The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-05-18 00:00:00

CUSTOMS' REFORM.

WE know of no work the performance of which by Go-
vernment would be more acceptable to the mercantile
and trading. community, than a thorough reform of the
mode of collecting our Customs and Excise Revenue.
The Boards who conduct these two departments have not
progressed in intelligence with the age, or adapted their
systems to promote the convenience of the commercial
world. The great evil in both departments is unneces-
sary centralisation. Vast, for example, as is the com-
merce of Liverpool, the Collector and Controller of our
Custom-house have very limited powers. The most tri-
vial affair—a mere breach of form, which the intelligent
eyes of either of these gentlemen could determine in a
moment—is made the source of endless and harassing
representations to the head authorities in London ; and,
in the most ordinary and everyday transactions, forms are
insisted upon, half of which are mere surplusage, and
regulations laid down, which, in very many cases, pro-
duce no other result than annoyance and loss to the
merchant. The business of the under officials is con-
ducted in the most litigious spirit, probab'q from their
being too independent of their local superiors ; and in-
formations are continually being laid, and seizures made,
which seem to be prompted almost solely by the wish to
remind us of the restrictions and surveillance with which
we are surrounded.

We observe that a committee of London merchants has
just published an address to the constituencies of the
kingdom, upon the opportunity afforded by the approach-
ing general election for enforcing a reform of the system
upon which these departments are conducted. We are
scarcely satisfied, however, that any necessity exists for
such a mode of procedure. We are not afflicted at pre-
sent with a Government deeply tinctured, like the last,
with the vice of nepotism. Lord DERBY has not, like his
predecessor, a host of needy uncles and cousins hanging
on his skirts. Neither himself nor any of his colleagues
have to provide for a swarm of empty-headed bogtrotters,
such as the importation which the Marquis of CLANRI-
CAROB foisted upon the Post-office department from his
Irish estates. All, we conceive, that is wanted, is a
powerful appeal from the mercantile body to the head of
the Administration; and we would respectfully suggest
to the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to take the
initiatory in such a movement.

GREAT PROTESTANT TEA PARTY LAST
NIGHT.

Yesterday evening a grand Protestant tea party was
held at the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street. GEORGE
H. HORSFALL, Esq., was announced to take the chair;
but being detained by unavoidable business, tea was
served to the numerous party present. Mr. Horsfall
engaging to appear as soon as it was finished. The hall
was decorated with a profusion of Orange banners ; and
most of the male portion of the assembly present wore
their insignia as masters or members of the Orange order,
and were accompanied by their wives and daughters.
After tea had been concluded a grace was sung, and the
chairman entered the room amidst loud cheering.
Amongst the gentlemen on the platform we observed :
Mr. Aldertmn Paiker, Messrs. Laurence Peel, E. G.
Deane, Peacock, R. Clay, Clay, jun., W. J. Horsfall,
Clarke, H. G. Webster, Huson, Knott, William Rowett,
H. Bremner, W. Fisher, Hall, &c.
Mr. G. EL HORSFALL briefly apologised for having
detained the meeting by having been called away by
business of a nature personal to himself; and expressed
his regret at not being privileged to address them as bro-
ther Orangemen. He would, however, address them as
fellow-townsmen. When he looked through the book
which he held in his bands, containing their laws and or-
dinances, it was a relief to him to find that he should not
have to touch upon the topic of free trade, or as it should be
called, bastard free trade, although that were easy enough.
The body before them be found to be associated together
ti support the great and holy principles embodied in the
Fr )testatit constitution of the realm. The speaker took
a rapid review of the state of society in the various em-
pires and kingdoms of the continent ; and appealed to
the meeting whether they. would barter their own enjoy-
ment of civil and religious liberty for the condition of the
people of European nations. Mr. Horsfall proceeded to
point out the danger which was impending over that
glorious constitution which the order, whom he was
w Houseany
addressing, were pledged to uphold. Those dangers
were or
whichp ht.a d
obrede n threatenedh n Russell
from the Lichfieldsetan
accom
recently, whilst attempting to form a new adminis-
tration, had sent first for Sir James Graham—not the
Sir James Graham of Sir Robert Peel's administra-
tion, but Sir James the unmitigated democrat. He had
next sent for Mr. Cobden, a gentleman who, as a
member of the Peace Society, as shown by Lord Palmer-
ston, saw nothing to be grieved at if England should be-
come a province of France. Mr. Horsfall proceeded
to point out that the country was, more than all,
threatened with assaults upon its religious liberties, and in-
stanced the tyranny practised by theßomanCatholicPriest-
hood of Ireland towards those representatives of the Irish
people who, though devotedly Roman Catholic, were not
disposed to bend to their dictation. He proceeded to say
that he would, however, speak of the candidates who were
planed before them, which was the principal business for
which they wet e met; and after passing an eloquent eulo-
glum upon Messrs. Mackenzie and Turner, appealed to
the meeting, in compliance with their oath, to give their
support to these gentlemen, alio would maintain the
principles which they professed. After a few more im-
pressive remarks, Mr. Horsfall concluded amidst enthu-
siastic applause.
Mr. FtsnEn. proposed the first resolution, which was a
vote of confidence in the administration' of the Earl of
D:rby. He apologised for putting himself forward to
take the place of the gentleman—Mr. Samuel Holme—
who was to have moved this resolution. Mr. Fisher gave
an able sketch of the scenes of bigotry and tyranny
which Mr. Holme bad witnessed during his recent tour
in Italy ; and reviewed at some length the past policy of
the administrations, which their present member, Mr.
Cardwell, had supported, and the conduct and principles
of Mr. Cobden, Sir James Graham, and the Free Trade
party generally.
Mr. ROWETT, in seconding the resolution, defined
what was Conservatism, and contended. that it meant
giving to the working-classes not only the cheap loaf, but
the .means of buying it. He entered shortly into an
explanation of the small amount of saving from cheap
food compared with the loss of wages to Englishmen.
The speaker, after a stirring comment upon the excel-
lence of o:ange principles, appealed to the order to stand
firm to those principles, and to their banners, and he
was confident of triumph.
Mr. Alderman PARKER moved the second resolution,
(which will be found in our advertising columns,l and
stated that he had never more pleasure in meeting his
fellow Protestants of Liverpool than when they were sur-
rounded. as at present, by their wives and daughters. He
would not inflict upon them a long speech upon politics,
the great question of which, lie was reminded by those
glorious colours which he saw on every side, was the
question of their Protestant liberties. The speaker com-
mented briefly upon the high character of their candi-
dates, and expressed himself confident, from his own
knowledge of the state of the canvass, of their triumphant
success.

Band-r" The goad old English Gentlemen."

Mr. CLARKE- seconded the resolution, in a very
humorous speech, directing himself to some lady in the
assembly who had come there to decide which way she
was to advise her husband to vote, and concluded by an
eloquent appeal in behalf of Protestant principles, in the
course of which he pledged the Orangemen of Liverpool
to unite with the Constitutional Association in returning
Messrs. Mackenzie and Turner.
Mr. PATCHETT moved and Mr. S. HALL seconded a
vote of thanks to the chairman, who replied briefly, and
the meeting separated.

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THE CARPENTER FAMILY.—The concert in which
A N INFURIATED Bic:
ft, La.l-1 lluc
at the Concert-Hall, was a successful most
performance.
The favourable impression they first conveyed has been
fully realised. They are not only highly accomplished,
but possess what art can never supply, genius.
BRITISH QUEEN, SCREW STEAMER.—We are re-
quested to state that the survey and investigation chew
that the propelling machinery was not the cause of the
fire in this vessel's after-hold. It therefore appears to
have originated from spontaneous combustion or other
undiseoverable cause in the cargo itself.
CRICKET.—A cricket match of great interest will be
played on the Olympus ground, Prince's Park, on Mon-
day next and the two following days, The competitors
will be the far-famed Eleven of England and twenty of
the select of Liverpool. The two borough members and
his worship the mayor are the patrons.
ESCAPE OF A PRISONER FROM CHESTER CASTLE.—
On Sunday, one of those daring feats was achieved at
Chester Castle, which occasionally occur to prove that
the genius of the famous Jack Sheppard still lives in cur
prisons. A man, named William Dean, who was scn-
tene.d to 15 years transportation at the last assizes for
burglary, contrived to escape from confinement. Dean,
who is a returned convict, was formerly a silk weaver, and
resided at Macclesfield. He was locked up as usual on
Saturday night in his cell : on the following day he con-
trived to break out, and gained access to the corridor,
from which lie got into a passage, thence upon the roof,
when he applied a " warp," which lO had been engaged
on in his capacity of weaver, to use, by,tying it to chim-
ney, and by this means he at length4ained a f ing on
terra firma. ..----- -
-----,\
~,,
.