The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-13 00:00:00

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LONDOS, MONDAY, FEB. 13, 1865.

The Prussian Chamber of Deputies seem fully
occupied with one thing and another, and if they
cannot realise their quondam notions of constitu-
tional freedom, they appear inclined to make up for
the want of it by directing their attention to as
many subjects as possible, and taking under con-
sideration diverse questions and various matters.
In order to keep up a show the Ministers make a
grand parade of the new measures which, they
affirm, that the exigencies of the public service re-
quire, and an unobservant looker-on might believe
that a scrupulously attentive Cabinet was submit-
ting its plans and making its proposals to a free and
unfettered Parliament. The only material benefit
that is likely to ensue from this truce to hostilities
is that the business of the State is more likely to be
attended to than if more vehement demonstrations
were made by the Deputies, for in that case, most
probably, an abrupt termination would be put to
their sittings, and the management of public busi-
ness would be rudely interrupted, and either
neglected or arbitrarily arranged by Ministers.
Herr GRABOW'S remark that he accepted the civic
crown presented to him by the inhabitants
of Cologne, in the name of the Liberal Majority in
the Chamber, was rather an inconsequent statement,
for it would puzzle an astute observer to discover
where, and in what, this " Liberal Majority" con-
sisted. Certainly we have not seen much of its
working in recent affairs, foreign or doniestic, and if
such a party is in existence, its light is hidden under
a bushel. The Army Bill, introduced by the Go-
vernment, is eminently characteristic of the course
which the KING and his Ministers have been of late
Pursuing with so much energy and eagerness.
Those who
have been flattering themselves and
amusing others with Utopian notions concerning the
spread of peace and
the imminent cessation of war,
had better drop the
subject
coun-
try aspires to be a military one with a
of
Prussia,
which
ta vengeance.
If the pomp and eire
eneee of war cannot be
hers, with " battle's inaniati
stern array," she
shadow for the
will, at least, have the counterfe•Yt
d presentment
quite
wearisome
to
be
of it, the show for the substance, the
reality. It is really q
stantly reminded of the fact that the prugeisriann:
are great soldiers, and mighty
men of
valour. One would think that a new
NAPOLEON was to lead another army to Moscow, or
that banded Europe was threatening to invade Ber-
lin, to hear the fuss and notice the ferment that are
constantly made about military doings and warlike
proceedings. The conditions of this bill are very
numerous, and apparently most stringent, doubtless
so arranged for the purpose of impressing the minds
of the community with the fixed determination of
the authorities and the Aettled resolve of the powers

that be to organise and maintain an efficient force
to carry out the grand ideas in prospect. Promise
is one thing and performance another, and it remains
to be seen whether much will come of all this pre-
paration and vast amount of professions. One pas-
sage of the regulations tends to show that there is
no intention of returning to a more powerful atti-
tude, but that the impetus given by the Danish war
will not pass way with the occasion that called it
forth. The militia will not be called to arms in
future except when " very serious danger threatens
the country," and though directions are given for
their " drill," &c., it is evident that this branch of
the service will not be much relied on in future. It
may fairly be asked what all this preparation
is for, whether the Government apprehend that
peaceful relations now existing will be terminated.
Is Austria deemed unfriendly, and the outward
aspect of concord that prevails in that quarter re-
garded as false and illusory by the far-seeing'. Ca-
binet of King WILLIAM ? Or does the sage and
sapient BISMARK apprehend that his injunctions
and abjurgations to the smaller States of Germany
have not been of the weight that he desired, and
that in consequence he must be prepared for emer-
gencies ? Whatever the secret motive that actuates
these manoeuvres, it is evident that for some time to
come we shall be justified in regarding Prussian
policy with vigilance, and the leaders of Berlin
statesmen with suspicion. There is nothing definite
in their actions, nothing fair and above board in
their proceedings ; and with nations as with indivi-
duals, those who are not true and just in their deal-
ings cannot inspire respect, and win confidence from
those who look to honest and honourable intentions
as the sure guides jn all human affairs, whether
national, political, or domestic. Tried by such
tests, and subjected to the scrutiny of such an
ordeal, Prussian statecraft must indeed be pro-
nounced unsound, and found wanting in solid and
sterinig qualities.

The relations between employer and employed
are of considerable social importance. It has long
been the habit of this country to leave trade as much
unfettered as possible, to trust to itself for maintain-
ing a fair balance and for righting any temporary
inconvenience or inequality. Private enterprise
and capital are allowed among us to do a great part
of what is done in other nations under the immedi-
ate direction of the central authority, and the results
are found to be so far satisfactory that there are
few things that Englishmen are more prompt to
resent than any unnecessary interference with the
commercial system. But well as this free and in-
dependent principle works in the main, there are
occasions when complications arise, and when
matters are very slow to re-adjust themselves. It
would little suit the taste or feelings of Englishmen
to have such difficulties got over by arbitrary de-
cisions of an irresponsible authority, and if such a
a settlement were possible it would possibly only
forerun a worse outbreak. It remains to be seen,
therefore, what is the best way of arranging disputes
between master and workmen, and of setting the great
industrial machine in motion again when it has come
to one of its periodical deadlocks. On the general
aspect of the case there is a good deal to be said for
both sides. It cannot be expected that the masters
should willingly submit to the dictation of their own
men. They argue plausibly enough that they
know their own business best—that they can best
estimate the relations between their outgoings and
their incomings, and the amount of wages which
they can fairly give to their hands. The fluctua-
tions in the markets, the changes of fashion or
taste, the introduction of new materials or the fresh
application of old ones, the prospects of peace or of
war, and other political questions, all must be taken
into consideration by the masters in estimating
their profits, and next year's reverses may swallow
up this year's balance. Still the fact remains that
very large fortunes are continually made in trade
and manufacture, and it may very fairly be asked
whether the due proportion of such wealth finds its
way to the humbler agents without whose assist-
ance it could not be accumulated. The men very
justly argue that the masters are usually very
prompt in proclaiming the fall of profits, but less
ready to announce their rise, that the wages which are
very quickly reduced are very slow to return to their
old level, and that while carefully estimating every
risk of their own, the masters do not allow the inte-
terest of the working man and his family to be placed
on any part of the scale. Under these impressions,
they have sought in combination that strength
which the masters possess in wealth and position.
However much we may deprecate strikes, more even
for the employed than for the employers, there is
no doubt that the system of co-operation has been
a protection to the men against injustice and grasp-
ing on the part of their masters. When we remem-
ber how completely a workman, be he sober, honest,
and able, is at the mercy of his employer in some
particular districts where the hands are many and
the employers of labour few, how a private hint
from one master to another, a word from one agent
to another, may block up every channel of honest
industry for a slight offence, we shall admit that the
power of combination among the men is a valuable
possession in reserve. The mistake is that this re-
serve is so frequently called into action that
demagogues and interested parties busy them-
selves in stirring up a feud and in fos-
tering dissension. We have seen even within
the last few years much suffering and damage
to trade arise from the reckless resort to strikes,
even though they have lost their worse features of
tyranny and outrage, and the labouring class of the
present day is altogether different from the savage
and ignorant mobs of a former period. The late
has
sxin excited
theed a
commercial affairs of the Black Country
good
dealla of attention, and the gene-
ral feeling has beentthate tmhearsetehrsavdeidbeneont '
s'hfoawultsanoyn
both sides," though
readiness to conciliate the men, who, rightly or
wrongly, believed they had a grievance. Under
these circumstances, we see with satisfaction a
movement in Birmingham which may inaugurate a
T
better state of things. The master builders and
other employers in the building trade and the
operatives of the different branches held a meeting
for the purpose of electing delegates to attend a
conference. The object of this conference is to
draw up rules for the future government of the
trade, so as avoid those prolonged contests and
disputes which are so injurious to both sides. The
resolutions which were unanimously agreed to at, this
preliminary meeting augur well for the scheme. It
was resolved "That it is desirable to appoint delegates
from the masters and operatives with power to settle all
trade regulations," and further, " That the em-
ployers and operatives severally agree to conform to
and carry out all rules which shall be agreed to by
the delegate, or decided by the casting vote of the
chairman." It will be necessary to exercise great
cautioninte,_rest
ainndthe selection of the chairman, who may
thus have virtually to decide a question of great
led importance in the trade. He must be
an independent, impartial man, who cannot be sus-
pected
orei
t naturallyisf
especially leaning
bytoonetohfetrhesinidea.
steThrs,eanoffid office
ehewri-1
the friend of necessary that he should be also
the workman.. plan e
at itself
si
service,
alidelyiiiiliffity amearrliveedr roeuats'ot:abbleThe eoxefegrctations, we e

may hope to see the example of the Birmingham
builders followed by other trades, and in other parts
of the country, for this is assuredly a matter in
which Mr. COBDEN'S theory may be accepted unre-
servedly, and negotiation is immeasurably better
than open warfare.

The Duke of SUTHERLAND has set a good example
which it is hoped many will be induced to follow,
for the results cannot be otherwise than beneficial to
all concerned. The letter which appears in to-day's
Sun, and which was sent by his Grace to a West-
end firm, is deserving of general attention, for it
bears reference to the great annoyances entailed by
the plan of giving per centages to servants. His
Grace has decided that from henceforth such prac-
tices shall be discontinued in his establishment. He
very truly remarks that the custom is " alike un-
fair to the master and the servant," to the former
because the tradesmen must necessarily increase the
charge of his bill in some way or other to enable him
to pay the " tax," and it is unfair to the latter since
it is putting a temptation continually in his way.
The truth of these observations cannot be gainsaid,
and all who have paid any attention to these do-
mestic questions must have noticed the many serious
evils that accrue in consequence of the prevalence of
this unwise and mischievous practice. Fair play
cannot possibly exist in the establishment where
suchthings go on, and it follows, as a matter
of course, that errors are screened, and
faulty articles often supplied through the desire to
keep up a pernicious system. While these flaws
exist in the dealings of the less scrupulous purveyors,
those of a higher class and superior character are
exposed to constant annoyances in consequence of
this absurd and annoying plan. There is reason in
the remark made by the firm which has published
this letter, that the publication of it may doubtless
" tend materially to lessen the evil complained of."
It is too often the way for people to go on in the
same fashion without making any visible effort to
lessen the evils that they constantly complain of,
and confining themselves to words instead of actions,
when they feel particularly annoyed or irritated
beyond endurance by some special act or particular
offence. The Duke of SUTHERLAND has therefore
done good service to the cause of order and the
encouragement of rectitude by setting his face de-
cidedly against these innovations ; and there is no
reason why the unsuitable and in every way unde-
sirable habit of tradesmen givingper-centages to ser-
vants should not be totally discontinued. Those who
make the largest profits by these practices are pre-
cisely those who do not in the least require any
additional sum or extra fees, but the desire of gain
leads them on to make more efforts to increase
their stores. The Duke could not have taken more
decided steps than he has done in announcing his
intention to idismiss from his service any servant
who is detected in " receiving perquisites, or an
equivalent, and also in intimating that he would
not obtain any more goods from the tradesman
who gives them." As he observes, every right-
minded tradesman " will willingly aid in abolish-
ing" the custom, if viewed in the proper light, and
no doubt many firms will concur in this feeling.
Now, that a precedent has been established, it is
to be hoped that many more of the influential and
leading members of society will follow the example
thus worthily set by his Grace, and that this
season will witness the beginning and the
end of this pernicious practice. All those
who have the integrity of their depen-
dents at heart will willingly lend their aid to
this work, and indeed so numerous are the evils
attendant on the custom that it is only surprising
that a stop has not before this been put to the pro-
ceedings. At any rate, the excuse can no longer be
made that it is awkward and inconvenient to make
a change or adopt a diluent course. A reform has
been inaugurated, and it rests with those who have
the power to show that they have the will to do good
service to themselves and others by putting a stop
to a custom that fosters fraud and holds out every
encouragement to dishonesty. Regarded in this
light, it appears to be a duty to society that influ-
ential members of the community should do their
utmost in checking the continuance of a custom that
has too long prevailed for their credit and the wel-
fare of others. A grave responsibility rests with
those who, from idleness or indifference, allow things
to go on until they are found at last to acknowledge
the evil if they do not admit their own share in it.