The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-10-13 00:00:00

THE STOURT3RIDGE OBSERVER.

Votes were given for thirty-five other persons; but with
reimrd to the bulk of these it may be mentioned that
they were not before the ratepayers as candidates, and
the votes seem to have been given for no many persons
simply because the voters had the right of voting for
whoever they liked. The proceedings in the Corn Ex-
change were confineed to the Isere formal declaration by
the returning officers, Messrs. J. Taylor, G. Holloway,
and W. It. Moores. There were a good number of per.
sees present to hear the declaration of the poll.
i hrye l da.
Chapel,oi
another
1 i tohr e
mica c,
,i
aloi
,toi
jeonrl
g-.
room of the lit
Min:La:le:l NmeewetiCnogn'nrcax'
inni i n
the, rChapel.reet
after a few appropriate remarks called upon Messrs. Kir-
'Ml' irc.hS7ln.sowfeolwloawsevaoted to the chair, and
be. Evans, Jordan, Chance,
• se the Rev. J. White
address the meeting. A nutuWb' is,,,,aeinidileVaatiestsrheaceist,ldo
msoonyieedexacveollteemotfpitehlsk.
To each eif my boys you have listened with pleasure,
s At
all the as follows :
And sure you'll admit that such boys are a treasure;
Both Johns, and both Alfredo, have all done their best,
And Simeon, and Joseph, sod Charles, the rest.
And then these five girls, and Miss Lowe, deserve praise,
"Give honour to whom honour," the apostle Paul Kayo;
Friends Kirby, and Evens, and Williams, and 7,llanee,
And Jordan, and Islackshaw, have helped to enhance
The int'rest and profit of the meeting to-night,
And, therefore, I more with the greatest delight,
f That the Marks of all present be given them now,
THE REFORM QUESTION. , Which to each and to all is most certainly doe.
; Perhaps Mr. Job Mills will second the motion,
Public opinion on the Reform rpiestion now I'm sure he'll approve of this thanksgiving notion.
presents such varied, but yet such decided
1,..
phases, that it may be well to note them with a
1 IBLE CLASs. A new society called the "Biblical
Knowledge Society," lion been established ii comomtion
view to determine the soundness of this or that with the New Connexion Chapel, Kidelerminsterstreet,
policy. A megthqr of the Reform League has and conducted by the Rev- J. White, who is elected lire.
just been held at which a definite expression of sident, and the Rev. M. Shaw, vice-preaident. It now
policy was asked for mid obtained from the nouunitierssoT g'l
‘theirtyAmeu,l::•errsi,Yj f oroolf,
.fiimiumrta...eionfttohtez p
enrly..:
council. That policy is the continued advocacy co2f7: is printeil, and embraces scripture lessons
of manhood suffrage and the ballot, and this type., essays, discussions, die. Last Saturday the mean-
" platform " nifty be regarded as that on which hers took tea together, and spent a very pleasant and
the great mass of those who have been convoked profitable evening.
in the great meetings have taken their stand. E:l",hELM,ssorrnismnio.—ndA, teeave,rettg,twains
connection with
On the other hand, the leading Reformer of the the.Wely'aus, for the 6jurpo'st' of redwing a debt on the
age, Mr. Bright, whatever his opinions in theory E (impel. Upwards of 350 sat down to tea, the whole of
may be, does not consider it wise to counsel : which was given by a lady in the neighbourhood. After
agitation for manhood suffrage. There have I tea, N. 'Begley, Esq., occupied the chair. Addresses
were delivered by the Revs. J. Iledelard, J. Thomas, J.
been also some other remarkable expressions of
Hannah, and others, and the whole passed oil satisfac-
opinion which are not without their importance torn,.
and significance, Mr. Bass, M.P. for Derby, IIitAND CoNcF.HT.—Our readers will see by our silver.
ha declared that he would a thousand times tising columns, that a (Lased Conceit is announced to
rather rest as we are than risk manhood suffrage; take place in the Corn Isxchange, on Friday night next.
while Mr. Brand has declined to attend the I)uuerctt:Triann;:d„nr:tro.o,flia!:ealji Igoe, aiiinr.titli„iis,enict coafsitoin.;
Manchester banquet, and has declared his con- day, and will no doubt meet with that patronage which'
viction that it is the duty of the Liberal party he no justly deserves.
to wait and see what course the present Ministry STOUIMitioGE linsmin OF THE NATIONAL NEFOltll
LEAQUii.—Tlic weekly meeting of the above Branch. was
will pursue. Now both these gentlemen speak
i,i,yl..aft,htilietisiethabi:esitw,:tof fitiiioottp'sres.ei
dime:-
with considerable weight. Mr. Bass is not only
a large employer of labour, but he has always ir'oecilain °fineaMurb.l
IV. Aroyel, lisq., Mr. E. AleCarthy was voted to the
been a consistent Liberal ; and Mr. Brand, chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read
though he does not now hold the (Alice of parlia. and confirmed, and the secretary theilun;ixpiioutc.teeded to read
the correspondence of the week. and from a letter re-
mentary secretary to the Liberal party, has an
ni‘ter-oxftrtabet-iN.
intimate acquaintance with Liberal tactics, and r.B.,..ia.d.,,frnooni.Ge. lgivelow e lthel. see.f
o i 1
oo! i t„1,41 e
doubtless speaks the views of a large section of " The Lague now embrace:4a within Its pale men Of al-
the Liberals in rind out of the House of Corn- most every idea of Reform, 11_ h t ... we are nevertheless
mom. In this view of the matter the letter of bound to oar own programme. Many fif our great Re-
Mr. Brand is indicative of the probable policy formers join as t with a little. reserve—see agitate our owe
of litany of the Liberal party ; bill, quite hide- principles, e Lit.
oarspi,f,:erdertondaof
fair
.Ifla
dwhe,4,lnrisiturei‘ntgentlqiieonl :tt
of
pently of this fact, the views which he advocates the franchise. What the League most di sires is a Na.
are in themselves, as it appears to us, sound and tional union—a union of all anxious for reform; a so-
reasonable. Three courses, says Mr. Brand, are tional and unanimous demand for a just and equitable
open to the present ministry: " they may de- representation in the It a itish Conatittation." The above
promising acknowledgment admits of 110 excuse
cline to deal with the Reform question at all ;
fuonreTrties estranging themselves from advocattifie their
they may propose an illusory or pernicious mea- vices of Reform on the same platLein as the "BC'shica.
sure ; or they may propose it Pleasure, if not tial and registered manhoad -suffrage prineiple ;" all are
good, at least capable of being made So." The welcome. The League setting forth such frie and lin.
policy which ho considers the Liberal party conditional means of niemberohip, earnestly invites alt
should adopt is this : "If the Government take sec.tioir. of Ow community to join their ranks as s eon as
the last and best course we ought to support the P 6.:Tri..a Ptoors Onorsts.—Yesterday, d iii la Li;
-er-ny, 11. the .11... c
second reading of their bill, and endeavour to Office, before J. Hunt anal J. Holeroft, Emma.. and the
improve it in committee. On the other hand, if Hon. C. G. Lytteltmi, Henry Lovett, fanner, residing at
She Government take either the first or second Filichtleld, near Wadverlaitinpton, Was
.charged by Soper-
ge }welter, with allowing eight cime
course it will be for n m irliaent to pass judgment n
meres ms t
from Statiardshire Into I% oreeotershare on th to be re-
e
upon them." loth inst, ceotrary to flue orders of quarter Sesrions.
It is not worth while entering into lengthy Mr. Perry defended. A man framed Barge., a drover in
speculations as to st hich of these three courses the employ of tho defendant, proved driving the cows,
the Conservatives are likely to adopt, but we. and Polise-conistifelt Inii..ui,i,itati.twsriti,veneleasnrituag.the last
will briefly express our opinion that the first w,
talittntel'lsteedsit.i.saatt al•ppliedto the Magiotr.ate;' Clre.fl'a7ll74iild-
course we regard as the least probable of the verhamptos, who sahl there Was no) danger, and that he
three; and that as to the bill which we believe was not aware he could not go intr. Worcestershire.
they will introduce being a" had "or a "good" Under the circumstances the Beach ordered the defend,
bill, that is all matter of opinion. Ibis mutter ant to pay rosto.
of oi n also
io whether it is advisabfo to wait and w-I,:ss.':'':::;j'„t!dedYn,tt!.:.`itrtyy 87:I
pnt.,1,,,,;-,
see what sort of a bill Ministers will introduce, the property it Ainos Hughes. l'aos:Cu"tor said that iii',
if any; and it is certainly it matter of opinion lived at Ciadley. Ge the above date he was crating the
whether it is advisable to continue the agitation tops of soine Cettry at his grandmother's door. Dams'.
for the "platform "of the Reform League. We ant came by mid asked what soil of celery it was. wit-
believe that the balance Of sound opinion is it nj,"5:Z11i':'11",..%,/I.',i„u.';Vi tLitio"::'.',,ft 4 rat "f
cidedly against the continuance of agitation for ;admire:l ysists. Otl:eir. witnesses were examiLitl
ed,'Untill
any sueli inipracticable crOteiletS as manhood some ot the evidence was very cootradictory. The Benda
suffrage and the ballot. And in saying this we remarkid that it was evident there was perjury on on••
speak not of the principle of these theorica, but side or the other, and they ha I determined to send it to
IstjLarby.to
jai/tilde:4h. l'risoner was then conamitted. Mr.
of their advocacy RS a policy. Admitting that
these things may be theoretically true, we snails- o
.aTiltNo ..t Si. tnt. —Yesterday, .Lesepli Harris was
tails that their advocacy at the present time is, charge_ withd fai I hfii
as a matter of expediency, unwise; it is a policy last, the property of dioeph Bennett. After hearing the
that will inevitably defeat itself, and every day's evidsnce of pro icenters wife., the Bench was of opfaioff
experience tends to this conviction. Day by day telhi it itratis„aortdouno,ei.with any felonious intent, and dis-
numbers of the Liberal party are becoming con- gt% ire I.iTen.—Yesier•lay, at the Petty Sessions,
vineed that the chances of passing a It..f, am George Woodward, lalanirer, wtoo charged by Sarah Wood-
Hill providing for manhood suffrage and the ward, his wife, with assaulting her on the thli inst.
ballot are absolutely oil, and there is reason to From tile evidence of the complainant It
appear that glie
suspect that the Reform League itself begins to vi ii I.:.lirurwelks
j-sotrneett
i. te,..r..ll7,snb.buil.4l,,kw.liasil:i tit.: habit of
think that it has gone too far, tkough it declines Il'enel'agfineei the defendant lOs and cost-4, I:lrEeil.lTiil:
to modify its platform or beat a retreat. default sil days.
STEALING ClllCKENS.—Yesterday, at the Poblic Office-,
Thomas Pearlman, a youth recently returned front a lte•
form:gory, was charged with stealing two chickens, the
proporly of George Parkes, at the Heath, on the linli
lost. William Davis proved that he was near Mr:Pad:Ca
farm, on the above date. Ile saw the prisoner take two
fowls, a black one, and a grey one, sad drive thew down
the lane, lie told them to drive them hack. lh feud:int
took them front behind the rick. Ocher witnesses were
examined and prisoner pleaded guilty, 1111.1 said there
were four others with him at the time.—Prisiner was
farther charged with stealing a cloth jacket on the 4 11
inst, from a Mlle boy named George Davie. Praseentio
said that he 14 It the jacket on the window sill, asil the
one produced beloitged to him. Al, bide Finder proved
that she was an assistant to Mr. Whitwell, pawnbroker.
She allowed Is it for the jacket. Could not swear the
prisoner was the one who pledged it. Pollee-constable
Snot proved apprehending the prisoner, and ehmging
hien with stealing the jacket. Prisoner replied that he
loan lit, and pledged it at Mr. Whitwell's for Is lit, anal
afterwards sold the ticket to a boy named Jones for Cl.
Sentenced to 21 days' hard labour for each offence.
NOGLECT OF Wolni.—YeAcrilliy, at the Petty Sea.
.ions, Joseph Hart wits brought up on a remand charged
with not working up a quantity of iron into nails, the
! property of Jesse Ileatiacote. Adjourned for (meek to
allow the defendant to return the iron, aud pay the
costs.

ANGLO-AMERICAN COPYRIGHT.
Mr. Anthony Trollope, a prolific writer, and
the son of that Mrs. Trollop° who wrote such
hitter things against the Americans, has drawn
attention at the Social Congress. to a subject
which demands more consideraiion than it has
yet received. The creation of a titan's brain , the
product of his literary p.wer ought to he re-
garded as his own absolute property. It is given
to ihe world on recognised commercial princi-
ples, and in this instance the prophet or teat-liar
receives honour in his own country. Under the
present law, an author has a copyri[Jit in his
works for forty-two years after their production,
or for life should his life extend beyond that
period. England has however been able to agree
with continental nations on a system by which
he also derives some benefit from translations of
his works into foreign languages. But America,
speaking our own tongue, where there are mil-
lions of readers of English literature, is sadly
behind the rest of the world in this respect, and
the only consolation we have, which is a very
poor one, is that this country can be in this res-
pect as unjust to American authors as American
publishers are to English writers.
It has long been regarded as a great anomaly
with laws of those two great countries that a
system of literary pillage is legalised, and that
Anglo-American copyright is still the dream of
authors on both sides of the Atlantic. These
things ought not HO to he. Every day increases
the communication between the two countries,
and it is earnestly to be hoped that ere long some
mode of mutually protecting the rights of au-
thors may be agreed upon- This matter is com-
mercially of far greater importance between
England and America than between any other
countries, and it is matter of deep regret that
nations which rank foremost in civfiisation, and
which have so much in common, should neglect
the passing of a law which woald be but bare jus-
tice to those who in either country do so much
for the amusement, the instruction, and the
welfare of the other.

FIRST MEETING OF THE NEWLY
ELECTED COMMISSIONERS.

The first meting of this body was behl in•the Corn
Exchange, on Wednesday last. Present: Mensiw. All-
sop, Billinghare, Maurice, Oates, Wan, Collis, Perry,
Akrsyd, Walser, Brooks, T. H. Richards, Adams, Kin
Cooper, Webb, Penn, Stringer, B. Richards, Packwood,
liaskew, Nash, Ile, and Thorne.

the eetint.c, was called by Mr. John Taylor, the clerk,
and some conversation ensued WI to the legality of the
meeting, and whether they could proceed to buNiness.
Mr. C. Collis pointed out that the late Commissioners
had failed in some respects to comply with the terms of
the Act. 'They had appointed their chairman hut they
had not appointed the days on which the monthly meet.
lags were to be held. There was no power under the
Act that he could see for tne Clerk to call a meeting;
and there appeared to be no clause under which the ni
take of the old Commissioners could he rectified. lie
referring, however, to the 17th section Id the special
! Act he found that all the rules and regulations made by
the old Commissioners should continue in force twelve
months after the new Act Caine intl., operation. The old
Commissioners had made an order to hold their meetings
on the first Monday in the month, at seven o'clock in the
evening; and he was of opinion they could fall back upon
trust. . _

.....
Mr. Shepherd, the legal adviser for the late Commis-
sioners, said that he had ordered Mr. Taylor to call this
meeting on the day on which, by an analogy of the first
meeting of the Coniniissionem, would have been held if
no person bad been named in the Act as Commissioners.
He thought old Commissioners had no power to adjourn !
on the day when they retired from office. Because, as-
suming that they had wished to annoy their once...,
they might have adjourned till the first Wednesday in
next October, and that would have hi-en a ...Luciw ad
abeardrall. His view of the question was ; he took
it as a matter of fact that the Commissioners had been
elected ,• it was a matter of fact that notice had been
given of the meeting that day according to the terms of
the Act; it was a matter of fact that they were met; and
it was furthers matter of fact that it was the first meet-
ing of Commissioners under that Act. They were de
facto a meeting ; and as the first meeting of Commis-
sioners, they were oftitled to proceed to carry out the
Act, to take the declaration, to elect a chairman, and
make out their rotation lists.
Mr. King said he agreed with the view arrived at by
! Mr. Shepherd, that this was is properly called meeting.
Mr. Akroyil thought they were on the horns of a dilem-
ma, and that the hest way was to bring common sense to
hear upon it. Mr. Shepherd's was the common sense
view, and it was not to be thought because the late Com-
missionera did not do some things they ought to have
done. the list wits to be held in abeyance, and that the
town was to be forts indefinite period without a govern-
ment. There might be some risk in a legal RCDAO in any
course they might adopt ; but the best course was that
sanctioned by common sense.
Mr. Perry remarked thud he had no hesitation in quail.
tying at this meeting; and all the Commissioners pre-
sent then proceeded to qualify and make tho declaration
required by the Act; which WAS that they were each
worth E.lOO. in real or personal property, or both, and
that they were rated at £l5, after which
Mr. Stringer rose and said, the first business of the
meeting was to elect a chairman till the annual meeting
In Jane next. He held that this was a meeting.
The Clerk here stated that he had received a letter
from Mr. Prescott, And, as a matter of form, he wool I
read it. The same letter had appeared in the P,st on

the previous day. _
Several of the Commissioners here gave it 89 their
opinion that it was unnecessary to read it as they had
seen it.
Mr. Collis: That is a question for the chairman.