The Press.
London, England, 1856-06-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

I

JUNE 14, 1856.

The amount of duty levied, in Bengal par-
ticularly, is utterly indefensible. In all coun-
tries salt is an article of vital necessity, but it
is peculiarly so within the tropics. In the
heats of those burning skies, which so hasten
the decay of everything, salt is as necessary
to preserve the human frame from disease as
it is to save articles of human diet from cor-
ruption. Accoidingly, we see that Providence,
in its wonderful system of adaptation, has
provided most plentifully for this want where
it is most deeply experienced. Central Africa,
for instance, abounds in natural salt, and so
does India. In Scinde there are vast plains
of it, resembling immense fields of snow, and
enough to supply all India for centuries; and
on the Bombay coast it can be made by the
simple process of exposing sea-water to the
action of the sun, at a rate not exceeding
eighteen-pence per ton. But the Govern-
ment, defeating the beneficence of Nature, has
laid a tax upon its consumption amounting to
jive thousand one hundred per cent. above the
cost of production in Bombay, to six thousand
eight hundred per cent. in Madras, to thirteen
thousand six hundred per cent. in the north-west
provinces, and to sixteen thousand three hundred
and twenty per cent. under the Government of
Bengal. Noris this the worst, for the salt deli-
vered at the Government stores appears to be
for the most part impure in the extreme. At
Madras we are told that the impurities amount
to nineteen per cent. of the whole, consisting
partly of sand and dirt, and partly of nitrate
of potash, soda, and other substances, which
the Government officials are too ignorant, or
too careless, to remove. These, however, they
coolly tell the public, are " too insignificant to
" actin any other way than as a slight stimulant
" to the venal organs." Whether such stimulus
perpetually going on may not be to a great
extent the cause of the malignant cholera
which is perpetually devastating that Presi-
dency, we must leave to the medical world to
determine ; but this is certain, that in cholera
a total cessation of action in the venal organs,
as if they were worn out, is always the most
prominent symptom. If this salt be really an
exciting cause of that dreadful disease, how
vast must be the responsibility of the sup-
porters of this monstrous system ! But, even
if it be clear of this charge, how difficult must
it be to estimate the loss and misery that must
be inflicted by it; for under it there is not
only the tax to pay, but there is the land car-
riage, which enhances the price of it enor-
mously to the up-country consumer besides.
The monopoly also requires a host of revenue
underlings, armed with almost unlimited autho-
rity, to protect it; and almost every such per-
son in India abuses his authority ani turns
his badge into an engine of extortion from the
poorest and most helpless classes.
Under such circumstances it will be easily
understood that smuggling is rife—that in-
formations are perpetual—and that the using
salt for most of the great purposes which in
other countries it is applied to is in India un-
known. To show the effect of price on con-
sumption, it may be observed that in Bombay,
where the duty is least, the consumption is by
far the greatest in proportion ; and when Sir
CHARLES NAPIER decided against the levy of a
salt tax in Scinde, numbers of fishermen left
Bombay to settle in that province, simply in
consequence of the immense advantage to
their calling from having an unlimited supply
of cheap and untaxed salt. It is clear, indeel,
that the present enormous duties are not only
a crime but a mistake. To enforce them a
horde of petty officials are required on every
side, who are daily spreading more and more
by their misconduct the greatest disaffection
to our rule—any effectual attempt to control
them being, with the limited means of super-
vision at the disposal of the Government,
quite impossible. No better means, perhaps,
could be taken to raise the social condition of
the people, as well as secure their good will,
than by a great and universal reduction in the
t tLX on salt. The rivers and lakes and sea-
coasts of India abound with fish, the catching
and curing of which would furnish occupation
for large numbers, if they only had the means
of cluing them in the shape of a sufficiency of
Cheap salt. And nothing would be more con-
ducive to the health and comfort of the
people than a cheap and abundant supply of

this kind of food. Then, again, for the pre-
servation of meat and curds and other articles
of diet in a hot climate, salt is a matter of
primary necessity, and through the want of it
a large portion of the proper provision is in
India annually lost. There is, besides,
another and most valuable staple product of
Bengal, the manufacture of which would be
largely extended but for the interference
caused by the duties on salt. We allude to
the manufacture of saltpetre, with which, as
first made, salt is always more or less mingled,
and which, owing to the monopoly, can only
be prepared under restrictions which greatly
interfere with the manufacture, lest the
makers of it should find means of evading the
tax upon salt. Whether the Directors will
yield with a good grace to reason and modify
this tax. or only submit upon compulsion, it is
impossible for us to say; but this we do know,
that the facts have only to be made public
through the length and breadth of the land to
insure justice being done. It is impossible,
we think, that men of any party can consent
that our Indian fellow-subjects shall be com-
pelled to pay the monstrous tax of from five
thousand three hundred to sixteen thousand
three hundred per cent. on this first and most
absolute necessary for human existence.

Oh ! ye Liberals of England, who cant about
" progress," and succumb to a Cabiiitt which
" snubs " the Radicals all round, scoffs at
" party," pockets salary, shrinks from mea-
sures, and turns Downing-street into a public
dormitory !

LORD PALMERSTON AND THE
AMERICANS.

SOME of the personal aspects of the American
question merit more particular attention than
they have received. In many countries at the
present time there are classes of politicians
who hold the shallow creed that organisation
is everything, and that statesmanship is almost
nothing, in human affairs. They do not care
about leading men, and coarsely look only to
the last state of the poll. Politics in their
minds becomes a simple process of referring
to the multiplication table, and counting up
one force against another. They " take stock "
off national subjects and perplexed questions,
as if they were dealing with the warehouse or
the shop.

It happens, however, that the bias produced
by the temperament and dispositions of con-
spicuous and powerful individuals intrusted
with official authority, cannot be excluded
from calculations of this nature. What was
it, for example, that for so long a time kept
back Lord PALMERSTON from being at the head
of English affairs, except the conviction that
a statesman of his swaggering style and
bellicose spirit would embroil us with other
countries? Lord PALMERSTON, notoriously,
pushed hard to acquire predominating in-
fluence in the Liberal party. At one time it
was hoped by his friends that he would tri-
umphantly obtain " the leadership " of the
Whigs. Many years since, when his Lordship
was in full possession of his vigour, he had
claims to that post. He had official experience,
a love for power, a facility for dealing with
individuals, _ while his manners were then

I

-.- •
JUNE 14, 1856. THE PRESS. 555
.
The amount of duty levied, in Bengal par- this kind of food. Then, again, for the pre- Oh !ye Liberals of England, who cant about
ticularly, is utterly indefensible. In all coun- nervation of meat and curds and other articles " progress," and succumb to a Cabin t which
tries salt is an article of vital necessity, but it of diet in a hot climate, salt is a matter of " snubs " the Radicals all round, scoffs at
is peculiarly so within the tropics. In the primary necessity, and through the want of it " party," pockets salary, shrinks from mea-
heats of those burning skies, which so hasten a large portion of the proper provision is in sures, and turns Downing-street into a public
the decay of everything, salt is as necessary India annually lost. There is, besides, dormitory !
to preserve the human frame from disease as another and most valuable staple product of
it is to save articles of human diet from cor- Bengal, the manufacture of which would be LORD PALMERSTON AND THE
ruption. Accoidingly, we see that Providence, largely extended but for the interference AMERICANS.
in its wonderful system of adaptation, has caused by the duties on salt. We allude to
provided most plentifully for this want where the manufacture of saltpetre, with which, as SOME of the personal aspects of the American
it is most deeply experienced. Central Africa, first made, salt is always more or less mingled, question merit more particular attention than
for instance, abounds in natural salt, and so and which, owing to the monopoly, can only they have received. In many countries at the
does India. In Scinde there are vast plains be prepared under restrictions which greatly
of it, resembling immense fields of snow, and interfere with the manufacture, lest the present time there are classes of politicians
enough to supply all India for centuries ; and makers of it should find means of evading the who hold the shallow creed that organisation
on the Bombay coast it can be made by the tax upon salt. Whether the Directors will is everything, and that statesmanship is almost
simple process of exposing sea-water to the yield with a good grace to reason and modify nothing, in human affairs. They do not care
action of the sun, at a rate not exceeding this tax. or only submit upon compulsion, it is about leading men, and coarsely look only to
eighteen-pence per ton. But the Govern- impossible for us to say; but this we do know,
ment, defeating the beneficence of Nature, has that the facts have only to be made public the last state of the poll. Politics in their
laid a tax upon its consumption amounting to through the length and breadth of the land to minds becomes a simple process of referring
jive thousand one hundred per cent. above the insure justice being done. It is impossible, to the multiplication table, and counting up
cost of production in Bombay, to six thousand we think, that men of any party can consent one force against another. They " take stock "
eight hundred per cent. in Madras, to thirteen that our Indian fellow-subjects shall be com- off national subjects and perplexed questions,
thousand six hundred per cent. in the north-west pelled to pay the monstrous tax of from five
provinces, and to sixteen thousand three hundred thousand three hundred to sixteen thousand as if they were dealing with the warehouse or
and twenty per cent. under the Government of three hundred per cent. on this first and most the shop.
Bengal. Noris this the worst, for the salt deli- absolute necessary for human existence. It happens, however, that the bias produced
vexed at the Government stores appears to be by the temperament and dispositions of con-
for the most part impure in the extreme. At
GOVERNMENT DELAYS. spicuous and powerful individuals intrusted
Madras we are told that the impurities amount with official authority, cannot be excluded
to nineteen per cent. of the whole, consisting THE second week in June has now passed ; the from calculations of this nature. What was
partly of sand and dirt, and partly of nitrate Epsom and Ascot races are over; the London it, for example, that for so long a time kept
of potash, soda, and other substances, which season is half through, and how is the state of back Lord PALMERSTON from being at the head
the Government officials are too ignorant, or affairs in the House of Commons ? That of English affairs, except the conviction that
too careless, to remove. These, however, they a statesman of his swaggering style and
coolly tell the public, are " too insignificant to is a question eagerly asked in the most bellicose spirit would embroil us with other
" actin any other way than as a slight stimulant opposite quarters. The business of the countries ? Lord PALMERSTON, notoriously,
"to the venal organs." Whether such stimulus country seems positively brought to a pushed hard to acquire predominating in-
perpetually going on may not be to a great fluence in the Liberal party. At one time it
stand-still. We were told that the Palmerston
extent the cause of the malignant cholera was hoped by his friends that he would tri-
which is perpetually devastating that Presi-
Ministry would abjure "party" considerations, umphautly obtain " the leadership " of the
dency, we must leave to the medical world to and concentrate its attention on practical Whigs. Many years since, when his Lordship
determine; but this is certain, that in cholera measures. Has it done so, or is it showing was in full possession of his vigour, he had
a total cessation of action in the venal organs, any symptom of setting about the work of claims to that post. He had official experience,
as if they were worn out, is always the most a love for power, a facility for dealing with
clearing off the accumulated subjects awaiting
prominent symptom. If this salt be really an individuals, while his manners were then
exciting cause of that dreadful disease, how Parliamentary solution ? free from the unpleasing coarseness of his
vast must be the responsibility of the sup- It is obvious, after the debate of last week, later days. Yet, though Lord PALMERSTON had
porters of this monstrous system ! But, even that a measure of army reform cannot be ex- aristocratic position, and was not without the
if it be clear of this charge, how difficult must pected from the present Ministry. The tone important resources of " fashion," and though
it be to estimate the loss and misery that must of Lord PALMERSTON upon that most important he was an efficient debater, " the leadership "
be inflicted by it; for under it there is not subject is in the bland style of courteous and was carefully kept out of his hands, even
only the tax to pay, but there is the land car- self-satisfied " routine." Like every old Minis- though Lord JOHN RUSSELL had no reputation
riage, which enhances the price of it enor- ter, Lord PALMERSTON is an optimist in all re- to spare for caution. Of the two rivals (the
mously to the up-country consumer besides. lacing to the public offices, and he may be fact sounds like a sarcasm) " Lord JOHN "
The monopoly also requires a host of revenue pronounced an inverate " obstruction." The was thought more conciliating and discreet !
underlings, armed with almost unlimited autho- country has no reason to expect " measures " Now, it is worth while recollecting these
rity, to protect it; and almost every such per- from a man of his mould, and he is quite antecedents of Lord PALMERSTON, because we
son in India abuses his authority ani turns ready to pervert playfully the saying of Lord fear that there is a large party in America
his badge into an engine of extortion from the JOHN RUSSELL'S friend, " Mr. BoaicE," about which bitterly remembers the activity ex-
poorest and most helpless classes. " Reformation being one of those great pieces hihited by the Noble Viscount in trying to
Under such circumstances it will be easily " which look best—at a distance !" The finan inflame the Oregon question into a war. It
understood that smuggling is rife—that in- cial projects of the Government are still more was partly in consequence of Lord PAL-
formations are perpetual—and that the using unsatisfactory. The " City " grumbles un- MERSTON'S conduct at that time that politi-
salt for most of the great purposes which in easily. and asks about the " Bank Charter Act," cians of the Liberal party (like Earl GREY) )
other countries it is applied to is in India un- and it is not to be quelled by stereotyped puffs were justified in holding aloof from his Lord,'
known. To show the effect of price on con- of Mr. ROBERT LowE's meddling attempts at ship in 1846, when Sir ROBERT PEEL resigned,
gumption, it may be observed that in Bombay, commercial legislation. and the settlement of the Corn question was
where the duty is least, the consumption is by " Education ' is, of course, beyond the con- offered to the Whigs. The polemical reputa-
far the greatest in proportion ; and when Sir trol of such a Cabinet. It will never take up tion of Lord PALMERSTON prevented that
CHARLES NAPIER decided against the levy of a any line on that greatest of moral subjects. result. Nor would he have ever afterwards
salt tax in Scinde, numbers of fishermen left The Premier has no ideas about it; the Home been thought of for Prime Minister but for the
Bombay to settle in that province, simply in Secretary is too jaded to apply to it ; Lord accidents of war. He did not win the Premier-
consequence of the immense advantage to LANSDOWNE is too old, the Duke of ARGYLL too ship—he dropped into it by chance.
their calling from having an unlimited supply young, Lord JOHN RUSSELL too " one by," Mr. Such, therefore, is one of the worst Ministers
of cheap and untaxed salt. It is clear, indeel, BAINgs too sectarian, and the Ministry col- that England could possess at the present
that the present enormous duties are not only lectively too bored to perplex itself with such time. His acts, his speeches, his despatches
a crime but a mistake. To enforce them a tiresome work. Ah ! pray, good people of —not to allude to other writings of a non-
horde of petty officials are required on every England, do not bore the Cabinet. It is weary ; official kind— are all remembered by the
side, who are daily spreading more and more its nerves are strained ; its mind has got officials of the United States, and his policy
by their misconduct the greatest disaffection languid ; the dogdaya are approaching, the unfavorably contrasts with that of Lord
to our rule—any effectual attempt to control town is becoming offensive, the Thames Smells, CASTLEREGH, the Duke of WELLINGTON, and
them being, with the limited means of super- the grass in the Parks will soon be brown, and Sir ROBERT PEEL, on previous occasions, when
vision at the disposal of the Government, the Premier is tired. He wants a quiet nap, the amity of the two countries was endangered.
quite impossible. No better means, perhaps, and only asks for a comfortable dose. Do not It is nothing to tell the Americans that our
could be taken to raise the social condition of waken him. It is early yet; it is only in the Foreign Secretary (I ord CLARENDON) is con-
the people, as well as secure their good will, middle of the nineteenth century ; remember ciliatory even to timidity, when they know
than by a great and universal reduction in the that the Premier was up " about town" at the that our Prime Minister is Lord PALMERSTON.
Eix on salt. The rivers and lakes and sea- end of the last. Do not press him too hard. The weakness of Lord CLARENDON'S character
Coasts of India abound with fish, the catching It is bad taste to do so ; it would be unkind ; is no check upon the blustering explosiveness
and curing of which would furnish occupation the Ministry has taken to its sofa, and put on of Lord PALMERSTON, who wishes to keep up ~
for large numbers, if they only had the means its slippers. Come, Mr. Bull, do not frown. his name as a War Minister. It would not,
of cluing them in the shape of a sufficiency of Do not raise your voice. Only an entire accordingly, surprise us, if even now the Whig
cheap salt. And nothing would be more con- session has been lost. No other Cabinet party amongst us were meditating on the
auctve to the health and comfort of the could do nothing with such high gusto as the chances of a schism between Lords PAL-
people than a cheap and abundant supply of present. MEBSTON and CLARENDON. That there is a