The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-19 00:00:00

ANTI-INCOME. TAX MEETING.

BIRMINGHAM, DEc. 18.
A great demonstration took place against the income
tax, and its mode of administration, in the Town-hall,
Birmingham, last evening. Placards had been issued
calling upon the shopkeepers to close at 6 o'clock, in
order that the principals and their dependents in the
different establishments of the town might be present on
the occasion. The hall during the evening was crowded
with a highly respectable audience.
The Mayor occupied the chair, and among the gentle.
men present were Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., Mr. ~:cholef-
ield, M.P., Alderman Lloyd, Mr. T. Aurelius Attwood,
Mr. Salt, Mr. James Lloyd, Alderman Manton, Alder-
man
Baldwin, Alderman Hodgson, Alderman Lawden,
Mr. Webster, Mr. Fowler, &c. Most of the banking
and mercantile establishments of the town were repre.
sented.

The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, shortly ad-
dressed the meeting, stating that although the tax might
be righteous in principle, it was vicious in administra-
tion.

Mr. MUNTZ, M.P., then presented himself to the
meeting, and was loudly cheered ; and, after a charac-
teristic speech, concluded by moving the following reso-
lution :—" That the income tax laws, in their present
form, are unjust, oppressive, and degrading, and ought
not to be tolerated by a free people ; and that the people
should be satisfied with nothing less than their total and
immediate repeal." (Cheers.)
Mr. SCHOLEFIELD, en rising to second the resolution,
was loudly cheered. While expressing his dissent from
some of the opinions stated by Mr. INluntz, he was
equally opposed, with that gentleman, to the imposition
of the income tax in its present state. He denied that
there was any parallel between the exaction of ship
money by Charles the First and the imposition of the
present income tax. In the days of Hampden the peo-
ple had no power, and resistance by force was justifiable ;
but in the present instance the tax was imposed by
Parliament, and Parliament could repeal the impost.
He preferred a property tax to an income tax, but
he thought there were difficulties in adopting and
executing the former; but, after all, their present object
related to the income tax, and they said they would
have it no more at no price whatever. (Cheers.) They
ebjected to its iniquisitorial character and its amount.
The hon. gentleman next referred to the inequality of
the tax and the manner in which it was imposed upon
the country. The powers of the commissioners were
perfectly intolerable. The people of the country were
content to support a just war, but not to endure a tax
administrated in the way the income tax was now as-
sessed and levied upon the country. He cordially
seconded the motion.

Mr. WEIGHT moved as an amendment to the effect
that, although the present income tax was oppressive in
the highest degree, yet that a tax upon income and
property, levied according to a just and graduated scale,
was correct in principle. He advocated the adjustment
of the tax, and urged that realised property should pay
in a higher degree than precarious income.
The amendment was not seconded, and the original
motion was carried amidst applause.
Mr. GUMS DAWSON, after defending the resolution,
said that Government, in all money matters, protected
themselves, and placed the payment of money upon the
people. He argued a fair tax upon property, from the
highest to the lowest, ought to be made, and that the
man that had most means to take care of should pay the
moat. Let them have a fair, equitable property tax.
(Cheers.) He objected to the manner in which the
present tax was collected. He deemed that the office
of a commissioner was an honourable one for a high-
minded man ; and he contended that the commissioners
ought to be elected by the people. He concluded by
moving the following resolution —" That this meeting
condemns the mode in which the commissioners for
general purposes under the income tax laws have too
frequently exercised their powers, and declares that the
duties of additional commissioners are such as no British
Legislature ought to perform." (Cheers.)
Mr. Alderman Como/ seconded the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.

Mr. THOMAS A. ATTNiOOD next addressed the meeting,
and a memorial to the Queen and a petition to the House
of Commons having been adopted, the meeting broke up
shortly after N o'clock.

RF.PEIL OF THE INCOME TAX.—On Wednesday a pub-
lic meeting was held at the Guildhall, Shrewsbury (the
Mayor in the chair), for the purpose of petitioning Par-
liament against the continuance of the income tax be-
yond the sth of April next. There was a numerous
attendance of the principal inhabitants and tradesmen of
the town, and an unanimous opinion expressed as to the
unjust and oppressive nature of the impost. A petition
to the House of Commons in accordance with these
sentiments was prepared and adopted, and the borough
and county members were requested to give it their sup-
port in Parliament.
THE INCOME TAI.—At the last annual meeting of the
Owston Agricultural Society, held at Ferry, North
Lincolnshire, Sir Montagu Cholmeley, who occupied
the chair, said, that although politics were properly
prohibited at these meetings, he could not refrain from
mentioning a subject which affected them all most ma-
terially. He alluded to the income tax. He hoped the
electoral constituencies would urge upon her Majesty's
Ministers the duty of modifying this obnoxious tax. The
tax pressed hard upon everybody, and he could not help
saying that the manner in which it was levied—asses.
ing all incomes alike—was essentially objectionable and
unj us.

MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.)

CORN EXCHANGE.

Increased supplies of Englisk wheat-4,020 quarters—
have come to hand this week coastwise, but the receipts
by land carriage fresh up to-day wore small. As several
of Monday's unsold samples were in the market, and as tho
imports of foreign have been extensive, the trade was very
dull, and inferior wheats were lower to purchase.
Over 30,000 quarters of foreign wheat having come to
hand, that article was dull, and rather drooping.
There was much less inquiry for floating cargoes of
grain.
• -

-
The supply of barley was very moderate, and the trade
ruled steady, at full quotations.

Malt was in moderate request at former terms.
Good sound oats sold steadily ; other kinds slowly, at
late rates.

Beans and peis were dull, and most kinds of flour were
offering on lower terms.

Wheat.
4,020

ARRIVALS TIIIS WEER.
Barley. Malt.
3,840 6,390
60

English ..
Irish • • ••
Foreign i

Osts. 1 Four.
110 1 '2,770
1,140
140 scks.
7,410 94250 buls

30,160

2,290 1 --

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.

For this time of year the supply of beasts was only
moderate, and in middling condition. On the whole the
beef trade ruled steady, at Monday's prices. 'We were bat
moderately supplied with sheep, which were in good re-
quest, at full quotations. As the supply of calves was
considerably on the increase the veal trade was heavy, and
prices were 4d. per 8 lbs. lower than on Monday. Pigs
sold to a fair extent on former terms. Mulch cows were
very dull, at from 15'. to 20/. each, including their small
calf.

s. d. a, d,
PrimeSouthdown 5 2 5 4
Large crse. calves 3 8 4 6
Prime small do 4 8 5 2
"Largo hogs
Small porkers
Suckling calves 23 0 30 0
Quarter old pigs 22 0 29 0

Per Sibs to sink the of 5.%
s. d. s. d.i
Interior Beasta....3 4to 3 6
Second quality.... 3 8 4 0
Prime large oxen 4 2 4 8
Prime Scots, dm 410 5 0
Inferior Sheep ...3 10 4 21
Second quality ...4 4 4 81
Primo erse.-wlled.4 10 5
TOTAL SUPPLY.

Masts .. ••
Shoop • •• •• ...... 2,900
Calves ..... • • .......... 380
Pigs .. •• •• • o

NEWOATE AND
The supplies of moat were t
ruled steady, as follows :
Per Sibs by

1011I6N SUPPLY •
8ea5t5•................. . 160
Sheep ....... ...• • •• 341

LEADENTIA.LL.
>lerably good, and thedemand

s. d. s. d.
Beef, inferior 210 3 2
Do., middling 3 4 3 8
Do. prime large 3 10 4 0
Do., do. small 4 2 4 tS
Pork, large 3 8 4 4

the carcase.

s. d. I. d.
Mutton, Inferior 3 6 3 10
Do., middling 4 0 4 4
Do., prime 4 6 4 8
Veal 3 8 4 8
Pork, small 4 8 5 4

BOROUGH HOP.
Fine new hops continue in good request, at fall prices.
In other kinds only a moderate business is doing, on for-
mer rates. The show of samples is seasonably good.
Mid and East Kent pockets, 4/ Os to 5/ 15s ; Weald
of Kent, 317 s to 41 4s ; Sussex, 31 4s to 31 158.

COLONIAL.
TEA—The public sales of this article have concluded,
and about half the quantity offered was disposed of at
previous prices. A fair amount of business has been done
privately in good Congou at from ls 2d to is 4d, and
superior at la 5d to is 9d. Common Congou realised 9d
and quota.to 10d per lb.
SUGAR—There has been very little business done in
either foreign or colonial descriptions, and, notwithstand.
this
lug very limited supplies, prices showed a tendency to de-
cline. The refined market is also very inactive,
o rm Ceylon
quotations.l on and o
tions rule lower. The markets will be
tortcloed for the
Christmas holidays, from Wednesday next he 6th of
January, 1857.
COFFEE—A very fair business has been done in
article, particularly in Plantation Ceylon, which •
18 much
wanted,cha have
ave andalso realised
been
ia high
request, prices.at f
aII
y Nativef
RlDE.—There has been a good demand for most descrip•
tions, but the lower qualities were mostly dealt in and
realised very high prices. Bengal white ,to 9,
6d, and Java 22s per cwt. Drought 9,
Rum—A very active demand has be
all qualities, at rather enhanced. values.en experienced for
9YI to 2s 10d ; Leewards, 24 5d • and Demerara, 2s
2e 5d per proof gallon. , East India, 2s 4d to
SnoKs—There has been a ye
forer quotations have been maintained
cloves, ginger, and pimento;Ty good demand, and fully
SALTPETRE—The market and for mace, nutmegs,
may be quoted about is h white pepper ruled firms.
Conumer,---A large business lower.
the finer qualities have
TALLOW.— k.
on the spotarticle,
and for spring
advanced about 2d per lb.
Per owast.beell inactive, and price
this . rather active business has been done in
and prices have ruled rather heavy. P.Y.C.
tad 58a 9d to 59s
per cwt. delivery is quo
•
°RI"
FaUIT.--A. brisk demand exists for all kinds.
Oranges have advanced in price
200 packages from the
Azores, Seville, and Lisbon, sold by Keeling and Hunt at
public sale, went at 2s to 3s per package higher. Lemons
are dull. Nuts have sold freely ; two cargoes new Barce-
lona have met with a ready sale, the market being bare of
the article. 1'

The Right Right Hon. B. Lowe, M.P., has forwarded to
the Mayor of Kidderminster, for distribution among tie
bufforin handloona Nyman, the Num of N/,