The Press. — London, England, 1856-06-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS. I JUNE 14, 1856. The amount of duty levied, in Bengal par ticularly, is utterly indefensible. In all coun tries salt is an article of vital necessity, but it i s peculiarly so within the tropics. In the heats of those burning skies, which so hasten the decay of everything, salt is as necessary to preserve the human frame from disease as it is to save articles of human diet from cor ruption. Accoidingly, we see that Providence, in its wonderful system of adaptation, has provided most plentifully for this want where it is most deeply experienced. Central Africa, for instance, abounds in natural salt, and so does India. In Scinde there are vast plains of it, resembling immense fields of snow, and enough to supply all India for centuries; and on the Bombay coast it can be made by the simple process of exposing sea-water to the action of the sun, at a rate not exceeding eighteen-pence per ton. But the Govern ment, defeating the beneficence of Nature, has laid a tax upon its consumption amounting to jive thousand one hundred per cent. above the cost of production in Bombay, to six thousand eight hundred per cent. in Madras, to thirteen thousand six hundred per cent. in the north-west provinces, and to sixteen thousand three hundred and twenty per cent. under the Government of Bengal. Noris this the worst, for the salt deli vered at the Government stores appears to be for the most part impure in the extreme. At Madras we are told that the impurities amount to nineteen per cent. of the whole, consisting partly of sand and dirt, and partly of nitrate of potash, soda, and other substances, which the Government officials are too ignorant, or too careless, to remove. These, however, they coolly tell the public, are " too insignificant to " actin any other way than as a slight stimulant " to the venal organs." Whether such stimulus perpetually going on may not be to a great extent the cause of the malignant cholera which is perpetually devastating that Presi dency, we must leave to the medical world to determine ; but this is certain, that in cholera a total cessation of action in the venal organs, as if they were worn out, is always the most prominent symptom. If this salt be really an exciting cause of that dreadful disease, how vast must be the responsibility of the sup porters of this monstrous system ! But, even if it be clear of this charge, how difficult must it be to estimate the loss and misery that must be inflicted by it; for under it there is not only the tax to pay, but there is the land car riage, which enhances the price of it enor mously to the up-country consumer besides. The monopoly also requires a host of revenue underlings, armed with almost unlimited autho rity, to protect it; and almost every such per son in India abuses his authority ani turns his badge into an engine of extortion from the poorest and most helpless classes. Under such circumstances it will be easily understood that smuggling is rife—that in formations are perpetual—and that the using salt for most of the great purposes which in other countries it is applied to is in India un known. To show the effect of price on con sumption, it may be observed that in Bombay, where the duty is least, the consumption is by far the greatest in proportion ; and when Sir CHARLES NAPIER decided against the levy of a salt tax in Scinde, numbers of fishermen left Bombay to settle in that province, simply in consequence of the immense advantage to their calling from having an unlimited supply of cheap and untaxed salt. It is clear, indeel, that the present enormous duties are not only a crime but a mistake. To enforce them a horde of petty officials are required on every side, who are daily spreading more and more by their misconduct the greatest disaffection to our rule—any effectual attempt to control them being, with the limited means of super vision at the disposal of the Government, quite impossible. No better means, perhaps, could be taken to raise the social condition of the people, as well as secure their good will, than by a great and universal reduction in the t tLX on salt. The rivers and lakes and sea coasts of India abound with fish, the catching and curing of which would furnish occupation for large numbers, if they only had the means of cluing them in the shape of a sufficiency of Cheap salt. And nothing would be more con ducive to the health and comfort of the people than a cheap and abundant supply of this kind of food. Then, again, for the pre- servation of meat and curds and other articles of diet in a hot climate, salt is a matter of primary necessity, and through the want of it a large portion of the proper provision is in India annually lost. There is, besides, another and most valuable staple product of Bengal, the manufacture of which would be largely extended but for the interference caused by the duties on salt. We allude to the manufacture of saltpetre, with which, as first made, salt is always more or less mingled, and which, owing to the monopoly, can only be prepared under restrictions which greatly interfere with the manufacture, lest the makers of it should find means of evading the tax upon salt. Whether the Directors will yield with a good grace to reason and modify this tax. or only submit upon compulsion, it is impossible for us to say; but this we do know, that the facts have only to be made public through the length and breadth of the land to insure justice being done. It is impossible, we think, that men of any party can consent that our Indian fellow-subjects shall be com pelled to pay the monstrous tax of from five thousand three hundred to sixteen thousand three hundred per cent. on this first and most absolute necessary for human existence. Oh ! ye Liberals of England, who cant about " progress," and succumb to a Cabiiitt which " snubs " the Radicals all round, scoffs at " party," pockets salary, shrinks from mea sures, and turns Downing-street into a public dormitory ! LORD PALMERSTON AND THE AMERICANS. SOME of the personal aspects of the American question merit more particular attention than they have received. In many countries at the present time there are classes of politicians who hold the shallow creed that organisation is everything, and that statesmanship is almost nothing, in human affairs. They do not care about leading men, and coarsely look only to the last state of the poll. Politics in their minds becomes a simple process of referring to the multiplication table, and counting up one force against another. They " take stock " off national subjects and perplexed questions, as if they were dealing with the warehouse or the shop. It happens, however, that the bias produced by the temperament and dispositions of con spicuous and powerful individuals intrusted with official authority, cannot be excluded from calculations of this nature. What was it, for example, that for so long a time kept back Lord PALMERSTON from being at the head of English affairs, except the conviction that a statesman of his swaggering style and bellicose spirit would embroil us with other countries? Lord PALMERSTON, notoriously, pushed hard to acquire predominating in fluence in the Liberal party. At one time it was hoped by his friends that he would tri umphantly obtain " the leadership " of the Whigs. Many years since, when his Lordship was in full possession of his vigour, he had claims to that post. He had official experience, a love for power, a facility for dealing with individuals, _ while his manners were then I -.- • JUNE 14, 1856. THE PRESS. 555 . The amount of duty levied, i n Be nga l pa r - this kind of food. Then, again, for the pre- Oh !ye Liberals of England, who cant about ticularly, is utterly indefensible. In all coun- nervation of meat and curds and other articles " progress," and succumb to a Cabin t which tries salt is an article o f v it a l necess it y , b ut it of diet in a hot climate, salt is a matter of " snubs " the Radicals all round, scoffs at i s p e culiarly so within the tropics. In the primary necessity, and through the want of it " party," pockets salary, shrinks from mea- heats of those burning ski es , w hi c h so h as t en a large portion of the proper provision is in sures, and turns Downing-street into a public the decay of everything, salt is as necessary India annually lost. There is, besides, dormitory ! to preserve the human frame from disease as another and most valuable staple product of it is to save articles of human diet f rom c o r- Bengal, the manufacture of which would be LORD PALMERSTON AND THE ruption. Accoidingly, we see that Providence, largely extended but for the interference AMERICANS. in its wonderful system of adaptation, has caused by the duties on salt. We allude to provided most plentifully for this want where the manufacture of saltpetre, with which, as SOME of the personal aspects of the American it i s most deeply experienced. Central Africa, first made, salt is always more or less mingled, question merit more particular attention than for instance, abounds i n na t ura l sa lt, an d so and which, owing to the monopoly, can only they have received. In many countries at the does India. In Scinde there are vast plains be prepared under restrictions which greatly of it, resembling immense fields of snow, and interfere with the manufacture, lest the present time there are classes of politicians enough to supply all India for centuries ; and makers of it should find means of evading the who hold the shallow creed that organisation on the Bombay coast it can be ma d e by the tax upon salt. Whether the Directors will is everything, and that statesmanship is almost simple process of exposing sea-water to the yield with a good grace to reason and modify nothing, in human affairs. They do not care action of the sun, at a rate not exceeding this tax. or only submit upon compulsion, it is about leading men, and coarsely look only to eighteen-pence per ton. But the Govern- impossible for us to say; but this we do know, ment, defeating the beneficence of Nature, has that the facts have o n ly t o b e ma d e pu bli c the last state of the poll. P o liti cs i n th e i r laid a tax upon its consumption amounting to through the length and breadth of the land to minds becomes a simple process of referring jive thousand one hundred per cent. above the insure justice being done. It is impossible, to the multiplication table, and counting up cost of production in Bombay, to six thousand we think, that men of any party can consent one force against another. They " take stock " eight hundred per cent. in Madras, to thirteen that our Indian fellow-subjects shall be com- off national subjects and perplexed questions, thousand six hundred per cent. in the north-west pelled to pay the monstrous tax of from five provinces, and to sixteen thousand three hundred thousand three hundred to sixteen thousand as if they were dealing with the warehouse or and twenty per cent. under the Government of three hundred per cent. on this first and most the shop. Bengal. Noris this the worst, for the salt deli- absolute necessary for human existence. It happens, however, that the bias produced vexed at the Government stores appears to be by the temperament and dispositions of con- for the most part impure in the extreme. At GOVERNMENT DELAYS. spicuous and powerful individuals intrusted Madras we are told that the impurities amount with official authority, cannot be excluded to nineteen per cent. of the whole, consisting THE second week in June has now passed ; the from calculations of this nature. What was partly of sand and dirt, and partly of nitrate Epsom and Ascot races are over; the London it, for example, that for so long a time kept of potash, soda, and other substances, which season is half through, and how is the state of back Lord PALMERSTON from being at the head the Government officials are too ignorant, or affairs in the House of Commons ? That of English affairs, except the conviction that too careless, to remove. These, however, they a statesman of his swaggering style and coolly tell the public, are " too insignificant to is a question eagerly asked in the most bellicose spirit would embroil us with other " actin any other way than as a slight stimulant opposite quarters. The business of the countries ? Lord PALMERSTON, notoriously, "to the venal organs." Whether such stimulus country seems positively brought to a pushed hard to acquire predominating in- perpetually going on may not be to a great fluence in the Liberal party. At one time it stand-still. We were told that the Palmerston extent the cause of the malignant cholera was hoped by his friends that he would tri- which is perpetually devastating that Presi- Ministry would abjure " party" considerations, umphautly obtain " the leadership " of the dency, we must leave to the medical world to and concentrate its attention on practical Whigs. Many years since, when his Lordship determine; but this is certain, that in cholera measures. Has it done so, or is it showing was in full possession of his vigour, he had a total cessation of action in the venal organs, any symptom of setting about the work of claims to that post. He had official experience, as if they were worn out, is always the most a love for power, a facility for dealing with clearing off the accumulated subjects awaiting prominent symptom. If this salt be really an individuals, while his manners were then exciting cause of that dreadful disease, how Parliamentary solution ? free from the unpleasing coarseness of his vast must be the responsibility of the sup- It is obvious, after the debate of last week, later days. Yet, though Lord PALMERSTON had porters of this monstrous system ! But, even that a measure of army reform cannot be ex- aristocratic position, and was not without the if it be clear of this charge, how difficult must pected from the present Ministry. The tone important resources of " fashion," and though it be to estimate the loss and misery that must of Lord PALMERSTON upon that most important he was an efficient debater, " the leadership " be inflicted by it; for under it there is not subject is in the bland style of courteous and was carefully kept out of his hands, even only the tax to pay, but there is the land car- self-satisfied " routine." Like every old Minis- though Lord JOHN RUSSELL had no reputation riage, which enhances the price of it enor- ter, Lord PALMERSTON is an optimist in all re- to spare for caution. Of the two rivals (the mously to the up-country consumer besides. lacing to the public offices, and he may be fact sounds like a sarcasm) " Lord JOHN " The monopoly also requires a host of revenue pronounced an inverate " obstruction." The was thought more conciliating and discreet ! underlings, armed with almost unlimited autho- country has no reason to expect " measures " Now, it is worth while recollecting these rity, to protect it; and almost every such per- from a man of his mould, and he is quite antecedents of Lord PALMERSTON, because we son in India abuses his authority ani turns ready to pervert playfully the saying of Lord fear that there is a large party in America his badge into an engine of extortion from the JOHN RUSSELL'S friend, " Mr. BoaicE," about which bitterly remembers the activity ex- poorest and most helpless classes. " Reformation being one of those great pieces hihited by the Noble Viscount in trying to Under such circumstances it will be easily " which look best—at a distance !" The finan inflame the Oregon question into a war. It understood that smuggling is rife—that in- cial projects of the Government are still more was partly in consequence of Lord PAL- formations are perpetual—and that the using unsatisfactory. The " City " grumbles un- MERSTON'S conduct at that time that politi- salt for most of the great purposes which in easily. and asks about the " Bank Charter Act," cians of the Liberal party (like Earl GREY) ) other countries it is applied to is in India un- and it is not to be quelled by stereotyped puffs were justified in holding aloof from his Lord,' known. To show the effect of price on con- of Mr. ROBERT LowE's meddling attempts at ship in 1846, when Sir ROBERT PEEL resigned, gumption, it may be observed that in Bombay, commercial legislation. and the settlement of the Corn question was where the duty is least, the consumption is by " Education ' is, of course, beyond the con- offered to the Whigs. The polemical reputa- far the greatest in proportion ; and when Sir trol of such a Cabinet. It will never take up tion of Lord PALMERSTON prevented that CHARLES NAPIER decided against the levy of a any line on that greatest of moral subjects. result. Nor would he have ever afterwards salt tax in Scinde, numbers of fishermen left The Premier has no ideas about it; the Home been thought of for Prime Minister but for the Bombay to settle in that province, simply in Secretary is too jaded to apply to it ; Lord accidents of war. He did not win the Premier- consequence of the immense advantage to LANSDOWNE is too old, the Duke of ARGYLL too ship—he dropped into it by chance. their calling from having an unlimited supply young, Lord JOHN RUSSELL too " one by," Mr. Such, therefore, is one of the worst Ministers of cheap and untaxed salt. It is clear, indeel, BAINgs too sectarian, and the Ministry col- that England could possess at the present that the present enormous duties are not only lectively too bored to perplex itself with such time. His acts, his speeches, his despatches a crime but a mistake. To enforce them a tiresome work. Ah ! pray, good people of —not to allude to other writings of a non- horde of petty officials are required on every England, do not bore the Cabinet. It is weary ; official kind— are all remembered by the side, who are daily spreading more and more its nerves are strained ; its mind has got officials of the United States, and his policy by their misconduct the greatest disaffection languid ; the dogdaya are approaching, the unfavorably contrasts with that of Lord to our rule—any effectual attempt to control town is becoming offensive, the Thames Smells, CASTLEREGH, the Duke of WELLINGTON, and them being, with the limited means of super- the grass in the Parks will soon be brown, and Sir ROBERT PEEL, on previous occasions, when vision at the disposal of the Government, the Premier is tired. He wants a quiet nap, the amity of the two countries was endangered. quite impossible. No better means, perhaps, and only asks for a comfortable dose. Do not It is nothing to tell the Americans that our could be taken to raise the social condition of waken him. It is early yet; it is only in the Foreign Secretary (I ord CLARENDON) is con- the people, as well as secure their good will, middle of the nineteenth century ; remember ciliatory even to timidity, when they know than by a great and universal reduction in the that the Premier was up " about town" at the that our Prime Minister is Lord PALMERSTON. Eix on salt. The rivers and lakes and sea- end of the last. Do not press him too hard. The weakness of Lord CLARENDON'S character Coasts of India abound with fish, the catching It is bad taste to do so ; it would be unkind ; is no check upon the blustering explosiveness and curing of which would furnish occupation the Ministry has taken to its sofa, and put on of Lord PALMERSTON, who wishes to keep up ~ for large numbers, if they only had the means its slippers. Come, Mr. Bull, do not frown. his name as a War Minister. It would not, of cluing them in the shape of a sufficiency of Do not raise your voice. Only an entire accordingly, surprise us, if even now the Whig cheap salt. And nothing would be more con- session has been lost. No other Cabinet party amongst us were meditating on the auctve to the health and comfort of the could do nothing with such high gusto as the chances of a schism between Lords PAL- people than a cheap and abundant supply of present. MEBSTON and CLARENDON. That there is a GOVERNMENT DELAYS. THE second week in June has now passed ; the Epsom and Ascot races are over ; the London season is half through, and how is the state of affairs in the House of Commons ? That is a question eagerly asked in the most opposite quarters. The business of the country seems positively brought to a stsnd-still. We were told that the Palmerston Ministry would abjure " party " considerations, and concentrate its attention on practical measures. Has it done so, or is it showing any symptom of setting about the work of clearing off the accumulated subjects awaiting Parliamentary solution ? It is obvious, after the debate of last week, that a measure of army reform cannot be ex pected from the present Ministry. The tone of Lord PALMERSTON upon that most important subject is in the bland style of courteous and self-satisfied " routine." Like every old Minis ter, Lord PALMERSTON is an optimist in all re lating to the public offices, and lie may be pronounced an inverate " obstruction." The country has no reason to expect " measures " from a man of his mould, and he is quite ready to pervert playfully the saying of Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S friend, " Mr. BURKE," about " Reformation being one of those great pieces " which look best—at a distance !" The finan cial projects of the Government are still more unsatisfactory. The " City " grumbles un easily. and asks about the " Bank Charter Act," and it is not to be quelled by stereotyped puffs of Mr. ROBERT LowE's meddling attempts at commercial legislation. " Education " is, of course, beyond the con trol of such a Cabinet. It will never take up any line on that greatest of moral subjects. The Premier has no ideas about it; the Home Secretary is too jaded to apply to it ; Lord LANSDOWNE is too old, the Duke of ARGYLL LOO young, Lord JOHN RUSSELL too " one by," Mr. BAINES too sectarian, and the Ministry col lectively too bored to perplex itself with such tiresome work. Ah ! pray, good people of England, do not bore the Cabinet. It is weary ; its nerves are strained ; its mind has got languid ; the dogdays are approaching, the town is becoming offensive, the Thames smells, the grass in the Parks will soon be brown, and the Premier is tired. He wants a quiet nap, and only asks for a comfortable dose. Do not waken him. It is early yet ; it is only in the middle of the nineteenth century ; remember that the Premier was up " about town" at the end of the last. Do not press him too hard. It is bad taste to do so ; it would be unkind ; the Ministry has taken to its sofa, and put on its slippers. Come, Mr. Bull, do not frown. Do not raise your voice. Only an entire session has been lost. No other Cabinet could do nothing with such high gusto as the present. free from the unpleasing coarseness of his later days. Yet, though Lord PALMERSTON had aristocratic position, and was not without the important resources of " fashion," and though he was an efficient debater, " the leadership " was carefully kept out of his hands, even though Lord JOHN RUSSELL had no reputation to spare for caution. Of the two rivals (the fact sounds like a sarcasm) " Lord JOHN " was thought more conciliating and discreet ! Now, it is worth while recollecting these antecedents of Lord PALMERSTON, because we fear that there is a large party in America which bitterly remembers the activity ex hibited by the Noble Viscount in trying to inflame the Oregon question into a war. It was partly in consequence of Lord PAL MERSTON'S conduct at that time that politi cians of the Liberal party (like Earl GREY) were justified in holding aloof from his Lord,' ship in 1846, when Sir ROBERT PEEL resigned, and the settlement of the Corn question was offered to the Whigs. The polemical reputa tion of Lord PALMERSTON prevented that result. Nor would he have ever afterwards been thought of for Prime Minister but for the accidents of war. He did not win the Premier ship—he dropped into it by chance. Such, therefore, is one of the worst Ministers that England could possess at the present time. His acts, his speeches, his despatches —not to allude to other writings of a non official kind— are all remembered by the officials of the United States, and his policy unfavorably contrasts with that of Lord CASTLEREG/i, the Duke of WELLINGTON, and Sir ROBERT PEEL, on previous occasions, when the amity of the two countries was endangered. It is nothing to tell the Americans that our Foreign Secretary (I ord CLARENDON) is con ciliatory even to timidity, when they know that our Prime Minister is Lord PALMERSTON. The weakness of Lord CLARENDON'S character is no check upon the blustering explosiveness of Lord PALMERSTON, who wishes to keep up his name as a War Minister. It would not, accordingly, surprise us, if even now the Whig party amongst us were meditating on the chances of a schism between Lords PAL MERSTON and CLARENDON. That there is 8 une nas now passed ; tne from calculations of this nature. What was ss are over; the London it, for example, that for so long a time kept 1, and how is the state of back Lord PALMERSTON from being at the head of Commons ? That of English affairs, except the conviction that a statesman of his swaggering style and y asked in the most bellicose spirit would embroil us with other The business of the countries ? Lord PALMERSTON, notoriously, itively brought to a pushed hard to acquire predominating in- told that the Palmerston tluence in the Liberal party. At one time it was hoped by his friends that he would tri- umphantly party" considerations, obtain " the leadership " of the attention on practical Whigs. Many years since, when his Lordship )ne so, or is it showing was in full possession of his vigour, he had ting about the work of claims to that post. He had official experience, ulated subjects awaiting a love for power, a facility for dealing with individuals, while his manners were then n ? free from the unpleasing coarseness of his the debate of last week, later days. Yet, though Lord PALMERSTON had y reform cannot be ex- aristocratic position, and was not without the nt Ministry. The tone important resources of " fashion," and though pon that most important he was an efficient debater, " the leadership " I style of courteous and was carefully kept out of his hands, even ." Like every old Minis- though Lord JOHN RUSSELL had no reputation is an optimist in all re- to spare for caution. Of the two rivals (the offices, and he may be fact sounds like a sarcasm) " Lord JOHN " tte " obstruction." The was thought more conciliating and discreet ! to expect " measures " Now, it is worth while recollecting these nould, and he is quite antecedents of Lord PALMERSTON, because we ully the saying of Lord fear that there is a large party in America d, " Mr. BURKE," about which bitterly remembers the activity ex- ile of those great pieces hihited by the Noble Viscount in trying to a distance !" The finan inflame the Oregon question into a war. It overnment are still more was partly in consequence of Lord PAL- " City " grumbles un- MERSTON'S conduct at that time that politi- the " Bank Charter Act," cians of the Liberal party (like Earl GREY) lied by stereotyped puffs were justified in holding aloof from his Lord,' s meddling attempts at ship in 1846, when Sir ROBERT PEEL resigned, and the settlement of the Corn question was !ourse, beyond the con- offered to the Whigs. The polemical reputa- . It will never take up tion of Lord PALMERSTON prevented that test of moral subjects. result. Nor would he have ever afterwards leas about it; the Home been thought of for Prime Minister but for the to apply to it ; Lord accidents of war. He did not win the Premier- the Duke of ARGYLL too ship—he dropped into it by chance. SELL too " one by," Mr. Such, therefore, is one of the worst Ministers , and the Ministry col- that England could possess at the present perplex itself with such time. His acts, his speeches, his despatches pray, good people of —not to allude to other writings of a non- he Cabinet. It is weary ; official kind— are all remembered by the Led ; its mind has got officials of the United States, and his policy s are approaching, the unfavorably contrasts with that of Lord isive, the Thames smells, CASTLEREG/i, the Duke of WELLINGTON, and will soon be brown, and Sir ROBERT PEEL, on previous occasions, when He wants a quiet nap, the amity of the two countries was endangered. Infortable dose. Do not It is nothing to tell the Americans that our ly yet ; it is only in the Foreign Secretary (I ord CLARENDON) is con- nth century ; remember ciliatory even to timidity, when they know up " about town" at the that our Prime Minister is Lord PALMERSTON. lot press him too hard. The weakness of Lord CLARENDON'S character o ; it would be unkind ; is no check upon the blustering explosiveness nto its sofa, and put on of Lord PALMERSTON, who wishes to keep up Sir. Bull, do not frown. his name as a War Minister. It would not, mice. Only an entire accordingly, surprise us, if even now the Whig ost. No other Cabinet party amongst us were meditating on the such high gusto as the chances of a schism between Lords PAL- MERSTON and CLARENDON. That there is a •