The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-09 00:00:00

LAW OF

'.-MEETINQ IN ST.

MARTIN'S.

A meeting of some of the principal officers and
ratepayers of the parish of St. Martiu's-in-the Fields was
held last evening in the vestry-room, Mr. Churchwarden
Couivrza in the chair, to consider Mr. West's plan for
abolishing the law of settlement, and, more particularly,
to receive • report from that gentleman of the progress the
question had made in the country and in parliament since
a similar meeting was held in the same place last year.
Mr. WEST stated that ho had seen many members of
parliament who expressed themselves favourable to his
views. The question had also been teken up at the recent
general electiao, especially in the boroughs of Southwark,
the Tower Hamlets, and in the county of Hants, where the
speaker was reported to have said the law of settlement
would assuredly be abolished by the present parliament.
The peeve had also taken the matter up, and many journals
had advocated • measure founded upon the principles of
that which he had propounded. There had also been meet-
ings in the parishes of St. James and St. Clement's Danes,
where the subject had been very fully discussed, and the
hardship and injustice of the law admitted. It bad been
thought that as the period of the reassembling of parlia-
ment was immediately approaching it was advisable to
rail a meeting of the parish of St. Martin's, to urge its
alteration on their fellow parishioners and on parliament.
The CHAIRMAN understood the object to be to do away
with that unnecessary cruelty and opo 'on which the
forcible removal of paupers under the law of settlement oc-
casioned. Bow this was to be done was the gut ation ; and
without giving any positive opinion upon it, he must say
that as far as he had had the oppottunity of considering it,
Slr. West's plan appeared somewhat complex, and probably
expensive.
Mr. lisseros did not think the proposition as complex.
All that was required was to put an end to those scenes of
oppression which, under the existing law, were perpetrated
and at which humanity shuddered ; and at the seine time
preserve to the parishes that control over the funds raised
for the relief of the poor, which was neeewiary to ensure
their economic administration, which, to a certain extent,
the proposed measure would do. lie concluded by moving
a resolution, declaring that the law of parochial settlement
was costly to the ratepayer, and in operation injurious and
oppressive to the poor, and not in accordance with the pro-
gress made in social economy, and that therefore its entire
abolition was necessary for the advantage of the state.
Mr. STAUNTON seconded the motion, and explained that
the general principle of Mr. West's plan was to abolish the
I practice of removing paupers altogether, but to telieve
them when they because destitute. That each parish
should pay into • consolidated pauper fund, a rate made
upon tin. average of a certain number of previous years; the
number of paupers belonging to such parish to be estimated
according to the average of the same number of years, and
it by any movement of ths population the number of pau-
pers, and consequently the expense should increase on the
one hand or decrease on the other, the deficiency or the
surplus should be received out of or paid into the general
fund. This would preserve to the parishes the control of
the fends, and be free from the objection which attached to
the suggestion which had been thrown out by the poor law
authorities of a national rate. _ _

Mr. tisrtenzus held that the land was bound to support
the poor, and urged that the proper way to deal with pau-
perism was to employ it in spade labour on the uncultivated
lands of the country. This was a question which could net
be settled by any system of averages, and he doubted whe-
ther to open it was not to raise what might be most incon-
venient discussions on our enormous colonial land., our
own waste lands, the law of primogeniture, and the posses-
sion of lands in fee simple. He moved au amendment de-
claring the right of the poor to be supported out of the
land.

Mr. Aywrix, of St. Junes's, spoke in favour of the
plan.
Mr. LABRUNE saw advantages in the law of settlement,
and was nut disposed to concur in a resolution declaring its
abolition necessary.
Mr. Barton, in reply, mentioned some eases of hardship
which ha 4 recently occurred under the present law, and
urged that the adoption of the general principles of the,
measure before them could at once do away with the ten-
deny, in rural parishes, to employ labourers only so long
as their labour was absolutely necessary, and then to drive
them out to seek relief as paupers in the urban parishes.
A seconder having been found for the amendment, it was
put, but lost, and the original resolution was carried.
Mr. STstrisrox then moved a resolution, generally ap-
proving of Mr. Weer+ plan, in regard to its general prin-
ciples, which, Mr. Srouns having seconded it, was also
passed, and a committee having been resolved upon to make
pronsem for calling a public meeting of the inhabitants on
the subject, the business terminated with the usual vote of
thanks.

OVERCHARGES BY S 1

•Ytaterday, in

the Court of Aldermen, before the principal discussiiiii of
the day, elsewhere reported, the complainant against a
broker !or having made an extortionate charge for shares,
petitioned the court to stop the proceedings, the defendant
baring paid the difference. Alderman Copeland said he
had constantly observed that parties who complained of the
conduct of brokers, however dishonest that conduct might
be, were ready to make a compromise, and to bring in the
Court of Aldermen as parties to it. Now here was a case
in which a person had stated upon oath that as broker lied
charged him a pound a share for what no more than 17..6-•s
had been paid, and the tettement of the difference, which
could not have sprung from anything but fear of the Collq
quences of the application to the court, was the excuse tor
withdrawing the procceding. Would the court let loose
upon the puh:ic a man capable of such conduct as had been
described ? (Cries of " No, no.") Ile would move that the
proceeding should not ba tyrminated, and that the parties
be summoned to attend before the court. Alucrman Wirt
seconded the motion, and said the cu urt rmght to 00.1ish
their de.ermination that persons acting dishonestly smula
not be admitted hr brokers. Ile did not know in what
other way the public could be protected. The motion . was
unanimously agreed to.

NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION RAILWAY.
The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders was
held yesterday at ttie London Tavern, Mr. J. Ilipburrurs
in the rhea.

The SIICUSTAIIY (Mr. Webb) read the following report:
" Your directors have little in enbstance to report to you
beyond what they annouuced ut the last I.lf-yearly met t-
ime. Their attention has continued to lie directed to the
settlement of esisting liabilities, with reepem, however, t
which they are not yet iu a poeition to report any final con-
elusion. It will be observed that the curreut expenditure
for the past half-year has been considerably reduced. With
reference to the future prospects of this company the 1111VC•
tom have only to state that they have nut as yet entered into
any arrangement with any other company, but they are of
opinion that in consideration of the importance of the dis-
trict through which a portion of yaur line was laid down it
would be highly inexpedient for any course to he taken
which should deprive them a the power to cut, r into any
negotiation should the opportunity ariee. ',either such au
opportunity, your directors will be prepared ut the next
general half-yearly meeting t s etre to you the di finite
course which they may be adviwil to propo'e for your a !op-
tion with reference to the then existing state of tne com-
Rany. The directors retiring by rotation ere \Villeins
otherham, John Castel Hopkins, Thomas Salkeld, and
Inseph Underwood, Rep., and the retiring auditor M
William Wilkiuson, Msg., who are severally eligible for
re-election."
Balance-sheet for the halt-year ending Jan. 20, 1553.

. .
Du.
To cash balance, as per last statement £13,501 10 10
H. ceired in ths half-year on aecouut of
calls
To interest and disidtuds
To fees (in cash)
To fees (in postage stamps, 111. 10s.)