The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-04 00:00:00

number of petitions had been presented-in favour 'of the
measure, and it was quite clear that the existing system
was exceedingly unjust in its operation. He must object to
the question of principle being raised at this stage; it
was most unusual, and he hoped' the House would not
tolerate such a mode of proceeding. It was unfair to
say that the Bill was one-sided because it did not con-
fer equal power on the lord of the manor as the tenant,
Geeing that the existing law placed the tenant in a far
higher pokition :han the lord of the manor.—(Hear.)
Mr. GOULBOURN said he was of opinion this Bill
was founded on vary unjust principles. Copyhold
tenure was a very ancient thing, and there was much
the same relation subsisting between the lord of the
manor and the copyholder as subsisted between a land-
owner and his tenant. It was a great and serious case
of injustice to endeavour to deprive the lard of the
manor of his interest in copyhold tenure, which this
Bill did, because the copyholder thought it inconvenient
to pay a small annual fine.
Sir G. STRICKLAND would be very much sur-
prised if this Bill progressed one step further.—(Cheers.)
He thought this was a Bill having in view no other
object than confiscation. Where was the great
national object to be attained in compelling the
Lord of the Manor to give up his copyhold
rights ? This Bill neither abolished the copy-
hold tenure nor the copyhuld courts, but perpetuated
them, and yet the lord of the manor was to be com-
piled to keep up those courts, alter he had been de-
prived of his interest in the copyhold tenure.
Mr. HUME thought the Bill ought to go into Com•
mittee, and if then the feeling of the House should be
averse to its principle, his Hon. Friend, the Member for
Cockermouth, might then, but not till then, with great
propriety withdraw it.
After a few words from Mr. FELLOWS,
Mr. H. WILLYAMS said this Bill was not intended
to confiscate the property of the lords of manors, but to
relieve the tenants from certain obnoxious and unjust
payments to which they were compelled to submit.
But though the principle was good, the Bill was imper-
fect and partial, because it gave an advantage to one
party which it did not give to another.—(Hear, hear.)
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the
House divided, when there appeared—

For the motion
For the amendment ... 71
Majority for the amendment ~. —ll
MINES AND COLIERIES BILL.
Mr. THOMAS DU-NCO MBE rose to move the second
reading of this Bill. There was great injustice in
the present treatment of colliers. In many dis-
tricts the coal was brought up to the surface to
be measured, and the men were not paid until
six weeks after. Upwards of five thousand lives had
been lost within the last few years in the working of
mines and collieries. Such a state of affairs called for
the interference of the Legislature.

... 60

Mr. HUME rose to second the motion. It was a
subject which pressed for immediate redress. The
colliers had petitioned year after year for the redress of
their grievances. He
,hoped the House, on considering
the important nature of this Bill, and as the Govern-
ment had delayed to interfere, would accede at least to
the principle of the Bill.
Sir GEORGE GREY expressed his satisfaction at
seeing the Hon. Member for Finsbury in his place again.
—(Hear, hear.) With reference to the present measure,
though he thought that the number of accidents was
much overrated, yet he was greatly in favour
of taking everything into consideration which
should tend to diminish the number of them.
The compulsory plan adopted on the continent would
certainly not be feasible in this country. To the prin-
ciple of a compulsory inspection he could have no
objection.—(Hear, hear.) He had prepared a
Bill himself on this subject, which he intended to
introduce this session. Be did 'not wish that the
responsibility should be shifted from the shoulders of
the proprietors of collieries to Government. He objected
to the Billof his Hon. Friend on the ground that it ren-
dered a great staff of officers and complicated machinery
necessary, which he thought he should be
able to obviate by his own measure. He
also regretted that clauses relating to the payment
of wages had been introduced into the Bill. He hoped
also, from the foundation of the Museum of Economic
Geology, to raise a school of miners similar to those on
the continent, which he was convinced would be of
great value to the mining districts. The whole subject
was one of great importance, but he thought that gradual
measures would be of more advantage than a Bill of the
present nature.
Mr. LACY moved that this Bill be read a second
time this day fortnight. He thought hasty legislation
now would be to induce great mischief. He deprecated
any interference with the matter of the miners' wages,
as was proposed by this Bill. This Bill talked of three
inspectors which were to be compelled to go
into every coal mine in England and Wales four times
a year, a thing which was almost impossible, con-
sidering the number of mines in the country.
Mr. MACGREGOR most cordially seconded the
amendment of ,bis Hon. Friend (Mr. Lacy). He be-
lieved, in his conscience, this would be a most imprac-
ticable Bill, and he hoped it would be withdrawn.
Lord LINCOLN also hoped the Ron. Member for
Finsbury would withdraw his Bill. He (Lord Lincoln),
as the representative of one of the most im-
portant mining districts in Scotland, had be-
come acquainted with the feelings of the miners
in Scotland with respect to this Bill, and they were ge-
nerally of opinion that the Bill was, in the first place,
impracticable, and, in the second, would be very mis-
chievous in its operation.
Mr. AGLIONBY thought there was the greatest
necessity for adopting some means for preserving the
lives of persons employed in mines. Ho thought it
the Bill were read a second time now, it might be
sent down into the country to elicit the public
opinion respecting it, and that object below
attained, it might then be brought under the
consideration of the House. Ile would vote for the
second reading on that understanding.

After a few-words from Mr. BRIGHT and Sir GEORGE
GREY,

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said voluntary inspection in
this matter would be perfectly nugatory. All the objec-
tions to the Bill had come from the master class; and
unless the House would consent to the compulsory
inspection, he must divide the House.
Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but no division
took place, the Bill having been withdrawn by Mr. T.
Duncombe.
The House then, at Six o'clock, adjourned.

FINSBURY AN 1) SHOREDITCH
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—(THIS DAY.)
This society, established for thu twofold purpose of
allowing pensions and medical aid, held its first meeting
to-day, in order to elect two females on the funds. The
chair was occupied by Henry F. Richardson, Esq., F.L S.
'I he business was then proceeded with, and at three o'clock
the poll was declared. The Chairman gave a distinct
account of the necessity for this institution, and stated
that Finsbury contained upwards of 270,000 persons,
and Shoruditch upwards of 100,000, making an aggre-
gate of 370,000 persons—the nature also of the avoca-
tions in the locality, peculiarly required the formation of
such a society, and he (the Chairman) trusted that a
large and extended liberality would make the institution
a blessing to the district. The Chairman paid a just
tribute to the exertions of the promoters, and Mr. Vine,
the secretary, and announced, amidst great applause, the
adhesion of the Marquis of Bristol, Lord Denbigh, Lord
Carlisle, Lord Seaham, the Bishops of Durham and
Llandaff, Sir James Flower, Bart., and numerous others.
The Chairman then announced that the first festival
would be held on the 25th inst., at the King's llead
Tavern, Poultry, and he hoped none would came merely
to applaud the toast or cheer the sentiment, but substan-
tially aid the funds. The Chairman then congratulated
the pensioners—he might now call them—and, is great
spirits, the meeting broke up, after a vote of thanks to
the Chairman.

STATE OF TRADE.
(From the Manchester Guardian of this day.)
MANCHESTER, TUESDAY.—The large business which
was effected last week in shirtings and other goods of
light and medium qualities for various distant markets,
as well as those of India and China, has been followed
by a diminished amount of transactions to-day. This is
partly attributable to an unwillingness among buyers to
yield to some further rise of price, which has, in many
instances, been demanded; but it is much more owing
to the scarcity of the articles referred to. 40 inch
shirtings, in 64 and 66 reeds, are not to be had at the
highest rates; and, for good qualities of 36-inch shirt-
ings, there is a lively call, at advancing prices. There
is still, we are glad to say, a tendency to improve in the
heavier domestics; but T cloths are as dull as before.
In heavy fustians, the depression is quite unrelieved,
and these makers who have not entirely stopped their
works, are still restricting them to short-time. Yarns
for home manufacture continue to be freely taken ;
last week's advance is fully maintained. In the great
mass of export twist, however, the market has been
very inanimate, and, to the producers, most unsatis-
factory. The continental buyers will not pay the
small increase of price required by the spinners, except
fur such very limited quantities as are needed to supply
immediate wants ; and, under the influence of recent
advices, the India merchants not only refuse to go
higher, but even hesitate about operating any further, at
present, on previous conditions. As, however, the
spinners have no great weight of stock on hand, and
as they are generally of opinion that cotton is likely,
in the long run, rather to increase in value, they
hold firmly by their quotations ; and many in-
timations are given of a serious intention to di-
minish the production. This will not surprise those
who are aware of the following facts:—The rise in
American cottons, within the last month, is fully id. per
lb.; many consumers say id. In the same time, the
advance in water twist is scarcely appreciable—certainly
it is not fd.; while in mule yarns it is only about id.
These yarns were previously, fur the most part, unre-
munerative, and to a great extent attended with loss;
what, then, is the position of the spinner now?
ROCHDALE, MONDAY.—We have had another very
fair market, quite equal to that of the preceding Monday.
There has been a better demand for heavy goods
than we have had for some weeks past. The wool
market has been flat, the dealers asking a shade higher
price, but the manufacturers refusing to give it. The
circumstance of the London wool sale being on this
week has had some effect in keeping the manufacturers
out of the market, as there are various opinions enter-
tained whether prices are to be higher or lower.
HUDDERSFIELD, TUESDAY.—Very considerable busi-
ness has been doing in the Cloth-hall. and the ware-
houses have been pretty well engaged during the week.
The orders from America continue to come pretty freely
to hand.
HALIFAX, SATURDAY.—The amount of business done
in the Piece Hall to-day has been pretty much the same
as for the last week or two. The chief inquiry is for
fancy goods, and prices are firm, though not advancing.
for export, at
Yarns are more in demand, principally