testimoay to the admirable manner in "which he had acted as the Secretary , acd the good he had rendered the cause , and though he respected the Doctor , who was a Scotchman , and ! &ach , aa an Englishman , he gave the same respect , the same hononr to Campbell , who was an Irishman . And the people respected every man yrho "was honest , independent of country or creediir . Hamey then exttosed the Sturgite question , and hoped the people "would not be led from the Charter He then sBo-wed . that there were other monstrous gritTances besides the Corn Laws , and he saw no reason "why that question should be tagged to the Charter . { Hear , hear , and cheers . ! There was the state church , tie latrB of pr imogeEituie , hereditary monarchy , hereditary peerage , it , equally as grievous as the Corn Laws . He hoped they would come to the same

      conclusion , asd carry out the same resolution as the Blkton ps&p ' . c—*• That erery agitation -wlAeh floes not go for the Charter is a bombeg bo far as the "working classes are corccraed . " Mr . Hamey then g 3 Ve a description of the men at the head of the " complete move" party , sn , | sitrd "who heard of * Sturge coming out for the liberties cf tha people before ? Where "waa the test of his rlcecrity ? Had he given a single farthing tctrards the kcal victim fnnd ? He never heard that he had . "Was he not connected "with the "Whigs "who sent Fe&r ^ us O Connor , Dr . P . M'Dcuall and J . B . O'Brien to prison , and 500 hundred of their best men ? and Frost , "SViUisins , acd Jonea across the seas ? Then did not Cob-isn saj , at tbe nomination at Stockptrt , that if lifting tip of Ms finger would bring Frost , Williams , x = a Jo ^ es back , he "would not do it—( shnma ) Mr Barney cvscicsed by exhorting them , to remain firm to the Charter , and sat down , after an excellent speech , amid leu-i chctrs .

      Tbe Chaiujias then gave " The thanks of the working ma of Manchester to Feargus O'Connor , Esq . " ilr . Cooper , of Leicester , stepped forward , anu spoke in -. he mos eulogistic terms of Mr . O'Connor ' s public Fu ' e , talents , and physical energies in the cause of the pespie ; and , in conclusion , aid that as ha had pledged himself to the cause , he deserved the resptct and support cf thB working Eien . Mr . Cooper then gave ontih * >" stionai Anthem . Kot , said he , the old Berriie aud bloody anthem , hut the Chartist Anthem-In this Ilr . O Connor forms a prominent feature , ilr Cooper then started the tune , and led tLroughout , the meet-Jig following to the top of their voices , accompanied by the music , -which was done in excellent styl =, acd produced a good impression at the time .

      itr- A . Hej-wood , news a ? ent , rose to propose a TOte Of rV .-ntrs to "M > - ScholeSeid , chairman , and said it then became his duiy to move a vote ; of »> mr > 1 r « for the very creditable manner in which the chairman had performed hii duty that night , but before he sat down he ¦ wished to make an observation or two in reference to the character and conduct of 3 Ir . O'Connor , as a public man . Tbe other speaker merely spoke of his publie conduct , and it -would be observed that there were men who however consistent they might appear feefore the public , -sreie nothing te boast of in privs . t « . He had had the

      best opportunity during tie last few years , ofjndglug not only of ilr . O'Concor ' s public character , and in that respect , he had found him honourable and consistent , and he believed that if ever any man ' s heart was truly and sfcceiely devoted to the ca ^ Be , Mr . O'Connor's was . Mr . Heywood then gave him equally as good a character in all Ids dealings and transactions as a private gentlemen . After speaking of him in the most tnlogiBtic terms as a private gentleman , he said that adei all eirctunstances , he considere d the cause or the r ^> Plebtiorfc BiS 0 "Wn Co mfuJt ana happiness .

      Mr . JtLlAS Haknei EfccoE » ed tbe vote of thanks fe the Chairman , "which was carried by acclamation . MrJ ) cfft , of Sheffield , then requested " three cheers to be given % o O'Connor , three for tbe Charter , and three fe the Repeal of the Union , '" which was duly responded ^ i af : « ¦ vrhieh the music struck up , and the bail core-JSftsced and was ecrtinued till an early hour . The * k * l 5 festivities pasted off with the greatest eclat

      Untitled Article

      THE NORTHERN STAR . 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 2, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct592/page/7/