The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-07-19 00:00:00

Uge ,Stourbribge Obserber,

SATURDAY, JULY Irth, 1884.

A PRINCE AMONG THE PEOPLE.

It is not often that a sight more pleasant
to a well-wisher to his countrymen could be
seea than that which was afforded a few
nights since, when the Prince of Wales ac-
companied by the Princess, visited the Est
end of London to inaugurate a movement,
having for its object the moral and intel-
lectual elevation of the dense population
which inhabits that part of the Metropolis.
The spectacle of a Prince taking part in such •
a ceremony, not as a mere figure in a state
pageant but as an active participator in the
proceedings is one which can scarcely fail to
have a good effect among the masses whose
representatives were present. As the Bishop
of Manchester has expressed it, "Those
grasps of the hand that were reported to have
been given by the Prince would be remem-
bered as touches of sympathy between those
-who were at the base and those who were on
the apex of the social pyramid: "and al-
though some of the more severely utilitarian
among us are occasionally apt to argue that
it is hard fact and not sympathy which
governs the world's affairs, there is not much
room for doubt that more intimate relation-
ship by dint of social intercourse between
various classes will prove of great advantage
in the better regulation of human concerns.
It is in this direction that the heir-apparent
and. princes of similarly liberal mind can do
much to set a fashion which can hardly
have any but good results. It is useless to
inquire into all the reasons which lead so
many people to follow a fashion simply be-
cause it is set by Royalty, bat, provided that
the fashion is a good one, and this it is in
the majority of such isstances in these later
days, it is as well to accept the fact and to
be thankful accordingly. The Prince of
Wales by his presence at such a gathering as
that at the Bethnal-green Museum, and by
the hearty grip of the hand he gave to many
of the artisans there assembled, has led a
movement in which many may follow, bat
to render that movement an entire success
it will be necessary that there shall be some
up-rising as well as some down-reaching
and it is upon this point that social reformers
will be prepared to fasten. No one expects
to import a drawing-room tone into the daily
labours of the millions of workers east of
London-bridge : life to them is altogether
too real a thing, and is passed in the midst
of much too rough an environment to allow
of the consurnation. But it is not necessary
to assume as a consequence that it is hope-
less to anticipate the importation of any
decidedly refining influence into the grimier
portion of London. The mistake which is
made, not only by dwellers in the country
who may fairly be excused for this particular
want of knowledge, but also by a vast num-
ber in the Metropolis, for whom no real
excuse is forthcoming, is the assumption that
almost two million men, women and children
are given over to perpetual residence in the
slums. Those who have had occasion to
form any real acquaintance with the East-
end know that this is an exaggeration which
would be ludicrous were it not that it is a
painful proof that so little is known by one
half of London concerning the woes and the
wants of the other. That there are slums in
this part of the Metropolis, and very grievous
ones to boot, goes almost without saying :
that an amount of misery and destitution is
to be found in them which is well nigh heart
rending is just as much a matter of common
knowledge; but, in contrast to this, the
darkest picture our civilisation presents,
there is a bright side which should never be
lost sight of, as it is the one hopeful spot in
what many are inclined to consider a dark
outlook. This is the large artisan population
which is daily becoming better educated,
daily growing more alive to the respsnsibil-
ities of citizenship, and daily seeking some
means by which the best among them may
be elevated out of the mass among which
they have been born, and who hope for bet-
ter things before they die. It is to this class
of men that the Prince of Wales, by his per-
sonal co-operation in the elevating movement
just commencedlappeals with peculiar force.
Royalty in thesedays is not enshrouded from
the common gaze by the mysterious veil of
distance; it shows by its daily actions ttat
it rests -upon a broadly -human foundation,
and the people are never likely to desert the
cause of monarchy as long as there is to be
found a Prince who fully sympathises with
and freely moves among those he will one day
govern.

STOURBRIDGE LIBERAL ASSOCIA LION.
A meeting of the above Association was held oa
Wednesday at the Institute, Market Street, Mr. J.
B. Shepherd presided. Among those present were
Messrs. H. Bilinghan2, G. Green, A. W. Werteiog-
ton, W. Platt, J. Addison, H. Mills, Rev. D. Magiu-
nis, and Mr. Palfrey, secretary,
There was a fair attendsnce.
Letters of apology wete real from Messrs. C.
Cochrane, C. Evers, and J. W. Woolley, Malvern.
The chairman on rising proposed to ask them to
deal with the Franchise Bill and the Howe ot Lerd
The Franchise Ei,l depended upon the weight
they put upon it. The Bill w,dild not effect the
voters of the boroughs but of the counties. The
number of persons on the register was 977,000 re-
presenting 1,000 000 in Eneland. Tht re were 100,000
in Scotland and 166,000 in Ireland. The total for
the United Kingdom was 1,244,000. voters. Th.:
addition to the county voters would be 2,000,001
He mi tilt say that the Franchise Bill wool.; add to
every 1 v )ter 2 more. East Worcestershire lied
about 12,000 voters and there would be ad led to
that number by the Franchise 8i1124,000 Peop:e said it
was a serious question to add that number, and it
was also a set ions question to keep them out. The
present constituency was standing before the country
inadequately by its own confession. The pres-nt
government were discussing the subject with a rope
around th. ir necks. When the Redistribution Bill
came they void hese to leave and make rcora for
new represereatives. These were the main element 4
that occup;ed toe Franchise Bill There cannot be
any risk as to the certainty of the Bill being past.
The only thing government ought to do would be to
give it a fair, just, and honest start and then let it
take its own course, No measure had been passed
w.th so great a majority as the Franchise Bill for a
long while The only thing that intervened be-
tween them and the Bill was 205 peers. The next
point was how are we to deal with the question to
enforce the Bill. Tne Franchise Bill was one of the
widest range and auspicious character. The Bill
cannot fad to ri-o again.
Mr. G. Green said that the country had become
almost unanimous to get the Franchise 8,11. He
then moved the following resolution "'Met this
meeting is of opinion ;hat the House of Lords in
BIRMINGHAM Thursday. rejecting the Franchise Bill has shown itself
Prior to the ordinary weekly meeting on *Caange indiTerent to public opinion expressed by great
this sfternoon, a meeting of the employers section maj-mitie3 in the represcreative House, ant this
of the South Staffordehire Iron Trade Wages Beard meeting begs to assure the minori•y of is support
was held at the Queen's Hotel, Mr. B. Hiugle% , pre- in any policy they miy advise in the present crisis."
siding, to consider the adviAbility of a further re- The resolution was assert unanimous.
duct-ion in wages. It was stated that the local iron Mr. J. Adedsen, Brterley Hill, proposed the reso-
trade was so depressed that it was ne. eisary wagts lui ion be sent to the Prime Minister and the diem-
should be further reduced. In the No th of Eng- hers for E let Worcesterehire. He also spoke on the
land wages bed been reale dlO per cent. as com- Franchise Bill.
Pared with 2 per cent. in Staffordshire, and the re- Tee res.dution was seconded by the chairman.
i
salt was that the Northern manufactiners had an Several others also spuke on tre subj -et.
advartasenf ninepen. e per ten over the lo al firms, ; It was also unanimously eereei that a meeting be
enabling them to n ,erse.l Staffordshire 'miriade- convened for Stourbriege and neighboueood to
tur..u.s in tt.is dis.rict, and to deprive hem the c ntdr the rejection of the Franchise Bill.
fereign trade. The men in the North had recently,
aceeieed a 2i per cent. re ticeion.—After .-orne clis-
eu-sion it was unanimously resolved to instruct tee
Secretary (Mr. Daniel Jones) to write to the opera-
guises' II- cretaty (M,s James Capper), giving notice
for a redect on ot wages, to come inee ti-n
after the 23rd of August. Tie que,tio?'wrill be
discussed by the Wages ard hetere the Arbitra-
tor, who will wive his d -;•ii6la. The attendance at
the iron market was rather thin, and busit.ess w a
without animation Menufacta: era general:y :tp.
proved of the decision of the counnittee of the io
trade in demanding a reduction of wages, the Con-
cur ence nt' .ipinion tieing that they cull not re_
.
eist the Northen compttition without further re.
list in the cost of Labour. Large quantities if
No:there angles, plates and bits are finding their
way .o this district, and are being expoited to
=erea wbieh form, rly took Stafferdshire Lee .
elne" w re week at the quarterly meeting qt.oel-
aig th94llUk the Berl 9f Ducllq,

COUNTY COURT

CLAIM FOI-t £2.5 —At the County Court •,n Mon-
day, before J. ..itiphlvtt, Esq (deputy j-4e), an
action Nas brought ava,n4 Edward II t-way iy
John Hampton to recover ..25 for aileg, rtsp:tss
and asked for an -rjancti-li to stop ci,fendarit treeP
uultree (instructed by Mes,,is.
Bouri.e, Sou and BellrielA, Dulley) was for the
plainqtl aud sir. Elcock lor t —lt up
t.ears am! the Waintifl and defendant own two
h uses edjoi,iinA eaeli other. Lately the defendant
has Lad a veranda pu up and built into the eaves
O pla Li br,wbe Ltbr! Whoa the lion-es were
• a %Led was put between the two houses and
• fo,da tat th ilLie o,jecttd becau4e he thow,ht
wai, a puny w.11.--Mr. Ekock suggesteA ti a'
his Honour alould visit the 'lave and view the
prope..ty, bat plainliff obj.c el ;o it.--Eventuallv
tae axe w.as adjuarned till the 26th July, when hiB
honour Will Visit the place. _