The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-10 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS. -WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 10, 18.511.

MANCHEBIHR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Yodsoday AMIN% a drag BMW, of this
wee to ills hisseAseess totewholl. se ear
saii:elimepristy et pritiesdai the hellishare is avow
.of the eseentien of war milks eriemendel palsy. The
shah MN leften by Trauma Edney, Req., tie -president
M the alltleheM Amongst the amalentes prent were
Hr. Admeadee Heary, M.P., Kr. Emilaw. es
ILY., Mr.
ream swim* M.P., Mr. Bald Illituredia, Mr. W. R.
Calleadmllr. David Pries. Kr. W. B. Watkins, Mr. H. It.
Lanewerthy, Mr. W. Hervey, Mr. Owen Mr. Marriott,
Algeossa Wlllert, Mr. Henry Ashworth: Mr. Edaand
Min riglk up Elkanah Armitage.
bas
The =AIRMAN, is opening the prompedings, esid
W been a change in the sehnialtratios, end
scam
in the polities' melon of thins who had
the gersnuarr easstry, it was ace, see
had it was basis the ishatism ed es, of the mermen of
Nis elhemilmr to take iseirlearre er each a change ; but
when the divesein et the amber saw that the great
=they bad esasiateardy eimeated appeared to be
I they list 1e right to confer with the
smallen as Ostia hapasianse of taking steps to preserve our
editing eemeimelei Ohm. Kasai be berm la stied also,
Met we were mu einemning upwards ef to =Nies
quarters per annum mem ars than we did duds/ Me re-
grislier period. TUB wield supply, fend for rorm• gas cc
ski millions of
c ash Yd there Md she been a greet in-
mew in the et tha other sessesaries of life.
Swing these raralse, be appreheadrd that the
sasebessatheeharkse wadi duke to maintain the equal
Is by whisk they hed beta brought about. (Ap-
Mr. LEERY ABHWORTH,of Teruo, near Bohm,
moved the Ant reashatiss " That tentemberbig the re-
pealed ameiftsersime beer lity seeds by the sableusea
!ad earbara who sew reaper the easeadee at her Ma.
JesWe as the memereiel pare happily
the legislature et this 'sentry, sal especially
11!.Camest hopertsat et ell spielleas. the elation of
duty ea the low& el MIS MA hail seasuard by the mass
at ow peep* this abesaber .511..1.. its umbearied sou-
Maar la- the tem preislint and Judie* et that po-
Herb sad rosier art a parka he forthwith lessentitted
to both be.... et parismeat, praying that sash say re-
sprotively take sea fitellsree es may resew all uncer-
tainty , and reuse the nose that the mileelable pro-
gress hitherto nab maw that polies shall not be arrested
Mr.
any return hi Mg epee to dm hibiatiou."
Mr. OWEN seeended the eeersa, sad it was agreed to
naeaisosY
Mr. W. ID:MAINE CALLENDER moved the following
petition to the ; " flat tide ebeabse hes wit-
nessed. robe it unload aridrales.
aid essallemits pawned,. amen terra eestearmatar=
=arwhich the ladaidel erase of this country have
der that inset when system of free romsereial
pulley which was foresbalsered by Mr. Huakisson in 1814,
mad received development under the ministries of which
the late Bir Robert Peel sad Lead Sean Resell were re-
spectively the chiefs. That, in the tildes of this chamber,
so well are the benefits which hem efronly accrued to this
country sadertsed, sad es hopeful the progress which
ear assorediai yew amsaihsts, that any retrocession
from that policy, sad soperal4 the re-imposition of
nay duty on can or Wier food consumed by the great
men of the peopie, wilt evoke consequences that every
tree patriot wadi tYpieme. That nut only would the fact
of each retrocession be rat calamitous, but the anticipa-
tive of such a peesdrnik, is itself, detrimental to every
Inieseet in the sista. Usesearaty paralyses the operations
eiraullIMPIPS awl shippliss. andengers industry in every
listrik sad nisei dr megrees of agriculture both at
hems nod in the adieelecy Sind as, from recent changes in
Ho et *Yesmatry, that dreaded uncertainty
semi is year petitioner s, disavowing, as
this drabs, hen asap ikatewed, all intention of inter.
feisty is parr. *lda, Imaddy, but earnestly, prey that
7011110111.111101 e house may instantly take such measure.
es me, emus the country that no retrocession shall take
=ale the esemenreisl policy new existing, which,
as the kneesseable peinsiiiles of justice, is diffusing
happirees by upreiarliag mepleyment on every side, and
*lusting the morel character of the people by diminiah-
ing poverty end crime."
Mr. PERSON seconded the resolution, and objected to
so much as a shilling duty on con.
Mr. W. EVANS supported the reeorotion, and appealed
to the decrease of poor rates in Manchester, as showing the
=doubted benefit the people had derived from cheap food.
The rates had gradually increased up to 1817, when the
asatutt was 122.0001., whilst since then it had gradually
decreased. In 1848 it was 90,0001., in 1849 it was 70,0002.
in 1860 it was 86,0002., and in 1861 it was 00,000 i
(Applause.)
The motion was carried unanimously.
Mr. HEY WOOD moved a rote of thanks to the chair-
man, and the proceedings terminated soon after four

ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETING AT LIVERPOOL.

- -
Yesterday, at one o'clock, a numerous meeting of
gentlemen opposed to the protective policy of the preterit
ministry took place at Eastwood's Royal Hotel, Delo- street,
Liverpool, " to consider the best course to be adopted for
Preventine.a reversal of the free trade policy of the country,
in its pinant critical petition." The meeting was eon-
vetted by circular, and among those present we observed
Messrs. Monody, M.P., Thomas Bolton, William Earle,
John Finch, pen. and jun. Whitty, Baines, James Harvey,
James Mulleneux, Robertson Gladstone, C. Robertson. 1.
Boult, C. E. Rawlins. jun., J. R. Jeffrey, Samuel Miff,
Thomas Blackburn, Richard Sharp, A. H. Wylie, Charles
Holland, R. W. Rosald, Thomas Haigh, John Mather,
A. C. Stewart, Broadribb. tic. de.
On the motion of Mr. C. E. Rawr.txs, seconded by Mr.
J. IL Jaime, the chair was takes by A. H. Wylie, Req.,
wbe stated that the meeting was assumed in consequence
of
the expelled rever.el, by the Earl of Derby's (govern-
ment, of the free trade policy of the mustry, which bad
seathred se many bereft upon the pare. The Arm
was to corner what reps should be M the prima
imagery, simply In sensed to die of free Made
sod presseder se as te prevent the ministers from carrying
their Omni of awledei the era laws into execution.
(" Rear," mid eleerlag.)
Dr. BLACKBURN, in seedag the Beet saselation, sad
that the question was one whish It Wird aireantile min
mare especially to eatertMe, sad he burr that it word
sat he lethal ups r peueninprons in him at poems. in
the rearm else may msrehres, megistratea, art sew
merdei gesilemen, the knowisi resolution Thal, be-
lieving the peeler daft to be pledged to a remakmary
psi* midi yelped ft leado, net only by their pest
appetite le ore erestment brig this objet, bet lee
'by very most dadamders theseuper, we hay era
cide in the prey of that step by whisk the
Anti-Corn-Law Iwsgu the been recoarrueled." It
had bees said by seas gentlemen, who relessed to be
advocates of the fresithede policy, that the peers ought to
wait until seine cowman was introduced by she Marl of
Derby, in opposition to that polies, before say rep were
With by the middle clam to oppose the present germ
seat ; bat he (Dr. Blackber) essacided with Mr. Wren,
be hie Wiese at Illenehethe, that the pres was the time
le mks known le the seseneawet the fee of the people
Igen Ws worm, she, Irv*/ esperien the bereft of
Ale rade' sod to show that dry would art
epuish
ail them veniess without *wipe and *New don.
Mr. J. R. JEFFREY seeseded the realstisa a brief
but terse moth* which was Eath
Kr. R. OTONE, M ..,.,ends/ the resolution,
admitted that the iesetry led sit get hes hale as it ought
to bars it; bet becalm they Gadd net Ezalst free trade
in coffee, tea, and other arlialeahe sit that that was
not a reason why they &said ve up the free trade in corn
whisk they led&Weed. ea:, Isom) It was a very
.anew 'kw trhsa by thew who sensed that the mere
Mmes of salmi epadiewise was aD that the *wary had
obtained by the ateltima of the duty on corn ; yet it was
alearly impossible he may era henceforth to dictate to his
61111111 mw hew wise Mal they should have. It was
Mfrilthat • Pisa of Neat and of principle like Lord
lelmsdil fipple the people would quietly submit to
the se-loweilita etas limeibitory duty on corn.
The lesehallea was *ea put from the chair sad carried
11. 1101 RAWLINS moped that • subscription be
owned laLiverpool he the supper of the league. On a
Mose esessiea this taws bed aim Mewl with between
11•10101. and 12.1151. Mr a limier mom and be had no
Sushi emo am spirit would be head wow, when the policy
whisk they had experiment the benefits of was eatelled I.y
the aware at .3 the Earl .it Derby. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. lltru.attsux brisey esential the resolution,
which was also carried wither s
Mr. OLADSTOIIII meted. sad rtlittsa seconded, the
adoption of a petition to both homes of parliament, calling
on theta to pledge threader spinal a swami of the policy
of
free trade in corn, wide h had esahned se many oder-
mos on the community of the United lisektia.
Mr. Thornily, H.P.. Mr. Thos. Selter Kr. J. Riley,
and other speakers &rinsed the reestig, when the peti-
tion was adopted, a mardetee epp, and a vote of
Watts the eimismas. The mega/ was eijoursed for a
week Is alder te await the istorwaisti erple-
natio= M pesilearer es Warr Wended maw of policy.

TEI ENGLISH ABROAD.—The Maw* is an
'street of a letter from 'British resident at Leis. ga.daMd '
Feb. 20, 1862 •—•" They are talking of theilthig the
British take out permisMons from the pollee every six
months, and some every three months, to remain here, and
every time the permission is renewed there is about 61. Gd.
to pay, and every one of • family to have a want° one,
which would come to be • othsiderable tax. Their object is
twofold—First, to raise money to support the Austrians;
and, woad. to have it is their power to send any away
when their leave is out. The old merchants who have been
born and lived always here, are quite indignant at this.
There was a meeting at the Consulate to-day about it."
DWOoriaif or Two SKELEroms.—On Thursday,
es
sun Wm teethe employ of Messrs. Cooper and White-
hall', eediftwasn, of this town, were engaged in making a
reed ea mate et the late Dykes Alexander, Esq., in St.
they dug up two human skeletons, nearly eo-
lith. while were lying as their faces &hest two feet below
Ile cress of the earth. Nearly all the With in both skulls
en make, and firmly had in the jaws. No vestige of
• er doable of any kind was Semi weer the skeletons,
whsi llMlNlNesently ewe of • web awl Anal, of satin
mink As may be megpseed, the ahem-low hes mod
mob mi. is the wsightwasbeed. Chat of Ste wee.
esolei enee, who erissed la "gem est the sheistww•
elliseweras dos wet the measles of a ranee Wes sew the
ewes wet. emewled with ewer.—lpswods Earns*.
RUM or RAILWAY AND TNYLONANIN.O-011* of
ilehhe Wks of railway sew in working, erseedes, rather
ewe Sea 8,000 mass are furnished with teielperido

THE ENGINEERS AND THEIR

(Rua the Daily /feral
The struggle between the e4neers and their
employers seems drawing to a afaw. Upwards of
7,000 workmen, it appears, have accepted the terms
offered by the masters and Mr. Nawrox's confes-
sion that already some, 10,0001. of the funds of the
Amalgamated Satiety have been absorbed by the
contest attests the rapid exhaustion of the means for
carrying on the war.
nZlOther result could be expected. The laws of
soci
. ety, if allowed free action, will ever in the long
run be more than a match for the artificial combina-
tions which selfishness or benevolence may devise to
' control them. Free trade—that is, the natural order
'of things,—apontaneously developing itself in entire
freedom, here as everywhere else, is sure to win the
victory. The Amalgamated Society, has sought to
interfere with the natural course of the world, and
will bo beaten ; for it has long been obvious that
it is no emancipating move: no vindication of the
liberty of the workman against tyrannical and selfish
restrictions imposed on his time and labour by the
cupidity of his employer. On the contrary, it has
distinctly aimed at founding • new constitution of
the commercial world : it hes tried to supersede
nature by arrangements framed to secure special
advantages fora particular class upon strict principles
of protection ; and nature has proved too strong for it.
The mine fate would have attended similar oou-
duct on the part of the masters. Artificial schemes,
however skilfully planned, for depressing wages be-
low the natural level of their market value are
equally certain to fail. If the labour of the operative
is in demand, the eagerness of masters to obtain pos-
session of it will break down every resolution to keep
down his remuneration at a theoretical price. When
trade is goad and hands are scarce, wages must and
will rise, whatever edicts may have been previously
fulminated to the contrary. In all these matters
there I. only one danger to be apprehended--the in-
terposition of impediments to the most complete
freedom of action. That freedom alone is the
guarantee for justice to both parties : the solo pledge
fast each shall obtain that portion of the profit which
fairy belongs to him under the actual circumstances
of trade. Protection, whether of workman or mas-
ter, is the child of covetousness and the parent of in-
justice : and by a righteous law of Providence, com-
monly works as much injury to those in whose be-
half it is set up as to thaw against whom
it is levelled. This law has received an illustration
in the present contest which is much to be regretted.
Tho masters, in taking back their men, have required
them to sign • pledge. that they would not belong to
any kind of trades union. We are not prepared to
assert that under the actual circumstances of the
struggle the demand of such • security could be
avoided, yet neither are we convinied of its impera-
tive necessity. Tho workmen are returning to the
shops beau-ct they are the lasers in the fight : the
lees and suffering they have sustained are the best
guarantees against • repetition of their aggression.
On the other hand, such a pledge is a clear re-
striction on freedom of action ; it sets up a bad ex-
ample; it keeps alive the idea of artificial regula-
tions ; and is very likely to be turned against its
inventors at some future day. It will be appealed
to as a justification for some counter-pledge here-
after.

It is the misfortune of the working classes that the
practical exercise of their freedom has many more
difficulties to encounter than are found to impede tho
capitalist. They have fewer means to meet the en-
croachments of covetousness. If their numbers are in
excess in a particular trade, or employment is scarce,
their ability to extricate themselves or to resist en
undue depreciation of wages is weaker. Capital
easily transfers itself from one business to another,
when sinking profits command it to flit. The poor
man can practise but one trade; his education has
not qualified him for changing his calling, and thus
adapting himself to the ever-varying circumstances
of commerce ; and when the supply exceeds the de-
mand for labour in any department of business, emi-
gration to another and more inviting field either
within the kingdom or in the colouies is a resource
from which he is commonly precluded, either by
poverty or ignorance. But if the difficulties which na-
ture has imposed on the working man are great, it is
intolerable that they ,should be wantonly Inc:reseed
by legislation. No class of men is more entitled to fair
play, or every consideration of humanity and justice,
than the working class; and in these days none can
be injured with greater risk to the whole community. '
Not only is their importance in the social system
every day more deeply appreciated; but, still more,
the sympathy which is felt for their wrongs not
unfrequently manifests itself in the active pro-
pagation of benevolent, but most crude and dange-
rous schemes for the improvement of their condition.
Our laws of partnirship are a signal instance of an
unintentional, but nevertheless very real denial of
fair play to the poor. Large capitalists an readily
unite in small firms, and thus escape most of the
evils incident to the laws which regulate partner-
ships; but the union of a large number of small
partners is impossible, except under the protection of
a charter. And this impossibility arises, not from
the condition of unlimited liability—for the difference
between limited and unlimited liability vanishes for the
peer man, who in either case stakes all his savings
is that partnership—but from the laws which re-
the relation of partners towards each other.
very partner is legally entitled to an equal control
of the common property—he may sell or otherwise
dispose of it without impediment—he may pledge
the common credit—no agreement to place the ma-
nagement in a few hands, who alone should have
the right of dealing with the common funds is valid
—there is no means for settling the disputes of
partners between each other but a suit in Chancery ;
and to that extremity the death of any partner, to
say nothing of other causes, renders them incessantly
liable. It is obvious that under such circumstances
a large parthership is a practical impossibility.
We have pointed out on a formcr occasion
that partnerships en cornruandito promised to
furnish • happy solution of the great and
anxious problem of combining the interests
of the master with those of the workmen :
a more vital matter for the welfare of England
cannot well be conceived. It is very provoking that
the aboard provisions of our law. of partnership ren-
der the attempt to realise this all-important good
impossible. An operative in a mill may lend his
savings to the manufacturer at a fixed rate of interest,
but if ho stipulate for a return proportionate to the
profits of the concern, he is pronounoed by the law
a partner, and acquires rights of interference
and management to which no master could
subject himself. Can any regulation be more
unreasonable P Can any plan be more skilfully
devised for frustrating an enormous good, without
any compensating advantage P There are many
weighty considerations to bo taken into account, and
some serious difficulties to be encountered in framing
a new general law of partnership; bat what objection
of any moment can be raised against a lender being
allowed to stipulate for a varying instead of a fixed
return on the loan which he makes to a mercantile
firm, without losing his character of louder, and
being converted into a partner P The general creditors
of the concern might with reason have their position
improved by such loan being declared part of the
joint capieal,and,in the event of bankruptcy, forming
pail of the assets, instead of being proved as debts
against the estate ; who, then, is interested in pre-
venting the mill-owner or the capitalist from asso-
ciating his people with him by a direct participation
in the success of his trade P

Under • law of commandite, it is replied, men
without capital would set up in business, would trade
with a multitude of small loans, and having no per-
sonal stake themselves, would conduct the affairs of
the partnership with recklessness and ruin. But
even supposing this danger could not be guarded
against, it would still be beyond the province of the
law to supersede by enactments the exercise of per-
sonal prudence. The law is bound to furnish every
facility for the prevention and remedying of wrong;
but the law cannot, and ought not, to undertake to
shut out the tisks incident to human life. Profits
cannot be obtained without risk : tho law is not jus-
tified in assuming a false paternity towards the poor
man, sod forbidding him to have a chance of the
profits, on account of the danger of Ices. The calcula-
tion of one against the other is his affair; he has a right
to free action; and the exercise of the virtues called
forth by the responsibilities attached to liberty, °du-
' eaten and elevates the character. A few such losses
would draw out an intelligence and caution that
would compensate for a hundredfold their amount.
But well-framed provisions for enforcing publicity
would bestow all the security which could be claire&

Dreamiest of the publicity might be regulated.=
by the law and private agreement. In the case of
same, or loans made en consmandite by workmen
to their employers, a periodical statement of the
amounts at a meeting of all the partners, ought to be
required; and, we should add, an auditing, if de-
manded, by sworn public officers, with a machinery,
similar to that provided for tho Friendly Societies,
for a prompt settlement of dispute.. In other cues
—we might almost say in all—tho requiring of a
written agreement, specifying the terms of the part-
nership, and ready legal means for enforcing it, is
all that the law need provide. The great matter is,
to allow loans to be entitled to profits, without con-
ferring Me rights of partnership ; all the rest the
practical good sense and experience of the column-
' ratty would speedily supply.