The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-19 00:00:00

pomeased of
skilled, but at
from the body of
defend the maintenance
when it is in their -

great majority 0.
capacity and capable al ma
rveled by Mr. GLanatfilizirlfh a.._
denying to men who rally were superior .
portunity of benefitting themselves by doing better
or more work for higher wages, they reply
that the rule only establishes a minimum, and
makes no difficulty in the way of any special
advance being given to a particular workman. They
thought, also, that the recognition of • minimum
had a tendency to prevent speculative competition
among masters by affording a permanent beds
foe their calculations. Finally, on the question
of piece-work there was a general disclaimer
of its being objected to in trades which permitted
its being fairly applied, and the only objections to
it were that in certain trades it afforded oppor-
tunities for ",camping," and allowed inferior men
and inferior work to supplant or cut down the
higher elms.
What will strike the reader of this discussion
perhaps most forcibly is the want of general agree-
ment among the trades themselves whenever
they come to the question of details applicable
to each particular employment. The object of all
it the same, it is to obtain the best wages for the
shortest hours of work. But there seems
a great diversity in the methods resorted to
to attain the end, and even in each trade
local societies sometimes adopt principles which
are repudiated by the central bodies. Thus
Mr. WNAMARA, a plasterer, entirely disclaimed a
rule which was cited by Mr. OLsnevown from the
code of a country union to the effect that none but
plasterers should be allowed to do whitewashing.
Again, while piece work is fully recognised in some
trades there was a general agreement that in every case
a superior workman ought in some sort of way to be
allowed the means of rising above the level of his
fellows. Such discussions, resulting in such admis-
sions, cannot but be profitable most of all to the in-
dividuals interested in supporting Trades Unions.
Brought into a position where they must clearly
state, in presence of an audience that is not un-
friendly, but fairly critical, the notions that
have been brooding in their minds in
the crude form of sentiments and wishes rather
than principles, they will come to see the practical
objections to them, and the practical methods by
which their desires can be more legitimately
carried into effect. Mr. Perrrea half acknow-
ledged this when in his concluding remarks he
urged that the root of improvement in the work-
man's position lay in the advancement of juvenile
education and in the removal of surplus labour by
emigration. That is a nearer approach to sound
political economy than trades' unionists have ever
yet made, and Mr. GLADSTONE has rendered an in-
finite service to the members of these bodies in
helping them to see, rather than in attempting to
teach them, these great truths.

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY

feet ready to commence, up rose Arc deacon
I Gan= to propose a rider, by which the compromise
just effected would, as Dean AL/ORD subsequently
contended, be undone. Archdeacon Diewnsow
strenuously supported, in the character of
seconder, this ingenious movement, though Arch-
daimons SKEW! and Kimmins, both of whom
approved of the Synod, protested. Dr. BlM-
summit himself, the bland and judicious Pro-
locutor, supported, as chairman, Archdea-
con DINISON and his too hasty friends.
When reminded of the unfairness of the

proceeding, the Prolocutor so far lost
his customary equanimity as to stigmatise
as " contumacious" those who had left the House
before all the business of the day was over—but
for this expression he afterwards apologised, saying
that he had only used it in a " convocational
" sense." Happily for the peace of all concerned,
the attempt was at last abandoned, and the com-
promise allowed to stand. It roust be confessed
that any dignity which may have been wanting to
the sittings of the Pan-Anglican Synod has not
been at present supplied by Convocation.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

The Daily News says it is scarcely possible that
she pluck of even the Stanley. can enable Lord Derby to
continue to hold the premiership, and asks who, after him,
will have authority to control the rebellious spirits
amongst his party both in and out of the ministry.
Whether, in the event of Lord Derby's retirement, any-
one could now control them, our contemporary does not
venture to affirm ; but if anyone can, it is Lord Stanley, end

therefore it is likely that the reconstitution of the cabinet
will involve his promotion to a seat in the Roue of Lords.
But then the question arises as to whether his lordship
should go to the upper house as First Lord of the 'Treasury,
or still as Foreign Secretary ; and this involves the further
question, whether Mr. Disraeli or Lord Stanley shall be
the head of the government as well as the leader of the
party. The majority in the tory ranks would soon be able
to decide between the son of an aristocratic house, and the
parvenu politician who has made his way only by his
brains ; but then tory wishes will go for very little. Mr.
Disraeli is master, and may have what he chooses, bat if Lord
Stanley's premiership should be insisted on by the squires,
it is far from improbable that Mr. Disraeli would
gracef ally yield rather than break up the government.
Our contemporary, however, urges that there are many
reasons which make it always desirable that the leader of
the government should be in the House of Commons, and
Lord Stanley must follow the cranspk of his father, who
virtually insocambed to Mr. Disraeli, if he hopes to main-
tain the same success, for Mr. Disraeli must be the real
leader of the government
The Standard says it is with • feeling akin to remorse,
that conservatives are forced to believe that Lord Derby's
health has given way under labours which be undertook
for their sake, not for his own. The rest of the remarks of
tie Standard are exclusively in stamp of Lord Derby's
public services and private character, without reference to
the political position which his retirement will render
vacant

The Herald thinks it premature to sum up Lord Derby's
claims upon the gratitude of the country. That duty may
be moot becomingly discharged when the services of the
conservative statesmen are completed. In the meantime
it is sure that it echoes the hopes aid wishes of the public)
generally, in trusting that Lord Derby may be long spared
to lead the conservative party, and to direct the national
Vag.

PANIMLITS ON IRELAND.

The Times, in criticising in a friendly tone Lord BIUMIIII'S
pamphlet on Ireland, says it is especially distinguished
from Mr. Mill's production on the same 'object by the pecu-
liarity that it is the production, not of a doctrinaire, but of
a practical 'Warman. His lordship argues that in Ireland,
owing to the excessive demand for lend and the want of
independence among farmers, tenants need • special pro-
tection, and he therefore adopts and defends the principle
common to the bills of Mr. Fortemue and Lord Mayo, but
he protests by anticipation against the sweeping interfe-
rence with the rights of property contemplated by Mr. Mill
The passage in which he describes the inevitable effect of
creating in Ireland • vast number of small proper es.—
of which, moreover, experience shows that • tarp proper,
tlon would pass into the hands of needy Dublin specula-

tors—exhibits • thorough insight into the fell•ies of
tenant-right. The most serious objection to his moons-
mendation of a triple endowment in the church question
is that the endowment would be practically independent
of parliamentary control ; but it would not be impassible
to modify this arrangement. The Timer is disposed to
agree with Lord Russell meanwhile that the plan would
be accepted by the general body of Homan catholic&
Returning to Mr. Mill's pamphlet, the Daily News re-
marks that among the fine reflections which it will awaken
in a reader who is neither • landlord nor a democratic
socialist, but • moderately prejudiced Englishman, will be
one of regret that the most eminent of cur seenomists
should see no remedy for the state of Ireland
but one which is of all others most unlikely to
be adopted. The chief present benefit to be ex-
pected from the pamphlet is the diffusion of truthful
views concerning the radical and national character
of Irish discontent, of which Fenianism la the latest
manifestation. It will be very meek if the plan gets •
fair and candid consideration ; and it certainly abates from
the revolutionary character of its recommendations that
they involve little more than the adoption for Ireland of
what is more or less the practice in nearly every country
of Europe.

The Telegraph forbears any decisive comment on Mr.
Mill's views, only migrating that the revolution would
cause mush individual suffering in the period of transition,
and that Irish catholic,' would oppose the appropriation
of the church funds to secular ednoation shoos* as much
as they oppose the present appropriation. Mut, apart
from minor points, the whole publication is a noble plea
for justice, uttered by our greatest thinker, on one of the
most difficult questions of the day.
The Stor wee a remarkable difference in tone between
Mr. Mill's declaration of policy and Earl linseell'a. The
former is eager to expunge the shame which our oppreesion
of Ireland has stamped upon the English name. The
latter is desirous to aecomplish`the same end, but he has
to be forced to action ; he is terrified at the obstacles which
bust his path, and he meets every difficulty with a make-
shift scheme. Mr. Mill's views promulgated at the present
crisis cannot fail to give politicians much matter for
thought. Some may think them rash, but all mutt admit
that they are courageously and clearly stated, and ably
reasoned out.

PIIIVATI BILL

Dimming the motions submitted by Mr. Dodson to
the House of Commons yesterday, and which here already
appeased in the Express, the Tim thinks the quartoa
will anon be whether it is desirable that parliament shosid
mem lb "antral over private bill legislation •t all.
The:witree of events tends to take it •way. It is not
long dna. • separate private bill was aetteesary
to naturalise every alien ; now it Is done by •
department No lairds(' could be disoolved with.
oat a private bill ; now it is done by • court
of law. No powers of sale or of leasing could
be given 60 the life tenants or of settled
estates an by • private bill ; now they are oonferred by
the Herari of Ohimary. A esenray maid nee be lance
parried, and it. mambas could not safety the privilep
limited liability, except by • private bill or royal
charter ; • general enactment now emblem any seven
persons to form themdsts into ea metal= with
reprisal seromica and limited Lability. Mvaicipel
meporstioas and looal beards exercise oompulaary
powers, under the supervision of the HomicoMoe,
which could be obtained but lately only by spp(•l epeet.

bringing in dikosibl even molaiiitiain. • y
et keel enelcient purpfuef manakin'. that 41 '!•• 1
of non-tmioniita, the unionia6l4. would *bog •
sintenanoe of a um of filigm, was entigh ; titer :
heir power, IpY thlimament tlllli lam Timely been .. may n ?- y,
of men are at equal physical and none but a few of tip More
capable ot mpg skill ; and when members were left. This was \ln opportunity
Gaanatilm inipolley of not to be loin. Accordingly, when the mover
in who may were superior the op- of the " dilapidation*" question was an hie