The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-05-30 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND -GENE El AL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.

objection sometimes raised to the payment of
Church-rates upon pretended scruples of conscience,
that it is useless to discuss it ; but we may remark
that the scheme proposed would be a direct rob-
bery of the Church, in order to benefit the owners
of property to be relieved, who acquired their pro-
perty subject to the payment of this, as well as o
other rates. What is really wanted is rather an
alleviation of the law, so that -so obviously neces-
sary a demand may not be subject to the decision
of Radical vestries, with the only alternative of an
appeal to the Ecclesiastical Courts. Unfortunately
there are many men who would not pay their debts
but for the obligation of law; and it is the same
selfish feeling which dictates their opposition to
Church-rates, however they may disguise it. The
Church of England, as by law established, is osten-
sibly and practically the Poor Man's Church ; its
blessings, like those of its great founder, are offered
without money and without price ; the Christian
instruction of the poor is a duty which is owing by
every subject of the State ; and, therefore, to refuse
this small amount of aid, the least oppressive of all
taxes, is virtually to close our churches against all
but those who are able and willing to pay for the
accommodation.

BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.-THE
COMING ELECTION.

THE election of eight Commissioners of Birken-
head—seven in the room of those who go out by
rotation, and one to fill a vacancy caused by resig-
nation—is appointed for Tuesday next, and it is
confidently expected will take place without the
excitement of a contest. It will be remembered
that last year the township was divided into two
parties, which, under the respective titles of Blue
and Red, carried on the contest with a zeal which
was worthy of a more intelligible cause. The
chief object then to be gained was a majority for
the appointment of Dock Trustees, and the Blue
party was triumphant. The use which was made
of this victory was the conclusion of a contract
with Messrs. BRASSET and Co., for the completion
of the dock works, which have since been pro-
ceeded with. Reflection, however, has since led
to the conviction that something more is required
of a Board of Commissioners than the carrying out
of one object, however desirable, and that victory
may be purchased too dearly if it lead to the
exclusion, from the governing body, of those men
who are best qualified for the management of
public affairs. There was, in reality, no question
of party polities involved, for each list contained
the names of Conservatives and Radicals ; but
unfortunately the contest led to disunion and
differences between men having but one common
interest, and which are always inimical to the
prosperity of a community. This conviction it is
hoped will operate on the present occasion, to
avoid a repetition of 'the evil; and that, with a
sole regard to their fitness for the office, those
men will be proposed for Commissioners who will
promote 'the welfare of the township, without
reference to party feelings. In order to accom-
plish this object, a meeting of some of the most
influential inhabitants was held on Thursday last,
and though some alteration may be made in 'the
list of candidates, which was then agreed to, there
is no doubt that the selection will be submitted
to the ratepayers, and carried without the tur-
moil of a contest. Birkenhead is now on the eve
of a great improvement, and it will be the duty of
the Commissioners to render all its advantages
available, without descending to petty squabbles
on personal matters. It is not this or that per-
soa's property to be benefited, but the interests
of the whole community ; and if this be done 'in
fair, impartial spirit, the office of Commissioner
will be elevated in social importance,.and Birken-
head will yet realise the enthusiastic hopes which
were indulged in some years since. In treating
of this question, it is folly to suppose that there
is any rivalry with the town of Liverpool. Every
advance in Birkenhead must be participated in a
great degree on this side of the Mersey ; and
while Liverpool has every available foot of ground
occupied, and obliged -to extend far into the
suburbs to find habitations for her numerous and
still increasing population, every advance made in
Birkenhead is affording additional accommodation,
equally accessible, and more so by the commo-
dious ferry-boats, than by the numerous vehicles
which ply between Liverpool and the surrounding •
hamlets in Lancashire. Birkenhead has ample
space for many more houses in close proximity to
the ferries ; but the land is afflicted with an
incubus of mortgage, which has paralysed all
building operations, and may perhaps some day
call for an Encumbered Estate Act, to restore it
to vitality. At all events, the Commissioners
should bear in mind that they ought to have but
one object—the good of the township ; and,
should this be steadily kept in view, they will
have cause to rejoice that Blue and Red have
been fused into an Imperial Purple.