The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-18 00:00:00

DISTRESS OP THE LABOURING POOR.

Mr. CONNal] tl;lli,r;l7.o6lllCirtilatil; 11102 1,0001. be
voted by the court towards a general fund for the relief of
the suffering poor of the City of London, inclusive of the
coalwhippers and fellowship porters, the same to be placed
at the disposal of the Coal, Cora, and Finance Committee,
and that the citizens generally be invited to contribute to
the amount to be distributed. He said he felt gratified that
the court had allowed the motion to be taken out of its
order, and he felt assured that the matter was one which
would commend dealt to every member, and that it was
quite unnecessary for him to go into the subject at any
length. They were all aware of the great and almost ge-
neral distress that prevailed at the present moment among
the labouring classes owing to the inclemency of the
weather ; and he was sure that in this court, which was
perhaps celebrated above all other things for its sympathy
for distress and a desire to alleviate it, he should have
no difficulty on the present occasion in inducing it to
come forward. and alleviate that wide-spread misery
which unhappily prevailed at the present moment in the
City of London. He had himself been that day to some
of the waterside districts, and he could assure the court
that the state of destitution in which large numbers of
working men were placed was quite dreadful to witness.
He bad also received a letter from the. Rev. Mr. Atherton,
the incumbent of St. dames's pariah, Ratcliffe, in which he
stated that in that neighbourhood the state of' distress was
so great, that moor shops where provisions were sold had
been plundered, and that a great many other shops were
being closed by their owner., for fear they should be simi-
larly treated.
Mr. Cocagarit. seconded the motion, and said he felt it
uto add anything to what had been stated by
lr, .61.7=471, as he was sure that every member of the
court must be aware of the great amount of distress that
prevailed. They all knew how his lordship and his
brother aldermen, in their magisterial capacity, had exerted
themselves to alleviate this distress, and be felt assured
that this court. would not be behindlmod with them in such
• matter. He could bear testimony from his own know-
ledge to the great distress that prevailed among the coal.
whippers, and their committee had voted 400 f. for their
relief, which was all that the state of their ficances allowed
them to otter, but this sum was quite insufficient for the
required purpose.
Deputy Elixir'r proposed as an amendment that 1001. per
week be granted by the court for the purposes stated in
the motion so long as the frost lasted.
Mr. JOURSON seconded the motion.
The original motion for the grant of 1,0001. was put to the
court, rod carried bye large majurity.
It was then proposed and seconded and carried magi-
mouldy, that the Chamberlain should be appointed treasurer
to receive the contributions of the public in aid of the grant.
The LORD 31 A I'OR subsequently announced that the Coal,
Coro, and Finances Committee would meet in the evening, at
the Mansion-bouse, ter consider what steps should at roes
be taken to carry out the views of the court in alleviating
the existing distress.
A report was made by the Law, Parliamentary, and City
Court. Committee, by which it appeared that a rule nisi
had been obtained in the Court of k:xchequer. afflict upon
the authorities of the Lord Mayor's Court to show Cause
end establish their right under the proem of that court to
attach property about to be shipped abroad.
Mr. Cox said that the privilege of attaching such
property was a very important one claimed by the Lord
Mayor's Court ; and it was very necessary that the corne-
r-410u should support their rights. He moved that the
matter be ref back to the committee to take lap! ad-
vice, and adopt any • they might consider ems.,
glary to r.:ppert the richt,. of e rerv.rat; on.
The court shortly afterwards adloarted.