The Sun.
London, England, 1833-04-25 00:00:00

(No. 12,675.)

HOUSE AND WINDOW
TAX.---Crius DAY.)

A public meeting was held to-day, at the Crown and
Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, for the purpose of petition-
ing Parliament for a total repeal of the house and window
taxes. There was a very large assemblage of persons by
the time appointed for taking tie chair.
It was 'expected that Sir F. Burdett would have pre-
sided, and that Sir J. C. Hobhouse would also have at-
tended. However, shortly after 12 o'clock neither of those
Hon. Baronets bad arrived, and the chair was taken by
Mr. Alderman Woon.
There were then present Mr. N. Lambert, M.P., Sir
John Key, M.P., Mr. Holcombe, M.P., Mr.Tyrite, M.P.,
Mr. Bayntun, M.P., Mr. Byng, M.P., Mr. D. W. Har-
vey, M.P., Mr. O'Connell, M.P., Mr. G. A. Young,
Mr. Kennedy, M.P., Mr. G. R. Robinson, M.P., Mr.
Phillpotts, M P., a candidate for Marvlebone, Mr. Buck.
ingham, M.P., Dr. Lushington, M.P., Mr. Williams of
Watling-street, &c. &c. When the Worthy Alderman
took his seat the event was announced by a flourish of
martial music—three musicians having been placed in the
orchestra, and it elicited much laughter.
The CHAIRMAN opened the business, by stating he had
no doubt, in a few minutes their much-respected repre-
sentatives would be present.—(Loud uproar, and cries of
" They are turncoats !" " They are traitors !" "We
don't want them !' ) He implored them. if they had met
for business, not to let any such feelings interfere with so
important a question.—(Hear, hear.) Sir Francis Bur-
dett was in the House of Commons until 3 or 4 o'clock
this morning, and was, no doubt, much fatigued.—(Hear.)
He (Mr. Alderman Wood) should be obliged to quit the
chair very early, and therefore he had consented to pre-
side, in order that he might be sure of expressing his sen-
timents at an early part of the day. They were assem-
bled to consider what was best to be done under the cir-
cumstances which had come to their knowledge. The
Chancellor of the Exchequer had offered but a very
partial relief, and, in many cases, no relief at all, as
regarded the house and window duty. With regard
to the duties on clerks, agents, servants, &c., that was a
relief to some persons, but he was afraid that that relief
would apply chiefly to large establishments.—(Hear.)
In some establishments there were fifty or a hundred
servants, and they would thereby be greatly relieved ;
indeed one Member of the House of Commons had declared
to him that the relief to him in his establishment would be
about 1501. a year.—(Hear, hear.) It was a hard case
that while such rich establishments as the East India
Company were relieved to a large extent, the poorer class
of tradesmen would ❑ot be relieved at all.—(Cheers). It
was distressing to look at the present state of trade. In
great thoroughfares a large number of shops were
shut up ; in Fleet-street, in particular, be had seen eight,
ten, or twelve shops shut up. Nothing could be more dis-
tressing ; and knowing, both as Commissioner of taxes, and
Magistrate, from the number of app'ications for summonses
and warrants of distress which he was unfortunately com-
pelled to grant, that great distress prevailed among even
the most respectable tradesmen, it was high time there
was some remedy adopted. The house and window
tax was most oppressive in its operation upon the mid-
dle and poorer classes of tradesmen, and the time had
arrived when they should press with energy for their re-
peal.—(Cheers.) The filet resolution he knew was
strong, but not stronger than the people who f:lt their
grievances should express.--(Cheers.) He would say, that
the Minister had the power of giving relief without adding
to the public huraens.—(Loud and continued cheering.)
Some of the taxes taken off he considered very proper to
be removed—the soap tax was one of them, but it ought
to be entirely taken off.—(Hear.) There was still a pre-
mium for smuggling as long as the drawback duty ex-
isted. He was for reduction of taxes of all sorts, and he

-- -
thought much good might be done by taking off the
enormous expenses of the collection of taxes.—(Hear.)
Ministers had the power to take off the house and window
duty. If they could not take off the house duty this year,
let them take off the window duty, and the house in tbe
next.--(Cries of " We must have it all taken off.")
In what Ise had stated, he by no means meant to have
those taxes only in part repealed ; lie thought them both
iniquitous taxes. The people were entitled to be relieved
from them, and he trusted the time was not tar distant
when the people would get rid of all taxes that pressed
heavily upon them, and in their places there would exist
a property tax.—(Cheers.)
A person in the crowd wished to know by whose
awl-wily the police were here.
The CHAIRMAN said it was usual to send them to
public meetings.—(Cries of " No police," " Turn them
out," "We are watched.") He observed that they had
not been placed in the room by any authority coming
from the committee, but it was likely the Home-office
thought it right in very large meetings to have police near
the place of meeting ; but there was no necessity for them
in the room. He believed he had not left.—(Cries of
" No, no ; there he is ; turn him out." 11.! was sorry
to see such feeling expressed with regard to the police.
--(Cries of " A bad system.") He beli,ved it was wider
the consideration of the Government to relieve the me-
tropolitan districts from some of the charges o. the po ice.
---Cries of " No, no ; its all (It ception.") The following
letter was then read from Str J. C. Hoblroise :
House of Common', April 21.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that, it will
not be in my power to attend at the Crown and Anchor
to-morrow, as I ant obliged to be at a Committee at the
House of Commons at one o'clock.
But I need scarcely add that my constituents may de-
p-nd upon my obeying their instructions respecting the
measures which will come under the discussion of the
meeting. I remain, Sir, your's, most obediently,
JOHN HOBHOUSE.
Mr. W. Linsell.

There were letters also from the following gentlernon :
From the Right Hon. Robert Grant, expressing his regret
that it was not in his power to attend the meeting. From
Sir Samuel Whalley, stating his willingness to attend ;
from Sir John Byng, the Member for Poole, expressing
his regret at being unable to be present, in consequence of
having to attend the Committee on the Irish Grand Jury
Bill. From Sir J. Dalrymple, the Member for Edin-
burgh, stating that it was not in his power to attend the
meeting, and returning the ticket.—(Laughter.) From
W. B. Brodie, the Member fur Salisbury, pleading a par-
ticular engagement as the reason for his not attending, and
stating that the reduction of the house and window duties
would give no relief to the middle classes, and thinking
it better to reduce generally one of the taxes, be it which
it might, than adopt the plan of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer. From Mr. Faithful, Member for Brighton,
stating that he was much afraid he should not be able to
attend, but would do so if he could, and at the same time
expressing himself favourable to the repeal of all obnoxious
imposts,—(Cheers.) From Mr. Cobbett, stating that
although he could not attend the meeting without great
inconvenience, in consequence of having so much upon
his hands, yet he would do so if he possibly could ; and
at the same time observing, that he would do all in his
power to secure the success of the objects of the meet-
ing.—(Loud cheers ) From Major Handley, the Mem-
ber for Boston, expressing his determination to at-
tend. From Mr. Bish, the Member for Leominster,
stating he would attend the meeting, and expressing his
anxiety to see the house and window taxes removed.
From Mr. J. E. Baillie, the Member for Bristol, ex-
pressing his sorrow at not being able to attend, but ex-
pressing his determination to do all in his power to effect
the object of the meeting. From George Pryine, Esq.,
relying on Ministers; Sir W. Horne, saying, if possible,
he would come; Ellis, Esq., M.P. ; W. Dawson,
ESII., M.P. ; Thomas Bewes, Esq., M.P., declining the
invitation ; excuses for -- Davies, Esq., M.P. ; and
George Grote, Esq., M.P. ; and a favourable answer
from Thomas Attwood, Esq., M.P.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY, M.P., on rising to propose the
first resolution said, it a close application to business in the
House of Commons for the last three days, and if indis-
position, which must be apparent to the meeting, might
be urged as an excuse for his absence from the meeting,
he might have offered such as a sufficient apology. As a
Member of the House of Commons he might by the fa.ti-
(lions be condemned for speaking at a meeting upon a
petition which.' he should have to give his
judgment
upon ; but this be disregarded.—(At this moment Daniel
O'Connell, Esq., M.P., entered the room, and was received
with music and the loudest applause.) The reception of
the Hon. Member by the meeting, was, be (Mr. Harvey)
would say, in perfect accordance with his feelings, and be
could not but be gratified at the interruption.—(Cheers.)
He had only intended to have been a willing auditor at the
meeting, but had been called upon, since he came on the