The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-19 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

value of these gentlemen's exertions; no one would be more
prompt to Mused the labours of any individual who Ind rendered
a great public Service to the parish. But he doubted very much
the tompetercy of the meeting to vote away this money, which, in
point of fact,-properly belonged to certain individuals, who bad not
yet thought proper to put forward their claim, to it. (Cries of" No,
no, all the claims have been already satisfied.") He would concede
the point, and take it for granted that the residue was unelalmable.
Whose property, Melt, did it become ? Was it not the propetty_of
the parishioners at large He thought it was most unqu
and if so, the whole body a right to be consulted in its distribution.
But the period at which this matter had been brought under canal-
deration was one of the horst that could have been selected. In
times of overflowing prosperity, when parochial managers had more
money than they well knew what to do with, it might be very well
to talk of rewards to deserving individuals; but at a crisis such as
the present, when retrenchment became an imperative duty in every
department, it was most ill-tithed and injudicious to bring forward
such a proposition. He hoped that his motives would not be mis.
construed. He had already declared his high sense of the semen
which these gentlemen had performed ; he was ready to give them
full credit for their
.public spirit mild activity ; and, on that very
principle. he was quite sure that, if they were to be consulted, they
would reject this mark of approval, however flattering it might be
to their feelings. The parish, burdened as it was with an unpre-
cedented weight of taxation, having to sustain an immense pauper
population, and without even a prospect of speedy relief, could but
ill afford to indulge in unnecessary expenditure, at all events for the
present. When this appalling state of things should have passed
away the subject might be brought forward with a greater certainty
of acquiescence, and the tribute would in that case be the more va.
luable to those nn whom it would be conferred. (Hear, and No, no.)
Mr. Jones concluded amidst a good deal of clamour by assuring
the Meeting that he had stated his opinions on the subject without
a feeling of disrespect to any one whatever. He opposed the vote
on principle alone—on the priciple of its present inexpediency ; and
he should move, as an amendment, that the whole sum now on
hands, 332 L I Is. 4J., be carried to the next yes? s anstrunts, in de-
duction of the parish rates, or to be applied to general purposes.
A (IE Kw Lewes, whose tiaras wireould net learn, amended the
amendment.
Another Owwwrearme contended that the Committee had us
right to detain this motley, or to apply it in any way, except for the
purse for which it had been originally raised.
Mr. Joesex, the Vestry Clerk of the City liberty, bmged leave
to correct an crux into which the last speaker had fallen. The
parishioners generally could have no claim Of lien on this meaty,
which was boss,/Gk somewhat like an unclaimed dividend. The
Treasurer, if he thought proper te hold it over, might do so, and
no person could show a legal claim to it.
A Peettuttowaa--This may be law, but is it just—is it quit-
able ? _ _ _

Another PARISHIONER—What's the use of lashing foe equity
here? Are not equity and law always at variance? What was
the reason that the proceedings of the Tithe Committees were 'bon-
dotted ? Was it not because they were sure of defeat, from the in-
fluence of the church in the /louse of Lords, where the Bishops
rule the roast? (Laughter.)
Mr. Jones's amendment was then put to the vote, and loot by a
small majority.
The mover of the previous question being advised to modify it,
the value of the pieces of plate proposed to be presented was reduced
from one hundred guineas to fitly guineas each, and In that shape
the motion was carried, with some dissentient voices.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the Meeting
broke up.