The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-10-31 00:00:00

ng the matter at issue between

,d Mr. Ewbink—it belongs not to me to enter

this question further than by stating some facts that
rto have not been laid before the public ; but which,

case. 0 n

Nl`Neile's rising to address the meeting,
,ked to see the resolutions. I handed him

programme of the proceedings, prepared for the gui-
re of the chairman, On his returning it, he, for the

unless called upon to support a resolution. He took no
exception against any of the resolutions, and I assured
him that the report had been drawn up so as not to offend
his peculiarities ; observing also, that when the chairman
sat down I would communicate with him as to the expe-
diency of his (Mr. Ewbank's) addressing the meeting,

chairman's non-compliance, not to persevere in a course
which must only disturb the proceedings, and defeat the
objects of the meeting. 'When Dr. M'Neile sat down, I was
immediately called on to read the report ; but another
clergyman, who had heard what passed betweenMr.Ewbank

and me, informed Dr. M'Neile of it. He consulted one or
two of those around him, who concurred with him as
to the inexpediency of allowing Mr. Ewbank to speak.
This, his intention, Dr. M`Neile communicated to Mr. Ew-
bank privately, while I was yet reading the report, but
without any effect. When I found how matters were I
renewed my suit with Mr. Ewbank, entreating of him in
the most urgent terms not to persevere, aed notwithstand-
ing anything that may have since occurred, I cherish a
very seOtised remembrance of the tone and terms to my-
self, in which he communicated his unaltered determina-
tion. I wrote to him afterwards, across the platform, as
did also another clergyman; more than one remonstrated
with him on the course he was about to pursue, in defi-
ance of the expressed wish of the chairman. I maintain,
that it was impossible that any member of committee
could have been treated, with more deferential remon-
strance, with more 'affectionate, I had almost said submis-
sive, entreaty, than was Mr. Ewbank, during the whole
time occupied by the mover and seconder of the first re-
solution. He had no objection to make either against the
report, or the resolutions, but merely wished to open up a
subject there again, that had patiently been considered
before. The rest is too well known already.
I submit that all this is necessary to the forming a right
judgment upon the real merits of the entire case. In Mr.
Ewbank's statement, there is not the slightest hint of any
thing of this kind. Compare this with Mr. Ewbank's
brief version of the entire :—" The Secretary told me he
would consult the chairman. The chairman's reply was
that if I attempted to speak he would put me down."
A word more on a very unimportant subject, I mean my-
self. Three individuals of higher ecclesiastical and civil
rank than Dr. MiNeile, had been requested to preside at
our meeting; failing these, he undertook, at our request,
the post of, as it has turned out, unenviable distinction.
As the person who asked him to take the chair, it did not
appear to me that I was out of my place in offering to him
the thanks of the meeting for having done so. And con-
sidering the entire of the proceedings up to the happy
close of the meeting, I did think the terms "firm for-
bearance" not inapplicable to the course he pursued
throughout it. For this I have been dragged from the
obscurity of my work and position, and held up, along
with the rest of the " Irish Clergy," in papers other than
the MAIL, in terms that Ido not care to repeat. But
there is one charge, that of engendering strife, &c., &c.,
by which I admit I was weak enough to be pained, and
was stung with the bitterness of its injustice. I have
always sought for peace, and, with Divine blessing, mean
to ensure it. Never was there an opportunity afforded me
of manifesting my desire for the things that make for
peace more fully than on the sad evening of the 16th.
Many of my clerical brethren are fully aware how ear-
nestly I sought to promote it, but none so fully as Mr.
Ewbank himself.
Whatever may be the results ultimately of this unhappy
occurrence,—whether they be as sad and as serious as our
enemies would desire, or as transient and as salutary as
the overruling mercy of our Gracious God may be pleased
to render them, the whole truth is necessary to the forma-
tion of a sound judgment on the rights of any question.
The Truth and the Right will always be found on the same
side, and, whatever may befal individuals, we are per-
suaded that they must ultimately prevail. I have the
honour to remain, sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS NOLAN.
Hope-street, October 27, 1848.

FALLACIES OF THE FINANCIAL REFORM
ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

Sir,—The self-constituted body, which denominates
itself the " Liverpool Financial Reform Association," ap-
pears to have got hold of a mare's nest, in supposing that
any possible good could he derived from the costs of col-
lection of the several branches of the revenue being de-
ducted from the gross receipt on its way to the Exchequer,
for what can be more rational and conformable te every

day practice in mercantile life for the party remitting to
deduct his commission or any other offset before he remits
the balance ; and it would be curious enough if any tenant
farmer, or any other party similarly circumstanced, was
not allowed to deduct the amount of income tax, land
tax, or other outgoing devolving on the landlord, but be
obliged to remit the whole rent from a distance, and the
recipient have the trouble of preserving a fresh draft to
send a part of it back again.
So it would be with the revenue collectors, in case Dr.
Bowring's idea was adopted. They would have to send
up all their receipts, and, after considerable delay from
the operose course of office, would have part sent back
again from London to pay expenses ; and all this tortuous
course is take place on the rather absurd ground that it
would tend to a better cheque of expenditure, when it
must be obvious that the superior powers can fix and con-
trol the amount to be paid to each individual, for salary,
just as well without such a roundabout process.
It is also very remarkable, that the association alluded
to will not allow the amount of the probate and legacy
duty to be considered as applicable to property, for, in
the name of common sense, to what else can it attach?
And, in setting down the whole of the import duties oh
wine, tea, sugar, coffee, &c. being paid by the industrious
classes, surely the association is assuming too much, as it
is well known that the opulent classes, and their children,
dependants, and domestics are very great consumers of
such articles, and the duties on them should be appor-
tioned accordingly.

Any body of persons that suggests any rational means
of reducing our expenditure are entitled to the gratitude
of the community, but all unsound reasoning and erro-
neous representations should be avoided.—l am yours, &c.
ALIQUIS.