The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-14 00:00:00

Cur Pboii Curtsponbutt

iktie (teem it ,Ight to atetoa that we do dot et all thhilt
,iieutdy oursel.-e with eo.respoodeet's clithieoe

There have been much mieetalement and difference
of opinion with regard to the representation of Frame
at the London Conference. It has been stated that M.
Jules Favre, on being told that he could have a safe con-
duct to attend this diplomatic gatherinv, said that he
knew nothing about the Conference, and did not wean
to attend it ; bat this turns out to be incorrect, and
the eloquent plesder will take his part in the delibera-
tions at the Foreign Office. But for whet will he plewl?
lie an scarcely be believed that he will take much
Interest in the Black Sea question. What he cares for is
the black sea of troubles into which his own country has
fallen. For him to assist in these &Hine &them with-
out being allowed to say a word on the present struggle
between France and Bewail' will be very bard, but on
the other hand the Conference cannot enter on this
subject without irodructions front the several Govern-
ments. • Be this as it may, the democratic sectien of
society here is determined to receive M. Jules Favre
with such honour as can be conferred by cheering
playing the Mareeillaise, and pawing rosolutions at
meetings of so-callt d citizens of London. No one,
however, who knows anything about public opinion
can believe that meetings recently held, profreping
to represent the opinion, of the metropolis, can pro-
perly be lie regarded. There are certain names which we
commonly sex coming up to the surface whenever any
great question agitat. s the ptP liz wind, and it in in
this matter as it has been in no many others. But
nevertheless it is undeniable that " sympathy with
France" has become a stronger feeling le this country
than it has ever yet beets shoes the outbreak of the
war. In fact ever, mince the capitulation of fled to this
feeling has been growing stronger and stronger,
Soon after Pezliam. at meets we may prepare our-
lelv.s for a good pull at our puree-strings to pay for
putting cur house in order in cum there may be war.
s nobody dim cte war, but everybody :Amite
that itle possible, and may go so far as to ray that it
Is not improbable. At all events, Government think it
best to be on the safe side, and will propose an increase
in the army. It la said that the increaee will be
20,000 men-11,000 in the line, 4,500 artillery, and
4,500 engineers, &c. The navy estinhstes will no doubt
also show an increase, awl the militia and volunteer
services are, it is said, to undergo cen,iderable
ficatione, especially in the office' int Meanwhile we
may encourage the hope that a few diploniatirds
pitting round a table may be able to arrange matters
that there need be no fear of war.
The Truck Commission, who are pursuing their
Injuries lot various manuhwturing districts, are bring.
byg out such a =WS of facts and evidence that their
blue-book will be a monster one. The report of the
commisei .ners may be looked forwent to with deep
interest, and their oenclueions and recommendation,
will be of considerable importance. That they will
lead to legislative ameliorations in the truck system
may also he earnestly hoped, fir reforms are wanted
badly enoogh. I confess that I was hot aware that so
much could be said in favour of the truck syatem as
has been said by m soy of those who have given evi-
dence before this enumistion ; bit; even supposing
that this portion of the evidence wee quite impartial,
and giving bell weight to it, it is far outweighed by
that against the system. After reading a mass of the
evidence adduced in various districts though I find
there is more to be said for paling by truck than I
could have thought possible, I foil also that there is
much more to be said against it thou I could have
believed ; so much, indeed, that I hope the desired re-
form will not be shelved through this inquiry, and the
evidence entombed in the blue book. Journalists and
reformers should see to it, that this is not allowe I to
be the case.

Railway travelling has now bee mne such • lines.
city and its expenses are es much a matter of cousidera-
thou as part of our regular outlay, that I am rather
surprised the public do not agitate f m cheaper
rates, especially in the Pe:aeon-ticket department.
Considering that the railway companies get three
rates always in advacce, and that they thus have the
interest of the money, and that the season-ticket
holders are their Fest class of customers, always in-
directly bringing other custom to the bee, the rites
ought to be an low es the c smpsnies can afford. 13ue,
on the contrary, they are much higher than they
need be. lam now referring to the fares to and from
the suburbs of London and other cities and large
towns. And why, may I ask, should there be leo
third-class season tickets? There are woremen'a
trains at very cheap rates, of course, but many a peer
clerk would be glad to take a season ticket if he could
have one third•clase, but who is now compelled to live
in the metropolis in confined lodgings, solely because
the ordinary third-class fares would add tea much to
his teat. Railway directors might do the public a
great service by modifying their present heavy
seasondidket rates. By the way, there is one rule
which railway companies imposed, which it is
rather doubtful whether th-y can enforce. They say
that if a se asomticket balder desires to travel in a
superior class or to a Ca.ioll be yond that for which his
ticket is taken out, he muet pay the difference before ,
commencing t he jontney ; otherwise the fell fare from the
station whence the train started will be charged. This ;
Is right enough so far a', the snperior class is concerned
because the ticket-holder otherwise would wilfully
break his contract before commencing his journey;
but as to travelling beyond his station, that is a matter
which may not be theti4ht of on entering tie train,
but which may become desirable (meeting a friend, for
example, who asks you to dinner) afterwards. In
imch cases, surely it would be fair to pay tie difference
on alighting. Bat railway companies dearly like to
hove things all their own way.
!, At a time when the Registrar General shows by his
official reports, that that frightful disease, the small-
pox, is rapidly on the increase, it is a fact of universal
interest, that a man has been fined for reeling, while
he was afflicted with this &stage, in a cab without
Informing the driver of it. The circumstance suggests
the advisability of having epe3ial vehicles for the pur-
pose. This has often been suggested before, but the
question arises, who would be found to drive those
vehicles? The question is one that the writer cannot
answer, but the whole subject is one which deserves
the att.ntion of magistrates and hoTital aathocities.
We Londoners, with our stupid, bungling arrange-
ments, or want of arrangements for keeping our little
hamlet clean, may well dread a fall of snow for which
we are never prepared and which always causes us to
exhibit our helplessnepe. But more important than this
is the danger ts life arid limb that a slippery state of
the streets produce. During the few days of frost and
snow that we have had here there have been about
2:10 cases of severe accidents admitted into the wards
of the hospitals, and how many cases of accident have
occurred that have not come under official cognisance
nobody knows. And while our streets are filled with
mud and slush, or dangerous to pass through on ac-
count of the ice, there are hundreds who might be ,
profitably employed in clearing them, but who are
allowed to go about ringing " we've got no work to
do-ounce." I am sorry to say this in not a new view
of the subject, more', the pity.
There is an attempt being made "to revive the
scientific sport of Falconry," and premiums of 1:10 and
' are offered for the best and second beet essays on
the desirability of promoting this object. The possie
bility ref gaining the latter sum, and even the former,
does not offer so splendid an inducement to professional
writers, that many of that class are likely to engage in
the contest, which will chiefly rest with the amateurs.
I suppose many of tile latter class could be found who
would be willing, so for as pen, ink,. and paper are

concerned, to "restore the• Ile.ptarChy," -t; quote
Canning's idea, and perhap3 arguiaenta could
.be

.' • -
adduced for thn alurgit a cogeht as those for restoring,

falconry. There is, however, a degree of romance
about the latter, which poets and painters base done
mach to perpetuate and some few amateur scri:blers,
with an enthusiasm produced by the prospect of £5,
may find a good deal to say in favour of endeavouring
" to revive the scientific sport of falconry." When the
committee have decided on the beat essay I should
suggest that they dedicate it to the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ; and the scond b et
might be dedicated to that noble army of valiant
warriors, the members of the sparrow clubs throughout
the Kingdom!