The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 13, 1882.

CHEQUER (Baring), might also be given up. It
was put on merely to supply a temporary defi-
ciency. It proved a total failure. The Income-

tax was resorted to in its place, and yet the ob-
jectionable charge has been continued for twelve

years, and when we are blessed with a surplus in
place of being cursed with a deficiency. The
Paper Duties, Soap Duties, Taxes on man-ser-

vants, carriages, horses, dogs, &c., &c., are also
all worthy of deep and serious consideration,
before the new fiscal system be decided on.
The first matter, however, on which a vote
should be taken, is the renewal of the Income-
tax ; for, as we have already shown, that is the
basis on which the whole must eventually rest.
If that were once disposed of, we should be quite
contented that the other matters should remain
in abeyance until after the recess. Indeed, it is
hardly desirable that a final decision should be

pronounced until the various points be maturely
considered, and Honourable Gentlemen have an
opportunity of ascertaining the feelings and
opinions of their constituents with respect thereto.
It was desirable that the public mind should be
set at rest on the subject of Free Trade and Pro-

Wight

tection. For that purpose the Parliament was
called together at an unusual and inconvenient
. _

period. That object has been accomplished ; and
there is, therefore, no further necessity for de-
parting from the ordinary course, or obtaining a
final decision on the Budget, so long before the
commencement of the financial year.

Leeds has rejoiced for a few hours in the pre-
sence of a political star of the first magnitude.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL has received from its intelli-
gent inhabitants the tribute of their respect as one
of the foremost statesmen of our generation. In
responding to the complimentary address present-
ed to him by the Mayor and the Town Council,
the noble Leader of her MAJESTY'S Opposition re-
viewed in a succinct but comprehensive speech ad-
dressed to a considerable number of the local bur-
gesses, his past career as a Reformer of the British
Constitution. Scarcely any man living could enu-
merate so many beneficial changes as his claims
upon the popular admiration. During the last
five or six years, unfortunately, those claims have,
to our thinking, been overshadowed by the short-
comings consequent upon a do-nothing policy, as
unaccountable as it has been disastrous. Within
that interval we believe that Lord JOHN has
adopted every conceivable means calculated to
alienate the hearts of his former supporters, and
to militate against his earlier reputation. As
PRIME MINISTER of England, he proved himself
m every way an unmistakeable obstructive. In-
stead of undertaking he merely talked about inno-
vations. Or, if he ever found himself compelled
by circumstances to bring forward some scheme in
the way of improvement, it invariably turned out,
on examination, to be only nominal in its character.
Under his rule we obtained no sanitary alterations
—nothing in the way of national education--
nothing in the way of colonial reorganfration—
nothing in the way of beneficial development, and
of regulating the system of the general represen-
tation. No But directly he is out of power, all
his old hankerings after reform return : and,
whenever he begins to speak of the past instead of
the present, whenever he recalls to mind his by-
gone triumphs, and hints that from these we may
estimate the nature of his future achievements—
we are with him again heart and soul, we
forget his recent idleness in consideration
of his long-past but never-to-be-forgotten activity,
he has reanimated in his own regard all our dor-
mant esteem, thankfulness, and admiration. It
is upon an occasion like this, when he is addres-
sing himself to a congenial' body like the Leeds
Reformers, that once again, in truth,
the steam is on,
And languid JOHNNY glows to glorious JOHN."
Fain would we augur from the Whig Leader's
words in Opposition, his acts when at the head of
a Government. But-0 those Whigs ! They
talk when out of power—ye Gods, how they talk !
And immediately they are raised to the dignity
of a Cabinet, on the strength of their fair pro-
mises, immediately they find themselves comfort-
ably " located" in Downing-street, they sit down
under their fig-trees, and let the world wag on at
its leisure. They are as disappointing as the Ga

zelle of DICK SwlvKLLEK—taking, in this instance,
Conservatism as the market gardener. They say,
G►pen your Mouth and Shut your Eyes to the

m.-ation—and then slip in, instead of a plum, a
pebble. It was so for nearly six years, until the

muntry was fairly sick of them, and they retired,

mregretted, from the offices of Government.

T 'hereupon, however, they throw off the clamps
al ad shackles of official Toryism}, and rise to their
full height again, as the Reforming chiefs of the
01,)position. What can be done with them under
tit( circumstances ? It is the problem of the age.
That can be done with the Whigs so as to bind
th:letl down to the fulfilment of their promises
Whey they resume the reins of Administration ?
Are they better as a Ministry ? We think not.
Hist( 'r3' declares
otherwise. Experience tells us
that they are invaluable aids to the Reform
moves went, so long as they are goad-
ing -on their old rivals the Tories to
caw WIWI Arta concession. In testimony of this)

mode of raising the necessary funds. It would
be submitted to under such circumstances, and
should therefore be reserved for the emergency.
Again, there is a general feeling throughout the
country that the reduction of the Malt-tax will
be of little practical utility, and that the principal
result will be to enhance the enormous profits of
raaltsters and brewers. The total abolition of the
tax would indeed be a most acceptable boon. The
'clumsy machinery now in operation would be
totally got rid of, and every man might have a
cheap, wholesome, and nutritious beverage. Good
beer is the chief, almost the only, luxury of the
labouring classes. It may indeed be regarded as
a necessary of life. By enabling the working man
to obtain it in his own cottage, surrounded by his
wife and children, the temptation to resort to
the beer-shops will be greatly diminished,
and a fertile source of demoralisation, that
has crowded our gaols and convict-hulks,
and reduced many once happy families to misery
and destitution, will be averted. We are con-
vinced of the vast benefits that would result from
" free trade in beer"—indeed it is only second in
importance to the " untaxed loaf." But that
" free trade" can only be obtained by an abolition
of the Malt and Hop Duties, and by what must
speedily follow, a revision of the licensing system.
So long as the smallest portion of these imposts
be retained, the monopoly of those leviathan firms,
who count their profits not merely by thousands
and tens of thousands, but in some instances even
by hundreds of thousands, will continue. It is
only as a step towards the total abolition of these
charges that we consider the present reduction as
worthy of acceptance. Even the farmer would not
otherwise thank him for the change, which, though
it would deprive the Exchequer of 2,500,0001.
per annum, would yet scarcely improve the condi-
tion either of the grower or consumer. The great
brewers reaped the entire benefit of the Beer Bill
of 1830, because other restrictions were still re-
tained--and so they will do on the present occa-
sion, until perfect freedom be granted, and an
exemption from every fiscal charge in the making
or vending of beer. Why, then, may not that
part relating to the Malt-tax be postponed,
until it be ascertained whether the whole
duty can be remitted. This can only be
known from the manner in which the House
is disposed to deal with the Income and Property-
tax : for it is on the equitable adjustment of
this impost, and its gradual increase, that the
other and much-required changes can be effected.
If, then, this reduction be given up for the
present—and, under any circumstances, it would
not come into operation until next October—there
will not only be no necessity for any legislation
with respect to the House Duties, but there will
be a considerable surplus available for other pur-
poses. Thus, the whole of the Hop Duties might
be at once surrendered. This would lessen the
amount by about 220,0001„ while 150,0001.
more might be conceded to the demands of the
Fourth Estate in giving up the Advertisement
Duty. The ten per cent. put on by the Whigs
in 1840, and which so completely falsified the
expectations of the then CHANCELLOR' of the Ex-

THE MALT-TA x--says an intelligent correspon-
dent from the agricultural counties—" the Malt-
tax must be a failure. I have seen sensible land-
lords, farmers, and publicans, and they all scout it.
It will never raise the price of barley ; if it did, in
fine years the Landlords would pocket it. It had
better be let alone for the present."
POLITICAL REUNlON.—Viscount and Viscountess
Palmerston entertained at dinner on Saturday evening, at
their mansion, in Carlton-gardens, his Excellency the Sar-
dinian Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, the Marchioness
of Ailesbury, the Earl and Countess Bruce, the Earl and
Countess of Shaftesbury, Viscount Jocelyn, M.P., Lord
Hatherton, Lord Seymour, M.P., and Lady Seymour, and
Lady Ulrica St. Maur, Lord Ossulston, M.P. and Lady
Olivia Ossulston, Hon. W. Cowper, M.P., and Mrs. Cow-
per, and Mr. Monckton Milnes, M.P. After the banquet
Viscountess Palmerston had a "reception," which was both
numerously and fashionably attended.
SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 10.—His Excellency the French
Ambassador and his lady, accompanied by Lord Mahnes-
bury, landed in the docks to-day from her Majesty's steam-
yacht Fairy from Osborne, en route to London. These dis-
tinguished visitors also passed through Southampton on
Thursday, on their way to her Majesty's marine residence,
where the French Minister presented his credentials as Am-
bassador from the Emperor of the French. The tricolour
flag of France was hoisted at the main of tho Fairy on both
occasions, and hauled down when his Excellency quitted
the steamer.

THE COMMAND IN JAMAICA.—We believe that the
state of Major-General Bunbury's health requires his im-
mediate retirement from the command at Jamaica. For a
considerable time he has been, we are informed, unable to
move out of his chair without assistance, and was com-
pelled to make the half-yearly inspection of the troops
seated in his carriage. The recent disturbances between
soldiers of the garrison at Kingston and the civilians have
needed an officer of more activity of mind and body than
the major-general to put an end to them. Strong repre-
sentations, we have heard, have heen sent to the Horse
Guards ; and report states that Major-General Home is to
relieve Major-General Bunbury, who has been the full
period, and more, Lon the staff.—Naval and Military
Gazette.

SUDDEN DEATH OP MR. CHADWICR.—This gentle-
man, so well known by his extensive railway speculations
and more recent litigation, expired very suddenly on Wed-
nesday last, at the age of 61. For many years he had taken
a very active part in the promotion of various railway un-
dertakings, both abroad and at home, and became consider-
ably involved in connection with many of these schemes.
Mr. Chadwick had some time since been residing in Lon-
don, and apparently enjoyed a strong constitution. A
post-mortem examination will immediately be held.—Rail-
way Record.
THE BUDGET.—There are symptons of a determined
opposition to the Budget, as a whole, in Manchester, on the
part of the working classes. Ward meetings for the pur-
pose are being organised, and will probablybe held, should
the course of the debate indicate that Mr. Disraeli is likely
to carry his measure into effect. Mr. Bazley, the chair-
man of the Chamber of Commerce, has been asked, we
hear, to preside at the first meeting.
DEPARTURE OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN
MAILS.--The British and North America Royal steam-
ship Canada, Captain Laing, sailed from the Merse-, for
Boston and Halifax, at half-past eleven o'clock on the fore.
noon of Saturday, with the usual mails, 75 pasengers, and
150,000 dols. in specie on freight. The mails were under
the charge of Lieut. Ward, R.N., Admiralty agent.
FRIGHTFUL AND DETERMINED SUICIDE AT PENTON-
vn,LE.—Yesterday morning the above locality so lately the
scene of the horrid murder of Alexander Downes, was again
placed in a state of painful excitement, by the commission,
of another deed of violence, and which was at first ru-
moured to be one of murder. On inquiry, however, it
was found to be a frightful and determined act of self-mur-
der, which had been perpetrated by Richard Taylor, a young
man, aged 35, who had for many years resided with a
maiden sister, at No. 19, Collier-street, Pentonville (near
the Marquis of Cornwallis), and who cut his throat in a
most frightful manner by nearly severing his head from his
body.

LISBURN ELECTION.—After a formidable conflict,
Mr. Inglis, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, has been de-
feated in the borough of Lisburn, by Mr. Smyth, a resi-
dent of the town, who came forward to resist the power
long exercised by the Marquis of Hertford, in nominating
the representative for the borough. This was the great
principle involved, in a contest which has led to the signal
defeat of the Ministerial candidate, and the liberation of
the borough from the control of the noble marquis, who is
the owner of a vast property in Lisburn and the surround.
ing district. At the final close of the poll the numbers
were—

Smyth
Inglis

orityasfora
5myth......,.,
Free-trader,B7
The new member is described Maj ......... —lB
but the Government cannot calculate upon him
tisan of their policy. as a par-
THE LATE DOMESTIO TRAGEDY IN PARIS.—The un-
fortunate affair through which Mr. Moreton, late corres-
pondent at Paris for the Daily News, came by his death a
few weeks since, is forthwith about to become the subject
of legal investigation. On Thursday last, Mr. Bower ac-
companied by a member of his family and some friends,
left London for Paris, to surrender himself to the French
authorities. This step, on the part of the latter-named
gentleman, is purely. a voluntary one, and was decided
upon against the advice of his friends.—Observer.
NEW RAILWAY PROJECTS.—Amongst the new rail-
way projects brought out this week are the City Railway
Terminus Company and the East Kent Railway. The for-
mer is intended to carry out Mr. Charles Pearson's scheme
for the construction of a railway from Holborn-bridge to
King's-cross, with a central terminus, and other improve-
ments in that neighbourhood. The undertaking has been
very well received in the City, and the proposed capital,
800,0001., will, it is anticipated, be fully subscribed for.
The East Kent Railway, from Strood to Canterbury,
with branches to Faversham Quays and Chilham, has
received great local support, and two-thirds of the capi-
tal required have been already appropriated. The
total length of the line will be thirty-two miles, and,
the expense per mile will, it is stated, be consider-
ably less than two-thirds of the average cost of the South-
Eastern lines. Messrs. Fox, Henderson and Co. are pre-
pared to undertake the construction of the railway, inclu-
ding the bridge across the Medway and the purchase of
land, with the limits of the proposed capital, which is
fixed at 700,0001. The local promoters have undertaken
to bear all expenses, in the event of the bill not passing
standing orders in the House of Commons. Another line
of railway now before the public is the Plymouth, Tavi-
stock, Okehampton, North Devon, and Exeter Railway,
for which a capital of 500,0001. is required. It is stated
in the prospectus that this company has been formed and
promoted by a numerous and influential proprietary in
Devonshire, and that nearly all the landowners on the line
have agreed to receive the value of the land required in the
shares of the company.

IMPORTS OF SPECIE.—The arrivals of specie into Eng-
land during the past week have been as follow :—From
New York, per Canada, 47,000 dols.; New York, per
Pacific, 157,000 dole.; Philadelphia, per City of Glasgow,
15,000 dole.; West Indies, per Medway, 698,000 dole.;
Mexico, per Tamaulipas, 273,000 dole.; Portugal, per
Madrid, 2,2601.; Constantinople and Malta, per Madras,
40,4001.; Africa, per Hellespont, 4,0001.; Belgium, per
Ravensbourne, 12,0001.; Sydney, per Roman Emperor, oz.
gold, 60,5721.; Sydney, per Fatima, 88,5171.; Port Phillip,
per Abberton, 15,0001.

EXPORTS OF SPECIE.—The official statement of the
exports of the precious metals from the port of London
during the week ending Thursday lost is as follows :
Gold coin to Belgium, 905 oz.; to Hamburg, B,ooooz. ;
to Port Philip, 30,000 oz.—total gold, 38,905 oz. Silver
bars to Bombay and China, 38,656 oz.; silvercoin to Havre,
100 oz.; to Port Philip, 1,300 oz.; to Hamburg, 13;729 ;
total silver, 53,485 oz. The shipments front the outports
amount to nearly 320,0004

we have only to glance at the course pursued by
Lord JOHN RUSSELL. That eminent man, upon
two great and most memorable occasions—(we
have said it before now, and shall not tire saying
it again and again)—displayed, as PRIME MINIS-
TER of England, courage, and genius, and patriot-
ism. The first of these occasions was in 1847,
when he nobly rescued Ireland from famine and
pestilence by an enterprise as grand as was ever
undertaken by a constitutional Government. The
second occasion was in 1848, when he carried the
Vessel of the State bravely through all the storms
and the thunders, and the earthquakes of revolu-
tion, aided, it is true, by the loyalty, the good sense,
land the civism of the population. But through
those years—through years before and years after,
in fact, from 1846 to 1851—he appeared in a
manner to be actually paralysed as a Re-
former. Which of his great reforms, we
should like to know, was carried during that
interval ? Was the abrogation of the Test and
Corporation Acts ? Or the Reform of Parliament?
Or the support of the removal of disabilities on
Catholics ? Or the opening up of the closed cham-
bers of municipalities ? Or the cordial aid of the

great and successful effort of Sir ROBERT PEEL to
repeal the Corn Laws, and permanently establish
the system of unrestricted competition ? No
these, and all the other beneficial changes of mag-
nitude for which the country has reason to be
grateful to Lord JOHN RUSSELL and his colleagues,
were secured long before they were unluckily ele-
vated to the post of Government. 'Hardly had
they attained power when their skill as Reformers
seemed to pass from them ; and not only their
skill, but actually their very intention. It be-
came necessary, then, that they should be sum-
moned back to the ranks of the Opposition, in
order to convince them of the necessity of some
more rational regard to the wants and wishes of
the community. The punishment appears to have
proved already effectual in the bringing about
their political reformation. Like MARIE ST.
CLARE, your true Whig appears only to prize a
favour when it is lost. He is indifferent to the
good opinion of the country, so long as he fancies
he possesses it ; but directly he finds out, to his
dismay, that it is vanishing, he is ready to com-
pete with the most energetic popularity-hunters.
And so Lord Jour:- RUSSELL goes down to Leeds,
and " overhauls" the whole of his bygone achieve-
ments. He virtually observes, in so doing, to
the community—" See what I have accomplished.
Remember that I did this, that I did that, and
that I did the .other. Will you not have me again
at the head of a Liberal and Reforming Govern-
ment ?" Dilly, dilly, come and be killed !

EXPRESS FROM PARIS,
BY SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.
(From the Morning Post.)
IMPORTANT FROM SPAIN.
PARIS, MONDAY, 10 A.M.
The Spanish Ambassador presented yesterday his
letters of credence as Minister at the Court of
Napoleon 111.
Other recognitions of the Empire continue to
come in from all parts of Europe.
Abd-el-Kader is far on his road to Marseilles.
We learn the following important news from
Madrid :

MADRID, DEC. 8.
The great sensation which has been excited by
the extraordinary publication of the new constitu-
tion, is still further increased this morning, as the
Gazette publishes a Royal Order, prohibiting any
and all meetings held under the pretext of elec-
tion?d purposes, unless specially authorised by the
Government.

A circular of importance also appears, assuring
the safe possession of national property to those
who may have purchased it.
Advices, to the effect that tranquillity as yet
prevails everywhere, have been received.
A Royal decree authorises the re-establishment
of the Sacred Congregation.
To-day being the Festival of St. Philip Neri, no
Bourse. The Deferred 3 per Cents. are quoted at
23 at Puerte de Sol.

Excitement is great as the quarrel between the
Government and the Opposition becomes daily
more bitter.

The united Oppositions have met every day to
concert measures, under the presidence of General
Narvaez.

Ninety-six persons were present. A committee
of fifty was nominated in ten sections, under the
guidance of Narvaez.

The Marquis of Douro (General Concha), M.
Pacheco, the Count of St. Luis Gonzales Bravo,
the Duke de Rivas, Seijas Lozano, and Rios Rosas
are among the chiefs. The next meeting is pro-
posed to be held at the Duke of Sotomayor's.
The Queen has accepted. Martinez de la Rosas'
resignation of the Vice-Presidents of the Council.