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Northern Star (1837-1852), 9th March 1850, Edition 3 of 3, Page 7

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    • mptrua parttam-mt
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      Central _© tfmmal _© _ourt _Mabch 9 , U 50 . * : _^ _a i _; \ _¦^¦ _T-H _^ - _--. _"V " ; ' V ;'; j _^^ _^ ::: ¦ ¦ ::: { : : . \ : y ¦ _[ — _^ _^ — _^ _^ _^ ¦ _ . . - - _ _ . - ' - - _. ¦ ¦ - __*_* * . _,. - . . ' ' 9 _^^^^^^^ mmm _^ i _^*^^^*——^^^*^^^^^^ ¦ ¦ ¦ - _^^^^^• _l- ' _^ _-ll _^* _* _t' _- lt _--- _''' _'' | _w | _' *' _' _* IM _M ¦ _ . » ¦• , . _¦¦ _niiH-i

      ¦ T- Ws Court Resumed Its Sittings On Mt...

      ¦ _T- _Ws court resumed its sittings on _Mton « J ? F b ejM « I _? St H « u the Lord _Mgr to _jggg 1 C _? _So _? , SBi * _.-Wam Bradley surjj * t 7 h , _L his trial npon a charge of stealing ? _^ _oSdvS , _S _^ te en _^ d _ahaif yards _ffitf SS ?* G _«* S _^ _SS and another _.-Si-oSutoilof the indictment are Messrs . Stagg _rA Se , who cany on an extensive business j _*^« « n d silk mercers , in Leicester-square ; _% _>^ _nnSed that on the 24 th of Dec the day _fwStte alleged felony was said to Ba « been U the prisoner had heen m their service as _? _™« fora period of four years . Upon the day Son , _adding to the evidence for the _proctor in consequence of some suspicion that was tertai ' ned of the manner in which the prisoner contacted himself , a watch was set npon his

      proceed' zna he was observed to cut off a portion of a to * of velvet , and also to take a silk dress , and he Sen placed both the articles between some boxes _Wer the cmtfiter . It seemed that anions the "J _stemeis ofthe prosecutor was a French milliner md dressmaker , named Madame Rontens , who _car-Sa on her business in Charles-street , Soho-square , _Z _& this lady , it appeared had a credit account with A ? fit © , and on the morning of tbe 24 th December a afle "hi _was sent by her to the shop for some trifling _TftAts which were furnished to her by the prisoner . _« _S Mv entered . Later ia the day a boy , also in a service of Madame Koutens , went to the _pro-^ _frhir ' s stop to fetch two pairs of gloves and some - _" Bmr _lininsr and the p risoner served hini , and 2 _fft £ _? £ alp tt <« J articles he was observed tS _^ _SSet and the silk into the parcel , and .

      _Sv left the shop . It _appeuwi w ue u « - _ensconi rfffi nro--ecutor ' s business , that tte shopman _^ _SuSSlTp _^^ , _anditappeaxed SS pri-ineV had caused the gloves and the _gg to be entered , but made no mention at tte 25 " of the other articles . Immediately npon the _^ l eaving the shop , he was followed and brought ¦ Sr _Mdthesilk and velvet were found in his pos-• _Snn and it appeared that almost , at tiie same _lament the prisoner went a second time to the _enter-^ clerk , and required him to make an entry of _&< - ** > . and velvet being sent to Madame _Bontens _J _^ proval , anditwas alleged on the tort of the

      _gsm tbat the bov had been brought back with tiie _^ p _erty . Upon the prisoner bang questioned , he _Sorted that he had caused the entry ot the goods to be properly made , and also said that Madame Sontens bad given him the order for the -velvet < _$ i tbe satin on the previous day at her own house ; nut the prosecutors not being satisfied with the _exsknation given to them , gave the prisoner in charge , _iad he was esamined at Marlborough-street Police Court , when the magistrate , npon hearing the defence set up by the prisoner , directed that Madame _Bontens should be sent for , and npon her evidence _je dismissed the charge against the prisoner . It appeared that after this Mr . Humphreys , the solicitor tbr nrisoner , wrote to the proseeutois , and applied

      0 nlu 3 behalf for some wages that were due to bun , . -and at the same time required that they should make atsritten acknowledgment that there was no foundation for the charge they had preferred against him , aid stating that unless they did so the only alternative the prisoner would have to clear his character _wod-lbe to bring all the facts before a jury . The _oalT notice taken of this letter by the prosecutors _^ 35 " to refer Mr . Humphreys to their solicitor , and it appeared that shortly afterwards the present indictment was preferred before the grand jury ; hut in _xefe-aicetotliis part of the ease Mr . Stagg stated tbat before Mr . Humphreys ' _^ letter was received , directions had been given to his solicitor io proceed _irith the case by preferring a bill before the grand

      * _nrr , notwithstanding the cnarge having Deen _disinisidby the magistrate . The counsel for the prisoner cross-examined the several witnesses for the prosecution at considerable length , and endeavoured to sho *** that the prisoner had given __ the prosecutors _Kamin ; shortly before the transaction , and thathe _ras about to setup in business on his own account in the neighbourhood ofthe prosecutor ' s shop ; but the evidence did not show either ofthe allegations to be founded on fact . —Mr . Clarkson , in addressing the jury for thc defence , complained of the manner jn whieh the prosecution had been got np , and urged the unfairness of Madame Rontens not being called as a witness , when it was well known that the prisoner had all along asserted his innocence , and that

      this lady had actually engaged him to supply her with the articles in question . Tbe learned counsel then commented at c msiderable length npon the facts of the case , and said that it appeared perfectly clear that the prosecution was only instituted by the prosecutors in order to shield themselves from the consequences of the legal proceedings with which they were threatened on behalf ot the prisoner . — "Madame Eoatens , the lady referred to , was then called ns a vein-ess for the prisoner . She stated that she had been a customer of Messrs . Stagg and Mantle for _se-riynve years , and as the prisoner spoke French _hegenerally served her with the articles she required , and Mr . Mantle had himself requested him to pay particular attention io her ; and during the last year

      ami a half the prisoner had been in the habit of visiting her and her husband , and they were en friendly tarns . The witness then said that on the Friday before the 24 th of December the prisoner was at her _"faonse . and she requested him to send her the velvet aad silk , the former being required for the purpose of ma \ ing some bonnets that were ordered ; but the silk was to be returned if it was not approved of . She also said that the prisoner came again to her house on the Sunday , and she complained of bis not having applied the articles in question . —This testimony was conSnned by two ether witnesses . —Mr . Ballantine _laviaf replied upon this evidence , the Recorder summed up , and the jury almost immediately returned a _vadictof " "Not Guilty / ' —Tbe prisoner was ordered to _bs immediately discharged .

      _fioBUEBrny a Ciekk . —John Macarthy , aged 40 , * _* _aeti , was convicted of stealing the sum of £ 40 , the property of Lis master , Henry Dolan and others . — The facts cf the case were that tlie prisoner had been f twelve months in the employment of the prosecutors , who are the army agents , of St . Martin _' slaae , and was sent , on the 4 th of February , with a cheque for the amount in question to the _Comnuaoal Bank , where he got it cashed , and absconded . _Nothing more was heard of him till the loth ult , when he came to the police-station in an intoxicated state , and gave himself np , alleging thathe had lost the mosey . — -The prisoner made the same defsnee this day . —The court sentenced him to e _* _-iteea months'imprisonment and hard labour ,

      BcaGLAET . —T . Cocfeer , 21 , was indicted for a _bnrgliiy in tlie dwelling-house of Mr . James Eade ? , asd stealing £ 7 103 . Ms money . —The robbery imputed to tte prisoner was committed nnder _aggravated _rircussiances . The prosecutor , who is a poor _olfllatouring man , residing at "Oxbridge , had saved _cpthe amount in question out < f his hard earnings , aad it was placed in a box in his bed room , and it appeared that the prisoner having watched him out « f his _cottase on the 12 th of February , took the op-SS _* feu . ity to break iuto the house and stole the whole ofthe old man ' s hoard . H e was taken into custodv _sson afterwards , when £ 112 s . was fqpnd in his pos " - _saaon , and amongst the coins so found was a _shil-Jag with a hole in it . whieh the prosecutor positively

      _iaenl lfied as having been stolen from him . with tbe _othamoney . —Thejmy found theprisoner " Guilty , " and he _wassentenced to be transported for ten years . . _«• rbert . —Marie Sells , 45 , a Frenchwoman , was " UHhcled for stealing _twentyvseven sovereign * -, a gold _"g-tch , and other articles , the property of James f _F _*** . hwmaster . —The prisoner , it appeared , had in troduced herself to the _pro-= ecntor , who is a _land-^ -warter in the Cust om House , and representing Mat she wa * the widow of a person who had for-> m ! u ? J 1 ? -1 enSa Sed as an interpreter at Dover , ¦ _po _ttat _suewas in great distress , he humanely in-* - _» sted himself in her behalf and engaged her to act as DIS _so-t-ant until something permanent conld be

      _provided fa her . It appeared that while so engaged _^ etookadvautage ofthe prosecutor ' s absence while " _""" lapd in his duty to steal the money and the other _P _* t _* es mentioned in the indictment , and started for r _^ oneby the railway , bnt the prosecutor having "onanatel y discovered his loss he employed the " - "" -trie telegraph , and ihe result w _* a that the pri-• _fc _^ r was taken into custody at _Folkstone with the _2 _** _fcterpartof the stolen property in her possession . " -The jury returned a Terdict of" Guilty . ' "—The ' _"feecotor recommended the prisoner to the merciful _'"^ deration of the court , on the ground that she j ™ a foreigner , and thathe had himself shown some Bo * _-S attehv allowing her to see where he _de-*^** t iie rcone y . _ * j * h e Recorder sentenced the - _asonerto- _ag t to hard labour for six months .

      -Med Als Of James Moris02"*, The Htgeist...

      -MED ALS OF JAMES MORIS 02 " _* , THE _HTGEIST , j _fe-v . 1 > GREAT MEDICAL BEFOEMEE , lB"lof an the Agents lor the sale of Morison _' s Pills I „ _T > PKICE 0 SE SHttLKG EACH , •{• _ttfo nze * 10 s * -5 * 1 5 > n Hirer , 2 * . ; in Gold , 1 SL _*^ « amortalHi ** vi-r ] - _* roclaimed the cireulation of the _-Stef ' _JEeist pioclaimedt - % _^ , " _™ _J _^ P n' * 'l _3 eish » theHood . * W . mt an diseases arise from impurity of the _*? 5 _ifc _SSf "" _^ impurit y can only be eradicated by a _tfflHi B _^ n _^ 1 Ionson ' * Se taMe _Universal _Hedicme * _^ _Xv _fcF _^*? of Healt £ _tfew-road , London . e ' « a _» _i _^^ edeaaiy Poisons usedasmedicinesby the « e totall y _mmecessai-yin the cure of diseases .

      H^^^Msn Has Re-Commenced On The Tweed, «...

      _H _^^^ msn has re-commenced on the Tweed , « wS _2 _SS _? of fonr months - The rira * _W » ™* _wa-htwu , ana a good season is expected .

      Mptrua Parttam-Mt

      mptrua _parttam-mt

      Saturday March 2. House Of Commons.—The ...

      SATURDAY March 2 . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The O ' Conkor Laxd _Cohpant . —Sir B . Hau , rose pursuant to notice , to present two petitions , one _> signed by twenty-eight allottees in the Minster Lovel estate , and the other by forty-five allottees in the Snig ' s End estate , complaining of the conduct of Mr . O'Connor in reference to the Land scheme . He had forwarded a copy of the petitions to the hon . member for _Nottingham , to whom he proposed to ask a question on the subject , but beyond that he should refrain from making any comment on the allegation of the petitioners , or to enter at all into the merits of the case , nor did he propose even to state the substance ofthe petitions , as he was anxious to avoid saying anything which might give rise to angry discussion . He wonld simply move that ene of the petitions be read by the clerk at the table . Several hon . members—The prayer , what is the prayer ?

      Sir B . Hall , would rather leave it to the clerk to read the prayer as well as the allegations of the petitioners . The petitions having been brought up , the clerk proceeded to read the one from Snig s End : It stated _, _* . ¦ 7 _* „ "That the petitioners were members of the Lanu Company of which Mr . _T . O'Connor was the chief promoter , and that they were aUottees of the estate at Snig ' s End ; that they had been induced to join the Company by the aUurtir- statements contained in certain letters written hy Mr O'Connor , and published by him in his newspaper , the northern Slav—the benefits granted to the members ofthe Company were , to the holders of two shares , for which £ _= > 12 « . was charged , two acres of good land , a comfortable house and £ 15 ; of three shares three acres of land , a house ' and £ 2210 s . ; and of four shares four acres of land ,

      , ahousn , and £ 30 * the house and land to be allotted to them on such conditions as should enable them to become freeholders , and to live in comp arative comfort and independence on the produce of their own property—that they had confidence "In Mr . ' O'Connor , knowing him to be a barrister and a man ot considerable experience , and in an evil hour allowed themselves to he deluded by Ms representations , and to leave their employment to settle on these allotments ; that no one of the many promises made to them by Hr . O'Connor had heen fulfilled ; that the petitioners were informed hefore they took possession of their allotments that they would be well tilled and manured , and prepared for cropping , but that the amount of labour bestowed on the land was wholly insufficient , -and that the petitioners were charged most exorbitantly for all that had been done : that , in consequence , their means had

      been exhausted ; that they had been going wrong ever since ; that all their capital was expended on the land , and that the return had heen wholly insufficient to enable them to obtain even the common necessaries of life ; that , _although , as they could prove , no industry had been wanting on their part to till aud sow the ground , many of them never tasted animal food or malt liquor , but were compelled to subsist on cabbages , turnips , and suchlike vegetables , and had heen unable to procure a single article of clothing ; that the property was wholly vested ia Mr . O'Connor , and , as they believed , had been conveyed to Mm , and was his absolutely in law ; that he had never given any conveyance ofthe allotments to the petitioners , as promised ; but had , on the contrary , exercised the power of distress as a . landlord , though , as the petitioners believed , _UlegaUy ; that until the report ofthe committee of the House of Commons appointed to inguire into the subject , they were not aware that the scheme was illegal ; that without'disputing the general accuracy ofthe accounts of Messrs . Grey and _Finlaison , the auditors , there . was one item they did not

      understand , that was , the amount which was stated by them to have been advancedin aid . It was stated in their accounts that Mr . O'Connor had paid £ 1 , 400 to the allottees on the estate , hut from inquiries tbe petitioners had made from house to house they could not ascertain that more than £ 835 had been advanced on that account The petition concluded by praying the house to take their case into consideration , and to devise means for relieving them irom the consequences of belonging , through no fault of their otrn , to an _illegal society , and by a commission of inquiry or otherwise to ' obtain information as to the true state ofthe estate and the occupiers , with the view of winding up the undertaking . Sir B . "ff"T _. would now put the question of which he had also given the hon . member for Nottingham notice . The question he wished to put was whether the hon . and learned member intended to convey to the allottees the title he himself held in his property , or to take any steps to wind up the concern , either by means of a bill or otherwise , and what was the amount , he calculated , would be returned to each ofthe 7 , 000 shareholders . ( Hear . )

      Mr . F . O ' Coxxor would first answer the hon . baronet ' s question , and then proceed to reply to the statements contained in the petition . Mr . Hume rose to order—he wished to know whether that house was prepared to enter into any or every petition which might be presented respecting all the speculations of past years ? ( Hear . ) If the House of Commons were to become the arbiters in the case of disputed accounts arising out of such speculations , where was to he the limit ? ( Cheers . ) And if questions as to the private affairs ef hon . members were allowed to be put and answered in that house , tvhat controversies and difficulties , and what delay in the progress of public business might not result ? ( Cheers . ) He appealed to the chair , therefore , whether the question which

      had heen put was a proper one . ( Hear , hear . ) There was an act of parliament to facilitate the winiing up of joint-stock schemes , which might be made applicable to the present case ; but , whether or not , it was not for the House of Commons to become the arbiters between the parties . ( Hear , hear . ) The Speaker said it was the practice when a petition was presented reflecting on tbe character of any hon . member , to indulge that member so far as to allow him to give any explanation or to make any defence he might think necessary . ( Hear , hear . ) Therefore , a petition having been presented reflecting on the character of the hon . and learned member for Nottingham , if that hon , and learned member desired to enter into any defence or give any explanation in reference to the matters alleged a » ainst him in the petition , he was , according to

      the usage of the house , at liberty to do so . ( Hear . ) But with regard to the questions which had been put by the hon . member for Marylebone , he had much doubt whether , they were strictl y in order—( hear)—inasmuch as they related not to any measure before tbe house , and , strictly speaking , all questions put in that house should refer to some measure before it . ( Hear . ) Sir B . Hall would then confine himself to this , which he submitted would be strictly in order . It would be recollected that there was a bill introduced in 1843 in reference to this land Company , wliich hill was referred to a- select committee , but was not afterwards proceeded with . He wished to know if it was the intention of the hon . member to renew any measure of that kind in the present session , or to take any steps to wind np this scheme ? ( Hear . )

      Mr . O'Coxxok said that he would first reply to the queries of the hon . baronet , and then he would call the attention of the house to the malicious fabrications contained in the petition presented by him . Firstly , then , with regard to the winding up of the Company , the hon . baronet was aware that he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was anxious to assign the whole property , now vested in him , to trustees , for the benefit of the members . The noble lord , the member for Bath ( Lord Ashley , ) was one of those he proposed , and the hon . member for Rochdale ( Mr . S . Crawford , ) was the other ; and to prove the great interest that the hon . gentleman feels for his

      dupes , he would tell the house that the hon . baronet told him ( Mr . O'Connor ) exultingly , that Lord Ashley would have nothing to do with it . ( Laughter . ) Then as to the question of winding up , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had paid moneys _sut of his own pocket to insure the complete registration ofthe Company—it was set down for bearing npon the last day of the last town in the Queen's Bench , but by some fatality or other it was postponed , notwithstanding the deep interest that was expressed on behalf of the subscribers . ( Hear , hear . ) But to come pertinently to the question , he told the house that it was his intention to have the affairs ofthe Company wound up , and he would take the advantage of the very earliest day that the government would grant him . ( Hear , hear . ) The petition , however ,

      was the subject to which he wished to call the attention of tbe house—that petition was confided to the guardianship of the hon . baronet , who had heen counsel for the government npon the committee . ( " Order , order . " ) Ay , and there , opposite him , sat the Judge Advocate , who was chairman of tbat committee , and who stated that he had spent six mortal days in preparing his repor t , hut which report was unanimously rejected by the committee . He was the tool of the government . ( Order , order . " ) Bid the right hon . gentleman as criticallv scrutinize all the juggling of the Commissioners of " Woods and Forests , for he sat upon that committee too ? They had had committees to inquire into the conduct of Ecclesiastical Commissionersthe Woods and Forests Commissioners—into the

      management of KaUways and Savings Banks—but had the affairs connected with those _juries been as minutely criticised as the affairs ofthe Land Company ? And would any man , connected with any of them be able to give sucb an account of their _affiars as he ( Mr . O'Connor ) could give of the Land Company ? He would now proceed to read the report unanimously accepted by the committee ( " Order , order . " ) Well , if it was contrary to order to defend his character in that house he would briefly state the substance of the rep ' ort which was to the effect , that although the accounts were irregularly kept , that irregularity told against

      him ( Mr . O Connor ) and not in his favour . The government auditor who examined those accounts was fully occupied for two or three weeks , and for the last four days , as he stated in his evidence before the court of law , for fifteen hours a day . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) did not profess to keep his accounts like a practised banker or merchant , but he produced hia bankers' books , the cheques given upon each hank , and the block of those cheque books , in a majority of cases , receipted by the parties who received the moneys . The account was submitted to another , though not a more experienced auditor , and he confirmed its accuracy . Those auditors stated that the Company owed him ( _Mr _» O'Connor )

      Saturday March 2. House Of Commons.—The ...

      £ 3 , 400 . Upon the following year tho accounts from that date were submitted to a Finance Committee of seven interested and intelligent men , and were previously submitted , to the government accountant ; and that committee reported that the Company owed him ( Mr . O'Connor ) an additional sum of £ 1 , 200 , making a total of £ 4 , 600 . In none of those accounts was there a fraction charged for his ( Mr . O'Connor ' s ) expenses , out of pocket , which 'frequently amounted to £ 30 a-week , for visiting estates in Devonshire , Cumberland , and various parts . of the country , and then attending auctions to bid for those estates . No interest charged upon the £ 3 , 400 in the last balance-sheet ; and it was his pride , and his boast to say , that he

      never gave a bill on behalf of that Company—that he never accepted a presenfcfrom tradesmen to whom he had paid thousands of pounds , although valuable ones had been offered him . ( Hear . ) And it was his pride tobe able to stand in that house , or in a court of justice , to be tested as he was , and defy mortal man to charge him with a mean , a dishonesf * 7 v an ungentlemanlike act . But , he would now come to the pith and marrow of the petition presented by the honourable baronet , which had been skillfully drawn up by an artful attorney . ( Order , order . ) Well , he would come to the consideration of the question . The petitioners charge him ( Mr . O'Connor ) with having set down £ 1 , 400 in his balancesheet as Aid Money , given to the allottees at Snig's End . while they state that—now . mind now—after

      going from house to house , and after more than 20 have left—thai those remaining had not . received more than £ 835 . How figures were stubborn things , and he would bring the house to the report of Mr . Grey , the auditor . Upon that estate he reports that there are thirty-four , four-acre allotments , thirteen three-acre , and thirty-six two-acre . Ho reports that four four-acre allotments had been transferred to parties who were not ballotted , one threeacre allotment , and four two-acre allotments , which would leave . thirty four-acres , twelve three-acres , and thirty-two two-acres , making in all two hundred and twenty acres , which , at £ 5 . to the acre , would amount to £ 1 , 100 ; and , no doubt , the parties now . presenting their petition made no inquiries

      as to those wbo , left . ( Hear , hear . ) But if his account was to be taken in its entirety , like all other accounts , and admitting that his accounts had been imperfectly , though honestly kept , he would call their attention to an important fact—namely , that Mr . Grey gave him credit for £ 1 , 538 Aid Money for the Minster Lovel occupants , while he ( Mr . O'Connor ) held Mr . Doyle ' s balance-sheet in his handone of the directors who zealously and honestly managed the affairs on that estate , and p aid all the money—and in that balance-sheet , the honourable baronet would find these items : " For allottees , £ 1 , 400 ; for allottees , £ 347 I 63 . 8 Jd . " These items , including some tradesmen ' s bills which were not otherwise charged : thus showing £ 210 in

      his ( Mr . O'Connor's ) favour ; while Mr . Clarkanother director , to whom he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had given £ 500 to pay to some ef the allottees at Snig ' s End—returned £ 105 , for which tho Company got credit ; _** and let it be strictly borne in mind , that this government audit was made before Mr . Clark ' s account of the Aid Money he paid could be rendered . "Sow he ( Mr . O'Connor ) thought that these items would show a balance in his ( Mr . O'Connor ' s ) favour , while he was now ready again to submit the whole accounts to the strictest and most searching audit . ( Hear , hear . ) What did he care for money % If he had a hundred thousand pouuds , or a million , he would spend every fraction of it in rescuing the slavish labourer from the gripe of the capitalist . ( " Oh , oh . " ) Ay , and ho would tell them more , that he had offered to surrender tho whole of tho

      amount due to him , if the ungrateful vipers , who were actually plundering the poor unlocated members , would surrender their miserable hovels and barren soil . Suppose such a fact as this could be urged against him ( Mr . O' Connor ?) Suppose he had induced poor men to invest their hard-saved earnings in a fund of which he ( Mr . OConnor ) was the trustee ? and suppose he had applied those funds to the erection of a bridge across a brook , and the construction of an avenue from the high road to his house ? And suppose he told his juggled dupes that their moneys had been invested in the purchase * of property—that the deeds were buried under the foundation stone of that bridge , and that the depositors could only receive interest upon their capital ? 2 " ow , did the hon . bart ., who presented the petition , ever hear of such a case as that ? And what would be the manifestation of

      reprobation against him ( Mr . O'Connor ) if he had practised such a juggle ? But , to show that one man will be scoffed at , while another will be eulogised for the same act , let him call their attention to a great fact—'' Itis now ascertained , by practical experience , that a man can support himself , wife , and family , upon two acres of land costing £ 28 , including conveyance , Bichard Cobden , M . P ., Wj- % , Scholefield , M . P ., patrons . " That was _ad-T _**** rtised in several newspapers ; and he ( Mr . O'Connor ) did not repudiate it , because he believed it . ( A laugh . ) Ay , those'landed proprietors might laugh , but let him assure them that they now had but the option bf bringing their land into the retail market or being bankrupt . But let them look on

      that picture and on this— " It is now ascertained , by practical experience , that a man and his family must starve upon four acres of land , costing £ 50 an acre , highly cultivated , tons of manure put out , £ 50 Aid and Loan Money given , a cottage and out-buildings built of the best materials , the allotment partially cropped , and no rent paid for two years and a half . Feargus O'Connor , patron . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now , in answer to those dissatisfied allotces , who complained of the condition of their allotments , let him inform tho house that in July , 1848 , while the committee was sitting , he took down two noble lords ( Lord Talbot , and the noble Lord the member for Dumfrieshire , ) the hon . member for Bochdale , the hon . member

      for the County of Limerick , and the hon . member for Kilkenny , to visit and examine two of those estates , the one being Snig ' s End , where they had been but just located , and all expressed their astonishment and delight at what they saw . But , to prove still further the value tbat some set upon the land , some received £ 120 , some £ 100 , and many £ 80 for their allotments . He had now explained his sincerity , and he hoped his honesty , with regard to this Land Plan ; and to show the jealousy with which he managed the funds of the Company , let him inform the house that he gave to one occupant , who was not entitled to any money £ 14 out of his own pocket ; to two £ 10 each ; to three £ 5 each ; to one £ 3 to ; another £ 7 ; for

      agricultural premiums at O Connorville , £ 15 ; - and other sums , which he could state to the house , amounting to £ 339 , all of which he might havo charged tothe Company . ( Hear , hear . ) If he was to estimate the amount that this Land Company had cost him at £ 8 , 000 he would be under the mark ' , and this was his thanks . But however he might be reviled—by the Press—by the house—or by the most fortunate—after twenty-eight years of continuous political and social agitation , he threw down the gauntlet , and defied any man in that houso , in this country , or in the world to charge him with a mean , a dishonest , or ungentlemanlike act . His principles and his plan must be dear to him when for that time he had advocated and upheld both against the

      reviling ofthe Press and the antagonism of faction , while it was his pride and his boast to say , that he had never eaten a meal or travelled a mile atthe expense of any man . And now he told the noble lord opposite / that if be was anxious for the protection of the poor man's fund—70 , 000 of whom were interested—he ( Mr . O'Connor ) would accept tho earliest day tbat was allowed him to bringin a bill to wind up the affairs ofthe Company , and would allow the noble lord to nominate his own trustees . ( Laughter . ) "Why laugh at a proposal to give his dupes the benefit of governmental patronage —( 70 , 000 of them ) _-i-to protect theni against his juggling . It was not to be wondered at that those who were desirous of keeping down and oppressing the

      workin- * - classes should look upon him with hatred , and that , as far as they could make it , the Land Company should be tbe reviled of all revilers . Gross charges were made against him in the committee , and every gentleman who wont into the committee went there with the strongest prejudices against him ; but , thank God , they left thc committee with those prejudices removed . Strange as it might seem , he could assure thc house that it was nevertheless a fact , that not a fraction of the £ 130 , 000 ever came into his hands , it all passed through the directors into the bankers' possession , and every voucher and every book relating to it was produced before thc committee . He had recently received a letter from one of the allottees at Snig's End stating , that the writer still continued to hold his allotment , that it

      paid him well , and that if the others were as industrious as be was they would be equally prosperous . He was ready to give a more extended explanation if the rules ofthe house would permit , and he should be prepared to-morrow to wind up the Company , and hand over the whole of the property to government , if the house would give him a bill for the purpose . He had , nevertheless , full confidence in the Plan . He had now made his statement , and given a distinct refutation to the charges preferred against him . He had not been guilty of any dishonourable act , nor had he wheedled tho people out of their money , as he had been charged with doing , and God forbid that he should be such a wheedler as he could prove two hon . gentlemen , members of that house , to bo ( "Oh , oh , " and " Order . " ) The subject then dropped , and the two petitions _were ordered to lie on the table .

      MONDAY , _Mahch 4 . HOUSE OF LORDS . _—Inqoest on a Soldier ' s Wifb and Child » _Gueki * sey . — Lord Brougham had to move for the production of papers of which he had given idie particulars relative-to two inquests which had been holden in Aldcrney . and Guernsey , touching the deaths of an unfortunate woman and her child * . the-wife of Riley ,, » . private in the 16 th Regiasat .. Eh * noble ml _lossa _^ u lord _proceeded

      Saturday March 2. House Of Commons.—The ...

      to say : I move for tbeso papers for the purpose of having transactions _^ brought before your lordships mt _*? _-Tfi _? _™^ lm P ' feet inquiry has been instituted , and the matter cannot end . there . I havo thc TfZ _^ _liTZ - . _t evei ' . l ' _^ _ges of the land , _S _£ _nfiSZ _?* _A be im P - & some parties , , f _™ l « thilli _V _P 0 Q th 0 Production of those papers , the conduct of any parties should assume an equivocal aspect , or a despicable _asnect or a _detes-* vo dVtS Jill ? _M hGi 1 , ow _" 2 ds ' andVofmy _^ i _remind L A _° slande 1 _* * and that slander _™» rSi _^ lft _« n the ; s ervice which they may contmuo to defile . —Ordered

      _JKfr " _Gbanvil ' moved the first reading of the Government Railway Audit Bill bv _amottViSr * _" _£ _^ _£% _& _nuTsLd _^ of _Sw Ce ' an _independent andcontim _« n _^ . ? pJS « i hi a ac' ! ountS by means of a permanent central board , composed of delegates elected by the proprietors of _each _^ _ompany ; _ihesedelel L ° , eor more votes , in proportion to the capital paid up by the several companies . Ample powers were to be given to this _boai-o , who wore to Jay their reports before parliament at the beginning of each session . Lord Monteagle expressed his satisfaction that the government had at last introduced a bill of this kind on their own responsibility , and tho bill was road a first time .

      National Education . -The Management Clauses . —Lord Stanley , on presenting the petition from a parish in Monmouthshire , from persons , principally laity , connected with the Church of England , interested in the erection of national echools , said he did not intend to discuss the question , but the petitioners principally complained ofthe insertion of clauses which prevented their submitting any differences which might arise to the arbitration alone of the bishop of the diocese , in consequence of which they could not participate in the grant made by the Committee of Privy Council . The Marquis of Lansdowne did not intend to go into , any argument on the subject ; but ho would merely say that the clause referred to by the

      petitioners was an exceptional clause , and whether it should bo so or not was matter of argument . The noble lord had thought it not convenient to enter into a full discussion of tho merits of the general question , neither did he wish to do so if no other person entered into it ; but he must state to the noble-lord and the house that a notice having been given by a right rev . prelate , which it was understood would lead to a discussion on this subject , he deemed it highly inconvenient to allow any statements to he made on presenting petitions—he should think it , in fact , delusive to the public to allow any such statements to be made—without entering into

      a full discussion of all the erroneous opinions and facts , as they were called , which had been stated to tho public , and which he was prepared to discuss with . a view to prove their entire falsehood . ( Hear , hear . ) The Bishop of London wishing to avoid what he considered the " great calamity of a discussion of the controversy that had occurred with the Committee of the Privy Council , recommended the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the whole operation of the Education Bill . The Archbishop of Canterbury supported the motion , believing that information was wanted , as there had been errors and false suspicions on both

      sides . Lord BnouGUAWregretted thatthe constant desire of all parties to promote education , and the efforts made by the legislature for that purpose , should he in so great ' a measure frustrated through tho anxiety of churchmen and dissenters , respectfully , to obtain tho ascendancy . Tiie Bishop of _CniciiESTES hoped to see tho committee appointed . The Bishop of St . David ' s would be glad to have information on the subject , hut did not believe that any satisfactory result could be expected from the inquiries conducted by a committee . The Marquis of Lansdowke , referring to the late meeting at Willis ' s Rooms , declared that almost every statement there made could be contradicted on unquestionable authority . The Church of England , which was at that meeting pronounced to have

      been neglected , had in fact received thc full proportion of the amount at the disposal of the government _, nis lordship then stated the amount of benefit that had already resulted from the educational grants . _jSTo less than 800 schools had been founded with the assistance of these grants , and remained in close connexion with the Privy Council . With respect to the motion for a committee , he saw no sufficient reason for its appointment . Tho investigation would be one of appalling magnitude , and would hardly aid the Privy Council in the execution ofthe difficult task assigned to them . At all events , he trusted that the present system would not be suspended pending the inquiry . Tho petition was then laid on the table with some others of a similar nature . Party Processions ( Ireland ) Bill . —On the motion for the committal of this Bill ,

      Tho Duke of _Wellington said that the measure did . nofc go far enough . At funerals and other occasions of ceremonial or festivity , when crowds were gathered together , causes of disturbance would inevitably arise , and the only way of securing quiet was to prohibit tho possession , or , at all events , tho carrying of arms by any person who could not produce " a game certificate . The Marquis of Lansdowne objected to turn the Processions Bill into an Arms Bill , After some observations from Lord Monteaole and Lord Stanlet , the bill went through committee . The Ecclesiastical Commission Bill was read a third time and passed . Their lordships then adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS . — The S eaker announced that the petition presented . against the return of one ofthe members for the City of London ( Earon Rotschild ) had been withdrawn .

      The Easter Recess . —Lord JonN Russell said it was hia intention to propose the adjournment of the house from Tuesday in Passion week until Monday , the Sth " of April . Affairs of Greece . —Mr . Hume asked in what state were our political relations with Greece ? De hoped we might receive speedy accounts of matters being adjusted there . Lord Palmerston said it had been thought necessary to make a peremptory demand there , and that the application had been made without success . That demand _having been refused , reprisals were

      commenced , which consisted in getting in pledge certain property and to hold it as security for tlie demands . Meanwhile , the good offices ofthe French government had been accepted , but the negotiator bad not arrived . Tlie diplomatic relations between this country and Greece had never been , suspended . Mr . _Wyre had continued in diplomatic communication with the country ; and , as a proof that no courtesy had been omitted on our side , when the anniversary ofthe Queen of Greece had arrived , our fleet saluted with all the honours . ( ' * Hear , hear , " and laughter . )

      Parliamentary Voters Ireland Bill . —The house then went into committo on this bill . Sir R . Ferguson moved the omission of the 2 nd or "joint occupancy " clause . Lord J . UUS 3 ELL said the government had no objection to omit the clause if tho Irish members would consent . A number of Irish representatives spoke in answer to this appeal , but their judgments differed considerably as to the advisability of omitting thc clause ; and Lord J . Russell observed that under the circumstances the government would persist in retainintr it .

      Lord J . Manners mado some sarcastio remarks upon thc want of unanimity shown by tlie members for Ireland , tb whose verdict Lord J . Russell had appealed . The discussion was prolonged for some considerable time , arid excited much diversity of opinion . Several liberal representatives objected to the clause on thegroundthat . it would tend to enhanco the already excessive power of the landlords ; and many opposition members arrived at a similar conclusion , under tho belief that it would encourage the manufacture of fictitious _votinsr .

      Sir K . Peel , who closed the debate on this amendmenfc , chnracteiifcd the system of fictitious voting as " abominable , " and attributed many of the social evils that afflicted tho country to the great stimulus to the vote manufacture . afforded by tho 40 s . freehold qualification introduced by tho Irish Reform Bill , lie coincided in wishing to give an extended franchise to Ireland , but only upon such a principle as would secure its being bona fide . On a division , the clause was carried by a majority of 144 to 104 ; majority , 40 . On the third clause ,

      Sir F . _Tuesioer argued upon tho impropriety of allowing parties to enjoy the franchise who had paid no rates , nor even possessed any beneficial interest in the property , of wliich they' were tho nominal owners . He proposed an amendment to the clause , so drawn as to render more stringent tho property qualification required under the clause . Lord J . Russell persisted in believing that the £ 5 annual value of property , held in fee for life , as proposed in tho clause , was quite high enough by way of qualification . Lord J . Manners , the Attorney-General , Mr . Hamilton , Mr . Reynolds , and Mr . Sadleir continued the debate , after which tho committeo divided , when the clause was carried by a majority of 100 to 30 ; majority 70 . Some further amendments were afterwards proposed to the third clause , leading to a very miscel * laneous debate , the contest ; being principally carried on between Sir John _Jeryis and Sir F .

      Tuesioer . Thc clause was ultimately adopted with some alterations . Clauses i and » were agreed to without a debate . On clause 6 a long and confused discussion arose , in the course of which a declaration was elicited _feom Sir G . _GRuv ,. that the bill was not designed twntai > fere with- anvap _^ _ies of qualification _wifioB-which

      Saturday March 2. House Of Commons.—The ...

      the franchise was at the present moment conferred . Another division took place on an amendment moved by Mr . Grooan , _which-was negatived by a maioritv ofl 70 to 83 . ¦ '* - ¦¦ - ;• • ¦ *' . 3 Mr , Reynolds moved an amendment , reducing the rating qualification from £ 8 to £ 5 . ne called on Mr . Hume , and the English reformers , to support his motion , which would much extend the electoral basis , and even , in some instances , prevent the constituencies being considerably reduced , as they would be if the £ 8 rating wero established . Sir W . Somkrville felt compelled to oppose the amendment . He recapitulated some ofthe reasons and calculations that had led the government to fix the qualification as it stood in the bill , and declared thoir intention of adhering to it . Mr . French , supported thc amendment , as did Sir T . O'Brien and Col . Rawdon .

      Mr . Roebuck said that tho small borough constituencies in England were the great hot beds of corruption , and that the £ 8 qualification would create a vast number of similarly contracted and corruptible electoral bodies in Ireland . To reduce the £ 8 to £ 5 would so widen thc basis as to effect a cure of the evil to" a very considerable degree . Mr . M . J . O ' Connell pronounced the bill under the £ 8 qualification a mockery of justice to-Ireland . The amendment was supported by Sir D . Norreys , Mr . Sadleir , Mr . Maurice O ' Connell , and Mr . Scully . A division was then called for , and the gallery partiall y cleared , when

      Lord CASTLEREAGn expressed his hope- that some member of the government would condescend to give some reply to the arguments that had been adduced by so many Irish members in favour of the reduced qualification . Lord J . Russell briefly explained the reason which had prompted the various changes proposed by the bill ; and supported the £ 8 rating qualification , on the ground that it was sufficiently moderate , and that a lower tariff would have involved a troublesome precedent for England . After considerable discussion the committee divided , when the -proposition was negatived by 142 against 00 . Mr . Grogan then moved to add " grand jury cess and police rate" to the poor-rates , which the occupier is required to havo paid for the year to entitle him to a vote .

      Lord J . Russell objected , and the amendment was negatived . The sixth clause being agreed to , the Chairman reported progress , and obtained leave to sit again on Monday . Tlie Registrar of Metropolitan Publie _Caa-iages Bill was read a second time . The other orders having been disposed of , the house adjourned at a quarter-past 1 o ' clock .

      TUESDAY ,. March 5 . HOUSE OF LORDS . —This house sat about an hour . Commons Ikclosure Bill . —On the motion of Earl Granville this bill was read a - second time . During a brief conversation upon this measure , Lord Portman suggested the propriety of obtaining correct statistical returns on all agricultural subjects . Earl Granville confessed the importance of the suggestion , and declared that the attention of the government would be directed towards procuring information upon the topics alluded to hy the noble lord .

      The Earl of Mountcasiiell _, alluding to the recent cases of ill-treatment and mismanagement of emigrant ships , moved for papers relating to the Earl Grey emigrant vessel . Earl Grey consented to the production of thc papers , but explained that many of the alleged cases of misconduct charged against the officers of emigrant ships had been disproved . In one instance he confessed , the complaints had been substantiated and thc owners fined £ 500 . Removal of obstructions in _inE Corn Trade ( Scotland ) Bill .- —Lord Brougham moved the second reading of this bill , which was agreed to .

      HOUSE OF _COMMONS .-Social Improvement of the Working Classes . —Mr . Slaney rose , pursuant to notice , to move for the appointment of a "Standing Committee or unpaid Commission to consider and report on practical plans ( not connected with political changes ) , for the social improvement of tho working and poorer classes . " Ho observed that , in the years 1817 , 1819 , 1824 , and 1830 , the attention of the house hnd been called to the social condition of the working classes , and all men who investigated the subject united in the opinion that the poorer portion of the community were in a most depressed condition . This would be sufficient to show that some improvement was requisite in the investigation of matters relative to the position of

      the working classes . He would ask hon . members opposite , whether a peasant of unblemished character and industrious habits wero not an exception to the general rule if he had any prospect before him at seventy yearsof age , except that of becoming an almoner on the parish , bounty ? If his wife- lived with him , nnd brought up afamily in industry and respectability , bad she any chance , on the death of her husband , or on his inability to work , except becoming a recipient of parish relief ? ( Hear . ) Well , was this the condition in which the industrious agricultural classes should remain ? He would now turn to the large class of porsons _engaued in towns —in mines—and in great cities—and what was their condition , as it had appeared from reports laid before the house , and resting upon tho evidence of

      commissioners and of committees appointed by tbat house , who were fair and impartial witnesses to the facts they related .- During the hist fifty years the increase of working men in towns had doubled tho number of residents in rural districts . In 1838 a Poor Law report drew attention to their condition , which was followed in 1839 by a further account of the sufferings of the poorer classes . In 1840 a commission was granted for the purpose of investigating the condition of thc inhabitants of great towns . The result of their inquiries showed that evils ofthe most afflicting nature prevailed , regarding thc health nnd comfort of the poor in lar- < e cities . In 1842 the report of Mr . Chadwick fortified that of the commission , and in 1 S 43 a commission was

      appointed by Sir R . Peel to inquire into these matters . In 1844 thc first report of that commission was issued , and in 1845 a second report appeared , both of which demonstrated gross neglect in large towns of all the regulations for the health and comfort of the working classos . In 1845 further proofs wereobr tained ofthe vast injury to the public health arising fiom causes capable of removal . In 1 S 40 , the Children ' s Employment Commission reported that , in the great majority of instances , the places of work were defective in ventilation , in cleanliness , and tbat nothing hnd been done to provide innocent amusement and healthful recreation to the children employed in factories , ' the consequence being , that their moral and physical health were alike injured ;

      they were stunted in growth , pale , and sickly . This state of things remained to the present day . [ The hon . member more than once took occasion to complain of the inattention of the house . ] He was glad to find that one hon . member was listening to him , but he saw that hon . gentlemen would turn to almost any subject rather than tho one he was bringing before them with so little succgps . Thc summary of thc Report of tho Children ' s Employment ; Commission was , that in a large portion ofthe kingdom , tho . moral condition ofthe children was lamentably low , and that no means appeared to exist of effecting any improvement in tho physical or moral condition of the young children employed in factories . That report was made

      in January , 1843 , and since that period nothing effectual had been done . Another numerous body consisted of nearly 000 , 000 hand-loom weavers , dispersed through different parts of the country . They wore reported to bo , as a body , in a state of distress , and the only hope of improving thoir . condition was , that tliey should betake themselves to other avocations , wherever practicable , and use as much economy and forethought as possible , whe'i wages were good . There were also 000 , 000 railway labourers at work , in different parts of tho country , for whose comfort and moans of living no provision was made , and who were compelled to live in close and unwholesome dwellings . What had been thc effect of this nccrlcct on the part of tlio Legislature ?

      That there had been an immense increase of crime , pauperism , disease , and discontent , throughout the country , and an excessive mortality ninong the humbler classes , whose expectation of life was , in some towns , only twenty years , while that of . the upper and middle classes was thirty-seven and twenty-seven years respectively . The illness from preventihlc causes was doubled ; and it was proved that , for every person who died among thc working classes , three wero ill , and their illness extended over a period of six weeks . Crime had increased in a rapid ratio . The committals iii England and Wales had increased from 16 , 500 in 1821 , to 30 , 300 in 1 S 49—so that it appeared crime had increased six times as fast as tho population of this country . The summary convictions in England and Wales had increased from 14 , 800 , in 1837 , to 35 , 700 in 1 S 45 . Thc number of prisoners brought before tho justices in tho second seaport of the Kingdom , was , in 1840 ,

      17 , 400 ; in 1 S 48 , 22 , 000 . The committals in tho district of the metropolitan police had increased from 4 , 000 in 1840 , to 5 , 900 in 1847 . The number of _personsjaccused of crime in Franco was , in 1825 , 7 , 000 ; in 1835 , 6 , 900 ; and in 1845 , about the same number as in 1835—so that while our criminals were increasing at this rapid rate , crime in a noighbourhing country was almost stationary . If hon . gentlemen opposite believed that crime was confined principally to our great cities , the return showed , that from 1806 to 1841 , in six agricultural counties , with an increaso in population of fifty-five per cent ., the increase of crime was equal to that of six manufacturing towns , where the increaso of population had been equal to ninety-two per cent . He now wished to call the attention of the houso to the cost to the country of this neglect of the welfare and improvement of theso numerous _classetJ . From a . ealculation made by a commission , it appeared that thQ cost of Mime was - _81-WW per annum *

      Saturday March 2. House Of Commons.—The ...

      The poor- rates , at that time , . amounted- to £ 5 , 400 , 000 and hero he might remark tliat the poor rates of 1848 had . increased tori or fifteen per cent , on thc former year , and had gone on increasing eVer . since 1834 . , The cost of hospitals , and the loss from illness arising from preventiblo causes was £ 5 , 400 , 000 . The cost of police , g _? ° I 3 , ' t" _*'' P " 'ts , and penitentiaries were estimated at £ 1 , 500 , 000 . Altogether the calculation , which was not in his belief exaggerated , was , that crime , tho poor-rate , hospitals , loss of time , and other causes which would bo diminished by the improvement of the condition of the working classes , cost the country £ 27 , 500 , 000 per annum for England and Wales alone . Thc sum total , including Ireland and Scotland also , was , that thero was an . expenditureand loss of £ 40 , 000 , 000 , which was to he diminished

      gradually and effectively by taking measures for the improvement of tho condition of the working classes . Their condition had never yet been looked into by any government , hut there were three things it was the duty of the government to do ; first , to give _v the working classes instruction for their children ; secondly , protection for thoir health ; and , thirdly , fair play and reasonable facilities to aid their forethought and stimulate their industry . The poor man ' s health was his only property ; but the house had only just , at the eleventh hour , passed an Act of Public ' Health . He trusted that this measure would be found to be of great benefit to tho working classes ; but , had we had a council , * ** . "department of state , a _delibcrativc'ibody , or a standins committee or commission , composed of

      members taken from both sides of the house , to consider ( heso subjects , there would have been a remedy found for these great evils long before . . He asked the house to agree to the appointment of such a . standing council or department of . state to inquire what practical measure might be b ' roiight forward for the improvement ofthe condition ' af _^ ha . _ytrork " - ing classes . It had been proved that the'wages of the ' three classes of workmen engaged in the cotton , woollen , and hardware manufactures were amply sufficient for , their comfort and support , if theso men had the means of spreading theni over a given period of seven years . A bill had passed that houso for the extension of the Benefit Societies Act , but the words of the act were liable to technical

      _objection , and the working classes had no power to unito in order _jto provide against that constant calamityillness . The benefit societies confined their assistance to cases of the illness of the members ,, and could give none in the case of the illness of his family . There were also no means of securing by these societies small annuities for . persons when they were too old to work . It was proved that in tliose places where the populations of large towns were devoid of the comforts and decencies of life , and wcrd living in a state of ignorance , there tho number of improvident marriages and illegitimate children was the greatest . "Was it the fault ot tho humbler persona in those districts tliat such things should be , or was it not rather the fault of the great

      and opulent ? ( Hear , hear . ) He asked that , instead of erecting penitentiaries and workhouses , they should attempt a remedial process , and that , instead of being called upon to reform those sunk in crime , they should try the experiment of dealing with the young and docile , and saving them from contamination . ( Hear , hear . ) He asked the house to give tbe working classes safe investment for their humble earnings . " There were in the rural districts places were savings banks wore hardly known ; and , besides , a working man who received a legacy of £ 50 ov £ G 0 could not place that sum in the savingsbank , and had often extreme difficulty as to the mode of investing it . It was for that and such other ? objects as he had before mentioned that he now

      brought the present motion before tho house . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Trelawky opposed the motion , chiefly on the ground that it would tend to injure the working classes rather than to improve their condition . Ho must say that the more he knew the working classes the more he was disposed to trust them , and to give them suoh privileges as they were entitled to possess ; but when a proposal like the present , that could not bo realized , was brought forward , ho felt that the house would be guilty of unintentional deception towards them if it gave that proposal ita sanction . ( Hear . ) The hon . gentleman had not given to the house anything like a plan , or laid down any feasible scheme for remedying those great social grievances which nil so niucli deplored . Ho

      ( Mr Trelawny ) wished to see the working classes , by their own savings and forethought , provide for their own improvement , instead of making it tha duty ofthe state , and he did not think that , ns a body , they , made any claim ofthe _soit , The hon . gentleman spoke as if it was their duty to pass an . set of Parliament , to give the working classes forethought . [ Mr . Slaney had made no such proposal . } Certainly not in so many words , but the hon . gentleman proposed tbat tbo _Leuse should do for tho workingclasseswh . it they _ouuht to do for themselves . By repealing the corn laws they had no doubt done a great deal to improve tho condition of the people , and he knew no other way in which so much could be done for _lheir benefit as by relieving their

      industry , and enabling them successfully to carry out schemes for their own advancement * ( Hear , hear . ) Sir Cf . Gr * Er wan justified from all he kenw of ( Mr . _SLiney , ) and from the communications . he had with him , in testifying to the liberality of his intentions towards the working classes , lie had given ample proof , of his sincerity in promoting the ohject lie had in view , and on every occasion he believed he was prepared to give his time , his talents , and his attention for the purpose of promoting their welfare . ( Hear , hear . ) - . Having said that , however , he must observe that the , measure whicli he had proposed to the house was not of such a practical character as was likely to be of any advantagein effecting the social improvement of the wOrkinff

      classes . He was unable to ascertain what was the precise nature ofthe duties he would impose on tho commission or standing committee be wished to bo appointed . * He understood the hoo .. gentleman to propose that a committee of . that house or a commission should be appointed to receive during the recess , or at other time ? , such suggestions and proposals ns might be made to them in regard to the improvement of the working classes , and io consider the practicability of any plans that might then be submitted to theni . ( Hear , hear . ) This was , no doubt , an object important iii itself , but one which he feared could not be carried out in tho way proposed by the hon gentleman . ( Hear , hear . )

      Hethought that the only effect of such a plan would bo to cause a large production of blue books and to overwhelm Parliament with information upon many points that it was already in full possession of , and that it would , after all , leave Parliament as helpncss as it was now with regard to the removal of many of the evils to which the hon . gentleman had referred . ( Hoar , hear , ) "When any proposition calculated to promote the improvement of tho working classes was clearly and distinctly recognised , there was no necessity for a commission to cany it out . Another objection to the motion was , that indefinite cxpections of great legislative changes would thereby bo produced in the minds of the _working classes . And as to

      measures for promoting the public health , there already existed a public health establishment , which was exercising powers committed to it hy parliament with great advantage , so that on that question a commission was altogether unnecessary . ( Hear . ) Tho hon . gentleman proposed to exclude from the consideration of the commission or committee all questions . connected with political changes , hut where tho line was to be drawn he did not know , unless he meant lo say that they were only to ba excluded from considering matters connected with reform in parliament . Ho hoped , in conclusion , that thc hon . gentleman would not press his motion . Ue gave him full credit for sincerity , but , if he put his motion to the vote , he should be reluctantly

      compelled to oppose it . ( Hear . ) Mr . Sotheron thought the objects aimed at by-Mr . Slaney would be bettor accomplished by a combination of gentlemen united together for be _» nevoloKt purposes than by any commission of tho government , though he felt bound to say that bis hon . friend deserved credit for the perseverance with which he had continued to brin g before tho house tho social condition of tho working classes . ( Hear , bear . ) Mr . Hums did not think the ohject of Mr . Slaney eould be carried out by any committeo that could be proposed ; but for the establishment of a benevolent society an excellent precedent would be found in the one established by Sir John Uarnard , a full explanation ofthe principles of which was to

      bo had , along with tho rules , m thc library . Mr . M . _Milnes hoped the present discussion would lead government to consider how far it might be possible for them to sivo encouragement to the improvement of tLo social condition of tho working classes , and to assist those who mig ht ho desirous of removing tho enormous social evils that pressed upon the country . He did not think tho working classes of this country were likely to get into the habit oi looking to ( _rovernment for aid ra their undertakings : hut there were several matters m winch tho Executive might with propriety interfere , such as in tho improvement of largo _cities ,. with a view to secin * that proper dwellings were provided for the poor . ., ,

      Mr . H . HEnnEBT said he had a petition , which he should shortly present , from Rochdale , signed by ahout 3 , 000 persons , whohad sustained an enormous loss by an institution which they believed to have the security of government . ( Hear , hear . ) If industrious people were thus to havo their savings swept away in a day , no greater blow could be given to habits of frugality and industry . H > would call the earnest attention of the government to the necessity of considering the condition ot parties who had suffered so severely , while they mad * provision for a better regulation of savings ban & a in future . For a scrieB of years the government had just interfered so far with these _establishmeatn as to lead to the btliof that tho depositors had 4 i » security of the state ; hence the parties who _Iw suffered had a strong claim for relief . Be Bhowa

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 9, 1850, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_09031850/page/7/