On this page
- Departments (3)
-
Text (11)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
iPSfore Wovm aiatrtoig
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
3$m3maJ iBarlfamort
-
Untitled Article
-
€l)atti&t ' finteUicgnce.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
HOUSE OF LORDS . —Moitdat Maech 13 . 2 &e XOHP CHA 5 CELI . OB drew attention to the state af the lswrelating to persons committing crimes under ga influence of insanity . He reviewed the proceedings in gie case of K'Naughten , and said that it waa impossible is the Jury to have come to anyother ^ exdict , though he Trouia hare preferred that the trial had net been abjspBJ terminated . As to the lair itself , it -was the pnie which had always prevailed , not only in England jjid Scotland but in France , Germany , and other countries , and "Which "was feased on the lair of humanity . 0 in
Be ^ iS » think that any alteration the law -was jBce ^ swy , sad a 2 he ooaaSered requisite was a more egecSTB measure of precaution . A bai of this nature would be ready in a few days ; though looking at the jabrreana latent character of the disease , lie did Dot jaiieijjata that it would prove absolutely effectual gnch occurrences occasionally happened , not only in fins bsl in other countries , and , he feared , would occur hsresf ter , in spite cf all precaution , thongh he hoped fiie forthcoming bai wonldprove oome check npon their ¦• gpetition in this country .
Lord Bbotgham argued that all that -was required » ss whether the individual Jaew that he was doing wroBg , or , in other words , -violating the law . Judges jbcrald direct juries to ascertain whether or not persona jjbB MvKingbten knew that they were committing a breach of the 2 aw ; and if they "were capable of comm&ending tbat fact , and cegnizant of it &fc the time or cfflB-mitttag Qie crime , that ttien they should be liable j » ¦ pnniifeEieB- ^ lifter some ob * ervati « ns from lords COTTEKBAH and -CiSEFBELL ,
The LORD Chascelxob remarked , that theconsideration of thB Government had been directed to the jatject of the prevention of such indiTidnals as Oxford , Francis , * & , from being made pnblic spectacles ; but fijtrs waa no necessity for legislating on it , as her H >}« ty already had the power of placing them under jestraint He would take the earliest opportunity , if their lordships desired it , of summoning the judges Jo give thsir opinions of the whole question . The Bouse then adjourned .
Untitled Article
HOUSE Of COMMOKS . —Mosdat , Mabch 13 . In answer to Six . Mackixsox , Lord Siajtlet said ttat the Government had not yet received snj other iban imperfect accounts from Anti gua ; but he feared Jhat the details in the newspapers , as to the extent ol th 9 damage from the eaxihcra&ke , were not exaggerated . It might , hereafter , he the duty of the GoTetnmeni to sail en tbe House to aid the colony with a loan , the caly shape m "Which they could afford relief . Oa Ike motion for going into a Committee of Ways gad Means .
Di . BowsrsG entered into an explanation of some jtaiements which had been made during the discussion -of the Ordnance estimates on the subject of retaining froepi and establishing barracks in the town of Bolton . Bekutir that many indmdoals in thai town approved of the presence of the troeps and the erection of bar-Bcto , but the principal ratepayers having been called together , joined in a resolution which ha -would read to the House . The resolution referred to the patient and peaceful demeanour of the population of the town ana neighbourhood under the unexampled privations and sufferings whichthey had-undergone j it stated that the meetingisw in the present moTement of the Executive
% very alarming indication of an intention to bring tie country under a system of military despotism , and it expressed the opinion of thB meeting that it -was not desirable , under existing circumstances , to assist in any arrsngementa having for their object the establishment of a military station at Bolton , This resolution wa 3 signed by the gentleman who , at the period of its adoption , was the Mayor of Bolton . He ( Di . Bownng ) 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 oarracks , ut to the establishment of a military station in that town .
5 Ir . P . Aisswosth thought it right to inform the Boasethat the meeting to which his Hon . Colleague tad referred was attended by only nineteen individuals ; sad the 2 &ayor of Bolton , in forwarding the resolution Jo Col Wemyss , stated that he and his brother Magistrates did not concur in ihe opinions which it expressed , lor they conceived it necessary , under the then existing crccmstances , thit the military should be retained in the town . In April the Mayor addressed a communication to the Bight . Hon . Baronet , the Secretary of State for the Home Department , in which he stated tkat the inhabitants had agreed to provide temporary accommo dation for the troops , and he also expressed his conviction that the military ought not then to be removed . He iMx . Ainsworthy begged to inform his Hen . 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 toput it to theHouse-whether they did Dot think that the ilxyoraad Magistrates of Bolton had evinced prudence tndcarfion in the course they had adopted ? In the saicmu of last year that town -was visited by a lawless sob from a distance , who took possession of the town , jtofiered the provision shops , turned ent the artisans , 3 &d -stopped the mills ; and , -without the aid of tbe taEtary and of the yeomanry cavalry , it -would have tess impossible to drive the mob from ihe place . He -sstended , then , that the Magistrates had acted with Jsadable discretion . He might be allowed to state that se of the persons who attended the meeting to which Hi Han . Colleague had al-xided , -was one of the first to Jgjuiia the awnsbuHse of the miHtary for tie protection tlhij own property—( bear , hear ) . Dr . B 0 "WB . I 5 G explained .
ilr . Abssvobth said an . application had bees made to the Bight Hon . Gentleman , the Secretary for the Some Department , to permit the erection of new barneks an Bolton , instead of repairing the old ones . To Sni request the Bight Hon . Baronet declined to accede ; tell lie stated that , in consequence of the opinion which lad been expressed in the borough , with respect to the s&ention of the troops , the eld barracks should be Etaired .
THE CHARTIST TRIALS AT lAtfCASTER . Mr . M . GiBSOS said , he -wished to put a question to iheUight Hon . Baronet opposite ( Sir J . Graham ) with espsct to certain proceedings which had takes place at £ s > recent ChsztiEt trials at Lancaster . Any one "Who bd read the evidence adduced on those trials must tare perceived that numerous attempts were made to ing in the names of parties who had taken an active jart in opposition to the corn laws , and -who had supported the Anti-Corn Xaw League . Endeavours were Side to excite an impressisn that these parties were fia originators of those disturbances which took place a few months since in the manufacturing districts ; but She attempts failed most completely and signally . The tftempts to "which he referred were of such a
remarX-Mi character , that they elicited an observation from S& Learned Judge , who said , " I have not been able Id understand what the introduction , which has been 2 ade several times , of the names of parties connected lah the Anti-Gom Law League , and of other parties , as bsTe to do -with the present question . " A Bimil 3 r teling was entertained by a great number of persocs fte were present Hyring ihe trial ; they felt that an Stempt was made to inculpate parties who , not being fefore the court , did not pessess the means of refniiBg fe accusatio n- One of the witnesses -who gave evidenca - ihia zatnre was a person named James WDcox "who * u called for the prosecution by the Attorney-General , Bd upon his crcss-ExammBtJon by Mx . F . © 'Conner an Kempt was made to draw statements from iim
Mi B . Escott wished to know whether the Hon . iemher far Manchester was in order in tfeus intro-&cnj a quEstion arising upon a trial which took Sice in a distant part cf ths country ! ( Cries ol ¦ order .- ) The Speaker said the Hon . llembe ? for Manchester * a » in order , there being now a question before the ficmse . Mr . M . Gibsos continued . —The Attorney-General a ^ ** "witness for the prosecution a person named ^ awa W 2 cox .. who stated , as it appeared to him [ Mr-®* en ) from a perusal of the trial , some very unim-Patent facts , but in the eoEs-examination of EM » wit-?«» , bj Mr . Fesrgns 0 - Conaeran attempt was made
, flaw from him statements calculated to inculpate BS Anti-Corn Law League . TMb -witness stated in the ^ ae of hi « examinatioiL , that previously to the trial « * ad been in correspondence with the Bight Hon . «» net the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-» at , ana he iMz . Gibsoni -vrished to ask that Bight *«* . Gesileman whtther he-would object to lay on the **« of the House any letters or correspondence which « 2 passed between himself and Mx . James WBcox . * afcongb he had no doubt that all the proceedings cob-^ ka- * 5 th the recens trials had "been perfectly regu-^ he must confess he regarded it as extraordinary ?* the Bight Hon . Baronet ( Sir James Graham , ) who
g » Kkjo 23 Ed by Mr . Peargus OXtonnor as a witness ^^ fitf ence , should have been allowed to leave Lan-?« f en condifion that Mr . James Wilcox , a witness ^ " ^ proBecution , should be called in his stead . He 2 ^ it strange that one of the defendants should ^ iiote a -witness for the prosecution for one whoa he j T ?« % * aed in his own defence . He had derived the r-atffiiiion wHch is possessed on this subject from *™ S £ ihe reports of the trial in the newspapers , and j klad ma-stated any fact he hoped that some Hon . r «« i would correct Mm . He had no denbt the pro-^^ had "been quite regular ; bnt he -wished to r *» * heaier the Bight Hon . Barons * would object to ^ g > dccfion of ths 'whole correspoodence on this
I ^^ . J-GsiHiK would endeavour to answer { be S bS ^ 01 ^ Hon . Member as far as the drcumBtances U fea ^ ^ ^ A referred came -within his own know-1 fi J ^^ 6 *» d be « n informed just before he came Sown B lo ^ S 6 B ™ " M € H 1 D € r for Manchester intended to put 9 * a SJW 1 to ****** m to his correspondence with a per-S Jew ? " 573001 - He ( Sir J Graham ) did not remem-S >^ f ? g teard the name ol that person until ie was 1 fcta ^ - tfae Co ^ rtHouBe , at Lancaster , uponasubjj ^ zT ^^ iereceived from ene of tha defendants in ^ fca& ^ t ^ 11 "Irhei 1 the Attornpy-GeHeral informed |;| fci ^^ presence was no longer necessary , as an s tf ^ 1116111 11 ^ I > 6 eam 3 de that a person of the name g It- j ^^^ ald be caned inTus place . Hi 3 Hon . and I ? & ^^ liai § iibe Attorney-General } would state the S " ^^ a viiich led to that arrsBFement . "UnrD
Untitled Article
the name of Jamea Wficox was mentioned onthatocca . non , he { Sir J . Graham ) was not aware that he had rrer heard of that person , but it -was now stated that hi the course of the last autumn this individual addressed a letter to him . H « ( Sir J . Graham ) had searched the public records of his office , as well as his private correspondence , and he could discover no trace of tile receipt of any such letter , or of any answer having been returned . Hb could assure the Hon . Member that , not only could he find no trace of such correspondence , but that he had not the slightest recollection
of the receipt of any letter from a person of tbe name of Wilcox . At the time ef the outbreak he received "very anmerons communications by letter from tile disturbed districts , bat he was in the habit of BEnoing all letters bearing upon the transactions to the 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 ifarchester intimated his intention of proposing this qnestion ,- bnt he would apply to him , and perhaps he might possess Borne knowledge of ths letter referred to .
The Attosset-Gkseral said , as the Hon . Member opposite had expressed surprise that a witness for the prosecution should have been accepted by ene of the defendants in the place of the Bight Hon . Gentleman , it might be satisfactory for him to state to the House the circumstances under which the arrangement was made . The Kight Hon . Baronet { Sir J . Graham ) was subjeeanefl by one of the defendants to altend at Lancaster , and he accordingly proceeded there , althongh his a ** ence from town was attended "With great inconvenience to the public Berries . Some communication took place between him ( the Attorney-General ) and tLe Hon . Member for Sutherlandshire ( Mr . D . Dundas ) , who appeared for one of tke prisoners ; and he was informed that as the presence ef 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 Attorney-General ) that if it was intended to call Wilcox , Mr . Feargus O'Connor was 'willing that thB Right Hon . Baronet { Sir J . Graham ) should return to London , as he expected to get from Wilcox all the information he wished to obtain from tha Bight Hon . Baronet His ( the Attorney-General ' s ) intention was , from a regard to the interests of the country , to ha-ve examined Wlicox , irrespective of any such arrangement as that to which he had alluded . The Hon . and Learned Member for Sntheriaudahire alBo coneeived that the f nrther attendance of the Right Hon . Baronet would be
nnnecess&xy ; and he { the Attorney-General ) , therefore , publicly informed the Learned Judge -of the arrange-» ent H « conld 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 csrtain transactions ¦ which occurred during the outbreak in Lancashire . Wilcox was examined for tie prosecution , and he was then cross-examined by Mr . O'Connor with reference altogether to certain communications made by him to the Home Department He ( the Attorney-General ) bjected to this line of examination , stating that although he did not wish to place Mr , O'Connor in a worse position than he would have been in had his Right Hon . Friend ( Sir J . Graham ) been examined , he must pat it to the court whether , if that Right Hon . Geatleman had been under examination , he could have been called upon to produce the communications to which reference was made ; and the
Learned Judge decided that if those communications ¦ were made to the Right Hon . Gentleman in his official capacity , he could not be required to produce them . He ( the Attorney-General ) could assnre the House that , throughout the proceedings , be had objected to all questions which could tend to inculpate parties who were not befere the conrt ( Hear , hear . ) He was sure that if any Hon . Member had read the proceedings attentively , he 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 an attempt was made toelicit evidence reflecting onabsent persons , with regard to whom such evidence would have been a calumny , he interposed all tbe authority -which he possessed in order to confine tbe investigation to the single jndicial purpose for which it was instituted . ( Hear , bear )
ill . M . Gibso * had not imputed to the Hon . and Learned Attorney-General , as the prosecutor in the case to which he had alluded , any desire to inculpate absent parties . Having read the eridence 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 dies of " order ") to drag in the names of absent individuals ( renewed shouts of 41 order ) , that the Learned Jndge—The Spe ^ S-EB said , the Hon . Member must be aware that he conld not again address the House on the subject on which he bad before spoken . Mr . T . Dcucohbe thought it right to stale that be had received several communications \» ilh reference to the
trials to which allusion had been made , and he was bound to say that the conduct of the Attorney-General had given universal satisfaction to men of all parties . — ( Hear , hear . )
THE HALIFAX BOARD OP GOAEDIAKS . On the question teat the Speattr do leave the chair preparatory to the House resolving itself into committee of ways and means , Mr . Fekhasd rose to move , as an amendment , for a list of the guardians of the Halifax Union who assembled at the Board on Wednesday , the lat of March instant , specifying the ea ojneio guardians from the elected guardians ; also a list of the guardians who were not present , specifying the tx officio guardians from the elected guardians ; also the name of the Assistant Poor Lvw Commissioner who attended the board ; also a copy of their minuses and proceedings as well as of ihe 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 adopted by the board on the 1 st day of March . He felt that in bringing forward this motion he owed some apology to the House and to the Right Bon . Gentleman , the Chancellor of the Exchtqner . 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 reqnest it would sot have been necessary for him to adopt his present course . In the discharge of his parliamentary duties he ( Mr . Ferrand ) had deemed it necessary to allude to the conenct of Mx . Clements , an assistant Poor Law Commissioner . He stated that , from information he had received from private sources , and from
public papers , he considered that Mx . Clements had conducted himself in an insolent and overbearing . manner in attempting to enforce the 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 upon his ( Mr . Ferrand ' s ) conduct fer having alluded to > "Tn in this House . He , understood that there was reason to bsslieve that that meeting , at which eighteen guardians attended , was not convened by a proper notice issued by tne clerk to the who : e body of guardians . At that meeting the Board : of Guardians resolved tkat a strong athletic man should ; be appointed , at a weekly salary , to act in the capacity of taskmaster , for the purpose of applying a more > sevETB test to the out-door labourers . It would be
] found that -the Board of Guardians having , with the I sanction of Mr . Clements , decided upon adopting % more severe test in xespeet of out-door labour , had also decided upon adopting a more severe test within the ' workbeuse . The question was brought before the board how that test could be most advantageously « n-; forced , and < lifFerent plans having been proposed , that of - a treadwheel was discussed , and how many men it ¦ would employ . This treadwheel the Board of ! guardians directed to be erected , and a member of the ' board undertook to see it erected . He had stated this ! Borne time ago , whtn he last addresred the bouse on this i subject . The Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J- Graham ; stated 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 ( Mx . Ferrand ) next day recerved moreinfonnation from another person . The Right Hon . Baronet , however , again said that thB mill was only a com-mill , and that he was told that by tbe , _ Poor Law Commissioners . The board of guardians of the TT » KfaT Union had passed a resolution 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 tx otficio guardians , and this was passed by the Board of Guardians , Mx . Clements , the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner , assisting at the meeting . The same day an order was passed , with the sanction and approbation of Mi . Clements , for excluding tbe reporters
of tile public press from the board-room during the meetings of the board . But what sort cf a com-mill had been erected , did the House think ? Why , none at si ]; bnt , instead , a rag machine had been-erected , for the purpose of grinding raga obtained from thepsoi of the towns on the continent , and Impregnated with all manner of contagion and filth , and he was told that tbe stench was so great , and the dust arising from the grinding so oppressing , that they had the greatest difficulty in parts of Yorkshire , where rags of this kind were ground for the purpose of defrauding by the cloth manufacturers , to get persons to undertake the work . But , in order to make this more of an infliction on the poor pauper , the wheel 'was to be
worked by capstans , which were to be turned by tbe poor like horses . There capstans were to be worked at not only by the feet , but by the hands and breasts . According to the opinion of a medical gentleman whom he had Been , it was highly injurious to the health to labour in thiB way , and was likely to end in apoplexy . This was what was abeutte be erected in the Halifax union workhouse for tbe employa «» t of the poor there , either with or without the knowledge of the Poor Law Commissioners ; if they know of it , then they had deceived the House in the Statement vrhisb they had snthorzed the Bight Hon . Baronet to make in his place ; if they did not know of it , then they had neglected their dnty . But ha would call the attention of the House to a com mill within a stone's
Untitled Article
throw of the place whore they were sitting . In the Lambeth union workhouse a corn-mill had been erected for the purpose of mote teverely testing the labour of the poor ; and he asked the House to decide , that night , whether such things were to be suffered in this eountry or not At this com mill , in the Lambeth union workhoase , he found ' it was intended that slxty-four persons were to work 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 . Tbe mUl was under a shed . And what was the object of t&is contrivance ? Why , Whenever & pool person came to the workhouse to ask for a loaf of bread , he was to be shown those
poor wretches working at the crank under a shed—( hear , hear , hear ) . But another exposure 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 , and that in tbe year 1812 no fewer than 2 . 299 persons had been imprisoned in her Majesty ' s gaols for breaches of these rules and regulations . He would not detain the House further ; he would only say that the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J . Graham ) had insinuated that he ( Mr . Ferrand ) had stated in the House what was not true , and the Right Hon . Baronet called on the House not to place too much confidence in what he said , Now , whatever he might think of the Right Hon . Baronet ' s conduct to him , a enpporter of her Majesty ' s Government , as he had been ,
whenever he conscienttoubly could be , he had to tell the Kight Hon . Baronet that the question was between the Right Hon . Baronet and himself which of their statements coincided with truth . If the Right Hon . Bart could indnce tbe 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 Bhould 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 Uiat the production of the papers weuld show not only so much cruelty , and such ill-treatment of the poor that it would not be expedient to produce them , bnt also that if the poor did not like to , enter an union workhouse , they had nothing left to look forward to but the Right Hon . Baronet ' s com-miiL
Mr . Waiter seconded the motion . Sir J . Graham hoped the House would agree with him that on the present oecaaien it would not be expedient that he should follow the Hon . Member for Knaresborough ( Mr . Ferxand ) into any of the new matter that he had adduced . Ths 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 less did he intend to follow tbe Hon . Member to the leading article of the Times newspaper , or into anything which might have been states there that morning . It would be mnch better , in his opinion , to confine himself to the motion before the house . The Hon . Member
bad charged him with saying that he ( Mr . Ferrand ) had made an untrue statement to the house . His ( Sir Jas . Graham ' s ) respect for tbe House—he had almost said for himself—would have prevented him , he trusted , from doing any such thing ; but be did say , that from the zeal of the Hon . Member he received such exaggerated statements , that without the Hou . Gentleman ' a 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 the mill was to be turned bya capstan or any other power ; but the House would remember that the statement of the Hon . Member was that a treadmill was erected there .
Mr . F £ EBaxd . —I said a treadwheel . Sir J . Graham resumed , by observing , that he understood it to be a treadmill , according to tbe Hon . Member ' s statement , and tbe Hon . Gentleman went so far as to say that tbe workhouses were to be made prisons of ; and he ( Pir J . Graham ) , taking the usual acceptance of the term " treadmill , " positively denied , as far as ha was informed , that any treadmill was to be erected in the workhouse in question . The Hon . Gentleman had that evening wandered away to a tagmill ; but this was not much to the purpose , because he ( Sir J . Graham ) did not say that no mill had been erected ; be did say that tbe mill in question was to be worked by hand . He believed that it was to be applied to tbe grinding of com . He was mistaken . The mill was not to be applied to grind corn , but rags ; with that exception be was satisfied that his first statement to the House was not in tbe least incorrect The Right Hon .
Gentleman then proceeded to read a letter from Mr . Clements , in whick he stated that the guardians of the Halifax Union had taken steps for the erection of a hand-mill for tbe purpose of giving work to the idle paupers who had no objection to remain in the workhouse . The Right Hon . Gsntleman then went on to say that he was glad to see tbe Hen . Member for Halifax ( Mr . a Wood ) in his place , because , he ( Sir J . Graham ; had 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 Coulston , and he said , that having observed it stated that the Board of Guardians of the Halifax Union proposed to erect a tread-wheel in the workhouse , and that Mx . Clements had not prevented it , he conld only say that no » uch thing bad taken place , and that , if there had , every member of tha board would have scouted it It was
true a rag mill bad 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 , he ( Sir J . Graham ) considered that this motion was tbe same substantially as that which tbe Hon . Gentleman brought forward the other day , and which the House rejected by so large a majority ; and although , strictly speaking , there might have been some breach of privilege involved in the conduct of the Board of Guardians of the Halifax Union , he could not think that it would be advisable for the House to embark on a question of breach of Dlivileee under the guidance of the'Hon . Member for
Knaresborough . It would not be prudent—it would not be discreet With respect to Mr . CJementa 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-officers , had been a great many years in the service of the public , and that charge of the Hon . Member's being both unjust and inaccurate , he ( Sir J . Grabam ) could not see any great objection , beyond the technical one relative to
privilege , in their coming to a resolution that the conduct ef Mr . Clements was not such as had been described , and not deserving the censure that the Hon . Member had passed npon it , and that the 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 tbe original motion , and bo avoid the difficulty of the breach of privilege which the 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 npon by the Right Hon . Baronet , he had pleasure in stating that Mx . Coulston was ene of the most respectable persons in Halifax , and that his assertions might be perfect y jeliedon . 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 . Ross Baid , he rose to explain and apologize to the House for having been perfectly wrong in what he said about Mr . Clements the other night There was another apology which he wished to make . When the Hon . Member for Knaresborongb . 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 him , that he said if the Hon . Member for Nottingham did not second the metion he ( Mr . Ross ) wonld ; bnt when the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J . Graham ) spoke , he ' ( Mr . Ross ) saw that he was wrong , and it turned out that he was the means of leading some Hon . Members to vote with the Hon . Member for Knaresborongh who would not otherwise have done so—( "Hear , " and langhter . ) But he bad only to propose to the Hon . Member for Knaresborough with respect to this subject , as far as Mr . Clements was concerned , teat he should be happy to be the means of introducing Mr . Clements , who was now in town , to the Hon . Member—( A laugh . ) Mx . R . Yobke said he did not find that there had
been any positive contradiction given to what the Hon . Member for Knaresborough had asserted . It seemed there had been a meeting—a packed meeting , as be called it , from not having been regularly summoned , of the board of guardians , at which was passed tbe resolution in question , which the Hon . Member said bad been brought ready cut and dried-from his own house by one of tbe ex officio guardians . Now this looked , he must say , Tery much as if tbe resolution bad been- preconcerted , and if preconcerted , it was not impossible that it might proceed from personal motives ; and that
possibility appeared the more striking when they found that ; the board of guardians had since refused the reporters of the public press admittance to their proceedings . Consequently , though « n the last occasion un which this subject was before the House he ( Mr . R . Yorke ) had voted against the Hon Member fer Knaresborongh , and though it was not his wish t" 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 . G . Wood was understood to say , that he considered the Hon . Member for Knaresboroagk ¦ was inistafecn as to the resolution . Mr . B . Escort thonght the Hon . Member for Knaresr borough conld answer himself , and overturn his own argument , for , as related to the use of the treadwhtel , the motion of the Hon , Gentleman could not be sus-
Untitled Article
tained upon any substantial ground . As to the excln . sioa of reporters , tha board of guardians were autnoaixerf to adopt that couwe . 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 Knaresborough after the substantial ground « f the motion was taken away Mr . Wallace considered it a matter of great importance that there should be no concealment in matters relating ta the manner In which the poor were treated in the Union workhouses —( hear , hear ) . If , as it was calculated ,, 1 , 500 , 000 peisona were 8 » bj 9 cted to the regulations by wb ^ ch the Union workhouses were regulated , it was the imperative duty of English genllemen to look to the -regulations to which they were
snbjected —( 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 siguify-4 f labour in that shape waa imposad , the mattex ought to be inquired Into—( hear , hear ) . If it were a mill for grinding xags , ox for making what the Hon Member for Knarea borough called last year " the devil ' s dust , " to be used aa manure , or for other purposes , nothing could be more unwholesome or destructive to the human frame—( hear , hear ) . The 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 the manner in which it was intended to employ them—( hear , hear ) . He hoped the Noble Lord the Membex for Dorsetshire , who had rendered auch service to his country ~( cheers )—by taking up the questions of factories and mines , would take care to see that the poor people of this country should not be engaged in such an unwholesome employment as grinding rags into dust—( heax , hear ) . With this view of the case , he would support the motion of the Hon . Member for Knaresborouah .
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 fox any communication on the subject between the Poor Law Commissioners and the board of guardians of Halifax —( hear , hear ) . If sush a motion were made he was sure the Right Hon . Baronet at tbe Head of the Home Department would not object to it , and he ( Mr . Wortley ) would make such & motion—( hear , hear . ) Mr . FeEBAMD ' S only object was to let the House and the country know what had taken place . He found that there was a treadwheel ordered far the Halifax Union , which was to hold from four to forty ' persona He did not know what had since occurred , and he would take no steps to bring Mr . Clements to the bar of tbe House if the papers were produced .
Mr . S . Craw ford felt himself bound to vote for the motion , with a view to obtain information as respected ths manner in which the poor were treated in the workhouse ; but in voting for tbe motion it Was not his wish to go into the privilege question . Mr . Hume wonld support the motion of the Hon . Member for Knaresborough , on the ground that when there were any complaints as to abuses with respect to the labour done in workhouses no attempt at secrecy should be made by excluding the press . Under aucb circumstances , irqairy became incumbent , and therefore the Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir James Graham ) ought not to object to the production of tbe papers asked for by the Hon . Member fox Knaresboxough—( heax , heax ) .
Six J . Graham would admit that if abuses were alleged to exist in tbe practice of an ; Union workhouse it was fit and proper that the HouBe should inquire into the subject ; and if the Hou . Member for the West Riding of Yorkshire ( Mr . Wortiey ) wished to move for papers relating to the nature ot the wheel used and the work done in the Halifax workhouse , there would be no objection to their production but the motion of the Hon . Member for Knaresborough referred to tbe 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 strenuously object—( Hear , hear . ) Tae gallery was then cleared for a division , but none took place . On out return we found
Sir . R . Peel arguing that the motion of the Hob . Member for Knaresborough pointed to no distinct object He ( Sir R . Peel ) understood it as a renewal of the quc 8 tiou of privilege , and that it was the intention of the Hou . Gentleman to enforce the charge against Mr . Clements . Into that question the House , in his opinion , bad better not enter . —( Hear , bear . ) No person had more at heart the privileges of the House than he , but it was because of his regard for them tkat he would not 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 he should endeavoux to free himself from it , and it would be very hard if be were not at liberty to do so —( hoax , hear ) The House did not enforce its privileges with respect te the publication of the debates , and it was natural if a man wre injuxed by those publications that he should try and set himself right—( hear , heax ) .
Mr . T . Duncombe said , he understood the motion to be , that if the House were put in possession of certain official papers the Hon . Member fox Knaresborongh would exculpate Mr . Clements from any charge of breach ef privilege . As the House waa about to alter the New Poor law , it was desirable that it should be put in possession of the character and working of one of the union workhouses , which was looked upon aa a pattern one —( hear , bear ) . The Hon . Member for Knaresborough only asked for tbe proceedings and minutes relating to a particular day , and those minutes were refused , on the ground that the motion was mixed
np 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 tbe board of guardians under bis influence—( bear , hear ) . Why , he should like to know , were copies of the proceedings refuBed J The resolution did not reflect on Mx . Clements , it merely asked for certain papers , that the House might be put in possession of what occurred on a particular day-Mhear , hear ) . They could not legislate fairly on the amendments proposed to be made in the Poor Law if the paper a were refused —( hea r ^ hear ) .
Lord J . Russell did not understand the question in tbe way in which it appeared to be understood by tbe Hon . Member for Finsbury , and hu would therefore vole the other way . After what had fallen from the Right Hon . Gentleman the Secretary for the Home Department , he understood that there was noobjection to furnish every information respecting the nature of the work done or the manner of employment in the Halifax Union workhouse—( hearr bear ) . He could not infer from the course adopted by Government any intention of withholding Information either as to that or any other workhouse ; but the Hon . Member fox Knaxesborough , amongst other grievances , complained of a breach of privilege on the part of Mr . Clement * , an Assistant
Poor Law Commissioner , and grounded the complaint on a resolution adopted by tbe Board of Guardians at Halifax —( bear , hear ) . The House did not shut out tbe reporters from the press , and when it waa 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 tbe resolution 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 of such contests ; but as regarded tbe other part—namely , the manner in which the union was conducted asd the work performed , he thought that every information Bhould be given —( hear ) .
Mr . G . Knight said , he had an account of the matter yesterday from Mi . Clement ' s own lips , and thai gentleman assured him tbat he had used no influence with the Board of Guardians to induce them to pass the resolution , nox had he any hand at all in it Mr . Clements was pxesent when it passed , but he did not wish it to pass , nor had it his concurrence . Mr . Clements also told him tkat there was neither a treadmill nox a treadwheel in the union , but there was a handinill , which had not then been introduced for the first time , but had been there for several years . The labour was by no means severe , and it was found to be the best mode of employing able-bodied paupers , more especially as it was difficult to find labour for them which would not interfere with out-door employment . Mr . Ferrand then obtained leave to withdraw bis motion .
The House then went into a committee of Ways and Meana , and a formal vote . waa taken ; after which , on the motion fox going into committee on tbe Registxation of Voters Bill , Six 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 . On the fifth clause a division took place , on an addition moved by Mr . T . Duncombe , that the grounds of objectlona to voters should be added , instead of tbe simple words , " objected to ; " but this was rejected by 67 to 47 ,
Mr . Tofnexl proposed , that when an overseer objected to a vote , he should be compelled to give notice of the objection to the voter . This amendment was resisted by Sir James Graham , and rejected by 91 to 38 . ; At the 11 th clause , Mr . ; Elphinstone 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 taxea should have nothing to de with the exercise of the franchise . I Sir James Graham said that , at the time the Reform Bill passed , it waa understood that , bad it not been for the tax and rate paying qualification , a higher basis for tbe franchise would have 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 tbe penalty to be inflicted on the raisers of frivolous objection 8 raised considerable debate , tbe amounts suggested varyiDg from 20 s , to £ 5 .
Untitled Article
Colonel Sibthokp proposed £ 3 instead of 20 a .. which was resisted by 164 to 34 . Having arrived at clause 48 , the ; further progress of the bill was adjourned , and the oti ^ er orders were disposed of .
Untitled Article
TO THE EDITOR OF IHE NORTHERN STAR . 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 8 ubpceo «< i tO Stand in tha witness-box against me I He is sow at Lane End , in tbe Potteries , ready to conu > to Stafford when wanted . I suppose he- will swear after the vile fashion he did , at Lancaster . Nevermind . I donot believe that my foca will be permitted to have all their will . i I passed a delightful day , yesterday ! at Wednesbuxy . Ground has been purchased by Mr . Banks , and presented for building thereon a People ' s Hall . Collections were made at tne dose of my discourses for this purpose . Prospects look solidly promising at Wednesbury . Chartism has been sorely shattered at Bilston and the adjoining towns , by the late accursed " strike ;" but the erection of a People's Hall at jWednesbuxy , the central town of this immense mining district , must have a healthful and restorative influence on Bilston
and the other towns . . I passed Saturday afternoon with W-hite and Mason , in Birmingnam . I cannot help recording my regret that John Musoo—one of the most inttUectual men in eur movement , and surpassed by none in sincerityhas returned to-his humble txade of a shoemaker . And yet , all honour to him!—he says he feels himself bound , as an independent man , to do this , la preference to perauibulatiug . the land , and becoming a , burthen te the people in the present poverty-strioken condition of Chartism . This is noble , and yet the losa of such a man's exercise of talent , from day to-day , is much to be lamented . I am , dear Hill , Your ' a truly , THOMAS COOPER . Stafford , Monday , March 13 th .
Untitled Article
HARMONY HALIu LETTER II TO THB EDITOR OP THE N 0 RIEERN STAR . Sia—My last letter , in treating of ; what ifl contemplated by the Socialists , or rather the Rationalists , a term which they prefer , took a reviejw of the courae pursued by Bobert Owen , the founder of the Rational System , and claimed for him the consistent and undeviatlng pursuit of the object with which he 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 should provide for the well-being and happiness of the whole of the human race .
I took this course , not with the view of indulging in personal , remarks xespecting Mx . Owen , whose conduct as a disciple of his principles , I believe to have been necessitated , and tberefoxe no more praiseworthy than that of any other individual ; but because I bold the opinion that the period has arrived , jwhen unity of operation must pervade all who desire to effect the change which is now so imperiously required ; and I know no person whose knowledge , either of the great wants of the people , or ef the xeadieat mode of obtaining
those wants , is equal to Mr- Owen's , and I wished the Chartist body to 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 knojv whexe 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 investigation will , I think , place him aa the centre from Which the union should radiate .
I had also another object in view ; namely , that of placing my subject on a broad national ox rather universal basis , above all sectional and party considerations ; for whilst such subjects as those I shall have to treat of are looked to fox mere personal safety , it is impossible tbat we can secure the object ; we desire ; ner wwuld it be just tbat we should do eoj if we are prepared to leave any portion of our fellow beings to suffer the pain and misery which all must soon feel , if [ redress be not obtained . ; Tke position in which all classes are now placed in thla country , differs most essentially from anything of which we have record in human history . Individual wealth , and general poverty , were never so strongly marked before ; and tbe distinction is daily being made wider and broader , and must continue to be so , until a great and irresistible demand ahall ? 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 clearly pointed out ;
From the desire for happiness which pervades all that have life , thexe can be no doubt but that in proportion as all become convinced of a change being for their benefit , they will be made to advocate it ; and Buch a change as ia contemplated by the founder of the Rational System , will equally benefit the highest with the lowest individual in the state . Tbe problem which the Rationalists have taken upon themselves to solve is , that men can jlive together in unity , producing for themselves all th ' e necessaries of life ; distributing what they , produce , equally and justly , in accordance to the wants of , all ; educating their children to the highest possible extent , physically , mentally , and morally , and governing * , their aff . drs 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 to the world more practically the courae they wished to pursue , ana in 1839 this estate was taken , and the land operations commenced . ! You justly remarked , in an article which appeared in your paper sometime since , respecting j the land , tbat no body of men had ever encountered one-tenth part of the opposition that the Socialists * bedy jhad met with ; and the whole 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 System , when they shall have been placed in the hands of men nsed to combined business-like operations , will soon place it above all competition ; and it must go forward at a most rapid pace , caxxying beforejit all opposing influences . Tbestt 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 j directed , will open a path for the future progress of man , to the highest happiness that his nature ia 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 whosp previous habits had not prepared them for such a work , is a sufficient guarantee of what can be done , when all the necessary circumstances are provided ; for we may even now challenge the world to produce the same number of peraouB associated together jwho 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 fox humanity , when our fellowmen shall have looked seriously at the difficulties with which they are surrounded ; fox whenever this shall be done , and personal feelingjshall give way to the contemplation of the gTeat cbangej . iequired , then may the whole of the popul&tioa , no ^ i only of tkia country , but of the world , be placed in ; the condition permanently to enjoy allth . it they can desire .
let anything at all approaching to a union , even of the working classes , new take place ; 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 terms ; on whieh the business of the country shall be in future conducted . Let these terma be just and fair , towards all other classes , and they will not only not oppose them , but the good and the wiae of all classes will heartily desire immediately te co-operate for their introduction ; for it would be a gross libel on human n ' atuxe to suppose , that anything but ignorance of their own welfare and the fear of losing their xelative position , could induce the main body of the tipper classes to stand aloof , and witness the misery and devastation ! which is now goiDg on around them . j
The reflective among the upper classes , must see the precariousnesB of their own positions , and that they do so , ia strongly evidenced by the debates that have alreadv taken place in Parliament , since its meeting . The Government acknowledge freely , the extent of the distress , and the ; also admit that they are unprepared with an adequate xemedy , and it will thexefoxe be necessary tbat those who believe they possess one , should take care to be prepared to urge it npon the attention of their fellowmen , for in such a ' atate of mind , they will all soon listen with breathless anxiety .
That such a remedy is at hand I unhesitatingly affirm , and provided I can , in the course of the series of letters which youhave given 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 beard and listened to attentively by the Government ; and the' redress which they seek shall be given them without let ox
hindrance . Tae times are in every way propitious for such a courae being adopted ; we have a Btrong powerful Government , centered almost entirely injan individual , for no one vill deny that upoa Six Robert Peel alone depends the course which the present Government
Untitled Article
mnst tak e « this individual ia by no means unacquainted with the principles and details of tbe system I shall have to c ill your attention to , and his readiness to bend to tl e powerful ii flnence of circumstances is become quite proverbial . Let us then put away all minor party and personal considerations in approaching this great and go . " Alike work ; the misery of our fellowmen calls aloud « i ion u 8 to ubo evexy exertion to find them redress , and i f this appeal be too indistinct to be heard by any among «* we can add to the fact that misery exists to a- $ re » te * extent than waa ever before known ; the additional A ^ e , that there ifi not one among us -who ia safe even fa , a day or an hour , from being overwhelmed in th « » ame general misery .
No , my friend . depend on it there is not one among us who is safe , m ' is it right there shauld be ; we are all members of » | reat universal family , and the wellbeing of every hs * ividual of that family must besought equally by each of- "S . The times now require great , noble , and daring el Torts to be made , to overpower such a weight of misery » » presses upon us ; and an appeal to the right aymp&tizi es of human nature has never yet been made iavein , n ? r will it be so in tbe present in * stance . I ai -n Sir , Your obedient servant , William Galpin .
Untitled Article
NEWCASTLE . —The Chartists of Newcastle and Gateshead held their weekly meeting on Monday evening , Mx . Fleming in the Chair . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A letter was also read from Mr . Arran , of Hull , stating that Mr . Robert Peddie would favour the people of Newcastle with a visit , on his way to Edinburgh , in a few days . After entering into arrangements for the reception of Mx . Peddie , and disposing of some other local business , tbe meeting adjourned . SOUTH S 3 IEI . es . —Lea « ve Consistency . —A public meeting of the South Shields section of the anti-Corn Law League was held on the evening of Thursday last in the Union School Room . Soon after eigbt o ' clock , the doors were thrown open to the public , and a Mr . Brown waa proposed to the chair . Mr . Kidd , a journeyman shoemaker , proposed that Mr . GilfiUan , an honest woxking man , take the chaix . 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 the gentlemen proposed to tbe decision of the meeting ; assigning as his reasons for so doing that the meeting was got up by the League , and although the public were invited to the meeting , they were not expected to take anyjoart ;
and if any gentleman felt dissatisfied at their moilfe of proceeding , and in any way interrupted them in this course , they would be 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 wonld appear to any impartial observer that they had no faith in the line of policy they advocated , or else , if they believed it to be true , 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 oi the honest inhabitants to sympathise with Mr . K ., and bail was given that he should appear
before the Bench of Magistrates in tbe morning ; upon which he was liberated , and returned to the meeting . After listening patiently to the harangue of the League until they bad tired themselves , and said they wexe done , Mr . Kidd baaded them a written challenge , stating that he would discuss tbe subject with any gentleman present , or with any gentleman in England upon equal terms , and undertake to prove that a repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws iu the present unprotected state of labour , wonld not benefit the industrious clasBes of these realms . They would not . accept the challenge . Ttiey 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 Mx . K . made bis case so clearly appear before the Magistrates that they felt it their dnty to acquit him , and gave a severe reprimand to the League fox publishing bills without knowing the meaning of them ; that if they invited the public to their meetings , they must be prepaxed to allow the public to take a part in such meetings ; that neither Mr . Kidd or the public did more oa that occasion than they were entitled to ; nor had they exceeded the conduct of Mr . Mather on former occasions prior to his going to the League . SOWERBY . —Mr . Benjamin Rushton , of Overden , preached here . on Sunday afternoon and evening .
Ipsfore Wovm Aiatrtoig
iPSfore Wovm aiatrtoig
Untitled Article
John and Mary , Ann Corby , of Northamptor , bad a daughter registered last week in the name of Mary Ann M'DonaU Corby . Lately , at Morley Church , Feargus O'Connor Squire Wood , son of John and Rachel Wood , of Churlwell . Christened at Christ Church , NewMill , on Sunday , Allen West Cuttell , the son of William and Harriet Cuttell , Underbank , Holmfirth . Registered on Sunday , at St . John ' s Wood , London , Bobert Emmett Frost . infant son of Thomas and Mary Beaden , 35 , Cochrane Terrace , St . John a Wood .
Democratic Conservatism . —The Standard of Monday eaysi— " A 3 a class , the Irish aristjoerafty are not trust-worthy land , until the Conservative democracy in the Bister island free themselves from aristocratioal guidauoe ^ they will never know » still less will they be able to exeroisei tbeir legitimate power in the community . "
Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR . 7
3$M3maj Ibarlfamort
3 $ m 3 maJ iBarlfamort
Untitled Article
70 THE SOVmS . t'P THE NORTHERN STAB . dlH , —Though , belongifl ? ostensibly to no movement , I hail , and , in my own wa . v , to the utmost of my power , aid every movement fortt ' . e just rights of the working : classes with a readiness pro portioned to the hope I may have of such movement con tributiug to the desired end . Of all classes of aooiety I eo nsider the werkicg classes to be the most useful , the most nib the mercy of the * other classes , the most eruell y used , and « the most infamously deprived of their jut't rights , in the constitution of their country . In the guilt of thus depriving them of tkeir just rights , I look upoa all otter oxdexs of men amongst us as wilful particii ators ; such as parsons .
lawyers , judges , rich- jurors , manufacturers , agriculturists , squires , senators , and lords ; & for king or queen , B ) ackstonena& shewn ns tbat the greatest lawyers in the world have settled it full ;* , tbat as they never die , but possess , ubiquity , omniscience and omnipotence , so they never do wrong . It is only * within thehour that I have seen hi your paper of Much 4 th , thd ' first part of Sir Frederick Pollock ' s address to the Jury at Lancaster . March 1 st , and I must say tbat by one particnlar in that address I have been mex& grieved than I could readily express . Sir Frederick , says that the object of the defendants was to procfriee a change in some of tbe fundamental parts of" the constitution !
Now , this is- a modified and guarded statement of the vulgar error bo prevalent . among that class of men composing Juries , and so much more likely than any ether to bios and corrupt their judgments . I have heard it affirmed by auch men continually , " those base wretches , the Chartists , want ts overturn all things—they want to destroy our glorious constitution of Church and State , and to aet op some newfangled government of their own . * ' ' Now , Mr . Editor , though a clergyman , I am a Chartist myself , arid I know great multitudes of Chartists ,, and although I know nothing but nonsense
of " our glorious Constitution of Church and State , " I know a great deal ( and I love all I know ) of " our glorious Constitution of King , Lords , and Commons . " I also know tbat it is the aole » bj . ect of the People ' s Charter to complete and purify the Comnioas , and by law to ebtain fox , 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 Fredexick Pollock should have laid hold of such a contemptible and pernicious error , which be must know to be so prevalent amongst our squires , magistrates , and other rich ( though not necessarily intelligent , judicious , and worthy for being xieh ) men , and that be should have made use of it for the express purpose of eliminating and bringing to heavy punishment tbosft who have already endured so much from , the operation of such exror in oux squires , and magistrates , and other rich men , —is to me " a lamentation , and shall be fox a lamentation . " 1 pray God the Jury may have been aware of the unsoundness of this main part of the foundation of the Attorney-General ' s speech , and that the defendants may have had all such benefit of . such discovery as they may have been houestly entitled to . I have been led to admire , and
oven love , Six Frederick Pollock ' s private character greatly , and it is very painful to think that aay unworthy public professional act should emanate from any euch worthy private character ; but , alas ! not only on what is called religion , but on political subjects of a great exciting interest , too much is taken upoa trust , and class -prejudices are engendered , to the grievous irijury of individuals , aye , and of even whole communities . Hence , when an Attorney-General , or even a . Judge , says " We know nothing of Chaxtista 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 suffer grievously therefrom . May God defend the upright , even in this world (
H . ParcE , Minister of Christ ' s Church , In Needwood , Staffordshire March 6 , 1843 .
€L)Atti&T ' Finteuicgnce.
€ l ) atti&t ' finteUicgnce .
-
-
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-ncseproduct794/page/7/
-