The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-28 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
(THIS DAY),
A Special Common Council was held to-thy for the pur-
pose of proceeding with the discussion as to the propriety of
the Court presenting a petition to the Legislature fur the
repeal of the Corn-laws. The LORD MAYOR took the Chair
at 12 o'clock, and the Minutes of the Court held last Thurs-
day having been read,—
Mr. WOOD presented a petition from a gentleman named
Atkinson, residing in Alderspate-street, praying to be heqrd
either before the Court or a Committee, upon the subject of
the Cora-laws. He considered that the pra) er of the petition
ought to be granted, as the Court had not now before it suffi-
cient information to come to any sound conclusion on the subject.
Mr. SMYRNA deprecated the petitioner being heard either
at the bar of the Court, or before a Committee, as the arg,u-
guments on both sides the question were very fully before the
public ; and that being the case, it never could be said that an
intelligent body, like the Common Council of the City of
London, were so ignorant upon the subject, as to be totally
unable to come to any decision upon it, without hearing scienti-
fic men :.5. the bar.

Mr. HALL considered it totally unnecessary to hear the peti-
tioner ; and he should, therefore, move that the petition should
lie on the table
Mr. Alderman HARUER seconded the resolution.

Mr. GODSON thought the prayer of the petition ought to
be granted. The Common Council of London knew nothing
upon the subject, and that therefore they ought to be en-
lightened upon it. He was clearly of opinion the petitioner
should be heard at the bar, as it would be useless to send the
matter to a Committee.

Mr. PRITCIIARD thought the Court was bound to hear the
petitioner.
After some further discussion the petition was ordered to be
laid on the table.

Mr. STACEY then rose to address the Court in support of
the original motion. He had been astonished at the argu-
ments of those who opposed the motion, especially those put
forward by Mr. Gadsden. He was surprised that it should have
been stated that Adam Smith was opposed to the importation
of foreign corn, when his opinions were directly the reverse.
What did he say on the subject? Why that if impOrtation was at
all times free, it n asitrue that the farmer and country gentleman
would get less money for their corn than they did at present.
but the money which they got would be of more value, and
they would be enabled with it to buy more goods of other
kinds. The advocates of free tr to in corn were willing to
rest their case upon the opinie f those who had written
upon the subject of the Corn-lac `-'.--(Cheers.) It was said
that protection must be given a the Corn.laws. Why ?
Was protection given to manufactures, or did they apply to
the Legislature to holster up the price of certain articles they
manufactured ? Clearly not. Then why, he would ask, should
landlords stand in a better situation?—( Cheers.) Mechanical
improvements were taking place so rapidly, that what was
considered a most valuable machine one week might be use-
less the next, and was it to be tolerated for a moment, that
those who plodded on in the old way were to be permitted to.
ask the Legislature to be protected from the consequences of
improvements.—(Cheers.) Look at the effect that railroads
were producing. Canals, which were one time considered
a most expeditious mode of conveyance, were almost ren-
dcred useless by their introduction, and yet they did not
hear the proprietary of that species of property, coming to the
Legislature and asking for protection.—( Cheers.) Poverty
prevailed to a great extent through the country—(No, no)-...
he only made that statement to show that it was their duty,
as far as possible, to improve the condition of the poor, whose
improvidence, and distress, they all so deeply regretted.--
(Hear.) No member of the Council could have any motive
but the general interest, in advocating the repeal of the
Corn-laws; therefore their arguments bad the greeter force.
—( Hear, hear.) But the supporters )f. the Corn-laws said,
" What would the country do in case t f war? we should be
suddenly crippled in our resources, and perhaps the na-
tional ruin would ensue." Now this was a most specious

l'ut !In equally fallacious :Irg-ureerit. SeneosinEr

%%eat to war with the country from whicu we ieeeß eci our sup.
plies, would any one imagine that the same effect would not
be produced as always took place when the orcincry trading
connection between two countries was interrupted, that other
countries would anxiously press forward to supply the defi-
ciency ?—( Year, hear.) In exact proportion as it was made
the interest of other countries to deal with us, would the evils
of war be annihilated. Truly had the poet said, that—
" War is a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings would
not play at."—( Hear.) It was, indeed, to the ambition and
the folly of Princes that war was to be attributed, and to the
benefits of commerce that the blessings of peace we.e to be
traced. He (Mr. Stacey) was for the immediate, the total,
and the unconditional repeal of the Corn-laws. The ports
of this country had fer some time been open for the reception
of corn. Why had it not come in ? Because the foreign
corn growers had not—in consequence of the length of tine.
during which the ports had been closed—had not provided
a supply for the unexpected exigency, and because
they could have no confidence that the ports would
long remain open.—( Hear.) And it was only by a return to
the principles of free trade, at least so far as regarded the ne-
cessaries of life, that foreign nations would be induced to trade
with us regularly and constantly. —( Hear.) The Lord Mayor
had lately been exerting himself greatly to obtain an abolition
of the coal monopoly—(Hear)—and if he obtained a prospect
of the speedy attainment of that desirable object, would his
Lordship be disposed to enter into a compromise with the mo-
nopolists? No, surely not.--( Hear.) So with the corn mo-
nopoly. He ( Mr. Stacey):should therefore support the amend-
meta, and earnestly prayed of the Legislature to give to it
their most careful consideration.—( Hear.)
Mr. June hoped the question would not be taken up as a
political question, but as a great and important subject, of
vital interest not only to our fellow-citizens but to the world.
—( hear, hear.) He wished to consider this subject in con-
nection with the poor ; he hoped that in any subject bearing
upon the interests of the poor humanity would be the basis of
his argument.—(Bear, hear.) And he was happy to say that
he knew of several cases in which the farmers, in considera-
tion of the present high price of corn, had increased the wages
of their labourers, many of whom had been in the habit of re-
ceiving such miserable sums as 3s. 6d., 4s. and ss. per week. He
thought that the agricultural interests were entitled to pro-
tection. The manufacturing and the commercial interests
were already to a certain degree protected. Doubtless, abuses
had crept into the Corn-laws, and he wished to see those
abuses corrected.—( Hear.) But the abuse of an insitution
was no argument against its existence; and he considered that
a duty, whether fluctuating or permanent, should be imposed
on the importation of corn, so as to secure to our farmers a re-
munerating price, and that was all that the farmers asked.—
( Hear.) The farmers were not chargeable with the high price
of corn; with that, in fact, they had nothing to do at all;
a great part of the arable land was constantly and necessarily
oat of cultivation, but during that time the farmers had to
pay, not only rent and taxes, but tithes.—( Hear.) Mr. Hus-
kisson had said (before, however, he became Member for
Liverpool)—that " to prevent the alternate evils of scarcity
and superabundance, a permanent duty of 15s. per quarter,
when corn was at an average price under 80s., and ss. when
it was above 80s., and Is. when it was above 853." And a
French Minister, when giving, a few years ago, an
expose of the affairs of France, said—" Agriculture—first
of manufactures—flourish I" For a revision of the Corn.laws
he (Mr. Jupp) was anxious; but he would not support their
repeal.—( Hear. )

Mr. LE.JIRSEY (WC !believe one of the new Deputies) said he
had heard many exciting appeals to the passions of the people
on this question. He thought the best way was to appeal to
their judgments ; and he should pause before he rashly advo-
cated the repeal of the Corn-laws. Let us have a free trade in
everything.—( Hear.) But it was curious to begin at the end
and then have to go hack. The root of the whole evil was
the national debt.—(Cheers.) The worthy Alderman had
said let them have free trace in corn and they would have free
trade in everythinr, else; he should like to know who autho-
rised him to say that.—( Cheers.) What must be done was to
reduce taxation, to remove the old burthen, and put the
farmer upon a fair footing—( Cheers)—then, and then alone,
he would be enabled to compete with the foreign growers.
He was for supporting agriculture and commerce, but take
agriculture away, and what, he would ask, would commerce
be without it. He could not agree with the amendment, as
he believed if any alteration was to be made in the law as it
at present stood, it would be better to impose a fixed duty.

Mr. CORNEY then rose to address the Court. It
was his intention, at the proper time, to pro-
pose an amendment upon the resolution and amendment,
already brought forward, which he had no doubt would meet
with the unanimous sanction of the Court. He could not
agree with the statements that had been made, that politics
were altogether out of the present question, for who were the
parties that had brought it forward, in that Court? Why,
the crest advocates of revolutionary principles.—(Cheers.)
Mr. HEPPE', wished to ask the worthy member if he in-
tended to apply to him the name of the advocate of revolu-
tionary principles ?—( feaughter.)
Mr. CORNEY said he certainly did.—(lncreased laughter. )
He could not but admire the Jesuitical manner in which the
original resolution was couched, as contrasted with the amend-
ment.—( Cheers.) In the latter they were honestly told what
was wanted, and the gauntlet was at once thrown down. If
they were to have a freo importation in corn, they must have
a free importation in everything else. He denied that the
price of corn had increased from artificial causes. The duty
had been the same since 1828, but the price had varied consi-
derably, not from artificial but from natural causes, a plentiful
or a bad harvest.—(Cheers.) It required a protective duty to
enable the English farmer to compete with the foreign
grower of corn, and the natural result of no protecting
duty would be that this country would cease to grow
corn, and would therefore become dependent upon foreign
rations for the great necessary of life.—(Cheers.) He
thought that the policy of the country demanded that they
should support the agricultural interests. The manufacturer
could extend his dealings to any amount ; he could erect fresh
mills, and adopt other means for that purpose, but the agri-
culturalist could not increase his land. He should be sorry to
see the agricultural and commercial interests opposed to each
other, but he thought the interests of the former should be pre-
ferred. Was it to the manufacturing districts the country
went for recruits? No. The sinews of the country were the
agricultural population; and such being the case, he thought
the Court ought to do all in its power to induce he Govern-
ment to support them. He would at the present moment vote
for Mr. Heppel's motion, as the least obnoxious of the two,
but at the proper time he should move an amendment to the
effect, that a• petition should be presented to the House of
Commons, praying them to adopt such a fixed duty on foreign
corn, in the ulace of the present fluctuating duty, as in their wis-
dom should appear advisable. He trusted that the Court
would repudiate the other two resolntions as revolutionary, and
adopt the one he should propose.—( Cheers.)
Mr. LAURENCE could not agree with the proposition that
had been put forth, that the lowering the price of corn would
not affect the farmer, because he felt convinced that it would.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

TEA.—Assam is not the only country where means
are in progress to tame the pride of the Celestial Empire.
M. Guillemin, a French Botanist, who was sent out lately
to the Brazils by the French Government, to study the culture
of the tea plant, states that the growth of the plant there
since 1825 has made rapid progress, and that the growers
already supply a large portion of the tea required fur the
home market. .

On Tuesday night, at Paris, a young girl, in a
Scotch costume, who had just left the masquerade at the Re-
naissance Theatre, entered a house in the adjoining Rue Van-
todour, rushed up stairs to the fifth floor, and after castinz off
her mask and shawl, threw herself out of the window. liar
body striking something projecting from the shop below, was
burled to the other side of the street. She survived half an
hour, and such is the shameful state of the police, that not the
slightest assistance was afforded her during that time.

Early on Saturday a fire broke out in the premises
of the Viessrr. Lyons, well known boat-builders, near Astley's
Amphi,ite,tre, in the W,:stmimter-road. A plentiful sup-
ply of water having been obtained from the River, the flames
were got under without doing any material damage. The
property is insured. How the fire originated is not kdown.
STATE OF TRADE.-Prices of wools and yarns
remain at the same quotations as before stated. There is no
material improvement in the home trade, although there is
general confidence in wools. Some shipping orders have
been given out for fall goods, and some few orders for spring
gloves for the home trade.—Patent elastic cloth is now be-
ginning to be manufactured here, of superior strenth,_a
better article for trousers or dress pantaloons than anything
yet made.—Leicestershire Mercury.
THE ALLEGED OUTRAGE BY PADDINGTON
BOATMEN.—A correspondent states that considerable doubts
begin to be entertained relative to the truth of the statement
made by the girl Giles as to, the gross treatment alleged to
have been received by her at the hands of certain boatmen on
the Paddington Canal. The most active inquiries are in pro-
gress, not only as regards the alleged perpetrators of the out-
rage, but with respect to the story told by the girl of family
differences having induced her to leave her home in Wilts.
It is, however, so far confirmatory of the girl's statement that
the boatmen bear a most unenviable character, and that similar
complaints have not unfrequently been made by other parties,
although in their case the object of the outrage has happily
been defeated.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—Preparations for
the opening of the musical campaign are proceeding rapidly.
Guerra, engaged as first dancer and director of the ballet, is
just arrived. Persiani, Lablache, and Rubini, are, we hear,
re-engaged. Tamburini, we have no doubt, will be, although
not mentioned in our letters of this day. He has just added a
young prima donna to his family circle. All the French
Papers are in raptures at his performance in 11 Sargante,
whilst in Roberto Devereux he is said to have " out-Teraia-
rinied Tamburini." We understand Lablache, jun., is also
engaged at her Majesty's theatre.
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—The performances
here on Saturday night, for the benefit of the Jews' Orphan
As) ium were, Guillaume Tell, Now or Never, and The Spirit
of Air, but the house was by no means so well attended as on
the ordinary nights it has latterly been with the Lions and the
Pantomime.
LEICESTERSHIRE CONSERVATIVE FESTIVAL.
--The anniversary festival of this. the principal Conservative
Association of North Leicestershire, was held last Saturday
--Sir Francis Burdett took the chair. Amongst others pre-
sent were the Marquis of Granby, H. Halford, Esq., M. P.,
Sir J. R. B. Cave, Bart., Lord Charles Manners, M.P. ;
E. B. Farnham, Esq., M.P., Sir W. Huggate, Bart. ; Sir
W. W. Dixie, Bart. ; Captain Cheslyn.

CT.: P T-T 'l. S 7-7 AC AT,

_~ ._. .::~-rJii.L.

The holidays Elie now nearly over, to the great satisfac-
fon of one party, and the regret of another, who would
like the sunshine of holidays to laugh on for ever. But
boys must learn as well as play, and this necessity reminds
us of a circumstance which we neglected at the Christmas
vacation. We paid a visit to Mr. DAY'S excellent Aca-
demy at Cleveland House, Brixton.bill, and were much
gratified by the marked improven,ent in the boys under his
tu;thi and care. Their progress in the various degrees
of education, was as honourable to his management, as
their health is creditable to his solicitude. The rosy looks
of the boys indicated at first sight that the pure air of the
Surrey Hills agreed well with their respectike consti:utions.
Several of the elder scholars exhibited great proficiency in
their acquirements, being as familiar with the Oassiel,
French, &c., as with the vernacular. Altogether we can
conscientiously recommend Mr. DAY'S Academy to those
who wish their boys to learn rapidly and to live well.