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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th December 1841, Edition 3 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE EXECUTIVE OF THE NATIONAL CrliRTEK A 50 CIAT 10 N TO TLE GENERAL COUNCIL AND MEMBERS . - BE . KTHB . EK , —Having assembled in Ixradon to transact the geBeral business of oar Association , it becomes our pleasing duty , at t&e elo » e of the present Bitting , to adilrew yon , asd convey through this medium , such information , instruction , and advice , as appear necessary to guide you aright in yonr move-Hientg . The business of the Executive , on this occasion , has been UBusnally extensive , from the enlargement f our Association , the increase of correspondence , the general activity that prevails , and the importance of the future wooeedinn -which -we hare designed

      CORSJtiPOKDESCB OP THE EXECCTITB . In the first place we irin advert t « Bach portions of tiie correspondence laid before us , as are of importance , and require general n » tiee . Many letters have been received from Northampton and Leicester , seeking a new arrangement for the representatioa ot those plao « in the Convection . And ia Lancashire , and oae or two other places , arrangements not in accordance with those already laid down have bees wight . But , ia sarveyisga map of the kingdom , we d « sot think a more equal representation could be devised than that set forth is the Address Issued at oar lastsittinfc

      We beg , therefore , urgently to impress on our brethren in the various localities the great necessity of observing one systematic plan . If each part of the kingdom is to act in the man *)* best suiting it * peculiar interests or circumstances ; , after a national adjustsaest of representation , Lha j are to be EnmeroM departures from it ; if , in sections , the people are to act upon several various methods , then are the objects of a national organisation defeated , and the operations ef aa Executive rendered of noa-effect We urgt , then , that the scale of represestaUoo already prepared may , in all cases , too , be abided by In each electoral district the rota * of the people mast be takes in reference to the election of repreaeBtatives , fee , and the will of the majority must be obeyed . This is in strict accordance with the principles of Chartism , and , we have no doubt , on reflection , will be readily acquiesced in .

      Letters from Carlisle , and other places , have directed our attention to the necessity of levying the expenees of the Convention on a scale more equitable thas that already proposed , aad of ranking taxation and representation co » exteniiv& We at osee aee the propriety and justice of this ; and , after estimating as nearly as possible the probable expenees of the entire Convention , we have decided that each district sending one representative « h » ii contribute to the Convention Fond £ 18 ; two representatives , £ 36 ; and three , £ 54 . Out of this fund the travelling expenees of each member , to and from London , will be

      defrayed-A letter £ r » m I < esinington conveys to u « the following question ; " Do you , as aa Executive , sanction the interruption of Corn Law meetings ? " In reply , we beg fearlessly to state that we are advocates for free inquiry , and it is our belief that on all occasions when the people are called on for their opinions on any question affecting the public weal , they should boldly speak out their sentiment * , whatever they may be . If a meeting is eenveaed "to consider the propriety of repealing ' the Corn Laws , " would it not be Blavisb and discreditable to the persons attending it , if they consented to sanction any resolution its originators were pleased to submit , whether it corresponded with the opinions of the meeting or not ? Most assuredly . We are not friends of tumultuous proeeediBgs , for these can never aid the purpose * of truth asd justice ; but we have evidence

      before ns of Innumerable instances when the peop : e bave been called together to " consider" the repeal of the Goto Laws , and , when met , have been denied any voice in the matter by the persons who have taken upon themselves the management ef such meetings . We cannot , therefore , restrain oar Chartist brethren from expressing their isdignatien at such tyrannical eondnefc . We rejoice that the time has arrived when the people dare think and speak out their opinions ; and it may be relied on that we , is oar representative capacity , are nit about to use our influence to arrest this freedom of mind merely because it does not suit the imaginary interest of any peculiar faction . Let calm discussion be permitted , the sense of the people fairly be takes and duly regarded , and troth and rostiee xaut ultimately prevail .

      From the Bristol General Council we have received ft communication touching the issue of the cards of our association . The following is its subttjnee : — " The presest aetbsd of granting cards is bad , and fraught with deceit . For iiMtatn *^ a person calls at the Asso ciation rooms , gets a card by merely paying Ui it ; he soon picks a quarrel with some one , and then comes the eviL He itarts—what—a new Council ? No : but he not unfrequently takes everything upon his ipti diril . He sends for cards , and itaiti not a set » f Chartisu , but of enemies , ever ready to find fault . Now the remedy we propose is , that an application to the General Secretary for cards , for any person , must have the signature of the sab-President and . sab-Secretary resident in the locality . " We have seriously considered the matter , and are of opinion , that to place any

      restrictions on the issue of cards , other thaa those laid down ia the plan of organization , would be attended with great difficulty and danger . Sub-Presidents and Secretuies may have their *• ipsi dHxif—the wrong may , in a variety of irurtanowi , be on either side . The constitution of our Association cays : — " Any person shall be admitted a member of this Association on taking a card of membership , to be renewed half-yearly -, for which he shall pay twopence ; and afterwards one penny per week subecription . " We are not yet convinced by our Bristol brethren of the necessity for altering the fundamental principle . We have net , therefore , the will ; nor do we believe we have the power , to place any other restrictions on the issue ef cvds than those already embodied in the 5 th clause of the plan on which we are organised .

      From Trowbridge nuaerous letters have been received respecting a schism in the Chartist body in that town . One portion of the members have taken a fresh place of meeting , and made the following declaration reqainte t « admission : — " I , , believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testament ; and do hereby pledge my word to use all lawful and just means in my power to cause the People '» Charter to be the law of the land . " This is utterly irrelevant to the leading principles and object of our Association , and , if persevered in , would produce innumerable divisions and endless disagreements . It is our duty to guard against that which would toad to such evil consequences . We have , therefore , written to the persons who have been the actors in this maUer , and requested a withdrawal ef the above declaration .

      Numerous applications bave been made for the missionary services of the members of the Executive . These h * re been too numerous for all tD" receive imiaediate attention . Mr . Leach , Dr . M'Douall , and Mr . Caapbell , have been lecturing and holding meetings without intermission in various parts' of the kingdom ; and Mr . Phflp , at intervals , had made various circuits . These proceeedings hive worked almost incalculable good ; but it must be remembered the Executive numbers only five individuals , and it is impossible for so few persons to accomplish a mission throughout the entire kingdom withent a considerable lapse of time . The members ^ of the Executive will , however , continue industriously to pursue this portion of their duty , and will so apply the means placed in their hands , that satisfaction may be felt by every member of the Asso-CiatiOB .

      The Chartists of many places -where our numbers are not yet large , have applied to the Execative for the aid of lecturers . Unfortunately the funds of the Association have kitkerto been toe limited to render the assistance sought We hope this fact will weigh heavily with the General Council and members , and convince them of the necessity of supplying the i » - QuMte means of agitation . The letters from various localities seeking information , advice , 4 c . for varied subjects , have been abundant . Every promptitude has been observed by our Secretary , who inunedL-tily answers privately all communications not of a public nature , or : equiriHg general notice .

      THE KATIOSAI . FETTTIQK . Net a moment should be lost ! The pstition-sheets must be immediately issued , and signatures sought for in the remotest as wtll as the most important parts of Great Britain . The General Council must immediately Gill moattng * of the Chartists in every part , and at these meetings volunteers should be sought to take petition-sheets aad procure names . The sheets should be numbered , and the name of each person taking one should be entered on a list , that when the petition is called in it may be readily ascertained whether the sheets are all returned or not . This plan must be at once

      resorted to , and with earnest spirit Copies of the printed petition should be nVc from door to door , and left lot pamsaJ until sailed tor . At the commencement ef every meeting the petition should be read , and sheets lain at the doors for signatures . The Chartist missionaries and speakers should urgently recommend theii hearers to sign . Tables should be placed in the public streets , and , where practicable , a few bills should be printed to this effect : — " The National Patition tot the People ' s Charter lies here for signature . " The-dgnatuKS of males and females to be alike acceptable .

      We call on every individual fer his or her aid . There nut be no delay , but energy and zaal must now mark obj conduct We invite our Sootch brethren , particularly , to be on the alert , to procure signatures for this petition . ( See tile address to the People ot Scotland . ) The sheet * should be all uniform , on demy paper , rule * in four columns , six inches in width . The heading of the petition has appeared in the several Chartist papers , and is new printed in a cheap form , 25 s . per thousand , and may , together with petitionsheets , be procured of any of the London or country agents . We-pfay , therefore , let not a moment be lost Lst th 6 present petition fir out-number any hitherto pretested .

      . - .:- > IBs smosiL eoMisrios . Already , m * nj nominations have taken place , ar . l w » are" glad tp * . Sad some of the most talented and patrioUcof fcurjswty placed as candidate * for the Con-

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      vention . But there are many yet to come in , and we ardently re quest the farther nominations to be sent without delay to the General Secretary , "Mr . J . Campbell , 18 , Adderiy-street , Shaw * Brow , Salford , near Manchester . " We hope to find Scotland and Wales equally participating in the representation afforded by this body . Meetings should immediately take place , and the candidates at once be named . These should also be sent to the General Secretary , and published in the same list with the F"glUh . candidates . No time must be lost ia relation to this important matter . Twentyfour representatives for England will be forthcoming ; and we have no donbt the people's choice will foil on those best qualified to fulfil the important duties of the Convention , and most likely to ensure the esteem of the community .

      We have already set forth the scale of contributions to the Convention fund , from those who send representatives . It will not , as it is important , be improper to repeat it . Each district nending one representative shall contribute £ 18 , two representatives £ 36 , and three £ 5 L It must be borne in mind that out of this fund the travelling expenees of the member * to and from London will be defrayed . It will immediately be perceived that this regulation is at once jost and equitable , and will bring the amount of money required within the means of each district . The electoral districts all being extensive , * few peunds from each town wili produce the required sum . For instance , in Gloucester , Somerset , aad Wilts , there are as many towns where the Association extends as will produce the required sum at am average ef £ 2 each . Of course , the towns will contribute in proportion to their size and influence , and then the amount may be easily raised .

      Oat of the above fund , as already stated , the coach fare of each member will be paid . This will render the burden less heavy on those districts situated far away from the Metropolis , and the travelling expenses to and from which will be exceedingly heavy . The above fund will also liquidate all the expenses of the Convention for rental of a large and central room , printing , advertising , paper , pens , ink , postage , fcc . &c There must be no deficiency in the contributions of the several districts . A petition of four millions ( unprecedented in the history of our country ) should be backed up by the determined voice of the people , which shall have utterance through representation . The collection of moneys should be immediately proceeded with ; and the General Council in every locality must at once put on extreme activity .

      We are aware of the deaifo of money , particularly with the working classes : all this has received our most serious consideration . But can our cause be won without a sacrifice ? Could funds be mere profitably applied than to the purposes already set forth ? Bo not , then , brethren , be discouraged : one hundred thousand persons , at one penny each , will produce more than the required sum ; and can it be doubted that omt of three or four millions of persons who will petition for justice and liberty , one hundred thousand may readily be found to subscribe for its realization 1 Who will haaard the assertion that we have not soul enough amongst us to bear the Petition Convention through triumphantly ? Let us all subscribe according to our means . One may give a shilling , another sixpence , another a penny , another a farthing . But let us not rest satisfied with ourselves uatil we have all contributed according to our means .

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

      We recommend , for more effectually ensuring sufficient funds , that tea-patties , paid lectures , Ate . be at once instituted . These will at once be imparting knowledge , and creating a bond of brotherly onion ; while , without embarrassment to any , they will produce good toalL Is departing from this branch of our address , we particularly urge our brethren immediately to send is the further nominations , that the day for a general ballot throughout the Association may be resolved on . ( See the Address received from Birmingham . )

      THE KXECWT 1 TX JOURHAL . After mature deliberation , the discontinuance of out Jw-ntai has been resolved upon . Its publication was at first resorted to for the purpose of circulating the National Organisation , giving greater publicity and further information of the proposed Convention and National Petition , and of arousing the General Council and others into activity , for the purposes of carrying oat successfully the plan of agitation laid down by toe Execative . These object * have been folly accomplished .

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

      The Horihern Star , National Vindicator , and Englifh Chartist Circular , are the official organs of the Associa tion .

      KEXT SIITING OP TUB EXECUTIVE . The next sitting of the Executive will take place in Bristol , on the first Monday in February , whea all final arragements for this great and important movement will fee made . Before that date , without fail , all the nominations must be sent in ; aad the various Electoral Districts must report to the General Secretary what amount of funds has been raised for the support of the Convention . Letters of advice will be thankfully received , and undergo serious consideration on the meeting of the Executive at Bristol . While in the West the members of the Executive will traverse , as much as possible , that part of the kingdom ; and also visit several parts of Wales for the purpose of inspiring energy and zeal into the hearts of the people . The . xecutive will ever perform its duty , and may every member of the Association be inspired by good exampla

      GESEBAL ABGCMENT . Brethkes , —We earnestly invite yon to pursue the plan of agitation laid down , with the seal becoming sen determined to be free . Let our feelings , our actions , our determinations , henceforth be our . Bury , for ever , any petty feeling ef disunion that may have crept in amongst yen , that you may present the formidable array of a vmted People , determined to struggle against your maiiy corrupt foes . Reflect on the urgency of a powerful Chartist movement at the present time , now that the factions have changed places , and the reins of usurped authority are banded to Toryism , the deadliest enemy of onr race ; now that plots and counterplots are rife ; now that the war of

      faction is becoming strong ; in the name of Libertt , let US be the foremost in the ranks of the Patriots , by ¦ whom onr native land shall be freed from the fetters of Despotism- Arouse , to dispel the gloom of mental ignorance that so long has rendered man a passive menial , the slave of tyrants , and the dupe of knaves . Spread the light of those political truths , for the triumph of which * e have girded on the armour of moral resolution . Kemember , oar Cause is THE Bights OF Man—rights defrauded , abased , insulted , and betrapped . Do we see oar kinsmen starving ?—the Charter is to give them food . Do we behold them ragged ?—Justice demands they shall be clothed . Do we mark their misery ?—Nature declares happiness and prosperity man's birthright . Our pursuit is no

      phantom—IT IS NOT A BUBBLE THAT BUBSTS AND IS SEEN HO MORE—IT IS >" OT A CUNNING EVIL DEVICE ; it is Justice and Libertt for an oppressed People , now gkoaning under the iron toke op pesfotic monarcht and aristocracy , anb the heartless cruelties of class Legislation . We have proposed none but peaceful means : for , though goaded to desperation , though we behold oar brothers and sisters , even in the midst of plenty and profusion , dying , as in the reign of famine , from want of the merest necessaries of life , we forbear . We

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

      These glorious designs eaanot be accomplished , unless we are determined and persevering . Our petitions and Conventions must follow in rapid succession ; and the increase of on numbers mast repeatedly be made manifest . If we cannot display , ( in a manner to strike apprehension in our greatest foe ) increasing strength of ~ numbers and determination , onr appeals-of juaucs wiu be aataUed with ridicule and mockery . The Petition &od Couveatiea for 1842 , are designed to be sueh as shall cease a deep tremor to come over the scorner , and strike the oppressor with awe . It rests with you ; yen who are sensible of yourwrengi , a « d know and appreciate the rights withheld from you , whether or not this movement shall do honour to the British FeopJe , and raise a hope for happiness speedily U be realised . "VTe leek forward to your proceedings with confi . denoe . R . K . Philp . Morgak Williams . Johj » Campbell , James Leach . P . M . M'Douall .

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      STRIKE OF THE MASONS . At a meeting of Delegates from the different trades of the metropolis , held at the Craven ' s Head , Brurylane , November 54 th , tat the purpose of assisting the Mason * in their strike » t the New Homes of Parliament , Woolwich Dockyard , tad Kelso& ' B Monument , Mr . Butler , carpenter , in the ebalr . After hearing read the letter of Thomas Hickey te the Ed tor of the Northern Star , stating his accident at the new Houses of Parliament , aad hi * treatment and subsequent discharge by George Allen , the foreman ef Grissell and Peto ; and the replies by R . J . Wardle , G . Allen , and John Baker thereto , and also the statement of Patrick Wheelan , it was unanimously molved , " That two of this meeting , not masons , be appointed to investigate the correctness or incerrectness of the statement made by Thomas Hickey on the one side , and Messrs . Wardle , Allan , and Baker on the other ; and that T . J . Dunning , bookbinder , and J . Baker , plasterer , be appointed for that purpose . "

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

      6 . " That the circumstances and language imputed to him by T . Hickey , as to the cause of his dismissal as mason ' s labourer , from the aew Ileuses of Parliament , ia absolutely false . 6 . " That he firmly declares he Is not in the habit of discharging men without good Bad sufficient reason . 7 . " He begs to append the statement of Patrick Wheelan , the individual alluded to in his previous statement , in confirmation of that statement . John Baker slates : — 8 . " That he is one of the foremen of masons at the new Houses of Parliament , and that he perfectly recollects Thomas Hickey returning to his work , and the fact of his working six weeks after his said return . 9 .. "That he ( John Baker ) considers George Allen perfectly justified in discharging the said Thomas Hickey . "

      The above statements an given in the form of sffidarits , intending them to be eueh , but the Magistrate refused , on account of some legal objection , to sign them . Whether the objection of the Magistrate was madt before or after the parties bad taken the eath , the deponents , of course , bave not informed the public . i . With respect to the date of tbe accident , the undersigned , after carefully inquiring at the Westminster Hospital , and elsewhere , have no doubt that it happened on the 25 th of February , and that , consequently , T . Hickey is mistaken in believing it to have happened on the 13 th . This , however , as all parties are agreed as to its having happened , and as to its serious nature , is a matter of slight

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

      discharged , which Allen refused to allow the time-keeper to give ; Hickey , therefore , could not go to tbe payclerk for these two hoars , for he bad not got" hit time " for them , & circumstance which Allen must well have known , and consequently must have perceived the error , and remembered its cause immediately . The undersigned , therefore , in confirming tbe statement of Wardle that bo complaint was made to him cannot acquit him of gross partiality in his omitting to correct the error , after be had pointed it oat , thus made by T . Hickey ; tor the undersigned are covlnoed that both Wardle , Allen , and Baker , well knew to whom the complaint was made , and are convinced , therefore , that the pointing out of this error -without correcting it , was only for the purpose of leading the public to believe that the circumstances complained of had not taken place .

      The undersigned give the following shortened account of the matter in Hickey ' s words to them . After the first ebullition of anger , when Allen said " he did not want any d—d Irish cripples there , " he ( Hickey ) stopped about ten minutes to see if he would forgive him ( relent ) , but be ( Allen ) came back , and told him " if he did not go he would put his boots in his backside ; " he then went to the time-keeper for bis money , who told him it was " all nonsense , " and went fc > Alien , but returned to him ( from Allen ) and told him that it -was all up" with him . Alien went off ( away ) for about a quarter of an hour , during which time Hickey waited near the office te be paid , or to " get his time" for the two hours in question . When Alien came back , he ( Hickey ) asked hint how long he was to wait for his money 7 Allen told him if he did not go about his business , he would give him in charge of a polieeman . This took place on Thursday , May * th . 1841 .

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

      to Wardle ' s , Allen ' s , and Baker ' s statements ) , "it is certain that , In the case of a broken leg , tbe bones could not knit together , bo that the limb could be used , in the short time , for suck a process , from Feb . 25 to March 30 , less than six weeks that he was in the hospital" If this be correct , of which medical men ean best decide , it must have been physically Impossible that Hickey could bave returned to work on the 29 th of March , as stated by Wardle , the pay-clerk , and Baker , the deputy foreman , which , on oath , they ' so perfectly well remember . " Tbe undersigned , upon questioning Hickey on this poiat , elicited from him that a few days before he left the hospital he inquired whether he could not be allowed to leave , when the surgeon told

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

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

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

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

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      used at all ? The nnderaigaed beg to inform him that if it really be true that Allen never made use of the laagaage described " In his presence , " that they have seen Tery many tenons lately employed on the w # rts , before whom , and to whom , the same individual most freely indulged in it S . The undersigned come now to the extraordinary declaration made or tendered upon oath by George Allea , denying the ciiwumstanoe and the JaDguage alleged to have been used in the dismissal of T . Hickey . The undersigned read over the statement of T . Hiokey in his presence , and closely questioned him as to the circumstances stated , and the language used , when he reiterated every particular . Before doing so , the under signed requested him to relate what really did take place on the occasion , when they found the same things related by him with minute particulars of detail , which it would have been impossible for hint to suggest , if his statement bad not been true . In opposition to Allen ' s

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

      " I remember Thomas Hickey being discharged . I was close to Allen and him at the time be was discharged ; and I heard Allen make use of language similar to that wbiob is mentioned in Hickey ' s letter . I saw T . Hickey the next day after be was discharged , and be told me he bad got employment in the arm of Mr . Cubitt . " Thomas Reid , Mason , " 24 , Tufton-atreet , Westminster . " " I remember Thomas Hickey being discharged . I was close to the place where Allen discharged him ; was s-ware that Hickey bad bad his leg broken . I beard Allen swearing at Hickey , and make use o ( language similar to that which is stated in Hickey ' s letter . The las > t words I heard was Allen ' s telling him to be off the works altogether . " Thomas Gharmock , Mason . " New Cross , Kent . "

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

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

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

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

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

      Tkomas Wade fell with the dam when it gave way during the summer , and was most severely injured . Messrs . Grissell and Peto sent to him , while in the hospital , to say that neither be nor his family should want for anything . They , however , gave him nothing , but stopped his time up to the very half hour of tbe accident He got £ l from the box kept on the works to receive charitable donations ; but this he did not receive uatil after he had recovered and been at work some time , and then not until dissatisfaction had been expressed by the men to Allen at his not having given him a portion of the money from the donation-box . He was supported while iu tbe hospital by ft voluntary subscription among tbe men , amouDfciDg to £ 6 33 . Watson Ellis , by an accident last winter , had his arm broken , by which he was unable to work fourteen weeks . He received nothing from Messrs . Grissell and Petonothing out of the box .

      Mr . Baker appears not to be content with " perfectly well recollecting" upon oath the return of Hickey to his work , upon which the undersigned have before remarked , but he volunteers an affidavit to tbe truth of an opinion I He swears , or was ready to swear , that in his opinion George Allen waa justified in discharging T . Hickey 1 The undersigned have no doubt but that here , at least , he might safely be believed j but they would remind him that an affidavit is not the way to prove the truth of an opinion . The truth of an opinion can only be proved by substantial reasons , which reasons must be supported by facts . It would have been to tbe purpose if he had stated the reasons and facts which supported his opinion ; but for him to make oath to its truth implies most surely that he knew hla reasons and his facts would not bear investigation , and that therefore he substituted his oath in their stead , giving the singular , and withal ludicrous , instance of a man making his testimony valueless by tbe very act of swearing to its truth .

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

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

      the wanting testimony is so necessary , and . is what would so instantly suggest itself , the undersigned cannot but consider its omission as evidence that the cruelty and language of the man who was so notorious that it became a thing of which it was impossible , even for his friends , te express their disbelief . The undersigned , in giving the result ef their investigation , beg to say that they bare endeavoured most sedulously to discover the truth . They also have endeavouned to express their opinions with calmness ik&y now leave it to the public to judge how far Allea his been successful in clearing himself from tbe charges of omelty and swearing , and bow far Mr . Wardle , the pay-clerk , and Mr . Baker , the deprty foreman , nave been smecesBfrnl in defending their friend Otorge Allen . Thos . Joseph Ddnnijis , Bookbinder . John Baker , Plasterer .

      Untitled Article

      GREAT CHARTIST MEETING AT SELBY . The inhabitants of this place were gratified by & visit from Mr . O'Connor , and a few other excellent Chutist friends , on Friday , the 3 rd of December . A few days previous to the notice of Mr . O'Connor ' s intention of Tisiting Belby , onr good Chartist friends were in considerable perplexity u to whether they would be able to obtain a place sufficiently large to hold their meeting In , but were at length relieved by the promptness and generosity of Mr . John Ltnton , who , resolving upon giving the noble champion of Chartism s reception worthy of bis zeal and usefulness in tbe people ' s cause , made immediate application to the trustees of the large room , situate in New Road but tbe bigotry of these politically orthodox gentlemen refused to allow the use of the building for " the wild and mad hair-brained' * purposes of Chartism .

      Mr . Linton , however , was not the man to submit to a defeat after baying once settled upon his purpose . He set to work , and had his large building , which to appropriated to tbe purposes of boiler and steam engine making , oleared to the middla To effect this , several large boilers , and a Urge quantity of iron and metal , had to be removed at much labour and expense . This was done on Thursday , and on Friday morning a spacious , dry , and comfortable arena presented itself , capable of holding upwards of 2 , 400 people . A platform was erected at one end , and the splendid banners of the Association spread their wide folds over the canvas behind , which formed the partition of the temporary room . The place was well lighted , and everything was in readiness several hours before the time arrived for the meeting to commence . The ¦ friends were all in the greatest possible good spirits , anticipated disappointment having succeeded to complete triumph over the machinations and bigotry of tbeir enemies .

      Precisely at half-past seven oclook Mr . Linton was appointed to fill the chair for the evening , which he did in a very efficient manner . After briefly addressing the large assembly on the pleasure they were about to derive from listening to a developement of the great principles of the Charter from tbe mouth of the muobpersecuted but their much loved patriot himself ; be begged to commence the proceedings of the evening by introducing Mr . Stall wood , tbe East Biding lecturer . Mr . STALtwoOD in rifling to address tbe meeting , stated that be had a resolution in his hand which be intended to propose to the meeting , but as it related to the document called the National Petition , he would first proceed to read it , and then submit the resolution . Mr . S . then read tbe National Petition , which appeared

      to bave a powerful effect upqn tbe meeting . After which he proceeded to explain tbe principles of the People ' s Charter , going through each particular with considerable fluency , and frequently eliciting great applause . His arguments were sound and conclusive . The objectioES to the terra universal , as applied to the Suffrage , fell to the ground , as it was only in accordance with the definition given in all ages by all the greatest of men who bad ever thought and wrote on the subject In Ireland , Scotland , England , or Wales , Vote by Ballot was its safeguard—Annual Parliaments necessary , aa short reckonings make long friends , and twelve months is long enough to bave a bad servant , while it was not a bit too early to compliment an honest and upright friend of the people by his re-electionthat unless the parliaments were annual , an individual who being within a few weeks of twenty-one years old would bave to wait until he were twenty-four years old

      before he could obtain the right of voting ; the present property qualification put all tbe brains in the pocket and cone in the head . Equal electoral districts were necessary , because men being represented instead of property , the numbers must , to be fairly distributed , be equally represented ; and lastly , the members must be paid directly , or they wouldpay themselves indirectly . He ( Mr . S . ) considered these principles were just and constitutional as they were the practices of former ages ; and , rapidly running over their history , dropping in his course the never-to-be-forgotten story of Andrew Marvel , the famed representative of Hull ; and , in proof of tbe practicability of tbe whole scheme , reference Was made to the practise of benefit societies , clubs , the Americans , Ac . winding op by evidence In favour of tbe intelligence of tbe working classes—the . producers of the best works of science , art , and philosophy ; that no men were bora slaves , nor were any bora booted and spurred , —for as Soutbey has it ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

      than repays me for all my labour and suffering . I count all these things as nothing in our present triumphs and future prospects . But there is still more to do . One ef tbe resolutions which you have adopted this evening , has reference to the National Petition . ( Hear , hear . ) Some have said , ani I bave said , it waa useless to petition a House that has always been deaf to tbe complaints of the people ; but , let us consider whether now we are justified in acting thus . You onoe bad no organ where the insteresta of the masses were allowed to be canvassed , but it is not so now ; and it is therefore impossible to treat us as as insignificant body or keep our principles disguised . Our influence is felt in the country , and must be felt and appreciated in the House . In 1839 , when the law officers of the Crown pounoed upon us , and having immolated 600 of our leaders in their dungeon *

      Plain John Campbell boasted that be had put down Chartism ; but thanks •« to God , we are not put down , rather , in the very ^ it dug for our destruction , have we buried the putrid carcase of Whiggery ; and if our petition of 2 , 000 , 000 , along with our other effort * , bave bad smeb a powerful effect , shall We oeaaenow , when they are talking of reaction ? pur only alternative is that of petitioning to show our strength , and then tbe heaven-born minister must be compelled to speak of the many-tongued people . It will ensure us the influence of the beat leaders of the House ; and by this pressure from without , for the first time , they will abandon their own principles , and lend some attention to legislate for oik . This prwsare from without is necessary , aa there never was any great organic change forced upon them without it We bave abown by our power materials by which t ' ley

      Untitled Article

      can manufacture laws ; but we must improve upon what we have done . Improvements are progressing to an unaccountable extent while tbe working man ' s COOdl > tion is getting worse and worse , would it act be bettez that chaos should exist than that this state of thug should continue . The natural labourer is impoverished while artifical labour supplies every demand and reapi the benefit . If you will not return to first principles legislation is unnecessary . And we have this state of things after tan years of reform , after preaching for forty-one years . And now behold the finality of Whig reform—ninety-one majority . What Is it after aU that Whig reform has done ? first , robbed the poo * of their rights , and then established rural police to keep them down . If those who oppress you were

      sufferers by it , then might we have hope . The daily bulletein of health of the Dowager Queen with hei , £ 100 , 000 a year are issued , bat if chance was to relieve you , If all wen . to die of political apolexy , tbe Chan cellor of the Exchequer would create a new stock of young state paupers the day after to fill their places ( Cheers . ) But to get out of our present dilemma we are told me must emigrate , or we must repeal the Com Laws . We will repeal the Corn Laws but it shall bo for tbe general and not for sectional good . Mr O'Con nor here ran rapidly over the extravaneM of royalty and tbe sums paid to state paupers and bastards , and in other extravagancies , placing all these to one side of the ledger , and the Exchequer oat at the elbows on the other . And with these things ( said Mr . O'Connor ) they

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

      ing to the Tory Exchequer while in office , as compared to its state when out of office , tracing its effects npon their Conduct , as evidenced in the struggle for class legists ^ tion . He next pointed out the amount of hud that needed cultivation , and in an elaborate manner shewed tbe advantage of beeping all in employment , to prevent masters from talcing advantage of the superabundance of labourers , by lowering tbe wages of the rest To correct this { said Mr . O'C . ) man must return to a more natural state of society . If four millions quarters of corn be all that the Corn Law repealers want extra , we can create it ourselves . To the land , then , and we can controul both the raw and tbe manufactured material . Make every man his own producer . See what a position your

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

      Selby never hetore saw such a meeting in doors foe political purposes , and the people will never forget the joy of the occasion . After Mr . O'Connor sat down and tke cheering bad subsided a collection was made towards defraying the expenses of tbe placards calling tbe meeting . Fourteen fresh members enrolled their names , making the total number of Chartists who have received tickets 114 . After the usual cheers and a vote of thanks te the Chairman , the meeting broke up at a late hour .

      Untitled Article

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

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

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

      Michael Young , who bas the care of tbe probationary Ward , said that deceased when undressed , was found to be covered with vermin . His clothes bespoke a superior condition . Dr . Rae , surgeon to the workhouse , stated that water on the chest might account for the suddenness of his death ; but there was no donbt it had beea accelerated by want of food . The Refuge certainly was a very cold place , but the guardians would not improve it The windows were destroyed by persona who reaped the benefit of its shelter . Mr . Burchneld , one of the guardians , said the board were tired of repairing the place . The windows were all broken by persons taken in . He would , however , suggest to tbe guardians the pr priety of improving the place , and also of supplying mattresses . He had so doubt his snggestivn would be attended to .

      The Coroner a ud that it did not appear that tbs officers of tbe establishment were at all neglectful . Tbe accommodation afforded there to persons who bad bo home was certainly better than being exposed to tbe inclemency of the weather . It waa a lamentable fact that many persons slept in the pens in Smithfield nightly . The subject of relief to the poor would coma under the consideration of Parliament in the next session , and he hoped that such alterations would then be made as would alleviate the sufferings of tbe distressed whose claims were so numerous and urgent . The jury would bear in mind the evidence , and give such a verdict as their judgment suggested . Tbe Jory , after a consultation of a quarter of aa hour , returned a verdict of " Died from natural causes . "

      Whoever heard of such management , unless it has been dictated by a hardhearted tyraD * ? If the Guardians of this infernal bastile possessed a particle ot feeling—if they had the slightest amonnt of sympathy running in tbe current of their composition , they would denounce such a brutal order , and direct the subordinate officials to provide wholesome food for those who ask to become inmates of the "Refuge , " immediately they cross its threshold , and not permit a number of starving human beings to lie for hours , huddled together in a state of positive hunger . The Coroner said , it did not appear that tbe Gnardians had beea neglectful Now , with all due respect for tbe keen perception of the worthy Coronar , we maintain that there has been gross neglect shown ; as a proof of which , Mr . Burchfield observed , that " b » would suggest tbe repair of the place to the Guardian * , and be had ao doubt his suggestion would be attended to . " . ¦

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

      somenuBg be dona te arouse the apathy , we were going tosay » the stupidity of the collective wisdom—unless a law be passed to secure to the poor aad destitute proper relief , to which they are justly entitled—and to wrest from the Somerset House Bashaws , the working of ti » Poor Law Bill , —we fear the eonnfary will shortly be convulsed from one end to tbs ether , until its throes bespeak too plaialy that something must be done to meet the case . It is impossible to remain mneh longer under su « h a state of legislation with any security .

      The baptism of the infant Prince is not ex pected to take place until February , immediately after Parliament assembles . The ceremony will be performed in town . —Morning Post . Exchbqueb Bru . Fbacd . —The trial of Mr . Beaumont Smith , for the Exchequer Bill fraud , came to an abrupt conclusion on Saturday morning . By pleading ?* Guilty , " the delinquent prevented those disclossreB which were looked for with so mucn interest . He wa « Beateaced to transportation for life .

      Untitled Article

      THE NORTHERN STAB .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 11, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct577/page/6/