The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-22 00:00:00

RAILWAY BILLS.

-----
Yesterday, before the Examiners, the following bills were I
declared to have complied with the standing orders of both
Houses of Parliament :—Lancaster Canal and London. and
North-Western, for the transfer of the canal to the railway
company; Workington Dock, to enable the Earl of Lons-
dale to make a wet dock at Workington and a railway to
join the Whitehaven Junction, at an estimated cost of
£58,000; Okehampton and Lidfozd, for an extension to the
Launceston and South Devon Railway, and to raise £160,000;
London, Brighton, and South Coast, for new lines to the
Crystal Palace, and at Croydon, and a tramway at New-
haven, with acquisition of additional lands, and to raise a ,
further sum of £lOO,OOO ; West Hartlepool, to regulate the
capital ; Blackburn, Chorley, and Wigan, to connect: those
places at an estimated cost of L 160,000 ; the Launceston and
South Devon ; Waterford and Passage, for an extension to
the south-west shore of the estuary of the river Suir at Pas-
sage, with ferries, and to raise £26,000; Portsdown, Dun-
the Londonderar
gaenn, and Omagh, for further powers, and traffic arrange-
ments:og,,
atoy eaaitdeßnt
ado
u gtimeo raiser, Belfast,lfaon7rsdi,tostOoo;raise xcompletion,3s ,oltlooool y; contributet
Lvoeot(tl
e,
r ke andn towardsß-
contributing Londonderry
the county of Donegal, and arrange with
alter the line i
of the plans and sections, which'
Lough Swilly Railway, the latter
Ws, the standing orders were not com-
plied he contested cases "
with included the
for a line between thots
adjourned to the 23d Chert-
sey,Draasytroeng:trsdtsatihneesc,oanmpdleteness
; maiemplaces, at a cost of L 30,000,
andGre
Great
to
Westernhorrw LatlOgrOistian
si:lsf
Regent-circus,
to Malmesbury, at an
for a line from the
Lynn and Sutton, to amend act of
bury,
dt ; in E some
and
particu-
larsnd mr es
t,
with branches
appearance in the case of the Hammer-
smith, nd estimatedfurther
eo ,iht9e ooa for
hearing
a 0;
dOioo
u;
Junction, to run from BI isworth to Worce
186 l
Thereand
beingex t extend
no
time.o a
smith, Kew, wad Rici-ownd, it was withdrawn,

the country when they offered a measure of Parlia-
mentary reform ; but I am quite convinced that
many a hesitating man will have his fear of extend-
ing popular rights removed when he reflects upon
the calm, dignified bearing of the working classes
of Lancashire during this time of suffering and dis-
tress. (Hear.) Sir, Ido not think it is necessary,
after my acquaintance with Ashton some few years,
and my having repeatedly explained the general
principles which I held to go through a category of
political questions and to state what my political
faith upon each particular matter may be. This I
will say, generally, that upon no question upon
which I have been formerly heard in Ashton have
my opinions undergone any change. There was
one question during the last session of Parliament
which excited rather extraordinary interest. It
was the question of abolition of church rates.
(Hear.). Now, I wish merely to mention that,
although the church-rate abolition party have car-
ried for a period of years in the House of Commons
the abolition of that impost, yet they appear tJ have
gone back and failed last session, for they were de-
feated by a majority of one. Perhaps many per-
sons present are not aware that this going back
is not altogether correct, because, although the
anti-church-rate 'party got into a minority of
one, yet they had a greater number of sup-
porters than they aad on any former occasion ;
if we look we shall fnd that the number had grown
from 217 in 1856 to 288 votes in 1862, the largest
number, I believe, that ever voted for the repeal of
church-rates. It cm hardly be called a going back
when, in point of fact, there has been a gradual
increase in the numbers of supporters of abolition
of church rates. I mention this because I have seen
it stated that the church-rate abolition party have
had a serious defeat, and that the question has gone
back in public estimation. Now, although we see
in this great district such a suspension of employ..
ment and such a withdrawal of wages, and the em-
ployment of capital in connexion with labour, still
it is remarkable that the general condition of the
country is far more satisfactory than could have
been anticipated. We find, notwithCanding the
gloomy predictions that were uttered in Parliament,
that the Government were reckless in finances, and
were throwing away the public income,—we find
that we have an ample revenue, that the estimates
of coming revenue are likely to be more than ful-
filled, and that those Customs duties which it was
said were being sacrificed in order to parchase at
a dear rate the French Treaty are going to be as
great, or very nearly as great, as they were before.
A large reduction of taxation took 'lace for the
purpose of giving effect to the French Treaty, and
also for the purpose of clearing from the Customs a
number of unproductive and vexatious additions to
the revenue. We were told, with regard to the re-
peal of the paper duty, that it was a reckless sacri-
fice of revenue with a view of pleasing somebody
who had a crotchet. Well, now, I am prepared to
contend that—although I never expected, nor any
reasonable man expected, that the whole amount of
paper duty would immediately find its way into
other branches of the revenue, and not be missed—l
have always contended that the repeal of that duty,as
a matter of public policy, was calculated to confer
more benefit on the community than any advantage
which the tax has yielded to the State. (Cheers.)
And what was the benefit that I expected from it ?
The supplying of a cheap newspaper press for the
purpose of circulating throughout the length and
breadth of the land information on the facts of the
day, which should enable intelligent men to form a
true opinion, and render there less likely to be mis-
led by those who might have an interest in mis-
leading them. (Applause.) I attribute much of
the calm, intelligent forbe!rance that has taken
place during the recent distress to the information
which has been circulated tiroughout the country
through the influence of a cheap and vastly-extended
press, and I know of no rapport to liberty, and
order, and law, and morals so valuable as a cheap
newspaper press, independent, and spreading
through the country facts on which men may have
their opinions. (Cheers.) After refuting the state-
ment that the repeal of the raper duty would injure
the paper-makers, and shoving it had resulted in
a large increase in the manufacture of paper in the
country, the hon. gentleman proceeded to say—l
may perhaps be permitted to say a word or two on
the general trial° Of the country, because it is well
upon this occasion to take the opportunity of stating
publicly what many persons no doubt are aware of,
but perhaps may not be so generally known as is
desirable. Now it is remarkable that during the
last year (1862) Nye imported no less than 11,632,000
quarters of foreign wheat and wheat flour, which
was consumed in England, against 8,748,000 in
1861. That importation was unprecedented,
but that of 1862 has exceeded it by 33 per
cent. The quantity received from the United
States in 1862 was exceedingly large, and
was probably about one-third of the total
imports. The imports in 1862 of provision,
butter, bacon, ham, and eggs, the duties on which
were repealed by the present Chancellor of the
Exchequer in 1860, were largely in excess of
.
the corresponding importations in 1861 and
1860.
eat (Ind
Now, these large iiiiPottations of foreign

so powerful, that it would have been impossible to
recognise them in any other capacity but as per-
sons entitled to bear arms; and if we had not done
so, and if their armed vessels found on the seas were
treated as pirates, it must be obvious to every one
that this would have been an unparalleled course of
action. We were compelled to recognise the bellige-
rent rights of the South, but there has been no desire
on the part of the Government to favour either the
one side or the other. My earnest desire is to pre-
serve strict neutrality, and, whatever may be my
individual feelings—for we must have our sympa-
thies on the one side or the other—whatever may
be my feelings as a member of Parliament and the
Executive Administration, I believe it to be for the
interest of England that this neutrality should be
observed; and therefore making the interest of my
country paramount to al other considerations, I
should suppress any feelings of sympathy for one
side or the other, and endeavour to pursue a course
of strict neutrality. (Applause.) I have a return
here of various articles imported and exported,
which is rather pregnant. During the 11 months
of the last year up to Nov. 30, there were imported
18,084 tons of rags against 15,308 tons in 1861, and
the quantity of paper exported in the same years
increased from £327,000 to £411,000, which proves
that the paper industry of England must be on the
increase. I find also that the aggregate value of
British exports in 1862, as far as the returns are
completed, amount to some £123,000,000 against
£125,000,000 in 1861, and £136,000,000 in 1860.
The quantities of the principal articles exported in
1862 are, with scarcely an exception (besides cot-
ton) in excess of the quantities exported in 1861.
The exports of cotton yarns were 91,500,0001 b. in
1862 against 178,000,0001 b. in 1861, and 197,000,000
pounds in 1860. The declared value will be about
£6,000,000 in 1862 against nearly £10,000,000 in
1861, and £9,500,000 in 1860. These figures show
a decrease of exports of cotton of 94 per cent. upon
1861, and of 115 per cent. upon 1860 ; and, as re-
gards value, of 64 per cent. upon 1861, and of 58
per cent. upon 1860. I mention this to show that
the policy of commercial freedom pursued by the
Government has tended to increase our exports,
and would have continued to do so if there had
been no civil war in America, and that the French
treaty has gone far to counterbalance the loss which
has arisen from the failure of the cotton supply.
The exports to France, had the cotton exports been
in proportion to other articles, as it would have
been but for these unfortunate events, would have
amounted to some £10,000,000 sterling. The ex-
ports to the United States in 1862 will probably
amount to £13,500,000 against £9,000,000 in 1861,
and £21,600,000 in 1860. It is remarkable that,
notwithstanding the Morril Tariff, the general re-
quirements of the United States have necessitated
an increase of exports from this country in 1862. I
think we have therefore a right to congratulate our-
selves upon the success of a commercial policy
which the Liberals supported Government in carry-
ing through Parliament the Session before last, and
if it had not been for this sound commercial policy
the distress under which the country now labours
would have been materially increased. We have
almost made this American question an English one,
and people discuss it with all the eagerness of those
who are parties in the conflict. I think that to in-
terfere by the expression of opinion to this extent
would not be wise; and for one, I should not go far
in that direction; but I don't feel myself precluded
from reverting to the past. -Without undertaking
to predict what will be the termination of the war,
I will state what I believe to have been the cause
and origin, and what is necessary to be settled in
order to secure a permanent and lasting peace.
(Hear.) I have often been astonished to hear it
asserted that slavery had nothing to do with this
war, for somehow slavery must have to do with
it, because it constitutes such a great distinction
in itself between the two communities. I
have examined documents of undoubted autho-
rity to ascertain what were the causes which
the Secessionist States themselves alleged
as the ground for taking up arms, in order
to separate themselves from the rest of the Union.
The first State that separated was South Carolina.
When they first seceded they published to the world
a formal declaration of the ground of their secession
and the other States which followed seceded exactly
upon the same grounds. Now, what were these
grounds ? The first part of the South Carolina de-
claration consists of an argument showing the
legality of secession, that if they choose they have
a right to secede ; and the latter part goes on to state
the grounds on which they think proper to coerce
that secession. These were that a geographical line
has been drawn across the Union, and all the States
north of that line have united in the election of a
man to the office of President of the United States
whose opinions and purpose are hostile to slavery.
(Applause.) It was not that President Lincoln had
been elected contrary to form of law, that there had
been any violation of the Constitution, but it was
that he held opinions hostile to slavery. In another
part of this declaration they complain that the
Northern States have assumed a right to decide upon
the propriety of their domestic institution, and have
denied the right of property established in 15 States
and recognised by the Constitution ; they have de-
nounced as sinful the institution of slavery, and have
further aggravated the curse 'by investing a great
political question with the sanction of an erroneous
religious belief; therefore there is an end to the:ques-
tion that the Southern States did not secede on the
question of slavery. They have stated that it was on
account of slavery and nothing else. In fact, out of
the four gentlemen who were nominated to the office
of President, three held opinions favourable to
slavery extension, and to the policy of the Fugitive
Slave Law ; but Mr. Lincoln was distinguish!dhitrotioi
the rest by holding that Congress had aw
prohibit the extension of slavery
end was opposed to the policy °f t
on which he
the opinions
Slave Law. These were
they appear to me
into new
F
was elected, and I must cow
fess
(Cheers.) The
eence of believing that
South seceded conasfeq
to be very reasonablee
under Mr. Lincoln's exe-
slavery would not be s
outofthe
opinions.
cutive, and that the carrying
Law
was not likely to be permitted. If Mr.
Breckenridge had been elected, there would kenridgehave
been no secession, as he was the can
Slreee
candidate of the
South, in favour of the Fugitive Slave Law, and of
opinion that Congress had no right to prohibit the
extension of slavery. Secession had taken place, and
the consequent war for the purpose of perpetuating,
cherishing, e:- extending slavery. I don't believe

space, and in two instances overlapping each other,
there were no cracks from individual blows to bolt-
holes or other weak parts. The separation of metal
that took place, irrespective of the edge and corner
blows, was caused by the pounding of the shot in
one particular space, and the consequent tearing
asunder of the metal. The ship's side was clear of
anything like penetration.
nature of this plate was exhibitedTbeautifully fibrous
in the broken
corner piece, a portion of which was secured by Mr.
Bayley, Mr. Brown's representative. The plates
from Milwall were stated to be purely experi-
mental,
whiob, it is also asserted, fully accounts for
their failure. The work is new to the company,
and, as tlis are about to embark largely in it, even
y
the failure of a few plates may be turned into an
ultimate sourco of profit. The Thames Iron Works
and the Atlas Iron and Steel Works gained their
position as the acknowledged best makers of ham-
mered and rolled armour plates respectively only
after numerous failures and heavy outlay. The
Mil wall Company, profiting by the experience of
others, made public since armour plate forging first
began, may attain a position in the first rank without
such great losses. The Milwall plates were forged
under the hammer, while Mr. Brown's plates were
rolled. The past two years' experience, and more es-
pecially that of the past twelvemonth, has, however,
proved that tougher and more perfect armour-
plates can be made with the rollers than with the
steam hammer. Of this fact the trade generally
seem to be fully aware. The Sheffield Atlas Works
now roll plates up to 7-15 inches in thickness, and can
make them of any required length or breadth. At

Mr. W. H. Duignan represented the assignees,
who claimed possession ; Mr. Bartlett, of Wolver-
hampton, appeared on behalf of Mr. Megevan, high
bailiff of the court; and Mr. Bayley defended the
Rowleys.
The defendant Hackwood applied for an adjourn-
ment. He said ho was only served with the sum-
mons on Monday night, and had not had sufficient
time to summon his witnesses. He had 20 wit-
nesses to summon, whose testimony would fully
exonerate him.
Mr. Duignan said thatcan adjurnment would be
very inconvenient, and would result very seriously
to his clients. He stated the facts of the case briefly
remarking that a person named Elizabeth Gwilt, of
West Bromwich, petitioned the Birmingham Bank-
ruptcy Court in November last ; that Messrs.
Titley and Smith were the appointed assignees,
and by an agreement among the creditors
the proceedings were transferred to the Wal-
sall County Court. The house, known well
as the Horse and Jockey, in the High
Builen, Wednesbury, had been for a
long time in the bankrupt's name, her name
being over the door and on the licences, but the de-
fendant, Mr. Rowley, had lived there, and:managed
the business. Under the bankruptcy the bailiffs
entered the house, and had possession for two or
three weeks, until the assignees could get a cus-
tomer for the stock and goodwill, and Mrs. Rowley
was allowed to remain there until her conduct was
so bad that she was ordered to leave the premises.
This she refused to do, and was backed up by some
of ,her friends. Mr. Megevan, the high bailiff, at
length obtained sufficient force, and she and her
friends were ejected. On Saturday last, however,
the defendant Hackwood got together between 300
and 400 people, and between three and four o'clock
on that afternoon they broke into the house and for-
cibly ejected the bailiffs, injuring one of them so
seriously that he had kept his bed ever since. The
defendants and their friends at the present time
remained in triumphant possession of the place, and
were very much appreciating the value of the stock.
The assignees had succeeded in getting a customer
for the goodwill and effects for £220, and that sum
would enable the creditors to obtain a dividend of
about 10s. in the pound, but if the defendants were
allowed to run riot in the house for a week the value
of the stock would probably be much decreased.
Mr. Bayley said that on behalf of his clients ho
disputed the right of the assignees to take posses-
sion or to issue any order.
Mr.Duignan produced the bankruptcy proceedings,
and referred to the judge's order. He afterwards
made some remarks respecting the fact that the
police had not interfered on Saturday to stop the
illegal proceedings of defendants.
Mr. Partridge said he was glad Major M'Knight,
deputy chief constable of the county, was present
to hear Mr. Duignan's remarks. For his own part,
he did not see that he could give any instructions to
the police, and he was sure Major M`Knight knew
his duty and would perform it.
Mr. Partlett suggested that if the case were ad-
journed the defendants should be called upon to
give a guarantee that possession of the house should
be immediately given up to the assignees.
Mr. Bayley intimated that his clients would not
consent to any such course.
After some discussion it was agreed to adjourn the
hearing until Tuesday next.
Mr. Megevan then said he must charge Hack-
wood with assaulting one of his bailiffs whilst in the
execution of his duty. The man was seriously hurt,
' and he thought Hackwood ought to be called upon
to put in bail for his appearance.
' Hackwood denied having committed any assault,
and said he could produce five or six witnesses. He
would take care to be present to answer the charge.
As for the possession of the house, he held a war-
rant on behalf of the landlord for rent.
Mr. Duignan said he quite understood that the
landlord's claim had been compromised.
Major M'Knight having explained that the police
had no authority to interfere in such matters, this
terminated the proceedings in court.
& consultation between Major M'Knight, Mr.
Mege van, Mr. Inspector Holland, and Mr. Bartlett,
subsequently took place, the result of which was
that in the course of the afternoon the high bailiff,
and four or five bailiffs of the county court, went up
together to the Horse and Jockey to re-obtain pos-
session. Major M'Knight, Mr. Inspector Holland,
and the majority of the division of the police were
at hand to prevent a breach of the peace. A crowd
of people, numbering 150 or 200, assembled in front
of the house. After the bailiffs had knocked at the
doors and requested admittance, and were refused,
one of the bailiffs attempted to force a door with a
crowbar. This door being too firmly barricaded to
yield to such force the window was attempted, and
after some difficulty the shutters were forced, and
the sashes were shattered. Mrs. Rowley and the
besieged then appeared armed with formidable wea-
pons, which they threatened to use upon the
of the first bailiff who should dare to enter, and thust
the keepers were held at bay for somel head
y with biro.
Mrs.
the house
length Major M'Knight held a
?emalned in
Rowley, which resulted iyn
the bailiffs
through the window. The
for a considerable time, and the meanwhile the
mob outside shouted encouragement to Mrs. Rowley
and her friends who had so gallantly defended the
fortress. A row at.the door called general atten-
tion to it, and when it was opened Robert Rowley,
the son, was forcibly ejected.
He resisted boldly,
and assaulted two of the bailiffs in the
the
street, which
was the signal forinterference of the police,
who, amidst the yelling
of the mob, took him into
custody. Benjamin Rowley, uncle to the young
man, was afterwards ejected, and as be was violent
he was also taken to the station. After the siege
had lasted nearly an hour, Mrs. Rowley, consider-
ing perhaps that discretion was in such a case the
better part of valour, and especially as she had
given unmistakable proof of valour during the con-
flict, escaped by a side window, and so the bailiffs
were left in possession. They immediately com-
menced removing the goods, an operation which
would occupy a long time, and in which they were
engaged when our reporter left. It was anticipated
that in the course of the night some disturbance
might take place, but the police were on the spot to
suppress anything of the kind should it be attempted.
The nffiir has excited much interest in the town.
—Birmingham Post.

•••
ItILIE.—In the Geo-
logical Museum there is a lump of silver, ttblut as
much as would make forty shillings, which is stated to
have been taken from the stomach of a mule in Mexico.
It appears to bo a common occurrence to find quantities
of silver in the stomach and intestines of the mules
mines, and its presence
i accounted thdfoer Mbyexitchaen silverles eating mud (which con-
tains much silver), for the purpose of obtaining the
workinga wo uni
salt which is mixed up with it also. The silver is said
to accumulate to a considerable extent 'without proving
injurious, and this furnishes us with another fact to
indicate how living tissues tolerate the presence of metallic:
substances. A correspondent of the Veterinary Rev eta
facetiously suggests that the Mexican veterinary surgeons
will find their fees for post-mortem examinations in the
stomachs of their patients,—.Lancet.