The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-10 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY E:TENING, JULY lO, 1846.

TREATMENT OF AGED PAUPERS
IN BARROW WORKHOUSE.
The following are extracts from correspondence, &c.,
just laid before the House of Commons, relative to the
inquiry into the treatment of aged paupers in the Bar-
row workhouse.—
Poor-law Commission Office, Somerset House,
May 22, 1846.
Sir—l am directed by the Poor-law Commissioners to
state, that they have had under their consideration the
report of their assistant commisssoner, Mr. Weale, who
was instructed by the Commissioners to inquire into the
case of James Jarvis, late an inmate upon the Barrow-
upon-Soar Union Workhouse.
It appears that on the 17th day of March last, the
master of the workhouse reported to the board of guar-
dians that on that, and on the previous day, James
Jarvis, aged seventy-six years, refused to perform a task
of work, in company with some other of the aged men
who were required to pump water for the use of the
workhouse establishment.
It appears that on the occasion Jarvis was brought
before the guardians, who reasoned with him on his im-
proper conduct, but that, being unable to prevail on him
to perform the work required of him, the guardians
made the following order:—
"Ordered that James Jarvis shall obey the master's
directions to pump, as far as he is able, unless the
medical officer directs to the contrary ; and that if he
refuses, to be placed upon refractory diet."
The master subsequently sent for the medical officer,
and he pronounced it to be his opinion that Jarvis was
quite equal to do the work which he was set to perform.
The master then called upon Jarvis to proceed, and to
employ himself on the task assigned to him ; the man
refused, and persisted in his refusal, notwithstanding the
remonstrances and representations of the master and
matron, who endeavoured, but in vain, to prevail upon
him to comply with the directions which had been given.
Finding that Jarvis was determined not to work as
required, the master, as he states, " put him on spare
diet ;" that is to say, he confined him to an allowance of
half-a-pound of bread for breakfast, the same quantity
for dinner, and the same quantity for supper ; and on
this diet James Jarvis was kept by the master, from
Tuesday evening, the 17th of March, until the following
Thursday, the 26th of March, on which day Jarvis was
committed by the justices to the House of Correction.
The Commissioners desire to point out to the guar-
dians that the punishment inflicted upon James Jarvis
was not authorised by the workhouse rules.
It further appears that the provisions cont&ned in the
41st Article were not complied with in Jarvis's case,
that article directing that ao -a-7T who may haVe been
under medical care, or who may have been entered in
the medical weekly return as sick or infirm, at any time
in the course of the seven days next preceding the day
of the commission of the offence, or who may be reason-
ably supposed to be under twelve or above sixty years of
age, or who may be pronounced by the medical officer
for the workhouse to be pregnant, or who may be suck-
ling a child, shall be punished by alteration of diet or by
confinement, unless the medical officer shall have pre-
viously certified in writing that no injury to the health
of such pauper is reasonably to be apprehended from the
proposed punishment ; and any modification, diminish-
ing such punishment, which the medical officer for the
workhouse may suggest, shall be adopted by the master.
The Commissioners think it probable that the master
of the workhouse misunderstood the order of the board
of guardians, and thought that if Jarvis refused to
work, it was the intention of the guardians that he
should be kept upon " refractory diet" so long as he
continued to refuse.
But the Commissioners, nevertheless, consider that
this error on the part of the master was inexcusable ;
he ought to have been guided by the regulations, which
are clear and precise, and to which he should have re-
ferred, had he entertained any doubt of the legality of
the punishment which he inflicted upon James Jarvis.
Looking to the whole of the circumstances, and to the
very serious violation of the regulations which the roas-
ter has committed, the Commissioners do not see how
the care of the inmates of the workhouse, and the super-
intendence of the establishment, can be properly allowed
to remain any longer in the hands of Mr. Derry ; and
they therefore request that he will tender his resignation
to the board of guardians.
(Signed) GEORGE COODE, Assistant-Secretary.
The clerk to the board of guardians of the Barrow-upon-
Soar Union, Barrow-upon-Soar.
Barrow-upon-Soar Union, Barrow-upon-Soar.
May 27, 1846.
Gentlemen,—l beg leave to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 22d instant, No. 6902 146; and to
state that the contents thereof was duly communicated
to Mr. Joshua Derry, the master of the workhouse, but
that he has not as yet tended his resignation to the
board of guardians.
The letter was also read at the meeting of the board
of guardians, and the opinion of the board was expressed
thereon, as follows:
The clerk having read the letter from the Poor-law
Commissioners respecting the master of the workhouse,
and the guardians having taken the same into considera-
tion, were unanimously of opinion, that the single
instance of misconstruction of the rules, unattended by
any bad consequence to the pauper, does not call for so
severe a punishment as the resignation of the master
(followed as it would necessarily be by that of the matron
his wife), who have been distinguished, during 15 years'
service, for their humanity, and their uniform attention
to the duties of their office.—l am, &c.,
(Signed) THOMAS FEWKES,
Clerk to the Guardians.
The Poor-law Commissioners.
Poor-law Commission-office, Somerset House,
dune 5, 1846.
Sir,—The Commissioners desire to state that the
matter has received their careful consideration; under
all the circumstances of the case the Commissioners
regret that they cannot consent to Mr. Derry retaining
his office of master of the Barrow-upon-Soar Union
Workhouse.—Signed by order of the Board.
(Signed) E. CHADWICK.
To Mr. Thomas Fewkes.
Gentlemen,—ln reply
to Barrow-upxoounr- Sl
eo
ta
tr June
e,
rof the l 1 , 84 5
tlhi
inst.,
s t
No. 7,456 I 46, I beg leave to inform you that the con-
tents thereof was duly communicated to the master of
the workhouse, and it was read to the board of guardians,
when they directed the following to be entered on the
minutes:—
" A letter from the Poor-law Commissioners to the
clerk having been read, it was resolved in compliance
therewith. The board, though they extremely regret
the necessity for such a course, but, under all the cir
cumstances, recommend the master and the matron to
resign their offices; but they earnestly request that a
sufficient notice of removal may be given them, as a
testimony in favour of their long-tried meritorious
services."
The above resolution was read to the master of the
workhouse, and he tendered his resignation of their
offices.
The guardians are therefore desirous of knowing how
long they may continue to perform the duties of their
office, as their resignation has been accepted.
(Signed) THOMAS FEWKES.
To the Poor Law Commissioners.
Poor Law Commission-office, Somerset House,
June 18, 1646.
Sir,—ln reply I am to state, that the Commissioners
can only consent to the master and matron retaining
their offices for such a reasonable time as will enable
the guardians to elect fit persons as their successors.
I am, &c.,
(Signed) E. CHADWICK.
To Mr. Thomas Fewkes.

VENTILATION OF THE NEW HOSPITAL AT BROMP-
TC!N.—The system adopted by Dr. Arnott, in conjunction
with the designs of Frederick J. Francis, Esq., the architect,
bids fair to assist greatly the eflorts of medical science; each
compartment or room is so arranged, that the poor con-
sumptive sufferer will be enabled to breathe an atmosphere
most suitable to the stage of the malady. The wards are
very lofty and commodious, and the beauty of the site has
in itself a health-breathing influence. The finishing of the
building, for the reception of the patients from Chelsea, is
progressing as rapidly as the funds will permit. The grounds
surrounding the edifice are laid out very tastefully, and
when the eastern wing and the remaining portion of the
centre is erected, accommodation will be effected for upwards
of 200 patients.
AWFUL THUNDER STORM—MELANCHOLY EVENT.—
On Sunday last, between nine and ten o'clock in the fore-
noon, this town and neighbourhood were visited by a very
heavy storm of thunder and lightning, accompanied by
rain. At Stoke St. Mary the electric fluid struck a poplar,
containing nearly three tons of timber, in a field belonging to
Mrs. Jemivaa Mayne, and shivered it into fragments, scat-
tering several heavy portions of it to the distance of fifty
yards. At Galmington a large oak was struck down by
lightning. At Wellington, we lament to state, the Indepen-
dent Meeting School was much injured by the storm, and a
fine boy, fourteen years old, was killed on the spot, and four
other boys sitting near him were struck off their seats and se-
riously injured. The escape of the other children was most
providential. Several persons were knocked down in their
houses and in the streets, and the pillar on the Blackdown-
hill, erected to commemorate the battle of Waterloo, was
considerably shattered, and large masses of stone fell from it.
—Taunton Courier.
• FOURTEEN HOUSES BURNED DowN.—A dreadful
fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the village of Ted-
dington, in Bedfordshire, about two miles distant from
Woburn Abbey, which in a short time consumed no fewer
than fourteen dwelling-houses, besides other buildings of
much value. It appears the flames were first seen issuing
from a cluster of barns at the back of Dunstable-street, and
on inquiry it was found to have originated by some children
kindling a bonfire in one of them that was empty, and which
being excessively dry, burnt with great rapidity. The wind
blowing a brisk breeze from the westward, soon wafted the
flames in the direction of the houses belonging to Mr. King,
Mr. Horn, and others, in Dunstable-street, which eventually
caught, and all attempts to check its progress proved abor-
tive. Most of the adjacent houses, and those on the oppo-
site side, being thatched, the inhabitants set to work•vigor-
ously to strip those nearest to the fire. In this they par-
tially failed, for the destructive element extended on all
sides, and within an hour after its outbreak nine houses were
levelled to the ground. So fearful was it at one time, that
the lower end of the village was in the most imminent dan-
ger of being destroyed. Fortunately, the engines came up at
the time, and being well supplied with water, were brought
to bear in the proper quarter, and with desired effect. In all
fourteen houses were destroyed, and several others were
greatly injured. The buildings were insured, but the cccu-
pants are severe sufferers, none of them being insured. They
are chiefly poor labouring families, and are in consequence
thrown into the greatest distress. One poor woman, who was
in the last stage of consumption, died while being removed in
the height of the fire to a place of safety. On searching the
ruins on the morning after, the remains of a youth ten years
of age were discovered burned almost to a cinder. It has been
ascertained that he is the son of a woman named Burrows,
and the boy who made the bonfire in the barn. It was sup-
posed he was unable to find the door of the barn to escape, on
account of the thickness of the smoke, and thus lost his life.
A, n inquest was held yesterday on the body, and a verdict of
, Accidental death" returned.
Lieut.-General Sir Edward Kerrison and Lady Kerri-
son, returned on Wednesday evening from Derbyshire,
and leave town to. day for Oakley Park, Suffolk.

RAILWAY DISSOLUTION BILL.

7'O THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—My being a subscriber, I have noticed an excel-
lent article in The Sun of the 6th instant, relative to the
above Bill having proved a complete failure.
An Act of Parliament ought to be passed without
delay compelling those parties who composed the majo-
rity at the railway affirmation meetings to return to the
unfortunate dissentients their full deposit money, as such
persons are made to go on against their wish ; indeed it
is impossible to stand even a fair 'Chance against
such powerful bodies as landholders, directors, se-
cretaries, and other officials, who were able to pur-
chase any amount of scrip at very low prices : this alone
would enable them to have it all their own way ; and it
was generally the case, that the railway scrip, at the
time of affirmation was saleable at improved prices ;
and it would now appear that it has again been forced
on the market, as the price has again fallen. It is very
plain that landholders, and paid officials, bad too'great
a private interest at stake to allow of an impartial de-
cision.

By adopting this method thousands of families, as well
as the money market, would be greatly relieved, and
railway making would soon be in a more healthy con-
dition. The great national importance and the good
which must arise from railways cannot be denied.
I am, Sir, yours, &c., B.

THE PRICE OF BREAD.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUIV:

Singleton-street, Hoxton, July 9.
Sin,—ln your valuable journal of last Thursday even-
ing you mention that "the bakers in various districts of
the metropolis had reduced the price of bread—best
from Bd. to 7d., seconds from 6i-d. to 5;d."
This was indeed welcome news to a father of a young
family, but strange to say, the bakers of Hoxton still
maintain the price of bread at 81d. for best, and 7d. for
seconds, and I have made inquiry, and found the same
is the case at Islington and Holloway. lam sure a few
words from you would have some effect. Of what use
to the consumers is the new Corn-law, when the benefit
goes into the bakers' pocket ? It might be a check upon
the bakers if you were, next time, to mention the names
of the " various districts" that had reduced the price of
their bread, as the people would then see who were
worthy of their support.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
W. HARPER.

ELECTION MOVEMENTS.
MANCHESTER.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
THURSDAY EVENEfG.—It now appears quite certain that
there will be no opposition to the candidates fur the southern
division of Lancashire and the borough of Manchester. Wil-
liam Brown, Esq., of Liverpool, will be returned in the room
of Lord Ellesmere, his supporters daily increasing, and many
of the protectionist merchants of Liverpool having signified
their intention of recording their votes in his favour.
Mr. Brown addressed a very influential meeting of his
committee and friends in the large room of the Albion
Hotel, in this town, at four o'clock this afternoon, and was
very warmly greeted. There was an unusual attendance of
the manufacturers and members of the late Anti-Corn-law
League, and the utmost unanimity prevailed. The chair was
taken by Mr. R. H. Greg, and he introduced
Mr. Bow to the electors, who at onceexplained his poli-
tical opinions to the assembly, declaring himself an opponent
to all protective and prohibitory restrictions upon the com-
merce and industry of the country, and enlarged upon the
beneficial effects which the progress of enlightened views in
England was producing in Russia and other hitherto pro-
tective states. But whilst they rejoiced and congratulated
each other on the victory they had, through the exertions of
the League, achieved, he begged them not to relax in their
exertions until the duties on tea, on coffee, on sugar, and on
all the other necessaries of life, had been reduced. With
regard to the consumption of tea, he alluded to its trifling
extent in this country, compared with the Channel Islands,
Newfoundland, and New South Wales, and adverted to the
great benefit to be derived from an increased trade with
China. He was an enemy to all protective and differential
duties, and was convinced that their removal would have the
effect of settling our present uncertain position with the
Brazilian Government, as the introduction of Sir Robert
Peel's commercial measure had mainly averted the threat-
ened rupture with the United States. He denied that Eng-
land owed her greatness to protective duties ; it was to
Magna Charta, the Habeas Corpus Act, the Bill of Rights,
and all her other institutions of freedom, that England owed
the foundation of her glory. He was desirous that Ireland
should no longer be governed as a conquered people, but that
they should enjoy the same privileges and immunities which
- • .

her sister country claimed, and then he was convinced that
that enterprising and generous people would become happy
and contented. He was a friend to the general education of
the people of this kingdom ; and if returned as their repre-
sentative would devote his abilities to carry out such mea-
sures as were best calculated to increase the prosperity and
advance the happiness of the nation.
It was then unanimously resolved that the meeting use
every exertion to promote the return of Mr. Brown, and he
retired amid loud applause, and long continued cheering.
Mr. Alderman Walker having been voted to the chair,
THOMAS MILNER GIBBON, Esq., the newly-appointed
Vice-President of the Board of Trade, and who had only
arrived from London in the course of the afternoon, came for-
ward and addressed the electors, whose numbers had con-
siderably increased during the above proceedings. After ex-
pressing his approval of that sound principle of our constitu-
tion which enjoined that one who accepted office from the
Crown should vacate his seat, in order to have that appoint-
ment endorsed by the people, Mr. Gibson assured the meeting
that he was still as free, as far as not having given any
pledges or undertaken any conditions, as when he was their
plain and independent member. Ile felt justified in accept-
ing office after the public announcement by Lord
John Russell, that the principles of commercial
freedom would be fully carried out by the new
Government. The corn-laws had been totally re-
pealed ; they were the key-stone in the domestic
system of monopoly, as the sugar law was the key-
stone of our colonial monopoly. Her Majesty's Government
had announced that the principle on which its administration
would be conducted was that there should be an equal duty
on foreign and colonial sugar, and to that principle he (Mr.
Gibson) would unflinchingly adhere. After a rapid review
of this subject Mr. Gibson defended his vote and that of his
colleagues on the Irish Coercion Bill, on the ground that no
case was made out for the extraordinary powers required to
be vested in the Executive, and that its only tendency, if
passed, would have been to irritate the Irish people. He
then referred to the downfal of Sir Robert Peel, remarking
that his defeat redounded more to his glory is being caused
by his advocacy of patriotic principles ; and excited consider-
able laughter by observing that the protectionists had cho-
sen their leader (Lord George Bentinck) in accordance with
Sam Weller's opinion, " that a man who knows a horse,
knows everything ;" but he doubted not that in a short time
even their opponents would be found to coincide in the great
principles of free and unrestricted commerce. He again
avowed his determination to do away with all differential
duties in regard to sugar, and was enthusiastically cheered
on resuming his seat.
Mr. GRAVE, of this town, announced (as the organ of the
Evangelical Churchmen and Dissenters) that, although they
had determined to oust Mr. Gibson for his vote in favour of
the grant to Maynooth, that they should offer no opposition.
He then put several questions to Mr. Gibson as to his future
course on religious subjects when introduced in Parliament,
which excited some uproar in the meeting, but which the
Hon. Gentleman answered with great courtesy and candour,
and to the satisfaction of the electors assembled.

The meeting then declared unanimously in favour of Mr.
Gibson's re-election, and was subsequently addressed by
Mr. Alderman Potter, Mr. Alderman Neild, Mr. Alderman
Kershaw, and others.

The nomination is fixed to take place on Monday next,
when there is no doubt the Vice-President of the Board of
Trade will be unanimously elected.

HALIFAX.
RETURN OF THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EX-
CHEQUER. _ . .

THURSDAY, JULY 9.—The election of a burgess to repre-
sent this borough in Parliament, to fill the vacancy occa-
sioned by the appointment of the Right. Hon. Charles Wood
to the office of Chancellor and Under-Treasurer of her Ma-
jesty's Exchequer, took place this morning. The reception
of the Right Hon. Gentleman on his arrival was a gratifying
one, and augured well for his re-election—but in the Odd
Fellows' Hall he was questioned at some length by the ad-
vocates of the Ten Hours' Factory Bill. Yesterday was spent
in visiting, and receiving visits from a large portion of the
electors; and this morning, about eleven o'clock, a large
body of Mr. Wood's supporters assembled at his committee-
room to escort him to the Piece Hall, where the election was
appointed to take place.
To illustrate the quietness with which the election was
conducted, it may be stated that not a single flag or party
symbol was exhibited in any part of the town, nor in the
Piece Hall, during the proceedings. At eleven o'clock the
precept was read by the returning officer, and the usual for-
malities having been gone through,
Mr. J. AKILOYD, manufacturer, proposed the Right Hon.
Charles Wood. He felt assured that no man could be pro-
posed who would fully meet the views or wishes of all the
electors of Halifax ; but Mr. Wood was their earliest choice,
and they had hitherto found in him a valuable representa-
tive, and he had no doubt that he would continue to serve
them well, if again honoured with their confidence.
Mr. W. MORRIS, manufacturer, seconded the nomination.
Mr. J. HANSON, innkeeper, then proposed Mr. George
White, a Chartist woolcomber from Bradford, as a fit and
proper person to represent them in Parliament.
Mr. SMITH seconded the nomination.

[Neither the proposer nor the seconder added any com-
mendatory observation, as it was understood to be only for
the purpose of enabling Mr. White to make a speech.]
The Right Hon. C. WOOD then came forward amidst much
cheering to address the electors. He said—Often as I have
appeared before you in this place, I never yet addressed you
with such a feeling of responsibility upon my shoulders. 1
appear before you now for the fifth time. I have asked
before for a renewal of your confidence, of that confidence
which you have reposed in me as your representative in Par.
liament, but I now ask you not only for a renewal of that
confidence, but I ask your sanction to the step which I have
taken in becoming a member of the present Government. I
ask you for your sanction to my proceedings as a Minister
of the Crown, and to the principals upon which that Minis-
try is formed.—(Hear.) It is unnecessary for me to detail
to you the circumstances which have placed the present
Ministry in power. It is enough to say, as has indeed been
said by Mr. Morris before, that our position is not of our
own seeking.—(Hear, hear.) We steadily supported the
Government of Sir Robert Peel in those measures which had
our approbation, as being in conformity with the principles
which we ever professed. We only voted against him when
he thought proper to bring forward a Bill infringing upon
the liberties of the people of Ireland--(Cheers)—for which,
upon his own showing, there was no necessity.—( Renewed
cheers.) He chose upon that defeat to retire from office, and
her Majesty was pleased to call the Noble Lord who is now
Prime Minister to fill that high station in the Government.

In that Government I have the honour of occupying a post
the duties of which I hardly can say that I feel myself able
to perform—l will only promise to do them to the best of
my ability.—(Cheers.) But, standing here as I do, I cannot
but contrast the position which we at present occupy with
that which we did occupy when last I stood upon these hust-
ings. I stood here five years ago, when the opinion of the
country was to betaken upon measures of free trade.—(Hear,
hear.) Three measures were proposed by the then Go-
vernment, composed mainly of the same men who com-
pose the present, or at least of men who stand upon the
same principles.—(Hear, hear.) We appealed to the coun-
try to express their opinions upon three great measures—
a repeal of the timber duties, a repeal of the corn-laws,
and an alteration of the sugar dutie ; and though it is
true that here in Halifax free trade prevailed, and my
Honourable Colleague and myself were returned, who had
always advocated free trade, yet I cannot but remember
that the flag of protection waved triumphantly over the
Riding, that one of the most popular men who ever re-
presented you in Parliament was defeated by the votes of
those in opposition to free trade, and who supported protec-
tion ; and yet within those short five years how completely
this scene has changed; what a triumph has been gained for
those principles which were then in a minority.—(Hear.)
Not one year had elapsed when the timber duties were altered.
For some eight or ten months past we were engaged in a
struggle which brought to a successful issue the repeal of the
corn-laws.—( Loud cheers.) One question of the three is left
for us to deal with, and I hope before the termination of this
session we shall be able to bring that question, the question of
the sugar duties, to a termination which will be beneficial to
the great mass of consumers.—(Cheers.) You are—thanks
to the press, which communicates to the remotest corners of
the country that which passes in Parliament-3 ou are as well
acquainted as I am with the different phases of that mighty
struggle, which has seen a Minister, who was carried into
power upon the shoulders of the people, become a convert
to free trade.—(Cheers.) We have heard him declare that
the doctrines of free trade are the doctrines of common sense,
and that the man must be a fool who did not hold that it
was right to buy in the cheapest market and sell in the
dearest. These were the principles which we always pro-
fessed, and upon which we have always acted, and which
were formerly opposed by those who now maintain them as
steadily and - firmly as we do ourselves ; and I quite and
entirely concur in that approbation of the conduct of Sir
Robert Peel, who, finding that this is the truth, though late
a convert to those opinions, did not hesitate to sacrifice that
which a statesman might well hold dear, the lead of a large
and powerful party, to expose himself to those taunts of in-
consistency, to expose himself to the loss of power, and, in
the words of many, the loss of character—all these he held
cheap in comparison with that which he believed to be for
the good of the people of England. He commenced, fought
through, and achieved a glorious victory for the benefit of
the people of England.—(Great applause.) There are others
in Parliament who deserve similar approbation. And this
consideration I know weighed with most of them, as it cer-
tainly did upon my mind, that whatever the commercial ad-
vantages of a repeal of the corn-law might be, however
much the manufacturers and merchants of this country
might benefit by more extended commerce with foreign
countries, there was no class in this country to whom the
benefit would be so great as to the waking classes and la-
bourers of the country.— (Loud cheers.) I have been glad
to see that those who in former times were so blind to their
own interests as to feel no sympathy in favour of the repeal
of the corn •laws, who interrupted and opposed meetings held
for that purpose, have become alive to that which concerned
them more than almost any others,. and that they have taken
part in the expression of public opinion which has led to the
relaxation of taxes, which kept up the price that the people
had to pay for their daily sustenance. I am glad that they
have taken part in this material struggle. I will take no
Icredit for those who have always supported those principles
in times past. I announced to you fourteen years ago that
i thought protectiou wrong, upon principle—that duties

ought to be imposed for revenue alone—and that neither I
nor any other landlord had any right to ask that your food
should be enhanced by protecting duties.—(Hear, hear.)
But there is one body of men to whom we are mainly in •
' ' debted for our exertions bein crowned with success. I
(g allude to that body of men, the most distinguished mem-
ber of which is Mr. Richard Cobden, who, having banded
together for no party purpose, but for the good of our com-
mon country, have suffered themselves to be diverted to
no other object, but by the publication of pamphlets and
speeches have striven to enlighten the minds of their fellow-
subjects, and have brought together the mass of opinion
which has had its due weight with both Houses of the Legis-
lature, and effected the consummation now happily attained.
It is but fair to them that the meed of approbation and
applause should be given to that body, because I feel that we
are more indebted to them than to any previous endeavours
for this end. Now, I will only say that we come into power
for the purpose of carrying out those principles which we
have always advocated, whether in power or in opposition.
We intend—Lord John Russell, in point of fact, before he
was Minister, gave notice of that which he intended to pro-
pose with reference to the sugar duties, namely, the aboli-
tion of that distinction which now prevails in the duties on
the sugar of different countries, and the ultimate extinction
of the differential duties. That will be one of the objects
to be attempted by the present Government ; and as I
stated to you two nights ago, there are other matters to be
brought under notice, as soon as the state of the revenue will
admit of the reduction of other duties. Of course it would
be improper in me to go into detail on this subject. You
know the course which I have always taken on this subject
of free trade. I can only say that I am in no way what-
soever prepared to depart from that conduct, and to dis•
appoint those hopes which such conduct may have ex-
cited in your minds We know perfectly well that on many
of those questions we shall be opposed by great and pow-
erful interests. We know that we have not now a majority
in Parliament ; but this we do knew, and on this we do '
rely, that no Ministry, no set of men, no party, how-
ever strong, can long resist the deliberate expression
of public opinion in this country.—(Hear.) We have
seen many measures carried in Parliament by those who
were friendly to their principles; we of late seen nearly
as many carried by those who have hitherto been opposed
to them. And why? Because the enlightened opinion of the
people of this country, constitutionally and deliberately ex-
pressed—expressed partly by the voice of the representatives
of the great manufacturing districts, upon whom the power
of sending representatives to Parliament was bestowed not
I many years ago—partly by those organs which convey to the
whole community of the districts in which local organs exist,
I and by those of London, express the opinions of the whole
community of this empire and of the world. I say that by
the spread of intelligence through these means public opinion
does press upon all statesmen and all parties with a force
which may be checked for a time, but which cannot ulti-
mately be stopped. I say, therefore, believing the public
mind to have been directed to these measures, and that it
will constitutionally express its opinion in favour of those
principles—the principles of common sense—that we may
safely rely upon that support and assistance which will enable
us to bear down in Parliament any opposition which may
be threatened to such measures. They are the principles
upon which I believe all sound legislation must proceed.
In some quarters, upon some questions, there has been of
late years a still greater disposition to interfere, far be-
yond what I think the Legislature is justified in doing.
Upon all these matters you are the best legislators for your-
selves. The less Parliament interferes in matters of that
sort the better. Taxes and duties must be imposed,
because the interest of the public debt, the charges of
the public service must be defrayed out of the taxation
of the country. But the taxation of the country, or rather
the imposition of those taxes, ought to be so managed as to
raise the greatest amount of revenue from the public with
the least burthen and inconvenience to the people of this
country. —(Cheers.) That is the legitimate mode of imposing
taxes, and it is one to which, 1 hope, as speedily as may be
consistently with the maintenance of the requisite revenue,
the taxation of this country will be brought. There is but
one other topic upon which I will say a few words, and
which has been alluded to both by the gentleman who pro-
posed me and the gentleman who seconded me. I mean the
condition, and especially the education of the lower orders
of this country.—(Hear, hear.) I hold that there is no subject
of greater importance than that the mass of the people of
this country should be properly trained in their early youth.
The more we rely upon the expression of public opinion, the
more neesssary it is that that public opinion should be
trained and formed by well-educated people. Ido not consi-
der mere book learning to be the essence of education ; but
a proper moral training is desirable, and of far more real
value to the youth of this or any other country, and to
that subject the early attention of her Majesty's Ministers
will be directed.—(Loud and continued cheering.) It is
impossible that I can conceal from myself the practical
difficulties by which that question is surrounded. Efforts
have been made in various directions to promote and extend
the education of the people, most of which have failed,
because they have been based upon unsound principles, and
an unjustifiable interference with the liberty of conscience.
It is a difficult task, no doubt, so to frame any system, as to
meet all the views which may be entertained by the different
classes in this country. Hititierto we have been able to do
little more than afford partial aid to those who were able to
aid themselves, and perhaps it may be impossible to do much
more than that, though I should hope that a consideration of
the deep importance of the subject will induce all persons, all
classes, and all persuasions to co-operate, as far as may be, in
objects which all admit to be of primary and vital import-
ance. This I say, as you may have seen that the Noble Lord
(the Prime Minister), in his address to the citizens of Lon-
don, his constituents, has already said, there are men in the
Ministry who hold this to be a principle of the greatest im-
portance, and who never will be parties to any measure which
will infringe in the slightest degree upon liberty of conscience.
I hope that by these means our youth will be trained up by
improved knowledge, by improved morals, and by an im-
proved sense of the responsibility resting upon all men to do
their duty in their respective stations. and that instead of
popular outbreaks, we may have deliberate public opinion.
That, I say, is the best guide for all statesmen to follow ; and
I think that the experience of the last four or five years
having shown that the attention of the public has been directed
to changes of one sort or other, not for merely visionary
objects, but to objects of substantial, moral, social, and com-
mercial improvement, is the best proof of the improved tone
of public feeling, from the spread and Increase of which I
auger most favourably for the improvement and welfare of
this great country. With regard to my own conduct, I can
only say that I Oust I shall pursue that course which has
hitherto obtained for me your confidence, and shall endeavour
to carry out those principles which I have always professed,
and which I believe to be for the welfare of the community.
I shall, so far as lies in my power, endeavour to devote what
time I can to promote your local interests, and the benefit of
this town and its neighbourhood. I say again, most un-
affectedly, that I feel most deeply the responsibility of the
situation to which I have been called; and I only hope that,
under the blessing of God, I may be able to do my duty in
that situation, as I have endeavoured to do in whatever other
situation I have been placed in.—(Loud applause.)
The returning officer, C. Noaius, Esq., then announced
that the name of Mr. Smith, who had seconded the nomina-
tion of Mr. George White, was not on the register of electors.
Ile, therefore, declared the Right Hon. Charles Wood duly
elected Member for the borough of Halifax.
The indenture of the return having been signed in dupli-
cate, the Court was declared dissolved, upon which Mr.
White commenced an address to the spectators assembled;
but the returning-officer, with Mr. Wood and his Committee,
left the Piece Hall, and the assembly soon after broke up.