The Press. — London, England, 1856-12-27 00:00:00

DECEMBER 27, 1856. tenbury, and Dr. Tripe. The three towns of Ply mouth, Devonport, and . Stonehouse have now empha tically pronounced against this tax. An influential meeting was held at Cheltenham on Tuesday, Captain Berkeley, M . in the chair. Captain Berkeley, in opening the proceedings, briefly referred to the history of the tax, spoke of its increase in the time of war, and expressed his opinion that, as we were now at peace, it was no longer required. Mr. Tartt then moved a resolution, affirming that— The present tax of ls. 4d. in the pound is enormous in amount, and, from the manner in which it is assessed, is in many instances inquisitorial, unjust, unequally and offensively levied, and that its continuance beyond the sth of April next would be a violation of faith and of promises made at the time of its enactment by her Majesty's Government. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Hale and carried unanimously. Mr. W. H. Gwinnett, solicitor, moved the second resolution : That the mode of assessment of the income tax is repugnant to the feelings of every Englishman, calculated to admit of extortion on the one hand and extreme evasion on the other; that the war being ended it ought not to be continued ; and pledging the meeting to use every legiti mate means fur procuring its immediate modification and ultimate abrogation. Mr. W. S. Davis seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev. Mr. Humphreys, head master of the Cheltenham Grammar School, moved the third resolution, affirming that the meeting did not object to " a fair and equitably apportioned tax upon realised property." Mr. Humphreys maintained that the fairest direct tax was a tax on realised pro perty, not a tax on precarious income, and that if an income tax be rendered absolutely necessary by the nature of things, the graduated or sliding-scale should be applied to it. It should be graduated in propor tion to the means of those who have to pay it. Mr. H. Davies seconded the motion, expressing himself favorable rather to indirect than to direct taxation. The resolution was carried, and a petition to I'arlia• went was agreed upon. A numerously attended meeting was also held the same evening at the Guildhall, Rochester. The mayor, who is one of the local commissioners of the income tax, said he was most anxious to see the tax abolished, for, after his experience as a commis sioner, he regretted to say that the impost offered a premium to rascality, and was a curse to the country, the honest man paying, while the suborner of per jury escaped. Mr. H. T. Enerest, denounced the com who made the assessments to the income tax as a Star Chamber assembly, bound to secrecy, and moved a resolution to the effect that an income tax on the trades, professions, and general industry of the country is unjust in principle, and that, from the despotic, inquisitorial manner in which the assess ments are made, it is obnoxious and injurious to the community, and therefore that it ought to be abolished at the earliest possible period. The reso lution also stated that the continuance of the present additional war tax of 9d. in the pound beyond the sth of April next would be a violation of the spirit of the act of Parliament, by which the public were led to believe that this impost should not be continued for more than one year after the termination of hosti lities. The resolution was unanimously adopted, and, after the meeting had been addressed by Mr. J. Foord, Mr. J. Thomas, and Mr. F. Wheeler, a peti tion to Parliament, praying for the reduction and subsequent repeal of the income tax, was unani mously agreed to, and received the signatures cf n early every person present at the meeting. An important meeting was held at Shrewsbury, on Wednesday, when resolutions were passed strongly condemning the present mode of assessment, and a petition to Parliament agreed to praying that after April nex, the present tax might cease. THE LIVERPOOL FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION have published an address to the country proposing the revision of the present system of taxation and the establishment of an equitable &cheme of direct taxa tion, which " shall exact from every man above pau perism, or not closely bordering upon it, his fair con tribution to the just necessities of the State—nothing more and nothing less, and the abolition of Customs and Excise duties, with all their train of evils, social and moral, fiscal, commercial, and political." In a second address Mr. Robertstone Gladstone, and the association, promise to " point out more distinctly the evils and injustice of the present system, and also suggest a scheme of taxation which shall be most productive to the revenue, at the smallest cost of collection, just towards all classes, and, at the same time, press least injuriously on the springs of com merce, industry, and manufactures." MR. MONCETON MILNES, at the Pontefract Mechanics' Institute, last Tuesday, delivered a speech in favour of national education. Mr. Milnes said : Our great object is to educate the children of this country at once secularly and religiously—in other words, THE PRESS. to give them the foundation of a good education, based upon sound religious principles. Let each, then, in his own sphere do the best—do all he can—for the accom plishment of this great and desirable object. (Applause.) You who read the Leeds Mercury know that the subject of a national system of education is viewed with horror by Mr. Baines. That gentleman believes that if the State—that is, you and the rest of the community—were to establish schools for the education of the children of the community, the State would obtain an overpowering influence, and that da:lgerous results might follow to the community. Excellent as is Mr. Baines's opinion on most matters, I think upon this subject he holds an ex aggerated notion of the p wer of the State in this country. For myself, I do not think that there is any such danger ; and I am iherffore prepared to assist the Government of the country to establisoing a system for the secular and religious education of the children of this country—the religious education being given in such way as the parents may deem best. The final accomplishment and complete success of this great question we must leave to the future—believing that if we work earnestly and zealously the great object will be eventually attained. Good must and will result if we enter upon the work with an earnest, honest, religious desire to promote it. MR. MACREADY on Tuesday attended the distri bution of prizes at the Sherborne Industrial Schools, and made a brief speech in support of secular edu cation. Mr. Macready was the original founder .of these schools. LORD PANMURE, at Dundee on Wednesday night, at the festival of the new Industrial Schools, expressed a strong opinion of their usefulness with respect to the prevention of crimp, and of their being the means of solving the dithealt question of transportation and tickets of leave. How to dispose of the criminal might be a difficult question, but it was undeniable that the best way to prevent criminals associating with their "old familiars," was to prevent the youths of the country being brought up in crime. " I know," continued the noble lord, " no system more efficient for this than ragged schools, and nothing to which the Government could more beneficially turn their attention than to the encouragement of such insti tutions." THE WAR WITH PERSIA was discussed at a meeting convened by some of the disciples and admirers of Mr. David Urquhart, in the Temperance-hall at Bradford. The mayor (who convened the meeting because of the requisition presented to him), and Mr. John Priestman, a respectable member of the Society of Friends, were present. Though called a town's meeting, the chief speakers were three strangers—a " Major " Rolland, a Mr. Stobart, from Newcastle•on-Tyne, and a Mr. Isaac Ironsides, from Sheffield. An elaborate resolution was presented by two members of the local "Foreign Affairs Com mittee " (Messrs. I. M. Jewett and W. Walton), to the effect that the expedition to Persia had been undertaken i❑ utter defiance of the British Constitu tion and the laws of nations, upon the sole respon sibility of the British Cabinet, without the sanction of the Queen an:l the Privy Council ; and therefore the rr embers of the Government ought to be brought to the bar of the Central Criminal Court for punishment. Major Rolland loudly abused Lord Palmerston. Mr. Priestman, though opposed to war, disputed both Major }tolland's facts and his law; and expressed his belief that the meeting had failed to give information on the alleged war with Persia. The resolution ought to be mo lified to prevent the meeting from committing itself to a false position. Other requisitionists, in the body of the hall, protested against the meeting been made the mouthpiece of sentiments such as were expressed in the resolution. Ultimately Mr. W. Lord moved as an amendment that the meeting had such very scanty information on the alleged Persian war that it was expedient to postpone judgment upon it. Councillor Moore seconded the amendment, which was carried by an immense majority—at least seven to one—to the great discomfiture of the "Foreign Affairs Committee." THE MIDDLESEX REFORM REGISTRATION SOCIETY is dissolved. • On Monday afternoon an extraordinary general meeting of the members of the Registration Society was held at the offices, No. 6, Jermyn-street, St. James's, for the purpose of dissolving the society. The chair was taken by Mr. Donald Nicoll, who ex pressed his regret that so useful a society should fail to commaad support, and suggested that it might be amalgamated with some other society of a kindred nature. Several other gentlemen addressed theimeeting in terms strongly censuring the apathy of the Liberal electors of Middlesex, and the niggard liness which refused to subscribe towards an object so essential to the sustenance of their cause. Mr. Coppoek then moved a resolution that the society should bo dissolved for want of funds, and that the books and papers should remain in the care of the committee for future use and reference. An amend ment for the continuance of the society was put and negatived, and the original resolution having been carried, a vote of thanks to the chairman cluticil the proceedings. ilittrorolitan. 1231 THE WARDMOTES. THE annual wardmotes of the citizens of London were held on Monday in the various wards for the purpose of proceeding to the election of common councilmen and other officers for the ensuing year. More than ordinary interest attached to the proceedings in consequence of the extension of the number of voters which has recently taken place, and the many important topics which present themselves for consideration. It, may be mentioned that since the remission of prices for admission into the freedom, the constituency has increased upwards of 3,000. Numerous local questions were discussed at the various meetings—questions relating to Billingsgate and Smithfield markets, the New River, burial fees, the alleged misappropriation of the funds of the Corporation, &c. AIDGATE.-Mr. Andrew Lusk was elected in the room of Mr. Elger Stephenson, one of the old members. COLEMAN-STREET.—The fresh candidate, Mr. B. Kenyon, pollei only sixty-four votes, and lost his election. CORDWAINERS.—Mr. Lamb:defeated Mr. Such for the vacancy caused by the removal of Mr. Tress from the ward. CRIPPLEOATE WITHOUT.—At the adjourned ward mote on Wednesday, Mr. Alderman Challis an nounced that he should make a double return of Messrs. Sewell and Spencer, who had polled equal numbers, and he had no doubt that a fresh precept would be issued. DOWGATE.—The contest in this ward for the elec tion of common councilmen terminated in favour ci two of the new candidates, viz., Mr. John Kearns and Mr. J. Colman, and the rejection of one new candi date, Mr. Andrew M'Laren, and of G. Fox, Esq., one of the old members. WALBROOK. -In this ward the question of Jewish disabilities was brought forward, and a resolution passed, animadverting upon the continued exclusion of one of the metropolitan representatives from the House of Commons, and demanding from the Government that the removal of the grievance shall be made a Cabinet measure. But the great theme for corporation eloquence was the income tax. The obnoxious impost was attacked and denounced from every point of view ; and the citizens of Lon don appeared to consider that that was the one stupendous evil which it became their patriotic duty to overthrow. THE BISHOP OF LONDON consecrated a handsome and commodious new church, on Tuesday, in the vicinity of Oakley•square, Bedford New -town, in the parish of St. Pancras. The church is of the early English decorated style of architecture, designed by Mr. John Johnston, and is capable of accommoda ting about 1,230 persons, includi.ig the large propor tion of 550 free sittings. expressly set apart for ;he poor. The total cost. of the edifice is up earls of 8,0001., of which about 1,0001., remains unliquidated. The Duke of Bedford gave the site for the church and parsonage, and 2,0001. in money towards its erection. There is no endowment attached to the church, and the salary of the incumbent will be en tirely dependent on the pew-rents. After the cere mony of consecration and an impressive sermon by the bishop of the diocese, the local committee for building the church, following the invariable rule attached to all ceremonies in England, entertained the right rev. prelate, the clergy, and the principal members of the congregation at lunch in the build ing hitherto used as the temporary church. The bishop on Wednesday consecrated the Church of St. Paul at Walworth—a handsome building in the early English style of the thirteenth century. Accom modation is afforded for 1,204 persons ; 602 of the sittings are to be free. The bishop tben preached the consecration sermon, from the 12th chapter of 11. Corinthians, part of verse 10—" When I am weak then am I strong "—and at the conclusion, during the reading of the offertory, a collection was made, which was liberally responded to. THE QUESTION of amalgamating the two great gas companies of the metropolis was fully discussed at the adjourned meeting this week at the London Tavern. The Great Central and the City Gas Com panies after a brief competition have resolved to a joint plant, and thus secure to the conjoint pro prietary all the advantages of a consolidated and more economical system of management. Mr. Lakin, the chairman of the Great Central Company, concluded by moving a resolution committing the meeting to an approval of the amalgamation upon the terms laid before the first meeting, but Mr. Benuoch, a director, proposed an amendment declaring the principle of taking the gross income of the City Gas Company as a basis of calculation, without regard to net profits, to be utterly fallacious. The chairman, seeing the feeling of the shareholders present to __ J