The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-07 00:00:00

4

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY "EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1845

try was now prosperous in spite of them.—(Hear, hear.)
It was owing to the intervention of Providence that they
had been saved from the consequences of the restrictive
system; and this ought to be a lesson to show them that
they could not thwart the ends of Providence. They
had had good harvests lately, but a system of free trade
would enable the people of this country always to enjoy
the blessings of good harvests.

Sir R. PEEL said he did not intend to be drawn into
a discussion on the subject of the corn-laws. He had had
no reason to expect that a discussion would be entered
into at that period of the session, although there was no-
thing irregular in the proceeding on the question of an
address to her Majesty. Yet it was usual in matters of
such great importance to give notice to the House.—
(Hear, hear.) He must say that the Hon. Gentleman
who had commenced that discussion had been most tem-
perate in his address, and did not appear at all to have
the intention of provoking a discussion on the subject of
the corn-law s. He (Sir R. Peel) had understood him to
say that it was his intention to repeat, in a certain con-
tingency, a motion which in the course of the last year
he had made, but rather than do it in a hostile manner,
he invited Hon. Friends of his (Sir R. Peel's) on that
(the Ministerial) side of the House, to co-operate in sup-
port of that motion, as the co-operation of the Govern-
ment on that sub,;ect would he of very little importance,
because in such case they might overcome the Govern-
ment. The Hon. Gentleman, in perfect fairness, stated
that he did not ask fur an immediate decision, and he
said that he would give the House a fortnight to con-
sider of the question, and he (Sir R. Peel) thought his
Hon. Friend the Member for Northamptonshire and the
Hon. Member for Somersetshire might have taken the
offer of the Hon. llember for Stockport, and availed them-
selves of the fortnight's consideration, rather than at once
commit themselves to the motion of the Hon. Gen-
tleman. They had, however, committed themselves to it.
He must say that in point of temper and spirit, the Hon.
Gentleman was very fairly met by his (Sir R. Peel's)
Right Eon. Friends on that side of the House. He
thste--fore regretted that the Hon. Member for Durham
should have afterwards addressed those gentlemen in
what might almost be called terms of vituperation.
—(Hear, hear.) He had been asked by the Hon. Mem-
ber for Manchester whether he had given any assurance
to any one that no further alteration should be made in
the corn-laws, and the lion. Gentleman said that it had
been stated by the Protection Society, and on the implied
authority of that assurance from him—(Hear, and a
laugh)—they had told the farmers that there would be no
further ch.tige. He did not think the Hon. Gentleman
had a right to put such a question to him without giving
him notice. He did not think it necessary for him to say
that he had had no communication with the Agricultural
Protection Society, and that he had given no assurance
inconsistent with the declarations which he had already
made in the House. As to what had been said of agricul-
tural distress, he regretted it must be admitted there was
considerable distress in some parts of the country,
and he felt siucere sympathy with the sufferers. But
he did not believe that it could be asserted that there
was general agricultural distress. He believed that in
many parts of the country there was a considerable de-
gree of prosperity. He believed that if they looked to
all parts of Englanj, Scotland, and Ireland, they would
see different degrees of prosperity and adversity. But
in looking for the causes of distress, they should consider
whet arose from mere physical causes. Look at the
failure of the hay crop last year, and other failures.
Look at the extraordinary drought which prevailed
through a part of the year, and which had in some places
caused great distress. They would find that the dis-
tress arose chiefly from those natural causes, and that it
could not be attributed fairly to the changes which had
taken place in the laws regarding the importation of
agricultural produce. Nor did he think that any legis-
lative measures would relieve the distress, or prevent its
occasional recurrence from such natural causes. Ha
thought that the restoration of protection (as it had
been) would be impossible, and he thought that if it
were possible, it would not be a remedy for agricultural
distress, which arose from causes which the Legislature
could not control. _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Mr. BRIGHT explained, that he had not intended to
apply terms of vituperation to gentlemen opposite, of
whom he had spoken in two capacities—as private gen-
tlemen, and as Members of that House. We under-
stood the Hon. Member to express regret that the
temper and intention with which he had spoken were
misunderstood.

Lord JOHN MANNERS said, that although he
was not a member of the Agricultural Protection So-
ciety, still he did not wish the debate to close, without
saying a few words in reply to some observations
which had fallen from Gentlemen on the Opposition
side. In doing so he must apologise to his friends, who
were biter acquainted with the agricultural interest
than he was, for undertaking to reply on this occasion.
But there was one observation particularly which he was
net willing to pass unnoticed ; one Hon. Gentleman had
said, that the landlords exposed the peasants at present
to a furious and desperate competition amongst them-
selves. If, then, that competien was furious and des-
perate, how much more so would it become if they
were exposed also, to the competition of all nations -?
—(Hear, hear.) He would not occupy the House fur-
ther than to observe, on a statement made by the
Hon. Member for Durham, that the Government were
frittering away the interests of the farmers and the
peasants. Now, he would ask the Hon. Member how
fir the proposition of the Hon. Member would im-
prove matters, by destroying their interests ajtogether.
He agreed with an Hon. Friend near him, that in that
House they were all too ready to look upon themselves
as manufacturers or agriculturists—(Hear, hear)—and
too little disposed to consider the most important of all
questions, as to the relation of rich and poor in this
country.—(Hear.) He further agreed with his Hon.
Friend, that the time was not far distant when it might
be necessary that they should all unite in considering
measur. s for promoting the happiness of the working
classes in this empire.—Hear, hear.)

Mr. BROTHEitTON was not about to occupy the
House coy length of time, but he wished to make an ob-
servation upon what had fallen from the Noble Lord
%%ho ha•l just sat cl,m n. The Noble Lord spoke of the
competition to which free trade would expose the pea-
sant, and had expressed his interest in the happiness and
welfare of the peasant, but the Noble Lord had forgotten
that there was a population in the country--(Hear,
hear, and laughter)— and that that population must be
fed, and that to be fed it must be employed.--(Hear,
hear.) Agriculture could not employ more than one-
eighth of the population, which wits continually in-
creasing, and could only be supported by manufactures.
But manufactures could not be maintained without com-
rnerce.—(Hear, hear.) If they would take away the re-
strictions upon commerce, all classes would be benefited
—farmers, manufacturers, and peasants.—(Hear, hear.)
The corn-laws were calculated only for the benefit of the
landlords, but were unjust and mischievous to all the rent
of the country.—(Hear, hear.) He earnestly implored
the House to consider whether the restrictions upon
trade were not unjust and injurious.to the whole commu-
nity, and if it were satisfied that they were so, to lose Ro
time in repealing them.—(Hear, hear.)
The motion was then agreed to.
RAILWAYS.

Mr. R. COLLETT presented several petitions in fa-
vour of the branch lines proposed by the Hull and Selby
Railway Company. The Hon. Gentleman presented se-
veral other petitions in favour of the Shrewsbury and
Birmingham Railway.
The House then adjourned at a Quarter to Nine
o'clock.

Fortescue made a most interesting Baroness, and Miss
Woolgar a very spirited Duke. Mr. Cowell, who ap-
peared as Count Jollivers, the Court poet, was exces-
sively quaint and amusing. He made a great deal of a
very little part. The piece was announced for repetition
by Hudson amidst the unanimous applause of a house
crowded to the ceiling.

LONDON AND BRIGHTON RA IL-
WAY COMPANY.
Yesterday afternoon the half-yearly general met Ming
of the London and Brighton Railway Company was held
at the London-bridge Terminus, Captain B. M. 33 telly,
R.N., Chairman of the Board of Directors, presidia g.
The CHAIRMAN, in introducing the immediat a busi-
ness of the meeting, said he hoped the incr ease of
traffic in the last half-year, shown in the report, I is com-
pared with the corresponding period of the yea r 1843,
would fully manifest the unremitted exertions which the
Directors had displayed in promoting the interest a of the
Company. The very small increase of a halt p er cent.
in the working expenses, by which the same i ncrease
had been realised, would evince the vigilance wit' h which
they watched over the expenditure. The inereas cin the
cost of locomotive carriages, &c., amounted to the sum
of 2,480/, which left the small sum of 4501. to cover
the expenses occasioned by an increase of traffic amoui sting
to 11,244/. He had further satisfaction in telling :them
that this progressive increase was still going on, the first
five weeks of the present half-year showing an inc.' ease
over the last of ten per cent. While they had been par-
taking in this benefit the public had nct been wits hout
their share of advantage. The increase in the nut ober
of passengers had attained 211 per cent., while that re-
ceipts for the same had only amounted to 14,
owing to the reduction which had been made
in the fares. The Board of Trade having given
notice of their intention to report to Parliament against
two of the branches pi ojeeted by the Company, the
Directors deemed it injurious to proceed furthc!r with
them. No notice, however, had been taken in ;he re-
port of the branch from the Three Bridges to Horsham,
and in order that no advantage might be taken by the
other competing Companies, the Directors were (-desirous
that they should be armed with the powers set forth in
the report, and a resolution for this purpose would be
submitted to the meeting. The last and most pleasing
subject upon which he had to touch was the dividend.
After payment of 30s. per share, there would remain
a balance of 8941. The dividends which had been paid
since the opening of the line were as follow:—In 1842,
305., equal to 3/. per cent.; in 1843, 205., enual to 2/. per
cent.; and in the last year, 425. per share, equal to
41. 4s. per cent ; and they anticipated, when their traffic
reached its maximum, each year would show a progres-
sive increase. He believed he had now touched upon
every point worthy of notice; but before he sat down, he
would take that opportunity of stating that this was the
last time he should have the honour of addressing them
as their chairman. He had that morning placed
in the hands of the Directors his resignation.
Since he had had the honour of being a
member of their administration, some good, he thought,
had been done. When he first entered upon office, their
shares were at 32/. ; yesterday, he believed, in the mar-
ket they were 551. and a half, and their dividend had in-
creased from 2/. per cent. to 41. 4s. He thought that
fact alone would show them that he had rendered the
Company some good service since he had had the honour
of being a member of their administration.
The report stated that the Directors had much satis-
faction in reporting the progressive state of the improve-
ment in their affairs —the present half-year presenting
the following result, as compared with the corresponding
period of 1843 :
Receipts for Passengers, 14 per cent. more £14,450
„ Goods, &c., 9 per cent. more .. 1,423

Increased Receipt 15,873
Expenses of Working, i per cent. more £415
„ Tolls, more 1,150
tv Government duty, rates, &c

more 2,078
II Property-tax. &c., more
Increased Expenditure - 4,629

The difference, being net increase on the half-

year, is 11,244
To which, adding the deficit brought into the
last Christmas account . 4,549
As well as the reserve from Midsummer last, of 169

A larger available Balance is yielded for divi-
dend, by the sum of £15,962
The Directors called the attention of the Proprietors
to these figures, which showed that, whilst their work-
ing expenses, compared with a period when reductions
had already commenced, had been increased only in the
small ratio of 1 per cent, their receipts had aug-
hmaednttee dr
eagtr
et ht et
hraatt et
hoef
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landgam9a
tpieern ceefnt.
the
IT) The Directors
carriage establishment of the South-Eastern and Croydon
Companies, in which they united on the Ist of M2rch
last, and from which they anticipated important advan•
tages to the three Companies, was to be broken up at
the end of the present year, a notice having been given
to that effect, according to the deed of agreement, by
the South-Eastern Company ; both the Croydon and
their own Board of Directors concur in opinion that
the step was unfortunately precipitate, and they be-
lieved that a little more experience would have realised
the anticipated advantages. Under these circumstances,
a serious expense would have to be incurred by this
Company in erecting workshops fur the repairs of their
locomotive engines, but the Proprietors might rest as-
sured that every principle of economy would be adopted
for that purpose. In consequence of the great increase
in the traffic, a further supply of engines and carriages
would be required before the return of the summer
season, for which purchase the Directors had availed
themselves of the late advance in the price of their
Shares, and had sold the whole of those remaining un-
issued and forfeited, at an average price of 51i,
including the dividend, the proceeds of which sate
they hoped would meet the expense thus to be incurred.
With a view to the public convenience, the Directors
nad increased the speed of one of the trains, accom-
phshing the distance between London and Brighton in
one hour and a half, an improvement which they had
reason to believe had given much satisfaction. The ex-
cursion trains, commenced last summer with a view to
afford to the humbler classes a healthful recreation at a,
small expense, have proved and continue to be, a source
of profit to the Company. Since the last half-yearly
meeting, the utmost efforts had been used to bring about
a settlement of their claims on the South-Eastern Com-
pany; several conferences had been held between the
two boards for that purpose, and these conferences bad
been followed by a long correspondence, calling on the
South-Eastern board either to admit and settle the ac-
count rendered, or to furnish their objections thereto ;
both of which they decline doing, declaring that their
objections to the account could only be submitted to ar •
bitrators, as pointed out by the Act of Parliament.
Nothing therefore remained but to proceed in the course
pointe 1 out by the Act of Parliament, and a letter was
accordingly written on- the 20th ultimo, to the
South-Eastern Board of Directors, calling on them to
appoint an arbitrator within 14 days, pursuant to the Act.
It would have been seen, that the Committee of the
Board of Trade for railways published in the Gazette
of the 14th ultimo, a notification of their intention to
report to Parliament against the London and Brighton
Wandsworth branch, and to recommend the postpone-
ment of all the lines to Dorking. They also notified, in
the Gazette of the same date, their intention of reporting
to Parliament against the Brighton and Chichester,
Portsmouth Extension, the Direct London and Ports-
math, and the London and Portsmouth with a branch
to Shoreham-bridge--in the two latter cases manifesting
a disposition to protect the interests of the Brighton
Company. In none of these reports had any notice been
taken of the projected branch from Three Bridges to
Horsham. Under these altered circumstances, the
Directors had come to the determination to recommend
to the Proprietors, as they could not anticipate what
course might be taken by the opposing companies, to
invest them with powers to exercise their discretion
whether to proceed with any, or all of the branch lines.
They further, recommend that, in the event of no Act
being obtained, the expenses already incurred, or which
might arise in reference to these branches, be paid out
of the general funds of the Company: for this purpose,
it would be necessary to rescind the latter part of the
sixth clause of the second resolution, passed at the
special general meeting held on the 9th of January last.
The Directors concluded their report with the gratifying
announcement that they had to propose a dividend of
thirty shillings per share, amounting to 52,7341.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report,
which was seconded by Mr.J. SMITH, and subsequently
carried unanimously.
Captain LAWS drew a comparison between the ex-
penses of the Brighton and the Leeds and Manchester
lines, and said he thought, as the latter had nearly
double the traffic of the other, and was more than 76
miles in extent, while the Brighton was only 56, there
must be some want of good management in their Com-
pany, when the expenses of working the Leeds and
Manchester only exceeded by 1,0001. that of the
Brighton. This was owing, he thought, to the want of
a general and responsible superintendent on the line,
and he would therefore suggest whether it would not be
advisable for the Directors to take into consideration the
propriety of appointing some talented and experienced
gentleman capable of undertaking the duties of such an
office ?

The CHAIRMAN concurred in this suggestion, and
eventually premised that it should be acted upon.
Subsequently a resolution, declaring a dividend of
305., payable on the 14th instant, was agreed to, and
the powers recommended in the report given to the
Board of Directors.

Mr. C. P. Grenfell was elected a Director in the room
of Mr. Nash, and Sir John Simpson and Mr. Edward
Crowley hating been re-elected Directors, a vote of
thanks was carried to the Chairman, and he meeting
separated, after a sitting of nearly three hours.