The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-05 00:00:00

FRENCH POSTAGE.

Mr. CARDWELL presented a petition from Liver-
pool praying that letters passing between England and
France might pass by way of Folkestone.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Sir W. MOLESWOTII asked the Attorney-General
whether the persons appointed by her Majesty to make
laws fur the colony of Western Australia can at present
legally levy taxes on the inhabitants or property of that
colony.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL was of opinion that

the persons appointed by her Majesty's Government to
make laws for the colony, could at present levy taxes on
the property of the colonists.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH asked if the Attorney-
General was of opinien that under the Act which had
expired Parliament had vested in the colony the perma-
nent power of legislating and of levying taxes in Wes-
tern Australia ?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the question
should have been put in writing before he answered it,
as it was extremely inconvenient to answer questions
thrown out in that way.
ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS.

Colonel CHATTERTON asked the Right Honour-
able the Secretary at War, if a fund, called the St.
Patrick's Fund:in the 4th Royal; Irish Dragoon Guards,
has been arranged; and if so, if he has any objection to
lay on the table the particulars of that arrangement,
and how the sum of 3,0001. and upwards, belonging to
that fund, has been divided and disposed of.
Mr. FOX MAULE said the Commission which
had been lately appointed had revised various
funds, and among the rest the fund belonging
to her Majesty's Royal Irish Drsgooon Guards. As
soon as their report shall have been digested and put
into form, there would be no objection whatever to Jay
it upon the table, by which the public would see that
all had been done which could be possibly desired.
This much, however, he might say, that the system of
benefit societies would not henceforth be allow ed in any
regiment.
CONDITION OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
Mr. SLANEY then rose to move for a Standing
Committee or unpaid Commission, to consider
and report on practical plans (not connected with
political changes) for the social improvement of
the working and poorer classes. In doing this,
the Honourable Gentleman said that he was aware
how inefficient he was to support the position which
ho had undertaken, and how much better it would
have been if some Member of more weight had under-
taken the motion which he was about to make.—(Hear.)
One thing, however, there was in his favour, for he
was in possession of much information in consequence of
having been Chairman of the Committee upon this sub-
ject some Sears since. From that information he had
found that while the higher and middle classes had been
daily advancing in wealth and the acquisition of com-
fort, the working classes had been daily retrograding.
In fifty years, that is during this century, the increase
cf the labouring classes in the towns had been double of
that in the rural districts. And lamentable was the
condition of those in these districts. There were many
reports presented to that House to which Honour-
able Gentlemen could refer, but with which he
(Mr. Slaney) would not trouble the House.
The Commission which was appointed in 1843 stated in
their report that in almost all the populous towns in the
country the regulations for the health, comfort, and
moral training of the poorer classes were very de-
fective; and the Childrens' Employment Commission,
whose operations extended from 1831 to 1842,
reported that in the great majority of towns
the drainage and ventilation of the dwellings of the
labouring classes were entirely neglected, and that no
opportunities were afforded them for innocent amuse-
meat and healthful recreation. The consequence was
that their offspring were stunted in growth, delicate,
pale, and sickly. That Commission stated that there
were no adequate means in existence to effect any
material or general improvement in the physical
or moral condition of children, and young per-
sons employed in labour. There was also another
class of labourers comprising a population of
600,000 persons—he meant the handloom weavers.
The report established beyond all doubt that this state
f things was productive of much distress and dissipa-
tion amongst no less than 600,000. The next class to
which the report referred was railway labourers, who
appeared to be equally as bad off, and yet with
respect to dem nothing bad been done to alleviate their
condition, and he would, with the permission of the
House, venture to state what had been the effect of all
this neglect. The effect of it had been to increase the
crime, to increase the pauperism, to increase the
discontent prevailing throughout the country • and to
prove that he did not exaggerate, he would only point
to the wide-spread discontent that always manifests itself
amongst the working classes on the subject of their
political and social condition.. The Registrar-General's
returns also proved the extent of the miseries which the
humbler classes of society suffered and endured, showing
beyond all question that they endured double the illness
and double the loss of life than almost any other class
of the community. Surely, .then, there was urgent
necessity for some change in the system.
The criminals committed in England and Wales in the
year 1805, were 4,600 ; in 1815, they were 7,800 ; in
1831, they were 19,000; in 1841, they were 27,000; in
1847, they were 28,800; and in 1848, they were 30,300.
Was it not a serious statement to make, and one which
could not be contradicted, that the commitment fur crime
hal increased six times as fast as the population of this
country, in spite ef all the improvements, in wealth, and
in spite of all the greatness which we saw around
us ? He wanted to suggest some deliberative
CommitVe which would consider what were the
causes which are preventing the humbler classes
seeping a fair share in the advantages of
which every other class partook.—(Hear, hear.)
He found that the increase of crime had been three-
, fold. He wished that he could fully look into the cases,
I for be felt that the doing so would tend largely to the
improvement of the working classes.—(Hear.) If they
would only look to the condition of neighbouring coun-
t tries, and he would take the most prominent, that of
France,ithey would find that this increase of crime was not
owing to the criminality observable in towns so much as it
was to that depreciation of morality which was strikingly
obseravable in the rural districts. In France, in 1645,
the number] of criminals cf the kind to which be al-
luded, was 7,060, in 1835 it was 6,500, and in 1845 it
was smal;er, while in this country since that time the

proportion had increased to fourfold. Between 1806 and
1841 the population of this country had increased by 55
per cent., whereas the increase of crime had been 92 per
cent. There was one thing to which he would desire
to call the attention of the House, and that was a fact
derivable from the invaluable work of Mr. Porter—that
fact was the vast increat• in the assessments for the poor.
The Hon. Member congratulated the House that there
had been a diminution, but he thought there had been
little diminution since the 3 ear 1834, when the new
law had been passed, and at the present time
was increasing at a great ratio. He (Mr.
Slaney) bad calculated the sum which could be
saved to the country by some measure of this sort
at 27,000,000/. per annum for England and Wales,
and if they took in Ireland and Scotland, 40,000,000/.
would be the sum which could be saved in such items
as hospitals, police, transportation, asylums, and gaols.
But he was asked what was the remedy for this, and
here he btgged the attention of the House. If
he had brought forward this motion with some
political motive, or entertained some political
opinions with it, he would have had no difficulties
in obtaining an audience. But when independent
Members, who were the only Members, he would
remind the House, who ever brought forward their
motions for the benefit of the people—when they
brought forward their motions they had great diffi-
culty in gaining the attention cf the House.
There were three things which he thought it was their
bounden duty to do— to'afford instruction for their chil-
dren—to render some protection to their health—and to
give due encouragement to their industry. He asked
no more than this, and less he thought would not be
justice. He hoped, therefore, that the House would
agrt e to the appointment of a Committee composed
of gentlemen on either side of the House with good
heads and warm hearts, with the view of inquiring
what political measures could be brought forward from
time to time for improving the condition of the working
classes. This course might be objected to on
tl e ground that it would encourage false
lopes, but he thought any ohjecticai a such a nature
!Light he obviated by stating specifically and clearly the
intention which gave rise to the iequiry, via., to site
fair play to the working classes, to protect them from
f. cud, and to give them those advantages which
other classes of the community pose•ssed.—(Hear.)
In 1830 a Committee on manufactures! sat, and he

would mention the facts that came mit before the
Committee, with regard to the three great trades
of England cotton, woollen, and hardware.
There were three classes of workmen employed
in the manufactures. In all these classes they
e ere amply sufficient to provide the workmen
with comf.ift and support, but they wanted some
means of spreading thee over a given period,
so as to guard against the fluctuations of
good wages and no wages at all. Now could not
some measure of that sort be devised without having re-
course to anything in the shape of a Government
to protect the workpeople of this country from those
calamities which were constantly coming upon them?
True a Bill v; as brought in and pasted that House for
establishing benefit societies, but there was sone
technical difficulty in the way of carrying that
measure into operation on the association prin-
ciple, and it was ultimately abandoned. With
regard to the subject of illness, the House was
probably aware that benefit societies were confined to
relieving the illness of the man himself, and they were,
therefore not calculated for providing against the illness
of the man's family; but the matter would be a very pro-
per one for the consideration of the Commissioners
which he was now recommending. He would now ven-
ture to call the attention of the House to another im-
portant subject. They had lately had their attention
directed to the miserable situation of a number of
poor women who could find no employment in this
great metropolis.—(Hear, hear.) The interposition of
the Right Hoe. Member for Wiltshire to direct public
sympathy to this class was worthy of the highest
state twhhinagt
praise, and he had aided it with his own bumble mite.
He however, begged the House to remember that that
waswa tsh eacau ssymptomeof
the
depressedalid nocondition
t acause.
He
askedot
of the poor? That cause was the excess of numbers to
the demand for their labour in particular localities. To
take a few people out of one country and remove them
to another was but to take a drop out of the mon. Now,
was it not their duty to turn our minds and see what
was the cause of that excess ? He had no hesitation in
saying it was the want of forethough. Now, in-
stead of the ruling powers—instead of the edu-
cated classes having stepped in for the pur-
pose of assisting forethought, they had acted in some
respects on the other side. The same thing had been
done throughout all the manufacturing towns, by
the neglect of all those provisions for the decency, for
the comfort, and for the self-respect of those
parties in their several localities. la a
e sked them
whether it would not be perfectly futile to expect any
amendment in the persons in such districts. For his
own part he thought that they should take to an en-
tire change of system, and instead of building pri-
sons and enormous workhouses for the reformation
of those who were dark and comparatively black with
crime they should turn their attention to the instruction
of the docile and the innocent, and endeavour for

the future rather to avert than to amend the
fault whi•h was now of such serious detriment
to the country.—(Hear, hear.) They had found that
the working classes had ever been true to themselves.
When the principle of savings' banks was first
promulgated, it originated with a working
man who, while all his fellows were reaping
a great reward from his conception, had himself
remained in obscurity.—(Hear, hear.) The poor man
looked forward to a retirement on his own property, but
how could such an idea be realised ? It was a perfect
fallacy, a mere farce, for how could a poor man with the
expenses of a conveyance before his eyes expect such a
result ? If the House would give some induce-
ment to these classes for saving, they would respond
to the kindness. Their industry, their diligence,
no man could deny who had seen the vast
works which had been consummated during this cen-
tury. Railways and canals alike attested this. Besides
this they had other qualities, the feelings of charity
and forbearance one towards another. It was upon
these grounds that he had ventured to bring forward
the present motion.
Mr. TRELAWNEY opposed the motion. He had
as high a respect for the working classes as any man
in the House, but he could not agree to a motion like
the present, which was calculated to mislead them.
He thought the Honourable Gentleman, by his
own showing, had proved that it would be
hopeless and delusive to attempt to remedy
the evils of which he complained by any
legislative interference, and his request amounted in fact
to asking Parliament to give the working classes fore-
thought.—(Hear, hear.) Believing the motion would
not accomplish the object which the Hon. Gentleman had
in view, he felt bound to give it his decided Of position.
Sir G. GREY complimented the Honourable Gen-
tleman upon the sincerity and temper which he
had shown in bringing forward the motion. He
however, doubted whether it was practicable to carry
out the plan which the Hon. Gent. propounded, but
he did not know precisely what the plan was. No doubt
it was important that the information should be col-
lected, as the Honourable Member wished, though not
exactly in the manner which the Honourable Member
prcposed. The appointment of a commission in
a standing committee of the House would only
lead to Parliament being overwhelmed with a vast
number of reports relative to a distress the most impor-
tant causes of which were already well known, but which
he did not think was 111 the .power of any legislative
enactment to remove. Many private members
had attempted, by their exertions, to mitigate
the distress, and so much was being done now
of a practical nature to improve the condition
of the working classes that there was less ne-
cessity now than there might have been for-
merly for the adoption of such a plan as this.
His Hon. Friend had endeavoured to draw the line be-
tween !improving the condition of the working classes
apart from political changes. He (Sir G.
Grey) did not know how it was possible to
draw such a distinction. Under these circumstances he
(Sir G. Grey) really hoped his Hon. Friend would not
press his motion on the House, otherwise he (Sir Geo.
Grey) should be reluctantly compelled to oppose it.
Mr. SOTHERON said he could not but believe
that the proposition of the Honourable Mem-
ber (Mr. Slaney), however benevolent in its con-
ception, would end •in general disappointment.
He hoped that the Hon. Member would not be be de-
terred by the ill-success of his present motion, but would
persevere in his benevolent intentions.
Mr. HUME thought that the objects sought by the
Hon. Gentleman would be much better attained by pri-
vate association than by a Committee of the House, or a
Government officer. Upstairs in the library he would
find reports of the association, which was set on foot by
Sir Thomas Barnard, which would give him information
of the best manner in which to proceed.
Mr. M. MILNES trusted that his Honourable
Friend who had brought forward the question
would not be deterred from bringing it forward again and
again and urging it upon the Government, nowithstand-
ing the reception it had met with that night. He trusted
the Government would take up the subject upon an early
occasion.

Mr. H. HERBERT—As the subject hai been men-
tioned trusted that the Government would ere long do
something with respect to savings' banks, and that they
would awaken the public mind to the fact that they
were not responsible for the defalcations in
these establishments. He thought, however, that
the Government ought to do something to remunerate
the parties who had lost so much by them, under the
impression that they had got the security of the Govern-
ment.

Mr. CAMPBELL rose, and was
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

THE LONDON GAZETTE.

(THIS EVENING.)

CROWN-OFFICE, MARCH 5.

MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PARMA-

MENT.

City of Canterbury—Frederick Romilly, Esq. in the
room of Lord Albert Denison Denison, who has accepted
the office of Steward of her Majesty's Chiltern Hundreds.

BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED.

George Fordham Blow, currier, Great Dover-street,
Newington.
BANKRUPTS.

William Livermore, ironmonger, Oxford-street, to
surrender March 18, at one, and April 15, at eleven, at
the Court cf Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee;
Stull; Staple Inn.
James Brooks, victualler, Winslow, Buckinghamshire,
March 14, at halfpast twelve, and April 18, at half-past
eleven, at Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official as-
signee, Basinghall-street; Munday, Carey-street, Lin-
coln's Inn; Willis, Winslow.
Joseph Purssell, butcher, Wellington-street, Water-
loo-town, Mile•end, March 16, at two, and April 27, at
twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official
assignee, Guildhall-chambers; Donne, Princes-street,
Spitalfields.
Henry Titfore, Worship-square, engraver and printer,
March 16, at ore, and April 27, at half-past eleven, at
the Court of Bankruptcy, Pennell, official assignee,
Guildhall Chamfers; Colley, Bucklersbury.
George Smith, cheesemonger, Cumberland-row,
King's-cross, March 13, at one, and April 16, at twelve,
at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official assignee;
Goddard and Eyre, Wood-street, Cheapside.
Robert Parker, commission agent, Nottingham, March
22, and April 19, at ten, at the Birmingham District
Court, Nottingham. Bittleston, official assignee, Not-
tingham; Campbell, Nottingham.
Joseph Chawner, grocer, Kenilworth, March 16, at
half past one, and April 15, at eleven, at the Birming-
ham District Court. Whitmore, official assignee, Bir-
mingham; Motteram, Knight, and Emmet, Birmingham.
®Edward Hodges, surgeon, Swinford, Leicestershire,
March 15 and April 9, at twelve, at the Birmingham
District Court. Christie, official assigne•-, Birmingham.
Bigg, Bristol; Motteram, Knight, and Emmet, Birming-
ham.

Joseph Downbam, wine and spirit merchant, Harro-
gate, Yorkshire, March 25 and April 9, at one, at the
Leeds District Cour. Hope, official assignee, Leeds;
Michael, Red Lion-square; Shackleton,
Leeds.
Johnd G 9 uaetr real
en!deet;
at the merchant,Liverpool
Liverpool, March 14
an
District Court.
Turner, official assignee, Liverpool; Neal and Martin,
Liverpool.
Aprliial,
Charles Thomas Glover, dealer, Manchester, March
21, and April 11, at eleven, at the Manchester District
Court. Hobson, official assignee, Manchester; Webb,
Birmingham; Burdett, Manchester.

THE MERCHANT sjA-1----viE
N'S BILL.
At a special meeting of the General Shipowners'
S,scietv held on Friday, the 22d of February, to
-
determine en the course to be taken in reference to
the 'Mercantile Marine Bill, the following resolutions
were moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted :
"1. That while this committee recognise, and are
most anxious to fulfil, the obligation to aid every
reasonable effort for the improvement of the charac-
ter and condition of the masters, officers, and crews
of British merchant ships, they are satisfied that
compulsory legislative enactments for those purposes,
enforced by pecuniary penalties, should be adopted
with extreme caution, as inconsistent with the prin-
ciples on which commerce can alone be success-
fully conducted, and of doubtful efficacy even for the
object intended.
"2. That the British shipowner is exposed to
manyunh
injustice
harassingi
in nd
carryingvexat on his business, Irons theious impediments, and to
moperation of regulations now in the statute book
which imperatively call for amendment ; and that
in consequence of the unrestricted competi-
tion to which he is exposed by the repeal of the na-
vigation laws, with the shipping of all foreign
nations, it is of the last importance to the mainte-
nance of that competition that he should, es far
as practicable, be released from interference in his
pursuits, and from all burdens and restrictions of a
disqualifying character.
"3. That the whole code of laws affecting maritime
commerce is, in the opinion of this committee, in a
most unsatisfactory, confused, and defective state ;
and that if any legislative action be taken thereon,
it should be undertaken in a comprehensive spirit,
embracing a searching revision and adaptation of
maritime laws and regulations to the existing position
of the navigation of the empire.
" 4. That the Mercantile Marine Bill, introduced
inb Parliament by the Right Hon. Henry Labou-
chere, President of the Board of Trade, is entirely op.
posed to these painciples, containing no provisions
whatever for the relief of shipping, but imposing on
shipowners additional and harassing requirements,
enforced by pecuniary penalties, while its probable
effects in obtaining the benevolent objects contem-
plated are extremely doubtful.
"5. That a letter be therefore addressed to Mr.
Labouchere, urging the withdrawal of the Bill, and
the substitution of an extended and impartial inquiry
into the laws and regulations now in force relating
to British maritime commerce, with a view to conso-
lidation and simplification as far as practicable, and
to the establishment of a comprehensive, and just
system of maritime law, control, and practice.
" Extracted by order of the committee,
" WM. BONAR, Secretary."

TARBACH, MARCH 3.—The Princess Royal, of Bide-
ford, bound to Swansea, struck on the breakwater at
Porthcawl, and has been,
got iu here; she fills with the
tide.

MONDESLEY, NORFOLK, MAncn 4.—The Chance, of
Yarmouth, drove on shore last night, and has gone to
pieces; crew saved.

EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRY OF ALL
ATIONS TO BE HELD IN LONDON,
1851.
The Committee appointed by the Royal Commis-
sion to advise on " all matters relating to the build-
ing," having received the sanction of the Commission,
are desirous of obtaining from all parties who are
disposed to assist them suggestions for the general
arrangement of the buildings and premises required
for this exhibition.
Upon the general form of the building in plan, the
distribution of its parts, the modes of access, and the
internal arrangements and contrivances, will depend
the convenience and general fitness of such a build-
ing ; and it is upon these points that the Committee
seek information and suggestions, and wish to en-
courage the most extended competition in the prepa-
ration of plans.
The Committee do not propose to offer any pecu-
niary reward for such plans—they rely upon the
desire which men of all countries will feel to forward
the objects of the proposed exhibition.
The Committee think it probable that, when the
plans are received, they may not be limited to the
selection of any one plan, but may derive useful ideas
from many ; and that the best plan may be deter-
mined upon by the help of this general assistance.
As the credit of any such plan will be due solely
to the contributors, the Committee propose to make a
report, in which they will acknowledge by name those
whose plans had been w holly or partially adopted, or
who had afforded the most useful suggestions ; and
the Committee hope to be able to offer such other ho-
norary distinctions to the successful contributors as
the circumstances may appear to warrant.
In order to guide the contributors in the prepara-
tion of such plans and designs, and to facilitate the
examination and the comparison of them when re-
ceived, the Committee have enumerated concisely the
principal desiderata for such a building, and have laid
down certain rules and conditions to which they ear-
nestly request the contributors to conform as the
Committee will be under the necessity of abiding
strictly by the regulation of not acknowledging any
plans which may be sent_in a form inconsistent with
these rules.
Copies of the engraved plan of the ground referred
to may be had on application to the secretaries of the
Commission, at the New Palace at Westminster.
RULES AND CONDITIONS TO BE STRICTLY OBSERVED IN
PREPARING A GROUND PLAN AND SECTION OF THE
BUILDING TO BE ERECTED IN HYDE- PARK.
1. The communications from contributors must
consist of a single sheet of paper not larger than the
accompanying engraving, with a simple ground plan
upon a scale of 1.1000 of the full size, with such eleva-
tions and sections only of the building, and on the same
sheet, as may be necessary to elucidate the system
proposed—such elevations and sections not being in-
tended to convey more than a general idea of the
building, and not entering into details of construction
or of architectural decoration ; to be accompanied by
a short, clear, written explanation of the system recom-
mended on a different sheet.
Any contributor wishing to send two designs
must send separate and distinct communications, each
conforming to the above conditions. No communica-
tions made inconsistent with these conditions, or any
plan prepared upon a different scale from that pre-
scribed can be received. The plans, &c., must be sent
on or before the Bth of April next, addressed to the
Secretaries of the Exhibition, New Palace, at West-
minster, London.
It is suggested that the most convenient mode of
preparing the plan, elevation, and section, would be
to draw them upon one of the engraved copies of the
plan of the ground which accompany these instruc-
tions.

2. The building is to be erected upon the space
marked A B C D, and must not extend beyond the
boundaries of the shaded portion. The groups of
trees shown on the plan must be preserved.
The principal public approaches are by the roads
E F and G H. The road K L will be available
only for foot passengers. There will be no objection
to the formation of cross-roads between the two last,
G II and K L, if the design of the building re-
quires it.
3. The roofed portion of the building is to cover a
space of 700,000 square feet, or about 65,000 square
metres; and the whole building must not occupy, in-
cluding open spaces, an area of more than 900,000
square feet, or about 84,000 square metres. The
building generally will be of one story only.
4. No space will be required for cattle, or for
shrubs or flowers.
5. It may be assumed, so far as it affects the
ground plan, that the light will be obtained entirely
from the roof, and the building will be constructed of
fireproof materials.
GENERAL REItUIREMENTS.
1. Simplicity of arrangement.
2. Economy of space.
3. Capability of extending or curtailing the build-
ing, without destroying its symmetry as a whole, or
interfering with the general arrangement, it being
impossible to determine the exact extent of roof re-
quired until a late period of construction.
4. Adaptation fur the erection of separate portions
of the building at different periods.
5. Conveniences of ingress and egress, with facili-
ties of access to all parts of the exhibition, either from
the exterior or interior.
6. Means of classification of the various objects of
different departments.'
7. Wall space for the display of articles re-
quiring it.
8. Means of affording private access and accom-
modation for exhibitors, with counting-houses (if
required), committee-rooms, council-rooms, public
refreshment-rooms, and all other public and private
accommodation. [This portion of the building may
be in two or more storeys, if required.]
9. Internal arrangements, by which, under proper
regulations, large crowds of visitors may circulate
freely, and have convenient access to all parts of the
exhibition, and uninterrupted means of examining
the various objects exhibited.