The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-24 00:00:00

especially
doge, ,

and constructed, has proved unprofitable,
when the only means by which this can be .
by such an arrangement as substantially amounts t.
toxin,: the public in order to infuse profit into that
speculation, the original sEheme of which has proved
unprofitable.
The Legislature did not, as in France, ask capi-
talists to construct railways ;it was eapi.alists and
projectors who sought powers of the Legislature to
invest, as they thought profitably, their money in
these undertakings. These potters they obtained
on certain terms and conditions, and to their fulfil-
ment and continuance the Legislature has a perfect
reeler to bold the companies. Any relaxations or
iterations of these terms are a matter of legislative
/let and favour : and in grantiur any Parliament
karat bound to sec that the public interests will in
no degree suffer or be injured.
Now, to entitle railways to go to Parliament he
any relaxations or alterations in the fundamental con-
ditions of their present existence, they must go with
clean hands ; they must show that, in spite of their
exercising all their wen and fulfilling all their
obligations in the spirit in which they were granted
and imposed, that notwithstanding they have done
everything within their statutable provisions to
accommodate the public, they hare not realised this
profits that were originally anticipated.
This, it is very char, railways are not in a position
to do. The great lines of which an amalgamation
has been proposed arc profitable lines. The North
Western pays a dividend of .31 per cent., and the
Great Western of 1 per cent. ; and woa their
union is proposed, the Chairman of the latter assures
Mr. GLYN that at present pecuniary terms of amalga-
mation could not be fairly arranged, because of the
reasonable probability of an increase in the Great
Western dividend. The state of the dividends of
these two lines is not, therefore, such as entitles them
to ask Parliament, on the ground of want of profit, he
any release from the terms of incorporation, whisk
they themselves originally procured.
'l' hat their profits ate not larger is not the fault of
the Legislature or of their statutes,but of their Titan
of management. Parliament may be, and is, to
blame to permit them to scramble as they do; bet
they are themselves responsible for the manner to
which they abuse the negligence of the Legislators,
It is very discreditable to Parliament not to have
settled on public grounds, whether or not there
shall be one or two railways to the Alersey. But to
propose, as a substitute for two lines, that the cow
panics which are now contesting that most important
question, one aggressively, and the other defensively
—to propose that tlpsy shall form one company,
amounts clearly and obviously ton proposition so 'A-
verse to public policy, as to be quite inadmissible.
A proposal to unite all railways under one man-
agement ; or to place all under sonic central con-
trol, is, in comparison, an intelligible, useful, and
reasonable proposition ; for neither would operate
against the public, but in some respects in publie
favour. If then, by these injudicious suggestions el
railway chairmen, the question be started of goverooi
mint assuming the whole direction of railways, so
menus of protecting the public against gigantic
schemes of exceptional monopoly, and be decided
affirmatively, the responsibility will be entirely at
the doors of railway hearth', who can find no
solution for their own mismanagement but amalga-
mation hurtful to the rest of the community.
It is the fashion to complain grievously of Parlia-
ment having yielded to the solicitations and entrea-
ties of capitalists and of companies, and granted too
many lines; the consequence, it is asserted, is that
they are unprofitable. The want of profit of many of
these lines is undeniable ; but it is equally obvious
that, in many cases, the absence of profit may be,
more or Isis, traced to interference with their origi-
;:zrand their natural routes. The Manchester,
and Lincolnshire Railway is an illustration
the ccs of this sort of interference. On
that llso aid ib accompany ing ducks at Grimsby, the
enormous sum of nine millions sterling at least have
been spent; and in the half-yearly accounts just ren-
dered, there is only a balance of 1,2411. to meet divi-
dends on a share capital of more than seven millions
sterling. Now, if our readers will look at a railway
map, they will find that by means of this line theme
ought to be a second direct and through communker
tion between London and Manehookm NM there b
not. It has been interfered wit\ by abs North.
Western Company ; which, giving the. lisaeheotea
bbellield, and Lincolnshire Company saws paltry ad-
vantages in other directions, has hitherto ononsoisil
in denying London and Manchester the beadle of
railway competition, to the injury of the company
with whom it is in alliance. And it is, in like man-
ner, to prevent competition for the Liverpool bale,
that Mr. GLTN proposes another and a amok pester
alliance.

the great companies, by their alliances, and
treaties, and working agreements, have blocked up
and arrested the communications intended by the
Legislature to be through, direct, and free, in many
other directions. And it is with this experience of
their policy that the public is invited to come to the
conclusion that there is no remedy for their rivalries
but submission to an amalgamation that would be
tantamount to a great monopoly. This, however, is
• total mistake. Some two years ago who so furious
and fast in their hostility to each other as the Great
Northern and the Eastern Counties? Then the
Eastern Counties proprietary went dividendlees away
from their half yearly meetings. By the good Reese
of their Chairman, however, that extreme and violent
hostility has now ceased, and the result of the ac-
commodation of their differences that has been
effected is that the public is better served; that the
progress of one company re-acts benellekilly on the
other; and that again the Esatera Counties has
become • dividend-paying concern.
Apply the same spirit to the contests raging in
other quarters, and the like results will follow; and
not by the withdrawal of all competition, but by the
substitution of rational for irrational competition.
This is the only right and sound policy; between it
and government interference, if not control, directors
will hare to choose. Amalgamation is an evil on
too large a scale for the public to submit to it.

EAsr You( Miterta.—A meeting of the East;
Riding lieutenancy was held at the Court House,
Beverley, on Saturday, the 21st instant, to receive
the returns of the constables, from all the parishes
and townships in the Hiding, of the number of vo-
lunteers w►o have offered to enlist in the Militia. The
Earl of Carlisle, the lord-lieutenant, was present.
The number of men required is about 800; notwith-
standing the inducements held out by placards, sett-
ing forth the advantages of enlistment, and circu-
lated in every parish, it appears that the total num-
ber of volunteers who have presented themselves is
just twenty-seven. Nine of them are from one small
town (Cherry Burton), who expect to be made ser-
geants. Beverley has only furnished one, and be
hopes at least to be made corporal Simpson. Through-
out the whole of North Holdernese, a large agricul-
tural district, not one volunteer has been found. Volun-
tary enlistment in the East Hiding has failed. We
hear that Mr. Shepherd, the clerk to the lieutenancy,
has gone to London, to ascertain whether It is the
intention of the government to enforce the ballot.
Should such an uttenipt be made, it is said that
meetings will be held in every parish to resist it.

Von. BY BALl.or.—The Northern it concludes
an acute and diapasaionate review of the unfortunate affair
at Sea mile-bridge, and the au' sentient transactions arising
out of it, with the (..Bowing practical remarks But
there is more beyond. It N plain, from the evidence at the
inquest, that the electors who were hrogght on can to vote,
guarded by a mili•ary escort, were bruught against their
will. Their hearts were with two of the candidates. They
came under dm threat and frown of landlord and agent
to vote for another. They sympathised with the crowd,
:11,4 they bad no ohjec!ion whatever to he greened. Their
I military escort was to them a sign of degradation, and the
who looked with anything hut an unfriendly eye on the mob
*, .Sorted round their cars. On this there can be no
tea coal opinion, whatever we may think about th• other
point* of the case. Those men were forced by their land-
hiEhl to Elt• against their coneriencet They were drives
t the poll on cuts raaetly as convicts are conveyed to
proms. The rioters knew this, and that the sympathy of
the 'guarded' elector. were with them. The knowledge
em'..oldened them t, Attack the soldiers ; and here lies the
true origin of the ,listatrous riot that has ended in the'
death. of several urn, and Cie coramittel of her Majesty's
troops and of /*tit,. at peace on • charge of wilful murder.
What stronger argument than this could be al +en in favour
ot the ballot? Talk a. you will of priestly coercion or
coerelo.; ; 1.41, are shameful and disgraceful
wh, reser they are .s ri. ilk' fi,r eithee 'Acre is no cue*
• 60 10.1 one. erni Ow? one 6: At estabfolivneof of roe. by '
Gatot.

AKDINtL WIsEMAN aniced at Amiens on Satin.-
dhy, rnd was reeeired by the bishop in his episcopal palm*.
Ile 14 at Clunbrai to-day, taking part in the religious fete
and proclaim that has ea 1. bow talked of.

FRANCE.

PaltlB. lionosy Evaxmo.
Tho ministers continue to desert Paris. Tester.
day Yale Muupss started for Troyes, to preside over
the Council-General of the Aube. To-day M.
Magne, having settled the concession of the Cette
Railway in favour of an amalgamation of the com-
peting companies, will set out fur Perigiteux N take
the chair in the Council-General of the Dordogne.
Notwithstanding these extraordinary efforts to give
as much weight and solemnity as possible to the
sessions of the departmental assemblies, many
still entertain doubts as to the timelines
or even the design of making just yet a
decided move for the empire. 'lo such it ap-
pears probable that the wishes expressed by t&
councils will not generally aim at the hereditary
empire, but will simply desire institutions of a more
stable and permanent character. Such, for instance,
might be the. presidency for life instead of for ten
years. This view is rather countenanced by the luke-
warm tone of the government papers. Neither the
Putrie, Pays, nor Conalitistienhet says a word
about introducing the imperial form of go-
vernment; whereas it is evident that, if this
were the order of the day, the two first
at Last would open full cry upon the scent provided
for them. In fact one can hardly interpret tho tame-
ness et the addresses of the councils of *trendiest.-
meat otherwise than by supposing that no great
efforts bare been made to pump out of those munici-
pal bodies, the majorities in which are passive in-
dransents of the administration, any vehement ex-
lon of imperialism.
Be this as it may, I understand the Senate will be
idled in the course of the next month to examine
Thee addresses of the councils of arrondissements and
apartments, and to draw up a report with conchs-
sins asto the drift of the national wish, and the no-
tare of the changes desired in the constitution. The
Senate will at the same time probably report upon
as petitions emamating from the people, as well as
Mom the bodies by them elected. The activity of the
prefects in procuring signatures to such petitions at
this moment is perhaps attributable to such a design.
Yesterday the President hold a review at Versailles.
You are aware that the carabincers and cuirassiers
quartered in that city have been, from the first bub-
oes of the President's fortunes, that portion of the
army which has displayed the warmest gratitude for
treats of champagne and sausages, and never omitted
an opportunity of shouting "Vivo l'Empereur !" as
the shortest way to the paradise of inebriation. Yes-
terday, true to their substantial creed, they cried
"Viva rEmpereur !" loader than ever. Six regi-
ments were reviewed, one of infantry and five al
cavalry. The cries of all were the same. The Pro-
sident was accompanied by General Magnin, General
the Marquis de Lawoestine, and Colonel board.
Two conventions have been signed within the lost
two days between France and Belgium ; the heat, as
I mentioned in a previous letter, suppressing the
piracy of French literary works; the second is not a
renewal of the old treaty, but simply grants a few
advantages in the commerce of books to Belgian,
which I am given to understand are of no importance.
The minister of public works signed yesterday the
concession of the Bordeaux to Cetto Railway with
two branch-lines, one to Bayonne, and the other to
Perpignan, to a company formed of the companies
Pereire-Erpeleta, David Salomon', Grimaldi, and
others. The duration of the concession is to be 99
years, and the state guarantees a minimum of interest
off per cent. The branch-line to Bayonne was
adisd to the original project at the pressing solici-
ted.= of the Spanish government, which has on-
dortaken to have a railway executed from Madrid to
the French frontier as far as Iran. The branch-line to
Perpignan is to join the Barcelona railway at a
point on the frontier of the Pyrint-es-Orientales. It
was expected that a decree pursuant to this arrange-
ment would have appeared in the Moniteur this
morning. It is reported in some quarters that the
delay is owing to a proposal by another company at
the last moment, which may perhaps lead to a foams,
I know not whether a restoration of the Called
Noir has taken place; but I find the letters which
reach me through the post occasionally resealed in
'hi most clumsy manner, and indeed without any
stissipt.4 concealment, as the superadded seal bean
dm 'MUM stamp of the poste restanhr. I imams in
elf despatch a sample of this unblushing violation
of-private correspondence.

A decree in the Muniicor fixes the 20th of Sept.
u the day on which the councils of arrondissement
are to meet for the second part of their sessioo, which
is not to exceed five days.
Nerciations have been resumed between France
and Sardinia for the junctions of the railways of the
two eountries.

The following circular has just been addressed to
the prefects by the Minister of the Interior, Agricul-
ture, and Commerce :

Monsieur le Prefet—The government, as you are aware,
considers the establishment of mortgage banks as one of
the most powerful means of satiating the agricultural
intereste, and it desires to hasten as mesh as possible the
moment when the country m .y reap the advantages which
that lastitation is intended to enure. That moment can-
na
sew be far distant. At Paris the mortgage bank,
the allnlntee of which have been approved of, is about
emiememee its operations, and in the departments
the nuelvky with which the most influential men occupy
thenissives is founding similar establishments; the num-
ber edembeeribers who unite with them; the amount of
egad appears to promise that the institution
eibleli France is indebted to the solicitude of the Prince
Preideet will naturalise itself sooner than any one could
ban dared to hope. It is important, in order to
emend • movement which I am happy to point out
to yea, to as the banks which an organising
themeelves, and several of which are about to enter
on their operations. The government has not lost
sight of the clause of the decree of Feb. 28, according
to the terms of which the state and the departments may
take a certain amount of the mortgage notes which will be
issued by the banks. It has wished to prepare itself to
realise the measure implicitly contained in that article, and
to guarantee to the mortgage banks one of the encourage-
ments best calculated to mean to them at their outset
that confident* which is necessary in order that their
securities may be accepted without hesitation and
considered as one of the surest modes of investing capital.
By its article 24, the law of Bth July, 1862, fixes at ten
millions the sum which the state may devote in 18,53 to the
purchase of mortgage notes. The government has well-
founded hops that on their aids the representatives of tne
departmental interest will seerad with all their efforts
tho work which it Lai undertaken. The councils-
general are about to amenable, and their excellent
composition is a esilleket gaarantee that on this
occasion, as on others, they will unite in the idea
of the government. I request yen, therefore, to consult the
council-general of your department on the question as to
whether it will not think it desirable to devote a certain
sum to the purchase of mortgage notes as soon ma mortgage
bank should be formed in your department. The council-
general will remark that the question is not to alienate any
capital, but to give • sure and immediately productive em-
ployment to the funds which might appear to them disposable.
So soon as the council-general shall have come to a
decision on the subject, I beg you to transmit it to me ; I
sincerely desire that the financial state of your department
will permit it to appropriate a certain sum to the useful par-
pose I have above pointed out. It will, I have no doubt,
be happy to contribute its part towards lavouring the esta.
blithest at of companies, which, when directed with ink
ment, sod in the spirit which dictated the decree of Feb.
28, 1852, cannot fail to become for landed property, sad for
agriculture, one of the most active instruments of improve-
ment and prosperity.
The acme official has addressed the following cir-
cular to the prefects:
Monsieur le Prefet—The harvest is already concladed in
several parts of the country; in others it is in full activity,
and you will soon have to make known to me the idea
which is formed in your department of the result of the
crops of corn and other farinaceous substances, until you
are able to obtain the numerical estimate of the produce
and of the presumed wants until the harvest of 1863.
The report which you will have to transmit on the results
of the crop considered as superior, clue], or inferior
to the average year, must according to custom Pe
addressed to me in the course of the next month, and it is
needles, fee me to recommend to you that it be as exact es
preamble. I particularly desire that as in former years you
should take the opinion of the council general of your do
pertinent on the subject. It is important also to consult
the agricultural chainhers established in your department,
cud to Annex their opinions to your report. As to the nu-
merical list, it must reach me at the latest by the end of
October. That document is one of the principal elements
which concur in forming the opinion of the government cc
to the state of the sup! lies of the country and the extent
of the wants of .he inhabitsnts, and that consideration
will sullies to make you understand the importance at•
tached to it. _

•
The Frew, in its commercial review for the post
week Mates there hake been large purchases of raw 1
materials by the manufacturers generally, and that
many of the manufacturers of what are called Pan.
articles, have received more orders than they can
execute. The retail truck of l'aris has been mate-
rinlly henefitted by the influx of strangers for the
fete of the 15th. It estimates the number of visitors 1 1
on that occasion at 500,00f1. Fears are still ex-1
pres4ed for the corn and wine harvest, but, it is of
opinion, that the rise in prices is more the effect of

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 24 1852