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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th December 1841, Edition 5 of 5, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THB EXECUTIVE OF THE NATIONAL CHABTEB ABOCIAT 1 ON TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL AND MEMBERS . Beethbbn , —Having assembled in London to teansact the general basinets of oar Association , it becomes onr pleasing duty , et the close of the present Bitting , to address you , and convey through this medium , such information , instruction , and advice , u appear necessary to guide you aright in your movtsunts . The business of the Executive , on this occasion , has been unusually extensive , from the enlargement f oar Association , the increase of correspondence , the general activity that prevails , sad the importftnce of the future proceeding ! which me hare designed

      COBXESPOKDKKCE OP THE EXECUTIVE . In the first place we win adTert te snch portions of f > ia correspondence laid before as , as are ot importanee , aad require general notice . Many letters have been received from Northampton and Leicester , seeking a new arrangement for the representation of those places in the Convention . And in lancashire , and one or two other places , arrangements sot in accordance with those already laid down have been sought . Bat , In sarveyinga map of the kingdom , we do not think a more equal representation could be devised than that set forth in the Address issned at our last sitting .

      We beg , therefore , urgently to impress on oar brethren in the various localities the great necessity of obeerring one systematic plan . If each part of the kingdom is to act in the mair-iirbest suiting its peculiar interests or etaeamstances ? J after a national adjustment of representation , tbei a ire to fee numerous departure * from it ; if , in sections , the people are to act upon aereral various methods , t&en are the objects of a national organisation defeated , and the operations of an Executive rendered of non-effect We urge , then , that the scale of representation already prepared may , in all cases , too , be abided by In each electoral district the votes of the people must be taken in reference to the election of representatives , &c , and the will of the majority must be obeyed . This is in strict accordance with the principles of Chartism , and , we hare no doubt , on reflection , will be readily acquiesced in .

      letters from Carlisle , and other places , hare directed oar attention to the necessity * of levying the expeness of the Convention on a scale more equitable than that already proposed , and of making taxation and representation co-extensive . We at once see the propriety and justice of this ; and , after estimating as nearly as possible the probable expences of the enti re ConTention , -we bare decided that each district sending one representative shall contribute to the Convention Fund £ 18 ; two representatives , £ 36 ; and three , £ 54 . Out of this food the travelling expences of each member , to and from London , will b * defrayed .

      A letter from Leamington conveys to us the following question ; " Do yon , as as Executive , sanction the interruption of Corn Law meetings ? " In reply , we beg fearlessly to state that ire are advocates for free inquiry , and it is OBT belief that on all occasions when the people are called on for their opinions on any question affecting the public weal , they should boldly speak ont their sentiments , whatever they may be . If a meeting is convened "to consider the propriety of repealing the Corn Laws , " would it not be slavish and discreditable to the person * attending it , if they consented to Baoction any resolution its originator * were pleased to submit , whether it corresponded with the opinions of the meeting or Dot ? Most assuredly . We are not friends of tumultuous proeeedisgs , for these can never aid the purposes of truth and justice ; but we have evidence

      before u of innumerable instances 'when the peop ' e have been called together to " consider" the repeal of the Corn Laws , and , when met , have been denied any voice in the matter by the persons who have takes upon themselves the management ef such meetings . "We cannot , therefore , restrain our Chartist brethren from expressing their indignatien at snch tyrannical conduct We rejoice that the time has arrived when tile people dare fchinV &nA speak- out their opinions ; and it may be relied on that we , in our representative capacity , are n « k about to use our influence to arrest this freedom ot mind merely because it does not suit the imaginary interest of any peculiar faction . Let calm discussion be permitted , the sense of the people fairly be taken and do 2 y regarded , and truth and justice must ultimately prevail .

      from the Bristol General Council / we have received a communication touching the issue of the cards of oar association . The following is its substance : — " The present method of granting cards is bad , and fraught with deceit For instanae . a person calls at the Associatioa rooms , gets a card by merely paying f ot it ; he soon picks a quarrel with some one , and then comes the eviL He ttirts—what—a new Council ? No .-but he not uufrequeiify takes everything upon his ipsi dizii . He sends for cards , aad starts not a set ef Chartists , but of enemies , ever ready to find fault Now the remedy we propose is , that an application to the General Secretary for cards , for any person , must have tbe signature of the sub-President and sub-Secrfetary residentin the locality . " We have seriously considered the matter , and are of opinion , t oat to place any

      restrictieas on the issue of cards , other than those laid down in the plan of organizitdon , would be attended with great difficulty and danger . Sub-Presidents and Secretsries may have their " ipsi diiiF—the wrong may , in a variety of instances , be on either side . The constitution of . our Association says : —* ' Any person shall be admitted a member of this Association on taking a card of membership , to be renewed half-yearly ; for which he » h ^ l pay twopence ; and afterwards one penny per week subscription . " We are not yet con-TiBoed by our Bristol brethren of the necessity for altering the fundamental principle . We have sot , therefore , the will ; nor do we believe we have the power , to place any other restrictions on the issue ef e&rds than those already embodied in the 5 th clause of the plan on which we are organised .

      From Trowbridge numerous letters have been received respecting a schism in the Chartist body in that town . One portion of the members have taken a trash place of meeting , and made the following declaration requisite to admission : — " I , , believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testament ; and do hereby pledge my word to use all lawful and just means in my power to cause the People's Charter to be the law of the land . " This is utterly irrelevant to the leading principles and object of out Association , and , if persevered in , would produce innumerable divisions and endless disagreements . It is our duty to guard against that which Would lead to such evil consequences . We have , therefore , written to the persona -who have been the actors in this matter , and requested & withdrawal of the above declaration .

      Numerous applications have been made for the missionary services of the members of the Executive , j These have been too numerous for all to receive imme-1 diate attention . Mr . Leach , Dr . M'Douall , and Mr . ! Campbell , have been lecturing and holding meetings J without intermission in various part 3 of the kingdom ; j and Mr . Philp , at intervals , had made various circuits . These proeaeelnig ! have worked almost incalculable good ; but it must be remembered the Executive numbers only five individuals , and it is impossible for so few persons to accomplish a mission throughout the j entire kingdom without a considerable lapse of time . ; The members of the Executive will , however , continue ) industriously to pursue this portion of their duty , aad j ¦ will so apply the means plaeed in their hands , that > satisfaction may be telt by every member ot the Asbo- ' nation .

      The Chartists of many places "where onr numbers are not yet large , have applied to the Executive for the aid of lecturers . Unfortunately the funds of the Association have hitherto been toe limited to render the assistance sought We hope this fact will weigh heavily with the General Council and members , and convince them of the necessity of supplying the requisite means of agitation . The letters from various localities seeking information , advice , && for varied subjects , have been abundant Every promptitude has been observed by our Secretary , -who immediately aiuwers privately all communications not of & public nature , or requiring general notice .

      THE NATIONAL PETITION Not a moment shonld be lost ! The petition-sheets must be immediately issued , and signatures sought for j in the remotest as well as the most important parts of Great Britain . The General Council must immediately call meetings of the Chartists in every part , and at these meetings volunteers should be sought to take petition-sheets and procure names . The sheets should be I numbered , and the name of each person taking one should be entered on a list , that when the petition is called in it may be readily ascertained whether the sheets i are all returned or not This plan must be at once !

      resorted to , and with earnest spirit Copies of the I printed petition should be taken from door to door , and j left for perusal until called for . At the cemmenoement j ef every meeting the petition should be read , and sheets j Iain at the doors for signatures . The Chartist mis- j sionaries and speakers should urgently recommend ' their bearers to sign . Tables should be placed in the public streets , and , where practicable , a-few bills should be printed to this effect : — " The National Petition for the People's Charter lies here for signature . " The signatures of males and female * to be alike aceeptable .

      We call on every individual f « bis or her aid . There nut be so delay , bat energy and zeal most cow mark our conduct We invite our Scotch brethren , particularly , to be on the alert , to procure signatures for this petition . ( See the address to the People of Scotland . ) The sheets shonld be all uniform , on demy paper , ruled in four columns , six inches in width . The heading of the petition has appeared in the several Chartist papers , and is now printed in a cheap form , 15 s , per thousand , and may , together with petitionahoets , be procured of any of the London or country agents . We pray , therefore , let not a moment be lost 1 / et the present petition far oat-number any hitherto preaent&L

      THE IUTIOXaL COSTESTIOX . Already many nominations have taken place , and we are glad to find some of the most talented and patriotic of our party placed as candidates for the Cen-

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      vention . But than are many yet to come in , and we urgently request the further nominations to be sent without delay to the General Secretary , " Mr . J > Campbell , 18 , Adderly-street , ShaWs Brow , Satford , near Manchester . " We hope to find Scotland and Wales equally participating in the representation afforded by this body . Meetings should immediately take place , and the candidates at once be named . These should also be sent to the General Secretary , And published in the same list with the English candidates . No time must be lost in relation to this important matter . Twentyfour representatives for England will be forthcoming ; and we hare no doubt the people's choice will fall on those best qualified to fulfil the important duties of the Convention , and most likely to ensure the esteem of the community .

      We have already set forth the aeale of contributions to the Convention fund , from those who send representatives . It will not , as it is important , be improper to repeat it Bach district renting one representative shall contribute £ 18 , two representatives £ 36 , aad three £ oL It must be borne in mind that out of this fund the travelling expences of the membsn to and from London will be defrayed . It win immediately be perceived that this regulation is at once just and equitable , and will bring the amount of money required within the meaDS of each district The electoral districts all being extensive , a few pounds from each town will produce the required sum . For instance , la Gloucester , Somerset , and Wilts , there are as many towns where the Association extends as will produce the required sum at an average of £ 2 each . Of course , the towns will contribute in proportion to their size and influence , and then the amount may be easily raised .

      Out of the above fund , u already stated , the coach fare of each member will be paid . This will render the burden less heavy on those districts situated far away from the Metropolis , and the travelling expenses to and from which will be exceedingly heavy . The above fund will also liquidate all th « expenses of the Convention for rental of a large and central room , printing , advertising , paper , pens , ink , postage , &c 4 c There must be so deficiency in the contributions of the several districts . A petition of four millions ( unprecedented in the history of our country ) should be backed up by the determined voice of the people , which shall bave utterance through representation . Toe collection of moneys should be immediately proceeded with ; and the General Council in every locality must at once put on extreme activity .

      We are aware of the deaith of money , particularly with the working classes : all this has received our most serious consideration . Bat can our cause be won without a sacrifice ? Could funds be mere profitably applied than to the purposes already set fuitu ? J > o not , then , brethren , be discouraged : one hundred thousand persons , at one penny each , will produce more than the required sum ; and can it be doubted that out of three or four millions of persons who will petition for justice and liberty , one hundred thousand may readily be found to subscribe for its realization ? Who -will hazard the assertion that we have not SOUL enough amongst us to bear the Petition Convention through triumphantly J Let us all subscribe according to our means . One may give a shilling , another sixpence , another a penny , another a farthing . But let us not rest satisfied with ourselves until we bave all oontribute according to our means .

      It was at first contemplated that the Convention should meet in London on the 4 th of February ; but on second consideration , its assembly has been postponed until the first Monday in March . This is to afford the people an opportunity of ascertaining the " policy" of Sir R . Peel , that , whilst the Convention is yet sitting , it may have the power of undeceiving the public mind , exposing the frauds that will be attempted by the Tory premier , and showing that the Charter is the only hope for an oppressed people . We believe this will be universally approved . The postponement has been thus early suggested , that the sittings of the Convention may not , under any circumstances , be prolonged more than o > E mo . nth , -which will be sufficient to do all that is required .

      We recommend , for more effectually ensuring sufficient funds , that tea-paities , paid lectures , < fec be at once instituted . These will at once be imparting knowledge , and creating a bond of brotherly union : while , without embarrassment to any , they will produce good to all In departing from this branch of our address , we particularly urge our brethren immediately to send in the farther nominations , that the day for a general ballot throughout the Association may be resolved on . ( See the Address received from Birmingham . )

      THE EXECUTIVE JOCBNAL . After mature deliberation , the discontinuance of our Journal has been resolved upon . Its publication was at first resorted to for the purpose of circulating the National Organisation , giving greater publicity and further information of the proposed Convention and National Petition , and of arousing the General Council and others into actlvivty , for the purposes of carrying ont successfully tho plan of agitation laid down by the Executive . These objects have been fully accomplished .

      It would be impossible for the Executive to conduct a weekly journal with regularity and eclat to themselves . Their engagements are so numerous , and inconveniences of travelling through the various parts of the country so great , tfeat it would be impossible for them to superintend the publication of a weekly paper . The delay of the numbers of the Journal hitherto issued , arose solely out of the cause already alluded to . When circumstances shall again require it , the Executive will resort to such means to give publicity to any projected plan of operation as may seem mott fit

      The Northern Star , National Pindicator , and English Chartist Circular , are the official organs of the Associa tion , KEXT SUTING OF THE EXECUTIVE . The next sitting of the Executive will take place in Bristol , on the first Monday in February , when all final arragements for this great and important movement will be made . Before that date , without fail , all the nominations must be sent in ; and the various Electoral Districts must report to the General Secretary what amount of funds has been raised tot the support of the Convention . Letters of advice will be thankfully received , and undergo serious consideration on the meeting of the Executive at Bristol . While in the West the members of the Executive will traverse , as much as possible , that part of the kingdom ; and also visit several parts of Wales for the purpose of inspiring energy and zeal into the hearts of the people . The . xecutive will ever perform its duty , and may every member of the Association be inspired by good example .

      GE ^ XBOi AE . GCMENT . Brethreh , —We earnestly invite you to pursue the plan of agitation laid down , with the zeal becoming Ken determined to be free . Let our feelings , our actions , our determinations , henceforth be one . Bury , for ever , any petty feeling ef disunion that may have crept in amongst yen , that you may present the formidable array of a vnjted People , determined to struggle against your many corrupt foes . Reflect on the urgency of a powerful Chartist movement at the present time , now that the factions have changed places , and the reins of usurped authority are handed to Toryism , the deadliest enemy of oar race ; now that plots and counterplots are rife ; now that toe war of faction is becoming strong ; in the name of Libeqtt ,

      let 175 be the foremost in the ranks of the Patriots , by whom our native land shall be freed from the fetters of Despotism . Arouse , to dispel the gloom of mental ignorance that so long has rendered man a passive menial , the slave of tyrants , and the dupe of knaves . Spread the ligbt of those political truths , for the triumph of which we have girded on the armour of moral resolution . Remember , our Cause is the Rights of Man—rights defrauded , abused , insulted , and betrapped . Do we see our kinsmen starving ?—the Charter is to give them food . Do we behold them ragged ?—Justice demands they shall be clothed . Do we mark their misery ?—Nature declares happiness and prosperity man ' s birthright Our puksuit is wo PHANTOM—IT IS SOT A . BABBLE THAT BURSTS AND TS

      SEEN NO MORE—IT IS > 0 T A CUNNING EVIL DEVICE ; IT IS JUSTICE AND LIBERTY FOB AN OPPRESSED People , now groaning under the IRON TOK . B OP DESPOTIC MONARCHT AND ARISTOCRACY , AND THE HEARTLESS CRUELTIES OF CLASS Legislation . We have proposed none but peaceful means : for , though goaded to desperatien , . though we behold our brothers and sisters , even in the midtt of plenty and profusion , dying , as in the reign of famine , from want of the merest necessaries of life , we forbear . We

      • would work a revolution of mind and of principle—a revolution peacefully effected , and the institutions founded by which , shall be peacefully maintained . We repudiate the assertion that we are " anarchists . " We live in days of anarchy—there exists a war of classes , of casts , of interest—and strife must prevail until the broad equality of man is recognised , and the laws by which mankind is governed be framed with a due regard to this great principle . We are not , therefore , promoters of disorder aad discord , we seek to establish tbat bond of eternal right that shall link all men together , as beings of one creation .

      These glorious designs cannot be accomplished , unless we are determined and persevebing . Our petitions aad Conventions must follow in rapid succession ; and the increase of our numbers must repeatedly be made manifest If we cannot display , ( in & manner to strike apprehension in our greatest foe ) increasing strength of nmmbers and determination , our appeals of justics will be assailed with ridicule and mockery . The Petition and Convention for 1842 , are designed to be such as shall cause a deep tremor to come over the acorner , and strike the oppressor with awe . It rests with you ; you who are sensible of your wrongs , and know and appreciate the rights withheld from you , whether or not this movement shall do honour to the British Peo ^ e , and raise a hope for happiness speedily U be realised . We look forward to you * proceedings vritb confidence . B . K . Philp . Morgan Williams . John Campbell . James Leach . P . M . M'DOUALL .

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      STRIKE OF THE MASONS . At a meeting of Delegate * from the different trade of the metropolis , held at the Craven ' s Head , Drury-Jane , November 2 < to , for the purpose of assisting the Masons in their strike at the New Houses of Parliament , Woolwich Dockyard , and Nelson's Monument , Mr . Bctleb , carpenter , is the chair . After hearing read the letter of Thomas Hictcey te the Editor of the Northern Star , stating his accident at

      the new Houses ot Parliament , and his treatment ud subsequent discharge by George Allen , the foreman of Grfwell and Peto ; and the replies by B . J . Wardle , Q . Allen , and John Baker thereto , and also the statement of Patrick Wheelan , it was unanimously resolved , " That two of this meeting , not masons , be appointed to investigate the correctness or incorrectness of the statement made by Thomas Hickey on the one tide , and Messrs . Wardle , Allan , and Baker on the other ; and that T . J . Donning , bookbinder , and J . Baker , plasterer , be appointed for that purpose . "

      The undersigned being thus appointed , lost no time in making the necessary inquiries . The allegations of Messrs . Wardle , Allen , and Baker , contradicting the statement of T . Hickey , they place in order , numbering each . B . J . Wardle states : — 1 . " That Thomas Hickey met with his accident on the 25 th of February , instead of the 13 th , as alleged by him . 2 " That he did not complain to him ( R . J . Wardle ) of Allen ' s conduct 3 . " That he returned to his work , March 29 th , after an absence of five weeks , and not on the 14 th , as he stated . 4 . " That in no instance have the foremen on the works made use of the language stated by T . Hickey , in his presence , upon men being discharged . " fteoree Allen states : —

      5 . " That the circumstances and language imputed to him by T . Hickey , as to the cause of his dismissal aa mason ' s labourer , from the new Houses of Parliament , is absolutely false . 6 . " That he firmly declares he is not in the habit of discharging men without good and sufficient reason . 7 . " He begs to append tbe statement of Patrick Wheelan , the individual alluded to in his previous statement , in confirmation of that statement John Baker states : — 8 . " That be is one of the foremen of masons at the new Houses of Parliament , and that he perfectly recollect * Thomas Hickey rt turn ing to bis Work , and the fact of bis working six weeks after his said return . 9 .. " That he ( John Baker ) considers George Allen perfectly justified in discharging the said Thomas Hickey . "

      The above statements an given in the form ot affidavits , intending them to fee such , but the Magistrate refused , on account of some legal objection , to sign them . Whether the objection of the Magistrate was ma < h before or after the parties had taxen the eath , the deponents , of course , have not informed the public . 1 . With respect to the date of the accident , the undersigned , after carefully inquiring at the Westminster Hospital , and elsewhere , have no doubt tbat it happened on the 25 ta of February , and that , consequently , T . Hickey is mistaken in believing it to bave happened on the 13 th . This , however , as all parties are agreed aa to iU having happened , and as to its serious nature , is a matter of slight importance .

      2 . The statement of T . Hickey is as follows : — " I then went to the pay clerk , and told him of the usage I had received from Allen . " Here , also , appears to have been an error , for it was to the time-keeper , and not to the pay-clerk , to whomtha complaint was made . This error , which relates only to the person to whom the complaint was made , and net the treatment complained of , is thus explained . —There are two persons to whom ail employed on those works had to apply previous to bting paid—the time-keeper and the pay-clerk ; having first to go to tbe time-keeper for their " time , " as it is called , and then to the pay-clerk , who paid them for the time which had thus be « n previously given . It appears that T . Hickey wanted to be paid for two hours of the morning on which he was discharged , which Allen refused to allow the time-keeper

      to give ; Hickey , therefore , could not go to the payclerk for the ** two hours , for he had not got" his time " for them , a circumstance which Allen must well hare known , and consequently rauit have perceived tbe error , and remembered its cause immediately . The undersigned , therefore , in confirming tbe statement of Wardle that no complaint was made to him cannot acquit him of gross partiality in his omitting to correct the error , after he had pointed it out , thus made by T . Hickey ; for tbe undersigned are covinced that both Wardle , Allen , and Baker , well knew to whom the complaint was made , and are convinced , therefore , tbftt tha pointing oak of this error without correcting it , was only for the purpose of leading the public to believe that the circumstances complained of had not taken place .

      The undersigned give the following shortened account of the matter in Hickey's words to them . After the first ebullition of anger , when Allen said " he did not want any d—d Irish cripples there , " he ( Hickey ) stopped about ten minutes to see if he would forgive him ( relent ) , but he ( Allen ) came back , and told him " if be did not go he would put his boots in his backside ; " he then went to tbe time-keeper for bis money , who told him it was " all nonsense , " and went to Allan , but returned to him ( from Allen ; aad told him that it was " all up" with him . Allen went off ( away ) for about a quarter of an hour , during which time Hickey waited near the office to be paid , or to " get his time" for the two hours in question . When Allen came back , he ( Hickey ) asked him how long he was to wait for bis money ? Allen told him if he did not go about his business , be would give him in charge of a policeman . This took place on Thursday , May 6 tb , 1841 .

      3 . The 3 rd by Wardle , the pay-clerk , and the 8 th by Baker , tbe deputy foreman , are the same , each impugning Hick * y ' s correctness as to the time he was in the employ of Orissell and Peto , after the accident ; they asserting tbe period to bave been six weeks , while he five and a half days . The undersigned , when they ascertained from the Secretary of the Westminster Hospital the date Hickey left that hospital , March 30 , inquired whether he had been afterwards an out-patient , anti , if so , for how long ?—for the undersigned did not know then be bad left the hospital without leave ; the Secretary replied that he could not give tbat information , nor did he believe such information could be readily obtained ; but , said he , " if the inquiry Is made with reference to the statements in the papers" ( alluding

      to Wardle ' s , Allen ' s , and Baker ' s statements ) , " it is certain that , in the case of a broken leg , the bones could not knit together , so that the limb could be used , in the short time , for such a process , from Feb . 25 to March 30 , lesa than six weeks that he was in tb « hospital . " If this be correct , of which medical men ean best decide , it must have been physically impossible that Hickey could have returned to work on the 2 » th of March , as stated by Wardle , the pay-clerk , and Baker , the deputy foreman , which , on oath , they so perfectly well Ttmtmber . " The undersigned , upon questioning Hickey on this point , elicited from him that a few days before he left the hospital he inquired whether he could not be allowed to leave , when the surgeon told

      him that he would not allow him even to leave bis bed for a fortnight He , however , did leave , without the consent of the surgeon , on the 30 th , in a " cab , " but soon found that the " Dactor" was right , and , after a few days , applied for medicine at the hospital , whea he was told , that as he had left contrary to orders , they could do no more for him . He further stated , that he was able to do nothing for five weeks after he left the hospital . If this be correct , which , as it is against himself , there can be no reason to disbelieve , it is again impossible , and utterly so , if we allow competent medical knowledge to the Burgeon ef the hospital , for Hickey to resume bis employment on the 29 th of March .

      The undersigned do not notice the error of making Hickey to be at work on the 29 th , when he did not leave the hospital until the 30 th , f « r that might be entirely verbal . In pursuing this part of tbe inquiry they felt the injustice of calling ; upon Hickey to prove a negative . All iuquiiiet they have made , both of those in the house where he lodged , and of all besides , have confirmed their belief that his statement is correct The landlady of the house where Hickey resided when he left the hospital is positive as to bis not being at work for four weeks out of the five . She has no doubt as to the whole , but can swear to four ¦ weeks' inability to perform work . The undersigned inquired of Messrs

      Baker and Wardle how they knew Hickey was in the employment of their masters from the 29 th of March to tbe 6 tb of May ? Is it by consulting their books for that period , or is it only from the assumption that he must have been employed by Griasell and Peto immediately after be left the hospital , of which period the undersigned know due inquiries were made by that firm at the hospital ? if it be from consulting their books , the undersigned publicly challenge them to produce those books . Nothing can be more easy than their production ; and if Hickey were really on the works for the period they were ready to swear to , nothing is more certain than that his name must be found on the books for the whole of that time .

      If , however , it be only from tbe mere assumption , the undersigned beg to suggest to them that an oath is no trifling matter , and to recommend , for their own sakes , that the next time they tender an oath , or take an oath , to take care that they really do " perfectly well recol lect" the circumstances to which they w about to swear . i 4 . B . J . Wardle denies that the foremen on the works have in any instance made use of the language stated by T . Hickey in bis presence upon men being discharged . Does Wardle really intend this to impliv cate the statement of Mr . T . Hickey ? if so , he ought to have specially named not the " foremen on the works , " but George Allen . Hickey has brought no charges against the " foremen on the works , " but only against George Allen . It has already been admitted that no complaint was made to him , the pay-clerk , and that , therefore , the language described might not have been used in his presence . But does he mean to say because it was not used in bis presence that it was not

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      used at ill ? Tbe undersigned beg to inform him that if it really be true that Alien never made use of the language described "inhi * presence , " that they have seen very many persons lately employed on the werks , before whom , and to whom , the same individual moat freely indulgedin it 5 . The undersigned come now to the extraordinary declaration made or tendered upon oath by George Allen , denying toe circumstance and tbe language alleged to have been used in the dismissal of T . Hickey . The undersigned read over the statement of T . Hickey in bis presence , and closely questioned bim as to the circumstances stated , and the language used , when he reiterated every particular . Before doing bo , the undersigned requested him to relate what really did take place on the occasion , when they found the same things related by him with minute particulars of detail , which it would have been impossible for him to suggest , if his statement had not been true . In opposition to Allen ' s

      denial , therefore , they confidently place T . Hickey ' s reiteration . It is impossible not to be struck with the manner in which this charge from the fint has been met by Allen . First , be evaded all knowledge of it , affecting to believe it to refer to the case of Patrick Wheelan , while it is impossible that he could for a moment have imagined it to relate to him . Nor is it possible he could have forgotten it ; his two friends , Wardle and Baker , who so " perfectly well recollect" all about it , render this supposition also impossible . If , then , he could not have forgotten it , and could not for a moment have supposed the masons Alluded to Patrick Wheelanfor this supposition is unutterably absurd—what could have prompted this evasion—an evasion now , since the publication of Wbeelan ' s statement , so gross and palpable ? / he undersigned are compelled to reply—a guilty knowledge of the whole transaction , and a wish to prevent all knowledge of it going to the public . Tbe following are the testimonies of these who saw and heard the whole transaction : —

      " I remember Thomas Hickey being discharged . I was close to Allen and aim at the time he was discharged ; and I heard Allen make use of language similar to that which is mentioned in Hickey ' s letter . I saw T . Hickey the next day after he was discharged , and he told me he had got employment in the firm of Mr . Cubitt . "Thomas Reid , Mason . " 2 * , Tufton-street , Westminster . " " I remember Thomas Hlekey being discharged . I was close to the place where Allen discharged him ; was aware that Hickey had had his leg broken . I heard Allen swearing at Hickey , and make use of language similar to that which is stated in Hickey ' s letter . The lofct words I beard was Allen ' s telling him to be off tbe worka altogether . "Thomas Chabnock , Mason . « ' New Cross . Kent "

      But what circumstances does this man deny ? Does he deny the accident ? No ; then of course he cannot deny the subsequent weakness and inability of Hiokey . He is now compelled to admit that he discharged him . What did he discharge him for ? If all alleged were false , what could be more easy than to state the reasonable and proper grounds of his discharge , and what more imperative for his own vindication ? Was he discharged fer not doing work enough ? If so , then he mnst have been discharged for his weakness in consequence of the aecldent , for he was not , nor is he now , able to do a full day ' s work . Was he discharged for

      being Insolent ? Allen has not pretended that he was insolent . Was he dishonest ? Certainly not ; for they who could so readily notice the discrepancies explained above , would eagerly have made known every particular . If , then , he were neither insolent nor dishonest , he could only have been discharged fox not doing work enough , a valid reason certainly , if the man had been lazy , but a most cruel procedure when the man was weak through injuries received in the service of his employers . Was this the " g « od and sufficient cause , " which he " firmly" swears to , for the discbarge of Thomas Hickey ?

      6 . Allen also states on oath that he is not in the habit of discharging men without good and sufficient cause . This is no reply to the statement of Hickey . Hickey does not accuse Allen of being In the habit of discharging men without cause ; he makes a specific charge of his being discharged himself without cause , and with circumstances of peculiar cruelty ; and it can be no reply to this charge for Alien to say , tbat he is not in the habit of discharging men without causa If all tbe circumstances and the language imputed be false , this statement is supeiflueus ; if true , it Is no reply to them . The masons certainly accused Allen of being in the habit of dischaging men without sufficient reason , and offered ta prove their charge before any fair arbitration , on which occasion Grisselland Peto publicly announced that they would not allow any agent of their's "

      further to communicate with the men , because they had folly satisfied their minds on the subject ; " that is , as the undersigned supposed , tbat tha charges against Allen were false ; which reason , if true , was sufficient at least for them . They have now destroyed thit reason . It now appears , that bo far from being " satisfied , " except of tbe truth of tbe charges , the moment a wrong date is mentioned , or an error in naming the different departments of their establishment is committed , which may serve as a peg on which to hang a general denial , they are again in the field by their agents , eager not to let such an opportunity pass without taking advantage of it ; clinging with convulsive tenacity to tbe hope , tbat these mistakes , which make not the slightest difference to the main charges , may implicate the whole .

      7 . As the letter of Patrick Wheelan has nothing to do with T . Hickey , the undersigned do not feel called upon to make any remark upon it , further than to state that they are glad to find , if true , there appears to be one instance in which Grissell and Peto behaved well to those injured in their employ . They con only say that it contrasts well with their treatment of T . Hickey ; for while his friends of his own class collected what their scanty means would allow for him , while in the hospital , Messrs . Griasell and Peto rendered him no assistance whatever . The undersigned , with regret , are compelled to state , that it appears to bavo been quite an unusual thing for Grissell and Peto to render any assistance to those injured in their employ . We give two instances , out of many that might be adduced : —

      Thomas Wade fell with the dam when it gave way during the summer , and was most severely injured . Messrs . Griasell and Peto sent to him , while in the hospital , to say tbat neither he nor his family should want for anything . They , however , gave him nothing , but stopped his time up to the very half hour of the accident He got £ 1 from the box kept on the works to receive charitable donations ; but this he did not receive until after be bad recovered and been at work some time , and then not until dissatisfaction bad been expressed by the men to Allen at his not having given him a portion of the money from the donation-box . He was supported while in the hospital by a voluntary subscription among the men , amounting to £ 6 3 s . Watson Ellis , by an accident last winter , had his arm broken , by which he was unable to work fourteen weeks . He received nothing from Messrs . Gristell and Petonothing out of the box .

      Mr . Baker appears not to be content with " perfectly well recollecting" upon oath the return of Hickey to his work , upon which the undersigned have before remarked , but he volunteers an affidavit to the truth of an opinion t He swears , or was ready to swear , that in his opinion George Allen was justified in discharging T . Hickey ! The undersigned have no doubt but that here , at least , he might safely be believed j but they would remind him that an affidavit is not the way to prove the truth of an opinion . The truth of an opinion can only be proved by substantial reasons , which reasons must be supported by facts . It would have been to the purpose if he had stated the reasons and facts which supported his opinion ; but for him to make oath to its truth implies most surely that be knew his reasons and his facts would not bear investigation , and tbat therefore he substituted his oath in their stead , giving the singular , and withal ludicrous , instance of a man making his testimony valueless by the very act of swearing to its truth .

      From the whole , it appears that T . Hickey has made two mistakes , first , in believing the accident to have happened on the 13 th of February , while it happened on the 25 th ; and second , in confounding tha timekeeper with the pay-clerk ; a fact which invalidates nothing in his statement concerning Allen , and , in the position of one discharged , instanter , from the worka , very easily made . In all the rest the undersigned believe him to have been perfectly correct It appears to the undersigned that the statements tendered upon oath by Wardle and Baker were , by implicating the correcting of dates , and by pointing out the mistake above referred to , intended to throw a doubt over the whole statement of Hickey ; a statement which , in the opinion of the undersigned , these deponents were

      unable to disbelieve ; which inability also appears to bave been shared in by the exuberantly grateful Patrick Wheelan . Wardle swears concerning himself to what did not happen in bis presence—and here he is careful not to mention bis friend George Allen—and to dates . Baker to dates and to tbe truth of an opinion I But neither hint their disbelief of Allen ' s language , or his cruelty , as specifically detailed by Hickey . Patrick Wheelan , though overflowing with gratitude , does not even mention Allen , nor bint , directly or indirectly , the existence of such a person . Although he is brought forward by Allen himself , expressly to confirm his previous statement that he obtained his place to " tally bricks , " because he " recommended bis application to Messrs . Grissell and Peto for a lighter berih . " It is not always fair to argue from omissions ; bat here , where the wanting testimony is so necessary , and is what

      would so instantly Biggest itself , the undersigned cannot but consider its omission as evidence that the cruelty and language of tbe man who was so notorious that it became a thing of which it was impossible , even for his friends , t * express their disbelief . The undersigned , in giving the result ef their investigation , beg to say that they have endeavoured most sedulously to discover the truth . They also have endeavoured to express their opinions with calmness . I hey now leave it to the public to judge how far Allen baa been successful hi clearing himself from the charges of cruelty and swearing , and how far Mr . Wardle , the pay-clerk , and Mr . Baker , the deputy foreman , have been SKcceflsful in defending their friend George Alien . Thos . Joseph Dunning , Bookbinder . John Baker , Plasterer .

      Untitled Article

      GREAT CHARTIST MEETING AT SELBY . The inhabitants of this place were gratified by a visit from Mr . O'Connor , and a few other excellent Chartist friends , on Friday , the 8 rd of December . ' A few days previous ta the notice of Mr . O'Connor ' s intention of visiting Belby , onr good Chartist Wends were in considerable perplexity as to whether they would be able to obtain » place sufficiently large to hold their meeting in , bat were at length relieved by tbe promptness and generosity of Mr . John Linton , who , resolving ; upon giving the noble champion of Chartism a reception worthy of his zeal and usefulness In the people ' s cause , made immediate application to the trustees of the large room , situate in New Road ; but the bigotry of these politically orthodox gentlemen refused to allow the use of the building for " the wild and mad halr . brained" purposes of Chartism . .

      Mr . Linton , however , was not the man to submit to a defeat after having once settled upon his purpose . He set to work , and had his large building , which is appropriated to the purposes of boiler and steam engine making , cleared to the middle . To effect this , several large boilers , and a large quantity of iron and metal , had to be removed at much labour and expence . This was done on Thursday , and on Friday morning a spacious , dry , and comfortable arena presented itself , capable of holding upwards of 2 , 409 people . A platform was erected at one end , and the splendid banners of the Association spread their wide folds over the canvas behind , which formed the partition of the temporary room . The place was well lighted , and everything was in readiness several hours before the time arrived for tbe meeting to commence . The friends were all in the greatest possible good spirits , anticipated disappointment having succeeded to complete triumph over the machinations and bigotry of their enemies .

      Precisely at half-past seven oolock Mr . Listen was appointed to fill the chair for the evening , which he did in a very efficient manner . After briefly addressing the large assembly on the pleasure tbey were about to derive from listening to a developement of the great principles of the Charter from the mouth of the muchpersecuted but their much loved patriot himself ; he begged to eommense tbe proceedings of the evening by introducing Mr . Stallwood , the East Riding lecturer . Mr . Si all wood in rising to address the meeting , stated that he had a resolution in his band which he

      intended to propose to the meeting , but as it related to the document called the National Petition , he would first proceed to read it , and then submit the resolution . Mr . S . then read the National Petition , which appeared to have a powerful effect upon the meeting . After which be proceeded to explain the principles of the People's Charter , going through each particular with considerable fluency , and frequently eliciting great applause . His arguments were sound and conclusive . The objections to the term universal , as applied to the Suffrage , fell to the ground , as it was only in accordance with the definition given in all ages by all the greatest of men who bad ever thought and wrote on the subject . In Ireland , Scotland , England , or Wales , Vote by Ba ilot was its safeguard—Annual Parliaments

      necessary , as short reckonings make long friends , and twelve months is long enough to have a bad servant , while it was not a bit too early to compliment an honest and upright friend of the people by his re-electionthat unless the parliaments were annual , an individual who being within a few weeks of twenty-one years old would have to wait until he were twenty-four years old before he could obtain tbe right of voting ; the present property qualification put all the brains in the pocket and none in the head . Equal electoral districts were necessary , because men being represented instead of property , the numbers must , to be fairly distributed , be equally represented ; and lastly , the members aiust

      be paid directly , or they would pay themselves indirectly . He ( Mr . 9 . ) considered these principles were just and constitutional as they were the practices of former ages ; and , rapidly running over their history , dropping in his course tbe never-to-be-forgotten story of Andrew Marvel , the famed representative of Hull ; and , in proof of the practicability of the whole scheme , reference was made to the practise of benefit societies , clubs , the Americans , Ac . winding up by evidence in favour of the intelligence of the working classes—the producers of the best works of science , art , and philosophy ; that no men were born slaves , nor were any born booted and sparred , —tor as Souther has It ,

      " Ye are all equal , and nature made ye bo . " At this stage . of the proceedings Mr . O'Connor entered tbe building . All were on the tiptoe ; and not less than 16 * 0 people were breathlessly anxious to behold the lion of the evening — another minute and he ascended the platform , amid the most deafening and tremendous cheering , which lasted for several minutes . After ordex was restored Mr . Stall wood proceeded to read his resolution , which was as follows : — Resolved— " That we , the Inhabitants of Selby , and its vicinity , in publio meeting assembled , do hereby adopt the petition just read , called the National Petition —praying for universal suffrage , vote by ballot , annual parliaments , equal representation , the abolition of the property qualification , and the payment of membersthat we also pledge ourselves individually and collectively to get the same aa numerously signed as possible , and forwarded to tbe proper quarter for presentation . "

      Seconded by Mr . Richardson , and carried unanimously . Mr . SOTHERBY next moved a resolution , congratulatory and complimentary of Mr . O'Connor , which was seconded by Mr . Watson , and supported by Mr . West , the West Riding lecturer , who accompanied Mr . O'Connor from Dewabury to Selby . Mr . West said—I shall leave the present resolution to be dealt with by Mr . O'Connor , and observe that you must do more than hold up your bands for the National Petition ; you must enrol yourselves as members of th « Association—you most support the Convention with all your might That petition is a subject of vast importance ; it shows the rights and the wrongs of the millions , and contrasts the condition of the represented and unrepresented ; and it will have , if numerously

      signed , a powerful effect upon the House of Commons ; it may enlighten them on the subject—on our progress , and determination to establish the Charter as the law of the land . What is there among the rich , the great , the titled , the enfranchised , more than among ourselves , that God has conferred ? Tbey say we have no right to interrupt them , but we have a right to express our opinion . Our principles are not exclusive ; we would do to all alike—they will not—their ' s is tyranny—but this shall fall before our righteous demand for freedom . The working people are like the foundation of a building , without which the walls and the roof must give way , and beoome a heap of ruins . It is distress and poverty that breeds discontent , and hunger will break through stone walls . We are Striving to tut

      down discontent by removing poverty ; they would incteaae it ; they are disturbers . Do tbey think to allay the hatred to oppression by their bit by bit Reforms ? Nay , the change must be Radical—the axe most be laid at the root of the tree—the political weeds must be torn completely up , and wherefore , then , should we labour to destroy effects when the causes are left untouched . Tbe people wiah to bave full possession of their rights—they want the privilege of earning a pound—ef putting it into the pocket , for their » wn use ; but the state comes , and demands its sharethe Church comes for another—the profitmonger wants his , and thus they rob without consent , and the hardworking man who has been able to earn a pound in the week , finds be has only 3 b . 6 d . left . It is well that you

      should labour , but it is right also that you should enjoy its fruits yourselves rather than by proxy . Mr . W . here related a well-timed story of a cobbler , with a large family , who was visited by a Bishop , after considerable cheering he pathetically remarked that hundreds of thousands were starving and dying for want of food to eat , and that the same distress was following hard upon all—they care not ; they fear not , but it will come . The privileged classes will always keep up their distinctions if possible ; and nothing but extending our privileges to Uhivrrsal Suffrage can be productive of true freedom . Let this petition then be attended to . The resolution was then put and carried unanimously ; after which the Chairman called upon Mr . O'Connor to address the meeting , who , immediately

      rose amid thunders of applause , and said it gave him great pleasure to know that although they ( the Chartists ) bad been driven from the publicjroom by ' the littlemindaess of their political opponents , he had not to address them in the cold open air . There is one amongst you , who , said Mr . O'C ., your worthy Chairman , regardless of all risks has the manliness to step between prejudice and prlnoiple , and generously provide you a place to meet in . I have not now to preach the ABC of politics to yon ; my excellent friend , Leach , and others have been here . I begin at the middle . We have arrived at a position which is worth considering .. We have new the privilege of the attention of all classes . When I consider our position a few years ago , and compare it with the present / it more

      than repays me for all my labour and suffering . I count all these things as nothing in our present triumphs and future prospects . But there is still more to do . One ef the resolutions which yon have adopted this evening , has reference to the National Petition . ( Heat , hear . ) Borne have said , and I have said , it was useless to petition a House that has always been deaf to the complaints of tbe people ; hut , let us consider whether now we are justified in acting thus . You once had no organ where the insterests of the masses were allowed to be canvassed , but it is not so now ; and it is therefore impossible to treat us as an insignificant body or keep oar principles disguised . Our influence is felt in the country , and must be felt and appreciated in the House . In 1839 , when the law officers of the Crown pounced upon us , and having immolated 500 of our leaders in their dungeons .

      Plain John Campbell boasted that be had pnt down Chartism ; but thanks be to God , w « are not put down , rather , in the very pit dog for onr destruction , have we buried the putrid carcase of Whlggery ; and if our petition of 2 , 000 , 000 , along with our other efforts , have bad such a powerful effect , shall we cease now , when they are talking of reaction ? our only alternative Is that of petitioning to show our strength , and then the heaven-bora minister must be compelled to speak of the many-tongued people . It will ensure us the influence of the best leaders of the House * and by this pressure from without , for the first time , they will abandon their own principles , and tend some attention to legislate for ours . This pressure from without ia necessary , as there never « u any great organic change forced upon them Without it We have shown by our power materials by which ties

      Untitled Article

      can manufacture laws ; but we must improve mpon what we have done . Improvements are progressing to an unaccountable extent while the working man ' s condition is getting worse and worse , would it not be better that chaps should exist than that this state of things should continue . The natural labourer is impoverished while artiflcal labour supplies every demand and reaps the benefit . If you will not return to first principles , legislation is unnecessary . " . And we have this state of things after ten years of . reform , after preaching for forty-one yean . And now behold the finality of Whig reform—ninety-one majority . What is it after , all that Whig reform has done ? first * robbed the poor of their rights , and then established a rural police to keep them down . If those who oppress you were

      sufferers by it , then might we have hope . The daily bulletein of health of the Dowager Queen with her £ 100 , 000 a year are issued , but if chance was to relieve yon , if all went to die of political apolexy , the Chancellor of the Exchequer would create a new stock of yonng state paupers the day after to fill their places . ( Cheers . ) But to get out of our present dilemma we are told me must emigrate , or we must repeal the Corn Laws . We will repeal the Corn Laws but it shall be for tha general and not for sectional good . Mr O'Connor here ran rapidly over the extravances of royalty , and the sums paid to state paupers and bastards , and in other extravagancies , placing all these to one side of the ledger , and the Exchequer out at the elbows on the other . And with these things ( said Mr . O'Connor ) they

      tell us that population presses too hardly upon tbe means of subsistence , bat if equitably distributed it would not be so . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) would gladly see a cargo of bishops emigrating , and he would give Philpots for a pilot , for why should the labourer be called upon to give up his native land ? the labourer who sees the work of his hand upon its ' surface , why shonld he leave it ? No , no ; let him remain at < home , get power , and make home worth living in . ' Tbe system has driven you off the land , the stamp of the meneymongei is upon your face , and while the shopkeeper has been looking out for his market he has lost it It will be useless to say the Exchequer is empty , for they will sell the shopkeepers' property for the revenue . Mr . O'Connor then gave an account of the advantages result

      ing to the Tory Exchequer while in office , as compared to its state when out of office , tracing its effects upon their conduct , as evidenced in the struggle for class legislation . He next pointed ont the amount of land that needed cultivation , and in an elaborate manner shewed the advantage of keeping all in employment , to prevent masters from taking advantage of the superabundance of labourers , by lowering tbe wages of the rest To correct this ( said Mr . OC . ) man must return to a more natural state of society . If four millions quarters of corn be all that . the Com Law repealers want extra , we can create it ourselves . To the land , then , and we can con * troul both the raw and the manufactured material Make every man his own producer . See what a position your

      fathers were in , before the factories were brought into existence ; the master lived with his men , and the men had something lor a rainy day , and then drunkenness was looked upon as a crime . If the matter wanted a larger supply than usual , he said , " Here , my good fellow , is 2 * 6 d . ; get it done by Saturday night" No factory cruelty then—no quartering for being late . Then you had ne class legislation , and we were tha envy of surrounding nations : then every man was one of the civil power ; since then we have a got police armed force . It would be impossible to follow Mr . O'Connor through the whole of bis delightfully interesting speech . His powerful eloquence elicited the most tremendous cheering .

      Selby never before saw such a meeting in doors for political purposes , and the people -will never forget the joy of the occasion . After Mr . O'Connor sat down and the cheering had subsided a collection was made towards defraying the expenses of the placards calling the meeting . Fourteen fresh members enrolled their names , making the total number of Chartists who have receivedtickets 114 . After the usual cheers and a vote of thanks to the Chairman , the meeting broke np at a late hour .

      Untitled Article

      SCANDALOUS TREATMENT OF THE POOR . It is hardly possible to conceive a place more wretched hi appearance , and destitute of comfort and accommodation , than an apartment called the " Refuge , " within the precincts of the Wett London Union Workhouse . In this so called place of " Refuge , " ( Heaven save the mark . ' ) the poor are treated at though they were hogs , so far , at least , as the sleeping part of the business ia concerned ; but as regards the eating and drinking , that is another matter . While the hogs are plentifully pro tided with food , the miserable creatures who apply at the West Union for shelter receive , at this inclement season , but a scanty supply of bread and a little water I But we will come to facts . On Monday an inquest was held by Mr . Paine , at the West London Union Workhouse . West street , West Smithfield , to investigate

      tbe circumstances attending the death of William Parker , aged fifty-two , who died in that workhouse on Friday morning . It appeared from the evidence of Joseph Standen , gate-keeper at the house , that deceased bad applied for shelter four times within a fortnight , and had on each occasion been admitted and supplied with a rug to cover him and bread in the morning when he left , in common with a great many others . The applications for shelter for the night were very numerous . Nothing was given them to eat when they were taken in , bat they had bread in the morning . They lay on boards placed In a slanting direction , and each was supplied with a rug for covering . Sometimes they lay two or three together to keep themselves warm . It was usual to see if they were cove / ed , and inquire if they wanted water ,

      James Qreig , assistant gate-keeper , said that deceased was admitted about eight o ' clock on Thursday evening last , and went into tbe Refuge with some others . Witness did not see him again till the next morning , when he went to ask the deceased why he did not come for his bread , but receiving no answer , he concluded ha was ill , and acqnainted the previous witness , who immediately sent for a doctor . Mr . Kinsey came in ia about ten minutes . Deceased was removed to the probationary ward , and the surgeon ordered a little brandy and water to be given him , but before it could be administered he expired . By a Juror— " The place is very cold , the windows all broken , and partially boarded up . There have been aa many as fifty persons in the Refuge at one t ime , and on these occasions they were obliged to stand up very close together . The rain sometimes came in . "

      - Michael Young , who has the care of the probationary ward , said that deceased when undressed , was found to be covered with vermin . His clothes bespoke a superior condition . Dr . Rae , surgeon to the workhouse , stated that water on the chest might account for tie Suddenness of his death j but there was no doubt it had been accelerated by want of food . The Refuge certainly was a very cold place , but tbe guardians would not improve it The windows were destroyed by persons who reaped the benefit of its shelter . Mr . Burchfield , one of the guardians , said the board were tired of repairing tbe place . The windows were all broken by persons taken in . He would , however , suggest to the guardians the propriety of improving the place , and also of supplying mattresses . He had no doubt his suggestien . would be attended to .

      The Coroner add that it did not appear that the officers of the establishment were at all neglectful . The accommodation afforded there to persons who bad no home was certainjy better than being exposed to the inclemency of tbe weather . It was a lamentable fact tbat many persons slept in the pens in Smithfleld nightly . The subject of relief to the poor would come under the consideration of Parliament in the next session , and he hoped that such alterations would then be made as would alleviate tbe Bufferings of the distressed , whose claims were bo numerous and urgent Tbe jury would bear in mind the evidence , and give such a verdict as their judgment suggested . The Jury , after a consultation of a quarter of an hour , returned a verdict of "Died from natural causes . "

      Whoever heard of such management , unless it has been dictated by a hard-hearted tyrant ? If the Guardians of this infernal bastile possessed a particle of feeling—if they had the slightest amount of sympathy running in the current of their composition , they wuald denounce sueh a brutal order , and direct the subordi nats officials to provide wholesome food for those who ask to become inmates of the " Refuge , " immediately they cross its threshold , and not permit a number of starving human beings to lie for hours , huddled together in a state of positive hunger . The Coroner said , it did not appear that the Guardians had been neglectful Now , with all due respect for the keen , perception of the worthy Coroner , we maintain that there has been gross neglect shown ; as a proof of which , Mr . Burchfleld observed , that " he would suggest the repair of the place to the Guardians , and he had no doubt his suggestion would be attended

      What is this but an admission , that the Guardians never go near the place at all ? It is hardly possible to conceive any thing more cruel or barbarous than to thrust a destitute man into a place , affording by far less accommodation than tha meanest stable , locking him up without food , and , In the morning , turning him adrift with a piece of dry bread in his hand . This is part and parcel of the new-fangled scheme of throwing the poor on their own , resources , at a time whea the Legislature denies them bread . Merciful God ( unless

      something be done to arouse the apathy , we were going tosay , the stupidity of the collective wisdom—unless a law be passed to secure to the poor and destitute proper relief , to which they are justly entitled—and to wrest from tbe Somerset House Bashaws , the working of the Poor Law Bill , —we fear the eountry will shertlybe convulsed from one end to the other , until Its throes bespeak too plainly that something most be done to meet tbe ease . It is impossible to remain much longer under such a state of legislation with any security . ^^ fif ^ ifi f f f r fi f ¦ - — ¦ - ^^ SBfc^— - . _ . ^ . k ~^_ a - - ¦* — ~ -

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      Thb baptism of th « infant Prince is not expected to take place nntil February , immediately after Parliament assembles . The ceremony will be performed in town . —Morning Post . Exchequer Bin Fradd . —The trial of Mr . Beaumont Smith , for the Exchequer Bill fraud , came to an abrupt conclusion on Saturday morning . By pleading " Guilty , " th « delinquent prevented taow diaolossr . es which were looked for with so mucn interest . He was sentenced to transportation tot life .

      Untitled Article

      THB NORTHERN STAB , _

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 11, 1841, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct872/page/6/