The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-17 00:00:00

PROTECTIONIST MEETING LN TILE TOWER

HAMLETS.

Lust evening a public meeting of the labouring
clauses of the Tower Hamlets, dependent oa the various oc-
cupations connected with the shipping of the Port of Lon- 1
don, was held at the Beaumont Institution, Beaumont.
square, Mile-cud-road, to consider the effects produced on '
their interests by the application of the principle of unre-
stricted competition.—Mr. O. F. Yousio, took the chair
amid mingk-d cheers and hisses.
The CHAIRMAN, when the confusion had subsided,
stated that he had hail nothing to do with the getting up of
the sheeting, but having been requested by a body of work-
ing saes to take the chair, he had felt it his duty to do so.
He did not advocate protection in favour of any particular
clam Isterest, but there was nevertheless one clan to whose '
Weems he would devote every faculty of his soul, sod '
=ispower of his body—the working class, whose in-
could be maintained by protection alone. (Cheers.)
Me then entered upon his usual train of argument* in op-
position to free trade, and asserted that cheapness meant
Nothing more nor less than the reduction of wages ; that
Ike competition of free trade net Englishmen in opposition
to Russian serfs, Polish slaves, men who were clad in skins
and men who lived on beans. (Hear, hear.) lie concluded
by recommending to the consideration of working men,
that if a loaf cost only a penny, the question was how they
could get the money to purchase what they required.
Mr. J. O'Bniesi, a working man, proposed the following
as the first resolution;:—" That the universal cheapness
sought in the policy of tree trade, necessarily includes cheap-
ness of labour, and must therefore, by whatever means oh-
talaed, be injurious to the labouring classes, whose interest
consists, in selling their labour in the • dearest market.'
But as the cheapness of labour is only to be obtained by a
competition, which nets British subjects against their fellow-
subjects, in hostile rivalry for subsistent', and places the
British labourer in competition with the worst labour and
most degraded labourers in the world, this meeting regards
the whole system as calculated to lower tae physical, moral,
and social condition of the working.clasies, and as calling
fur the reprobation and opposition of every reflecting Bri-
tish workman." The speaker enforced the resolution in a
speech replete with allusions to Ireland and chartism. In
the midst of muchconfusion he was repeatedly called to order
by the chairman.
Mr. W. Bnowx, a coalheaver, seconded the resolution.
Mr. PIIIRST (from the body of the hall) said that the
chairman hail placed himself in a false position by not in-
quiring into the real object of the meeting before consent-
ing to preside. He would show what that object was.
(" Order, order," " Question, question.")
The CHAIIIMAN ruled that the speaker was out of order;
and, after much confusion,
Mr. PRIEST said then he would speak to the resolution.
The CHAIRMAN put the question, and the meeting de-
cided that Mr. Priest should not be heard.
Mr. PRIMA! said he would not be put down, and •
tremendous uproar followed, which lasted for some minutes.
The CHAIRMAN then stated that he had been informed
by a gentleman on the platform that before the mectiug be-
pa Mr. Priest had said he would spoil it. (Turn hint out,
turn him out.)
Mr. Patent denied the truth of the chairman's state.
meat, in spite of which, however, he was roughly handled,
and only saved from summary ejectment by the interven-
tion of the chairman.
The resolution was then put, and declared to be carried.
Mr. F. BUIE came forward to move the second resolu-
tion, but loud cries were raised for Mr. Priest, and Mr.
Bezir was compelled to resume his seat amid violent cries
and gesticulations.
Mr. filtAIV advocated fair play for all parties, and be-
sought the chairman to permit Mr. Priest to speak.
Mr. T. B. O'Butest followed to a similar effect.
Mr. Pulsar then moved the adjournment of the meeting.
The motion fell for want of a seconder.
Mr. S. M. LLOYD mowed the following resolution—" That
as labour is the only legitimate property of workmen, it
follows that cheap products, the produce of cheap labour,
are injurious to their best interests."
Mr. T. B. O'Butn• seconded the resolution, warning the
working classes, however, to free themselves from the free-
traders, and protect themselves against the protectionists,
unless they would give the people a share in the represen-
tation of the country.
Mr. Dien supported the resolution.
A man in the gallery followed, asking whether the chair-
man would show his respect for the working classes by
voting for a Chartist candidate if brought forward.
The CHAIRMAN said he never evaded a question, but
could not then with discretion give a categorical answer,
yes or no, to such a question as the one put to him.
Another person asked the chairman if he would support
Liver's' suffrage.
The CHAIRMAN said " No," and was informed by his
aestioner that he was no friend to the working classes.
The resolution was then agreed to unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

EnTrrIAN RAILwAT.—About 10,000 tons of rails
have been contracted for to construct the proposed railway
between Alexandria and Cairo, at a cost of only 51. per ton.
In former days the price per ton was between 101. and 1211
BRADEGRD ELECTION.—The writ for the election
of a member of this borough, in the place of the late Wm
Itipfeild, Esq., is now in the hands of the mayor of the
borough, but as his worship is absent from home, it is not
probable that the election will take place until Tuesday
next. There is at present no prospect of a contest, Robert
Milligan, Esq. (liberal), being the only candidate.
FORGED RUSSIAN COUPONS.—In referenoe to the
notice yesterday of forged coupons of ltuasian stock being
in circulation, adviees from the Hague state that on the
arrest of the forgers at Amsterdam, • considerable quantity
of watches, rings, and mailboxes, were found in their pos-
session. The culprits gave their manse as John and Gerard
Pelting, who on their euendeinkm pretended to have re-
ceived the forged documents tress the captain of • vessel.
whom SIM they were *semi ef, and to whom they had
sold s obswesswAer.--Bftwird. _

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