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Northern Star (1837-1852), 1st December 1849, Edition 2 of 3, Page 7

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    • THE MINERS OF THE NORTH
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      Fiiksii Clearances.—The Clearance Svstem...

      feivrafeel upstairs , all armed , and got on in a most ist boisterous manner . When the landlord entered the an room to expostulate on their diso'derly conduct , one 5 . jf ; felIo , r s lifted agon , which hesaid was charged xb with two balls , presented it at hire , swearing " he ju would blow bis papist brains out . " After smashing fi' the windows , they all , with one accord , took up their m guns and sh-iuted Uiey would shoot , wreck , and ™ , ' 5 ?! S , * B that came in tfae 5 r W * J '» as thevdidat 01 Dolly ' s-brae . The neighbours were alarmed , and in came m great numbers , when the ruffians decamped ^ f ? v-fe VM /^ SI" * ' longing to one of the 1 'Night Fowlers- " The Rathfriland : olice were imk mediatel y on the s : ot , hut refused to make prisoners n on the plea that ikey had no authoritr .-ZWfc * t , Vindicator . J

      m Oeasgesies asd Loro CLAUEsnox . —The a indignation of the Or * nge organs at the delays of the " grand lodge" in producing its report criminatory » f of JLord Clarendon , is unbounded . The Mail and R Packet , in abusing the "brethren , " chime for once it TO harmony . The 3 foi 7 quotes the commentaiy ofthe P Packet , and the Faciei that of the Mail . The latter j ( journal says : — " In our opinion it matters , but little « whether or not the report shall ever come into the v 'world . The uncertainty of the hatchers has so much d disturbed the nest , that the eggs have now grown cold . I if not addled . By its deliberation the Grand Ora , " «? 1 Lodge has lost the opportunity of conciliating the 1 humbler brethren by taking a part in the exposure of

      the bass treachery to which they were made victims : i it has also s . oiled the market of the compromisers . " ' Thus having found , it would appear , that there are no documents of any great importance forrhecmin ? , the cry of "a compromise" is found exceedingly convenient . " No witholding of documents ( tays the Mail wi 1 remove a single spot from the character of Lord Clarendon . " The truth is , the downfall of Orangeism seems ti approach at last ; the sanguinary atrocities of Dolly ' s Brae , and the system of corruption that las been disclosed to the world by the " ' Grand Lodge , " Lave accelerated the event beyond any chance of arresting its progress and the spite they feel for themselves and for each other cannot be concealed .

      Municipal Eircims . —The annual election of town-conncillori took place on Monday , on which occasion Mr . John Reynolds , M . P ., and Lord Mayor elec t , was elected for no less than three wardsnamely , Merri » n , Linen-hall , - and Andrews . Repeal Association- - —Mr ! ' John O'Conneji ' s gathering of the pence 6-r the last week showed a decline of nearly thirty per cent , under the receipts of the previous rent-dav , " Universal Ireland " c-ntributing but £ 212 s . M . Mr . J . O'Connell read the following letter from Mr . Bright : — Rochdale 22 nd November 1 S 49 . .

      , , 51 r dess Sib , —I duly received your letter of the Oth of this month , conveying to me the " resolution of tlie Loyal National Repeal Association , eipresdve of their approbation of my recent speech on Ireland . I can say with all sincerity that I am much gratified to leara that the views 1 bare formed and publicly explained with regard to the calamities which afflict your country , have met with the concurrence of an association which must contain vr ' tlun its ranks a large xraniberof those thoroughly acquainted with the condition of Ireland , and most honestly anxious to improve it I can easily believe that upon a case of so much difficulty as that which Ireland now presents , differences of opinion will be inevitable , and I am not therefore discouraged if the policy I have but very partially sketched should seem to you but a tiorlion of what is

      required . I wiU nut now enter into discussion upon ( be points you have . suhuritteiHo me . \> ut can assure you that to eTery one of them I trill give that consideration which , coming firom such a quarter , fhey must so eminently merit . imay remark , however , that 1 have no idea that any changes oi tlie law can instantaneously change the condition of Ireland . ' Anarchy , political and social , cannot givcjJace to order in a moment of time . Tho long violation of every economical law cannot be remedied at once , nor can the traces of its ruin be obliterated in a single season . I have seen the land , and I have seen the people . I know the land is fertile , and that the jieople are industrious . With these elements , then , I propose to work out the salvation of Ireland ; and my policy would so secure to industry its reward , and by perfect justice in your political aud ecclesiastical

      arrangements so extract the root of bitterness from your social system , that , were it adopted , I have faith that Irishmen would speedily effect the restoration of Ireland . lam delighted to believe " that a hitter feeling prevails with you and with us on the great questions which so deeply interest both countries ; and I shall especially rejoice if the Coming session of parliammt exhibit a more cordX-d and united effort on the part of the English and Irish members to advance sueh legislative measures as shall be found necessary for the relief of your suffering country . I feel grateful to your association for the resolution they have passed , aud to yon personally for the very kind manner in which you have conveyed itto me , aud subscribe myself , Yours very faithfully , 3 ou :-i Bmcirr .

      The Marquis of Watehfobd axb the Poachehs . —The Tip' ycrary Vindicator contains the following curious statement : — " The Marquis of Tvaterford ' s keepers lably apprehended two men named Gaul and Kerns for setting traps for game in the Curraghmorc preserves , and brought them before his lordship , who appeared incensed at the depredations continually made on his game , and threatened to have summary punishment Inflicted on the offenders . They however took occasion to state their circumstances to the angered nobleman , and in the end expressed a desire to leave a country where employment could not be had , and go to America . The Marquis ' s resentment was disarmed , and he ordered a . snm of £ 20 to be given to defray the costs of their passage . " Acricl'ltciutj School of Lvdcstrt i . v Mossier . —At a mcctin < r of the committee appointed at the

      inauguration of the college , to consider what steps mi ght be taken for the appropriation towards the improvement of agriculture of the sum of £ 5 , 000 remaining from the funds of the Reproductive Loan Committee , held in Cork , on Saturday , after some discussion , the following resolution was proposed by Mr . lagan , M . P ., and seconded by Dr . Barter : — " That means be promptly adopted to complete the establishment of an agricultural school of industry in Monster , in connexion with the Provincial College , by the formation of an agricultural , botanical , and arborieultural g arden and experimental farm , and also a museum of materials connected with these important subjects , so as to secure to this locality the appropriation of the £ 5 , 000 , as set forth in the second section of the 11 th and 12 th Victoria , chap . 115 . " The resolution was put and carried unanimously , and it was agreed that circulars should be sent through the country for

      subscriptions . Dimlvgiiox of Voters . —The question of the registries is be < rmniflg to excite the attention which it must command . " The Evening Post , in an article on the results of the Cork election , says : — " In the city of Dublin we find , by a return in one of the newspapers , that the registries in favour of the Tories were nine or ten to one . How it may be in the corporate towns we cannot say precisely , but we arc'satisfied that most of them will change their memhers . "

      The Freeman ' s Journal says : —" Were a general election to occurto-morrow , what would the position of Cork county he ? In ISil the total population is stated to have been 773 , 398 , and of these , according to the usual mode of circulation , there can hardly have been less than 180 , 000 adult males , yet not more than 3 , 781 names at that period appeared upon the re gistry , and , as wo know , the number of names on the registry invariably exceed the actual number of persons who at any given time are entitled to vote . It is important likewise to bear in mind the proportion which rent-charges and £ 50 freeholders in every constituency bear to

      those endued with the popular franchise . Of the total number already stated , 1 , 237 belonged to the spcciallv favoured classes of electors , who arc privileged by law to register when they please , without qu estion or inquiry of any sort ; so that the popular share of representative power in the county of Cork in the year 1 S 11 may be said to have lam nominally with 2 , 447 individuals , out of a population of 773 393 . Whatever the real or proportional numbers may have then been , they have of necessity been still further reduced during the years of unparalleled calamity which hare since rolled over our heads . A return presented to parliament last co « fnn -rives for the largest county in the kingdom

      iot more than 3 , 626 electors The difference between this number and that ef I & 41 should be deducted from the popular part of the constituency , and thus we have for 1840 , just twenty years after Catholic Emancipation , and seventeen years after the English Reform Bill , an electoral body in the county of Cork , whose numerical inadequacy is without a parallel in the annals of constitutional fcrce . The nearest approach in figure to the constituency of Cork is twit of Pembrokeshire , which is not one-twentieth of its size , and which does not contain one-fiftieth of its population . The numbers are curious :-Cork county , population ttS , 3 dS electors 3 , 626 ; Pembrokeshire , papulation 2 ^ 02-3 , electors 3 , 693 . What is thus said of Cork may unfort unately be predicted of all the Irish constituen ri Coal -The su bjoined gratify ing statement a ia the Sewn , Examiner :- " The extensive cKld of Ballycastle has at last been opened , fndfcanro of . coals therefrom has arrived a _ he Since

      „„« n- " Belfast It 13 fifty-five years ure » . » u liHsSateSfSs ^ struc t ! , g a Mwar * . important im-SKEd « £ «* emp loyment . The * £ » £ ¦ CM 1 fro ® ^ St h « obtained the extension of the 5 " * sJSl £ the " veroiuent , and further extended l > e aided oyIne ? .- , is ^ miles to Ballyfrom **&»« £££ iould afford a vast castle . J ^ Spensable article to the flax **&& ° iSnen bleachers of Ballymena , Colesr ^ S'f & tsS ; ™ . ?^

      Fiiksii Clearances.—The Clearance Svstem...

      The Poor-law Difficulty . — The insolvent unions , as they are not inaptl y termed , are still clamouring for the remission of the enormous debts with which they are loaded , and seekin « 'for a general release from the Imperial Exchequer , to enable them to start again free from their overwhelming liabilities . In the Clare unions the rates now in course of collection are comparativel y low—merclv what is required to defray the current expenses for a few months , but still some difficulty will be experienced in the levy . The Cfare JburnaJ draws a very gloomy pictnreof the condition of those unions , and points to the Treasury as the only source of relief . That journals says " : — " If the present liabilities were now paid off by a grant from government , it would afford encouragement to all classes to make vigorous efforts for their own support in future ; and it would give some confidence to tho

      tenant-farmers , and stop many of them in their meditated flight from the country . Xoris this union more distressed than others around us . Need we refer t ) Kilrusb , where it would require a rate of 41 s . in the pound on some of the divisions to meet their liabilities ; but where the board of guardians do not consider it possible to collect a higher rate than that recently imposed by them—namely , a uniform one of Ss . in the pound . " * fnUifcushtue markets are crowded with produce of all kinds , and food is consequently low in j rice almost beyond precedent , because , as the dare Journal observes , " the country people are making sales of all they can , and buying nothing they can avoid ; " farmers are putting the money in their pockets , waiting to know what abatement will be given on the land , and if their expectations are not realised , they sail for a forei gn clime .

      December-L, 1849. The Northern Star. 7

      December-l , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR . 7

      Disistens O? The Mkmterbaxeas Fleet.—We ...

      DisiSTEns o ? the Mkmterbaxeas Fleet . —We extract the following from the Bants Telegraph the following detail of the late disasters in our squadron in the Mediterranean : — "The squadron , consisting of the Queen ( flag , ) 110 ; Howe , 120 ; Caledonia , 120 ; Prince Regent , 92 ; Powerful , 84 ; Vengeance , 84 ; and Dragon steam-frigate , left Zante on the evening of the 18 th of September . The Queen was the last away , and tho wind falling light , she was taken in tow by the Dragon , but before her head could be got round to seaward , she ran foul of the Jtoramond . steam sloop , carrying away that yokel ' s stern boat , davits , bulwarks , quarter galleries , and some more of her frame-work , leaving her head-shoots and their contents on the Rosamond ' s quarter deck , as also losing the towing hawser , bv

      reason of the 'casting off from both ships at the same time . The Queen got into something less than four and a half fathoms . On the afternoon of the 21 st October , whilst working to windward , between Zea and Micronist , wind light , and water smooth , the Caledonia being on the port tack , ran foul of the Powerful , but got clear with some trifling loss to both ships . In anchoring in Basicabav on the 23 th of Oct ., the Vengeance ( Captain Earl of Hardwicke ) ran foul of the Caledonia and Dragon , owinsr , to the latter attempting to cross the hows of the former—in other words , steaming ahead when she ought to have gone astern . The damage sustained by the Caledonia was the loss of two boats stove , boats' davits doubled up like an iron hoop , iron stanchions to the stern galleries bent double ,

      quarter galleries stevem , and considerable quantity of framework damaged . The Vengeance sustained the loss of the cathead bumpkins , spritsail gaff , jib and flying jib booms , bobstay , and shroud collars . The damage sustained by the Dragon could not have been much , as she was sent off very soon afterwards to Constantinople with the mould for a new cathead for the Vengeance . Those who saw the catastrophe say that had the Vengeance not struck the Caledonia , she must have cut the Dragon down to the water ' s edge , if not hare snnk her . The Dragon ' s flying jibboom went into the Caledonia ' s stern . On the 1 st of November , when the squadron was getting under weigh , with a double reefed topsail breeze from the southward , the Prince Regent , Captain Martin , after she was a-we \ gh , but- before her topsails were hoisted ( they were sheeted home , and jib and staysail set , ) ran into the Howe , 120 , Captain Sir James Stirling ( the latter being at anchor , ) taking her amidships . The Prince Resent

      lost her cathead , her bumpkins , spritsails , gaff , dolphinstriker , jibboom , and twisted the bowsprit cap . The Howe escaped with the loss of the laniards of her main rigging , which were cutaway in order to let the Prince Regent ' s bowsprit clear her mainmast , which shook not a little from the shock . Kb lives were lost on either occasion . The Powerful , on coming to an anchor , parted her cable , but got itagain next day . The Odin steam-frigate , on hoisting in a piece of timber for the cathead of the Vengeance , let it slip out of its slings , so it sunk to rise no more . Sir William Parker , with the captains of his fleet , called upon the Pasha of the Dardanelles on the Sth , and Sir William ( whose repugnance to tobacco smoking , and to allow any one in his ship or squadron to do so either , is so well known , and so rigidly enforced in the former case ) actually took three whiffs of the Pasha ' s pipe , and then requested the consul to explain to his highness that if he took another he would drop down dead .

      Pbexch Theatricals . —A great sensation has recently been created in the theatrical circles by the President of the Republic having , on the report of the Minister of the Interior , decreed that in consequence of the embarrassed state of the Theatre Franeais , and of the necessity of reorganising it , 31 . Arscne lloussaye should be appointed ad interim administrator and " government commissioner , and , as sueh , should exercise all the administrative powers , heretofore held by the committee of the societaircs . Against this the societaircs ( the principal male and female performers ) made a solemn protest , on the ground that it was a violation of the rights and privileges conferred on the company of the theatre by the Imperial decree of 1 S 12 , and other decrees and ordinances . On Saturday the

      case was carried before the Civil Tribunal . M . Marie , for the societaircs , contended at great length that , though the government had the rhjht to exercise stirvciifauoc over the theatre , it had none to meddle with the administration , inasmuch as a company was established many years ago , in virtue of an ordinary deed of partnership , for carrying on the theatre , and that this deed had been adhered to by all the performers who had subsequently joined , or who bow belonged to the company . This deed gave the performers the management * of the theatre and the control and division of the receipts . The Imperial decree of 1 S 12 , signed by Napoleon at Moscow , respected the rights of the peiformcrs . Other decrees aud ordinances did so too , and it would be a violation of the rights of proper ! v for

      the government to deprive them of the administration , - whilst the appointment of the administrator would greatly increase the expenses . M . Chaix-d'Est-Ange , for M . Arsene lloussaye , maintained that the tribunal had no power to enter into the case ; that the government bad the right to act as it had done ; and that it had taken similar measures on previous occasions . The tribunal gave judgment to the effect that the theatre had frequently been subjected to the decrees and ordinances of the government , and that the recent decres were acts of public administration on the part of the government , with wliich the tribunal could not interfere ; it accordingly dismissed the case , and condemned the plaintiffs in the costs . —Galignani ' s Messenger .

      FovJXDEniso ok the Paxdoha Steameb . —Intelligence was received on Tuesday at the Custom-house of the total loss of this steam ship , which took place on the morning of the 26 th October , while on her passage from London to Alexandria . The particulars ofthe wreck and the escape of her crew are thus reported by Capt . J . Roskell , master of the emigrant ship Asia , who witnessed the unhappy event : —At eleven o ' clock on the morning abovenamed , when the Asia ( which had upwards of 200 emigrants on board for Sydney , Port Phillip , and Adelaide , ) was in lat . 48 . 31 , long . 6 . 19 , west , a steamer hove in sight , which turned out to be the Pandora , Capt . Smith , commander , bound for Alexandria . Capt . Roskell hailed her , and begged of the master to report the Asia . The reply was that

      they would do so . When they parted , the Pandora directed her course towards Ushant . At that time Capt . Roskell , with his officers and passengers , could not help remarking that the steamer was in a sinking condition , and much surprise was manifested at the circumstance of the captain not seeking assistance from the Asia . She had not passed more than half an hour before a signal of distress was run up to her mast , and she bore about for the Asia . Capt . Roskell immediately hove to , and as soon as she came up the master begged of the Asia to send her boats to them , for the Pandora was fast settling down , and ungovernable . This was instantly done , the first and second officers of the Asia taking charge of them , and on coming alongside the steamer was found to be full of water . Her

      erewfifteen in number—immediately sought refuge in the Asia ' s boat . In another moment they would all have met with a frightful death , for her boilers exp loded , blowing up her decks , and the ship instantly went down . Nothing whatever was saved by the crew ; all they had was the clothes they stood in . On board of the Asia they received every kindness and attention . It was the intention of Capt . Roskell shipping the crew on bor . id the first vessel the Asia met bound for London , but not succeeding they were taken on to Madeira , ' where they were landed on the 2 nd instant . The Pandora was fully insured at Lloyds . She was quite a new steamer , having been launched a few months since from the ship-building yard of Messrs . Robinson and Co ., the engineers at Millwail . She had been purchased by the Egyptian government .

      The Late Ma. Youatt, In One Of His Orati...

      The Late Ma . Youatt , in one of his orations to the members of tlie Veterinary College , observes— " that by the improvements in modern chemistry , the medical profession are enabled successfully to treat diseases which were previously supposed as not ivithin the reach of medictoe . " The trutn lias been minifested for many years , hut in no instance of greater importance to mankind than by tfw discovery of Blair ' s Gout and Rheumatic Pills . "

      The Miners Of The North

      THE MINERS OF THE NORTH

      On Saturday last the delegate meeting of the Miners' Society was held at the Fence II 0 U 86 S Hotel , near Houghton-le-Spring , Durham , at which the following proceedings took place : — Mr . A . Stores was called upon to preside , and was assisted by Mr . J . Hall , as vice-president . The Secretary called over the list of collieries previously represented . Seven more collieries gave in their adhesion to the union , and the announcement was received with gratifying acclamation . The debate on the propriety of having a printed plan for the lecturers was discussed , and the following resolution carried : — " That this meeting fully appreciates the utility of a printed plan ofthe lecturers' appointments , but think they should be delayed until the collieries are more organised and united , and the same formed into properly arranged districts . "

      The next question was the utility of a general sick fund , into which the surplus average weig ht earnings should be paid , estimated at three-pence per score . After a lengthened discussion it was resolved , " That each colliery be recommended to begin , a local sick fund , upon Jair and equitable principles . " It was next considered whether to have a general public , meeting upon Shadon ' s Hill , or not ; ultimately it was resolved , " To lay the same before the collieries for decision at their next meeting . " On the motion of a Delegate it was resolved , " That in future , when the ballot upon any question takes place , that all the votes be recorded in . the Secretary ' s hook . " ¦ .-..

      Several collieries handed in an account of the prices got by the union , together with the extra weight of coal sent to bank , as follows : —Black Boy Colliery—An advance of 3 d . per score- ; have most excellent arrangements' for conveying the coals from the workmen , which reflects great credit upon the agents . The ventilation is superior to many of tho neighbouring collieries , but would be much improved by additional brattices being provided . Ifeugh Hall Colliery . —The hewers have gained an advance of Is . per score , or about sixteen per cent . The putters 2 d . per score ad ranee ; all of wliich have been the result of union , besides which , previous to our union , the set out was very oppressive , and a man was not allowed to measure his tub .

      Now wc have the weighing machine ; '' and a chance of justice . At this colliery a serious evil had crept in , wliich we have also abolished . At the time when "kennens called "—wliich is the time for ceasing work for the day , and wliich day ' s work should not be longer than twelve hours—tbe practice had been to draw all the full tubs , which invariably kept the men and boys for two additional hours , thus making the day ' s work fourteen hours . This we have broken off , and insist that twelve hours bo not exceeded ; these concessions are the result of the union , inasmuch as all attempts at reason or argument were of no avail with our employers ; until we united ourselves—and these two hours ' will be much better spent by our boys going to school . Coppy Crook ' s Collikht . —Ten years ago the

      price for hewing coals was Gs . Cd . per score ; we are now paid but 4 s . 6 d „ yet the price of coals at market was exactly the same then as now ; besides , Our standard weight , ten years since , was six cwt ., while now it is seven cwt . When a tub is considered by the banksman to be deficient in wei ght it is set out , but is not tested by the machine . Oiii * previous price for driving headways was Is . 8 d . peryard , now it is but Is . For turning away boards we had 5 s ., now we have 2 s . Narrow boards were Is . per yard , and now but Sd . Putters had Is . 4 d ., first rents or stage , at present the price is Is . Id . for the same distance . Similar reductions have been made in the other seam , viz . —the five quarter . Then we have to complain for want of air ; and if any ofthe workmen go out because of bad air the master will ask the deputy : " What is the matter with the place

      or stall ? " Tbe deputy will say , " The air is bad , sir . " "Well , but could you not find them other places to work in ? " "No , sir ; the other places are worse than the ones they have left . " Last April , coals being low at the London , market ( 14 s . p er ton , ) our employers pleaded the depression of the trade for making a reduction then , but promised faithfully to put it on again when times mended . His words were , "Lads , we cannot help this reduction now , but if all be well when the coals got up at market , you shall have it back again . " The price of coals at present are 17 s . 6 d . per ton ., and we have made our claim . But judge of our surprise to bear our master state , " Not a penny shall you have . " This answer made the men desperate , and they have all given a month ' s notice for an advance of wages .

      The men at Brancepeth Colliery have had a long struggle for an advance of wages , and have had to undergo unheard of difficulties , being turned out of their houses , and otherwise suffering great privations . The dispute , however , has terminated with an advance of tenpence per score . ' Two of the workmen had been taken before tho magistrates , but were brought off clear by Mr . Horner , of Darlington . Westertox Colliery . —At the beginning of the present year the price was 12 a . Hid . per score of twenty-tubs , each tub seven and a half cwt . In March , the weight was increased to eight cwt . per tub , and the price reduced to 12 * . 4 d . per score . In October , we got an advance of Cd . per score , therefore our present price is 12 s . lOd . for the eight cwt . tub , wliich still leaves a reduction of Od . per score . The pit draws about forty scores per day , which is a loss to the hewers of about £ 400 per annum .

      Elsh-ick Colmekv has gained an advance of Gd . per score . The pit draws forty-ei ght score daily , which , together with some consideration paid for wet working , will advantage the workmen upwards of £ 300 per year . The hewers had , up to this time , procured their powder and candles of tho masters , and those gentlemen had charged them as much as lid . per pound for candles more than the regular price , and Id . per pound for powder . Tiio " nien now buy the articles wholesale , and save all the above . A curious circumstance occurred with a certain wholesale dealer of the above articles and the men of this colliery , which shows the power and influence of the employers of this district . A deputation ofthe men were sent to the merchant to ask

      the conditions and prices for the stores they wanted . He received them very cordially , and explained all matters to them , and the men returned a few days after to make their first purchase . In the meantime they set to work to build a powder house and store room , and although they requested a little assistance from the master , none was given , and indeed , as will be seen , every obstruction was thrown in their way . However , having got over all difficulties of a physical character , away they hied to the merchant to make the purchase , but now the tables were turned , and the previous complacent merchant began to read them a lecture upon the

      duty of servants to submit to their employers , and not to obstruct the working ofthe colliery by their Union and agitators , and eventually refused to allow the parties to have any goods whatever . Think of tins Gateshead merchant , you colliers who thrusts his nose into your business , and pleads the employer ' s cause gratuitously . But why this change in his manner ? Because , no doubt , he had had a visit from the master of the colliery , whose loss in this business is estimated at £ 60 per annum . Siuxcuffe Collieby . —Our masters reduced the price Is . per score , and also 4 d . per score wet working . After a severe struggle we have got an advance of Sd . per score , and tlie id , for wet .

      Shildox Colliery . —There has been an advance of Gd . per score , and 2 d . per yard for hewing , and 2 d . per score for putting . There are 200 men in the Union , and two men not in , earning at the present t me 3 s . Gd . per day . Sackistox Colliery . —We , the workmen of the above colliery , state , that since we joined the association , our prices have been advanced 7 d . per score in the main eoal seam , and 6 d . per score in the five-quarter seam ; also id . per score advantage by having our coals properly weighed . Oxclose Colliery have got an advance of 4 d . per score in one part of the pit , and 3 d . in another ; also 4 d . per yard for driving narrow places . The measure box by which the laid-out is determined has been increased from two quarts to four , thus giving us a better chance to keep our earnings .

      Woomfield Colliery . —The advance of prices got here amounts to £ 23 per fortnight . Hurrah for the Union ! The proceedings were then brought to a close with a resolution for an adjournment to the 8 th of December , at Mr . T . Greener ' s , sign of the Cock , Newcastle-on-Tyne , at nine o ' clock , a . m .

      The Northumberland And Durham Miners. To...

      THE NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM MINERS . TO THE EDITOR OF THE XORWERX STAR . Sin , —By the insertion of the following address you will much oblige the men of Trimdon Grange Colliery : — " TO THE JIIXERS OF XORnilWIBKIUASr ) ASD DL'KHAM . ' - Fellow-Workmen , —Having had our attention called to the necessity of establishing some broad comprehensive plan for tbe hour of need , we now address you on behalf of the establishment of a General Aid and Benefit Society throughout the two counties . Visited as wc are by casualties not

      common to trades ; we have been almost by common consent objected to as being unfit to become members in the various Provident Societies in our localities . This being the fact , it behoves us as men having a due sense of the calls of suffering humanity , to establish an order for tho general benefit of each other in sickness and distress . We need not harrow up your minds by reciting the many serious explosions that have taken place , and to which we are dail y exposed , in order to induce you to action , yet it seems necessary to us to remind you , that while you have , and are still admitting tho need of such an institution , we have all generally contented ourselves by only making sucli admissions . " RULES . 1 st . —That this society shall be known by tho

      The Northumberland And Durham Miners. To...

      name of the " Miners' Mutual Aid and Benefit Society . " 2 nd . — -That all working miners , from tho age of fourteen and upwards , shall be considered eligible to become members of the above society . 3 rd . —That eachcolliery shall have the sole management and control of its own funds , but in the event of any explosion or casualties out of the ordinary bills of mortality , a general levy shall bo made throughout the whole of the society , in order to sustain such colliery . 4 th . —Should any member of this society have occasion to leave a colliery , and remove to another colliery , he shall be admitted as a member free of expense , by producing a clearance card from the colliery he has left .

      Fellow workmen , —Having briefly sketched the bearing of the principle to which wc have called your attention , we defer going into deta Is until we shall know whether you respond to our call . Miners , if you respect the good opinion ofthe public at large , —if y 0 u respect and sympathise with the aged in want , prove your respect and sympathy by joining with us in this common bond of brotherhood . Besting in the full assurance that our appeal will not be in vain , We bog to subscribe ourselves , On behalf of the men of Trimdon Grange Colliery , county of Durham , Egbert Ciiarlto . v , President , Joux Temple , Secretary .

      National Reform League. The Ordinary Fri...

      NATIONAL REFORM LEAGUE . The ordinary Friday evening lecture of the President , Mr . J . B . O'Brien , delivered in the Institution , John-street , Fitzroy-square , was well attended last week . The lecturer commenced by a refutation ofthe report in the Daily News and ' Weekly ZJ / spatch—that he wished the people to forego their ag itation for political reform , and to concentrate all their efforts to the work of social reform . In fact , the only practical object the National Reform League bad at present m view was the attainment of the People ' s Charter ; the other objects of the League were confined to the enlightenment ofthe people as to what the Charter ought and could do

      ior tnem , —tor tne want or wnicn Knowledge the people of France were now worse off under universal suffrage than they were under Louis Philippe , notwithstanding all the blood and treasure they had wasted , and all the' patriotic struggles they had made . Many of their best men were murdered , or were now in banishment , or in dungeons ; their taxation had nearly doubled ; and the producing classes found it more difficult than ever to procure a . subsistence . _ Did not these things prove that mere changes in the name or form of government , without such a change of principle as should give the people their ' social rights , could never make the masses either prosperous or contented ? Yet , in this country there were parties who clamourously argued

      that a mere alteration in parliamentary representation would cure all social evil , and that the removal of a few millions of taxes would usher in prosperity . Besides , he maintained that no such reduction could be made while nearly three-fourths ofthe proceeds of taxation wont to pay the interest on the National Debt . De should like to know how a reduction of ten millions of taxes would improve the condition of tho poor sempstress , ov the miserable clodhopper , who : . rarely consumed any taxed article , except perhaps a little tea or tobacco ! If Mr . Cobden and that party would demand that the burthen ofthe National Debt should be placed on the right shoulders , —the property classes , to protect whose interests it was oricinallv contracted .

      that would be a measure worth -agitating for . As for Mr . Cobden ' s project for reducing the army , it waWll a delusion ; for while the present system lasted governments - dared not decrease their armies . Ever since the fall of Napoleon all the governments of Europe had increased their forcesnot from a fear of international war , but from a fear of civil war ; and as tho miseries ofthe people increased ( which is inevitable under tho existing system ) so would armies increase , —and so would deficient exchequers . At this momentFrancc kept up 570 , 000 . paid homicides—ostensibly hired to promote the glory , honour , and safety of the country , but virtually , to kill and slay all those , who dared to raise a voice in defence of tlie i-tehts of man , when

      those rights interfered with tiic interests of the rentiers , or the profits of the bourgeoisie . In Franco every kind of constitution had been tried except the true ono;—that of 179 D was nearest tho truth , but that had been forcibly put down by the corrupt influences of the landlords and moneylords . All their attempts at political reform had hitherto failed , as had our own . Cobden and his friends told us when our first Reform Bill was passed , that tho Whigs would then be enabled to carry out their professions of economy and retrenchment ; and how had they done it ? Why , by adding ten millions to the state expenditure , through such amiable devices as giving a Dowager Queen £ 100 , 000 a year , and a Prince Consort , £ 30 , 000 : they wanted to make it £ 50000

      , had not the Tories prevented them . And how have they provided for tiic wants of the people ? They have made the poor-law more stringent , —and voted only £ 30 , 000 for national education , although at the same time they had no compunction in allowing £ 70 , 000 for tho royal stables ! If they cut down taxes in one place they planted them in others ; if they abolished a redundant office they opened a now one for their friends and relations . CobuCn ' s party had told us , too , that Free Trade was the panacea ; but it was now well proved that the labour class gained nothing by that measure , whatever , the master class and fixed income people did . Therefore , from these failures , ho was bound to impale Mr . Cobden upon one or other of the horns

      of . this dilemma—either he was deceived or a deceiver- ; and , in either case , it was time to expose the fallacy , so that the people might be no longer subjected to delusion , and consequent disappointment . He ( Mr . O'Brien ) had been told that he must not probe these things too deeply—that he must not expose these deceptions , for . fear . of alarming the middle classes ! Well , suppose he did alarm them , what then ? He considered ho was doing them a kindness in sounding the alarm , although they had used tho most unfair means to burke him . He knew that a frightful disease pervaded society , and that the doctrtnes advocated by the National Reform League were the proper remedies for it . To apply

      less potent ones , would be like telling a man with , a cancer in his face that he could cure it by paring a corn on his foot . But , in truth , the measures advocated by the National Reform League would relievo many of the middle-class from grievous difficulties . Some yours ago , Mr . Attwood ' and Mr . Ward promised the working classes that if the Reform Bill were carried , the time would soon arrive when , instead of two men looking for one master , there would be seen the gratifying sight of two masters looking for ono man . Now , that would not have been a very pleasant thing for masters ; and yet Ward and Attwood pretended to bo their friends , as well as the friends of the working-classes . And why dared these people utter such barefaced

      contradictions ?—because they knew the stupid habit the working classes have of swallowing everything coming from their " superiors , " without stopping to think about the nature of the stuff offered to their mental capacities . Instead of so doing , the members of the National Reform League claimed the right , and / allowed the practice of chewing the cud upon all measures propounded for political or social amelioration . If the principles of the League were wrong , let those who made that discovery point it out ; but if right , then they had a good reason to look for confidence and support . They were prepared to teach the people , if they could get at them , their just , natural , and inalienable rights—neither more nor less—and when the people fully appreciated those rights they would agitato for the

      Charter with that untiring constancy and enthusiasm which the cause required . Ignorance of political , social , and moral science was the main cause of human misery ; and led the producing classes and workers of society to oppress each other far more than the upper or nudulo classes oppressed them . How could it be expected that a people would ever get their true rights , if they had no clear idea in what those rights consisted ? A periodical of the present week ( the Plain Speaker , ) had objected to their using the term "National League , " but that objection was founded in an error . They did not presume to call themselves a national party , at present- ( although he trusted they would he , before long : ) what they meant was . that they were

      for national reforms , and not for mere fractional reform , which could onl y benefit a class , or a few individuals . All fractional movements would fail , and ought to fail , because they can only benefit a few individuals at the expense of others ; whereas , the auoption of the principles of the National Reform League , would do full Christian justice to all parties , and really injure none . The notion , too , promulgated by Louis' Blanc , that the government could enfranchise labour from the claws of capital by organising labour in masses , was decidedly a mistake . All that the people required from the government was to remove factitious obstructions in the way of improvement , and to prevent one class of society from preying upon another class . In

      conclusion , the lecturer eloquently demen the a- ; sertion that the doctrines of tho League would lead to anarchy and bloodshed ; and maintained th . it they were the onl y really conservative party in Europe . Let such reforms as had been tried on the continent be tried here , and he fully believed that consequences infinitely more to be dreaded would be the result . Universal Suffrage , with such principles , would prove universal confusion ; and the people , exasperated by misery and disappoint ? ment , would vent their rage in retaliatory acts , the contemplation of which was dreadful , even in apprehension , but which lie feared would soon be exemplified on the continent of Europe . The lecturer was listened to throughout with the deepest attention , and was often greeted with marks of the warmest applause .

      Public Meetings. National Preehotd Land ...

      PUBLIC MEETINGS . NATIONAL PREEHoTd LAND SOCIETY . A public meeting to promote the objects of this association was held at the London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street , on Monday . The attendance was very numerous , the large room being crowded in every part . Mr . Richard Cobden , M . P ., was presen t , and on his arrival on the platform , he was received with loud and continued cheering . Samuel Monm * , Esq ., having been called to the chair , introduced the business of the evening ; Mr . R . Cobde » , M . P ., was received with loud and protracted cheenjng . He said they had met there as members and friends of the Metropolitan and National FreeboldLand Society—to promote the objects oftuatassqciatian-wL . ieh . was formed for the

      purpose of enabling individuals , by means of small monthly contributions , to accumulate a fund by which they might be enabled in tho best and cheapest way to possess themselves of tho county franchise . Now the object of that society was to purchase large estates , comparatively speaking , and divide them amongst the members of the association at the cost tries . Some of those who had looked closely into the Building Societies Act , said that that act gave no power to buy estates and divide them . Now it was perfectly true that the aot made no provision for any sueh process , but it was proposed to do it through the directors , who would , at the risk of tho parties buying tlie estate , undertake the purchase of freehold land , and give the members of that association

      the refusal of that land . It had been said that they undertook to find a freehold qualification for a ci unty at a certain sum , say £ 30 . lie believed that the first prospectus put forth by the society made that statement ; but when he heard of it , he stipulated that it should be at once withdrawn , as he could not be a party to anything of the kind . Now he appeared thero merely as a nsponsib ' e director of that association , and all it proposed was , that whatever the property bought it should be divided without a profit to those ivbo bought it , and that the members should have the land at cost price . ( Cheers . ) But whether a vote would cost £ 20 , £ 30 , £ 40 , or £ 50 , was a matter on which he could not undertake to make any promise or pledge , because it was not a matter that

      he could at all control . The honourable gentleman then expressed his full confidence in the trustees of the Metropolitan Freehold Land Society , every one of whom he would be ready any day , if lie were making a will , to leave as trustees for his children for cvevy thing he had to leave them . As to the difficulties start-jd to the working of such an association , it was perfectly true they might not be able to get property to purchase situated at their own doors . But they must be content to go farther from home , just as individuals did with any other investment , whether it were Spanish or Austrian , or Austrian bondslaughter—or ( to come nearer home ) shares in railroads running all over the country , and many of them running away . ( Renewed laughter . ) But give him

      an investment m the "firm set earth , which never did runaway : so that he had a good title and received bis rent by the penny post , he would not care much whether it was situate in his own parish or a few parishes off . Now , for an illustration , he would take the case of Surrey , and suppose that a farm of 100 acres .-was to be sold in the neighbourhood of Guildford . The directors would go and look at the land , accompanied by a valuer * , they would learn Hie price of it , and if it approved itself to their judgment they would buy it ; but instead of letting it out again in one farm of 100 acres , they would let it out in lots of from one to two acres as garden eround ; and if the bell was rung through the streets of the town that such plots were to be let , be was sure there was

      not a mechanic Or small shopkeeper in Guildford who would not be so anxious to possess an allotment that there would not be an acre of it which was not let at 40 s , ( Cheers . ) Indeed , he knew land in Wiltshire , of no more than ordinary value , which was let , he was sorry to say , at the rate of £ 7 , or £ 8 per acre . Having thus explained the object of tho association , he would ' takes a wider range . They were here standing on the . ancient ways of the constitution . No one could say of them that they were Red Republicans or Protectionists ; they were stmding up fji' the ancient rights and privileges of Englishmen . The question » as , could they by this means effect a change in the deposit of political power in this country ; for ho was willing to AVOW that his object was by every legal and constitutional means

      to place the political power of the country in the hands of the middle and industrious classes . ( Loud cheers . ) He spoke of these classes as he had ever done—that their interests were inseparable ; for he defied any one to say where the one class ended or the other began . At present they were governed by a class insignificant in numbers and insignificant ill importance , as compared with tiie mass of the people in this country . ( Loud cheers . ) T ,-ike the agricultural interest , who were perfectly insignificant as compared with the mighty interests of this empire . What would tliey do if they had their own way ? Why , they were trying to restore . protection , —( hear , hear , )—and that at ' a time when even the Austrian government was proposing to abandon its restrictive

      tariff—when even the government of Russia had got its tariff , as he had learned from recent accounts , under- revision , with a view to reduce the dutieswhen America was reciprocating our liberal policyand when even Spain , which some wicked wag had called tho beginning of Africa , —( lanuhier , )—was following the example set by Sir Robert Peel . ( Cheers . ) Now , was it a wholesome state of things that nothing could be done in this country , except bygreateonijregationsof the people , to force their representative . ! to do them something like justice —to observe something like common sense ? Nothing could be done , nothing could be carried , except by a seven years' stand-up fight between the people on the one side and those who called themselves their

      representatives on the other . They could get those reforms only by aiding this constitutional operation . And it was astonishing how little required to be done to effect this transformation of political power . There was only about one million of registered electors over the whole kingdom . The total number of county voters in 1817 was 512 , 300 , and of these the number of tenants at will which constituted the strength of the squires only amounted to 108 , 790 . Why , half the money , spent on-gin in one year would buy as many county freeeholda as would counterpoise the influence of the 108 , 000 tenan * . farmers . ( Loud cheers . ) In the county of Hampshire , according to the last census , there were 39 , 008 males above twenty year & of age , while the number of

      registered electors was 9 , 223 , so that the registered electors was only one-ninth of the adult male population . In Sussex , the adult male population was 16 , 677 , while the registered electors was 9 , 211 , or one-eight . In the purely agricultural county of Berkshire the adult male population was 43 , 120 , the registered electors were 5 , 241 , or one-eight . In Middlesex there was a perfect mine of undeveloped political wealth . The adult male population was 434 , 181 , while the registered electors were 13 , 781 , or l-17 lhof the adtilt male population . Talcing iu round numbers the population of the country at sixteen millions , that would give four millions of males above twenty years of age , while there were only 512 , 000 county electors in the fifty-two counties of

      England and Wales , or one-eight of the adult males of England , and seven-eights of them had no votes . ( Hear , hear ) Now that was his ground of hope for the future . He did not disguise from himself that there n ' . is a large portion of the people who could not afford to obtain votes in this way . The agricultural labourers with from 7 s to 10 s . a week could not be expected to lay by a sum to purchase a vote . But he called upon the moderate shopkeepers , the mechanics , and the artizans , to set themselves resolutely to work , and they might put themselves in possession of the county franchise in the course of a few years . ( Cheers . ) It was the only effectual remedy for removing the social inequalities of Dissenters and all other aggrieved classes of the

      community . ( Cheers . ) He did not come there to seek this or that organic change without having practical objects in view which he believed essential to the well-being of the country . He looked on the sta e of the national finances as perilous and disgraceful . The profligate expenditure and extravagantotitgoings ot our government were utterly inconsistent with the prudent , cautious , economy which all grades of the great body of the people were compelled . to follow . He wished to infuse the common sense that pervaded the great body of the people into the principles of our government ; and he bad to declare , in conclusion , as he had done at the beginning , that he saw no way

      of effecting this but by increasing the number of voters ; but the way to achieve that was not by going to ( lie House of Commons to ask for that which it would refuse , but by all joining associations of this descr ption , and possessing themselves of the franchise by purchasing 40 s . freeholds , ( Loud cheers . ) The hon . gentleman concluded by moving the first resolution , which was as follows : —• " That this meeting is of opinion that the freehold land movement , adapted as it is to the varied positions and circumstances of all clas es of the people , is calculated to improve the parliamentary representath n of the country . " Tlie resolution was seconded and carried .

      Mr . Chari . es Gilpin proposed the next resolution , viz .: — " That this meeting is further of opinion that the freehold Ia * -tl movement is emiuentlr cdctiluted by encouragi'igsaving and provident habits , tueLvate tiic social and moral position of the working classes . " A working man here rose from the body of the room , and said he , as a working man , had been saving his half-pence for years , and he was prepared to put down his £ 10 to the objects of his association

      ( Cheers . ) He was satisfied other working men could do the same thing if tbey only would keep out of the public-house . ( Great laughter and cheering . ) He suggested that they ought to buy some of the land which was now offered for sale in Ireland . [ He then came up to the platform and laid dowii ten sovereigns , and mored off without waiting for any receipt . ] Mr . CaSseli ,, in handing the money to the chairman , mentioned his name— Daniel Hopkins , of Billingsgate-market . ( Cheers , and a voics " He ' s a tee-tota'ler . " )

      Public Meetings. National Preehotd Land ...

      Mr . W . J . Hall seconded , and Mr . Cawell snpponed the idatidn , which was then put , and carried unanimously , Mr . Cobden , in moving a vote of thanks to the chairma ' t , said a gentleman had sent a note to him to ask whether the first step ought not to be a registration of the land . That would be an important change in the law ; and be looked forward to the time when the transfer of land would be as free as the transfer of consols or railway shares But ho feared that could not be done yet . Then the gentleman asked whether their movement would not be frustrated bv an act ofthe Legislature raising the franchise to ' £ 40 instead of 40 * . ( Laughter . ) No , no sir there were some things they could do , and

      , , somethings they dared not do . The 40 s . franchise was too venerable to be touched , He would further mention that he expected tlie office o the society would become a sort of reg istration office , where parties could learn where land was to he disposed of . There were many of tbe middle classes who had never thought of qualifying themselves , and if they thought of it now they might learn from the officers of this society in what nei ghbourhood land was to be had . He then urged upon th" meeting the necessity of individual exertion , and conluded by proposing a vote of thanks tothe chairman , which was seconded by Mr . Ebenezer Clarke , and carried by acclamation , after which the meeting separated .

      Parliamentary And Financial. Iteform. So...

      PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL . ItEFORM . SOUTHWARK . A meeting of this society was held on Tuesday evening , the 27 th ult ., in tho Literary Institution ,. Borough-road , for tho . purpose of advancing the interests of tho Metropolitan Reform League . The meeting was well attended , the large hall being full . Mr . A . Pellafc was called to tho chair . The principal speaker was Colonel Thompson , M . P ., who adduced the inequality of taxation as a principal reason lor adhesion to this movement . He was no smoker himself , and never meant to become one , but if he used tobacco , and was obliged to use that species

      called " shag , . which he understood to be an inferior kind of tobacco , he should certainly consider it a hardship to bo obliged to pay " eleven times as much for it to the revenue as did the polished dandy for the cigar he whiffed along the street . Of this he complained , and did not suppose that he was the only one present who complained in his heart of such an injustice . The same thing showed itself ia tho tax on tea ; for that wliich the Countess drinka in her drawing-room is taxed far less in proportion to that of the hardworking washerwoman . And this came because the people are not properly represented in Parliament . Mr . 0 . Pearson , M . P ., was present , and also addressed tho meeting , which broke up shortly after ten o ' clock .

      Glasgow. On The Evening Of Monday Last ,...

      GLASGOW . On the evening of Monday last , Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . P ., and G . Thompson , Esq .., M . P ., appeared before the citizens of Glasgow as a depution from the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . Tho meeting was held in the City Hall , the largest place of assembly in Scotland . Long before eight o ' clock , the hour at which tho chair was announced to be taken , the hall and galleries were crowded in every part . On the appearance of the members of the deputation , Mr . Hastic , M . P . for the city and several wellknown Glasgow reformers , they were loudly cheered . Several influential gentlemen wcro on the platform . The following leaders of the working classes also appeared : —Messrs . ' James Hoscy , Martin , Johnston , Brown , M . M'Parlane ,

      Wilkinson Cameron , Young , Stewart , Matthew Cullen , and several others . Mr . Uastie , M . P ., having been called to th © chair , went at great length into the expenditure of the government . He said that on looking over the votes this forenoon , there was one which struck me as well worth mentioning . It is this . there is a small island , called the Falkland Isle , the inhabitants of which amount to 100 individuals . And the island has a governor , postmaster , and all tho other official paraphernalia , ' at an annual expense of £ 0 , 000 . I remember that when that particular vote was under discussion , Mr . Joseph Hume remarked very justly that we could bring over the whole of the ' inhabitants of the Falkland Islosto this country and maintain them here at much less

      money . ( A laugh . ) There is another island that we have taken possession of within the last two years ; and I am not aware whether there is yet a white man upon it—I mean Labuan ; but upon this spot we have already a governor , master attendant , and a sot of other officials , for whom we pay £ 10 . 000 per annum . Then let us look at some of our larger possessions . Take Jamaica , for instance . It contains a population less than , the city of Glasgow . We think that the local government of Glasgow' is quite heavy enough ; but the island of Jamaica costs £ 400 , 000 ; and this extravagant expenditure is continued in tho face ef the remonstrances of their local legislature . The people themselves wish to reduce tho expenditure ; but the home government , for no other reason than to provide for their dependents and friends , say that

      it Shall not be reduced ; and , consequently , as to Jamaica , it is still labouring along with us under a heavy load of taxation . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , I would just bring the case home from Jamaica , and point to a great job which is at this moment being perpetrated in the metropolis . I refer to the new Houses of Parliament . It took no less than nine months to adjudicate and decide npon the plans and estimates of these now houses . One would think that in such a length of time , they should have been well considered ; and aceerdingjy the estiirwteg were given in and calculated to amount- to £ 770 , 000 . Well , last year a member moved for a return of what they now cost , and it turned out that the amount was £ 2 , 043 , 000 . ( Hear , hear , and " Shame . " ) Now , this very enormity proves to my mind that this system must soon be abolished .

      Sir Joshua Walmsley— who was received with immense applause—laid down the foundation , tho princi ples , proposals , and measures of the Parlia mentary and Financial Reform Association . Mr . George Thompson , M . P . —who was received with loud cheers—in a lengthy and eloquent speech urgec the necessity of parliamentary and financial reform . You want ( said Mr . Thompson ) a thorough revision and expurgation of the civil list , leaving the monarch in affluence and splendour , but showing no unnecessary mercy to those gilded butterflies and animated clothes-pegs who flutter and stalk amidst tho beams of royalty , only that they may be fed and clothed at the public expense , who have not the excuse ofthe pauper in the union-house , idle , whoso helplessness is his misfortune , and whose

      idleness is compulsory , irksome , and involuntary . You want a reform in tho pension list . O ye Belgravian recipients of alms from the miserable but meritorious poor , would , that sometimes when alone , ye would think of those pale , faint , consumptive creatures who toil and spin that you may dress in purple and fine linen ! Would th at you would sometimes send your thoughts to the foetid room of the slop maker , or the lonely fireless garret of the sempstress , where—" work- , work , work ; stitch , stitch , stitch " —sit those who from Monday ' s sunrise to Saturday ' s sunset , the offspring of poverty , toil , to pay two-pence out of every three-pence they spend in tea , that you may bo idle and fare sumptuously every day . ( Hear , hoar . ) You want financial reform . Yes , to drive its ploughshare through

      the stupendous abuses of the army , tho navy , and the ordnance , with their joint expenditure of seventeen million , upon men , and boys , and sand hags , and shells , and rockets , and cartridges , and cannon , balls , and muskets , and horses , and gun carriages , and shi ps oi war , and arsenals , and jobbing contracts , and generals without divisions , and admirals without shi ps , and half-pays , and whole pays , and superannuations and pensions . You want financial reform . Yes , to cleanse that worse than Augean stable—the Woods and Forests , with its sinecure salaries , its fraudulent leases , its insane mismanagement , its guilty malversations , its disgusting favouritism to the nobles of the land — its innumerable petty peculations—its barbarous and feudal privileges — its perversion of the land and

      resources of the soil which are the birthright ofthe people , its unserviceable oaks , its useless verderers , its costly establishment in Whitehall-place , and all its manifold and multiform and monstrous abuses , ( Renewed cheering . ) If ow let the financial reformers behold the hydra-headed monster with which we have to deal , defended by seven-eighths of the members of the House of Commons as now constituted , and let him say if he soberly and gravely thinks it can be subdued without parliamentary reform . You that would free politics from their taint and selfishness , come forth and join this new and independent movement , and unite with your brethren in every part of . the country . So united ,, j'ou will form one compact indissoluble , and

      irresistible reform association ; the classes hitherto separated will be cemented ; and in tho sublimity of your aggregation , iu the omnipotence of your lileiidedencrgies , and in the unconquerable resolution of your will , the victory will be certain .. Behold the ' signs of the times ! The spirit of reform is abroad ; so also is the spirit of bondage nnd-of despotism . But who can doubt the issue of tho conflict ? Hark ! amidst the roar of elements , the tumult of voices , and the clash of arms hear you not tho cry , Reform 1 reform !—O ' er every radian * island of creation , The music of that swelling peal is borne ; Land bears to land , and nation shouts to nation , Tho war cry of the age—Reform , reform !

      Mr . Thompson resumed his seat amidst rounds o applause . _ - Several gentlemen having addressed the meeting , and resolutions' in accordance with the objects ofthe Association having been carried , the vast assemblage dispersed .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 1, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_01121849/page/7/