The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-05 00:00:00

ferring to Reform of Parliament, it is impossible to tion which
they require after work. In all my
pass over the great expediency, indeed it may be addresses,
as president of the Institute, what has been
termed the absolute necessity, of some change in dwelt -upon is relaxation and amusement as the pri-
the conduct of what is called private business or Bills, ma':y objects. This has been the fundamental doe-
those Acts not onlyaffectingproperty of vast amount, trine, admitting the necessity of harmless amuse-
but conferring what Lord Longdale used justly to meat to men after their day's work. It is most
term transcendental powers. This branch of the satisfactory to find that our colleague, Lord Stan-
proceedings is that by which Parliament is chiefly ley, has lately inculcated this at the Birkenhead
known to the community, and no doubt considerable co-operative meeting, and it is only to be regretted
improvement has of late years been made in the that he had net attended at York, where the same
conducting it. But the greatest of all the evils felt subject was more than once under the consideration
has been left una.ssailed, the necessity of every one of the Congress, and a paper read upon the subject
particular in each bill undergoing the same inquiry by the secretary of the Institute. In our Congress
in both houses, so as almost to double the expenses at York the subject which had occupied us the year
of all parties. With that great man, whose irrepar- before at Edinburgh, of female education as con-
able loss we daily deplore on all questions, whether netted with the University examinations, was
of foreign or of domestic policy, whether of peace resumed. Some difference of opinion was
or of war (it is superfluous to name the Duke of occasioned by the mistake that the pro-
Wellington), it was my lot to co-operate:on this posal concerned degrees for females ; whereas it
subject, having with him brought forward those was certainthat this could not bethe case, the exami-
standing orders which now regulate the private busi- nation conferring no degrees at all, as had been
ness before both houses, and which were introduced fully stated by Mr. Hastings at a preliminary meet-
in a committee of the Lords. When they were to be ing. But, fortunately, the University of Cambridge
propounded there my illustrious friend said, "Why received most favourably the memorial, signed by a
not bring forward our great plan ?" My answer thousand persons connected with education, as well
was, " Because it would be certainly refused by the as many others, including some of the most promi-
committee." "Never mind," he said, "we can but nent and active members of our own Association.
be beaten, and then we fall back upon the lesser The memorial was presented towards the end of last
and ineffectual plan." The great measure was offered year, and the question was referred to a special Syn-
and refused under the influence of professional men, dicate, who, after a careful consideration, made a
who saw that it would cut off nearly half of their report recommending the proposed extension. In
services. It consisted in the appointment of a joint accordance with this a grace of the Senate was
committee--seven commoners andfour peers, acting passed, giving effect to the recommendation of the
with the assistance of a professional judge or asses- Syndicate. The scheme is to keep in force as a ten-
sor, to help them on questions of law respecting tative measure for three years, at the expiration
evidence ; and the report to be in each house de- of which there is every reason to believe that it will
cisive on all matters of fact, but leaving to the house be made permanent. In the meantime ladies' cora-
its full discretion upon-the whole bill and all its pro- mittees are arranged for the superintendence of the
visions. This is not the first time that the plan has examinations at several of the local centres, and the
been mentioned before our Association, and in con- promise of candidates is already very considerable.
flexion with the great man's name who took such an Of the complete success of the movement it is
interest in it, and who, indeed, mainly contributed scarcely possible to entertain a doubt. The direct
to its preparation. But it is a sacred duty to his result of examination cannot fail to be most bene-
memory that so important a portion of his history ficial, and the moral value of such a recognition by
should be preserved and continually held up to the one of our old Universities of the importance of
admiration of his grateful countrymen. He unfor- female education is likely to be still more widely
tunately took an erroneous view of Reform in and deeply felt. The success of the new system of
the representation, and he maintained his opinion education in Ireland is a just subject for congratu-
strongly, being deeply impressed with the belief lation, and the rather because an attempt was made
that the proposed change in the constitution of the by clerical and other bigotry to represent it as a
Lower House would dangerously interfere with the failure. The principle at all times urged by our
Executive Government—that it was too large a Association of combined secular and separate re-
measure to be adopted at once. His joining, there- ligious teaching has been applied, and the result
fore, in so radical an alteration of the legislative is given in the papers before Parliament. In the
procedure was the more important, and is one, year 1849-50, when the Queen's Colleges were
though among the least, of the many proofs that he established in Belfast, Cork, and Galway, the num-
is to be named among the foremost of our statesmen ber of pupils was 395, and last year they were 837.
as he is at the head of all our warriors. But in Cork and Galway the increase has been
" Statesmen and warrior, he lived and died, much greater than in Belfast, because there educa-
" Where duty placed him, at his country's side; tion had begun sooner. Notwithstanding the popu-
" Trod with firm foot the line which justice draws, of lation Galway has fallen one-half in the time, the
1 •
"Fixed to prevail, or perish in her cause:'—Cowper.
number of pupils has nearly doubled. The number
It was highly satisfactory at our last Congress to
mark the success of the great co-operative movement belonging to the Established Church is only one-
in the increase of the number of the societies and fourth of the whole in the three colleges. It must
be added that Mr. Whiteside, the representative of
though not at the rate of former years ; and as this
their resources, That progress has continued, al- be
University (Trinity College), with distin-
guished candour and consummate ability, opposed
diminution has partly arisen from the increased
rigour of the rules established, and the arrangements those who argued that the measure had been a
enforced with the view to profit, an advantage has
failure. Mention has been made of the great step
taken
been gained ; except, perhaps, that too great burghparsi-
in favour of female education. What has
mony has been shown in the payment of those em-
been done by certain benevolent persons belongs
ployed. It was, however, impossible that the same
rather to the head of charity than education. Yet
rate of increase should continue which had been ex-
is it very important. A hall has been set up for
hibited in 1860 and 1861, when no less than 250
poor sempstresses, who may work there instead of
new societies had been formed. In 1863 there were
in all 454, whose sales in the year amounted to
in those wretched garrets to which they are gene-
£2,626,000, and their profit divided was £213,000.
rally confined, and the addition of a cooking appa-
Mr. Pratt's return for the last year (1864) is 505 ratus is a great improvement. There is no more
societies, their sales £2,742,000, and profit £225,000. praiseworthy employment of the funds which chari-
The counties of York and Lancaster continue to
table individuals allot to that unhappy class of their
take the lead, as the number of 505 Lancaster fellow-citizens, and the suggestion of Mrs. Way is
has no less than 130 and this county 104. very important—that teaching the sewing machine
One cannot avoid recollectingis greatly wanted for the class of sempstresses. But
the of
saying the greatest benefit rendered to these poor women
a Rochdale tradesman, when a few workmen
advanced a little money to establish a store ;
is from the companies that have been formed by the
he said he should be able to carry it all in
principal ladies in London and the dressmakers, with
l
his wheelbarrow, and now the assets of the societies limited liability, for homes under strict regulations,
are returned at £891,000, and their cash in the bank and which have succeeded in an extraordinary man-
and in the hands of their treasurers at £105,000. It nor. One of these companies is in Clifford-street,
Bond-street, the other in Grosvenor-street, Gros-
must be added that the strong recommendation given
at York to employ co-operation in agriculture, and venor-square, and these divide upon their profits. In
the signal success of Mr. Gurdon's experiment in Suf-
Edinburgh the society for the employment of women
is
folk, have had their effect in Ireland, where on the doing great good in extending the resources of
their labour. In the branch of photography the success
Vandeleur property there is every probability that the
same success would have followed, but for the unfor-
has been perfect. The Commission upon schools issued
tunate insolvency of the landlord. As far as it went 'on the recommendation of our Council has not yet
nothing could be more satisfactory. Mr. Craig, its made
n'tswroerpo.rt,
It
tuite itin hasucb
tbeeno be activelyre reteedn gtraetdmin r thecbimd:
p
able superintendent, states that when the co-0 era- port ant
t kwick was not named among the commissioners,g as his ac-
tion had been continued some time the greatest im- quaintance with the subject exceeds that of most men, and
provement had taken place, both in the comfort and ho is the founder of that valuable improvement, the half-
moral condition of the inhabitants, although they at time plan. The commissioners have appointed 10 assis-
first had taken against it hostile proceedings, which, who examine the schools and their method of teach-
they carried even to the length of a breach of theas
ing inthedd on theiffeent
continentdistrictsof E
of this country,n
this
well as in
in
America
an
peace. The cause of co-operation in all its branches circulars of questions have been
issued to,
843 endowed and
owes almost everything to Mr. Pitman, whose con- 152 proprietary schools; and witnesses have been fully
stant exertions and self-sacrifice cannot be too grate- examined. The commissioners have sat 35 days, and aro
fully acknowledged by all co-operative societies, and to resume their sittings for further examination of wit-
their efforts are justly required to aid him in his great nesses in November. It is impossible to doubt that a great
work, the conduct of the " co-operator." Nothing bo.dllybof ine
lflermeteadtion,dboth as to
useful
and to other countries,
and
many
andus
diligenteu s suggestions gegeecsrteitoanry.
can be more gratifying in all respects than the spreadmade.
We hliavre.
will. Roby is their
and success of co-operation, both as regards the great reason to be thankful for the acceptance of the most
comfort and improvement of the people, and if the important plan of law amendment. The act giving suitable
middle classes have gained much, the working classes jurisdiction to county courts has been for many years
have had a larger share in the benefit. The question strongly urged by us. Indeed that jurisdiction was part of
Was
orrii3ftraeldLi
no Courtsclalß3o
then naturally occurs, and it was asked in the course'ecdomthmatittee to which it
t
of the general election, are these classes, preponde-partiallyapEirlol was introduced provision.
13). our
in 1852 an elaborately prepared
rant for their labours as well as their numbers, to council. This equitable extension has been year after year
remain for ever excluded from a direct share in the attempted by us, and is at length carried to a certain extent.
choice of our representatives ? And this question has The great subject of a Law Digest was handled by Sir Jas.
been received by some with indifference, by others Wilde in his most admirable address at York, and has
with contempt, and by not a few with proposals, been subsequently
read b
discussed
in
at our meetings, and an able
the cause of alarm to most persons. But there is
thatpap no ogress has been madetowards
uponer it was byy Mr.
the Reilly.
It cannot
be said
attainment
one view which does not appear to have been taken of this object, for the house of Commons has voted £5,000
by any of the reasoners on the subject, and it is towards the expenses of it, and constant and active work
peculiarly addressed to the promoters of Social has been bestowed upon the kindred task of' selecting for re-
Science, because it applies to the great cause of pro- peal all the statutory provisions which are in fact inopera-
gress in all its branches. The working classes gene- tive,
thatbit still
thework o
continuo f upon
and a
tin teuoteneßoloiodak.ltg must be
rally, and even a large proportion of the middle added
has been undertaken at digesting
New York, und
rk, and is proceeding the
laws
order, are prone to be too earnest, and even im- the superintendence of our corresponding member, Mr.
patient, for the adoption of measures which they Dudley Field. At our last Congress Mr. G. Denman under-
deem necessary or expedient. They do not give them took to bring in a bill for removing the anomaly in our pro-
due consideration ; they do not perceive the checks "dui"), of counsel not being allowed in criminal the privi-
which experience has shown to be required for secur- legsd given in civil cases of summing up the evidence ad-
ing
yllneodliodnsgoe,
longer exists.
atthee act
Thebe ifnafl
ing safety and conformity with other institutions.failure
passed d
Sir.la s t
F session
golly theto
The lesson is slowly learned which these classes amend the law of evidence has been mentioned. That
havenever havenever understood, or only apprehended to make amendment, which the Judge Ordinary of the Divorce Court
it an object of ridicule or clamour, how much of the strongly recommended,—the enabling parties to be ex-.
best of laws may be the result of compromise or amined, which had been omitted in my act of 1849, was
bill. The
defendants chii in criminal
erianajj: e
mutual concession, and how often in carrying through p t
o theart
of Sir
Pz
objection
an
steos that
were sti and
examination itraYi
s o
f
any measure, the most important and beneficial, such
same that had been urged against the greatest amendment
compromise has not only been expedient but neces- of the law in modern times, the examination of parties in civil
sary ; nay, how much the whole of our social system cases, and it may fairly be expected that those objections
has been a succession of compromises. In consider- will no longer be allowed to prevail. One great improve-
ing any of the proposals for extending the Parlia-ment has, however, taken place in this branch of the law, the
mentary suffrage, this circumstance of prevailing natural extensionofn tlaiemiteaesdloid lastabili
sessionexcluding
ty, atall timesstrongly
importance is to be well considered, and we, of the
tshupepreortsped bonsiybility. A
of partnership those who lend mo fromto
National Association, are fully aware of its great traders and men who receive payment for their labour out
influence over our supporters in the community. of the profits to which they have contributed. This is a great
It must ever be kept in mind that the primary benefit, not only to the workman, but to his employer, and
object of co-operation is self-help, the enabling the to traders as well. But much has been done for the working
man without any parliamentary proceedings. The repeated
working man to obtain his goods of the best quality
and at the lowest price, to . him fair
wages, andio eerearnbestas continued
of opinion by our to
üboudy
co toitdheerairteionan:
and to s
hisecure his share in the profits arising fromwhcoorannuwe
edxttoollerecedaltv their
York
orkand
Edinburghn for
labour. andP those
His gains are as far as possible em- their kindly conduct, and especially the Messrs. Chambers,
ployed in the education of his children and his own have been reducing the hours of labour to ten, and this
improvement. In this he may be assisted by his has become a general movement. The early closing of
wealthier neighbours, and in providing for his which Leeds was so great and so early an example has been
relaxation and social intercourse during the hours of more generally followed, and it is very probable that in
both these relaxations ns th
his rest. The want of room in his house often
compensated by moree loss in
healthyhotauters off laboe
ur
men bour will be
obliges him to attend a club, and therefore the their more diligenth working. The srepo report of the selectcorn-
best assistance that can be rendered him is to faciii- mittee of the House of Commons on the bankrupt law has
tate the forming of clubs, which among other ad- been made public during the past session, and we find that
substantiallyehesbh the adoption of the Scotch
vantages have the great merit of coming in comps- recommendsiptlan
of tiste e s
ryt
eeeurts creditors,
ieste
instead
andtheir proceed-
ings
trt -
referred to the orndinya
tition with the ale-house. Accordingly, three years
ago, there was formed in connection with our asso- bunal. That some amendment in this branch of pthae law is
elation the Working Men's Club Institute, and its loudly called for by the whole body of traders there can be no
discussion in
OaillercaatsieosnsthheaNebeen very successful in enabling manner of doubt, and it may b© hoped that the
our Jurisprudence Department will assist the public in ar-
social intercourse
working men all over the country to form clubs. In
riving at a conclusion as to what the amendment should be.
objectof hasthe dbaeyenlahthoeurreersla.xasatiounr
clonld-
' The Commission on the Patent Law has also reported since
eprpe ot
ar tr eyd,
Athire.
0 , rd Lyttleton and others, have strenu-
learrue Lo OUT last Congress, recommending various modifications in
gent
ty
secretary,
`the existing system, but admitting that the change would
Institute, whose . able and dili- only palliate the evils complained of. Opinions have since
attended our Con- been expressed favourable to the repeal of the statute of
gress. It must be added that James L, or the abolition of the rights conferred on inven-
nothing can be more
erroneous than the notion prevailing in tors. This is a subject of great difficulty. That there are
some quay-
grave
tern that the object of these clubs is objections to the inventor's rights as at present exer-
andfor education cised may be true, but his exclusion from the monopoly he
other matters of use to the workin 1
main
c ses. now enjoys is extremely hard to be
.distinguished. from
These may arise out of them, but the object that which would deprive authors of their copyright. The
is to give the labourers that amusement and reiaza_ concentration of the superior courts and their ()Meet; in one