The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-05 00:00:00

WORICING MEN'S CLUB AND INSTITUTE

UNION.

The sub-committee, of which Lord Lyttelton is
chairman, and Lord Lichfield and Mr. Hodgson Pratt
members, appointed by the council to present a testimonial
to Mr. Solly, in acknowledgment of his past services to
the above union, have received the following letter from
Mr. Hodgson Pratt :
"To Lord Lyttelton and the members of the sub-com-
mittee for presenting a testimonial to Mr. Solly on his
retirement from the office of secretary to the Working
Men's Club and Institute Union.
_ _ _

" My Lords and Gentlemen,—On the occasion of the re-
tirement of the Rev. H. Sony last Midsummer from the
secretaryship to that valuable society, the Working Men's
Club and Institute Union, the council determined to invite
subscriptions fora testimonial to Mr. Solly, as an indication
of the value of his services in the promotion generally of the
welfare of the working classes, and specially in the founda-
tion and administration of the above society. The proposal
was at first communicated only to the supporters of the
society, but it has now been determined to give all persons
interested in the Club and Institute' movement oppor-
tunity of joining in this expression of approval of Mr.
SoUy's useful labours. A communication which I have
just received from that gentleman gives a new aspect
to the above propoeaL Having heard of what was being
done in this matter, he has written to request, very
earnestly, that the testimonial' should take such a form
as would enable him to turn it to the advantage of the
working classes, his idea being that the money so raised
should form the nucleus of a fund which might enable him
to devote himself permanently to the work of popular in-
struction in history, literature, ethics, and social science.
In such an apr.licadon of the subscrittiona, if it can be
carried out, many persons would doubtless find an increased
motive for contributmg, inasmuch as Mr. Solly's qualifica-
tions as a lecturer and speaker on these questions are very
generally appreciated. The amount of each person's sub-
scription to the testimonial fund was originally limited to
U., but if the money can be applied in the way now indi-
cated, it would seem desirable that there should no longer
be any limitation of this kind.
" The present moment seems a very fitting one for bring-
ing this proposal before the public in connexion with the
appearance of the useful book which Mr. Scilly has just
written on the principles, objects, and operation of work-
men's clubs and institutes, and whiclijorms a compendium
of all the valuable experience he h+ gathered during the
last four years. It is very desirable that everyone who
wishes to take a part in ameliorating the condition of the
working classes of this country should read this book, for
there is perhaps no movement from which more important
consequences ma flow than that which has been taken in
hand Union.
We may fairly hope at by the increased funds now placed
at our disposal by the retirement of Mr. Solly,and the work
being done by honorary secretaries, to carry on the ap-
proaching winter campaign with enlarged powers of use-
fulness, lam confirmed in this hope by our decision to
follow the course adopted in another place,' and to widen
the basis of our constitution by admitting to the council
representatives of the principal Workmen's Clubs in
London. This step will doubtless give us greater insight
into the beat mode of making our work a truly national
one, and greater influence among the people at large
throughout the country.—Your's cordially,
" HoncsoN Purr."
Extract from Mr. Solly's letter:—" I could only accept
their kindness as a means of helping me to continue to
work especially for the working men, instead of having to
earn my livelihood at once in another way. I received,
without scruple, • salary from the Working Men's Club
and Institute Union because I am not a man of property,
and could not have given up other labours to act as secre-
tary without it. But one of the main principles of our
movement, and the spirit in which we have, all of us,
worked it, would be compromised, and our work so far
undue, if I were now to accept any pecuniary reward for
doing what I could to promote it."

MR. BRIGHT, M.P. , ON THE RATEPAYING CL AP SEEL
—A letter from Mr. Bright, on the subject of the ratePnY-
leg clauses in the new Reform Bill appears in the Man-
chester papers of this morning. Mr. Bright's letter has
been evoked by the recent proceedings of the Salford pro-
perty MOWS. The hon. gentleman points out that it is
not necessary that the rates should be paid directly
by the occupier, and "the system of payment
by the owner need not be disturbed if he will
undertake to pay the full rate on all hisoccupiedproperty,
making an arrangement with his tenant in the matter of
rent." He holds that, exoept in eases whets the rent has
hitherto been below the market value it must be im-
possible for cottage owners to maintain the existing
rent and at the same time throw the rate upon the tenant,
for such a course would bring about its own remedy by
catudng an extensive eottage building, which would soon
bring rants down again to their natural level.