The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-12-14 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

commanding this halt. One, however, is sufficient,
viz., the fact that Parliament has to legislate for the
religious institutions of•a Christian people; and
the Jew believes Christianity to be a fable and
Christ himself an impostor. We have already
established the necessity of a limit to the conces-
sion of civil privileges somewhere. We give the
Atheist the protection of the laws. We allow him
to vote for members of Parliament, and tolerate
him in the possession of other civil rights. But
we deny to him the right to give his evidence in a
witness box in cases either involving the security
of life or of property.
We grant our contemporary the truth of all that
he says as to the respectability of the great body of
the Jewish people, both in Liverpool and elsewhere.
We know them to be charitable to their own peo-
ple ; and that many of them contribute munifi-
cently to our leading philanthropic institutions,
irrespective of any consideration as to the creed of
those to be benefitted by them. We know them
to be clever, respectable, and intelligent. But that
is not the point. The question is, first, are the
Jews aggrieved by not being admitted to the privi-
lege of sitting in a legislature which makes laws
for a Christian church; and, secondly, is it safe
or right on the part of a Christian people to ad-
mit them. to such privilege ? The fact urged by
the Albion that they are too few in number to do
harm is mere trifling.

We are not at all disposed to doubt that the step
taken by the Watch Committee in resigning into
the hands of the head constable the appointment
and absolute control of the police force, has been
determined upon by them in the full confidence
that in so doing they were promoting the public
advantage, and securing the more efficient working
of the force. At the same time we much regret
that we cannot ourselves arrive at the same conclu-
sion. To us it appears somewhat at war with the
premises on which it is grounded. The effect and
the cause stand apart. There is a haste, too, and a
mystery about the whole proceeding, which induce
a fear that it has received much too little consider-
ation.

It is urged that of late the police, as a body,
have decreased in their efficiency, Why have they
so decreased ? No doubt there are many causes
from which such a body may have become, as it has
been said to have become, demoralised. The high
rate of wages which the class of able-bodied men,
such as are required for the service, have been re-
ceiving during the last few years may have caused
the best charactered amongst them to be drafted
off to other employments, and deterred equally
qualified individuals from offering themselves to
supply their places, We believe that, to a consi-
derable extent, this has been the case. There may,
too, have been something faulty in the system upon
which they have been of late controlled. The
former of these causes can only be met by offering
increased inducements to good men. The latter
possible cause affords rather a subject for inquiry
than for the withdrawal of the control of the daily
board, and vesting almost absolute control in the
head constable. 'We want to see it clearly made
out that Mr. Dowling's energies have been at all
checked by the interference of the Watch Commit-
tee; We want to discover what regulations of his
the committee have upset; what scheme of im-
proved supervision he has proposed which they
have refused to adopt ; what ground there is for
the assumption that he will be able to effect alone
what he has been unable to effect in conjunction
with a daily board. It is not sufficient to tell us
that the police in Manchester and Birmingham are
under the sole management and control of the
respective head constables of those towns. There
may have been special reasons for so placing them.
The Watch Committee in both may have been
unable to devote the necessary amount of leisure to
the assistance of the head constable ; but in Liver-
pool we are not in that predicament. We have a
body of gentlemen residing in various wards of the
town, engaged in its leading businesses, acquainted
with local details and local requirements, and
capable, day by day, of offering to the head con-
stable valuable suggestions and information ; and
we protest, we cannot see why that officer should
seek to be deprived of their active co-operation.
It may be an object to Mr. Dowling to pick and
appoint his own men; to punish his own men, or
reward them by promotion; but we have certainly
never heard that suggestions of his, with respect to
such appointments have been lightly treated by the
committee, or that his efforts to improve the
morale of the force have been obstructed by the
committee's introduction of had materials to work

with.
Obvious enough it is that there has been defective
management or imperfect superintendence some-
where. The men have been too much their own
masters ; but why, we are not informed. Perhaps
the staff of inspectors and superintendents has been
too limited, or they have imperfectly performed their
duty; but we cannot discover what additional op-
portunities of seeing that such duty is strictly
attended to will be afforded to the head constable
by the change proposed, The hours devoted by
him to attendance upon the committee may indeed
be a slight tax upon his time; but we should ima-
gine that the same attendance at the office will have
to be given to receive the reports of the various
superior officers, and to investigate the truth of
complaints ; and, moreover, the hours in the fore-
noon thus employed are not those in which it is
most desirable that the head constable should be
engaged in visiting the different divisions of the

ing through a transition state," he says; and cer-
tainly a sad transition state it has been for th
British merchant, the weaver, the spinner, and the

manufacturer. Keep us from such "transition
states."

Mr. Cobden tells us that "he never dealt in
prophecies," but he " possibly might have told the
working men that with free trade in corn we should
have American flour at 1712--d. 'per lb." He might
also have said that "we should have more mills
and more employment, more houses, more car-
riages" !—(for the manufacturer, of course)—
" more churches and chapels." Has either of
these prophecies been fulfilled ? Neither. The
farmer, he says, has not been ruined. Why ?
Because American flour has not 'been selling at
per lb.; and the farmer has been able, by the
price which he has been receiving, and because we
have not yet had free trade, to buy from the mann-
facturer, and to employ the labourer. Without
the home trade, where would have been the manu-
facturing interest at this moment?
But the leading excuse of the charlatan is that
he has not had cheap Cotton. That material
however was as cheap to him as the rest of the
world, except to the producer ; and everybody told
him that the producer would keep back that com-
modity from the British Manufacturer, Spinner,

_ .
and 'Weaver for himself. Then we have the pota-
toe rot dwelt upon ; but all this time in forgetful-
ness of the promise that the more we bought of
the foreigner the more he would buy from us. We
have the railways too flung in our face ; but why
not construct more railways as well as more mills,
more houses, and more carriages ? The wind-up
of this lame and impotent story is the assertion
that we may save £17,000,000 a-year in the expenses
of the army, the navy, and the ordnance. We
could save infinitely more by withdrawing the sub-
sidies granted in various ways to such shallow
empirics as Mr. Richard Cobden.

THE PURCHASE OF THE WATER COMPANIES

been of much importance ; on Friday an agreement was
made with the Harrington Company and the Corporation
for postponing further proceedings until after the sth of
January, 1848. By this arrangement the Water Company
will be enabled to prepare their balance sheet for 1847.
The Accountant appointed by the Arbitrator, intends
proceeding with the examination of the Bootle Company's
books and accounts to-morrow, (Wednesday.) And we
believe Mr. Stephenson will visit Liverpool in a few days,
for the purpose of making a personal survey of the Works
of both Companies.
Under these circumstances the award will probably not
be made until the middle of next month.

MEETING FOR SECURINO THE RATING OF
THE DOCK WAREHOUSES.

Last evening, a meeting WA3 held at the Clarendon-
rooms, clnvened by circular, " for the purpose of consi-
dering what measures should be adopted to secure the
insertion of a clause in the Act of Parliament to be applied
for by the Liverpool Dick Committee, which shall subject
the future warehouses of that Trust to their fair share of
the local taxes." The summonses had only been sent to
the Conservative and Liberal chairmen of the different
wards of the town, consequently the meeting was not a
very numerous one. The chair was taken by Mr J. R.
Jeffrey, who briefly explained the reasons why they had
been called together. Some members of the Select Vestry
had intimated to him, as one of the tra•le;min of the
town, that the former body were not in & position to op-
pose the hill, and suggested the propriety of a movement
on the part of the tradesmen to use their influence upon
the Council to prorrcrre the insertion of the clause required,
having been disappointed in not finding in the bill such
clause. The Albert. Warehouses, he reminded them,
were taxed to the local rates to the amount of £3OOO a
year; and, as there was-a technical difficulty in the Dick
Committee and the Council ratinz themselves on account
of a property in which they had no interest, the only

course was for the ratepayers to make a movement them-
selves to coerce both bodies. The Dock Committee were
about to expend £309.000 upon D Eck Warehouses, which

object to the ratepayers, especially as to form these ware-
houses they would have to pull down property paying at
present £30,000 a year to the parish funds. It was here
proposed that Mr. Payne, solicitor, should be invited to
act as secretary to the meeting, who produced the bill
proposed. Previous to its being read, the Chairman
stated that the present rateable property of the port
amounted to one million sterling ; and the £300,000 to be
spent on the warehouses would, therefore, produce
nearly one-third of the required income. He also read a
statement of the amounts for which the Dock Committee
were rated, in order to show that they had little interest
in the matter as compared with the tradesmen present.
Mr. Alderman Cooper attended there to give every aid to
the parties seeking for the inser'ion of the clause. He
was the first person who mooted in the Council the inser-
tion of the rating clause in the Albert Dock Bill, which
met with such a warm reception in the Council that the
Dock Committee were induced Y.', emsent to the clause,
which was subsequently pressed in Parliament by the

Mr. SMETHURST announced that t

ian Society

had memorialized the churchwardens to call a meeting of
the Vestry on the subject to-morrow, for which meeting
circulars were issued.

A short, discussion took place as to the power of a ma-
)rity of the Council to insert the clause, or to refer the

stated to be the opinion of the Town Clerk that the
parish authorities were too late to give the necessary
notices for the insertion of the clause.
Mr. THORNELY, on the part of the Select Vestry, stated
that they could not give such notice, not having seen the
bill in time to learn that the clause was omitted.
A gentleman stated, on the
.authority of a party who

clause required wasinthe rough draft of the bill, which
circumstance lulled the parochial authorities into a false

security

Doctor BRADEEY proposed a voluetary rate being raised
to oppose the bill in committee, as, on a former occasion,
there being no power in the Select Vestry to allow any of
the funds raised for the relief the poor to paying the cost
of a parliamentary opposition, as such expenditure would
not be passed by the Poor Law Commissionars.
Mr. M`MlLLetrt proposed that the chairman of the
various wards should wait upon their representatives. He
and his friends had waited to-day upon the three members
for Pitt-street Ward, and that all would support a ruling
clause.

Another speaker said he had seen several members to-
day, who told him that all that was required was to get up
a pressure from without.

A discussion took place as to the best course to be pur-
sued, the time being so short previously to the meeting
of the Council.

It was proposed by Mr. APPLEBEE that the Chaiman
of the wards should call at once upon their members.
Mr. WATSON proposed that they should strengthen
the hands of their members by the adoption of a memorial
to be adopted by this meeting, and that a eopy should be
sent to each ward for signature.
Mr. BRADLEY seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously.

Messrs. Watson, Urquhart, the Chairman, and the
Secretary, were then appointed a committee to draw up
the memorial, and retired for the purpose.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(BY EXPRESS.

LONDON CORN MARKET

-YESTERDAY

The attendance of both London and country buyers being
good, the demand for all descriptions of Wheat of home produce
was somewhat active, at an advance in the quotations obtained
on this day se'nnight of from is. to 2s. per quarter, and at which
a good clearance was readily effected. With Foreign Wheat we
were not to say extensively supplied, and a considerable portion
of it was of very inferior quality.
Fine dry samples were in good request, at Is. per quarter
more money. In all other kinds a moderate amount of busi-
ness was transacted at full prices.
. .

The show of barley was small

tendency. Iroreign Barley was certainly dearer.
The quantity of Malt being scarcely adequate to meet the
wants of the brewers, that article was firm, at fully the prices
paid on Monday last.
There were scarcely any Oats in the market. Fine dry par-
cels moved off steadily, at a trifle more money, while the mid-
dling and inferior kinds were quite as high as last advised.
Owing to the large imports, the sale for Beans was heavy, at
a further reduction in the quotations of Is. per quarter. In
Peas, the supply of which was small, exceedingly little was
doing at late rates.
Indian Corn was dull, but Indian Meal, as well as Rye Flour,
supported previous quotations. For Flour we had an im-
proved demand, but we can notice no actual improvement in
value.

SMITHFIELD CATTLE MARKET,

-YESTERDAY

The supply of beasts being what may be termed a moderate
one, and the attendance of both town and country buyers large,
the Beef trade was somewhat active, and, in some instances,
the quotations ruled very high. .
_. . .
..
...

The primest Scots, Devons, and Herefords sold readily, a
from ss. 6d. to ss. Bd. per 81bs., indeed ss. 10d. per 81bs. was
realised in some cases. and the value of all other breeds had an
upward tendency. *.
From the north, we received about 1,600 short horns; from
the eastern, western, and midland counties, 1,800; Herefords,,
runts, Devons, &c. • ' from other parts of England, 700 of various
breeds; and, from Scotland, 250 horned and polled Scots.
With Sheep we were scantily supplied for the time of year,
owing to which the Mutton trade was firm, at an improvement
in currencies obtained on this day se'nnight of 2d. per 81bs. ;
the primest old Downs selling readily at ss. 4d. per Sibs.
The supply of Calves was tolerably extensive, yet the Veal
trade was steady at last week's prices. In Pigs comparatively
little business, but late rates were well supported.

LIVERPOOL FOREIGNERS MISSION.—We perceive that
the Rev. Joseph Baylee will preach a sermon in Kirkdale
Church tl is
ti
aue
eo no Sundayf
the
mission in
oawi d
ho
ptphißel
yafyestablished
ts
in
matter
t
bi oserwsn ft e
are
irGreocirfi
informed,
fhroa
arnimffsi iosefrdrdd:iimros, disinterested
time
the rlaers
ngtteeoedaatlamsnoodeufnl
optg:eraraatsnceeeddv ewfonlentthghhoiesp instru-
mentality,etnoutw.
The pecuniary responsibility of Mr.
the Chrisf— - - "' " `ves of the present

Sian public will avau demse,
opportunity of aiding his benevolent exertions.
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.—We have already
stated that the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have
petitioned against the admission of Jews into the House of
Commons. We perceive from the provincial papers that
many clerical meetings have been held in various archdea-
conries for the same purpose, and we are glad to hear that
Dr. Arlsreile has prepared for the signatures of his con-
gregation a petition of a similar kind—a step which, to
adopt the words of the clergy of the archdeaconry of Bed-
ford, " does not seem inconsistent with the quiet, unob-
trusive character of our sacred calling, but rather simply
incumbent upon us in our ministerial capacity."

A CONVERT.—The Albion, which has always been a
thorough free-trader; seems now to be in doubt as to the
policy of his pet measure: • In announcing, yesterday,
the re-imposition, in March next, of the duties on corn,
he adds, " The once much-abused ' fixed duty' is now a
popular measure, and it :is an axiom everywhere but in
Manchester that a moderate duty on all kinds of grain and
flour would not advance the price of bread one iota,
while it would save us from an empty exchequer." If, a
couple of years ago,_ we
_had made such a statement, the

Albion would have 'laughed at it as the climax of absur-
dity. Our contemporary is not, however, the first who
has acknowledged a similar error.
RATING OF DOCK WAREHOUSES.—The churchwardens
received last night a requisition numerously signed by the
parishioners requesting them to calla meeting of the rate-
payers, to consider the Dock Warehouse Bill, with special
reference to the non-insention of a clause rendering the
warehouses liable to parish rates. As it is desirable the
meeting should take place prior to the special meeting of
the Council to-morrow, the churchwardens have called a
special vestry meeting of the inhabitants to-day (Tuesday),
at twelve o'clock. Of course it is desirable that the vestry

which will be held in St. Nicholas's church, should be as
numerously attended as possible, and as every parishioner

gy interested

ne quest

ion, no dou

PETITION OF RIGHT.—On Saturday, this form of pr?-

ceeding was heard before commissioner. It has its origin
in a grant from Magna Charta, which prescribes that pro-
ceedings against a King must be by petition of right. The
case was a highly important one—the petitioners being
a—A