Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-02 00:00:00

WORKTIOUSE COMMITTEE.

Tha proceecling3 Z.; read, from which
it appears that the vagrant shed 4, had been occupied daring
the re4k ending the 25th ult., by 310 males, 79 fern/ties.
and 24 children, in all 419. The number in the workhouse
on the 25th ult. was 2,433, and there was 020 in
the sick wards, of which, 29 were fever, and 44 itch
lases.

The minutes of the committee also referred to the ap-
pointment of storekeeper, a situation to which a salary of
£BO a year, with board, rations, &c., attaches, and which
is at present vacant. There had been 91 applications
received for the bituation, from which the committee had
selected three, those of Messrs. BircL, Robinson, and
Troy. A very irregular and rambling discussion took place,
relative to the necessity of reading testimonials of the
candidates selected, several members of the board
declaring that they knew nothing whatever of
the respective merits of the persons named. Finally, a
divisicn took place, which resulted in a decision upon the
casting vote of the chairman, that the testimonials of the
three parties mentioned should be read. Accordingly, a
number of documents were read, recommending the three
persons named. It appeared that Mr. Troy had been
employed in several large wholesale shops in Liverpool ;
Mr. Robinson had been clerk and storekeeper in several
workhouses in the south of Ireland including those of
Fernley and Scariff; and Mr. Birch ha ! been engaged as
storekeeper in the service of the East India Company. A
vote having been taken, there appeared :—For Mr. Birch,
19 votes ; Mr. Robinson, 2 ; Mr. Troy, none. Mr. Birch
'was therefore declared elected to the office.

The proceedings of the committee were confirmed.
TADUSTPIAL SCHOOLS COM3IITTEIL

It appeared from the minutes of the committee that on
the 23rd ult. there were 960 inmates in the industrial
schools, of which 43 were sick cases, including three suf-
fering from it-h.
Mr. Smith moved that the proceedings of this committee
be confirmed, which, after a short consideration, was
agreed to. FINANCE CeififlTTEE.

Mfr. B4irstow in moving the confirmation of the pro.
eeedirgs stated that the expenses of the past week had
been £53 more than in the same week of last year, and
£2B more than the previous week, owing to the distress
which prevailed throughout the town. Mr. Bairstow abo
mentioned that an application was made to the committee
by Mr. Hughes for permission to witt.draw his resignation,
which the committee did not feel justified in granting.
Mr. Denton stated that within the last day or two the
amount of destitution appeared to have lessened. He re-
marked that the resolution in Mr. Hughes' case had been
carried by a majority of only one—the casting vote of the
Chairman.

Mr. Bairstow denied that statement. Mr. Byers urged
that the board should give some emphatio expression of
their opinion aq to what ought to be done under the circum-
stances in which the town was at present placed. He was
given to understand that the destitution at present existing
in the town had never been equalled before. Two circum-
stances especially struck him as remarkable. One circum-
stance was the patience under suffering of the poor crea-
tures. The other was the total want, apparently, among
the higher classes of society, of any sympathy with the
poorer classes. He was as'onished to find that soup
kitchens had not yet been opened.
Cnainues : They are opened. That shows your want of
inform ation.

Mr. &eine was vary glad to hear it, but a day or two
ass a minister connected with the noinestic Mission told
him that such was not the case. At that time the minister
pictured to him a state of horror such as he never wished
to witness in the town of Liverpool. He pictured to him
one scene alone which convinced him that the distress was
beyond measure, and he did think some great effort should
be made at once for the relief of the suffering poor. He
would, theieforo, suggest to every gentleman there, and to
these who were outside, that they ail ought to do their
part in the employment of the poor. Even in the way of
luxury something might be done for this object. A green
field might be turned into a gar!en, a hot-house might be
made, and some labour thus employed by those who could
afford it. He reminded the vestry of the tumults which
took place in the town three years ago, and which a little
timely diffusion of employment might have prevented.
Mr. CROPPER stated that there were two soup kitchens
open, one in the north end of the town, and one in the
south, where a quart of soup could be bought for a half-
penny, and any gentleman could have as many tickets to
dispose of as he pleased.
Mr. Sykns said his informant spoke to him on Saturday.
Mr. Cnoreza said he saw soap given out himself on
Friday, and he knew that it was given out on Thursday.
A member remarked that there we:e placards posted all
over the town announcing the fact,
The CHAIRMAN begged to inform Mr. Byers that there
was no want of sympathy whatever. There had been two
meetings already held, committees appointed, and collec-
tions ma-se. He should be most happy, as one of the
committee, to receive Mr. Suers subscription.
Mr. BYERS said he hoped he had never been found back-
ward in ailing such objects.
Mr, Jecesoer said there was a means of earning some-
thing iu connection with that Board. He believed men
could earn something like is 6cl a day by stone breaking,
and women might have employment at the mills, by which
they could obtain money and bread in case of extremity.
He was happy to know that the Mayor and the magistrate:,
with other gentlemen of the town, had been continuoue y
and actively employed in a quiet and unostentatious manner
for some time, not only in meeting the present emergency
but in preparing for a yet greater emergency which was
expected He, for one, should be very sorry that public
relief should take the form it did some years ago. At that
time, many individuals with the best intentions were
employed as visitors and distributors, who were grievously
imposed upon. (Hear, hear.) It was far better, that
whatever was done for the poor should be done through
sgencies and channels which were not likely to be so
deceived. The Strangers' Friend Society, and other
institutions of a similar character, were engaged in distri-
buting food, clothing, coals, and money, and he thought
the pubic ought to aid these institutions by all the means
in their power. Three years ago, the efforts which were
made had very much the effect of proiucing a vast deal
of dangerous excitement, and he believed were, to some
extent, the cause of instigating a mob from various parts
of the town, to commit acts of violence. He believed that
the mere quietly they could give relief the better. He
knew of instances, at the time to which he had referred,
where men who could work would not work, because their
wives and children could go about the town, and by
imposing on various charitable people obtain as much
relief as would maintain them in idleness. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Beieseow thought sympathy for the poor had been
always shown in Liverpool, and would bo shown in the
present instance. That Board had only one means of re-
lieving the able-bodied poor, which was by offering them
an order to break stones. An able bodied man could earn
is the stone yard s. raething like is 6d. per day, so that, in
point of facts he need not starve as long as he was inclined
to work. He had there a very interesting document,
showing the number of orders issued for stone breaking
during the past two weeks, and the number accepted.
During the week ending Saturday, 21st November, there
Were 129 orders given. How many able-bodied men
accepted these orders ? A man in distress could certainly
have earned, at the very lowest estimate, Is. per day. Out
of the 129 orders, only 44 were accereed. (Hear, hear.)
For the week ending Saturday, the 28-h November, there
were 307 orders granted ; 307 persons could, therefore, have
earned each the amount he had mentioned, st the least, if
they had been disposed to earn it ; but of the 307, only
37 orders were accepted. (Hear, hear.) He saw in the
papers of that morning that a number of parties were
brought up before Mr. Mansfield the previous day for beg-
ging. Two of them were taken up, and in the
pocket of one five shillings were found, and in the
pocket of the other six shillings were found
Another man, who stated that he had a wife and family,
said he had applied to the parish, and all the authorities
could give him was an order for breaking stones, which he
passed up to the magistrate. Now, by that order, if he
ban been disposed to work, he could have earned I s or
ls 6d a day, and he need not be in such great pressure of
distress as he represented. A. shilling a day would, at
least, have relieved his extreme wants. The men
employed at stone-breaking were paid daily, and they get
immediate relief, if they require it, or a loaf of bread to
begin with.
Mr. Cup..sNl,Y said a great many persons, such as watch-
makers, would have their hands spoiled for their regular
work hereafter if they bro':e stones.
Mr. BAIRSTOW said in such cases they could get an
order for the house and come in at once.
Mr. SYER,I said there were many who would sooner
starve than apply to the parish, mud he was proud to see
each a feeling among the people of Liverpool. He saw
men daily in Chapel-street, waiting day after day seeking
for work, and smoking a pipe to allay the cravings of
bung r. Talk of 300—they should rather talk of 000,000.
(Oh, oh.)
The CiurrtmAN : Why that is nearly the whole popula-
tion, Mr. Byers.
The subject then dropped.
Mr. CRITCHLIT moved that a recommendation of ths

At LEWIS & COMPANY'S, Ranolagh-street.
110111 are CLOTHED from the Ago of Six to TwentlYears•

committee to prosecute a certain pawnbroker for receiving
articles of parish clothirg in pledge, be deferred back.
On a division the motion was
The proceedings of the committee were then confirmed.
ADMISSION OF )IINISTERS OF RELIGION AND TOWN
MISSIONARIES TO THE INMATES._

Mr DENTON moved, according to notice, that the reso-
lution entered on the books on the 24th February, 1854,
prohibiting, except as regarded the vagrant sheds, the
admission of unauthorised persons into the house be
rescinded. He said he little thought when he gave that
notice that it would create alarm in the mind of any one,
lest by rescinding the resolution, confusion would be
originated. Ho had no fears as to the result. His past
experience had convinced him otherwise. Previous to
that resolution being entered upon the books, ministers of
the different dissenting bodies were allowed to visit
members of their flocks, who had through poverty
become inmates of the house ; and all knew the boon
it was for those inmates to receive religious consolation
and instruction from these under whom they had been
used to sit in their more prosperous days. The town
missionaries also used to pay visits there, and to hold
prayer meetings in the different wards of the house • and
he had often heard the inmates speak with delight of
those meetings. Last, not least, they used to have a num-
ber of ladies who, through a true Christian zeal, came to
visit the sick and to administer consolation to the dying
pillow. In all his experience, and he had been connected
with the Workhouse Committee for nearly nine years, he
had never heard one tingle complaint made as to
irregularity, with the exception of one, and that was a
complaint made before the Workhouse Committee of one
of the ladies to whom he had alluded, having read aloud
and explained the Scriptures in one of the sick wards
The complaint came before the Workhouse Committee, and
the resolution which was now entere I upon the books was
the result. For his part he was wishful to preserve order
and discipline in the house, but he was opposed now, as
he was opposed at the time the resolution was passed, to
shutting the door altogether against those little privileges
so much enjoyed by those whose poverty brought them
under the charge of the parish. It was upon those grounds
he gave notice to rescind the resolution. He had no wish
to abrogate the resolution altogether, but he wished that it
should go before the Workhouse Committee to be revised
and put in the proper form.
Mr Lust seconded the motion, in order that the
resolution might be remodelled.
Mr. Wurree said he should like to hear some reasons
given for rescinding the resolution, which had been passed
after a full consideration of the subject.
Mr. WIIITTY said he also should like to hear some
reason for rescinding the resolution. The question was
before the Workhouse Committee, and after a very fall
consideration, the resolution of 1854 was adopted. Mr.
Denton spoke of the consolation administered among other
objects, to what he termed the " dying pillow." (Laughter.)
Mr. DENTON: A very good expression.
A MI131131:It : Metaphorical. (Laughter.)
Mr. WIIITTY said it might be as well to mention that
the resolution was passed in consequence of complaints
which had reached the Workhouse Committee, of many
unauthorised perscns who wore in the habit of coming
into the workhouse, as if for the purpose of administering
religious instructions. Now, he had no objection whatever
that such should be the case, provided that persons passing
in and out to Rive instruction to the Protestant inmates
would abstain from interfering with the members of any
other creed. It was because abuses were committed, and
frequently committed, and appeared, on the face of them,
to have been committed with some degree of intention,
that he, for ore, brought a complaint before the Work-
house Committee. The persons were not content with
using the privilege accorded to them by the officers of the
house, but they went farther, and lavished what they
considered their favours indiscriminately upon all. The
peculiar living waters which they poured forth, were
poured forth so copiously and plentifully, that the Roman
Catholic inmates were covered with the spray from them.
This became so very objectionable—he was now speaking
to the sober judgment of every gentleman—that com-
plaints were made to the visiting priest who attend° I
the workhouse. He spoke to the governor, and the
governor being aware that such matters were taking
place, sent the complaint upon his journal before the
committee. The committee, with an impartiality and
justice which did them credit—the Rev. Rector Campbell
being in the chair, and concurring in the resolution—
passed a resolution excluding all persons who did not
know how to use the privileges conferred upon them,
but used them in such a manner as to give offence to others.
Now, if Mr. Denton would undertake to guarantee that the
privilege should for the future be used in good faith, and
should be confined strictly to the religious denomination
which the parties went to visit, he (Mr. Whitty) for one
woul f not oppose the resolution. But when Mr. Denton
spoke of his past experience, he must have spoken in
ignorance of the abuses which had been committed. Mr.
Denton said that the house was visited by ministers of
various religious denominations. He was not aware that
any, except the chaplain and the Roman Catholic priest,
having visited the house. He had no objection that every
soul in the house should receive that religious consolation
which it was in their power to afford. To deny any in-
mate such rights and privileges, would be to deny him
what the law permitted for his benefit. But let this be
done decently and in (eider. Let the minister of every
religious denomination in the town whose presence was
requested, or indeed otherwise, enter freely, and give to
the inmates of his peculiar religious denomination the
benefit of whatever instruction he might think proper, or
they might desire. But it was because the just and proper
limits bad been transgressed, and because it was made
clear to the Workhouse Committee that they had
been transgressed, that he should object to the
rescinding of the resolution without some explana-
tion being given by Mr. Denton of what it was which
he required. For his own part, he did not think the
Vestry could do better than induce Mr. Denton to ;under-
take the duty himself. (Laughter.) The public was now
very familiar with the high, mornl,and religious tone which
was a very conspicuous portion of Mr. Denton's character ;
and it would remove a great deal of uneasiness as to the
religious duties alluded to, if he could be induced to under-
take them. (laughter.)
In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that any
inmate might, at his own desire, have any minister of
religion introduced into the house.
Mr. CUOPPEE supported Mr. Denton's motion, sugges-
ting that the resolution should be referred back to the
Workhouse Committee, to remodel it, and come before the
Vestry with a definite scheme.
Mr. DENTON denied that any complaint had ever bean
made except the ono mentioned.
Mr. Barnsrow contended that 'the resolution already
gave the Workhouse Committee sufficient power, as it only
ordered that "unauthorized persons" were to be excluded.
Mr. Omni also urged that the present resolution gave
free,'om enough to the Workhouse Committee.
Mr. Gius,et stated, that on a recent occasion he was
present when a town missionary, Mr. Glynn, applied to
be admitted into the house, to visit an inmate who had
sent for him. The governor referred him to the chaplain,
and the chaplain, when sent for, gave him permission to go
in, but stated that that was only to he considered an
exceptional case, and was not to be considered a precedent
for the future. Now, he complained that the chaplain,
who had been proved not to have attended very much to
' the religious instruction of the house, and who was some •
times for weeks without going into the Protestant wards for
the purpose of religious instruction, should have distinctly
stipulated that the admission of the town missionary was
to he an exceptional case.
Mr. OWEN said, neither the governor nor the chaplain
had the power to give a general permission.
After some further conversation, the motion was put,
when there appeared 9 for an 1 10 against. The motion
was therefore lost.
This concluded the business.

The Daily Yews is against legislating for India without
inquiry, and, in the interval, Parliamentary Reform could
be dealt with.

MALTA, Nov. 27.—H.M.5. Urgent, with detachments
from Por:smouth and Queenstown, for Malta, and Corfu,
arrived last night.
Lie ETAVELTY ACCIDENT.-0a Thursday last, Mr. C. S.
B. Busby held an inquest on the eight bodies of the persons
killed by suffocation at the Hollingwood Colliery, Staveley.
Mr. John fledley, the government inspector, produced a
plan of the workings, showing the working faces, gates,
and ventilation, and the state of the pit generally. He
also pointed out to the jury the course of the ventilator,
observing that he could not make out or surmise the late
Mr. Cooper's reasons for directing the doors to be opened ;
nor could he'conceive how the accident had occurred, as
it was in no way connected with the management of the
pit, as no pit was better provided with every provision for
rafety in the midland counties, and in the pits in those
counties, very few accidents had taken place. In this pit
three years had elapsed since there was a death. A great
many witnesses were examine i, who mainly described the
state of the pit. The coroner having summed' up, the jury
returned a verdict of "Accidental death" in all tne cases.

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BOYS' CLOTHING MADE \ma GREAT TASTE AT LEWIS cad
L, 0 a yANY'S, Ranlagla-stroot.