The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-08 00:00:00

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THE NEW POST-OFFICE REGIJ-
LATIONS.—(THIS DAY.)
A public meeting of the inhabitants of Westminster
and Marylebone was held this afternoon at the Free-
mason's Tavern, for the purpose of memorializing the
Lords of the Treasury against the intended commence-
ment of Sunday labour in the General Post-office. Lord
Ashley, M.P, occupied the chair, supported by the
Bishop of London, Dr. Croly, Sir John Paul, Bart., and
others.
The Bishop of LONDON opened the meeting with
prayer.
The CHAIRMAN said the public press and the pub-
lished reports of the authorities must have informed the
meeting that it was intended to increase Sunday labour
at the Post-office. There could be no doubt of that, and
it was for the meeting to express their opinion, whether
the change ought to be made or not. The question
could be viewed in a religious or a labour point of view.
Now, leaving the religious part of the question out
of consideration, was it advisable to increase
the labour of the overworked Post-office clerk
at a time when the public was doing all it could to re-
duce the hours of factory labour, to secure the early.
closing of shops, and promote the
healthy recreation of
the working classes? It struck him, however, as it had
struck others, that the real object of this proposed change
was to produce a saving in the public expenditure, but
the saving was to be effected at the expense
of public decency. What right had the Post-office
authorities to attempt to get:: seven days'
labour out of some of these clerks for six days' pay ? It
was said, however, in answer to those who argued
against the change on religious grounds, that it would
only require the services of twenty-five clerks in London
on a Sunday, while it would greatly relieve the labours
of provincial offices on the same day ; but he objected
to any relief being afforded to provincial offices,
at the expense of even 25 clerks in London. These 25
clerks had as much right to the enjoyment of the Sab-
bath as 13 Cabinet Ministers, or the Postmaster and
secretaries of the Post-office; and on that ground alone
this proposed change ought to be resisted. It
was ridiculous to tellhim that the proposed change
would rest with the forwarding of letters to the pro-
vinces, inasmuch as it was absurd, nay, unjust to sup-
pose that the London merchant would rest satisfied with
a system that gave his brother merchant in Liverpool a
great advantage over himself in obtaining early in-
telligence; and the meeting might depend upon it
that the result of this change, if not now strenuously re-
sisted, would be to render the British metropolis similar
to the other capitals of Europe, to do away with all dis-
tinction of days, and to make religious duties and obser-
vances subjected to Government regulations.
Ile therefore called upon the meeting to
oppose the proposed change to the utmost of their
power, and concluded by declaring it as his opinion that
this country owed much of its greatness to the due ob-
servance of the Sabbath.—(Cheers.)
The Bishop of LONDON moved the first resolution, to
the effect—" That this meeting has heard with equal
surprize and regret of the intention of the authorities of
the General Poet-office to commence the receipt and
transmission of mails from and to all parts of England
on Sundays as on the other days of the week; and it
desires to express its unfeigned sorrow that the first
public act of the Government immediately following the
recent heavy visitation should involve an open vio-
lation of one cf the plainest commands of Him
in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways."
In considering this resolution, it was hardly right to go
into the details of the proposed change. It ought to be
sufficient for them to ask themselves, was it right or
wrong? and if it was wrong, then to oppose it in the
strongest possible manner. It was gratifying to him to
know that the proposed change met with the most de-
cided opposition of the Christian public, and he hoped it
would have the effect of inducing Government to abandon
their new postal regulations.—(flear, hear.)
Sir JOHN MAXWELL seconded the resolution, and in-
sisted that instead of relieving the provincial offices on
Sundays their proposed change would greatly increase
their labours. The proposed change was neither an act
of nEcessity nor charity, bat an act of cruelty to a de-
serving body of public servants, and he theretore called
upon all good men to resist it to the utmost of their
power.—(Cheers.)
Dr. WEBB said he wished to move an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN--." Order, order."
Dr.WEnn—l wish to move an amendment, my Lord.
The CHAIRMAN—WeII, sir, you ought to know that
you cannot be in order until the resolution has been put.
This having been done,
The CHAIRMAN continued—Now, sir, before you are
heard, allow me to ask who you are?
Dr. WEBB—I am a resident and elector of Maryle-
bone. There is my card.
The CHAIRMAN—Do you intend to speak in support
of the object of this meeting, namely, to memorialise the
Lords of the Treasury against the proposed change at
the Post-office.
Dr. WEBB—Certainly not.
The CHAIRMAN—Then you can't be heard.
Dr, WEBB—Then I protest :against this being consi-
dered a meeting of the inhabitants of Westminster and
Marylebone. The amendment he intended to have pro-
posed was as follows :—" Resolved, that it is the opinion
of this meeting that the opposition to the passing of
letters through the Post-office on Sundays made by some
interested London bankers and merchants wishing to
keep their present monopoly of earlier information than
their brethren in the country, and of ,some religionists
who wish tyrannically and unjustly to compel all men to
do as they do, is contrary to ail sound principles of free-
trade, political economy, and true religion, which im-
peratively require that every man, equally the employer
and the employed, should be left tree to act as he
pleases, provided he does not coerce or injure another;
and that the questions between town and country
should be left to the discretion and knowledge of the
Postmaster-General, subject to the control of Parlia-
ment."
Other resolutions having been put and carried unani-
mously, thanks were voted to the Noble Chairman, and
the meeting, which was most numerously attended,
broke up.