The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-20 00:00:00

(Fran Fun.)

STRIKE !—This is good news :—" At the Con4rence of
the Malleable Ironworkers at Sunderland on Friday, it
was resolved that the North Staffordshire ironmasters be
memorialised " It is gratifying and hopeful to learn that
there are any Iron-workers who are Malleable; for there
is some chance of hammering common sense into them
under that condition.

ONLY A HALFPENNY.—Now that we have a halfpenny
stamp, the appeal so often made on behalf of the hospitals
and workhouses for newspapers, etc., ought at last to
meet with a response. A bit of string and a halfpenny
stamp will enable one to cheer the weary hours of many a
poor invalid, or aged pauper ; one cannot always do so
much good at so little expense. So now, gentlemen, out
with your ha'pence !

( From Judy).

What is the difference between Margate and Rams-
gate ?—S.

When would Paris most resemble a pea 7—When it was
being shelled. _

Why have the French boursiers stopped speculation?—
Because all their capital is invested.
The Roman Fall.—The Pope losing his temporal
power.

THEATRICAL ITEMS.—Theatrical readers will regret
to learn that the distinguished actress Miss Amy Herbert,
has been suffering from typhoid fever, and will probably
be unable to appear on the stage for some time.—Mrs.
Ba„dinann (nee Milly Palmer) has been playing Juliet at
Melbourne with great favour. Herr Bandmann played
Mcrcutio.

LORD ROBERT AIONTAG uE.--The following para-
graph is from the Huntingdonshire News :—" Our readers
are aware that paragraphs have appeared in the journals
stating that Lord ltobert Montagu, one of the members
for the county, has just joined the Communion of the
Church of Rome. The Hunts Protestant Association, at
a meeting held on Wednesday last, had the matter under
consideration, but befole taking action it was resolved to
communicate with his 'Lordship to ascertain whether the
story be true."

' THE SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION AND
THE SCHOOL-BOARD QUESTION.
A meeting of the Social Science Association was held at
their rooms, Adam-street, Adelphi, yesterday afternoon,
-to consider whether any steps might be taken to bring
before the, public the desirability of securing an efficient
School Board by the election of men without reference to
their political or religious opinions, but solely on the
ground of personal fitness and acquaintance with
the. educational necessities of the metropolis. Lyon
Playfair, M.P., the chairman of the Education Com.
mittee of the Association, was voted to the chair, and
amongst those present were Mr. Torrens, M.P., gr•
Eastwick, C. 8., M.P., Canon Cromwell, Professor Amos,
Mr. Chadwick, C. 8., Mr. Godwin, F.R.S., Rev. Brook
Lambert, and Mr. Pears.
Dr. Playfair said he need scarcely commend them
,the object of the meeting. He regretted, however,
that he had been placed in the chair, for, having just
arrived in London, he was really not well acquainted with
the position of the question with regard to the metropolis.
However, the general subject was one of great importance.
Mr. Torrens kad had the influence to obtain in Parliament
a general Board of Education for the whole of the metro-
polis, instead of splitting it up into vestries ; and it was of
the greatest importance that they should obtain a board
which would represent every subject in regard to air
cation. (Hear.) As little as possible sectarian feeling
should prevail, though he would not like it to be alto-
gether absent ; but they should have the highest educa•
tional representatives over the education system, not only
as it existed in the metropolis, but as it ought to exist in
the kingdom generally. (Applause.)
The Secretary remarked that the Education Committee
of the Association observed that there were candidates
before the constituencies who represented a great variety
of interests. These were men chosen because they would
represent the league, others because they would
represent the Union, others because they would
represent the religious idea, and others because
they would represent working men. The committee
were of opinion, however, that men should be elected be-
cause they knew something about education, and men
competent to practically apply their knowledge for the
more effective promulgation of education.
Mr. Torrens, M.P., deprecated the adoption of the
cumulative vote as a general thing ; it should be merely
used as a defensive weapon. (Hear.) If any coalition
were to be created for the election of a particular candi-
date to represent a particular idea, and the cumulative
vote used for the purpose. the individuals composing the
coalition would be forgetful of their duties of citizenshiP.
(Hear). No board could be -properly constituted with
such materials and impracticable elements. The body
should be judicial and administrative, and not
legislative ; and no man entering it should bind himself
by pledges. He would be sorry to see any section of the
community excluded, but good sense should prevent the
election of men with violent sympathies.
Mr. Hastings then proposed the following resolution
" That in the judgment of this meeting the opportunity,
which is now for the first time afforded to the ratepaYers
of London, of electing a school-board for the entire
metropolis, and therefore of making adequate provision
for the education of the people, is one which imposes upon
them, individually and collectively, the duty of bringing
forward and supporting candidates who, from their ac"
quaintance with the educational necessities of the metro'
polis, and with the educational system in this and
other countries, as well as from their known sYnr
pathy with the large classes who will be more
immediately affected by the provisions of the Act, will be
likely to make efficient members of the school-board, and
to do their duty without regard to sect or party."
Professor Amos seconded the resolution.
Mr. Godwin urged that the matter of education was,
one which could be dealt with only by men who had
given their thoughts to it—men untrammelled, and with-
out peculiar crotchets of their own.
Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Payne, Canon Cromwell, and Mr.
Applegarth, subsequently addressed the meeting, the
latter refuting the assertion that working men had
brought forward candidates without any reference what'_r
ever to the possession of the necessary qualifications. He
would be sorry to see a candidate elected because he was 3
working man, but at the same time he would be still more
sorry to see him excluded for that reason. (Hear, hear.)
On the motion of Mr. F. Hill, it was resolved that the
Education Committee should be authorised to take prac-
tical measures for the election of an efficient school
board.
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to
Dr. Playfair for presiding.