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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th March 1843, Edition 3 of 5, Page 7, Cparttgt Smtcnt'sfnw.

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      BOUSE OF LORDS . —Mohdat Masch 13 . The Lobd ChaK cellos drew attention to tie state ^ f the law relating to persons committing crimes nnder gjeinfiaenceofinsanity . He seviewetl the proceedings in j }> 8 easa of H'jfangcten , and said that it was impossible ftrthe Jury to have come to any other verdict , tbongh he vonld bave preferred that the trial had not been abjnptly terminated . As to tie law itself , it -was the jane -which had always prevailed , not only in England and Scotland , but in France , Germany , and other conntries , and which -was based on the law of humanity . Be 4 id mot think that any alteration in ihg law was necessary , acd all he consi 4 ered requisite was a more efiVcdve measure of precaution . A hill of this nature would be ready in a few days ; thongh looking at the jiatnre ami latent character of the disease , he did not jn ^ dpatfi that it would prove absolutely effectual guch occurrences occasionally happened , not only in this hat in other countries , and , he feared , would occur hereafter , in ipita of all precaution , though he hoped the forthcoming hill would proTe same check upon their jtpetition in this country .

      lord BuorGHAM argued that all that was required was whether the individual knew that he was doing wrong , or , in other words , violating the law . Judges should direct juries to ascertain whether or not persona Hie M * 2 f sugnwn knew that thej were committing a breach cf the law ; and if they -were capable or com prehending tkat fact , and cognizant of it at the time of committing the crime , that then they should be liable t # punishment . After wme observations from Lords Cottesbam and Campbell ,

      The Lobjj Chaxcellob remarked , that the consideration cf the Government had been directed to the jaljjBCt of the prevention of such individuals as Oxford , TrandB , tt , from being made public spectacles ; bnt there was no necessity for legislating on it , as her Hsjssiy already had the power of placing them under restraint He would take the earliest opportunity , if their Lordships desired it , of summoning the judges to give their opinions of the whole question . The House theD adjourned .

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      HOUSE OP COMMONS . —Mosdat , Maech 13 , In ass-srex to Mt MaCKTSSOS , Lord STAXLET said that the Government had not yet received any other thaa imperfect accounts from Antigua ; but he feared that the details in the newspapers , as to the extent of tha damage from the earthquake , were not exaggerated It might , hereafter , he the duty of the Government to call sn tie House to aid the colony with a loan , the only shape in which they could afford relief . Oa the motion for going into a Committee of Ways anil Means .

      Dr . BovrKiXG entered into an explanation of some statements which had been made during the discussion ef the Ordnance estimates on She subject of retaining boeptand establishing banacks in the town of Bolton . Heknt-sr that many individuila in that town approved of the presence of the troapa and the erection of barsacks , bnt the principal ratepayers having been called together , joined in a resolution which he would read to the Hsuse . The resolution referred to the patient ana peacefeldemeanour of the population of the town and neighbourhood under the unexampled privations and si&ctss irMeh they iad nndergone ; it seated that tile mqf-tittg ssw in ihe ' preseai movement of the Executive

      a very alarming indication of an IstentJon to bring C"e country under a system of military despotism , and it exprtssed the opinion of the meeting that it was not desirable , under existing circumstances , to assist in any arrangeniEnls having for their object the establishment of a military Btation at Bolton . This resolution was signed by the gentleman who , at the period of its adoption , was the Mayor of Bolton . He ( Dz . Bowrjsg ) considered , then , that the statement he had made was fully warranted . —that the feeling of the people of Bolton was unfavourable to the creation of barracks , or to the establishment of a military station in tkat town .

      ilx . P . Axsswobih thought it right to inform the House that the meeting to which Mb Hon . Colleague had referred was attended by only nineteen individuals ; sad the ilayor of Bolton , in furwarduig the resolution toCoL Wemyss , elated that he and his brother Magisfaates did not concur in the opinions which it expressed , &r they conceived it necessary , under the then existing circumstances , that the military should be retained in thetown . In April the Mayor addressed a communica tion to the Right Hon . Baronet , the Secretary of State for the Home ItepsrtHient , in which he stated that the inhabitants had agreed to provide temporary accommo dation for the troops , and hs also expressed his conviction that the military ought not then to be removed He ( Mi . Ainswerthj begged to inform his Hon . Colleague that the inhabitants of Bolton raised a subscrip tion , amounting to £ 128 , for the purpose of providing

      temporary accommodation for the military . He wished to put it to the House whether they did not think that the Mayor and Magistrates of Bolton had evinced prudence and caution in the course they had adopted ? In the autumn of last year that town was visited by a lawless mob from a distance , who took possession of the town , plundered the provision shops , tamed » nt the artisans , and stopped the mills j and , without the aid of the mflitary-and of the yeomanry cavalry , it would hare been impossible to ditre the mob from the place . He «» nien < Jed , then , that the Magistrates had acted with laudable discretion . He might be allowed to state that cne of the persons who attended the meeting to which sis Hon . Colleague had alluded , was one of the first to require the assistance of the military for the protection of his own property—( hear , hear ) . Dr , BonrBJ 3 v > explained .

      Mr . AlSSWOKTH said an application had been made to the Bight Hon . Gentleman , the Secretary for the Home Department , to permit the erection of new barracks in Bolton , instead of repairing the old ones . To this request the Bight Hon . Baronet declined to accede ; "but he stated that , in consequence of the opinion which had been expressed in the borough , with respect to the retention of the troops , the eld barracks should be repaired .

      THE CHARTIST TRIALS AT LANCASTER . Mr . M . Gibsos said , he wished to put a question to the Right Hon . Baronet opposite ( Sir J . Graham ) with respect to certain proceedings srtuih itad tnVen place at the recent Chartist trials at Lancaster ; Jmy one who had read the evidence adduced on those trials must save perceived that numerous attempts were made to dog in the names of parties who had taken an active put is opposition to the corn laws , and who had snpported the Anti-Corn Law League . Endeavours were made to excite an impressien that these parties were the originators of those disturbances which took place a few months since in the manufacturing districts j but the attempts failed most completely and signally . Tbe attempts to which he referred were of such a

      remarkable character , that they elicited an observation from the Learned Jndge , who said , J have not been able to understand what the introdection , which has been made several times , of the names of parties connected with the Ann-Corn Law League , and of other parties , can have to do with the prestnt question . " A similai feeling was entertained by a great nmubsi of persons » h » were present during the trial ; they felt that an attempt was made to inculpate parties -who , not being before tbs court , did not possess the means of refuting tie aeeussficn . One of the witnesses who gave evidence Cf this nature was a person named James Wilc-ox , who was called for the p : osecutaon by the Attorney-General , and upon his crcES-examination by Mr . F . O'Conner an attempt was made to draw statements from him

      Mr . B . Esgott wished to know whether the Hon . Member for ^ lanchester was in order in thus introducing a question arising span a trial which took pl « s in a distant part cf ths country ! ( Cries of " order . " ) The Spbakes said the Hon . llemher for Manchester ** sa in order , there being now a question before the House . Mr . M . Gibsos continued . —The Attorney-General aEfcdis a witness for the prosecntion a person named JanwaTVUcQx , who stated , as it appeared to him ; Mr . Gibson ) from a perusal of the trial , some very ¦ unimportant facts , Tmt in the cross-examination of this witness , by iit Peaiyns O'Coimer , an attempt was made io draw from Mm statements calculated to inculpate the Anti-Cora Law Leaame . This witness stated in the

      ecmrae of his examination , that previously to the tnal he had been in correspondence with the Right Hon . Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home D ? part-JMBt , and he ( Mi . Gibson ) wished to ask that Right Hon . Gentleman whether he would object to lay on the * &ls of the House any letters or correspondence which cad passed between himself and Mr . James Wilcox ¦ AUhougb he had no doubt that all the proceedings con-Jscfad with the recent trials had been perfectly regu-« r , he must confess he regarded it as extraordinary , «» t the Right Hon . Baronet rSir James Graham , ) who * a iBbjtesEd by Mi Peargus O'Connor as a witness ** the dtfcEce , should have been allowed to leave

      Lan-& £ fer on condition that Mr . James WBcox , a witness f » &e : proseeution , should be called in bis stead . He «» B ? bt it strange that one cf the defendants should ftbstitnte a witness / or the prosecution for one wfeon he i * « ib l esed in his own defence . He had derived the Etfonn&tion which he possessed on this subject from fading the reports of the trial in the newspapers , and H he had misstated any fact he hoped that some Hon . ^ ^ her wonid correct him . He had no deubt the pro-** tiiD « s haa teen quite regular ; but be -wished to « o » whether the Bigat Hon . Baronet -would object to ae -production of the whole correspondence on this * l 39 ct ?

      Bb J . Gbahas wonia en ^ eavonr to answer the tassBoa of ths Hob . Member as far as the circumstances •^• bleh he had referred came within his own toaow-*~« b- He had been informed just before he came down 3 : 11 the Hon . Member for Manchester intended to put * 9 a £ gion to Tym £ s j 0 Ms correspendence with a per-* n named Wikoj . He ( Sir J Graham ) did not rememfStaviag fcgaya ^ ^^ g ^ j . pergon nntfl he was * ! j £ sen t in the Court House , at Lancaster , -upon a sub-WSa -si-caiij received irom ene of the defendants in « 6 rec » at trial , when the Attorney-General informed ' r ® ^ his presence was no longer necessary , as an ~? SB ? enieiit had been made that a person of the name j Wilcox should be cslle 3 ia'hls -olaee . His Hon . and if * riena nte AUomEj . &enttal ) would state the ^ -eea saiea -fftica l&-i to that arr » E 2 emen . t . TJn'il

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      the name of James Wilcox was mentioned on that occa-« ion , be ( Sir J . Graham ) was not aware that he had ever heard of that person , but it was now stated that in the course of the last autumn this individual addressed a letter to him . He ( Sir J . Graham ) had searched the public records of his office , as -well as bis private correspondence , and he could discover no trace of the receipt of any such letter , or of any answer having beta returned . He could assure the Hoa Member that , not oiJy could he find no trace of bucq correspondence , but that he had not the slightest

      recollection of the receipt of any letter from a person of ihe name of Wilcox . At the time ef the outbreak he received very nnmerous communications by letter from the disturbed districts , but he was in the habit of sending all letters bearing upon the transactions to tho solicitor who was employed by the Government to institute prosecutions . He had not had an opportunity of communicating with that officer since the Hon . Member for Marciester intimated bis intention of proposing this . question ; but he would apply to him , and perhaps he might possess Borne knowledge of the letter referred to .

      The ATT 0 R 5 ET-GENEEAL said , as the Hon . Member opp&site had expressed surprise that a witness for the prosecution shonld have been accepted by ene of the defendants in the place of the Right Hon . G £ nUem&n , it might be satisfactory for him to state to the House the circumstances under -vrbicb the arrangement "was made . Tfce Hight Hon . Baron *! ( Sb J . Graham ) was sufc ) CBmed by one of the defendants to attend at Lancaster , aud be accordingly proceeded there , although his absence from town was attended with great inconvenience to the public service . Some communication took place between him ( the Attorney Ganeral ) and the Hon . Member for Sutherlandshire ( Mr . D . Dundas ) , who appeared for one of the prisoners ; and he was informed that ' as the presence of the Right Hon . Baronet was

      required in London , it was intended by the defendant to call in his place a person named Wilcox , who , it was supposed , was in attendance as a witness for the prosecution . A communication was made to him ( the Attoraey-General ; that if it was intended to c » U Wilcox , Mr . Feargus O Connor was willing that the Right Hon . Baronet iSj J . Graham ) should return to London , as he exptcted to get from Wilcox all the information he wished to obtain from the Right Hon . Baronet His ( the Attorney-General ' s ) intention -was , from a re / jard to the interests of the country , to hava examined Wlicox , irrespective of any such arrangement as that to which he had allnded . The Hon . and Learned Member for Suiherlandshire alBo conceived that the further attendance of the Right Hon . Baronet would be

      unnecessary ; and he ( the Attorney-General ) , therefore , publicly informed the Learned Judge of the arrangement . Be could not recollect , at this moment , for what precise object Wilcox was called on behalf of the prosecution ; but he did remember that his evidence was necessary for the identification of some of the defendants -with certain transactions which occurred during the outbreak in Lancashire . Wilcox was examined for tbe prosecution , anil he was then cross-examined' Mr . O'Cunuor with inference altogether to certain communications made by him to the Home Department . He < the Attorney-General ) ebjeeted to this line of examination , stating that although he did not wish to place Mr , O'Gonnor in a worse position than he would have been in bad his Right Hon . Friend ( Sir J . Graham ) been examined , he must put it to the court whether , if that Right Hon . Gentieman had been under ftTnminn . tSon , be conid nave been called upon to produce the communications to which reference was made ; and the

      Learned Judge decided that if those communications were made io the Right Hon . Gentleman in his official capacity , he could not be required to produce them . H «? jthe Attorney-General ) could assure the House that , throughout the proceedings , he had objected to all questions which could tend to inculpate parties who were not befsre the court iHear , hear . ) He was sure that if any Hon . Member had read the proceedings attentively , be must have observed that he ( the Attorney-General ) had , while he endeavoured to bring distinctly before the court the procedings of the defendants of which he complained , cautiously and religiously prevented , as far as he could , the utterance of any reflection upon absent persons , and the moment anatter ; pt was made to elicit evidence reflecting on absent persons , with regard to whom snch evidet . ee would have been a calumny , he interposed all the authority which he possessed in order to confine the investigation to the single judicial purpose for which it was instituted ( Hear , tear )

      Mr . M . Gibsok- had not imputed to the Hon . and Learned Attorney-General , as the prosecutor in the case to ^ hich he had alluded , any desire to inculpate absent parties . Having read the evidence throughout he was willing to admit that the Hon . and Learned Member did , on many occasions , prevent witnesses from making statements which would have tended to criminate persons who were not present ; but he adhered to his former statement , that in the course of the trial attempts were made of so marked a character ( loud cms of " order ") to drag in the names of absent individuals ( renewed Bhouta of " order "') , that the Learned Judge—The Speas . bb said , the Hon . Member must be aware that he could not again address the House on the subject on which he had before spoken .

      Mr . T . DCS combb thongbt it right to state that he had received several communications with reference to the trials to which allusion had been made , and be was bonnd to . say that the conduct of the Attorney-General had given universal satisfaction to men of all parties . — { Hear , hear . )

      THE HALIFAX BOARD OF GUARDIANS . On the question that the Speaker do leave the chair preparatory to the House resolving itself into committee of ways and means , Mr . _ F £ B . RAND rose to move , as an amendment , for a list of the guardians of the Halifax Union who assembled at the Board on Wednesday , the 1 st of March instant , specifying the ex ftficio guardianB from the elected guardians ; also a list of the guardians who were not present , specifying the ex ojicio guardians from the elected guardians ; also the name of the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner who attended the board ; also a copy of tbtir minuVes and proceedings as well as of \ he resolutions adopted by the board ; also a copy of all notices given at any preceding meeting of

      the board relating to any proceeding or resolution Bdopted by the board on the 1 st day of March . He felt that in bringing forward this motion be owed Some apology to the Souse and to the Bight Bon . &entleman , the Chancellor of the Exchequer . He had , a few days ago , requested the production of certain papers relative to the proceedings of the Halifax Board of Guardians , and if the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir James Graham ) had acceded to that request it would not save been necessary for Mm to adopt his present course , In the discharge of his parliamentary dnties he ( Mr . Ferrand ) had deemed it necessary to allude to the conduct of Mr . Clements , an assistant Poor Law Commissioner . He stated that , from information be had received from private sources , and from

      pntlic papers , he considered that Mr . Clements had conducted himself in an Insolent and overbearing manner in attempting to enforce tjie Poor Law in all its rigour . Mr . Clements , while acting at the Halifax Board ' of Guardians , had thought proper to assist in passing a vote of censure npon Ma ( Mr . Fenand ' a ) conduct f * r having alluded to him in this Honse . He understood that thtre was Teason to believe ihat that meeting , at which eighteen guardians attended , was not convened by a proper notice issued by the clerk lo the who e body of guardians . At that meeting the Board of Guardians resolved tkat a strong atMetic man should be appointed , at a weekly salary , to act in the rapacity of taskmaster , for the purpose of applying a more severe test to the out-door labourers . It would be

      found that the Board of Gaarfiians having , with the sanction of Mr . Clements , decided upon adopting a more severe test in lespertof outdoor labour , bad also decided upon adopting a more Bevere test within the workfaeuse . The question was brought before the board how that test could be most advantageously enforced , and different plans having been proposed , that of a treadwheel was discussed , and how many men it would employ . This treadwheel the Board of guardjans directed to be erected , and a member of the board undertook to see it erected . He had stated this some toe ago , when he last addressed thebGU-se on this suhjest . The Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J . Graham ) staled that it was not so . and that , instead of a treadwheel to be applied to a rack machine , there was enly

      to be erected a hand-mill for corn . He ( Mr . Ferrand ) next day received more information from another person . The Right Hon . Baronet , however , again said th » t the mill was only a corn-mill , and that he -was told that by the Poor Law Commissioners . The board of guardians of the Halifax Union had passed a reselution reflecting on words used by him in the discharge of his duty to his constituents and to the country—a resolution which had been brought to the board from his own house by one of the ex otficio guardianB , and this was passed by the Board of Gaardians , Mr . Clements , the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner , assisting at the meeting . The same day an order was passed , with the sanction and approbation of Mr . Clements , f Jt excluding the reporters of the public press from the board-room during the

      meetings of the board . But what sort of a corn-mill had been erected , did the House think ? Why , none at all ; but , instead , a rag machine had been erected , for the purpose of grinding rags obtained from the poor of Hie towns on the continent , and impregnated with all manner of contagion and filth , and he was told that the stench was so great , and the durt arising from the grinding » o oppressing , that -they had "the greatest difficulty in parts of Yorkshire , where rags of this bind were ground for the purpose of defrauding by "the cloth manufacturers , to get persons to undertake the work . Bnt , in order to make this more of an infliction on the poor pauper , the wheel was to be ¦ workfcd by capstans , which were to be turned by

      the "poor like horses . These capstans were to be worked at not only by the feet , but by the hands and JjTeabts . According to the opinion of a medical gentleman whom he had seen , it was Mgbly injurious to the health to labour in Uusway , and was likely to end in apoplexy . This was what was abeutto be erected in the Halifax union workhonse for the employsasat of the poor there , either with or withont the knowledge of the Poor Law Commissioners ; if they know of it , then they had deceived the House in the statement which they had authorized the Right Hon . Baronet to mate in Ms place ; if they did not know of it , then they had neglected theii duty . Bat ha would call the attention of tils House to a com mill within a stone ' s

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      throw of the place where they were sitting . In the Lambeth union workhouse a corn-mill had been erected for the purpose of more severely testing the labour of the poor ; and be asked the House to decide , that night , whether such things were to be suffered in this country or not . At this corn mill , in the Lambeth union workhouse , he fonnd it was intended that sixty-four persona were to were : at once ; sixteen at indoor labour , and forty , eight at outdoor . The mill was worked by one crank , which was so large that every time these poor wretches worked they must bend with their hands to the ground . The mill was under a shed . And what was the object of this contrivance ? Why , whenever a poor person came to the workhouse to a ^ k for a loaf of bread , he was to be shown th ose

      poor wretches working at the crank under a shed—( hear , hear , heir ) . But another expoBure had taken piace that day . In a leading article in The Times newspaper of that day it was stated , that within the last seven years 9 315 persons had been committed to prison in England and Wales for offences against the rules and regulations of union workhouses , aud that in the year 1842 no fewer than 2 , 299 persons had been imprisoned in her Majtstj ' s giols for breaches of those rules and regulations . He would not detain the House further ; be would only say that the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J . Graham ) had insinuated that he ( Mr . Ferrandl had stated in the Huuae what was not true , and the Right Hon . Baronet called oa the House not to place too much confidence in what he said , Now , whatever he might tMnk of the Right Hon . BironeVa conduct to him , a supporter of her Majesty ' s Government , as he had been , whenever he conscientiously could be , he had to tell the

      Right Hon . Baronet that the question was between the Right Hon . Baronet and Mmself which of their statements coincided with truth . If the Right Hon . Bart could induce the House to agree to refuse these resolutions , still he ( Mr . Ferrand ) , it must be remembered , was courting every inquiry . He desired nothing more than that the matter should be sifted fully , and that the Right Hon . Baronet and himself should be placed fairly before the country . If the Right Hon . Baronet succeeded in refusing the papers , the country would conclude that he was convinced that the production of the papers would show not only so much crueity , and such ill-treatment of the poor that it would not be expedient to produce them , but also that if the poor did not like to enter an union workhouse , they had nothing left to look forward to tut the Right Hon . Baronet ' s corn-mill . Mr . Walter seconded the motion .

      Sir J . Gbaham hoped the House would agree with him that on the present occasien it would not be expedient that he should follow the Hon . Member for Kuaresborough ( Mr . Ferrabd ) into any of the new matter that he had adduced . The Hon . Member had raised the question for the first time of the Lambeth Union workhouse . He ( Sir James Graham ) did not intend to follow the Hon . Member into that subject He had had no opportunity to enable him to test the accuracy of the Hon . Member's information . Much 1688 did he intend to follow tbe Hoa . Member to the leading article of the Times newspaper , or into anything which might have been stated there that morning . It would be much better , in his opinion , to confine himself to the motion before the house . The Hon . Member

      bad charged him with saying that he ( Mr . FerraDd ) had made an untrue statement to the house . His ( Sir Jas . Graham ' s ) respect for the Honse—he had almost said for himself— -would have prevented him , he trusted , from doing any such thing ,- bat he did say , that from the zeal of the Hon . Member he received such exsgger sited statements , that without the Hon . Gentleman's meaning it , if the House were to affix any credit to those statements they would infallibly be mistaken . —( Hear , hear . ) The real question upon the present occasion was , not as to the intended erection of a ragmill in the Halifax Union Workhouse ; it was not whether tbe mill was to be turned bya capstan or any other power ; but the House would remember that the statement of tbe Hon . Member was that a treadmill was erected there .

      Mr . Ferrakd . —I said a treadwheel . Sir J . Graham resumed , by observing , that he understood it to be a treadmill , according to the Hon . Member ' s statement , and the Hon . Gentleman went so far as to say that the workhouses were to be made prisons of ; and he ( Fir J . Graham ) , taking the usual acceptanco of the term " treadmill , " positively denied , as far as he was informed , that any treadmill was to be erected in the workhouse in question . Tbe Hon . Gentleman had that evening wandered away to a ragmill ; bnt this was not much to the purpose , because he ( Sir J . Graham ; did not say that no mill had been erected ; he did say that the mill in question was to be worked by hand . He believed that it was to be applied to the grinding of corn . He was mistaken . Tbe mill was not

      to be applied to grind corn , but rags ; with that exception ho was satisfied that bis first statement to the House was not in the least incorrect . The Right Hon . Gentleman then proceeded to read a letter from Mr . Clements , in which he stated that the guardians of the Halifax Unio ¦ had taken steps for the erection of a hand-mill for the purpose of giving work to the idle paupers who had no objection to remain in the workhouse . The Right Hon . G-ntleman then went on to say that he was glad to see the Hen . Member for Halifax ( Mr . C . Wood ) in his place , because , he ( Sir J . Graham ) bad received a letter from a gentleman who appeared to be a member of the Halifax Board of Guardians , and who referred him to the Member for Halifax for his respectability . The gentleman ' s name was Conluton , and he said , that having observed it stated that the Board of Guardians of the Halifax

      Union proposed to erect a treadwheel in the workhouse , and that Mr . Clements had not prevented it , he couid only say that no such thing had taken place , and that , if there bad , every member of the board would have scouted it It was true a rag mill had been erected . With the exception , therefore , that the mill was intended for grinding rags instead of corn , he ( Sir J . Graham ) appealed to the House whether the original statement was not correct , and whether the Hon . Gentleman had not failed in making out his case ? In fact , be ( Sir J . Graham ) considered that this motion was tbe same substantially as that which the Hon . Gentleman brought forward tbe other day , and which tbe House rejected by so large a majority ; and although , strictly speaking , there might have been some breachof privilege involved in the conduct of the Board of Guardiaus of the Halif&x

      Union , he could not think that it would bo advisable for tbe House to embark on a question of breach of privilege under the guidance of the Hon . Member for Knaresborongh . It woold not be prudent—it would not be discreet With respect to Mr . Clements he could only say , that he was present merely when the resolution was passed ; he was no party to it whatever . The Hon . Member had stated , that Mr . Clements had conducted himself in an insolent and overbearing manner at a meeting of the board of guardians towards those who , as guardians and relieving-o&icers , had been a great many years in the service of the public , and that charse of the Hon . Member ' s being both unjust and inaccurate , he ( Sir J . Graham ) could not see any

      great objection , beyond the technical one relative to privilege , in their coming ta a resolution that the conduct of Mr . Clements wag not such as had been described , and not deserving the censure that the Bon . Member had passed upon it , and that tbe Hon . Member s statement was incorrect . "With reference to the course he should propose to the House to adopt on this occasion , it seemed to be most convenient that he should merely ask for their support of the original motion , and so avoid the difficulty of the breach of privilege which tbe Hon . Gentleman seemed to have intended to raise . By so doing , they would be adhering to the course to which they had given their sanction the other night

      Mr . C . Wood said that , being called upon by the Right Hon . Baronet , he bad pleisure in stating that Mr . Coulston was ene of tbe most respectable persons in Halifax , and that his assertions might be perfect y leliedon . The board of guardians had been expressly of opinion that Mr . Clements had not been at all deserving of the charges brought against him by the Hon . Member for Knaresborough for any part of his conduct to them . Mr . Boss said , he rose to explain and apologize to the House for having been perfectly wrong in what he said about Mr . Clements tbe other night There was another apology which he wished to make . When the Hon . Member for Knareaboroogb moved to call Mr . Clements to the bar of the House , he ( Mr . Ross ) was so convinced

      that Mr . Clements was quite ready to meet any charges that might be brought against Mm , that he said if the Hon . Member for Nottingham did not second the m » - tion he ( Mr . Ross ) would ; but when the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J . Graham ) spoke , he ( Mr . Roes ) saw that he -was wrong , and it turned out that he was the mesnB of leading some Hon . Members to vote with the Hon . Member for Knaresborough who would not otherwise have done so—( " Hear , ' and laughter . ) But he bad only to propose to the Hon . Member for KnareBborougb with respect to this subject , as far as Mr . Clements was concerned , teat he should be happy to be tbe means of introducing Mr . Clements , who was now in town , to the Hon . Member—( A langh . ) Mr . R . Yorkb said be did not find that there had been any positive contradiction given to what the Hon . Member for Knaresborough had asserted . It seemed there bad been a meeting—a packed meeting , as he

      called it , from not having been regularly summoned , 01 the board of guardians , at which was passed the resolution in question , wMch the Hon . Member said had been brought ready cut and dried from bis own bouse by one of tbe ex ojficio guardians . Now this looked , he must say , very much as if the resolution hod been preconcerted , and if preconcerted , it was not impossible that it might proceed from personal motives ; and that possibility appeared tbe more striking when they fonnd that the board of guardians had since refused tbe reporters of the public press admittance to their proceedings . Consequently , though en the last occasion on which this subject was before the House he ( Mr . R . Yorke ) had voted against the Hon Member fer Kuaresborough , and though it was not his wish to give a wild vote , yet , acting independently , and seeing no inconvenience likely to arise from the production of these papers , he should vote for the amendment of the Hon Member .

      Mr . C . Wood was understood to say , that he considered the Hon . Member for Kaaresborough was mistaken as to the resolution . Mr . B . Escott thought the Hon . Member for Knaresborongb could answer himself , and overturn his own wguttient , for , as Tela % ed to the uss of the treadwbeel , the motion of the Hon , Gentleman could net be 8 U 8-

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      t » ined upon any substantial ground . As to the exclusion of reporters , the board of guardians were authoslreil to adopt that course by the powers vested in them by Parliament , ( Hear , hear . ) He ( Mr . Escott ) could not therefore vote for the motion of the Hon . Member for KnaxeBborough after th « substantial ground of the motion was taken away . Mr . Wallace considered it a matter of great importance that there should be no concealment in matters relating to the manner in which the poor were treated in the Union workhouses ^ - ( hear , hean . If , as it was calculated , 1 , 500 , 000 persons were subjected to the regulations by which the Union workhouses were regulated , it was the imperative duty of English gentlemen to look to the regulations to which they were

      subjected—( hear , hear ) . He was sorry that the question of privilege should be in any way mixed up with the present motion , and he would therefore not address himself to that point , but with respect to the use of a mill—whether the motion was upward or downward , or backward , or forward , it did not signify—if labour in that shape was imposed , the matter ou « ht to be inquired into—( hear , hear ) . If it were a mill for grinding rags , or for making what the Hon Member for Kuares borough called last year the devil ' s dust , " to be used as manure , or for other purposes , nothing could be store unwholesome or destructive to the human frame—( hear , bear ) . xae ; question was of additional

      importance , Inasmuch as it was in contemplation to introduce poor laws into Scotland , and it was desirable that the people who were likely to be subject to its operation should know tbe manner In which it was intended to employ them —( bear , hear ) . He hoped the Noble Lord the Member for Dorsetshire , who had rendered such service to his country —( cheers )—by taking up the questions of factories and mines , would tike care to see that the poor people of this country should not be engaged in such an unwholesome employment as grinding rags into dust —( hear , hear ) With this view of the case , he would Bupport the motion of the Hon . Membar for Kuaresborough .

      Mr . J . Wortley objeeted to the motion . If the House wished to obtain information respecting the machinery used for the purposes of labour in the Halifax Union , the proper mode would be to move for any communication on the subject between the Poor Law Commissioners and tbe board of guardians of Halifax—( hear , hear ) . If su « h a motion were made he was sure the Right Hon . Baronet at the Head of tbe Home Department would not object to it * and he ( Mr . Wortley ) would make such a motion—( hear , bear . ) Mr . F ERRAND'S only object was to let the House and the country know what had taken place . He found that there was a treadwheel ordered for the Halifax Union , which was to hold from four to forty persons . He did not know . what had since occurred , and be would take no steps to bring Mr . Clements to the bar of the House if the papers were produced .

      Mr . S . Crawford felt himself bound to vote for tbe motion , with a view to obtain information as respected tha manner in which the poor Were treated in the workhouse ; but in voting for the motion it was not his wish to go into the privilege question . Mr . HtME would support the motion of the Hon . Member for Knaresborough , on tbe ground that when there were any complaints aa to abuses with respect to the labour done Jn workhouses no attempt at secrecy should be made by excluding the press . Under such circumstances , inquiry became incumbent , ant ) therefore the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir James Graham ) ought not to object to the production of th « papers asked for by the Hon . Member for Knareaborough—( hear , hear ) .

      Sir J . Graham would admit that if , abuses were alleged to exist in the practice of any Union workhouse it was fit and proper that the House should inquire into tbe subject ; and if tbe Hon . Member for the West Riding of Yorkshire ( Mr . Wortley ) wished to move for papers relating to the nature of the wheel used and the work done in the Halifax workhouse , there would be no objection to their preduction ; but the motion of the Hon . Member for Knaresborough referred to the production of the resolution of the board of guardians , which he before alleged to be a breach of privilege , and to such a motion he would strenuous y object—( Hear , hear . ) Tee gallery was then cleared for a division , bat none took place . 1 On our return we found

      Sir . R . Peel arguing that the motion of the Hon . Member for Knaresborougb pointed to no distinct object He ( Sir R . Pee }) understood it as a renewal of the question of privilege , an . i that it was the intention of the Hob . Gentleman to enforce the charge against Mr . Clements . Into that question the House , in his opinion , hod better not enter—( Hoar , hear . ) No person bad more at heart tbe privileges of tbe House than ho , but it was because of bis regard for them tkat he would nob wish , to enforce a debate on them in the present instance . It was very natural if a man ' s personal character was injured by an erroneous imputation in that House , that ho should endeavour to free himself from it , and it would be very hard If he were not at liberty to do so—( hear , hear ) The House did not enforce its privileges with respect te tbe publication of the debates , and it was natural if a man w re injured by those publications that he should try and set himself right —( bear , hear ) .

      Mr . T . Dvkgomde said , be understood the motion to be . that if the House were put in possession of certain official papers the Hun . Member for Kuareaborough would exculpate Mr . Clements from any charge of breach ef privilege . As the House was about to alter the New Poor Law ,-it was desirable that It should be put in possession of tbe character and working of one of the union workhouses , which was lookW upon as a pattern one —( hear , bear ) . The Hon . Member for Knaresborougb only asked for the proceedings and minutes relating to a particular day , and those minutes were refused , on the ground that the motion was mixed

      up with the question of privilege These questions had nothing to do with privilege , and it was proper that the House should know what was done by Mr . Clements or by the board of guardians under his influence—( bear , hear ) . Why , ho sbquld like to know , were copies of the proceedings refused ? The resolution did not reflect on Mr . Clements , it merely asked for certain papers , that the House might be put in possession of . what occurred on & > particular day—( hear , bear ) . They tjould not legislate fairly on the amendments proposed to be made in the Poor Law if the papers were refused —( hear , bear ; ,

      Lord J RUSSELL 'did not understand the question in the way in which it appeared to be understood by the Hon . Member for Finsbury , nnd he would therefore vote the other way . After what had fAllen from the Right Hon . Gentleman the Secretary for the Home Department , be understood that there was no objection to furnish every information respecting tbe nature of tbe work done or the manner of employment in the Halifax Union workhouse—( hear , bear ) . He could not infer from the course adopted by Government arjy intention of withholding information either as to that or any other workhouse ; but the Hon . Member for Knaresborough , amongst other grievances , complained of a breach of privilege on the part of Mr . Clements , an Assistant

      Poor Law Commissioner , and grounded the complaint on a resolution adopted by the Buard of Guardians at Halifax —( hear , hear ) . The House did not shut out the reporters from the press , and when it was stated in the papers in the report of a speech that certain things which were done by the Poor Law Guardians , they came to some resolution to the contrary . He objected , then , to that part of the resolutiou which would bring the House Into a contest with the guardians for honestly denying what had been attributed to them . He could not see the use cf such contests ; bub as regarded the other port—namely , the manner in which the union was conducted and the work performed , be thought that every information should be given —( hear ) .

      Mr . G . Knight said , be had an account of the matter yesterday from Mr . Clement ' s own lipa , and that gentleman assured hint that he had used no influeHce with the Board of Guardians to induce them to pass the resolution , nor had be any hand at all in it Mr . Clements was present when it passed , but he did not wish it to pass , nor had it bis concurrence . Mr . Clements also toid him tkat there was neither a treadmill nor a tteadwheel in the . union , but there was a handmill , which had not then been introduced for the first time , bat had been there for several years . The labour was by no means severe , and it was found to be tho best mode of employing able-bodied paupers , more especially as it was difficult to find labour for them which would not interfere with oat-door employment . Mr . FerraND then obtained leave to withdraw his motion .

      The House then went into a committee of Ways and Means , and a formal rote was taken ; after which , on the motion for going into committee ou the Registration of Voters Bill , Sir James Graham , in reply to Mr . Liddell , intimated that clauses bad been prepared in order to provide against the fraudulent personation of voters , which would be added to the bill . Mr . Hume did not anticipate much good from the bill , unless more ample protection were given to the voters . The House then went into committee on the bill . Ou the fifth clause a division took placs , on an addition moved by Mr . T . Dtincombe , that the grounds of objections to voters should be added , instead of the simple words , " objected to ; " but this was rejected by 57 to 47 .

      Mr . Tufn ELL proposed , that when an overseer objected to a vote , he should be compelled to give notice ot the objection to the voter . This amendment was resisted fey Sir James Graham , and rejected by 91 to 38 . At the 11 th clause , Mr . Elphinstonb objected to the tax-paying clauses of the Reform Act , as being unnecessary to the qualification of a voter ; and moved their omission . He considered that the payment of taxes should have nothing to de with the exercise of tbe franchise . Sir James Graham snid that , at the time ( he Reform Bill passed , it yias understood that , had it not been for the tax and rate paying qualification , a higher basis for the franchise would bave been demanded . The clause under discussion in the present bill was an amelioration of the existing law . After some discussion , the amendment was rejected , by 118 to 58 .

      The amount of the penalty to be inflicted on the raisers of frivolous objections raised considerable debate , the amounts BUggosttd varying from 20 s . to £ 5 .

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      Colonel Sibthorp proposed £ 3 instead of 20 s , which was resisted by 154 to 34 . Having arrived at chase 48 , the farther progress of the bill was adjourned , and the other orders were disposed of .

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      HARMONY HALL . LETTER II TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir—My last letter , in treating of what is contemplated by the Socialists , or rather tbe Rationalists , a term which they prefer , took a review of tbe course pursued by Robert Owen , the founder of the Rational System , and claimed for him the consistent and undeviating pursuit of the object with which be set out in 1817 , namely the introduction at the earliest period possible of an entirely new system ' of society , based on demonstrable facts , which system Bhould provide for the well-being and happiness of the whole of the human

      race . I tor * this course , not with the view of indulging in personal remarks respecting Mr . Owen , whose conduct as a disciple of his principles , I believe to bave been necessitated , and therefore no more praiseworthy than that of any other individual j but [ because I hold the opinion that the period has arriv ' ed , when unity of operation must pervade all who desire to effect tbe change which is now eo imperiously required ; and I know no person whose knowledge ; either of the great wants of the people , or df the readiest mode of obtaining

      those wants , is equal to Mi . Owen ' s , and 1 wwhed the Chartist body te have before them a general review of his career , that if at any future period , the question of a national organisation for the purpose of effecting the change may be necessary , we may know where to look for one whom , whatever differences may exist with regard to practical measures , all will acknowledge to be best acquainted with the principles on which the change should be conducted ; and a calm . i investigation will , 1 think , place him as the centre from which tbe union should ! radiate .

      1 had also another object in view , namely , that of placing my subject on a broad national or rather universal basis , above all sectional andjparty considerations ; for whilst such subjects as those I shall hnve to treat of are looked to for mere personal safety , it is impossible that we can secure the object we desire ; nor w « uld it be just that we Bhould do so , if we are prepared to leave any portion of our fellow beings to suffer tbe pain ami misery which all must soon feel , if redress be not obtained . The position Jn which all classes are now placed in this country , differs most essentially from anything of which we have record in human j history . Individual wealth , and general poverty , were never so strongly marked before ; and the distinction is dally being made wider and broader , and must continue to be so , until a great and irresistible demand shall be made for a change , and the knowledge of the manner in- which that change can be made , for the benefit of all , shall be claarly pointed out ;

      From the desire for happiness ^ which pervades all that have life , there can be no doubt but that in proportion as all become convinced of a change being for their benefit , they will bo made to advocate it ; and such a change as is contemplated by the founder of the Rational System , will equally benefit the highest with tbe lowest individual in tbe state . The problem which the Rationalists have taken upon themselves to solve is , that men can live together in unity , producing for themselves all the necessaries of life ; distributing what they produce , equally and justly , in accordance to the wants of all ; educating tbeir children to the highest possible extent , physically , mentally , and morally , and governing their affurs for the benefit of all , on terms of strict and equal justice , without force or fraud of any kind .

      They first undertook this task In the year 1835 , when a society was formed , called " The Association of all Classes of all Nations " , under the advice of Mr Owen , who has more or less superintended the general affairs of the society since its formation . In 1837 , a portion of this society began to subscribe capital for the purpose of procuring land whereon te commence an experiment , that should develope d to the world more practically the course they wished to pursue , and in 1839 this estate was taken , and the land operations commenced . ' You justly remarked , in an article which appeared in your paper some time since , respecting the land , that no body of men had ever encountered one * tenth part of the opposition that the Socialists' body bad met with ; and the whale of this opposition has been overcome , without jeopardising for one moment , the life or liberty of any member of the body . .

      The manner in which this has 'been done , has not been the result of chance ; but of certain clearly defined principles , which whenever they shall be generally acted upon , will overcome every obstacle that shall be opposed to them , however formidable it may at first sight appear . The principles of the Rational Syalom , when they shall have been placed in the hands of men used to combined business-like operations , will soon place it above all competition ; and it mast go forward at a moat rapid pace , carrying before it all opposing influences . Thess principles , and the practical details resulting from them , will lead to the combination In scientific proportions , of the four elements of wealth : namely , land , labour , skill , and capital ; and these when thus combined , and wisely and judiciously directed , will open a path for the future progress df man , to the highest happiness that his nature : is capable of enjoying . :

      The progress hitherto made in this establishment , imperfect as it necessarily is , and subjected to all the errors arising from bringing together men whose previous habits had not prepared them for such a work , is a . sufficient guarantee ot what can' be done , when all the necessary circumstances are provided ; for we may even now challenge tbe world to produce the same number of persons associated together who have an equal amount of happiness , as those carrying on this experiment . ; This happiness arises in a great measure from the contemplation of what is in store for humanity , when our fellowmen shall have looked seriously at the difficulties with which they ale surrounded ; for whenever this shall be done , and personal feeling shall give way to the contemplation of tha great ; change required , then may the whole of the population , not only of this country , but of the world , be placed In " the condition permanently to enjoy all that they can desire .

      Let anything at all approaching to a union , even of the working classes , new take placp ; and let them be guided by that experience in business matters , which as a body they do not possess , and they may soon dictate to all other classes , the tejrmB on which the business of the country shall be in future conducted . Let these terms be just and fair , ] towards all other classes , and they will not only not oppose them , but the good anil the wise of all classes | will heartily desire immediately to co-operate for their introduction ; for it would be a gross libel on human nature to suppose , that anything but ignorance of their own welfare and the fear of losing their relative position , could induce the main body of the upper classes to stand aloof , and witness the misery and devastation which is now going on around them . >

      The reflective among the upper classes , must see the precariousnesa of their own positions , and that they do so , ia strongly evidenced by the debates that have already taken place in Parliament , ; since its meeting . Tbe Government acknowledge freely ; , tbe extent of tbe distress , and the ; also admit that they are unprepared with an adequate remedy , and it will therefore be necessary that those who believe jthey possess one , should take care to be prepared to urge it upon the attention of their fellowmen , foi in auch a state of mind , they will all soon listen with breathless anxiety .

      That such a remedy is at hand I unhesitatingly offirm , and provided I can , in the course of the series of letters which youhav&giveu me the permission to insert in your paper , excite the reader ' s attention to an examination of the subject in all its details , I shall have little fear but they will be prepared to join ; in a course which shall in far less time than they could , imagine possible , place them in the position to be heard and listened to attentively by the Government ; anil the redress which they seek shall be given them without let or

      hindrance . 1 The times are in every way propitious for such a course being adopted ; we have a strong powerful Government , centered almost entirely in an individual , for no one vBl deny that uj . oa Sir Robert Peel alone depends the course which the present Government

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      must take : this Individual is by no means nna . ^ qaaf"t < -d With tbe principles and details of the system I lull have to call your attention to , and his rnudinea ; 1 to bend to the powerful r floence of circumstances ' ¦* become quite prcvsrbtal . Let us $ hea put a-way all n : > aor party aDd personal considerations lu npproachio ? thiB great and godiike work ; the misery of our fell ^ n-maa calls aloud upon ns to use 6 very tx-rtion to find fhem redress , and if this repeal be ' 00 indistinct to f ^ eh- ^ ard by any among us , we can add to the facb that mhery exists to a greater extant than was ever bef > rt : known ; the additional one , that ' -beix- is not one aoi-inR us who is safe even for a day or aa hour , from being overwhelmed in the same general misery .

      No , my friends , depsnd on it there is not oneamong us who is safe , nor is it right there sheulU be ; we are all members of a great universal family , an . \ the wellbebg of eve-y individual of tbat family must besought equally by each of us . The times now rcquire great , noble , and daring tff irte to be male , to overpower cuch a weight of misery as presses unon us ; an ; l an appeal to the right sympathies of human nature has never yet been made in vain , nor will it be so in the present instance . I am Sir , Tour obedient servant , WilliaH Galpik .

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      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir —Though belonging ostensibly to no movement , I hail , and , in my own way , to the utmost of my power , aid every movement for the just rights of the working classes with a readiness proportioned to the hope I may have of such movement contributing to tbe desired end . Of all classes of society I consider the wsrking elasses to be the most usefnl , the most at the mercy of the other classes , the most cruelly used , and the most infamously deprived of their just rights in the constitution of the ir country . In the guilt of thus depriving them of tkeirjast rights , I look upon all other orders of men amongst us as wilful participators ; such as parsons ,

      lawyers , judges , rich jurors , manufacturers , agriculturists , squires , senators , and lords ; as far king or queen , Btackstone has shewn us that the greatest lawyers in the world have settled it fully , that as they never die , but possess ubiquity , omniscience and omnipotence , so they uever de wrong . It is only within tho hour that I have seen in your paper of March 4 th , the first part of Sir Frederick Pollock ' s address to the Jury at Lincaster . Match 1 st , and I must say toat by one particular in that address I have been more grieved than I could readily express . Sir Frederick says that the object of the defendants was to produce a change in some of the fundamental parts of the constitution !

      Now , this is a modified and guarded statement of the vulgar error so prevalentlamong that class of men composing Juries , and bo ranch more lifee . y than any ather to bias and Corrupt their judgments . 1 have heaid it affirmed by such men continually , " those base wretches , the Chartists , want U overturn all things—thss want to destroy our glorious constitution of Church and State , and to set up some new-fangled government of their own . '' Now , Mr . EJitor . though a clergyman , I am a Chartist myself , and I know great multitudes of Chartists , and although I know nothing but nonsense

      of " ou * glorious Constitutien of Church and State , " I know a great deal ( and I love all I kuow ) of " our glorious Constitution of Kng , Lords , and Commons , " I also know that it is the sole object of the Pecple ' s Charter to complete and purify the Commoas , and by law to obtain tor , and to secure to us all , our just rights in that " glorious Constitution" out of which the great bulk of the people have been hitherto most unjustly and injuriously , however legally , kept ; and farther , I know no Chartists of a contrary opinion from myself , however misrepresented , and however reviled .

      Now , that Sir Frederick Pollock should bave laid hold of such a contemptible and pernicious error , whicb he must know to be so prevalent amongst our squlreB , magistrates , and other rich ( though not necessarily intelligent , judicious , and worthy for being rish ) men , and that he should have made use of it for the express purpose of criminating aud bringing te heavy punishment thosA who have already endured so much from , the operation of such error iu our squires , and magistrates , and other rich men , —is to me " a lamentation , and shail be for a lamentation . " 1 pray God tbe Jury may ha / e been aware of the nnsouminess of this main pavt of the foundation of tbe Attorney-General ' s speech , and that the defendants may have had all such benefit of auch discovery aa they may bave been honestly entitled to . I have been led to admire , and even love , Sir Frederick Pollock ' s private character

      greatly , and it is very painful to think tbat any unworthy public professional act shou d emanate from any such worthy private character ; but , alas ! not only on what is called religion , but on political subjects of a great exciting interest , too much is takan upon trust , and class prejudices are engendered , to the grievous injury of individuals , aye , and of even whola communities . Hence , when an Attorney-G 2 ner . 1 l .. or even a Judge , says " We know nathiag oC Chartists here ; " we find it necessary to weigh the pleadings of the one , and the sentence of the other , before we believe either . Even a worthy Attorney-General , and a worthy Judge , may not have the knowledge they ought to have of themselves , and innocent persons may Buffer grievously therefrom . May God defend the upright , even in this world I H . PiUCE , Minister of Christ's Church , In Needwood , Staffordshire . March * 6 . 1843 .

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      NEWCASTLE . —The Chartists of Newcastle and Gateshead held their weekly meeting on Monday evening , Mr . Fleming in the Chair . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A letter was also read from Mr . Arran , of Hull , staling that Mr . Robert Peddie would favour tha people of Newcastle with a visit , on his way to Edinburgh , in a few days . After entering into arrangements for the reception of Mr . Peddie , and disposing of some other local business , the meeting adjourned " .

      SOUTH SHIELDS , —LEASUE CONSISTENCY . —A public meeting ot the South Shields section of the anti-Corn Law League was held on tbe evening of Taursday last in the Union School Room . Soon of tec eight o ' clock , the doors were thrown open to the public , and a Mr . Brown was proposed to the chair . Mr . Kidd , a journeyman shoemaker , proposed that Mr Gilfillan , an honest working man , take the chair . Mr . Mather ( the person who proposed Mr . Brown ) said they did not want an honest man in the ehair , but wished to commence the proceedings with Mr . Brown in the chair , without submitting either of tbe gentlemen proposed to the decision of the meeting ; assigning as his reasons for so doing that the meeting was got up by the League , and aknougfci the public were invited

      to the meeting , they were not expected to take an ; part ; and if any gentleman felt dissatisfied at their mode of proceeding , and in any way interrupted them in this course , they would bo immediately given in charge to the police . Mr . Kidd , in a very polite manner , attempted to expostulate with Mr . Mather on the unfairness of this line of conduct , stating , that it would appear to any impartial observer that they bad no faith iu the line of policy they advocated , or else , if they believed it to be ttue , they would not be afraid to have it investigated , for truth could lose nothing by investigation . ' Mr . Mather here sent for a policeman , and gave Mr . Kidd into custody . Mr . Kidd was taken to the station , but the brutal proceedings of the League induced some of the honest inhabitant to sympathise

      with Mr . K-, and bail was given that he should appear before the Bench of Magistrates in the morning ; upon which be was liberated , and returned to the meeting . After listening patiently to the harangue of the League until they had tired themselves , and said they were done , Mr . Kidd handed them a written challenge , stating that he would discuss the subject with any gentleman present , or with aiy gentleman in England upon equal terms , and undertake to prove that a repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws in tbe present unprotected state of labour , would not benefit tbe industrious classes of these realms . They wonid not accept the challenge . They were willing to make assertions , but were not prepared to prove them . The meeting then broke up after announcing that a petition ( which

      they durst not submit to the public meeting ; would lay for signatures at certain places which were mentioned . Mr . Kidd appeared before the Bench of Magistrates on Friday morning . The League had a solicitor employed , but Mr . K made bis case so clearly appear before the Magistrates tbat they felt it their duty to acquit him , aud gave a severe reprimand to tbe League for publishing bills without knowing the meaning of them ; tbat if they invited the public to their meetings , they must be prepared to allow the public to take a part in such meetings ; that neither Mr . Kidd or the public did more ou that occasion than they were entitled to ; nor had t ^» y exceeded the conduct of Mr . Mather on former occ eio t prior to his going to the League . SOWERBY . —Mr . Benjamin Ruahton , of Overden , preached here on Sunday afternoon and evening .

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      John and Mary Ann Corby , of Northampton , had a daughter registered last week in the name of Mary Ann M'Douall Corby . Lately , at Morley Church , Feargus O'Connor Squire Wood , sou of John and Raohel Wood , of Cfiurlwell . Christened at Christ Church , NewM ill , on Sunday , Alien Weat Cuttell , the son of William aud Ififarriet Cuttell , Underbank , Holmfirth . Registered on Sunday , at St . John ' s Wood , London , Robert Emmett Frost , infant son of Thomas and Mary Beaden , 35 , Coehrane Torraco , St . John ' s Wood .

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      TO THE EDITOa OF THE NORTHERN S 1 AR . My . dear Hill , —My case is not likely to come on this week , since it stands No . 33 , in the Nisi Prius list . Cartledge , the arch-traitor , ] has been subpceied to stand in tbe witness-box against me ! He is now at Lane End , in the Potteries , ready to come to Stafford when wanted . I suppose he j will swear after the vile fwhion he did at Lancaster . ¦ Never mind . I do not believe that my foes will be permitted to have all their will .

      I passed a delightful day , yesterday , at Wednesbury . Ground has been purchased by Mr . Drnks , and presented for building thereon a People ' s Hall . Collections were made at tne close of my discourses for thia purpose . Prospects look solidly promising at Wednesbury . Chartism has been sorely j shattered at Bilston and tho adjoining towns , by the late accursed " .-trike ;" but the erection of a People ' s Hall ; at Wednesbury , the central town of this immense mining district , must bave a healthful and restorative ' influence on Bilaton and th >) other towns .

      I passed Saturday afternoon with White and Mason , in Birmlngnam . I cannot help ( recording my regret that John Mason—one of the most intellectual men in eur movement , and surpassed by none in sincerityhas returned to his humble trade of a shoemaker . And yet , all honour to him!—he says he feels himself bound , as an independent man , to do this , in preference to perambulatiug the land , and becoming a burthen te the people in tho present poverty-stricken condition of Chartism . This ia noble , and yet tho loss of such a man ' s exercise of talent , from day to day , is much to be lamented . I am , dear Hill , Your ' sitruly , J Thomas Cooper . Stafford , Monday , March 13 th . .

      Cparttgt Smtcnt'sfnw.

      Cparttgt Smtcnt ' sfnw .

      $&©Re F^Oung ;Ute Trf6t0.

      $ & © re f ^ oung ; Ute trf 6 t 0 .

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      Democratic Conservatism . —The Standard of Monday says : —** As a class , the Irish ju \ o ; ocr . cr are not trustworthy ; and , uniil the Couservative democracy m the sister island free themsdveB horn arucocratical guidance , they will never know , still less will they be able to exercise , their Ie ;> . itimat 6 power in the community . "

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      ^ THE NORTHERN STAB , 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 18, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct642/page/7/