The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-08 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 8, 1867.

they were precious possessions, and so are
diverted from the work of adapting themselves to
circumstances which they are powerless to destroy.
It is this timid spirit which exacta of some public
instructors the daily repetition of exploded I abie-
hoods, and made the LORD MAYOR the other day,
when the shipwrights were before him, do battlefor
a misrepresentation, of which ho was the victim, as
if be were defending the Mansion-house plate from
robbers.

An inquiry into the working of Trades Unions,
if only conducted with moderate honesty, must
do good, and ought to be met by the working
classes in a frank and courageous spirit. At the
worst it can do no great harm, can only add one
more slander to the many which they have sur-
vived. The broad right of association and combina-
tion is one which may be forborne but cannot be
forfeited. That Trades Unions are the best form
in which that right can be exercised is not the opi-
nion of the firmest and wisest friends of the work-
ing man. Still, as long as our artisans believe their
trade societies to be useful, it is not in the power,
and we have no reason to suppose that it is in the
desire, of our governing classes to depriA c them of
the right to combine. No candid person, we
imagine, will maintain that the right has not often
been exercised most injudiciously, sometimes must
disastrously. It is in the nature of young power,
undisciplined by experience, to be heady, rash,
and inclined to assert itself for its own sake. Let
light, then, be thrown on the subject by every
means, and from whatever quarter. Further
knowledge may prevent mistakes and loss, and if
here and there, under favour of obscurity, tyranny
and oppression have been exercised, let the fact
be exposed to the healthy opinion of the country.
The legitimate power of the working classes has
nothing to fear from such inquiries.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

THE JAMAICA PIUMECUTIONS.

Commenting upon the importance of the ap-
proaching trial, the Trues, in passing, states that nothing
worthy of death was produced against Mr. Gordon, and
that the only excuse—though this can never justify it
--for what was done during that unhappy time was
that it was done under the influence of panic. But
the peculiar circumstances of Gordon's case may be
almost put aside when we come to consider what the
prosecutors desire to establish. This, according to the
Times, is that such trials as were held at Morant Bay after
the actual quelling of the dispute were invalid, that the
sentences were illegal, and that, in fact, every officer,
soldier, or seaman, militiaman, or volunteer, who inflicted
any punishment after outrage haul actually ceased on the
port of the Degrees, was guilty of a breach of the law, and
is criminally and civilly answerable for his offence. The
singularly complimentary manner in which Mr. Stephen
spoke of Mr. Eyre leads the Times to remark that one
would think it an amicable suit, and it suggests that there
is something radically false in the position of those who
would prosecute the late governor and the men who acted
under him for the highest crime known to the law. Can
it be supposed that the best way of solving such abstruse
questions as the prosecutors raise is by placing a colonel
and a naval lieutenant in the dock at the Old Bailey?
The forbearance shown by the prosecutors as represented
by their counsel discloses, the Daily News says, the purely
public ',emcee which animates then—that of vindicating
the supremacy of the laws against the arbitrary violence of
military tribunals. In such a course as this they ought
to have the support of all true conservatives, if one of the
elements of conservatism is reverence for the constitution
and aversion from anarchical violence. The interests at
stake are co-extensive with the British empire, and Mr.
J. S. Mill and Mr. P. A. Taylor, in coming forward on
public grounds as the prosecutor,' of men whom the go-
vernment protects, whom parliament declines to censure,
and whom society favours, deserve honour and gratitude.
Mr. lyre and his coadjutors are not called to account for
acts of violence committed in the suppression of rebellion,
but for continuing to use, after the restoration of tran-
quillity, weapons which can be properly employed only
sgainst tumult. That the proclamation of martial law
was allowed by an act of the Jamaica legislature is beside
the purpose, for the right to proclaim martial law cannot
give the right to go beyond the limits within which re-
course to it is valid. Nor does it seem more reasonable to
plead a local Bill of Indemnity, since indemnity is rea-
-1 tive to necessary, and not to gratuitous, violations of
the law, which, it is yet contended, has not been violated.
Those who do not foresee danger to liberty in the arbitrary
and anreproved substitution of military tribunals for
civil courts themselves afford in their very unconscious.
nem an additional proof of that danger, and it is fortu-
nate that there are men who do perceive what others are
blind to.

The public is not to infer, the Herald says, from the
issue of the warrants that there is even the phantom of
a case for judicial investigation. The general mind of the
community will be relieved whenever this abominable
burlwatne of criminal litigation comes to an end, and this
it will speedily do, the Herald oontenda, amidst contempt
and disgust.

Tho idegraph is now inclined to be"eve that the right
thing to do would be to subscribe to both committees.
The whole case is so disputable and so pave, that a tho-
rough sifting of it on English ground is neces-ary for the
ascertainment of the truth and for the declaration
of the law. The justice of the case would beat be met if
the government were to defray the entire cost of either
the prosecution or the defence, according SI the Attorney-
General for the time considered that the strength of the
prim! Jock case lay either against or for the accused ; with
the further proviso that on conviction or acquittal the
crown should pay the expenses of the opposing party if
that party should be successful. In the course of its
remarks the Tdoroph says it believes it is no great secret
that, quite independent of the insurrection and of his
political career, the late George William Gordon was what
many of us would calla " bad fellow."

introduces a dangerous innovation. What is %anted is,
not the provision of machinery for winding up and selling
insolvent railways, but measures to facilitate that common
understanding between a railway company and Al grades
of its creditors which will put the management and pro-
grams of the line into harmony with the interests of the
public.

rite dcrurt.

OSBORNE, Fut. 7.

The Queen, and Princess Louise, Prince Arthur,
awl Prince's; Beatrice, arrived at Osborne yesterday, at
2 o'clock, from Windsor Castle, having travelled in a
special train on the Great Western and South Western
Railways, and crossed over from Gosport in the no al
yacht Alberta, Captain the Prince of Leiningen.
Her Majesty drove out this warning accompanied by
Princess Christian.

The other member,' of the royal family went out also.
The Duke of Marlborough (Lord Steward), and Viscount
Royston (Comptroller of the Household) arrived from
London to-day, and had audiences of the Queen, to present
the addresses to her Majesty from both Houses of Parlh•
ment, in answer to the Speech from the throne.

The l'rincess of Wales, attended by the Marchioness
of Carmarthen, took a carriage drive yestenlay.
Lund Rodney and the Mayor of Maidstone lied au inter-
view with the Lord President of the Council at the Privy
Council-office, yesterday, on the subject of cattle markets.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yester-
day. The Lords present were the Archbishop of York,
Lord Justice Cairns, Sir W. Erie, Sir E. V. Wit Wino, Sir
H. Kindendey, and Sir J. Colvile.

Her Royal Highness tho Duchess of Cambridge
entertained a select party at dinner last evening, at her
residence at St. James. Palace.

The Right Hon. Sir George and Lady Grey have
arrived at their residence in Etton•sauare, from a tour in
Italy.

OUEEA'S SPEECHES ON REFORM.

Some interest is attached to the tens in which
the Queen has, on so many occasions, been made to refer
to reform. In 142 we find the following paragraph pro.
dutad under the auspices of Lord Russell :
" It appears to me that this is a fitting time for calmly
considering whether it may not be advisable to make such
amendments in the act of the late reign, relating to the
representation of the Commons in parliament, as may be
deemed calculated to carry into more complete effect the
principles upon which that law is founded. I have the
fullest confidence that in any such consideration you will
firmly adhere to the acknowledged principles of the con-
stitution by which the prerogative of the crown, the
authority of both houses of parliament, and the rights and
liberties of the people are equally secured."
In Itifft, under Lord Aberdeen we have the following:
"Recent experience has shown that it is necessary to
take more effectual precautions against the evils of
bribery and corrupt practices at elections. It will
also be your duty to consider whether more com-
plete effect may not be given to the prici-
ples of the act of the Litt reign, whereby reforms were
made in the representation of the people in walk.
merit. In recommending this subject to your considera-
tion, my desire is to remove every cause of just complaint,
to increase general confidence in the legislature, and to
give additional stability to the settled institutions of the
state."

In April, 18-17, Lord Palmerston disposes of the matter
more summarily, thus:
" Your attention will be called to the laws which regu-
late the representation of the people in parliament, with a
view to consider what amendments may be safely and be-
neficially made thereon."
In 1839 we find Earl Derby approaching the subject in
these words :

" Your attention will be called to the state of the laws
which regulate the representation of the people in parlia-
ment, and I cannot but think that you will give to this
great subject a degree of calm and impartial consideration
proportionate to the magnitude of the interests involved
in the result of your discussion."

In IMO, undo; Lord Palmerston :

" Measiires will be laid before you for amending the laws
which regulate the representation of the people in parlia-
ment, and for placing that representation upon a broader
and firmer basis."

The paragraph devoted to the subject in last year's
Queen's speech was, however, perhaps, the moat straight.
forward and manly of the lot. It ran thus:
. . . .

"I have directed that information should be procured in
reference to the rights of voting in the election of members
to serve in parliament for counties, cities and boroughs.
When that information is complete, the attention of parlia-
ment will be called to the result thus obtained, with a
view to such improvements in the laws which regulate the
rights of voting in the election of members of the House
of Commons u may tend to strengthen our free institu-
tions, and conduce to the public welfare."
The catalogue is completed by the paragraph front the
speech of Tuesday :
. . . . .

Your attention will again be called to the state of the
representation of the people in rrliament, and I trust
that your deliberations, conducted in a spirit of modera-
tion and mutual forbearance, may lead to the adotion of
measures which, without unduly disturbing the balance
of political power, shall freely extend the electoral fnui-
chne."

Tae ADIILLANITEN.—At Earl Grosvenor's second
dinner party to his parliamentary friends, given on Wed.
nesday evening, the following noblemen and gentlemen
were present :—The Earl of Lichfield, Lord Elcho, Lord
John Browne, Lord Ernest Bruce, the Right Hon. B.
Lowe, Mr. Laing, Colonel Packe, Colonel Crossland, Mr.
H. Tracy, Mr. IL W. Duff, Mr. Pim, Mr. Finley, and
Major Anson.

In the House of Lords to-night the Earl
Dudley will " inquire into the intentions of the govern-
ment with regard to the proposed trade processions
through the streets on Monday nest."

On the 28th;Major Anson will move for a select
committee to inquire into the duties performed by the
British army in India and the colonies ; and also to inquire
how far it ought be desirable to employ certain portions
of her Majesty's native Indian army in our colonial and
military dependencies.
Mr. Denman intends, in committee of the whole
house, to move, that the chairman be directed to move
the house that leave be given to bring in a bill to reduce
the annual duty upon the certificates of attorneys and
solicitors and others.

Mr. Crawford, on Monday, will ask the Secretary
of State for the Dome Department whether the govern.
meat are aware that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have
received from the corporation of the City of London au
offer "to undertake the charge of the Bunhill-Relds
burial-ground as trustees for the public, defraying the coat
of watching, maintaining, and keeping it in a proper con-
dition, planting trees and shrubs, keeping up the gravel
walks and preserving the tombs, so that it may form,
within proper hours, and under proper reguhitions, a
decent and ornamental open space of the metropolia, co-
venanting that, in the event of failure in these respects, it
should revert to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners," sad
that such offer has been declined by the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners.

Mr. Nicol intends to ask the First Commissioner
of Works on Monday when the present barricade around
Hyde Park is likely to be removed ; and what description
of fence is to be erected in place of it.

Mr. W. H. Newell, has been appointed
to the office of joint secretary to the National Board of
Education, in the room of Mr. hirreedy, deceased. There
are two secretaries, a protestant and a Roman catholic.
The last protestant secretary was a presbyterian. Dr.
Newell, his successor, in a member of the established
church. He wan one of the two chiefs of inspection. Mr.
Wereedy, who had been originally a tutor, and rose
through all the gradations of the scholastic hierarchy,
succeeded Mr. Maurice Crass, who had occupied a similar
position in Belfast, and was appointed when the board was
established.

The British Medical Journal understands that a
supplementary charter for the University of London has
been drafted, with a view to carry out a proposition which
has already been approved and shaped in convocation and
senate, for enabling women to receive certificates of pro.
&dewy from that university. It is not proposed to admit
them to ordinary degrees, but to bold examinations, and
to give certificates which will enable ladies who propose to
engage in tuition, and others, to assume a definite posi-
tion, and to afford accepted guarantees of their proficiency.
Joseph Karam, who quitted Beyrouth on Jan.
22, on board the Promithee, for Algeria, was to have
proceeded to Oran ; but Marshal de MacMahon, consulted
by telegraph, has proposed Constantine, which place the
fugitive is not to leave without permission from the
French authorities.

A Japanese embassy has arrived at St. Peters-
burg, and been received by the Emperor.

LATEST LNTELLIGENUL

THE STBIBE IN BELGIUM.

The Belgian journals continue to give reports
of the workmen's strikes in the distrist roun4,
Charleroi. From them we extract the following :

Contrary to expectation the initiate is not yet over.
Suppressed at Roux, it recommenced yesterday at pit No.
7 of the Mannbourg coal mine, situated at Lodelinsart, OD
the high road to Jumet. About half-past 11, 00 workmen,
coining from Gohysart, proceeded to this pit, and told
M. Fontaine, the manager, that he must call out the men,
threatening if be did not do so to out the ropes. M. Fontaine
pretented to comply with their wishes, and in the mean-
time sent a despatch to Mairuhourg, where there were 250
soldiers of the 9th Regiment. On their arrival the mutt-
beers dispersed, but not till five of them had been arrested.
At 12 o'clock some 40 young workmen presented themselves
at the pit of Moulin de la Reunion, at Gilly, and required
to have the men withdrawn from the pit. This was being
done, when a hody of troops, sent from Charleroi, restored
order. One of the ringleaders, who threatened
'to strike the oommis.sary of police, was arrested, as
were other rioter.. A piequet of 25 horsemen and
some gendarmes remained near the pit's mouth to prevent
further interference with the men at work. All is quiet
at Datupreniy, but the men are on strike and have joined
with the workmen of Jumet and Rout, where working is
likewise suspended. On the morning of the sth the men
of St. Charles, at Montiny-sur-Sambre, struck work and
proceeded to the pit at St. Andre, in order to wge the
men there to cease workint. The Ebule &lye mys it is
to he feared that the strike will continue for some time.
It does not believe in any general conspiracy amongst the
limn, but it finds that each time the isatede is suppressed in
one locality it reappears iu another.

(RELYZIeS TELEGR.t3(S.)
FRANCE.

PARIS, FEB. 8.

An imperial decree has been issued to-day,
determining the relations of the Senate and Corps
Legislatif towards the Emperor and the Council of
State, and establishing the organic conditions
under which their labours will be conducted. This
decree, which is a modification of the decree of the
19th January, contains no important regulation
not already know a.

/ II W.
I
Nairn .....128.77 34 W. 1I 1 W.
Aberdeen —129.77 35 &W. 1I 6 W.N.W.
Leith 28.9641' W.9.W. 2 3 W.N.W.
Ardreeten 128.90 44 W.N.W. 3 71 8.
Greenoialle N.% 44 W. ,6 , 6 13. W.
129 44 Videntla 2931 ' N.W. .6 . 8 B.W.
ol Ureerp.15 49 W.N.W. '2 ; 4 W.
Rolyhead 6913 48 W.S.W. 6, 8 W.N.W.
TourAnce 19.60 52 W.S.W 8 9 B.W.
Rend 29.84 52. W.&W. 6 6 N. N.
Loeieut I - 1 -
Rochefort 30.12 52 W. 5 ' 4 W.
Plymouth /9.66 61 &W. 8 7 N.W.
Weymouth 29.12 61 W.B.W. 9 10 W.
Portsmouth 29.6060 W.9.W. 10 8 N.W.
London 29.38 52 W.S.W. ti , 9 W.
Yarmouth 29.1930 W. 10 4 N.W.
Sauhoroegh 29.02 47 W. 4' 6 N.W.
Shields
11•144 r

F. laratis ada.
W. 11. tO
U D. , II_

REMARKS:

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'no 0.33
ro 0.27,
Iwo 0.25,
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be 0.291
ro 0.371

On owr southern coasts last night it again blew eery heavily,
and the wind. ern nearly as strong there thls morning ; on our
other coasts the winds are chiefly westerly, light to moderate.
Barometere have fallen considerably, and are very low over the
greater portion of the British isles. Temperatures hate risen.
Hain has been very general on all our waste.

A few weeks ago 10,000 Austrian uniforms, part
of the spoils taken at the battle of Koniggvatz, were dis-
posed of by the War-office at Berlin. The enterprising
individuals who bought them were buoyed up with the
idea that the Austrian government would be but too
happy to repurchase at any price these unpleasant me-
mentoes of defeat. But what was their dismay on finding
time Vienna authorities of a different opinion ! Their offer
was flatly declined, it being, as it seems, a point of
etiquette in the Austrian service to use no piece of mili.
tary equipment which has poised through the enemy's
hands. Precedent makes us inclined to think that the dis-
carded coats will eventually find their way across the
ocean, to reappear on the backs of the South American
soldiery.

The sudden death of M. Salomon Munk, of the
Academy of Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, aged GO, is an-
nounced. He was born at Breslau of a Jewish family, and
devoted himself from his earliest youth to the study of
the Semitic languages, which he thoroughly mastered.
When he was admitted to the Academy he was totally
blind, from excessive study, but still by an extraordinary
exercise of memory and intelligence prepared several
valuable works on the subjects of his favourite study.

In the Greek monastery at Moscow a funeral
service has been celebrated by the Greek and Russian
priests in honour of the Abbot Gavril and his monks, who
perished in the late terrible catastrophe at Crete.
A letter from Rome of the Ist says :—" Dinner
parties and small dances are going on vehemently in Eng-
lish society, diplomatist banquets and Roman receptions
continue as usual, but nothing on a grandiose scale has
yet taken place in the gay world, or is even announced,
except a state ball to be given by the French Ambas-
sador, and another by the Marshal Duke of Saldanha.. The
Count de Sartiges' opening ball was a very limited one,
for which it was not even deemed necessary to open the
grand saloon. Mrs. Cholmondeley gave a charming con-
cert last Friday, and tea-fights are innumerable. We have
four members of parliament in Rome still, although the
ministerial and opposition summonses have already called
them home to their duty, like the warning born of
Ernani. They are Messrs. Marshall, Alfred Seymour,
Paget. and Grant-Duff ; the three latter are hurrying off
in obedience to the invitation of their leaders. Mr.
Arthur Russell, left some time ago, intending to
stay in Paris, but must be back in London by this time."