The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-10 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, MAY 10, 18.53.

it is inseparable from inequality and injustice; and
the Budget would therefore have been entitled to
more favour, had it made such a tangible provision
for its ultimate extinction as a present partial
reduction would hare implied. In this respect Mr.
DISRAELI'S financial policy was far preferable,
inasmuch as it lowered the tax on Incomes derived
from Trades and Professions to 51d. in the pound,
whereas Mr. GLADSTONE retains the full seven-
pence, and comforts the afflicted by telling them
that the owners of realised property actually pay
ninepence ; and in proof of his sympathy with the
latter class, thus taxed beyond the nominal levy of
the law, he adds to the burden by an additional
Two Millions in the shape of Legacy Duty on real
property. Who, then, are the classes benefited by
Mr. GLADSTONE'S Budget ? Not the higher, for
the reasons above stated. Not the middle classes,

because he retains the full sevenpence on present
incomes, and makes a new levy of fivepence on
others down to flOO a-year. It can only he the
lower classes, who are exempt from both, and this
favour we have a right to attribute to motives which
point them out as the political supporters of the
Radical party, which, in spite of contrary profes-
sions, essentially constitute the present Government.

WHO ARE THE CONSERVATIVES?
WE asked this question last week, and the first
division which took place on the Budget has in no
way served to elucidate the mystery, After the
arduous struggle which took plate at the last
General Election, the triumph of Conservative
principles was alone rendered nugatory through the
treachery of the PEELITE section, who belied all
their professions, and abandoned their principles,
in order to gratify their personal spleen. Even
then, with all the advantages of a coalition, it was
delay rather than defeat, until the recent division
afforded the lamentable evidence that the treachery
was contagious, and that to a far greater extent
than the most desponding had dared to anticipate.
Whatever may be the merits of Mr. GLADSTONE'S
Budget, as an exercise of financial ingenuity, it was
manifestly an emanation from an anti-Conservative
Cabinet ; it was brought out under the auspices of

the avowed Liberals, supported by the various sec-
tions of Radical politicians ; and as a compromise
of principles; 'to speak the best of it, was opposed
to true Conservative policy. When, therefore, it
was known that the proposal to extend the Income-
tax to Ireland would secure the opposition of a
portion of the Irish members, the Conservatives
had but 'to remain true to themselves, and the
defeat of the Coalition Ministry was certain. But
so far from this result having been arrived at, the
Ministry obtained a majority of -not less than
seventy-one ; and an analysis of the division has
shown that this unexpected triumph was obtained
by the desertion of more than that number of pro-

fessing Conservatives, so that to their own treachery
may' be solely attributed the defeat of the Oppo-
sition, as had they remained true to -their principles
the majority would hat.'e been against Ministers.
It is well, however, that we should be able to dis-
tinguish our friends from our foes, and we subjoin
the list of those, who, baying 'been returned to
'Parliament by Conservative electors, make use of
'their power to walk over into the enemy's camp.
'The following are their names, to the number of
ceventy-four :

The Right Hon. K. Goulburn. 'Sir F. Lewis, J. S.
*Wortley •, Earl Jermyn,"Viseount Monk (who is an Irish
Peer) ; Lords Norreys, R. Clinton,'W. Powlett, Emlyn,
and C. Wellesley 1 • the 'Hon. F. Baring, H. Fitzroy, Col.
'Lindsay, and M. L. Mostvn • Sirs T. D. Acland, J. B.
East, J. W. Hogg, R. 'H.'lnglis,"J.:Johnstone, S. Owen,
R. Peel, R. Lopes, antYR. Price ; Admiral Gordon ; Cols.
Harcourt, Mure. Peel, und'Pennant ; Captain Gladstone,
and Messrs. A'Court., H. B. Baring, 'Beckett, Benbow,
Bramston, E. Dering, Christy, Cocks. Cubitt, E. 8.,
Dennison, H. Drummond, W. T. 'Egerton, E. C.,
Egerton, W. J. Evelyn,'Greenall, T. Greene, G. G. Har-
court, G. H. W. Heneage, G. F. Heneage, Hudson,
I Hughes, Johnstone, Laing, G. C. Legh, A. E. Lockhart,
I Lowe, J. Macgreggor,'Masterman. R. M.. Milnes, Wilson
Patten, J. H. Phillipps, R. J. Phillimore, Pritchard, P.
Rolt, Sandars, J. G. -Smyth, Stephenson, Stirling. H.
Stuart. G. E. Vernon(Walter, F. R. West, H. W. Wick-
' ham, W. Wyndham, and B. T. Wood.

miralty, had a certain amount of influence in the
appointments to vacancies in the dockyards, and
this he executed without always taking the recom-
mendation of the Surveyor of the Navy and the
respective superintendents. This independence of
action, in the exercise of what he believed to be a
privilege belonging to his office, constitutes the
gravamen of the charge, as it was alleged that Mr.
STAFFORD was solely influenced by political mo-
tives. Admitting such to be the case, it amounts
to a very slight offence that a Conservative Minister
should bestow his patronage on those who enter-
tained the same opinions with himself, in preference
to those who were opposed to him ; but when it is
remembered that the men whose recommendations
he is accused of slighting had been themselves
appointed by a previous ministry of opposite opi-
nions, it would have been more a matter of surprise
had Mr. STAFFORD played into the enemy's hand
by endorsing their proceedings. It is, after all, a
mare's nest which these political purists have dis-
covered, and only proves the unscrupulous means
by which Liberalism seeks to maintain its ascen-
dancy.

THE BIRKENHEAD DOCK QUESTION.
WHATEVER may be the advantage of transferring
the Birkenhead Docks to the Liverpool Dock
Trust—and it is manifest that it would be great to
both interests—the terms which have been pro-
posed as the basis of the negotiation seem to evince
a determination to render any arrangement all but
impossible. The representatives of the Birkenhead
proprietors have not only demanded a return of all
the capital which they have embarked, including
the large portion unprofitably expended, but also
arrears of interest, making a total of more than
two millions; and for this they modestly propose
to accept bonds of the Liverpool Dock Trustees, to
bear interest at the rate of three per cent. for
twenty-five years. If nothing less than twenty
shillings in the pound will satisfy men who other-
wise could not obtain three shillings in the pound
for their property, we would suggest to them
a modification of their demand, which might
assist them in the realisation of it. They should
ascertain the actual cost of the property which
they have to convey, not including the expendi-
ture for which they have nothing to show,
nor any arrears of interest, and, at the same time,
not confining the estimate to the present actual
value, as would be returned by competent surveyors.
Having agreed as to this amount, which would be
considerably below their present Maim, though much
beyond that which they would obtain if the property
was to be disposed of to the highest bidder, they
should make an offer to the Liverpool Dock Trustees
to accept bonds bearing interest at one per cent. for
the first five years, and increasing one per cent.
each-succeeding five years, until it reaches four per
cent., and they may have a chance of their proposal
being listened to, and make a better bargain for
themselves than they will have the remotest possi-
bility of making under any other circumstances.
We are firmly of opinion that it into the advantage
of Liverpool to accept a transfer of the 'Birkenhead
'Docks even at some -sacrifice ; but the terms at
present proposed are'so manifestly absurd, that the
offer betokens a foregone conclusion on 'the part of
the 'Birkenhead Dock Proprietors that either the
'Liverpool Dock Trustees are insane enough to
accept such extravagant terms, or the former are
•in a state of similar obliviousness to their own

interests.

CHARGES AGAINST THE HEAD
:CONSTABLE.

`WHILE the efficiency of the Police-force depends much
on the position which it occupies in public•opinion, there
seems to be a disposition in certain quarters to throw its
wuthority into contempt, by charges of -the most con-
temptible character, which could only have been dictated
by a mania for manufacturing grievances. At the meet,
irag of the Town (Council, on Wednesday, a member,
-whose propensity to grumble is too notorious for his com-
plaints to have the slightest weight, made a rambling
charge against Captain GREIG, the Head:Constable, and
a-'Saturday contemporary has endorsed the-charge. The
simplest answer to the accusation is, that:it is not true.
`lf the policeman-had any complaint to make, he should
have reported it to the proper authorities; but without
doing so, or even confining his information to any mem.
her ,of the Watch Committee, he appealed to the
gri evance.mongers', Attorney. General, Mr. 'BIGHAM, a
selectio❑ which we can only attribute to the latter having
resigned his place on the committee to beeeme a candi-
date for the office of Head Constable, and being defeated,
has since endeavoured to appease his mortification by
ingenious discoveries against his more successful competi-
tor, Captain GREIG. Another charge was that Captain
GREIG had refused to give the man a good character,
and had prevented hie obtaining another situation, by
simply writing on his discharge the two complaints which
stood on-the books against him, unqualified by any reference
to his good conduct in other respects. This charge is but a
colourable adherence to the truth, as Captain eGsuto
wrote on his discharge the length of time he had • been in
the force, and that the complaints alluded to were the only
ones that stood in the books against him. Another of
Mr. Broltsees grievances-was, that the man was so per-
secuted forthe information he had given. thatle was-com-
pelled to leave theforcea fortnight before the expiration of
his notice. This is simply untrue, as the man remained till
the last day. Another charge against Captain GREIG42,
that the men are dispirited and disgusted by frequent and
;fatiguing drills, the only ground for such 'an accusation
,•being, that the men are drilled for half an hour twice
each week, their exercise comprising the simplest move-
ments. Considering the source .of these complaints, we
should have deemed them unworthy of notice; but,
uncentradicted, they might tend to throw discredit on
a body of men, the hest proof of whose efficient manage-
ment is shown in the diminution of crime, and the
generally peaceful state of the town.

NEWSPAPERS SUPPLEMENTS & ADVER-
TISEMENT DUTY.

NVE extract from the Slapping ,Gazette the following
judicious-remarks on the proposal of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, -to repeal the stamp duty on Newspaper Sup-
plements containing only advertisements. It is to be
hoped that every member of the House of. Commons, not
under obligations to the Government, nor under fear of
The TLazes, will attend, and vote against this proposition,
so that the English Press, as well as the Government,
may be spared the degradation of such a manifest cause
for lecent unscrupulous advocacy. Our contemporary

says :

with the view, as alleged
" There is much being said about that part of the
budget of the Chancellor of the Exchequer which proposes
to
as
di.
emr pt
sd
enn ye I
tns newspaper
only, supplements which
by Mr. Gladstone, of affording newspapers the means, f
niay repealcon tatihne
increasing their advertisements on the reduction of the
duty thereon. The whole case lies in a nutshell. If Nu
Cladstone will repeal the law which limits the size of .news-
papers to a certain
number of superficial inches, he will
do that which he professes to do, and give a fair field to all
papers to enlarge as they may require increased space. As
to the placing advertisements In supplements of news-
papers, we are only surprised that the public can be so
misled as to the advantage of such a questionable mode of
publicity, We believe we are within the mark when we
say that ninety-nine in every hundred who read The
Times newspaper never open the supplement. They are
frequently not delivered to the purchasers travelling in
railway carriages. We have been informed that the news-
venders at the several railway stations dispose of the un-
opened advertising sheet by the hundred weight, to the
purchasers of waste paper. Rep( al the silly superficial
inch ' law, and the advertisements can
always appear—
as they should do, to be of any service—on the same sheet
with the news, for which the paper is purchased."
Our Representatives must also adhere to the resolution
for repealing THE WHOLE OF THE ADVERTISEMENT
DUTY : a measure which will interfere very little with
Mr. GLADSTONE'S calculations, as the sixpence was only
retained in order to enable him to pay the boon to the
leading journal. By retaining, however, the stamp, and
abolishing the whole advertisement duty, justice will be
done to both parties, and the revenue secured from loss.

aoenoe to liberate
loured man,
THE CONDEMNED CONVICTS, Terrell and Williams'
now lying at Kirkdale Gaol, are to be transported for life.
As EFFORT is being made by some benevolent parties
weeksin
ffi
of
Lmi v es
lrapvoeorlyt
tohrea iws
fae sour
cc theanrtl
es
sutHn
m ago by the
who was brought to Liverpool three
ship Parliament, from Boston. Mrs. Hill, it is alleged,
is held in bondage by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Presbyterian
minister, of Baltimore.

THE GOVERNMENT ADVERTISEMENTS.

WHEN the Earl of ABERDEEN published his political
manifesto, which was to reconcile the apparent inconsis-
tencies of a respectable Minister fraternising with Whigs,
Radicals, and Romanists, he declared his coalition with'
Lord J. RUSSELL to be based upon the conviction that
the latter was a Conservative ; and he stated, moreover,
that his policy would be that of Liberal Conservatism.
One of the proofs or his sincerity would have been an
impartial patronage of the newspaper press with reference
to the Government advertisements. But what do we see ?
Since this professing Liberal Conservative, with his Con.
servative Liberal allies, have been in office, the Govern-
ment patronage has been ALTOGETHER WITHDRAWN
FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PAPERS throughout the
country, and confined to the channels in which it flowed
when Liberalism and Radicalism was the avowed policy
of the Cabinet. As far as it affects ourselves, we care
little for this one sided liberality ; but we have alluded to
the circumstance as an illustration of the fact that Lord
ABERDEEN'S professions of Conservatism are as baseless
as Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S patriotism.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE REV.

DR. M`NEILE AND MR. JOHN MAC-
DONALD.

• £7, Comberraere-street, Toxteth•park,
Liverpool, 4th May, 1853
TO THE REVEREND HUGH M'NEILE, D.D.

REVEREND Sin,—Your extraordinary zeal in religious con-
troversy renders any apology unnecessary for troubling you
with this letter.
A number of Catholic laymen, duly appreciating your desire
of enlightening their benighted intellects, have unanimously
resolved on presenting you with the long,-desiderated oppor-
tunity. Arrangements have been made for "two great
meetings" to be held in the "Tabernacle," Bispham street, at
each of which meetings you are hereby most respectfully in-
vited to preside. A chair will be expressly provided for you,
and every precaution adopted to show due deference to your
calling and position. Half of the platform will be allotted to
the use of as many of your godly brethren as may choose to
accompany you, and a fair proportion of time allowed them for
speaking.
At the first meeting, which will be held on the evening of
Tuesday, May 10, at half-past seven, you will be called upon
to prove " Who sent you to preach the gospel 7 and your
authority for styling yourself a Catholic Priest."
At the second meeting, which will be held on the Tuesday
following, at the same hour, you will be required to disprove
(or defend) certain "abuses, errors, and corruptions of the
Church of England."
Your opponents will be laymen, the writer amongst the
number ; but he feels assured you will not object to discuss
with him on that account, but show yourself a practical be-
liever of the gospel precept, "ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in
you." He is convinced " that a man professing to be a teacher
of the religioa of Christ, will not avow himself so utterly
destitute of the mind of Christ as to be unconcerned about
any one." He believes "that a professed Priest of the
Catholic Church will not be so dead to the high obligations
of his boasted mission as to tell a man whom he con-
siders an idolater' that he is not of such importance as
to deserve his attention." "Affected dignity has been
long the convenient plea of impotence, but neither its
loftiness nor its trappings can any longer conceal its weak-
ness." He confidently trusts that you will not treat his com-
munication with "affected contempt," but answer him in the
true spirit of "brotherly kindness and sincere concern,"
thereby proving that your zeal is "according to knowledge,"
and not the false fire of an "interested hypocrisy."
The " servant of the Lord is gentle unto all men ; in meek-
ness instructing those Mat oppose themselves," and always
" ready to preach the Word instant in season and out of
season." "God is no respecter of persons," and it would ill
become his professed minister to given contrary example. No
man should be turned aside from the performance of en
obvious duty by the sinful promptings of pride, or the weak
vanity of respecting merely conventional distinctions. " All
men are equal in the sight of God."
Hoping that you will prove yourself on this occasion the true
disciple of Him " who will have all men to be saved, and come
to a knowledge of the truth," I am, Rev. Sir, your obedient
JOHN MACDONALD.

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTIO:'
MENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLASS.

SOIREE LAST NIGLIT.

Last night the annual soiree of the members of this
institution was held in St. Andrew's school-room, Slater-
street. Mr. Mitchell. chairman of the class, presided, and
there were about 200 persons present, a considerable
portion of them being ladies. The proceedings of the
evening were agreeably diversified. A party of glee
singers was present, and Miss Ashworth sung several
popular airs with much taste. Mr. Stott presided at the
pianoforte. Tea being over,
The CHAIRMAN addressed the company in an appro-
priate and eloquent speech. It had never, he said, fallen
to his lot to address any meeting where there was such a
display of all that was charming, inspiring, beautiful, and
pleasing, as was to be found there. (Cheers.) There
was one feeling, which, as chairman, he could lay claim
to, and that was an earnest and sincere desire to see the
intellectual and moral elevation of the members of the
Church of England Institution Mental Improvement
Class. (Hear.) The idea and the aim which originated
the class was the mental improvement of its members,
an idea as inspiring as the aim was worthy. (Loud
cheers.) Considering, then, the object at which its
members aimed, it ought to commend itself to the
approval of all. It was enough to gladden the heart
of any one who felt linked to his kind by the
common sympathies of humanity, that institutions
and classes such as this had been established for diffusing
knowledge and multiplying the channels in which its
streams might spread abroad their fertilising influence,
and cover the waste places that lay bleak and desolate
with the verdure, the flowers, and the fruits of cultivated
intellect. (Laud cheers.) After dwelling in eloquent
terms on the acquisition of knowledge, he urged upon the
members of the class to address themselves still more
energetically to self-improvement. Knowledge was essen-
tial to their advancement, yea, to the maintenance of
their present position. The strife of our country was
an intellectual strife—a strife of principles—an appeal
to reason—a reliance oo the results of the closest
thought. The brain did more than the band. The slim
youth of quick intellect could outstrip the robust and
untutored of his own age. (Much cheering.) The pre-
cise object of the class was the mental and moral elevation
of young men, and the prosperity and usefulness of the
Church of England Institution mainly depended upon
themselves. (Hear, hear.) The chairman concluded his
interesting observations by saying—" Let our motto be,
prosperity to the Mental Improvement Class of the Church
of England Institution. Devotion to our Church—attach-
ment to the doctrines and principles of the glorious
Reformation—friendship to each other, and to all men—
love to our country, and loyalty to our country's Sovereign."
(Loud cheers.)
Glee—" Here in Cool Grot," by Miss Ashworth, Mr.
Stott, and others. Song—" Friend of the brave," by
Mr. Jonathan.
The following report was then read by Mr. P. L.
Stubbs, the secretary :
" In presenting the third annual report of the Church of
England Institution Mental Improvement Class, I am
happy in being able to congratulate our members and
friends on the happy results of the past session.
" The unity, good spirit, and energy that has accom-
panied us amply compensates for the paucity of members,
our numbers being only twenty-six.
" Of individual progress you must be the judges, but
certain it is that similar classes have done much for our
country, by fostering great talents which otherwise might
have slept in obscurity ; we therefore confidently believe
we are engaged in a good work, and aspire to attain an
honoured position in our town.
" The lectures delivered last year in connexion with
the class, have this session been entirely under the ma-
nagement of the committee of the institution ; it would,
therefore, be out of my province to say more about them,
though they have afforded much instruction to the class.
I must also state that the essays have been likewise dis-
' continued ; but I am glad to see there are promising
hopes of a revival.
" Our implements to attain mental improvement have,
therefore, been confined to conversation and debate. In
these forms we have embraced most important subjects, in
history, politics, and economy of nations. We have consi-
dered the poor in Ireland and the juvenile delinquents at
home. We haveexaminedJesuitism in England, conned the
movements in parliament, and pulled wry faces at France.
' We have upheld our State Church, and stronely set forth the
beauties of our Liturgy, and, like dutiful children, we have

not forgotten our parent society, but have prognosticated a
glorious success to the Church of England Institution.
It is with such occupation that we hope not only to im-
prove the mind, but to instruct the genius and refine the
taste ; and by disclosing the beauties of an innocent life
we teach each other true satisfaction, and -breed a disgust
for the more violent pleasures. It is therefore with com-
plete confidence that we appeal to the ladies tot support,
for by thus contributing to thelapprness of our fellow-
men, we render the heart more susceptible of emotion,
and we fit the mind for a clearer conception of the wise,
the good, and the great. And with this gloricius prospect
before us, I boldly say to the young men of, our town,
Come 'and join us. Though you nay not, by nature, be
endowed with the eloquence of some.
Yet much depends; as-in the tiller's toil,
On culture, and the sowing of the soil.'
And there is an old English proverb which promises you
success— _ _

As the old cock crows the young cock learns.' "

Mr. GARDINER, one of the members of the class, then
delivered an interesting address on " The influence of
music ;" and was followed by
Mr. PICKERING, another member, who addressed the
company in a strain of lofty and fervid eloquence, his
subject being " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The speaker
pointed out, in forcible and graphic terms, the moral and
religious influence which " Uncle Tom's Cabin" must
have upon every civilised community; and concluded
his observations amidst the warmest demonstrations of
applause.

Song—" Oh ! charming May," Miss Ashworth.'
Addresses were next delivered on the following sub.
jects :—" The Young Men of England," "Education,"
and " The British Constitution," by different members
of the class; and the proceedings were brought to a close
by the singing of the National Anthem, the company
joining in the chorus.
The refreshments, which were supplied by Mr. Mill-
bourne, confectioner, gave every satisfaction, more espe-
cially to the ladies, who must be regarded supreme judges
in such matters.