The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-02-16 00:00:00

OPERATIVE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.

The quarterly meeting of the members and friends of the
Liverpool Operative Protestant Association was held in the
Music-hall, last evening, for the purpose of petitioning the
legislature in favour of Lord Stanley's Irish registration
hill. The room was filled in every part, and the enthusiasm
of those present clearly manifested that the interest taken in
the Protestant controversy instead of decreasing is spreading
even in Liverpool. _

Shortly after seven o'clock the Rev. HUGH M'NEILE took
the chair amidst loud cheers, and the proceedings commenced
with the offering of prayer by the Rev. Mr. BROWN.
The Rev. CHAIRMAN, after stating that owing to a severe
cold he was unable to speak at any considerable length, ad-
dressed the meeting as follows :—As Protestants, it behoves
us to be on our watch tower, and as operatives, not to stand
idle there, but to be ready, whenever occasion calls, to work.
(Hear, hear.) Occasion now calls. The legislative assem-
bly of the nation is again convened, and matters of vital
importance to the well being of the country are again under
consideration. The practice of morality in the country is
the very source of national arrangements—l mean in the
selection of the representatives of the nation in parliament—
the practise of national morality is at stake. hear.)

The.interest of vital religion as a national establishment in

this country is at stake. our free institutions, and with them
the personal liberties of our fellow-subjects are at stake. And

this being so, it well becomes us as watchful members of that

church, lovers of those institutions, privileged enjoyers of
that liberty,; to watch and to act. (Applause.) There is one
point which calls for our immediate attention, and that is the

bill for the improvement of the registration laws for Ireland,
introduced into the House of Commons by Loyd Stanley.
(Cheers.) You are aware that he introduced it towards the

close of last session, and it was read a first time and a second
time ; but through the factious opposition offered to it in
_ _

committee, availing itself of the for.ms of the house, he was
baffled, and unable to carry the 3d reading of it before the
session closed. Ile was opposed at every step by her Majesty's

. . -
government; yet he succeeded at every step, upon divisions
of the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) immediately upon
the opening of the present session he gave notice that he
should bring it in again. He has done so (cheers), and the
24th of the present month (Wednesday in next week) is tixed
for the second reading of that bill. In the meantime her
Majesty's government have proclaimed to the country the
justice of many of our complaints last year : they have pro-
claimed their sense of the existing mischiefs of the registra-
tion laws : they have acknowledged practically the excellence
of many of the provisions of Lord Stanley's bill, which they
so vehemently opposed last year, for they have themselves
brought in a bill. They have introduced in the House of
Commons, by her Majesty's chief secretary for Ireland, Lord
Morpeth, a bill which proposes in words many of the same
provisions that arc found in Lord Stanley's bill, but which
undoes the whole, by adding a rider to it which would throw

open the whole question almost of universal suffrage. (Hear,
hear.) Ido not say entirely—l think it would be an exag-
geration to say it—but I will explain myself as I proceed.
(Hear, hear.) I will first read to you one or two acknow-
ledgements made by Lord Alorpeth respecting the evils of
the present system. He says—

" It would be sufficient on that point to admit, as he freely
did, that great facilities for fraud existed in the present
system of registration in Ireland, and it could not be denied
by any who had seriously considered the subject, that many
instances of such frauds had occurred."
Lord Morpeth says further concerning these frauds—
" Those frauds took place in the system of certificates, in
personating dead or absent registered voters, and the reten-
tion on the registry of persons who, after they had been once
placed on the list, were left there without any opportunity of

- -
subsequent revision during the whole period for which the
cistry continued, which was a period of eight years."
ese are precisely the evils which we pointed out to the
.try last year, and which it is the object of Lord Stanley's
to remedy. Government opposed that bill ; yet now
come with a bill of their own, and the chief secretary

for Ireland, in introducing it, acknowledges the existence of
those very evils. He acknowledges the personation of dead
or absent voters. In order to put an end to the personation
of dead voters, it was proposed by Lord Stanley that there
should be an annual revision of the list—that the registration
list instead of lasting eight years, should be revised every
year, as it is in this country. That was opposed by the go-
vernment. Yet now this also is a proposal in Lord Mor-
peth'sbill, that there should be an annual revision of the

list. (Hear, hear.) I shall find it, I apprehend, difficult to
make you understand the nature of this bill of the govern-
ment, which I wish to oppose, because it professes in words
to adopt many of the provisions of Lord Stanley's bill,
whereas in point of fact, when more closely examined, they

re not honestly, and cordially, and practically adopted.
'or instance, in this matter of the annual revision, hear

Lord Morpeth's own words—
When a voter was once on the registry, he (Lord Mor-
peth) proposed that he should be entitled to have his claim
reviewed for any change made in his tenure or in his fran-
chise : but if nothing occurred to disturb that—if it remained
the same as when registered, he would not make his right to
vote subject to any further disturbance."
That is to say, the annual revision should extend to those
cases only where a change in the tenure, or residence, or
qualification of a person had taken place ; but if the proposed
voter proposed to vote upon the same tenure or upon the
same qualification as before, then there was to be no annual
revision of his claim. Why this is to leave out the very par-
ties that voted fraudulently. The circumstance of a change

of tenure in the course of a year should itself call attention ;

but it is in the vast amount of cases where there is no change
avowedly, where the same tenure is professed, the same qua-
lification set forth, but where the same person may not be
found. There, as it were, it is desirable to avoid fraud, but
that point is avoided by the provisions of the ministerial bill,
so that whilst the name of an annual revision is kept, the
value of an annual revision is lost. (Hear, hear.) There
was another point to which we called special attention last
year, because much was made of it by our opponents, in a
meeting held in Clayton-square in this town. It was objected

Against Lord Stanley's bill that it threw difficulties in the
way of the poor claimant of his rights. There are two clauses
in the bill—the one for exacting costs from frivolous claim-

nts, and the other an enactment of costs against frivolous
bjectors to claimants. The one was zealously put forward
iy the opponents of the bill, which seemed to throw difficul-
ies in the way of the claimant, but the other which threw
litliculties in the way of the objector was not put forward.
:Hear.) It is called a " double appear—an appeal against

_ .
frivolous claimants npon the one hand, and against friv-olous
objectors upon the other. Now hear the language of Lord
Morpeth upon his proposed bill :
" When the case had been gone into at the registration,

and when all the necessary deeds and documents had been
produced whether these documents could be produced at
another tribunal or not, he did not think it fair to grant

Leh an appeal or rehearing as to the matter of fact,

thought, however, that it was but fair to give an appeal both
ways—that was for and against the franchise—on all matters
relating to the legal merits of the case."

A. double appeal he allows upon matters referring to the legal
merits of the case, but refuses it upon matters of fact.—
; Hear, hear.) Why, it is upon matters of fact the appeal
constantly arises : in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred

the appeal would be upon matters of fact, and not the legal
merits of the case ! Yet here, upon the double appeal, his
lordship's explanation neutralizes the value of it. (Hear,
hear.) There is a still more important feature in this bill.
You have heard much of the clamours made about defining
the franchise, shewing what the ten pound franchise really
meant. The reform bill allows a man who has a holding
upon a fourteen years' lease, and has an interest in the hold-
ing of £2O a year, to vote ; but if he has a 21 years' lease,

hen an interest in his holding of XlO a year qualifies him
:o vote. The question was, " What was the meaning of

interest in £lO a year."

" Define the franchise"

cries Mr. O'Connell : lie says, "if the noble lord's bill
does not define the franchise, 1 will divide the house on the
first reading." surely, when his noble friend Lord Morpeth
brought in his bill he might have expected a definition of the
franchise. A definition is a telling of the latent meaning of
some hard words. The hard words that speak of the £lO

nterest are set forth in a marvellous definition in Lord 'Mon
leth's bill by plain words. But what are the plain words

The plain words are, that every man who is rated at £5 to
the poor law is to have the franchise. (Hear, hear.) There
is a ministerial definition of the franchise for you! (Cheers.)

But I have a particular reason for bringing this forward now.
Not only does it form a portion of this proposed bill against
which we should petition, but it forms a very important fea.
ture of another subject. (Hear, hear, hear.) We have all
read and beard and talked a good deal about the settle•
ment of affairs in 1829, by what was called the emanci•

pation bill. I should inform those of you who are not
acquainted with the fact, and remind those who are, that
while, upon one side, by that bill of 1829 access to parlia-
ment was opened to members of the church of Rome ; upon

le other side, for the preservation of our Protestant consti

tution, the right of voting, or the franchise, was taken away
from the 40s. freeholders in Ireland. (Hear.) It is a part
of the emancipation bill of 1829 that the 10s. freeholders
should no longer vote : the franchise was confined to a more
select class, with a higher qualification. Lord Morpeth's

, .
proposal would lower the franchise to a class more thin in-
clusive of the 40s. freeholders. Lord Morpeth's proposal is
a proposal to repeal a part of the emancipation bill and he
cannot in fairness object to us if we propose to repeal another
part. (Tremendous cheers.) I deliberately charge her Ma-
jesty's government with reopening the discussion of the
popish question. (Renewed cheers.) As to the matter of

the poor law rating by Lord Morpeth proposes to test the
qualification of the claimant, if fairly and honestly done, there
can be ho objection to it. (Hear.) It is a more objection-
able test than an oath, especially in Ireland. I have said
"if truly and honestly done"—but here is a danger. We
haw: heard how poor law valuers and poor law guardians have
been appointed in some of the unions in Ireland, and we

know how readily matters can be arranged among parties
who understand one another. (Hear and laughter.) I have
an instance, and rather a curious one, mentioned by a gen-
tleman learned in the law, in a late speech upon that sub-
ject. He says—
" A. person sought to register out of some premises in
Mary's-lane ; the shop was proved, as a matter of course,
to be worth ;CIO a-year. He (Mr. H.) asked him what the
next shop was worth, and he replied ten pounds a year. A
poor-law valuator, whol was in court, with more zeal than
discretion, proved that both shops were each well worth :CIO
a year. ' May I ask you,' said he (Mr. Hayes), were you
appointed a poor-law valuator ?" Yes,' said he, decidedly.'
' In the course of your duty had you occasion to value the
premises in question ?" Decidedly,' said he. At what
value did you estimate them ?" I did not value those shops,'
he replied, I valued the whole house.' At what did you
value it ?" At £lB a year.' Why,' asked he (Mr. Hayes),
' is not the house with the two shops worth as much as the
two shops ?"This was a staggerer ; but he was not altogether
put to the wall ;' for when asked to account for this gross-
ness, he said that he valued the premises at a certain rate,
because there was an appeal from the decision. And this
immaculate poor-law valuator—appointed for a purpose—
thought proper to perjure himself, because the law had not
left them without the redress which that infamous wretch
would have taken from them."
There are some other curious instances recorded of the way
this matter works. One I cannot help telling you, because
it took place in no lower or more insignificant hands than
those of the then lord lieutenant of Ireland, our present noble
home secretary. Lord Normanbv. (Hear.) His course in
Ireland is connected proverbially with the gaol. (Laughter.)
lle went to the gaol of Carrick-upon-Shannon, and a pretty
black-eyed girl was overheard conversing with him. She
was explaining to him why an Orange judge had committed
her to prison. When she spoke of her brothers, that had
been long before transported, she told him it was for
having voted at the election. The distinguished person said,
" How is it possible your brothers could have voted when
they.were transported before the election ?" " Oh," said
the girl, " though the men are gone, the certificate answers
better than if they were here." Whether the men were hung
or transported, the certificate would always be good. I have
taken the liberty of preparing according to my promise a
petition upon Lord Stanley's bill. It is open for comment
or examination, but being adopted eventually, it is for your
determined and instant signature. (Hear.) The rev. gen-
tleman then read the following petition :
"That your petitioners, deploring the present defective
state, and demoralizing tendency of the existing registration
laws for Ireland, desire to express their great satisfaction
with the bill, which has been introduced in your honourable
house a second time, for the supplying of the acknowledged
defects, the removal of the proved abuses, and the remedy of
the various evils of the said registration law.
" Your petitioners rejoice in the testimony borne even by
political opponents, to the excellency of many of the provi-
sions of that bill, seeing that they are, in name at least,
adopted in a bill having avowedly the same object in view,
brought into your honourable house by her Majesty's chief
secretary for Ireland.
" Your petitioners feel no objection to have the qualifica-
tion of the claimant of the franehise,:tosted by his.rating to

the poor law, provided it be a rate actually paid for two years
previous at the least ; but, considering how the poor law va-
luators and guardians have been in some places appointed,
your petitioners have no confidence that fraudulent collision
may not take place, and a scale of rating such as ought to be
paid perhaps, but seldom is paid, or a scale inclusive of per-
sons who ought not to be rated, pass the guardians for elec-
tioneering pnrposes.
" But your petitioners are compelled to dissent entirely
from the alteration in the franchise proposed in the noble
secretary's bill.
" Their dissent is grounded, not upon the assumption that
the proposed alteration amounts to universal suffrage .this
they deem a needless exaggeration ; but upon a conviction
that such a lowering of the qualification will open a fresh
door for corrupt and fraudulent practices, such as other pro-
visions of a bill are designed to prevent ; changing the nature
without diminishing the amount of the demoralising opera-
tions of the present law.
" Your petitioner's therefore pray your honourable house
to reject the principle of the bill proposed by the noble
secretary for Ireland, and to read a second time and go into
committee, with the bill proposed by the noble lord, the
member for North Lancashire, and not to tolerate a repetition
of the factious opposition made to it in committee last ses-
sion, but speedily to pass it to a third reading.
" And your petitioners will ever pray."
The rev. gentleman concluded by reminding the meeting
that Wednesday week was fixed for the second reading of
Lord Stanley's bill ; " and." said he, "on that day let our
noble representative, Lord Sandon, have such a petition sent
to him as shall oblige him to do what he had to do last ses-
sion, that was to ask Mr. Cresswell to help him to carry it
into the house." (Tremendous cheering.)
The Rev. Mr. BROWNE then moved the first resolution,
to the effect that the petition just read by the rev. chairman
should be adopted and signed by the meeting.

The Rev. B. MARSHALL, in'a speech of considerable lin-
lour, seconded the motion ; and on its being put, the peti-
ion was unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN sug,gesteo that it would be advisable to
old an adjourned meeting at an early day in the course of
he week, to send the petition for presentation in time for

the second reading of Lord Morpeth's bill. He recom-
mended the adjourned meeting to be held in the Amphi-
theatre in the forenoon, as the Music Hall was obviously
too small to accommodate the numbers whose interest in the
luestion led them to seek admission. He then congratu-
lated the meeting on the success of Protestantism and Con-
servatism at Walsall, Canterbury, and East Surrey, and
trusted that St. Albans would soon be added to the numbers.

The Rev. Mr. FALLOON then addressed the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN next addressed the meeting in a most
eloquent manner, on the general question ; and at the con-
clusion of his speech the proceedings were adjourned till
Wednesday, Thursday, or any day in the week when the
Amphitheatre can be had. The meeting separated about ten
o'clock.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE,

STAFFORD AND RUGBY RAILWAY, LATE MANCHESTER

AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION.

The petition of the promoters of this bill was presented to
the House of Commons on Friday (which was the last day
for receiving petitions for private bills), the necessary docu-
ments having been previously lodged in the Private Bill
Office.

It may probably be within the knowledge of most of our
readers, that a similar (although not identical) line was in
agitation last session, under the title of " the Manchester
and Birmingham Extension Railway." This company, how-
ever, was dissolved about three weeks ago ; and it is not a

little creditable to the spirit and energy by which the pro-
moters of the present measure have been actuated, to find
that within that short interval the new company has been
formed, the usual parliamentary deeds signed for upwards of
three-fourths of the capital (as required by the standing or-
ders of the House of Commons), and the deposit of ten per
cent. upon this amount paid down by the shareholders.

We are given to understand that the undertaking will now
come before parliament relieved from a great proportion of
the opposition which was offered to the former company, and
that there is every reason for the confidence entertained by
its promoters, that it will receive the sanction of the legisla-
ture during the present session. By the formation of the

line a considerable saving will be effected to the people of
Manchester and of Liverpool, in the distance between these
towns and the metropolis, by enabling them to proceed direct
from the Grand Junction Railway, at Stafford, to join the
London and Birmingham at Rugby, avoiding the present
circuitous route by Birmingham ; and by a branch line pro-
posed, a considerable saving of distance will also be effected
in the journey from Liverpool or Manchester to Leicester,
Nottingham, Derby, &c.

PRESTON AND LANCASTER RAILWAY COMPANY.—On
Wednesday last a meeting of the above company was held in
the Town-hall, Lancaster, being the first half-yearly meeting
since the opening of the line. It is exactly a year ago, the
10th February, 1840, that the foundation-stone was laid ; and
the grand ceremonial opening took place the 25th of June in
the same year.
George Barrow, Esq., the chairman, said the directors
considered themselves in a situation to make a dividend of
21 per cent. Much advantage would ;arise to Lancaster on
the price of coals being rendered cheaper by transit on the
railway. The company saved a considerable sum by working
their locomotive power in conjunction with the North Union.
One thing, however, had been proved by their half-year's
:rattle, that the expenditure in the first instance for good
;radients was amply compensated for in the great saving in
We expense of working the line. After some observations
the chairman said, in answer to a question by a shareholder,
that he doubted not but that, as he had said at their first
meeting, the first year would pay 5 per cent., the second 71
per cent., and the third 10 per cent.
LONDON AND GREENWICH RAILWAY.—The accounts
for the year show an increase in the total receipts of
£1,858 7s. Bd. over the year 1839, principally arising from
the toll paid by the Croyden Railway, which was not open in
the early part of 1839 ; but though the traffic on this railway
has produced a less gross receipt than in 1839, the expendi-
ture has been reduced to a greater extent than this deficiency,
and that in almost every department, except the rates and
passenger charges. There being now, however, a larger
amount of preference shares than last year, the nett profit
for the original shareholders is £6,942 17s, against £6,296 2d,
in 1839. Adding this profit to the balance of the reserved
fund, there remains a surplus of £7,744 7s. 2d., out of
which a dividend of 7s. on each original share was recom-
mended, which will leave a reserved fund of £752 is. 2d.,
applicable to the expenses of the current year.
STOCKTON AND HARTLEPOOL RAILWAY.—This very use-
ful and important enterprise was opened on Tuesday last for
the conveyance of passengers and merchandise. The event
was celebrated by a grand procession on the line, and by a
public entertainment at the .Vane Arms, Stockton. Two
trains, consisting of three coaches each, drawn by powerful
and 'splendi'd engines, conveyed the directors and a large
party of their friends to Hartlepool, stopping for a short time
at the viaduct at Greatham Valley, to allow the passengers
an opportunity of inspecting this remarkably fine piece of
masonry, consisting of ninety-two arches, built and finished
in a very superior style.
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.—The half-yearly
meeting of this company was held yesterday at Birmingham,
and we have, without assistance from the company, made
extraordinary exertions to give the report to our readers.
The traffic is £61,130 more than for the same period last
year, while the charge, according to the report, has not in-
creased in a corresponding degree. The gross charge on the
traffic, exclusive of taxes and rates, is £3O ss. 7d per cent.,
instead of £34 16s. The dividend declared is £4 per £lOO
share, and £1 per £25 share.—Railway Magazine, Saturday.
BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY.—We have a budget of
good tidings this week respecting the Bristol and Exeter
Railway. First, all the forfeited shares have been disposed
of at good prices ; secondly, upwards of £lBO,OOO. have been
paid by the shareholders since last general meeting ; and,
thirdly, the paid up capital now exceeds £700,000., which
places the Company in a position to avail themselves of the
power given them by the Act to raise £500,000. by way of
loan, which will obviate for some time the. necessity of mak-
ing further calls on the shareholders, " With the security,"
says the Bristol Gazette, "they have to offer—(having the
guarantee of the rental to be paid by the Great Western
Company, besides their own responsibility) the Directors
will be enabled to take a commanding position in the money-
market ; so that, with this resource, with a large balance in
hand, with about £50,000. or £60,000. on account of the al-
lotted shares, which will be forthcoming in a month from the
present date, there will be no lack of means for prosecuting
the works with vigour during the ensuing summer, while the
probability is that the shareholders will not be again called
upon until after the lapse of many months—perhaps a year
or more. We understand that not the slightest doubt exists
of the line being completed to Bridgewater by June next, if
I not before. The wooden bearers are now in course of being
laid."—Railway Times.

THEATRE. ROYAL.—This theatre opened last night. The
house was well tilled. The new drama of " Mungo Park"
went off admirably. The whole of the scenery is new and
very beautiful—the dresses also are new. Van Amburgh's
performances are extraordinary. We regret we must defer to
our next publication a lengthened notice of this very attrac-
tive piece. The evening went off without interruption, ex-
cept from the loud applause frequently indulged in by the
audience.

THE BRINDAL LODGE PROPERTY.—Lord Abinger gave
judgment in this case on Saturday. After stating the na-
ture of the application, and taking a review of the arguments
his lordship said, " Ile should, under all the circumstances,
direct an issue to try the validity of the will, and the last co-
dicil. The issue to be tried at the next assizes at Liverpool.
He was the more satisfied with this direction, because Dr.
Sherburne, being a man of education (whatever his origin),
must feel it was due to the other parties that the question
should be tried before the expiration of the twelve months,
within which their confirmation of the devise was limited by
the last codicil. The plaintiffs in equity his lordship directed
should be the plaintiffs at law." It will be remembered that
the question arises out of a will of Mr. Heatley, who devised
the bulk of his real estates to a Roman Catholic Priest.

It is stated that the Prebendal Stall at Durham, vacated
by the death of the late Dr. Smith, will yield to the Ecclsi-
astical Commissioners a revenue of nearly £3OOO. per annum.
RUMOURED DISSOLUTION.—Rumours of an approaching
dissolution of the parliament called together by Lord
Melbourne's government in the year 1837, at the com-
mencement of a new reign, and with all the advantages
which an unprecedented exercise of palace influence was
likely to command, continue to be circulated. The ground
for these ginaours is the very general belief that the
Ministry will be defeated upon the question of the registra-
tion of voters in Ireland, as that question has been raised
upon the two bills of Lord Stanley and Lord Morpeth.—
Times of yesterday.
DARING BURGLARY NEAR CHESTER.—On Tuesday
night, so early as ten o'clock, a most daring robbery was
committed and gross outrage perpetrated at the residence of
Mr. Tracy, clerk to the Birkenhead and Chester Railway.
About the hour in question, Mrs. Tracy was sitting up by
the kitchen fire, waiting of Mr. Tracy
coming home, the
servant having gone to bed, when she heard somebody at
the back door. She opened it, in order to see who was
there, when she saw three men, two of whom seized her,
pushed her hack into the kitchen, pinioned her, and tied her
arms to the back of the chair. One of the ruffians stood
before her with a knife, whilst the outrage was going on,
threatening that, if she stirred or made a noise, he would
murder her. The other then put his hand into her pocket,
and immediately proceeded up
in his bed-room,, and secured
took out a bunch of keys,
stairs, and unlocked a rawer that I\lr. Tracy was in the
between £5 and. £6, i.n..gold and silver. He
habit of keeping his money in,
a bag containing
when he took out
the latter, and left the former and a small memorandum that
brought the bag and
fmoney down stairs,
was in it
theon thessnt floor.
way Tahse they villains
hadt then decampedcome
leaving
Mrs.the
money,
Tracy bound to the chair, in which position she was found,
very shortly after, by Mr. Tracy and a friend who had ac-
companied him. The men were unknown to Mrs. Tracy ;
hut she entertains the impression, that she has seen him who
took the keys from her receiving money from Mr. Tracy,
when he had the payment of wages to the men engaged in
making the railway.—Chester Chronicle.

0 it