The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-20 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL GUARDIAN SOCIETY.

The annt.al dinner of the Liverpool Guardian Society
took Mace last .night in the Angel Hotel, Dale street.
The company numbered upwards of sixty gentlemen, and
the chair-and vice chair were ably filled by Mr. John
Wrenn, President, and Mr. James Steel, Vice Pre-
sident.

Among the other 'gentlemen presint were—Messrs.
John Smith, D. Evans (soliCitor), J. Hastings, T.
Walmsley. Thomas Baty, Williain Dooley, S. Moss, Ir.
Gibson, M. Johnson, secretary to tho Leeds Society ; H.
Broom, Richard Bessingto'i, vice president of the Leeds
Society ; James Thomson, George Jones, A. Lillyman,
James Reay, secretary to the society ; J4mes Nicol,
John Sykes, Urquhart, R. Harber„-- Adamson,
R. Evans, solicitor ; J. Peinbertcin, R, Evans, R Luinb,
H. Walters, James. Wilson, solicitor ; Henry Cockerham,
Mr: Musgrove. Chesteracc.
. . _

The dinner was served with a liberality unsurpassed,
and in a manner worthy, of the reputation of the
" Angel." The attendance was most excellent—each
want having but to be expressed, when it was instantly
supplied.
After the cloth had been drawn

The President called for bumpers in which to toast
Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen. Before doing
so, however, he begged to thank theM for the high boon
which they had conferred on him in calling him for a
second time to preside over their anniversary dinner.
Ha was proud and pleased with the position, and in
return for their kindness he could only endeavour to
discharge the duties of the post to their satisfaction.
(Hear, hear.) As to the object of the toast, she was all
hat her subjects could desire—a model wife and a model
Queen. (Cheers.) He would, therefore, call on them
to drink her health in bumpers. (Cheers.)
The toast was drunk with all the honours:
The health of Prince Albert and the other mprnharr
of the royal family was drunk with like honours.
The Vice President, Mr. Steel, on rising to propose the
toast of the " Army and Navy," said he would claim the
indulgence of the company in travelling for a few
minutes out of the usual routine •f the toast. He did
think that neither the army nor the navy had justice yet
done to them. He thought that. the army should be a
profession into which their sons could enter without
disgrace—(hear, hear)—that it should be a profession
open as much as any other profession to their sons, so
that they could enter into it, and be sure of a position
in society as long as they conducted themselves well,
such as they would acquire on entering a merchant's or
manufacturer's office. (Hear, hear.) If the profession
of the army were open to the sons of the middle classes,
so that they might enter it at the lowest grade without
degradation, and not be open to the reflection now cast
upon them in the very term by which they were called—
" common soldiers"—he thought that if that degradation
were removed, and that they were made certain of pro-
motion on gocci conduct, it would go far to improve the
army, and make it a more efficient body, while at the
same time, it would relieve many trades which were now
overburthened by their sons pressing upon them.
(Hear, hear.) Improvement was also called for in the
Navy, and when those improvements were effected, the
honour of England would never be tarnished in the
hands of her soldiers and tars. (Applause.)
The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm.
Mr. John Smith, on rising to propose the health of
the members for the County and Borough, was loudly
applauded. He said, that before proceeding to the sub-
ject of the toast, he should compliment their worthy
president elect and vice president, Mr. Steel, on the
excellent and manly reform speech he had just delivered.
He agreed with Mr. Steel that the army and navy should
be open to the youth of all classes—that they should be
enabled to seek honour and distinction in these services
as in any other of the grades of the public service of the
country. (Hear, hear.) There was a monstrous anomaly
in the idea that a man should be allowed to buy a coin-
mission Ito command an army. (Hear. hear.) What
would they think of a man being allowed to buy a com-
mission to plead causes in a court? What would become
of the causes in such hands ? And. yet that was the rule
which prevailed in the army— (hear, hear)—and than
which, nothing could be more damaging or fraught with
evil. He was for free trade in the at my and navy, as in ,
everything else. Let there be competitions in the pro-
fessions as well as in the trades, and let the youth of the
country have a fair chance to earn distinction in every
branch of the public service -- (applause) and
when that was done, they might be very sure that
they would soon find the " right man in the right
place." (Hear, hear.) He was glad Mr. Steel
took up the subject in the man cer he did
and because his views in reference to it were so correct, and
so full of common sense, he hoped that Mr. Steel would
become a member of the Financial Reform Association,
and even of its council. (Hear, hear.) As regarded the
Guardian. Society, it deserved a much larger measure of
support than was accorded to it. Its operations were very
extensive, and, as they would hear from the report, its
labours had been most valuable. (Hear, hear.) It had
effected a large amount of good in defeating the schemes of
those swindlers who devised and laid out plans for the
plunder of the honest and industrious tradesman. The
society ought to number more members, and although some
thought it would be infra. dig. to solicit members, yet he
for one should be g'ad to inform his neighbours, some of
whom being newly in business in the town, were ignorant
of the existence of the society, of the advantages which
it afforde 1, and of the necessity of joining it for
their own protection. (Hear, hear.) It was one of the
characteristics of the seeiety, that the great good it did was
marked rather by the absence than the presence of facts.
The good it effected was of the negative character—it
prevented plunder, and if it were not for its cautions
thousands of pounds, would be robbed from many honest
tradesmen and others. The motto of Liverpool expressed
thankfulness for the
,rest that was given to its people, but
he was sure the society might claim some credit in preserving
that peace to the commercial community of Liverpool.
(Hear.) The only fault he had to find with the society was
its excessive cheapness. Seven and sixpence a year was
too small a sum for the advantages which the society
afforded to the members. (Hear, hear) But even with
that small sum it had its way, and had now a comfortable
balance in bank, which was a proof of good management,
when they considered the smallness of means with the large-
ness of operations. (Hear, bear.) He would be glad to see the
chief magistrate cf the town presiding over these assemblies.
(Hear, hear.) He was sure that the society would never
fail to pay due respect to municipal authorities, but on some
previous occasion there had unfortunately been some
inattention to etiquette, which led to a separ ition which he
would now like to see remedied. (Hear, hear,) He would
not say more on that point, but he would like to see among
the large body of gentlemen called the Guardian Society of
Liverpool, cud Qf which he had the honour of being the
founder, the civic head of this great borough. (Hear. hear.)
It might be done, and he thought that that estrangement
shon'd be as speedily as possible removed. (Hear, hear.)
He would wish that their anniversary dinner was held in
January, for then they would have their worthy county
members, and their two worthy borough members with
them, and who, it was desirable, should hear the observa-
tions which would be made by the secretary and the other
officers of the society as to the legislation which should be
pursued in regard to trade and commerce. In that manner
their members would receive many valuable suggestions,
which they would afterwards turn to account in their places
in Parliament. (Hear, hear.) Of Mr. Horsfall, Mr.
Ewart, and Mr. William Brown, he could not say too much
praise. They always received with courtesy and attention
the deputations of the society, and they gave their utmost
support to the efforts which were made to carry out the
Judgments and Execution Bit', and to every other measure
in which the society was interested. He was an old btager
in regard to his recollection of members of Parliament for
Liverpool, and he could honestly say that he did not
remernts2r Than 141Yerpool and ite neighbourhood were
better represented than they were now by the three
gentlemen whom he bad mentioned. cApplause.) lie did
not care one fig for party politics provided men acted up to
their professions, and honestly supported good no matter
from what side it came. When Mr. Roebuck was here he
referred to certain persons who had been so mean as to

sacrifice their independence fir petty court favours. He
wa3 very sure that whatever the history of their past mem-
bers might have been the presenrstand free from any charge
of that kind. (Hear ,bear.) He for one was proud of the
members that represented them, One of them was a merchant
Prince attached to the Tory party, but indefatigable in the
discharge of the duties of his public position. (Hear,
hear). The other was a retired merchant of the Whig
school, ((pally attentive to the duties of his position, while
Mr. William Brown, from his noble public spirit and
independence, was earning golden opinions from all shades
of men. (Applause). -They had other nullionaires among
them i but when they saw a man like Mr. grown devoting
his wealth to the noblest of purposes—the education of the
people—they felt that there was something in this world
better than personal aggrand;sement, and better
than the mere accumulation of wealth. (Applause).
In conclusion, Mr. Smith bore testimony to the zeal
of Lord Brougham for legal reform, and expressed a hope
that courts of reconcil, went would eventually be established
throughout the country. (Hear, hear.)
Ti' s toast was drunk with all the honours,
Ti....l3resident proposed the health.of tote Mayor and.the
Town Council of Liverpool. In doing so he referred to the
renewed attack on the town dues, and expressed a belief
that in resisting that nefarious proceeding the council would
be supparted heart and hand by every citizen in Liverpool.
(Hear, hear.) He did not see how the manufacture of
Manchester could be carried on without the intervention of

Liverpool ; and, while the streets of Liverpool were worn
by the traffic of Manchester, it was but just •that Manches-
ter should pay in some form or other for their repair.
(Hear, hear.) •
The toast was drunk with three times three.

Mr. Bassington proposed the health of the President and
officers of the society, and spoke in the most eulogistic
terms of all, particularly of Mr Reay, the secretary, whose
services, he said,• were beyond all praise and price.
(Applause.)
The toast having been drunk with all the honours,

The President acknowledged the compliment on behalf
of himself and colleagues.
Mr. Reay proposed the health of the officers of similar
societies with which they were connected, and coupled with
the toast the name of Mr. Johnson, the secretary -of
several societies: in Wales. He observed that 'no one was
better acquainted with Guardian Societies than he was.
There was a time at which they all arrived at the apex of
perfection, but that had not yet arrived in the case of the
Liverpool society. It was not, however, declining, but
rather the reverse (hear, hear), for last year they had more
subscriptions from members than in any preceding year.
(Cheers.) He admitted that members found fault with them
for not publishing more circulars ; but the fact was they had
net the matter to put into them. There were things,
moreover, which it would not be safe to put in any circular,
but, under any circumstances, the circulars were merely
bagatelle, composed of the information which was to be had
by refs rence to the office. There was not a week in which the
office did not save more than £l,OOO to members of the society,
for though it would be as ungenerous to put certain things
into the circulars yet parties could at once learn by personal
applicetien at the office whether A, 13, or C was an honest
man or the greatest swindler in Liverpool. (Hear ) They were
roost troubled, however, by inquiries of parties made in
behalf of correspondents, and those corresp lents
frequently lost more in one bad debt by the want of infor
mation ' which the office in Liverpool could afford them
than would pay their subscriptions to the society for many
years. That very nay an IDSLaUt:c ur flat; KIIIU uau come
under his notice. In conclusion Mr. Reay referred to the
Judgments and Execution Bill, and observed that .it was
mainly through his efforts and those of the society that
that measure was now in its present advanced position.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Johnson in suitable terms acknowledged the e
pliment.
Mr. Hastings proposed the " Town and Trade of Liver-
pool," and mentioned as an instance of the rapid progress of
Liverpool, that though he was not an'old man yet that
he remembered the building of the Prince's Dock. When
the work was first contemplated the body of pilots met at
old John Lee's public-house, and sagely declared that the
man was not born, and never would be born, who could
dock a ship at the north end of the Prince's Dock.
(Laughter.) How then had the port prospered ? (near )
Why, it was the will of God to take away these
short-sighted men—(great laughter,)—and others like
them, and their happy removal—(renewed laughter)
combined with the progress of intelligence and the increasing
energy of the people, raised the town to it present enviable
position. What town, he would ask, did more for the
prosperity of the country than Liverpool ? (Hear, hear.)
Nut one ; and if Manchester, jealous of their success, wished
to take the property which legitimately belonged to Liver-
pool, the people of Liverpool would give it up on being
paid the legitimate value for it. (Loud chee rs.)
Oa no other terms would they surrender the
town duns, and if the dues were wrested from them by
violence, he would not guarantee the crown of England to
Queen Victoria, or the estates of Lord. Derby to his lordship.
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) No such outrage as that con-
templated by the people of Manchester would be permitted
to take effect, but it was the duty of the people of Liver-
pool to resist the attack at the outset by every means in
their power. (Cheers )
The toast was drnnk with great enthusiasm.
Mr. James Thomson responded. He hoped that the
Manchester people would soon see the folly of their ways,
and if not, that they would be jolly well beaten. (Hear,
hear, and laughter.)
Mr. Pemberton then, in very eulogistic terms, proposed
the health of the Messrs. Evans, the solicitors to the
society.
The toast was drunk with three times three.

Mr. D. Evans acknowledged the compliment. He
regretted that ill health prevented him from being present
at the law conference in London ; for he believed,
without egotism, that, from his long experience,he colld
give some suggestions which would be worthy of con-
sideration. He had, however, put his thoughts on
paper and forwarded them to the conference, and
he hoped that they would not be without their
effect. ( Hear, hear.) Mr. Evans then briefly
referred to the anomalies of our legal system, particularly
as regards courts of bankruptcy and insolvency, and pro-
posed to remedy their evils by the establishment of one
court possessed of their combined jurisdiction, which,
however, should be exercised under different regulations
to those existing at present. The toast of the " Lancashire
Witches" was then proposed by Mr. Lillyinur, and met
with a fi'ting reception.
The company soon afterwards separated.

Subjoined is the report of the society for the past
year :

REPORT.

Your committee, in presenting the thirty-fourth annual
report, have much pleasure in announcing the continued
successful operations of the society. Your sub com-
mittee met twelve times during the year, and have
issued the usual circulars containing the names of one
hundred persons guilty of actual or attempted fraud. The
sub-committee, while congratulating the members on =the
diminution of the number of persons circulat ed, have to
regret that many cases of a suspicious character have
come under their notice requiring great care and watch-
fulness, and have been recorded in the books of the
society for the use of the members making enquiries, and
the committee are glad to find that the members still
avail themselves of this invaluable department of the
society's operations to an increased extent, by which
means bad debts to a very considerable amount have been
avoided during the past year. Facilities for extending
enquiries are still being increased, and the committee
earnestly urge upon the members to continue their refer-
ences to this office, in the event of their receiving orders
from strangers either in Liverpool or any part of the
country. In four cases the sub-committee have granted
the usual allowance to oppose fraudulent debtors applying
for the benefit of the Insolvent Debtors' Act, all of which
cases were successful. Your committee have had many
subjects of a public nature under their consideration
during the past year, the most important of which were
the following, namely :—The County Counts Bill, the
Judgments and Execution Bill, and the London Confer.
ence for the Amendment of the Law.
The County- Courts Bill.—ln May last, the bill, intituled
" The County Courts Act Amendment," then before
Parliament, was brought under the notice of your corn-
mittee, and its various clauses considered. Deeming
this'a good:opportunity to bring under the notice of the
parties promoting the bill the complaints so frequently
made as to the large fees exacted in these courts, together
with matters of practice affecting the proceedings, your
president and secretary were deputed to go to London on
the subject. Your deputation waited Upon the
Earl of Ifarrowby, where they met a deputation from
the Liverpool solicitors; finding their views coin-
cided in many particulars with those of the committee,
they acted together, and were received by the Earl of
liarrowby with his usual courtesy, whom they found
favourable to the views of the united deputations, but
being connected with the ministry, from whom the bill
emanated, his lordship could not give any promise of
support to the amendments. At a subsequent period the
deputation waited by appointment upon the Lord Chan-
cellor, who promised to take their representations into
consideration ; the result was that ultimately several of the
suggestions were adopted; whereby many of the clauses
were improved, and a reduction in the fees effected, and
the Apt, as amended, received the royetl assent on the 29th
of July.
Judgments and Execution Bill.—This bill, introduce I
by Mr. Craufurd, M.P., was intended to make judgments
obtained in England available in Scotland and Ireland,
and judgments obtained in either of the two latter coml.
tries available in England, and thus obviate the bringing
of fresh actions, in case of the removal of the defendant.
Your deputation seeing the importance of this bill, did all
in their power, by interviews with members of parliament
and other influential parties, to promote its passing.
The bill unfortunately met with much opposition
from the Scotch and Irish members, which retarded its
progress to the close of the session, and ultimately it was
withdrawn. Mr. Craufurd has again introduced the same
bill into thp nonse of Comramis, with every prospect of its
passing, sanctioned as it has been by the late conference
for the amendment of the law, and the committee reeorn.
inend that the early attention of their successors be
directed to this measure,
Amendment of the Commercial Law.—ln January
last, your committee had under their consideration a
circular from Lord Brougham, announcing a pro-
posed conference, to be held in 4ondon on the
27th and following days, suggested by the London
Society for Promoting the Amendment of the Law,
and inviting a deputation to attend from this society.
Lord Brougham's circular was accompanied by a pro.
gramme of the subjects to be discussed at the meeting,
which were as follows :-Ist—The Law of Bankruptcy;
2nd—The Law of Partnership; 3.-41—The Law of Mer-
chant Shipping ; 4ht—TheLaw of Principal and Agent ; eth
The Statute of Frauds, as regards contracts ; 6th—The
Law of Banking ; 7th—The assimilation of the Commer-
cial Law of England, Ireland, and Scotland ; and Bth
Tribunals of Commerce. The committee, considering
the members of the society deeply interested in all
these matters, especially the law of bankruptcy,
Insolvency, Registration of Partnerships, Assimilation of
the Laws, Private assignments for the benefit of Credi-
tors, and the Law of Coverture, instructed your solicitors,
Messrs. Evans & Son, to draw up a report thereupon, and
to suggest such amendments in the law affecting each
subject as theyirnight deem expedient."- On the 2nd Feb.,

the solicitors' report was read to the committee, and ap-
proved ; when it was determined to send a deputation,
consisting of the. President and the Secretary, to the
proposed conference, to advocate the views of the com-
mittee. Accordingly,the deputation attended the meeting
and on their return Made a written report of the proceed-
ings, speaking highly of the advantages likely to accrue
therefrom, concluding in the following words Your
deputation cannot conclude this report without expressing
their opinion upon the incalculable imnortance of the
conference just concluded, believing that the result'of it
will be the reformation of the laws visibly affecting the
interests of those whom the deputation had the honour of
representing."
Debt Department.—The committee beg to announce
that the debt department still progresses satisfcterily,
and that bad and doubtful. debts to a considerable amount
have been recovered during the past year, and the com-
mittee recommend the continuance of this department.

. _
-Annual Subscription.—ln conclusion, the committee
recommend that the annual subscription be continued
7s, for members residing within the Pargamentary
boundary of the borough, and lOs for members residing
beyond the boundary, to defray extra postages.
From the statement of the accounts, it appeared that
the balance at the banker's amounts to £3OB 3s. sd.