The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-08 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS AND

MR. DOULTON.

The weekly meeting of the Metropolitan Board
of Works was held yesterday, at their oboes, in Spring-
garden.' ; Sir J. nitrates in the chair. Mr. Howe brought
up the report from the special committee ot.the whole
board which was appointed to consider the allegations
against Mr. Doulton, M.P. for Lunboth, in reference to
the Furness contract the Thames *nbankment. The
report lad been printed and copies supplied to each mem-
ber of the beard. A long dimmed= took place in re-
ference to printing aid diatnieetiai the evidence, but items
ultimately agreed that the amid/nos should not be issued
until a notice of motion given by Colonel Hogg, in
Yon thereto, was considered at the next meeting. The char-
ism said they would then proceed to the general question.
Mr. Silas Taylor then moved the resolution of which he
had given notice :—" That this board, having 'nye.
the evidencestf Mr. Furness, giveu before the registrarifft
Bankruptcy Court on oath, and adhered to by himisse of
opinion that the statements made by him have been
proved." He (Mr. S. Taylor) bad paid great attention to
the evidence, and he could oome to no other ocieclosion
than this, that the statements made by Mr. Furness bad
been fully proved. and there lied been no contradiction at
all to them. It had bee, asked •by several members if
Mr. Doulton bad any of the money ; bat that was not for
them to Inquire into ; but it was quite clear that be had
something to do in reference to the matter. It was in the
power of Mr. Doulton to have cleared up the matter,
but in consequence of something that was said in the
Lambeth vestry he refused to come forward. There was
a feeling out of doom that Mr. Mutton would not have
made himself reopened& for 9,0001. unless be had an in-
terest is the platter, and therefore he came to the con-
clusion that the charges against him bad been fully
proved. Mr. Shaw seconded the motion. Mr. La Breton
moved an amendment to the effect that, having con-
sidered the allegation. made by Mr. Furness as affected
Messrs. Doultoo and Roche, they find that the terms on
which the sureties became bound for the performance of
the work were negotiated by Mr. Doulton, and that
though part of the consideration passed through his hands,
he denies having retained any portion for his own benefit ;
die admitted the sureties received and appropriated the
• whole. That Mr. Roche, who was not the standing
'soli-
sitar for the Granite Company, but engaged especially for
the occasion, while the acceptance of the tender of Mr.
• Femme was pendisgamfore the Mew* obtained *Written
I agreement from him to purchase from that company, on
eselain specified tetbs; any Mande which might be re-
' lentielilliathe weed s: -and that it was stipulated in such
agreement that Mr. Doialtoa should be the referee in cam
of any disputes between the parties. Mr. Roche has stated
that be acted merely in a professional capacity, and such
statement is proved correct by letters, de And
that the board deprecate. the taking part by its
members in business transaction as derogatory, /%.c.
Mr. Clarke seconded the amendment. Mr. Hone said he
trusted that neither the motion nor the amendment would
be pressed, as there were net facts before the board to
justify them in coming to a conclusion. It would be un-
wise to do so, and he could not go to the extent of the
amendment. Other members having spoken, there were
loud cries for an adjournment of the discussion, and that
question was put, and negatived. Mr. Doulton
then rose, and spoke at considerable length.
He denied that there was any evidence in support of the
statement that a sum of money was paid to a member of
the board, end that member by virtue of his influence got
a contractor a contract from the board ; and there was
not one of their body bold enough to make that state-
ment that be (Mr. Doultea) had received any of the money
nitto the parties for becoming surety to Mr.
er. He used no influence whatever, di-
rectly or indirectly, in his obtaining the contract,
and he now declared that there was not one atom of truth
in the allegations made against him. The evidence con-
tented a distinct statement from the two gentlemen who
became the sureties that they received the whole of the
money, end that he had not had one penny of the money
in any shape or wry. The chairman, after some further
discussion, put the motion, when there appeared—For the
amendment, 15; against it, 15. The chaanuan gave his
essting vote in favour of the amendment, and then vacated
the chair, which was taken by Mr. Savage. It
was afterwards found that Mr. Seven's name had not
been recorded, and the chairman ruled that it
must be inserted, which negatived the amendment.
Some other amendments were moved, and great disorder
prevailed. Eventually the original motion was put, and
seven voted for it and twenty against it, so that no
decidoa whatever was come to upon the subject, although
it had been dimmed for upwards of fire hours. Mr.
Doulton handed in a protest against the proceedings which
hail been taken, and taking exception to the way in which
they bad been conducted. A motion was then made that
it be mitered in the minutes, to which Mr. Richardson
moved an amendment that the protest do lie on the table,
and that the receipt of it be not recorded in the minutes ;
which was put and carded by 15 to 6. After sitting seven
hours the board adYournad.

MR. GIAISTOIfI AND THI LABOUR QUESTION. -
Colonel Minds, the boa. morstary of the Free Labour
Registration Society, addressed the following letter to
Mr. Gladstone :—" Sir,—As I see by your letter to Mr.
George Potter that your only object la to inform yourself
upon this most imports t subject, and that for this par-
pas you have consented to receive a deputation of
unionists to state their views of the ease, I would respect-
f ally suggest to you that you should, either on that or
mac subsequent early day, bear the other side from men
of the same clam ; and for this purpose I respectfully offer
to you the services of five artisans to Task upon the five
points touched upon by Mr. Potter's clients. I have the
honour to forward to you • copy of our annual
report, which will perbarr explain to you the obitat
of our society better the limits of a
I letter will allow." To this Mr. Gladstone replied
BB follows Rawarden, Jan. 31, 1868. Sir,—You have
net been quite correctly informed about the deputation
which lam to motive on the 18th. The member, of it
come to me to contend against certain propositions which
I have laid down. This can only be done TIM met In-
formation of the principles of their system apart from this
controversy I should have requested to receive in writing ;
and 1 shall be most happy to receive any such informa-
tion in that form from times in whose behalf you sot.
I cordially wish well to those combinations of working
men which separate the benefit society from the rttlea re-
stricting biboor, and wish well to all who object to such
rules when they interfere with individual freedom. In
many came I rejoice to see among the working classes a
reaction against much that belongs to trades unions. But.'
ma lintinimedwith the belief that thiannotion,tobs healthy,
mad be spontaneous, and that if it appear to depted
on the petrousge or pecuniary aid of employers, or of the
upper class, it will never thrive. It is on this account
that I have not cannected myself with any such move-
ment I appredste the motives of those who act other-
wise; yet I skink the point to which I have referred
*mad not be loot sight of. Forgive this intrusion.—l re-
, mitt, sir, year faithful servant, W. IL Giapirront"
The seeretary has promised to send the right hon. gentle-
man • statement of their views as desired ; and asserts
that the Free Labour Society has bees formed by working
men spontaneously, and does not, in the slightest defiles,
owe its existence to employees or capitalists.
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