The Sun.
London, England, 1847-11-12 00:00:00

THE CURRENCY.

Last night a public meeting was called by the Co-
operative League, in Farringdon Hall, King's Arms-
yard, Holborn, to consider the existing distress, the
embarassment of trace, the evils attendant on a gold,
silver, or paper currency, and to adopt a remedy
which would be beneficial to the producing classes.
About half-past eight o'clock the chair was taken
by Mr. Smith.
The CHAIRMAN briefly explained the object of call-
ing the present meeting together. The question of
the Currency had now become one of the utmost im-
portance, and a resolution upon the subject would be
brought forward for their adoption. He believed that
the remedy which had been recently applied by Mi-
nisters had rather had the effect of bolstering up par-
ties who had brought ruin on themselves, and that
the interest of the great bulk of the community had
not been considered.

Mr. JENNISON rose to move a resolution for the
adoption of the meeting, and which was to the fol-
lowing effect :—" That this meeting considers that,
in the proposed alteration of the currency, the claims
of labour should obtain paramount consideration ; and
as so much of the distress and difficulty of the coun-
try arises from an insufficient circulating medium, it
is expedient that the present monetary arrangements
should make way for some more equitable mode of ex-
changes." The question before them he considered of
an important nature at all times, but especially so
at the present moment. He had no doubt they
would soon have some animated discussions in the new
House of Commons, and that the currency ques-
tion would occupy a large share of attention. The
consequence of the periodical returns of the panic
was, that people felt the jeopardy of their position,
and many of the wealthy were compelled to feel that
there really was no security for the wealth they had
accumulated. A new principle had been propounded,
that the wealth which was created should be
properly represented. No one could desire to
see the system go on as it had done, extract-
ing the labour of the working classes. 'Wealth
only was necessary to make them know their posi-
tion, and to obtain that it was only necessary that
they should understand the principles of union, for by
that means they could carry all that was necessary
into effect. It was strange, he conceived, that so
many persons should be occupied in the manufacture
of mere baubles, and that these men should be better
paid than were those who were employed in produc-
ing articles necessary for the comfort of society. In
all the legislation of Government the question of pro-
perty seemed to be the one alone considered. It had
frequently led to war ; it was also the security for
peace, and it was made the basis of the qualification
for the possession of the elective franchise. With re-
spect to the circulating medium, he thought they
would agree with him, that gold was snot the most
desirable, and that all they wanted was a standard of
value that could give security such as the country re-
quired and demanded. He concluded by moving the
resolution. _ _

Mr. RINGER seconded the resolution. He doubted
very much that the means of relieving the country
which had been proposed would have the effect that
was desired. It was well known that, under the pre-
sent system of things, the large capitalists could, by
a sort of legerdemain, operate very severely on
the interests of the working classes. The Bank of
England, as they all knew, could at any moment,
by putting on the screw, change the aspect of
affairs. The question was, how could they get the
people employed ? And it seems to him that as long
as they had the competitive system there was no
help for it. This much they knew, that when
the large masses were out of employment the result
must be extreme destitution. It was proved by
reference to statistics, that when men were out of
employment crime increased. Considerations of
property they found overwhelmed everything, but
it was time they should be up and be doing, when
they heard statements sich as had been communi-
cated to them of the condition of the people of Ire-
land. He concluded by seconding the resolution.
Mr. HENRY supported the resolution. They had
been told in a good book that money was the root of
all evil, and they had witnessed recently what misery
the country had endured in connexion with money.
It had been the cause of great mischief, andiwould
destroy itself. He trusted that they would give their
support to propositions which had the good of the
working ;classes in view, and upon that ground he
would support the resolution which had been read to
them. _ _ _ _ _

Mr. WALTER COOPER was of opinion that the

working men by no means understood the currency
question, but he took it as a good sign of the times
that such a dry question of facts and figures was oc-
cupying the attention of the working men, and he had
no doubt that, assisted as they now were upon the
subject, they would arrive at common sense conclu-
sions regarding it. He had heard surprise expressed
at the order and regularity which prevailed at the
meetings of the working classes. Dr. Charming
had observed that the present age might he
called the wild age. It was the age of
inquiry, for no dogma was secured from investiga-
tion. It was the age, too, of• cheap literature and
of mechanics' institutions. It was also, the ago of
cheap editions of standard works, and the working
man could now enjoy the company of the great
minds cf ancient times, at a comparatively small ex-
pense. The age of the " right divine to govern
wrong" precept had passed away, as so also had the
age for capital punishment. There was a spirit of
improvement abroad, and he entertained no doubt
that it would result in bettering the condition of the
great bulk of society. He concluded by supporting
the resolution.
The meeting was addressed by two other speakers,
after which the resolution was unanimously agreed to,
and the meeting separated.

THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
DEAL, Nov. 10.—The 31st Regiment (Young
Buffs), commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Spence, C. 8.,
renowned for its gallant actions during a long service
in India, and particularly the battles which decided
the fate of the Seikhs, has been quartered in Waliner
Barracks since its return from India at the close of
the past year, recruiting its ranks and recovering its
discipline. During the present year this gallant
corps has been twice officially inspected by Lieut.-
General Brown, and received great credit for the
progress made in drill, and shortly before the depar-
ture of Sir Harry Smith for the Cape, that gallant
soldier visited it, and awarded it a high meed of
praise. His Grace Field Marshal the Duke of Welling-
ton having announced his intention of inspecting the
regiment, it was formed in line in review order this
morning in the South Barrack-square, composed of
10 companies of 28 files each. Precisely at eleven
o'clock (the time appointed) his Grace arrived, wear-
ing the uniform of the Lord Warden of the Cinque
Ports and a Field Marshal's sash, and was received
by the regiment drawn up in line, which presented
arms as he rode into the square ; his Grace then
passed slowly up the front and down the rear of the
line, minutely inspecting the whole of the regiment.
His Grace then ordered Colonel Spence to put the
regiment through the following movements :—The
ranks were closed, and the companies broke into open
column right in front, and marched past in slow time.
The column was halted, and closed to quarter distance
on the Grenadiers, and marched past in quick time.
After the first wheel, they closed upon the Grenadiers
on the march, and again wheeled twice in close
column, the second wheel being in echellon, in which
position they advanced some distance, and deplo,yed
into line upon the right centre company. he
oblique line then advanced, halted, and formed
quarter distance columns on the Grenadiers and
left centre company, right in front—changed
front by the wheel and countermarch of subdivi-
sions round the centre of wings, advanced in
echellon of columns, and again changed front to
rear on the centre, halted, and deployed on the Grena-
diers and left centre companies (preserving distance
correctly)—formed a parallel line on the right centre
company, which wheeled four paces to its left. The
ranks then opened, and the line advanced in slow
time, the band playing the regimental march. The
line halted, and presented arms to his Grace, who re-
turned the salute, and adressing Col. Spence, said he
was highly satisfied with the state of discipline, and
steadiness of the corps, who were a fine body
of young men, and they reflected the greatest
credit on their Colonel and others of the
regiment ; that he had known
the corps for
many years and was much pleased with its appearance,
which
&c. His Grace then retired from the ground,
presented a very animated appearance, there 'Dieting a
partook of a deouu
ner
invitepro%id
theed bLyietuhteenoaffincte.crso.
lonel and
dratce wffillsceprlseasoef thedto
regiment to dine with him at 11rhe o
almer Castle this
evening. It is a singular fact that at the same hour,
on the same-day and month, in the year 1813, his
Grace led this regiment to victory at the battle of
Nivelle. The first division leaves to-morrow en route
for Manchester.

DESTNIICTION of TOADS.—Since the opening of
the atmospheric railway from Paris to St. Germain,
they have found round the large cast metal tube, chiefly
in that part under the tunnel to the viaduct, an immense
number of dead toads. Some chemists, being desirous
to discover the cause of this mortality, have found the
paint in the tube has a singular property of attracting
the reptiles and poisoning them. They are, in many
localities, a complete scourge ; and the means of de-
stroying them may not be unacceptable. This compo-
sition, or paint, is formed of forty parts of sulphate of
lead, and sixty parts of glue, which is composed of forty-
five parts of white creosote oil, fifteen of gum Jacque, and
five of caoutchcuc. In the rural districts, this might be
used with great advantage by agriculturists in painting
their fences.
Robert MParlane, who eight years ago broke out
of Perth gaol, but has since lived a useful respect-
ableandpr.
life, has been sentenced to only two months
sonraant,

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

MONMOUTH AND ITEREFORD.—The Great Wristern:
Company- have given notice of an application to Par—
_

liament in the n'xt session to extend by three yews
the time granted by the Act for making the abssAtet
railway, for the compulsory purchase of houses anci
lands, and for the completion of the works. Sundry
alterations, amendments, or extensions, are also
sought, so far as may be deemed requisite for the
purposes of the above, in forty-eight Acts of Parlis-
ment, directly or indirectly relating to the Great
Western Company.
LANARK AND LOTHIANS.—We beg to mention, for
the satisfaction of the shareholders in the above con-
cern, and about the winding-up of which so much
has been said, that the directors have all along been
most anxious to have a speedy adjustment of the
matter; but this they were prevented from effecting
by a claim or two which they felt it to he their
bounden duty to settle amicably. There is nothing
now in the way, however, excepting one claim, and
the Sheriff is daily expected to give his decision upon
it. When this is obtained, the balance in ,hand,
whatever it may be, will he immediately paid over to
the shareholders.—Glasgow Constitutional.

SABBATH TR AVELLING.—A society has just been
established at Edinburgh, under the title of the Sab—
bath Alliance, one of the principal objects of which
is " to take steps to oppose and prevent the running
of railway trains and other public conveyances on the-
Lord's day.