The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-25 00:00:00

Chemists and Druggists.

A meeting of chemists and druggists, convened
by the executive committee of the United Society of
Chemists and Druggists, was held yesterday after-
noon at the London Coffee-house, Ludgate-hill, to
consider certain suggestions made by the Pharma-
ceutical Society for the incorporation of the trade.
The chair was taken by Mr. H. MATTHEWS, F.C.S.,
the president of the United Society, and there were
about 70 gentlemen present. The suggestions
which clime under consideration were seven in num-
ber, and were intended to form the bases of a mea-
sure to be introduced into Parliament during the
ensuing session. The majority of them—including
a provision, that after the passing of the act all
persons assuming the name or title of "chemist and
druggists" should, with certain reservations to save
vested interests, undergo an examination—were
agreee to without objection, or with but slight
modifications. The only suggestion which excited
any hostility was the 4th, viz., " That all persons
registered as chemists and druggists should be
eligible for election to membership of the Pharma-
ceutical Society, under the bye-laws thereof ; tut
they should not by virtue of that membership be
entitled to registration as pharmaceutical chemists,'
that title being strictly kept for those only who pass
the major examination. They should have the
right of nominating and voting ' for members
of council, but the council should consist only
of members who are pharmaceutical chemists."
Upon this Mr. Pass moved, and Mr. Warden
seconded, a resolution declaring that " this
meeting concurs in the desirability of limiting
the title of Pharmaceutical Chemists to those who
may pass their major examination ; but it is de-
cidedly opposed to registered chemists and drug-
gists being subjected to election by the Pharma-
ceutical Council as a condition for the election of
the members of that council ; and it is equally and
decidedly opposed to the council of so large a body
as the chemists and druggists will be under an act

of general incorporation, being limited to those
who are now, or may be hereafter pharmaceutical
chemists." This resolution was supported by Messrs.
Huddlestone and Hornby, who attended the meet-
ing as a deputation from the chemists and druggists
of
Mr. Heppel and Mr. Wade. All these
gentlemen
fe Contended that the existing incorporated
che Smhiefildsts and druggists had a right to be placed
upon a level with the unexamined members of the
Pharmaceutical Society, and were entitled to be
eligible as members of the council to which it was
proposed that 'the government of the trade should
be committed.

The resolution was unanimously agreed to, as
was also another proposed by Messrs. Betty and
Anderson :—" That as among the interests influ-
encing the entire trade of chemists and druggists,
two elements, the educational and commercial, are
inseparably connected ; and as it is of vital import-
ance in maturing any form of government for the
whole trade that these two interests should, so far
as practicable, be blended, this meeting cherishes
the hope that from the resolutions it has adopted the
advantage of a mutual understanding and combined
action may be brought into operation, and autho-
rises a deputation of the trade to wait in this spirit
upon the Pharmaceutical Council." So far nothing
had occurred to disturb the harmony of the pro--
ceedings ; but when the question was raised as
to the composition of the deputation, an element
of discord was introduced, and there occurred a
rather violent and disorderly scene. Several different
propositions were made and were fiercely and some-
what irregularly discussed. On the one side there
seemed to be a warm desire to exclude from the de-
putation certain members of the executive commit-
tee of the United Society who are not chemists ;
while on the part of these members, and some at
least of their colleagues, there was an equally firm
determination to resist any proposal which would
prevent their taking part in the negotiations with
the Pharmaceutical Society. Iu the course of the
discussion a good many pretty sharp personalities
were exchanged, and at one time the debate dege-
nerated into something very nearly approaching a
mere personal and vulgar wrangle. Ultimately,
however, a resolution was (after a division),
adopted, appointing as a deputation the executive
committee of the United Society of Chemists and
Druggists, and any other members of the trade who
might choose to act with them ; and the proceed.
ings, which had lasted about three hours, concluded
with a vote of thanks to the chairman.