The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-05 00:00:00

THE INCONE TAX.

TO TAE EDITOR OF TILE SUN.
SIR,—You have again earned the gratitude of the
people, and afresh earned the title of the "People's
Paper," by your recent animadversions on the most
iniquitous property and income tax. In this re-
spect you honourably stand almost alone. Your con-
temporaries, of almost every grade, are not manly
enough to condemn what they feel is a gross injus-
tice to the middle classes of society. it presses very
heavily on all whose incomes vary from £l5O to
£5OO per annum. I remember when that lying
prophet, the late Sir Robert Peel, induced Parlia-
ment to adopt this tax, ha said, " I take your money
from one pocket to put it into the other pocket."
Never was a man more mistaken in his conclusions
than Sir Robert Peel ; for what was the fact. Every
necessary of life advanced, as well as shoes and
wearing apparel. Mr. ,Gladstone makes a great
flourish of trumpets on the success of the scheme,
and therefore he endeavours to complete waat Sir
Robert Peel began. But, I ask, what are the proofs
of success ? You say, more we have exported ; but
who is the better for this ? Not the poor labourer,
with his Bs. or 12s.,weekly ; not the shopman, the
clerk, the small tradesman, or those with small in-
comes. All these classes at e worse off than when
Sir Robert Peel tampered with the revenue. Those
only who have profited are the cotton manufac-
turers, the merchant, the shipowners, the landed
nobility and squirearchy, from the greatly increased
value of land. lam sure I can speak from expe-
rience that my £350 per annum does not go so far
as it did before the advent of Sir Robert Peel and
his imitators to power. What is the use of in-
creased free trade if the great body of the people
are worse off than before ? and why should they
be made to suffer in order to put money into the
pockets of the cotton lords, merchants, the shipping
and landed interests ? For my part, I consider all
Gladstone's hopes delusive ; they are not such as to
warrant this breach of public faith. Why not pr.t
a tax on the export of coals ? If all who have votes
would withhold them from such members of Par-
liament as vote for that iniquitous tax we might
hope to see it abolished. I, fur one, will not vote
for a member who advocates this tax. Cheap wine
may be bought too dear. Why should our many
small domestic artisans be thrown out of work by
the introduction of French and German toys, &c.?
The thousands in our poorhouses and prisons are
some of the fruits of Sir RobertlsPeel's schemes ;
thus our local taxes are increased in the same ratio
with our public burdens and increased dearness of
everything which enters into domestic use. Our
Government is too expensive ; if it was less expen-
sive, and men of business entrusted with the Go-
vernment, instead of aristocratic red-tapists, we
might save money from their wasteful extrava-
gance to meet every emergency, without injuring
the body of the people.—l am, Sir, yours,
A CONS PANT READER.

Bath, March 3.

"PACT'S."

TO TUE EDITOR OF TUE SUN.

SlR,—The following statistics were adduced by the Duke
of Brabant, the other day, before the Belgian Senate :
England exported of her own manufacture
in 1840
Do. do. in 1858 ..
127 per cent. increase under Free Trade.
France exported of her own manufacture
in 1840
Do. do. in 1858

£27,300,000
79,200,000

156 per cent. increase under Protection.
Belgium exported of her own manufacture
in 1840
Do, do. in 1858

J2Ol per cent. increase under Protection.
It appears, therefore, that England, with her boasted
Free Trade, is making less progress in the sale of her pro-
duco than Franco and Belgium.---Yours obediently,
March 2, 1860. I CAUTION.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

CITY BETTING—(M Day).

LIVERPOOL SPRING CUP.
4to 1 agst Apollyon (taken)
7to 1 agst Tormentor
7to 1 agst Tommy Noble
7to 1 agst Jenny Longlegs
10 to 1 agst any other (offered)
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
7to 1 agst Anatis (taken)
10 to 1 agst Tease (taken freely)
12 to 1 agst Jealousy
12 to 1 agst Xanthus
12 to 1 agst Maria Agnes (taken freely)
16 to 1 agst Linkboy (taken freely)
20 to 1 agst Goldsmith
20 to 1 agst Bridegroom
20 to 1 agst Telegram
20 to 1 agst Maebonnio
33 to 1 agst Huntsman
33 to 1 agst Sir Robert
33 to 1 agst Athlete

CHESTER CUP.
20 to 1 agst Gaspard (taken freely)
20 to 1 agst Taws Deer
25 to 1 agst Satellite (offered)
28 to 1 agst Promised Land
30 to 1 agst Petra
33 to 1 agst Birmingham
40 to 1 agst Blue Ruin
50 to 1 agst Tiumndra
50 to 1 agst First Lord

DERBY.
10 1 agst Mainstone (taken)
10 to 1 agst Buccaneer (taken)
11 to 1 agst Umpire (offered)
13 to 1 agst The Wizard
15 to 1 agst Nutbourne
20 to 1 agst High Treason
33 to 1 agst Cramond
33 to 1 agst Sir William

.MPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

-1,

HOUSE OF LORDS—(TIiIs EVENING.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at the usual hour.

Lord CARNA.RVON presented a petition from the
Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows, praying for the repeal
of the eighth ell use of the Friendly Societies Amendment
Act, 1858.
The Duke of MARLBOROUGH presented petitions
against the abolition of church rates.
Lord COLVILLE, in the absence of Earl Vane, pre-
sented a petition from 14 different places in the diocese of
Durham, praying the house to take such measures as shall
ensure the recognition of the principle of manifest equity
in the distribution of the large funds arising from the
diocese.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Croydon GasPRIVA and the Keith and Dufftown Railway
Bills wero read a third time and passed.
THE NEW FRENCH TREATY.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE said in the event of the ad-
dress to her Majesty being agreed to that evening, he pro-
posed that a similar address should be moved iu that house
on Friday or Monday next.
The Earl of DERBY said Monday would be the more
convenient day.
Earl GREY said he would not be a party to support any
such address, as such a proceeding, he considered, was
totally unnecessary.
Monday was then fixed as the day on which the address
would be moved.

LACE FACTORIES.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition from
the lace manufacturers of Nottingham, praying that the
lace factories may be brought under the operation of the
factory act. The noble earl alluded to the hardships en-
dured by the workpeoplo in lace factories, and promised to
bring in a bill to remedy the evil.
The Drike of NEWCASTLE said he was sure the large
manufactures in Nottingham would render him every as-
sistance in so laudable an endeavour.

COMPANIES (1860) BILL.
This bill, after a few observations from Lord IVEN sLET-
DALE and the LORD CHANCELLOR, was read a third time
and passed.

- ADMINISTERING POISON BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(Tms EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
ROSCOMMON ELECTION.
Mr. DUNLOP, the chairman of the committee ap-
pointed to try the merits of the Roscommon Election peti-
tion, brought up the report of that committee to the effect
that Captain Gough, the sitting member, was g4ilty of
treating, through his agents, but without his knowledge;
that he was not duly elected, and that some of the bills for
his election expenses were not delivered to the election
auditor.

AUGMENTATION OF LIVINGS. •
Lord W GRAHAM moved fur a return of all tithe rent
charges vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for
England in possession ; showing the parishes and counties
out of which such tithe rent charges arise; the amount at
which they have been commuted ; the names, populations,
and incomes of the benefices in such parishes ; and the
grants which have been made by the Commissioners to
such benefices.—Ordered.

POOR RATE ASSESSMENTS.
Mr. H UNT moved an address for return of the number
of persons assessed to the poor rate in respect of property
of the annual rateable value of £lO and under £l2, £l2 and
under £l5, £l5 and under £2O, £2O and under £5O, £5O and
upwards, in each parish or part of a parish in England and
Wales not within the limits of any city or Parliamentary
borough ; the preceding particulars to be summarised so as
to show in regard to each head of information separate totals
for each county and Parliamentary division of a county ;
together with a total for the entire district returned (the
above to be prepared from the most recent particulars rea-
dily accessible).—Ordered.

METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE.
Mr. BOWYER moved for returns of the number of
superintendents and inspectors of the metropolitan police
who have been prmoted to their present situations from the
force ; of the number who have been in the army and navy;
of the number who have been appointed without having
previously been in the public service, civil or military; of
the number of metropolitan police-constables who have
been reported by sergeants or acting sergeants, within the
last three years ; and of the number of police-constables
who have entersd the force, the number who have been
dismissed, and the number who have retired from the force
within the last three years.—Ordered.

BARRACKS.
Mr. MONSELL moved an address for a return of all
barracks in the United Kingdom constructed for not more
than 100, 200, SOO, 400, or 500 men, specifying whether
they aro for infantry, cavalry, or artillery; of the annual
expense of the staff employed for the care and maintenance
of each barrack ; and, of the aggregate number of infantry.
cavalry, and artillery fur whom accommodation is provided
for in barracks constructed each for more than .500 men,
and the aggregate number for whom accommodation is pro •
vided in camp.—Ordered.
COLONELS OF CAVALRY.

Captain ARCHDALL asked the Secretary of State for
'War why field officers of the cavalry were excluded from
the advantages of the late warrant, being prohibited from
taking troop horses as chargers : whether he was aware
that the receipts of a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, from
his pay and allowances, were Is. 10d. a day less than the
pay and allowances of a lieutenant-colonel of infantry :
and whether, such being the case, he would raise the pay
and allowances of a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry equal to
those of a lieutenant-colonel of infantry P
Mr. S. HERBERT was understood to say that it was
not intended to make the increase in question, as there was
no ground for such a proceeding.
MILITARY DEFENCES OF THE COLONIES.
Mr. ADDERLEY asked the Secretary of State for
War whether the committee had yet i sported, which he
stated last session to be sitting, on the subject of the expen-
diture from the British treasury on the military defences of
the colonies, and on the principle on which such expenses
ought to be apportioned between the Imperial and colonial
treasuries, and on the best mode of carrying out such ap-
portionment; and, if they have made their report, whether
he would present it to the house ?
Mr. S. HERBERT said the report alluded to had been
received, but it was not quite correct. He had communi-
cated with the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the
subject, but he had not had time to devote his attention to
it, and who did not consider that the report, being of a con-
fidential character, should be laid on the table.
CAVALRY OFFICERS.
Mr. H. STRACEY asked the Sec-etary of State for War
whether general officers appointed to regiments of cavalry
would in future be obliged to repay the difference, although
the prices of commissions in the infantry and cavalry have
been equalised.
Mr. S. HERBERT replied in the negative.
ARMSTRONG'S AND WHITWORTH'S GUNS.
M. H. BAILLIE asked the Secretary of State for War
whether he intended to continue the manufacture of Ann-
strong's guns, after the remarkable results of the recent ex-
periments with Whitworth's guns, both as to their range
and the accuracy of their fire ; whether it was
used
ascertained fact that Armstrong's guns could not beeud
nnless there was at hand a large supply
each of
shot ,
wa- and water,
er'so that
e
be
the gun might be washed out after ea
whe-
ther the Whitworth gun might not used for any length
whethmerertihtseic;
tmhe-
oaatittteeimeawpritohinoutetdthteo adiedoidofe
on waterthe and
respective
Armstrong and Whitworth cannon adopted the Armstrong
rong
gun without going to Manchester to look at Whitworth's
,
gun,
n after having previously fixed a day on which they
were to have visited Mr. Whitworth's works for the pur-
pose of examining his gun ?
Mr. S. HERBERT said that the guns invented by Mr.
Whitworth were very satisfactory, but it was intended to
repeat
length of range, accuracy of aim, but, above all,
test it with the guns of Sir W. Armstrong withp ect to
re-
spect a lubricating
The Armstrong guns were now supplied
to their relative powers of destructability of anweneniy.
with
material in the charge that rendered the use of water un-
necessary.
EMPLOYMENT OF CIVILIANS AS GUNNERS.
Capt. L.-VERNON asked the Secretary of State for War
whether there was any foundation for the rumour that, with
the Armstrong guns sent to China, under the command of
Col. Crofton, Royal Artillery, it has been found expedient
to send civilian workmen belonging to Sir Wm. Armstrong's
manufactory, for the purpose of attending to details which
in ordinary, cases fall within the duties of the gunners.
Mr. S. HERBERT was understood to Mate that it was
not usual to employ civilians in that capaciiy, but when it
was had recourse to, means were taken to remedy any de-
skedtheSecerfetatbrye ofF rSetnactehfTorreFaotyreaigpn.
plied Af e effmtasirr
so. n,wt
HANKYhe rtt pearr part .h
asked
provisions
to Froernt
ecdh colonies in ieno en respecties; andof dutiesif goods
shipped
Britishpped
to
Martinique, &c., from
ii
goodsee
imp
England, would be admitted on the
same terms as if shipped to France ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said that there were no provisions in
the treaty relating to the matter, and he took that oppor-

tunity of stating that it had been recommended to the
Legislative Council to abolish the duty on rags. (Hear.}
BERKELEY HO lITSE.
Mr. E. JAMES asked the First Commissioner of Works
whether ho could state to t',e lualse the sum paid by the
Metropolitan Board oi. Works for :he sit,
House, upon which that board •is erecting a b,ilding t'or
their own use; and was suns is to br oxpe1id:::1 by the said
board in the construction of that building ?
Mr. CO\VPER said that the whole cest would be
-016,000, and that they would have to £5OO a-year for the
property for 10 years.
SAVOY AND NICE.

Mr. S. FITZGERALD said that the correspondence
relating to Savoy and Nice was net placed in the hands of
hon. members until that morning, and therefore he must
postpone asking the noble lord this evening a question re-
lative to some apparent inaccuracies in that correspondence,
but he would do so to-morrow.