The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-15 00:00:00

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Itlitable t .
tebie _ o the subject. I came here at the request of your
kbli •aairrnan, and I am glad that I have the opportunity
(hai„,el to express my acknowledgments to your noble
(Ilea "'L.. 4,11 as one of the greatest reformers of the age
ter„ ‘' that
; one who has effected the most practical
k4d'iims that I am aware of, it required a peculiar talent
roan ,bouito accomplish these reforms, and your noble chair-
toft 4aB done much to cheer the heart of the widow and
ha eel'kthe sorrows of the orphan, and to relieve all who
Nil`!,een in distress—and by distress I mean a chancery
That That a'Llee and gentlemen. (Hear, hear, cheers and laughter).
iafamous institution is now put upon a right level.
I ) hear.) I cannot express my feelings of gratitude, but
whiebsttre you all sympathise with me in.the obligations
Rho we owe to our able chairman and to the committee
t4i4uected one of the most practical blessings and reforms
(Ilea-, °°lll€l be accomplished even in our- reforming age.
Ptiti,,, hear, and cheers). The resolution which has been
the '‘'°,my hands is this—" That provident habits among
it th:?rldlig classes are eminently qualified to rase them
reqweir position in society." This is a resolution which
pra;ifes but very few words from me to enforce such a
14'41 and important lesson as it contains., I am
ttic fled to think that the charity of this age has of late
it:lirather a wren.. direction. I require to feel that it is an
hen all of us feeli' more of the responsibilities which wes
lea`: we who have been blessed by providence with the mean
ik,,l;3g to the lower classes. (Applause.) But I am afraid
ttPf.'e often attempt to discharge these responsibilities by
ttohtn,g down large sums of money without taking the
Cue to see how these sums are expended, and thinking
Ili; by'
.3' the magnitude of the gift they would pay their way
‘'
hen,aeaven without taking the trouble to go there. (Hear,
it cheers, and laughter.) I think we have a little erred
that respect. I would not wish to check charity in any
Itt/,; but I think we have a little erred in that respect, tha
Pp. '4l.e endeavoured to support the poor instead of elevating
!Quad enabling them to support themselves. (Applause.)
tlkf'',ve a little destroyed the self-reliance, the self-respect-
,
Veling which is the basis of all that is good and great,
kh‘ever by which you can help the poor to. raise them-
e, (Applause.) Gentlemen, I am a leveller. (Loud
(CC.) Yes, I am ; but not by wishing to pull clown.
a of hear hear, and renewed applause.) I have no
to be pulled down myself, nor would I wish to pull
htli:' ally of those who are elevated above me ; because I
S 1;:e with the happy constitution which is established here
titt.''ve greater freedom and greater happiness than any
N'tutions I know of in the world. (Hear, hear.) It is
b ,3:1,11 seeking our institutions that we shall elevate .the
?1•1° `trig classes, and by remembering ti at, as Philip
h °Ns once said, the cream rises to the top it is very un-
(l.l;lant to see what the milk should be, if you expect good
lc°, ladies, for your tea. (Laughter and applause.)
thto; as I understand the object of this meeting it is to
ion 'upon the poor that providence, foresight, and
k b- ,'."Y which will enable them to support themselves and
trap vide against the day of distress. There is not perhaps
4'o lamentable thing in the present day, whnn, owing to
IN l' Corn, and owing to plenty of employment in a general
kt--there always will be persons wanting employment,
Ili, there always will be poor, for the poor you shall
Y 3 have with you and, so it will be; but when the
Nt't have the power of getting liberal wage!,and with
lite,lelicap food and cheap raiment, the condition of the
hore should be as it is. What is the condition of the
ty'' all this time ? Is it much elevated ? Are they in
lit',!ttdependent position in which they ought to be by the
t,l';,4l','s of Providence - which have been bestowed upon
4t.,-;) I am afraid the answer should be in the negative.
;1.,, hear). What has been easily got has been too easily
t`l',:led, and when the rainy day comes the people have
i,'een provided either in great coats or umbrellas.
-r) hear, cheers and laughter). Now, as I understand
Yisilestion of this evening, it simply refers to insurance
tqt::c poor. That is, I believe, the object of the meeting
lit C esPecially A more righteous object cannot well be
S,Laken. (Hear, hear, and applause). If the poor have
v.liood—they have not very cheap food now—but we
tsr it will come again ; if they have cheap food and full
II t,°Yment, they may lay by a little for the insurance both
Veir own lives and the lives of their children, and
Y411.V. that they would ensure, that in time of old age when
,near no longer work, they can have something to, live_
1 ' and if these, societies are so formed as to be barely
ktnt'llerative and to afford full security for the money laid
L.ll. `,' they could no longer work, then self-respect would
111-Ise 4 indeed, and then they would feel the blessing that
N ,Tabour, that then labour was good while it lasted,
.
111',.irlt:ie,n it could no longer last it left a good provision for
:h4,,44,' age and for their families. (Hear, hear). I am
nrk„eu- to have trespassed upon you with these few re-
'4a4 i; Coming so hastily into the meeting when the chair-
Nhf'-',4d actually begun, and when I did not hear what I
'ta i (r° hhd, to be instructed from so good a source.
kid / aro sure you will excuse the few remarks I have made,
'?tia will only now again read the resolution, which I re-
,l.C,adtilteilll“d to your cordial adoption. Mr. Rathbone then
c4ints,: - resolution, and resumed his seat amid loud ap-
111'
''''''.loGt came forward to second the resolution. He
Ale, 0 \,, sveak, when
.r lord , Ross rose in the body of the hall, and said :
Ntle,„."' I claim to make an observation. I think no
1 Ikeian who addresses this meeting should make any
NC" to either political or religious opinions. That has
already done in two instances which I have heard,
rlieh I was very sorry to hear. (Cries of " no, no,"
11/4 ~ order," hisses, and uproar.) Yes, I say, Yes.
V.l_v ed cries of "no, no," and hisses.) I say yes.
is; cries of " turn him out," and great clamour and
It#4!°n.)
PIAIRMAN : Religion has been spoken of, but not
'' 4rtieular creed. (Cries of hear, hear.)
4
iit,Ooss : I understood--;
ht °IcE : You are dull of comprehension. (Cheers and
01' )
i,' loss : I beg, my lord, that such allusions will not
litt, 'Ptated, or. I shall decidedly interrupt the meeting.
le're,(l uproar )
'nth ItA.THBoNE. : My lord, I should beg leave to ask this
beat 'used
to explain. (Hear, hear.) I have not been
qat ' to declamation, and dare' say I have talked a
dealth4, of nonsense; Init when one gentleman makes an
L?'ll—ki ti°/1 against an. • r of having made any political or
,' ell, allusion in a meeting like this, I should like him
~,1D,41n what it is, and that the meeting would give him
,mist7Ortunity of coming to the point. (Hear, hear, and
1711 9 And I am inclined also to say this, that I think it
',,e 44‘kree with the feelings of this, meeting', if I ask him if
`1,,,A! a good case to state it in a rew words. (Hear hear.)
Ot ‘llon a long speech as only necassary for a bad cause.
treelti : The honourable gentleman has challenged me.
kt'cle ',..'illenged me to say what were the terms to which I
!.•'°l! 4e prides himself upon the word "leveller."
,e,
I,',4eBLlat that is a political phrase. (Cries of " No, no,
1 4-10, and renewed clamour.) I must be heard. (Cries of
41k7°, and order, order.") I will be heard. (Hisses and
•Tr)
It e „NATE,AN • What is your name ?
he .-1,05 s (at the top of his voice) : Ross.
,„"440,.'uatamaN : Is the meeting willing that the gentle-‘44 , c'illd be heard ? (Cries of " No, no," 4, yes, yes,"
k""'fasio )
r j n. -
rail , ''4'irnitx : I would suggest that, if the gentleman is
'44 '0 address the meeting, he should come upon the plat-
'a,ti, Pear, hear, and no, no.)
11441'0ss then quitted the body of the hall, and came
r v
sCut platfomeeting, rm where he turned round and bowed
oe-Y, to the amid great laughter, cheers, and
Ifs' •
N it
ok , AmilßON, : My lord, I would ask your opinion. I
i'.thi."' is right, if your lordship thinks so, to ask the name
,1e,.: elt,leman and whether he belongs to the town of
;‘15.!),,51, because' I am.
.quite sure, gentlemen, however
kil we may be for eliciting the, truth, we want no itine-
N4rators here to tell us what .we ought to do. (Loud
(efjlear hear, and cheers.)
11;i:"as :' My ord, I am not so rude as this gentleman.
6.ltt '''') cries of 4' order," hisses, and interruption.)
i 4 utPnity : I rise to a point of order. It has been
4tt ' and it is due to this meeting, that the name of any
ti, y wi,
thN. 0 wishes to address the meeting, should be first. men-
fZ,kt, (Rear, hear.) It is due also to this meeting that
114% -i ".leirian should state whether he is a townsman or not.
kNe a town's meeting ; and if he will make 'know his
tiel vi tqld if he is a townsman, I am sure you will give him
thLk NVild patient hearing.
Zs ' t. r" ' On that condition, and that only. (Hear and
orlr''n
):lia-Ass : My lord, I claim (loud and general cries
•;-!.r,
sr-41,..e, name.") My name is_ Ross._
tit, It'll'Eaty : Your name is Ross ?
1,..q.1. j oss
'lt?. l'}'EltY : Are you a resident of the town of Liver-
'l, IN
t 4! \'•l;(2‘SS : Yes.
'ts -(3' : Are you the " Man of Ross ?" (Laughter and
lt
*, t ii,
t4,11,04)A5s : No person can be more anxious than I am. for
(g;'l,')ii,'3B of insurance ; but' when I heard an encroach-
-.1,.°444—,,,°n political and religious topics, I made it my—
ik,r 4"L'isos, and cries of turn him out).
!el'. jt'''?En.x : Hear him. (Cries of no).
toti°4 I,Z's , You may hiss • you may bray • you may call
VI ~'-o, but I distinctly and emphatically tell you that
ttZe wersobjects of theology and on subjects of politics,
41', 44 encroachments, on a man's feelings. (Cries
.of
ttLat tn,
,turn him out). I merely wish at this point
L'tiit eeti
-IL it , ng to check it, because 1 do not know to what
katr Co --143' be carried, seeing the various speakers who
Shear) are all on one side. (Cries of oh, ' oh, hisses,
, 14Voi, They are all on one side. (Hisses).
4,5ria1..1t:: All on the right side. (Cheers).
tktisillt)) 38 ' I see it, I see yourself, sir, (pointing to his
A41)44,4-nd I see that venerable gentleman' there (Mr.
t'tiq, \re/4.
Of t • Turn round (followed by groans, hisses, and
til r. It ail him
Oto eu . , out).
tPi:e be • if his lordship had at once - told me there
4 `)11 ofllo encroachment either on religious or political
Cktittitiveli any one sort or another, I should not have
t: %14,1t0 interfere. (Hisses.)
tilk; .„(eheit4A-N : How could I tell you, when I did not
k tiii4oNs wr.,.s, and cries of order.)
ktl • '6 f.i.' -I,Le proclaims himself a liberal ; he glories in
4 t,Liberal, and he talked of the question of reform, ,
" ection with it, levelling, which I say is politics.

(Groans, cheers, hisses, and cries of turn him out, and sit
down.)
The CHAIRMAN, amidst a perfect babel of noise, offered
some explanation. which was not heard.
Mr. Ross (amidst the same noise, and roaring at the top
of his voice, continued) : He gloried in it—(Cries of " ques-
tion" and " turn the noisy fool out.") Now, gentlemen—
(Continued confusion, which lasted for several minutes, dur-
ing which Mr. Ross kept standing in front of the platform,
endeavouring to make himself heard, amidst cries of " turn
him out, sit down, order," &c., but at last, finding it was
impossible to get a hearing, he exclaimed)—Keep from talk-
ing of politics and religion, and I am done.
[Mr. Ross, in endeavouring to reach his seat, had nearly
made a precipitate retreat from the platform, by falling down
the side-steps leading to the hall.]
Mr. JOHN SMITH then rose, and was loudly cheered, and
an attempt was made to hiss him down ; it was confined to a
few persons in the upper gallery, and it entirely failed. He
said : Now, will you allow me one minute ? My lord, ladies,
and gentlemen—(Hisses, and cries of let the man speak)—l
merely rise to a point of order. (Hisses and cheers
A Voicz Why don't you let the man speak ? (Groans
and cheers.

Mr. SMITH : (Amidst confusion and noise.) Listen to me
for a moment, I want to explain a point, he can speak after.
Mr. Ross : It is explained. (Cheers and hissing.)
Mr. SMITH : I think the worthy gentleman was mistaken.
(Hear. hear.) He is evidently excited by something, (laugh-
ter and cheers,) and his feelings have been touched.
A VOICE : The working classes wish to hear him. (Cries of
" no, no," and " Order")
dr. SMITH continued to explain that when Mr. Rathbone
said he was a liberal, surely that was not a political observa-
tion. There was no sect of levellers. If he said he was a
e.itholic, or a protestant, or a tory, or a whig, or a socialist,
taeie might have been a meaning in it. Mr. Rathboue said
lie was a leveller in one sense, that he would bring the
:tumbler classes to the higher. (Loud cheers.) He was not
there to explain Mr. Rathbone's views ; but that was
the view which he (Mr. Smith) took of his own words.
Mr. Rathbone wanted, not a shield from any
Achilles in the meeting, but hearing the words the
gentleman used he thought it right to give this explanation
—when the noble president used the word radical, and going
into radical ideas, he stopped himself at once, and there was
not one word mentioned which could be applied in a poli-
tical sense, except one word used by a worthy gentleman,—
"what religion, or whose religion"—that was all. (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. KEGG then came forward to second the motion. He
very much regretted the interruptions they had had, be-
cause he was afraid it would deprive the meeting of many
good speeches. There were one or two points which he
should like to remark upon, having the privilege to address
the meeting, he should like to call attention to in connection
with the resolution which he had in his hand. (Having
read the resolution he continued.) But in order that they
might attain to a position in society, there must be some-
thing of self-improvement, there must be a determination
on the part of every man to do something for
himself. (Hear, hear.) He must study at home
those works which bring him in communion with those of past
days, and then he would feel his own littleness and vileness
in contrast with their greatness. But in order to do this he
mut obtain books, maps, and various appliances, and this
again would bring out prudent habits; for very few had
such a quantity of funds as to be able to live up to the extent
of their means and then to supply themselves with those
things ; and this would teach them to bring things into a
compass ; it would bring them to think on what they wanted ;
and by that means they would see the importance of a saving
habit. His lordship had well remarked on the popular vice
of the English nation ; it was by their own indulgence that
they had brought on the nation a great stigma and by so
doing they had placed themselves iu a position that they
had not been able to provide against the dark and evil day
by indulging too freely in the pleasures of the present mo-
ment. But there was another thing connected with this
question, for when a man began to improve himself he
would seek home ; he would not go and spend time in folly
and vice, but would seek home, where he would usefully
employ the hours he had to spare. (Hear, hear). They had
only to think on such a man as Stephenson the engineer,
or of J. Gough, the great temperance advocate, (applause).
in order to show them what might be done by persevering
self-culture. (Hear, hear.) Even a man who might have
been brought down to the lo west stage of degradation,
might be raised up, and stand himself amongst those who
were ornaments and blessings to their country. (Applause.)
When a man saw the importance of those things, he began
to see what his family wanted, and what he himself wanted
in times to come, by not living beyond his income, but by
saving something from his hard earned gains, he might be
enabled to provide against the evils of sickness; and if death
came, that he might not leave his widow and children pen-
nyless and fatherless on the world. (Hear, hear.) He
(Mr. Kegg) should wish to mention one or two cases in
which men had raised themselves to positions in society by
provident habits. There was one man living, an American,
the great showman, Barnum, who bought a museum with-
out a penny in his pocket. What did he do ? He lived on
bread and cheese that he might be enabled, by self-denial, to
attain a position in society. (Hear.) It was only by this
continued exercise of self-denial, that the working dassps
would be enabled to raise themselves. (Heal', hear.) And,
then, here came the Insurance society, and they offered the
lever by which the poor and industrious man might provide
for the dark hour ; and then, when he left the world, his
happiness, next to the safety of his own soul, whould be in
the thought that his family were provided for when he was
no longer amongst them. (Applause.)
' The resolution was then put, and carried unanimously.
Mr. JOHN SMITH proposed the next resolution, which, he
said, merely expressed a truism. yet one which well deserved
to be propagated in the world. Having stated the general
priciples upon which he attended the meeting, there was so
much room for good, and such a necessity for doing it, they
should co-operate with each other in every way they could to
make the working-man think for himself and family, and
not always to be spending the last farthing in momentary
pleasure. He used the word gentleman—he liked to use
the word —for the humblest labourer was a gentleman if he
conducted himself properly. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Smith)
conceived he was a rich man who, from 20s. a week saved
one or two; and that he was poor who had £lO,OOO a year,
and spent £ll.OOO. (Hear, hear.) The one was degraded
and obliged to ask for favours; whilst the other found him-
self rich, and able to do good amongst his neighbours ; and
for his family and himself, in his old age he could do won-
ders. (Applause.) The first beginning was a great matter.
Let them begin, and feel they have a little savings bank,
and they would find comfort and happiness in it, which, up
to that time, they had never known. He remembered well,
in Clayton square, when a young chap, whose head was as
black as it was then white, standing by a ship-carpenter,
listening to an election. Re said, " Well, Charles, you
are a jolly fellow," and I am sure you drink a lot of grog.
Charles in reply stated, he was not a drunken man; but
admitted, besides his allowance, he had several glasses of
rum, and which he considered was not drinking too much.
He Mr. Smith) then asked him what he was saving for his
family, and his reply was, what could he save out of 4s. 6d.
per day ? and he was not always employed ; and if he
put a shilling or sixpence by, it came to nothing.
He showed him that sixpence a day was £9 2s. 6d. per year,
and that the amount would secure £4OO at his death if he
died the next day. (Applause). He had no idea that 6d.
was such a powerful aid, and still less idea how it could
realise a sum of £4OO to a person at his age. He wished
the lower classes would all see this, and by adopting it
become some of the higher classes. (Hear, hear). He re-
membered receiving a small premium from a working man
some time ago. A few days since the same man came to
pay him for his second year, and he said, "to tell you I am
happy, and a better man ; for I feel if I go to-morrow my
children are not destitute." He (Mr. Smith) thought it
was of the utmost importance that every man should lay up
something' for the morrow. Who knew who might be called
away before a week; but whoever insured, he obtained by a
physical and philosophical arrangement, the length of an
average life for the support of his family. (Hear, hear).
Payments were made on the averages. He cautioned them
against the indiscriminate giving of charity, and for this
great reason:—Many were so uneducated to act from a right
motive in all cases, and it was well known some of the
noblest charities in this land produced the very poverty
which they were intended to relieve. (Hear, hear). They had
a ladies charity, and they knew poor people lived down
to the necessity of their wives availing themselves of the charity,
whereas had there been no such thing they would have lived
differently,' and saved money for the period approaching.
(Hear, hear). So far as this went, unless it were in cases of
infirmaries for accidents, .mud iiifoi In mon with the humbler
classes who did not knim ho v to ju ige, it was difficult to say
what charities did not agir.tv i'e the evils tley were intended
to relieve. (Hear, hear). In conclusion Mr. Smith moved
the following resolution : —" Thai life assurance and friendly
societies are among the in,titutions calculated to inculcate
those habits, by proving against the want and destitution of a
family after the death of its hind."

Mr. WEAR seconded the resokution. Since entering the
room, he observed, he bad heard a great deal about the provi-
dent habits of the working classes of our native land. He re-
gretted that he could not entirely agree in all that had been
said on that point; for he had a firm and fixed opinion that no
nation on the face of the globe were so improvident as ours
He did not wish to use the expression that had been used be-
fore—he did not wish to speak invidiously; but when ho com-
pared the state of the working classes of his native land with the
position of those in other countries, he should say that we were
very far behind. But still there was one thing that they had
to say in favour of the English workmen, that go where they
would—France, Germany, or any pat of the continent what-
ever, they would find that wherever the English workman set
his font, he would find an employer who would pay him
better wages jthan he would one of his own countrymen ; but
against that, he was sorry to say, there was one fact to be
proved, and it was this—that while he would employ the Eng-
lishman because he worked harder and better, yet he would put
less trust in him, and simply on account of his im-
providence. While the Frenchinan, the German, the
Italian- all of them saved something out of their wages—
the Englishman would endeavour to live up to
the income lie enjoyed, so that the Englishman wherever be
went got a good character for work, but not for provident
habits. With regard to the business on which they were called
he had determined when he rose to go into the general prin-
ciples of life assurances, and in as few words as possible to ex-

pain them as clearly as he could. Before doing so, however,
they would allow him to make onsreniat k with regard to the
calling together of the meeting. He had no hesitation in de-
claring that the meeting had originated in London, for the
purpose of advocating the general principle of life assurances,
not only in the town of Liverpool, but in the principal towns
in the kingdom. One society alone had offered to bear the
expense of a meeting in Liverpool, where all could advocate
the cause on grounds without naming any society ; but he was
sorry to say that there, was a little jealousy existing among the
different companies, or they should have had more gentlemen
from the societies there that night. For this purpose one
gentleman—he would give his name, Mr. Gregg, of London,
—was invited to attend. He entered heartily-into the matter,
promised to be present, but for whose absence, for which neither
he (Mr. Ware) nor any other gentleman on the platform knew no
satisfactory reason, 'certain very discreditable hints have been
throwri out ; but he did not believe them. With regard to
assurance societies, he would put them under three classes.
First, life assurance companies ; secondly, friendly societies ;
and thirdly, burial clubs. He would first explain the manner
of procedure in forming a life assurance company, for he di4
not see why it should be kept from the world. Wellipfor the
formation of a company of that kind a few individuals met to-
gether. Let not their motives be misunderstood. He did not
believe that out of fifty assurance companies formed in this
kingdom, one had ever been formed from philanthropic motives.
Every formation. of such a company had something selfish at
the bottom. They were all selfish—he was selfish, the meeting
was selfish—for neither would give- their time unless their
trouble was rewarded. Well, a few gentlemen met together and
determined to form a company—he would leave their motives
alone, but it might be that they wanted situations, They take
the title of promoters, they go to the proper office and receive
their schedule, and then each party puts down his name,
address, and occupation on the schedule, as the promoter of a
certain company. Every particular of that company
would be registered—its objects, its capital, and so forth would
be registered and the fees paid. This was what was termed a
"provisional registration," and until complete registration took
place, the parties could not proceed to business.• They would
take a company for instance, with a declared capital of £lOO,
000—let it be minded a capital they never intended to get in,
for if they did they never would declare it, inasmuch as it cost
them much more to register it, but they declared such a capital
merely because Englishmen were fond of seeing a large row of
figures. (Hear, hear, and laughter). He would go further
and say that it was not necessary for a company to have a, caps,
ital at all. But before they were allowed to issue a single
policy they should shew the signatnres of different shareholders
for one fourth of the amount. He was not going to show them,
as it would occupy too much of their time, how that was
avoided. It was avoided; but he hoped the day was fast ap-
proaching when this work would not bear the light. (Applause.)
Atter complete registration a certain portion of the capital was
called in; but when they had got the certificate of com-
plete registration they were entitled to- go to work,
which they generally did by advertising and appointing agents.
Little or no notice was taken of them before they commenced
doing business. He was an advocate for new companies, be-
cause he thought there was room enough for all, but he did not
like to see a new company put down when he saw and knew
this.. No sooner, however, had a new company issued its pro-
spectus, than it was looked to. Some entered into it for the
benefit of themselves, others for the purpose of finding fault
with it ; but the first difficulty which it had to contend against,
was its rivals in the field, and then bad agents. Now for the
business of the company. The first and particular branch was
life assurances—then endowments—then annuities ; and some
companies granted loans. Having explained how life as-
surances were granted, lie showed how Companies realised large
profits, by adding slightly to the premium for the medical ex-
amination fee. Endowments were for the purpose of rendering
the fund available during life-time. A person might say; " I
want to lay by so much a year, that when I come to the age of
40 or 50, 1 may receive a fixed sum, and settle down in my old
age comfortably ;" or he might fix it for the binding of
his son as au apprentice, or a marriage dowry for
his daughter. This was an endowment, and the worst
class of business was that of loans, Here, in this town, he
would rather not touch upon that point ; but in connection
with it he would mention a fact which would rather astonish
them. They knew there were loan societies throughout
the kingdom which charged enormous rates of interest; but
with assurance companies their object was not to lend their
money to get interest, but by lending it to get business, For
when a roan borrowed £lOO, they obliged him to insure his
life for double the amount. Now, lie believed from honest
conviction, that many of the assurance companies throughout
the country were greatly improved by this loan business. One
company with which he had been connected as secretary or
manager, advertised that they would do loan business ; one
week he received from different persons through-
out the kingdom applications in the whole for
£350,000, averaging from £5 up to .£2OO. It required
an immensity of labour to wade through the security offered,
but he had no hesitation in saying that not one out of every
ten offered were responsible parties. He would advise 'every
man in the room to look well to any company with which he
connected himself if it were not on the indisputability system.
(Hear, hear.) He had a copy of the indisputable clause which
be would read for them;_ but the first company that advocated
this was established by Mr. Robertson, a Scotch gentleman,
and was sow termed the " London Indisputable Company."
one noted tor its honorable dealings with all who had connec-
tion with it. Mr. Wear then read the " indisputable" clause,
which declared that uo omission on the part of the assurer
should invalidate the policy; and showed how the absence of
this clause enabled companies to take advantage of the slightest
mistake in the age or other circumstances, to the detriment of
the wife and children, or other survivors of the assured.
Many companies traded on the chances of this; and therefore
he regarded the indisputable companies as the only ones
based on fairness and justice. Mr. Wear then alluded
to Friendly Societies, and observed that the error
with them was the want of proper calculation
for though a young man of seventeen paid but a small
premium on entering them, it was too much to require him to
pay the same quarterly subscription as the man of forty or
fifty. As to burial clubs the law would speedily interfere with
them, in consequence of the crime which they generated
among the'poor class, but extending the principle at work here,
he had even endeavoured to prevent children of fourteen years
and so being assured, because he thought it was as easy to get
rid of them tor the sake of the larger amount, as it was to get
rid of poorer children for the burial fees. Mr. Wear, in con-
clusion, again reiterated that there was business enough for all
companies, if they were properly conducted. (Applause.)
The resolution, was unanimously adopted.
In answer to a person in the body of the hall
Mr. WEAR said that the safety of a country did not consist
in its names or its extensive operations, but in the honor of its
members and its good management.
The Rev. STOWELL BROWN, who was enthusiastically ap-
plauded on his appearing on the platform towards the end of
the proceedings, was then loudly called on, but he declined
to speak, as knowing little of the subject, until the commer-
cial gentlemen present had been heard.
Mr. l'nomPsosr begged to thank the Rev. Mr. Brown for
giving him an opportunity of addressing the meeting. He ap-
peared there as the representative of a burial society, and he
had been surprised when he heard a former speaker make the
statement he had done with regard to how those societies were
conducted, as to the principles upon which they were based,
and as to how they conducted their business. He was pre-
pared to prove that they were as well conducted as any society
in existence. (Hear, hear.) It had been said that these
societies were for the purpose of raising the working-classes in
the scale of society. The burial societies did do that, and what
was more, they raised some of the very lowest. It was in the year
1840 that the firs:, burial society was established in Liverpool.
That was done by a single family enrolling their names. No
society in existence had been a greater benefit to the working
classes than that society had been. It had been the cause of
reducing the poor's rates, as there was not near the money ex-
pended out of those rates for coffins, and burial fees, as was
formerly the case. The treasurer of that society was Mr. W.
Brown, M P., and the Earl of Ha.rrowby was ono of its patrons.
F.om 1840 to 1853, that society expended no less than
£53,993 for funerals, and all that had been raised by the half
pence of the poor. Something had also been said about these
societies being calculated to assist the crime of murder ; this
he denied, and argued that it would he just as right to call all
mankind burglars, or murderers, because these c inies were
committed by the few, as it was to condemn all the burial
societies, because in a few isolated cases in the manufacturing
districts, such crimes had been committed: He denied that
there had been a single case of that description in the town of
Liverpool, and referred to the clause in the act, as amended
during the last session, which rendered it imperative for each
part to be furnished with a certificate from a medical man; or a
coroner, and if they looked over the hooks of the oldest society
they would find that in each case of death such certificate had
been furnished.

Mr. ROBERT KELLY said he knew one of these burial socie-
ties, which was conducted on the most disgraceful principles,
the committee had the sole controul of the society, and the
whole management of that society was worked with the great-
est despotism.

The REV. H. STow ELL BROWN having himself apologised
for coming forward at that late hour of the evening, said he
would detain them but a few minutes. He appeared there like
the former speaker in the character of a philanthropist, but he
did not profess to know the principles upon which those socie-
ties were based. He was a member of one of those societies,
and he trusted it was well based. It had been said that the
subject had nothing to do with religion, and that he (Mr.
Brown) ought to be minding his own business; but he consid-
ered his business was as much on that platform as it was in
the pulpit from which he preached. He then in most correct
terms pointed out the duty of mankind to be prepared agains; a
rainy day, and that day might come when it was little expected;
and having prepared for that day, by having provided for the
family, less embittered the last moments as it was known that
they would not want.

Mr. Ross again came forward, which was the signal for a ge-
neral uproar. He said : I come forward—(Hisses and confu-
sion.) I will be heard. (Laughter.)
The CitAinmAN requested that the gentlemen might have a
hearing.

Mr. Ross wished to ask Mr. Ware whether, in the forming
of these meetings, the names of higlizsounding characters, men
who had greas influence, were not placed there merely,
(Confusion.)

Mr. WAGE : You ask me. I can only say I do not think so.

Mr. JEFFERY moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, for
the ability he had displayed in presiding over this meeting. He

was sure the meeting would agree him, tint his situation had
not been, a sinecure. He offered- a few brief comments upon
the various positions taken he the' several speakers, and pro-
ceeded to say that in the year 1852, out of 65 societies proposed,
only six had been founded here. It was very clear that some
people must have been diddled out of their: cash. He thought
the interests of the public would' be promoted by an inquiry
into the subject by the legislature. . • •
Dr. TAYLOR seconded the motion, and apologised for the ab
sence of the mayor, who was engaged; or .he would, have
been there. •

The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and the meeting
separated at a quarter to eleven o'clock. '

After the chairman had vacated the chair, a persen tried to
address the meeting, impugning the judgment of Baron Alder-
son, with regard to burial societies, but was soon left by the
company.