The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-30 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE

Tins PAT -LifoTninTlilM. after 4 I Evening 28 min. after 4
I'o-31"cattow Morning 45 min. after 4 I Evening 2 min. after 5

THE WEATHER.- LITZ; OFFICE, Arm 30.

THERMOMETER.
50—highest since noon yesterday.
Es—lowest this morning and during the night.
46—this day, at noon.
BAROMETER, 30.27.
WIND N.E.—moderate breeze and fine.

fu-betnino
LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1850.

Forty summers have not elapsed since the first in-
stitution of the system of Savings' Banks, and
already the sums of money deposited in those bene-
ficent establishments have accumulated to the enor-
mous amount of 28,000,000 Z.—an amount equivalent
to the annual interest of the National Debt of Great
Britain. Knowing that this magnificent result of a
scheme originating in the charitable enterprise of a
few ingenious and speculative philanthropists is attri-
butable rather to the thrift than to the parsimony of
the industrious population, we can find reason for
exulting in a contrivance that has tended
so very materially to elevate the humbler
classes of the community. Through the medium
of the national savings' banks we recognise the
growth of prudence among the labourers of England
and the decrease of dissipation, the multiplied signs of
forethought and the diminished indication of extra-
vagance. For this moat visible improvement we must
necessarily exult; but, while rejoicing. over the ad-
vanced interests of the workers of this vast manufac-
turing country, while congratulating society. upon an
arrangement which has induced the sons of toil to lay
up store for the days of illness, old age, or misfortune,
instead of squandering their wages in the beer-
shop or the bowling-green, it becomes espe-
cially incumbent upon all those who have become
involved in the responsibility of such institutions to
secure thq integrity of their management, so as to
prevent, the calamities arising from sudden and unex-
pected defalcations. Unfortunately, the imminence of
this responsibility has been lamentably illustrated of:
late by the pressure of these calamities. Hundreds of
the poorer classes, not merely in England, but in Ire-
land also, have witnessed the whole of the carefully
pieserved proceeds of their industry swept away
abruptly, and for ever, by the rascality of an actuary,
or the absconding of a treasurer. The miseries ac-
cruing from such occurrences demonstrated in very
sorrowful and glaring characters the necessity for some
interference OA the part of the Government. It was
perceptible that the existing system could no longer
be maintained with security ; that the possibility of
the recurrence of those disastrous events was certain,
unless that system underwent some radical alteration ;
and that without the earnest and immediate inter-
ference of the Legislature in a matter so intimately
connected with the well-being of the poor the conse-
quences must be to the last degree calamitous. All
confidence in such institutions, if allowed to remain
in their present condition, must rapidly and inevitably
disappear, the hardworking artizan preferring to
squander his loose cash in the tavern rather than
risk its ultimate loss in the perilous keeping of esta-
blishments liable to a disgraceful bankruptcy. Some-
thing more than mere sympathy was demanded from
the rulers of the multitude. Guarantees of a com-
prehensive description were looked for from the hands
of the Administration. The evil was altogether too
pressing and important to admit of any further pro-
crastination. Hence the Ministerial measure now
preparing, and leave for the introduction of which
into Parliament was granted last evening, on the ap-
plication of the Right Hon. Baronet the Chancellor
of the Exchequer.

Although in several particulars the plan pro-
pounded yesterday by Sir CHARLES WOOD appears
to us to be most singularly objectionable, we, never-
theless, appreciate so entirely the extent of the diffi-
culties which he has to encounter that we can con-
scientiously accord to the Government scheme for the
improvement of the savings' bank system the commen-
dation due to a very visible and anxious solicitude in
reference to the welfare of the population. Hitherto
the scrutiny exercised over the books of these esta-
blishments has been of a most slovenly and inadequate
character—this will be henceforth rectified. Accord-
ing to the arrangements of the Bill about to
be brought forward by the Administration,
the accounts of the different savings' banks
will be periodically " overhauled" by the National
Debt Commissioners—the Government sharing with
the trustees of all such institutions the actual respon-
sibility. Naturally the State could scarcely be looked
to as responsible for the integrity of officials not
originating in its own appointment ; but under the
system now projected all anomalies of this kind will
be effectually obviated by the Government under-
taking to .appoint in future the treasurers of the
savings' banks, to whom alone henceforward all de-
posits are to be paid in, and by whom alone the
various subordinate officers of the respective institu-
tions will be severally selected. From this regulation
it will be perceptible to the poorer classes throughout
the population that the moneys placed in savings'
sviil not he in Any moron jeoparclised,
tlaixiitors ;awning ulteriorily for eninvensation in the
isven;l9f my rob"joary. or pacalatinn to the supreiLe
responsible authority—the Government. Of course a
boon of this inestimable nature could not be expected
without some balance in the shape of a drawback
and this balance in the present instance is discover-
able in the diminished amount of the interest gua-
ranteed, that interest being reduced from 31.
to 21. 155., so as to liquidate the expenses
annually incurred by the improved system of
management. Without taking into consideration the
value of the benefits secured by this reduction, the
amount whereby the interest is diminished must of
course appear exorbitant to the small depositors. Yet,
on reflection, we are satisfied that but few will demur
to a plan calculated so well to secure from any risk
their hard earnings, and to reward their judicious
economy. Another admirable advantage connected
with,the Ministerial measure inaugurated last evening
by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was that connected
with the proposed restriction of the maximum of de-
posits to the amount of 1001.—on reaching which the
depositor will be empowered through the
i agency
of the bank to invest that amount n the
funds, Sir CHARLES WOOD resolutely of jecting to the
purchase of Exchequer-bills, as suggestedb Mr
SLANET, in consequence of. his instinctive antipathy
to anything causing increment in the floating debt.
The beneficial influence of an arrangement
like this, although sufficiently obvious, must
remain altogether incalculable. With such
"advantages as those already specified, the introduction
of the Savings' Bank Improvement Bill by the Go-
vernment, according to the plan intimated last evening
by the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
cannot but prove an inestimable benefaction. With all
its evident short-comings, which shall be particu-
larised by ourselves: when the Bill is formally
, brought before Parliament, it extorts from us our cor-
dial welcome and commendation.

Of all the existing
by the
posts
t which are so justly
notcomplained
more
of
community, there is, perhaps,
objectionwha_bleehin every respect than the.
abir,her MaJesres Ministers. The
ob-
stinately ligdhetfenandded
y i has hitherto been so ob-
tina
window duties constitute an exception to all other
fiscal imposts in this—that they are even more inju-
rious to the parties who are exempted from their ope•
rations than to those who are compelled to pay their
quota. The latter have to bear a heavy burden,
which presses most unequally and unfairly
upon the contributors. They fire charged, not in
proportion to the value of their respective dwellings,
or to the means at their disposal, but according to
certain arbitrary regulations, established at a period
when every possible device was resorted to in order
to obtain additional revenue. The impost is, so far
as they are concerned, contrary to every sound fiscal
principle. It materially retards architectural im-
provements and prevents the erection of a better de-
scription of houses, more commodious and convenient
than those now in use. But " the many" are Still

more unfavourably circumstanced ; they are unfortu-
nately compelled to avail themselves of every opportu-
nity of husbanding their scanty resources, and avoiding
any additional expenditure, however desirable to
themselves and their families. The tax is, therefore,
evaded, whenever practicable—every window that
can', be possibly got rid of is closed up ; the light of
GOD'S sun, the free air of heaven, is thus excluded•
Their dwellings are rendered close and gloomy, and,
as a natural consequence, most unwholesome and de-
structive to human health. Formidable diseases are
engendered, that speedily spread beyond the lo-
calities ,in which they originate, bearing
pestilence and death from the humble lodgings
of the operative to the palatial mansions
of the wealthy aristocrat. Every shilling collected
may, to a certain extent, be regarded as the price of
human life ; and if the account were fairly balanced—
if it could be accurately ascertained how much the
poor-rates were enhanced by the support of families
deprived of their natural protectors, and delivered
over to the tender mercies of the union workhouses
by means thereof, it would be found that the cost
entailed upon the nation far exceeded the amount of
revenue paid into the public Exchequer from this
most unjust and impolitic tax.
It is scarcely necessary here to allude to the demo-
ralization consequent upon whole families being
crowded into such narrow limits, from adult males
and females being compelled to repose in the same
rooms without any species of separation being practi-
cable. Under such circumstances the ordinary rules
of decency are necessarily disregarded, and evils of
the greatest magnitude are the result. But such con-
siderations have but little effect upon a Chancellor
of the Exchequer of the right kidney—non olet
Rumstus is his only rule of action. His sole object is
to obtain a surplus revenue, and when that can be
attained he cares but little as to the probable
consequences. His invariable answer to every
complaint as to the injustice or implalicy
of any impost is, that " it brings in so much to the
revenue, with which he cannot 'conveniently dis-
pense." And if the remonstrants are still dissatisfied
and discontented, he ascribes their just indignation to
what he is pleased to term " an ignorant impatience of
taxation."

Occasionally, however, the Minister of Finance is
compelled to assume a more humble tone. When "the
pressure from without" becomes too powerful, when
the voice of public opinion is heard even within the
walls of Parliament, and a virtual defeat is sustained,
which is only prevented from being one in reality
by mere accident, then it becomes necessary
(o, temporize and to procrastinate, so as to keep the
public in suspense as to the, ultimate intentions of
Ministers. Such is the course now adopted by Sir
CHARLES WOOD with respect to the window-tax.
He listens to the representations that may be ad-
dressed to him, and after a few vague and unmeaning
generalities, and an assurance that " the question will
receive the fullest consideration of her MAJESTY'S Go-
vernment," he bows out deputation after deputation,
without giving any tangible pledge or promise, and
chuckles in his sleeve while thinking how easy it is
to cajole the public.
But will the people, we ask, be satisfied at this.
postponement, this adjourntient sine die of a question
of such pressing exigency ? The fearful and destruc-
tive pestilence of last autumn cannot dlready have
passed .from the public recollection ; there are too
many who have been bereaved of dear friends and
relations to permit the supposition. The fatal disease
has already made its appearance in Ireland, and we
cannot tell how soon we may hear of the CHOLERA
within our own island. But, although a great
anxiety is professed for sanitary improvement,
although it may even be made the subject of a para-
graph in the Royal Speech, the great evil is still per-
mitted to flourish in rank luxuriance—the pernicious
nuisance still remains unabated.

It cannot be said that it was beyond the power of
Sir CHARLES WOOD to remedy the grievance. H•
had a surplus almost sufficient for the purpose, but
he neglected the golden opportunity, and in place of
abolishing, or even in any degree modifying the
window duties, he applied the funds at his disposal to
removing the tax on bricks ! and the reduction of
the National Debt !! We do not now speak of
the alteration in the stamp duties, for even
the Right Honourable Gentleman himself,
notwithstanding his fifteen years' anxious considera-
tion, appears to have scarcely made up his own mind
on the subject. This, as Mr. W. E. HicksoN, per-
tinently remarked on Friday last—" this is practi-
cally to act the part, not so much of a minister of
finance as that of a minister of pestilence." This is
to sacrifice the interests of the community to his own
indolence and incapacity for the situation into which
he has been thrust, not from his own ability, but
through favouritism and nepotism. Sir CHARLES
IVOOD is too well aware of his own incompetence to
discuss any great or comprehensive measure of fiscal
reform ; he, therefore, sticks to the existing system
with all its acknowledged abuses. At his hands we
candidly admit we expect no relief or redress. He
tries to cast his own duties on others, by crying in a
whining and querulous tone, "What am I to do if I
grant your prayers ? 'What substitute 'aml to find
for the tax which you desire to be modified ?" But
we fearlessly tell the Right Honourable Gentleman,
that this is no part of the duty of the remonstrants.
It is sufficient for them to expose the iniquity of the
burden, to show that it is equally unjust
and impolitic, and deeply injurious to the
national welfare. If, under such circumstances,
he cannot find " the substitute," he is unworthy of
the bi h po:•irion in wbich he it placed, and should
make i7ay for some better min. fasions suggestions
have, however, been thrown out, any of which, if
adopted, would be a decided amelioration. Let him
put on, if absolutely essential for the time being, and
until a general revision of taxation can take 'place, a
modified house duty, or an increased tax on accu-
mulated and realised property. But let the window .
tax be abolished within the present session, and be-
fore the people are again exposed to the fatal visitation
under which they were so deeply afflicted last year.

DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF CLOGHBI.--Died, in
Ireland, on Friday night, the 26th, of inflammation of the
chest, and liver, from cold, the Right Rev. and Right Hon.
Lord Robert Tottenham, Lord Bishop of Clogher, only
brother of the late Marquis of Ely. The bishopric of
Clogher merges in the primacy.
EXHIBITION or 1851.—The following regulations
regarding the exhibition of machinery in motion have been
sent us for publication :—ller Majesty's Commissioners for
the Exhibition of 1851 being desirous of affording every fa-
cility to those persons who may wish to exhibit machines or
trains of machinery in motion, have resolved to allow such
machinery to be managed and worked, as far as practicable,
under the superintendence of th• owners and by their bwn
men. The Commissioners will also find steam not exceeding
301 b. per inch gratuitously to the exhibitors, and convey it is
clothed pipes to such parts of the building as require steam
power. Persons sending machines or articles requiring to
be driven by steam, should send with the same a small port-
able steam-engine, to which a steam-pipe can be laid on.
The above will apply to all engines, from one-horse power to
six-horse; beyond which power, it is presumed, no single
branch of manufacture or article will require steam power.
As regards machines too small to require an independent
portable engine, arrangements will be made to place them in
groups to be exhibited in communication with some steam-
engine also sent for exhibition in motion. Exhibitors pro-
posing to exhibit portable steam-engines should understand
that their engines may be employed for driving other ma-
chinery, unless the owners of the steam-engines object to
such use.

.
paasrltof9Cl o'clock, at the Institution
Chichester, in the chair. The
HOME AND COLONIAL INFANT SCHOOL SOCIETY.
—The fourteenth anniversary meeting of this society was
report stated that the number of teachers in course of train-
huerladv y.
se
Is
ht enr-draeya
nn-road
thhael fE-
in g under the auspices of the Arnie!), Was 150, while the
number of children receiving Instruction was 550, showing an
increase of 90 in the number benefiting by the institution as
compared with the previous year. The receipts for the twelve
months, including donations, amounted to 5,432/. 18s. 11d.,
and the disbursements to 5,81/. ls. 7d., thus leaving a ba-
lance of 511. 17a. 4d. in the hands of the treasurer. On the
motion of Mr. L .bouchere, M.P., the report was unanimously
approved of, and ordered to be printed and
circulated. Au-
dresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr. Nolan, the Rev. J.
C. Miller, of Birmingham, and others, and resolutions were
adopted in furtherance of the objects of the society ; after
which the office-bearers for the ensuing year were appointed,
and the meeting, which principally consisted of ladies, then
separated.

VISIT OF 11. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT TO THU IRISH
DIORAMA —His Royal Highness, attended by Colonel Gor-
don, honoured this exhibition with his presence to inspect
the picture of Ireland. His Royal Highness expressed him-
self greatly pleased at the fidelity of the various scenes as
they passed before him, of which he had the most vivid
recollection. Glengarilf seemed to interest his Royal High-
ness, from the grandeur and beauty of the scene, and he ex-
pressed a wish that time had permitted him to visit that
romantic region; and highly complimented Mr. Phillip
Phillips on the excellence of his painting.
BENEFIT OF MISS VANDENNOFF.—The benefit of
this very talented young lady takes place to-morrow evening
at Drury-lane Theatre, when the Antigone of Sophocles will
be performed with Mendelssohn's music. Miss Vandenhoff,
the most classical of living ; artates, will sustain the character
of Antigone, a part which she originally enacted on the first
production of the tragedy at Covent-garden, and Mr. Van-
denhoff will appear in—perhaps the greatest of all his cha-
racters— Creon.

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