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Leader (1850-1860), 30th July 1853, Edition Country of 2, Page 5, THE CA3 STBIKH. Mr. Fitzroy's Bill gave ...

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      Jpyr 30,18g3] The Leader. 725

      Jpyr 30 , 18 g 3 ] THE LEADER . 725

      The Ca3 Stbikh. Mr. Fitzroy's Bill Gave ...

      THE CA 3 STBIKH . Mr . Fitzroy ' s Bill gave occasion for an interesting colloquy in the House of Commons ptx Wednesdaythe day of the strike . Sir B . Ingxis : " Seeing the honourable gentleman the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department in lijg place , and being aware , in common with other honourable members , of the fact , that in consequence of , or at leas t following , his bill , there has not been a single cab to j , e found upon any stand in London this day—( laughter ) — and feeling that the bill to which I refer is the only one within my memory in whidh arbitrarily , and without

      inquiry by a select committee , a rate of price has been affixed to a g iven scale of goods , and believing that this is contrary to all principles of political economy , and also belieTing that a committee of this House should have been a ppointed to consider the price to be paid for a given set of goods , I ask my honourable friend whether he is not at last prepared to adopt the suggestion repeatedly made to him during the progress of his bill through the House and to consent to the appointment of a select committee to consider the state of the trade with which that bill deals ?"

      Mr . Wauoxb : " Before the honourable gentleman answers the ^ question of the honourable baronet ( Sir R . Inglis ) , I wish to put another question to him on the same subject . I . understand that the great ground of complaint on the part of the proprietors of hackney carriages is the great hardship pressing upon them , inasmuch as they cannot charge return fares . I remember pointing this out to iny honourable friend when the bill was before the House ; and the question I wish to add to that of the honourable baronet ia , whether my honourable friend the Under Secretary for the Home Department will be prepared to amend the bill in this respect ?"

      Mr . Fitzboy :- -In reply to the questions Which hav ^ been put to me , I beg to state , in answer to the inquiry of the honourable baronet the member for Oxford University , that the principle of arbitrarily fixing the sum to be charged per mile for conveyance by hackney carriages is certainl y not new to this bill . On various considerations of the different compensations made to the owners of cabs , in the shape of lower charges for licenses , and taking also into account the reduced cost of materials generally , and of provender for several years past , it certainly did appear tome , after the closest calculations , and the estimates laid before me b y the representatives of the trade , that 6 d . per mile would be amply remunerative within certain limits of this metropolis . ( Hear , hear . ) "With respect to'that

      estimate , I must say , that I have seen no reason whatever to change my opinion , ( Hear , hear . ) I have taken every opportunity to ascertain the opinions of the drivers and proprietors of cabs with respect to the probability of this change working beneficially for their own interests and those of the public , and , with hardly an exception , they have told me , that within the crowded parts of the metropolis a charge of 6 d . a mile would be amply remunerative . ( Hear , hear . ) It is quite true , that the only tangible objection to the bill is that pointed out b y the right honourable gentleman ( Mr . Walpole ); and with respect to that portion of the bill I shall state to the House what has taken place . On Monday last I received a deputation of two persons from the body of cab proprietors , the one being the secretary of the body , and the other a large cab

      proprietor , with whom I had been in constant communication during the passing of this bill . They waited upon me to state their grievances ; and after I had asked them to bo good enough to tell me what their grievances were , the only grievance they complained of was that which has boon referred to by the right hon . gentleman . I stated to them that I was aware that the license to use hackney carriages given by the Bill had certainly been abusedthat it has in many instances been worked to its greatest possible limit , and that persons have taken cabs to a great distance , quite six miles into the country , and then discharged them without the payment of any return fare . I stated that I would do everything in my power to find a remedy , but at the same time I told them that it would be impossible to revert to the old principle of back fare , as

      that would inflict a hardship upon those persona who happen to Hvo just outside the radius prescribed for the payment of back fare . ( Hear , hoar . ) I told them that it Would be impossible for thorn to imagine that I could propose to Parliament to return to the former system in this 'aspect . They admitted themsolves that this practice had always been n fruitful source of annoyance to themselves and tho public , and had given riso to endless disputes , and they oxpressod thoir desire that some remedy should bo found in another shape . I told them that I would endeavour , in the course of tho present session , to introduce a clause into another bill on tho paper , to give thorn a certain increase of faro after being hired for a certain time and boyond a certain radius , in order to afford them as speedy !

      roueas possible I have boon in communication with my right hon . friend tho Chancellor of tho Exohcquor to introouco souio clause to this effect in a bill now on the paper j and failing that , I told him that I would bo prepared to introduce a Hpooial bill for tho pnrpose . It must bo obvious , However , that I am placed in a worse position for offeoting this arrangement by tho foolish step which hns been takon b tho cab proprietors this morning . ( Hear . ) I told tho deputatio n who waited upon mo on Monday that I would mtroduco such a olauao as I have now mentioned , and thoy Bnid thoy Wero going to attend a meeting of tho trade that overling when ld communicate

      , thoy wou my nnawor . I Wiall bo prepared to introduco that remedy , and to propose « clause providing , for instance , that if you hire a cab , imd sohargo * t at a distancooxceodingfour miles from tho pluce Wioro it wan hiroil , and without that radius , you shall give jwi oxtra sum for tho wholo hiring . I think it also desirable «» ut a change should bo made in tho bill with rospoot to tl V , anco which tho drivers shall be required to go , and » nt thoy shall not be compollablo to go boyond fivo miles vT \ » Cfoneral Post-Office , instead of six miles as proviae ( * by the n © yf act . I nia prepared to submit theuo two

      alterations to the Blouse , and with these arrangements I believe the trade ought to be , and will be , satisfied . All I can say is , that before the strike was contemplated 1 put these propositions before the deputation , and therefore I am sorry and annoyed at what has since taken place , because , as I have said , it places me in a worse position for obtaining a remedy for them . " Mr . B . Denison inquired whether the honourable gentleman intended to put himself immediately in communication with the owners of cabs , as it wasdesirable

      that no time should be lost in putting an end to the inconvenience caused to the public . Mr . Fitzboy said he would be quite willing to put himself in communication with the cab proprietors , but he felt that he could not tell them any more than he had now communicated to the House . He did not know of any means by which he could meet the body , but he could communicate with the secretary , who was , however , already in possession of his views . The subject then dropped .

      On Thursday , one clause was added to the new Cab Act . It allows the cabman sixpence ( for the whole hiring ) for each person above two . Lord D . Sttjabt having , last night , recalled attention to the case of the cabman sent to prison by Mr . Henry because he could not deposit the bail of 5 s ., Lord Palmbbston reappeared in his character of reckless defender of all erring functionaries in the Home Administration , and vindicated Mr . Henry . Jamaica . —In the sitting , last night , Lord J . Eussetf intimated that on Monday he would declare Government intentions with regard to Jamaica . National Education . —In the House of Lords last evening the Earl of Aberdeen , in reply to Lord Brougham , said it was with great regret he had to inform his noble and learned friend that it was utterly impossible to proceed this session with the Education Bill . Elections Bill . —ODbrd Beougham , in moving the

      second reading of this bill , the object of which was to provide that the writs of election should be sent direct to the sheriff , and to reduce the time at present required between the receipt of the writ and the close of the election , took the opportunity of urging upon the Government the necessity of introducing in the next session some large measure of Parliamentary reform which would have the effect of improving the character of the constituent bodies of the country , and consequently of elevating the character of the representatives in Parliament . Some of the most important amendments in the electoral law had originated in the Lords , and he felt , therefore , that he was not out of place in pressing the matter on the attention of the Government in that House , though he was ready to admit that the power of their lordships in this respect was one which should be employed as sparingly as possible . The bill was then read a second time .

      Entey of Seamen Bill . —With some explanation from Sir Jambs Gbaham , and some talk about corporal punishment , this bill passed , through committee at a morning sitting , on Monday . Ibisxc Law Kefokm . —Lord Beougham moved the second reading of the Courts of Common Law ( Ireland ) Bill , which , he said , had met with the general approval of the members of the bench and of the bar in Ireland . Tho Loed Chancellor concurred in tho opinion that this bill would be of immense benefit to Ireland . He also thought that it was the duty of the House to pass as many as possible of tho bills which were founded on the recommendations of the Common Law Commissioners , but there

      were some points which could not be properly matured unless he and the judges had the opportunity of considering thorn during tho long vacation . The bill was read a second time . Public Business . —Aftor Monday next , orders of tho day will have precedence of notices of motion on Tuesdays . Mr . Diseaeli did not oppose this when moved by Lord John Russkll ; but ho trusted that Government would give a day , should anything momentous happen in foreign affairs . " Count Out . "—On Tuesday evening , tho House was Counted out just after six — thirty-eight Members only being present . The cause of this proceeding was Mr . Pbllatt , who had come down resolutely to move a bill to abolish pauper removal !

      Clixheeoh Election Committee . — Mr . Aspinall has boon declared not duly elected , " illegal expenditure " having been proved .

      Our Statesmen At The City Feast. The Lor...

      OUR STATESMEN AT THE CITY FEAST . The Lord Mayor made a feast , on Saturday , nnd called thereto her Majesty's Ministers , nnd other men of rank and note . Tho French Ambassador nnd his wife , tho Duchess of Sutherland , and tho loading dignitaries of tho Bank of Englutul , woro also among tho company . Tho speeches mado hud , on houio points , a timely interest . Lord Aberdeen , who modestly disclaimed nny spcoinl Ministerial ability for himself , mado a brief ruforonce to tho qmuttion of the day i —• " I will « ay ono word , and but a word , on a subject which now much ongrossos public attention . I say that tho policy— 'the essential policy of her Majesty ' s Govorn « inont—i » a policy of peace ( loud and prolonged cheers ) , and I havo no doubt my distinguished friend whom I havo in my oy « [ wo understood tho allusion to bo to tho French ambassador ] will cordially ro-ocho that sentiment . I do not think that tho quotation of peace can bo a matter of indifference to this great oontro of industry and coramerco , add I can assure you that nQ efforts on our part will bo wanting , consistent with tho honour and real intoroeta of this

      country , to secure a continuance of that first of earthly blessings . " ( Loud cheers . ) Count Walewslri fully responded to these sentiments . He spoke warmly of " the cordiality between Franco and England" " a happy result , which ought to be hailed with joy by all , for , above all things , it assures the peace of Europe for . the future , and even at the present moment- ( Loud cheers . ) I hope that very shortly facts will occur to sanction that assertion / ' ( Applause . ) After the Lord Chancellor and Lord Granville had made some pleasing but common-place speeches , Lord John Bussell spoke for the House of Commons . He referred to the affirmation and prosecution of the Free-trade policy as a signal mark of the wisdom of the House , and to the late regulation of taxation as considerate and judicious : — -

      " There is , however , one observation which I must make with regard to the House of Commons , which I am sure will be felt in this place , and felt by those whom I am proud to call my constituents of the City of London ; and that is , that in revising the taxes—in searching whether there are any taxes that can be considered oppressive—ia examining where relief can be granted—and in endeavouring to relieve the people at large from , those duties which bore heavily upon articles of the first necessity—articled whichit is admitted on all sound principles , are not the

      , proper subjects of fiscal burdens—we have so endeavoured to arrange the revenues of the country that the publio credit shall be inviolably maintained—we have taken care , in the repeal and reduction of taxes , to provide by other arrangements of the revenue , that the public creditor shall still be duly paid , that the great services of the country shall receive full support , and that the public income shall be fully equal to all demands that may be made upon it . In doing this , I hold that we have performed a solemn duty . "

      The next speech , of interest was that by Lord Palmerston : —^ "As my present office places me more than that which I formerly held in connexion with my countrymen , it is the more a matter of gratification to me if I do in the smallest degree deserve the commendation which the Lord Mayor has been pleased to bestow upon me as the willing and hardworking horse . ( Laughter . ) That quality , however , is likely to have little scope as far as the City of London is concerned , for there cannot be a body of men more willing or more capable of co-operating with her Majesty ' s Government than the magistrates of London . I have recently had a remarkable instance of this , in which

      I may venture to say that the corporation of the City of London , acting in the true spirit of the Constitution , which leads to constant and progressive improvement , and carefully to build on the ancient and stable foundations , has concurred with her Majesty ' s Government in the appointment of a commission , not to overturn the constitution of the city , but to inquire whether , in the lapse of time and the change of circumstances , anything may be required to be modified and improved . The readiness evinced by the City of London to agree to this commission has , I trust , been met in the same spirit by her Majesty ' s Government ; and the men who have been named on that commission will merit , I hope , the confidence of the City of London , at the same time

      that they will not disappoint the expectations that are entertained of their labours . ( Cheers . ) Perhaps , my Lord , in return for tho honour you have conferred upon me , I may do that which is often done in similar cases—* namely , when an obligation is conferred , to take a liberty in return . ( Laughter . ) I am about to propose the health of a body of men who are members of the House of Commons . It may bo said , indeed , that a whole contains every part , and that as we have alread y drunk to the House of Commons , so we havo included ^ every member of that House ; but , however , I am about to ask you to make an exception to that logical sequence , and I ask you to select ; as the subject of a separate toast the metropolitan member * of the House of Commons . ( Cheers . ) They are none of them inferior to other members of Parliament in their

      talents , in their assiduity , and in their personal character ; and there is ono of them who has distinguished himself in an eminont degree , by his noble and generous advocacy of tho cause of the oppressed foreigner—I speak of my noblo friend , Lord Dudley Stuart . ( Cheers . ) I own , my Lord , I am not altogether disinterested in proposing tbia toast , because I hope to obtain tho assistance ol the metropolitan members in carrying out improvements , not on tho institutions of tho metropolis , but on the metropolis itself . When that distinguished and gifted artist Canova came to this country , ho was struck with admiration at the convonionces of tho city , at tho breadth of its footways , tho comforts of tho houses , and tho security for lite and property ; and ho said , with that hyperbolo which is peculiar to southern clinics , if London were only whitened ,

      it would be an earthly paradise . ( Choors and laughter . ) So our great poet ( Pope ) , writing in tho last century , has told us ( spoaking of the Thames ) that its translucid wavo flhono like a broad mirror . That mirror has since been darkened ; and if it casts a reflection on anything , it is a reflection upon thoso who havo Buffered its waters to bo so polluted . ( Groat laughtor ami cheering . ) I hopo the metropolitan members will aid me in transforming the Thames from its present stuto of liquid mud , and of restoring ittj fair tranulucid wave ' . I am aatiaflcd , if their aid is given us , that wo shall rendor this cit y not only ono of tho greatest commercial , but ono of tho healthiest And most agreeable residences of any civilized community . ( Cheers . ) I bog to propose , ' Lord Dudley Stuarfa and tho Metropolitan Mombora . '" ( Chcora . )

      Tho other tonsta of tjho ovening wore disposed of with tho usual enthusiasm and tho tuual amount ot couuplhnentitry responses *

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 30, 1853, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_30071853/page/5/