The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1867.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

rxzs DAY.—Merning, 11h. Om.—Afternoon, 1111. 34m.
ro-Moßitow.-Morning, h. m.—Afternoon, 121. 6m.

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LONDON, THURSDAY, JAN. 17, 1867.

The Conservatives seem to have made a strong

point of the meeting at Durham, and the speeches

delivered on the occasion were far above the average

in point of excellence. The Duke of MARLBOROUGH,
,n acknowledging the toast of her MAJESTY'S

Ministers, showed up in its true colours the course

pursued by the Liberal party during the last few
years, and, indeed, for some time past. The noble

duke commenced by considering the state of things
which had led to the assumption of power by the
Conservative party, and declared that they

had on no occasion sought office, or become
possessed of it through party manceuvres or tactics.
As to the great Liberal party its course has been
a downward one since it rejoiced in the fulness of

power, and boasted of its success when Sir R. PEEL

seceded from his party, and the Corn Laws were

repealed. As the Duke emphatically observed, we

have seen the popular sympathy ranged on its aide,
and seen it enjoy great advantages from its position,
the benefits, pover, and patronage of office,
and yet what has been its condition despite

all these felicitous combinations ? " Why we
have seen it so split up into fragments, so
divided in opinion, so inherently weak in itself,
its conduct has been founded upon such a total
absence of principles, that when the time of trial

came, it has been utterly subverted—not by the

action of a strong body acting against that party
in an endeavour to get into power, but because
of the inherent weakness of that party. This is,

upon the whole, a very correct account of the
matter, for the disunion that reigned among the
members of the Liberal party was no secret, and
the effects of it have been only too plainly visible
and too bitterly felt by themselves. After refer-
ring to the unworthy course pursued by the Op-
position when Lord DERBY was in power in 1859,
the Duke quoted these expressive lines to illus-
trate the sad change that took place when certain
politicians came into office :

To place and power all public virtues tend;
In place and power all public virtues end.
He then passed on to reflect upon the position
of her MAJESTY'S present Ministers, and said that

their task was indeed most difficult and respon-
sible. Every one is talking of the blessings of
peace, but the nations of the world are preparing
mighty armaments, instead of turning their swords
into ploughshares. As for home matters there are
many to cause disquietude, and the state of Ireland
is critical. As the noble Duke truly said, an
idea has gone forth that no Conservative
Government can possibly undertake any Libe-
ral measures ; but " I believe," said he,
that " it will be the purpose of the noble
Earl and his Administration to show that a Con-
servative Government can propound measures
which are not only liberal in their tendency, and
so satisfy all the just demands of the country, but
at the same time will retain all the salient points

of the Constitution which has descended to us.'

The question of Reform, of course, occupied some
portion of this discourse, and after vindicating his
party from the charges brought against it, his
Grace observed that the question of Reform
had never been honestly dealt with by
' the Liberal party, but had been used as a
" stalking horse when their popularity was waning,
or whenever they wanted to give a stimulus to
public feeling ; it has been raised as the means of
enlisting public sympathies and rekindling public
fervour in their favour, but it has never been really
dealt with." We quite agree with the Duke that
the matter of Reform cannot be settled in a hurry,
but must be calmly and carefully considered; and
all the more so, because, in consequence
of undue interference, the question has as •
sumed a graver aspect, and goes far beyond the
mere extension of the suffrage, until its advocates
demand manhood suffrage, or seem about to mix up
Reform and revolution in their minds. The noble
Duke concluded his interesting speech by expressing
a hope that we might shortly see the spread of
education over the land, and thus remove the stigma
that rested upon us of having so many in this
country who cannot read or write their own names.
Sir M. RIDLEY, in proposing the " House of Lords,"
took occasion to descant upon its merits,
and declared that, notwithstanding the " malig-
nant declamation" that abounds in these
times, it would be an evil thing for the nation if this
great safeguard and check of our Constitution were
extinguished. " Those amongst us who shall live
to see the dawn of that day may live to see the sun-
set of England's greatness." No doubt there are
many and great advantages accruing to us from our
finely-balanced system of power, and the -very
steadiness and sometimes impracticability of the
House of Lords is often a great gain, because it
prevents us from rushing into extremes, which are
often fatal, and at the best should never be suddenly
entered upon. Lord RAVENSWORTH also made some
observations on this topic, and declared that if the
House of Lords had
.suffered disparaging remarks
it had been in good company, for all our institutions
have been abused and vilified in certain quarters.
Proceeding to other matters, the noble lord said if
they did not know what the Government would do
they knew pretty well what they would not do.
"They would not be prepared to surrender the Bri-
tish Constitution to the demands of Messrs. BRIGHT,
BEALES, and Co., and would not be disposed to
allow the Legislature to be overawed by the
demonstration of numbers and of physical force."
Respecting the extension of the franchise the noble
lord spoke very fairly when he said that he should
rather seek to elevate the character of the working
classes up to a level with the franchise than to
lower the franchise to a level which may admit
mere numbers without reference to the worthiness
or unworthiness of those admitted.
Mr. MOWBRAY, in the conclusion of his speech, to
which we referred yesterday, made some striking
observations upon the necessity of unity among
those who really desired the same thing, and sought
Reform but not revolution. He did not, he said,
address himself to those who " hankered after other
forms of Government; who were enamoured of the
simplicity of an American Republic, and desired to
see a President whom they might impeach every
other year, and who preferred an Imperial des-
potism based on universal suffrage, such as they
saw on the other side of the Channel, and who had
faith in some bran new constitution to be impro-
vised by a BISMARCK ;" but he asked for the as-
sistance of the great mass of sober Englishmen, of
independent and reflecting citizens, of skilled ar-
tisans, whose untiring and intelligent industry con-
tributed so largely to the national wealth, to men
who had read history, and understood the blessings
which they had enjoyed, to them be would say
" join us in maintaining that ancient monarchy
which for centuries has given us order and stability
—that hereditary senate or assembly remarkable
for sagacity, moderation, and wisdom—and that
Commons House of Parljtament, reformed, indeed,

from time to time, and capable of being further re-
formed ; venerable from the traditions of six hun-
dred years, and endeared to the English nation for
many generations from the way in which it had
fought their battles, asserted their privileges, up-
held their freedom, and secured to them greater and
more enduring blessings than any other representa-
tive assembly that ever existed."

We are very glad to find a report current that
among the first measures which the Government

intend to introduce this Session is one for securing
the health and comfort of the seamen of our mer-

cantile marine. It is, indeed, more than time that
the whole question was fully inquired into, and

some energetic steps taken to preserve this large and
useful body of men from the effects of the greed,
the ignorance, or indifference of shipowners and

captains. It is only surprising that their.grievances

should have been left so long unredressed ; but

hey belong to a class which is very unlikely to seek
he usual channels of public communication, while

their occupation naturally engrosses a great portion
of their time and thoughts, and removes them
from the sphere of action. Besides, sailors of all

grades are proverbially heedless and reckless about
the future, and so long as they keep in tolerable
health and activity they do not trouble themselves
much about possible risks. When sick and dis-

abled, indeed, or turned adrift in a foreign port,
they have time and opportunity for moralising on

the hardships of their treatment. Whether they
are generally sensible of the injustice which they
often meet with or no, it is very certain that
the attractions of the service are rapidly
declining, and that if we want to get
a regular supply of efficient seamen for our
mercantile marine we must take care that
the health of our men is subjected to no unne-
cessary risks, and that they are treated in money
matters with fairness and consideration. It is more
than a question between masters and men, for the
commerce of the country is of vast importance to
all ; and while there are so many wanting em-
ployment, and many trades overstocked with
labourers, it is a thousand pities that a fine
and honourable profession like seamanship
should fall into such disrepute, that our
merchant ships should have to be manned by
foreigners. There is much need for legislative
interference in the matter, because the evils spring
from a variety of causes. The shipowner may be
well disposed, but the master may have the
management of the provisions, and make his profit
at the expense of the men. Or, again, both owner
and master may endeavour to act fairly and kindly,
but the construction of the ship may be so bad that
health and comfort are almost impossible. Very
strong evidence in favour of immediate reform
was given the other day by Dr. STONE, after
personal inspection of the docks. Captain
HENRY TOYNBEE'S lecture, to which he fre-
quently referred, was delivered last evening
before the members of the Society of Arts. Captain
TOYNBEE headed his paper " ivlercantile Marine
Legislation, as Affecting the Number and Efficiency
of British Seamen," and said that, having spent
more than thirty years among seamen, he had be-
come impressed with the importance of some of
their wants. 66 The scarcity of British seamen,"
adds Captain TOYNBEE, " and the tendency to dis-
content which is showing itself in the east end of
London and in several of our seaports, make it more
important that those who understand them thoroughly
should come forward and explain what is actually
wanted."

The principal changes which Captain TOYNBEE
advises are as follows :-1. That Government shall
establish a pension fund and life insurance adapted
to seamen, and join to them a benefit fund, the
principal of which shall be the sums received as un-
claimed wages and effects of deceased seamen. 2.
That Government shall enter in the heading of the
" articles" a new scale of provisions. 3. That the
space allotted to seamen shall be properly lighted,
drained, and ventilated. 4. That dock clerks be
attached to shipping offices, whose duty it shall be
to visit ships on their arrival, see that the men
get their pay, or, if they wish, undertake to send
it to their homes. 5. That shipping masters be
empowered to order the inspection of all ships ,
forecastles and provisions, and that shipping mas-
ters abroad shall have power to make a commander
ship another man in place of one discharged ;
also that vessels engaging crews to be discharged
abroad shall be bound to provide for their pas-
sage home. 6. That provision shall be made for
the admission of English boys into the mercantile
marine, and for the establishment of married
sailors' homes, clubs, and institutes in our sea-
ports. The explanation which Captain TOYNBEE
gave of the proposed pension fund exhibits
very forcibly the injustice with which sea-
men have been treated. The unclaimed wages and
effects of deceased merchant seamen amount to
about £7OO a-year, which sum is paid into the Con-
solidated Fund, where there is a large accumulation.
This would be well applied towards the formation
of a benefit fund for distressed sailors' families.
The 2d article of reform refers principally to the
prevention of scurvy, which has increased threefold
in our merchant service during the last few years.
Soldiers and emigrants, observed Capt. TOYNBEE,
when speaking on this subject, are supplied with
good salt provisions, as well as limejuice, pickles, pre-
served potatoes, &c.; and such must be the dietary of
seamen. The quality of meat supplied to merchant
ships may be guessed from the report of a large
provision dealer. Beef that would pass inspection
for troops is about £8 75., per tierce of 3041b5.
Beef supplied to crews of ships is from £5 10s. to
£6los. for the same quantity. Pork, in London,
ranges from £4 10s. to £5 15s. the barrel of 2001 b.,
but there are English ports where it ranges from
£3 ss. to £3 15s. Of this the dealer remarked,
" It is stuff that you could squeeze through your
fingers like lard." After this information we need
not wonder at the increase of scurvy in the mer-
chant service. It is very evident that Government
interference is needed to keep shipowners, masters,
and provision dealers in check.

The non-unionists of Staveley appear determined
to keep up their bold and resolute resistance to the
tyranny of trade combinations, which would govern
not only their own members, but those who do not
belong to them. A very large meeting was held
on Tuesday evening, at Barrow-hill, when nearly
1,000 persons were present. The chairman, Mr.
Man Kiwi, the managing director of the company,
announced that there were 1,508. non-unionists
exclusively employed in connection with the mineral
department of the company. They have had, how-
ever, great difficulties to contend against, although
the Staveley company, unlike some other employers,
have expressed their firm determination that, be the
consequences what they might, they would not employ
union men. The delegates of the unionists finding
this have endeavoured to enlist the sympathies of
the trades' unions in Sheffield, Manchester, and
London against the Staveley Company. Such
gigantic combinations, as Mr. MARKHAM pointed
out, could do no good to the working man, as they
were usually followed by combinations of masters.
The true interest of the working man was to have
as many employers of labour as possible ; whereas
the policy of trades' unions for many years past had

been to destroy the small capitalists, who were
often ruined and crushed by strikes. The report of
the South Yorkshire Miners' Association affords
ample illustration of the mischief done by these
combinations to the men themselves. They had
received, it was stated, £lO,OOO, out of which £1,858
was set aside for accidents, sick, and provident pur-
poses, while the sum of £4,977 was appropriated
for strikes. Other items remained, but the dispro-
portion of these two is very glaring. Mr. MARK-
HAM made some very just and sensible observa-
tions on the relations and duties of labour
and capital, suggesting many particulars in
which both sides might be improved. He
touched, too, upon the intolerable oppression of
those trades' unions.which would not allow a man to
bring up his children to his own trade. The meeting,
which was a very successful one, was an important
testimony against the oppression of trades' unions,
which, if they are to retain any permanent influence
or authority, must be composed of willing, and not
forced, members.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(By Atlantic Telegraph.)
NEW YORK, Jan. 16, Evening.

The Radical members of the House continue their
efforts for the impeachment of President Johnson.
The Ville de Paris, from Brest, arrived here this

morning.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Gold, 136. Sterling Exchange on London, 1091.
Five-twenty United States Bonds, 107} ;
121 ; Erie, 64g. Cotton—Middling Upland, 35c.
The Inman steamship Edinburgh has arrived
out.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, Jan. 16 (Evening).

The Opinione of to-day says :—" The negotiations
in reference to the question of the Bishops having
been terminated, Signor Tonello will shortly have
an audience of the Pope and Cardinal Antonelli, in
order to take leave."
The Nuovo Diretto states that the Italian Govern-
ment, having sent the collar of the Order of the
Annuncida to Count Bismarck, the Prussian GO-
vernment has, in return, sent to Baron Ricasoli and
Signor Visconti Venosta the Grand Cordon of the
Order of the Black Eagle.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, Thursday, Jan. 17.

The Presse of to-day says :—" We learn that
on the 12th inst. an insurance of 200,000 marks
banco was effected on the Hamburg Exchange upon
the personal property of the Emperor of Mexico,
shipped by the Maria for Ragusa."