The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-02-17 00:00:00

POLITICA L

MEMORANDA

Mr. Hume, it is likely, will claim the credit of Sir
Robert Peel's " comprehensive measure." In a letter
written by him to his constituents, he says. " I recom-
mend that 1000 of the entries in the British Tariff should
be abolished out of 1150, and these articles admitted. Sir
Robert himself, in 1841, abused me in the House as an
Utopian and visionary, to think of, or to recommend such
a dem sweep of the tariff as 1 had Cone; but he was not
one year in office before he adopted every one of my prin-
ciples, and now I have grounds for expecting something
large."
RICHARD OASTLER AND THE TEN HOURS' BILL.—
Men sometimes cannot comprehend the great impOrtance
of a subject in which, at first sight, individual importance
can only appear. Despite this difficulty, however, we
contend that no subject of greater importance can possibly
present itself to our mind at the present moment than that
f FORCING Richard Oastler into the House of Commons,
whether lie will or no. If not the inventor, he is the re-
novator, the improver, and the engineer of the short-time
machinery ; and he is the man, above all others, to enforce
the weight of the pressure from without, to strengthen the
opinions within upon the subject. Moreover, we wish the
question of labour to be forced in all its phases upon the
consideration of the house, pending the debate upon the
ministerial policy. He has a way peculiar to himself, and,
at the same time, not distasteful to the most critical, of
plumping out truths and strong facts. There is an ear.
nestness, a sincerity, a vigour, an irresistible courage
about the Old King, which sets feeble opposition at defi-
ance, and laughs prejudice cut of countenance. Shall we,
then, without a general election, put our every shoulder
to the wheel, and give to the ten hours' cause a comman-
der that can neither be corrupted, bribed, or intimidated ?
By all that is just, we would suffer any amount of priva-
tion to hear the lion of labour roaring amongst the wolves.
And we further assert, that full and unrestricted free trade
in everything, with the unrestricted use of machinery,
would be the greatest curse that could befall this country,
as the inevitable result would be an active and destroying
competition in slave labour, to maintain our manufactur-
ing pre-eminence abroad ; and no man in England can so
effectually bring this question before the House and the
country, as Richard Oastler, the KING OF THE FACTORY
CHILD !

Lord Ashley is not to be called to the upper house.
The Marquis of Chqndas was returned for Bucking-
ham on Wednesday without opposition.
The Glasgow Town Council have passed a resolution
approving of the Government commercial scheme.
Lord Canning, late Uuder Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
will succeed Lord Lincoln as Chief Commissioner of Laud
Revenues.

On Friday, a petition Was presented against the return
of Captain Lindsay for Wigan, on the alleged ground of
bribery.

EAIiT SUFFOLK.-Mr. E. S. Gooch has come forward
as a strong protectionist, for East Suffolk, vacant by
Lord Henniker's resignation. There is no likelihood of
a contest.

Earl Fitzkardinge is opposed to the free-trade measures
of ministers, and is a friend to protection. It is strongly
rumoured that both the Hon. Grantley Berkeley and the
Hon. Craven Berkeley entertain similar opinions.
The Corporation of London have passed a resolution
approving highly of the government commercial scheme,
but they express their regret that the repeal of the corn-
law is not immediate.

HUNTINGDON.-Mr. Jonathan Peel, one of the repre-
sentatives, has addressed his constituents, stating his
conversion to the free trade scheme of the government,
but offering to resign his seat if the course he proposes to
adopt should not meet tneir approbation
The Right Honourable Wm. E. Gladstone is spoken
of as the ministerial candidate for North Notting.
hamshire, vacant by the death of Mr. Gaily Knight, and
Lord Henry Bentinck, third son of the Duke of Portland,
it is confidently stated, will be the protectionist candidate.
Mr. Cob.-len is at present confined to his residence,
Connaught-place, London, from severe indisposition, the
result of exposure to cold while proceeding to tow.n. He
has not been in the House of Commons for more than a
week, and it is very doubtful whether he will be able to
take a part in the discussion on the proposed repeal of
the duties on corn.

Mr. Bowes, M.P. for south Durham, has written to
his constituents to say that he is " unconvinced of the
great benefit which the promoters of the government
commercial reform anticipate from it to the country at
large ;" but he will support it rather than "force the
government of the country into inexperienced and ineffi-
cient hands." Mr. Bowes is a Radical, but has always
opposed any tampering with the corn laws.
On , Friday a meeting of the electors of North Cheshire
was held at. Knntsford, when Mr. G. C. Leigh stated
that he did not think the c )rn law could now be supported,

MINISTERIAL REASONS FOR CONVERSION
TO FREE TRADE IN CORN.

MR. SYDNEY HERBERT-MONDAY

DEBATE

`• Like many others he had a great change of opinion to
announce with regard to this measure (hear, hear, and a
laugh). He did not stand on consistency AQ tn .11.11 pr

and that consequently he should vote for Sir It. Ptel.
A resolution was passed by the meeting, that " though
they could not agree with his opinions, they would leave

matters, and he frankly avowed that he thought the law
of 1842 had failed (loud cheers from the opposition
benches.) He repeated he admitted frankly that the law
of 1842, the first time it was tested by adverse circum-
stances, failed—failed it might be by a combination of
circumstances which they had not foreseen in estimating
the ordinary alterations of the harvests, but not the less
signally failed (hear). * * * Reflecting then on the
circumstances which had occurred previous to the break-
-1g up of the adm;

. _
it to him to pursue the course he deemed right at the pre-
sent crisis."

The Newcastle Journal contains an extract from a let-
ter written by the Duke of Northumberland, in which his
Grace says that " he seriously expects that much land will
be thrown out of wheat cultivation by Sir Robert Peel's
premature measures." The Duke adds, "since, how-

ever, there is no alternative, I must make up my mind to
unite with my tenants in meeting any alteration which
may occur, lest by a change of ministry the country
should rua the risk of more destructive arrangements."

_......istration of his right honourable
friend, seeing that the law of 1842 had faikd in its purpose
—that food was deficient in quantity and inferior in qua-
lity—that the disease which was doing so much injury
here was not peculiar to our own country, but was com-
mon to the whole of Europe—perceiving, tl.t in

CHICHESTER.—The election of a member of parliacnent

took place on-Tuesday. The candidate was Lord Henry
Lennox, but a show of opposition was raised by the no-
mination of an emissary of the League, a Mr. Falvey,
whn hurl the. chum of linnrle in hic furniir A viral wan

Lanai, 111 VAJUZie.•
quence of the deficiency, nearly all other countries had
opened their ports—that those countries from whom we
usually obtained corn, Northern Russia, Turkey, and
Egypt, had closed their ports against exportation, and
'Lleius- -

however, demanded on behalf of Lord Henry, and Mr
Falvey immediately resigned. His lordship was there

_ and other countries had opened
their ports—finding that our usual sources of supply had
been checked, and that other countries, which often sup-

the county of Dorset, informing them that having learned
that very large contributions have been advanced towards
the support of other candidates, he is not ashamed to avow
that it will be impossible for him to sustain the expense of
such a contest ; and therefore he relieves his opponents

all things into c
her Majesti '

ideration, he did agree with others of
4 government in thinking that the time had
,me steps should be
likely the

come when it was necessary that s
taken to relieve the difficulty in wh

country would ere

from the necessity of incurring any,pecuniary responsil
lities by announcing that, although he will be present
the nomination, he will not demand a poll.

. ,
After entering'into some statistical details as to the prices
and probable quantity of corn in foreign countries, which
could be made available for our supply, which, he con-
_l

his seat for Lynn. He cffered to do so if his support o
the government was not approved of ; and at a smal
meeting of his constituents his offer was accepted. Since

lemma, were such as to ensure a high price in this coun-
try for three years to come, the hon. gentleman pro-
ceeded:—" He saw, too, a great change in public opinion
(hear, hear). He saw, also, a very great change of opi-

yes (hear,

consequently addressed another letter to his constituents

hear). He found amongst the tenant farmers a very
great inclination to say, as they had said to him fre-
quently in strong language " this is a landlord's question "
(hear). These opinions are prevalent among the tenants
of large plots of land in his county—men of intelligence,
capacity, and experience ; and, with these opinions, it was

expressing his determination

8 above given

ULTERIOR MEASURES.—It should not be forgotten
that Mr. Adderley, M.P. for Staffordshire, at the last
meeting in that county,
_said, "he knew it to be a fact,

mons the other night, he was asked by a gentleman what
he thought of the state of things ? to which he replied, I
must be a fool, now, if I do not carry my own repeal ;'
and Dr. Bowring, who was near him, said, ' And within
five years we will have the bishops out of the House of
Lords.' "

•
the soundness of which was thus questioned by those
who were said to be most interested in it. They said it
brought great odium and little profit; that it led to very
great doubts, that it depended upon parliamentary majo-
rities, and upon different administrations ; and that they
would prefer to trust to their own capital, skill, and in-
dustry. They would then have nothing to complain of;
but at present they were in a perpetual s
tainty. As to the labourers, be aske

WESTMINSTER.—The Hon. Capt. Rolls, by whose ac-
ceptance of a lordship of the admiralty a vacancy has oc-

of uncer-

very one con-

_
who sat for Westminster for several years after the passing nected with the agricultural counties, whether they were
of the Reform Act, on Rai ical principles. At a recent in a proper condition ? * * * "He lided in a part of
meeting of the Westminster Reform Society, a resolution Wiltshire where the evil of low wages and small employ-
was carried that General Evans should be requested to ment was rife, in the midst of a population which sub
ler himself. The general, who was in waiting, was then sisted, he scarcely knew how. And ft.:-

called in, and he fo-rmally.accepted the invitation. He
said that if returned, and the League and the Whigs de-
cided upon supporting Sir Robert Peel's propositions, he
should go with them ; but if the League insisted upon an
immediate and total repeal, he should act with it. _

, -- • was a question
which had disturbed more men's minds than his who
lived in that county (hear). Honourable gentlemen had
been at great pains to investigate this subject ; but say
what they would he defied them to say with truth that
their condition could be worse (hear).

CONSISTENCY OF " THE TIMES." The London
Times is now strenuously contending for a free trade in
corn, out of alleged sympathy for the poor. On the 4th
December, 1813, our contemporary said—" If we thought
that a perfectly free admission of foreign wheat into our
ports could give food to the hungry and the famished that
crowd our streets, we would willingly accede to any pro-
posal made in favour of such admission. But we know
that there are other causes in operation—that wheat
might be imported without paying a farthing duty—that
bread might be sold at one penny a loaf, and yet that they
who starve now would starve then just as much—that in-
dividual suffering would not be stayed, but the revenue of
the country would be diminished."

Slit JAMES GRAHAM-TUESDAY'S DEBATE

"The question has been asked, " Have you any reason
since 1842 for changing your opinion ?" I say that since
1842 those who were charged with the administration of
affairs, and who had watched the various circumstances
which have occurred, have had experience, not to be mis-
taken, leading to conclusive consequences. We had, first
of all, the painful and lamentable experience of 1842 itself.
a year of the greatest distress, and since it has passed, I
may say, of the utmost danger. (Hear, hear.) Wbat were
the circumstances of 1842? Allow me just to glance at
them. We had in this metropolis, at midnight, Chartist
meetings, assembled in Lincoln's-inn-fields. Almost for
nearly three weeks there were assembled in all the envi-
rons of this metropolis immense masses of people, greatly
discontented, and acting in a spirit dangerous to the pub-
lic peace. What was the condition of Lancashire, the seat
of our great staple manufacture, depending for its prosper-
ity on uninterrupted tranquillity and labour? Such was
the madness of the people on that occasion, that a great
combination existe4 to stop machinery, and to put an end
to the source of the labour, on which they depended for
subisstnence."

THE HOP AND SEED IMPORT DUTY.—The Govern-
ment free bade scheme threatens to inflict a severe blow
on the hop districts. It is proposed to reduce the exist-
ing protective duty of £.l 10s. to £2 55., and if from this
be deducted the excise duty paid by the grower, which may
be estimated at very nearly £1 sterling,—a protection of
only five and twenty shillings remains to enable the Eng-
lish hop-grower to compete with the fresh and peculiarly
well-adapted• hop soils of Flanders and Ameriba. There
is a complete stagnation in the hop and seed trade at this
time on account of these proposed alterations. Sir Robert,
however, has stated publicly in the house that as regards
seeds the reduction will not take place ytil June, which
will enable the seller to get rid of his present stock for the
spring sowing, before the price can be materially affected.

The Home Secretary, goes on to contend that with low
prices and abundance, this spirit of insubordination has
entirely passed away, and advances statistical facts from
the Home-office proving his position. With the recent
rise in the price of provisions, however, he sees its ap-,
proaching return ; and this is one of his reasons for advo-
cating a settlement of the Corn-law question and the
abandonment of the sliding scale principle, which he con-
).- I tends has totally failed, both as to its expected operation

THE TIMES AGAIN.—in 1841 the London Times e;-
tilted, in no measured terms, in Lord Morpeth's defeat;
in 1846, the same journal is equally elated at the noble

adopted the opinion's which ware then advocated in the
columns of the Times? Lord Morpeth has even advanced
in the cause of repeal : consequently the change is in the
Times. It has, in short, copied the example of Sir R.
Peel, but with this difference, that, while the Premier
was honest enough to make a public confession of his
change, the Times has the audacity to speak as though
its present opinions were those which it had always advo-
cated. It is a favourite practice with this journal to
refresh the memories of members of Parliament by ex-
tracts from Hansard ; but its own columns exhibit charges
of inconsistency against itself which were never equalled
since the invention of newspapers.
Sourn NOTTINGHANISHIRE.—There is every appear-
ance of a most desperate struggle for the representation
of this division; Lord Lincoln's re-election being opposed
by T. B. T. Hildyard, Esq., of Flintham, a staunch pro-
tectionist. The Earl of Lincoln's return will be opposed
by his father, the Duke of Newcastle,.the Duke of
Portland, and the Earl crf Chesterfield; while Lord Mid-
dleton, Lord Howe, Lord Rancliffe, Sir Rdbert Brom-
ley, &c. have given him decided promise of support; and,
although Earl Manvers, the Duke of Rutland. and others
have not spoken with so much favour, yet they expressly
stated that their influence shall not be exerted in any way
to prevent his lordship's re-election. Lord Lincoln and
his opponent are busily engaged in canvassing, but of
course it is impossible as yet to predict the result. The
leading free t,aders of Nottingham have formed them-
selves into a committee to promote his lordship's return.
The nomination takes place on Saturday next, and the
polling on the Tuesday and Wednesday following.
GETTING UP LhAGUE PETITIONS.—A F.:CT.—Sheets
of paper for the purpose (if being signed and attached to a
petition against the corn laws, were placed in the different
shops and factories about Ilaslingden, during the past
week. One was placed in an ironmonger's shop in the
centre of the town, and great were the endeavours to
obtain persons to sign. The sheet at the place just men-
tioned was very soon filled up, the person in whose care
it was being lucky enough to espy a batch of schoolboys
on their return from school. These little urchins were
invited to sign, and they chuckled at the idea of their
names being sent to London ; and but for the awkward
look such an array of signatures would have had, they
would, no doubt, have been permitted to sign their names
for themselves. It was thought better. however, that the
iron (or we should say petition) monger should sign fur
them. which he actually did. One person on seeing his
son's name attached to the petition, blotched it out with
ink ; whilst others who saw their son's names appended,
laughed at the idea ; and permitted them to stand as a
monument to "the purity of the League." One little
boy, not more than eight years of age, signed !
IRELAND AND THE CORN-LAWS.—On Tuesday a pub-
lic meeting of the county of Fermanagh was held at the
court-house. Enniskillen, to consider the important
changes announced by Sir Robert Peel. The meeting
was well attended, and William Archdall, Esq., high
Sheriff, was called to the chair. Amongst those present
were, the Earl of Enniskillen, Lord Henry Loftus, W.
D'Arcy, Esq, &c. The Earl of Enniskillen moved a resolu-
lution expressive of the greatest alarm at the proposed
measures, as utterly ruinous and destructive to all classes
in this country. A petition was agreed upon to both
houses of parliament, praying that "the measures might not
pass into a law ; but if they should, that, in justice to pe-
titioner s, some valuable consideration for the loss of their
property, such as relieving their lands from the burdens
of poor-rate, jury cess, police tax, and rent-charge, which
now press heavily upon them, will be entertained by your
honourable house ; and your petitioners are emboldened
thus to offer their suggestions, frcim a precedent in such
matters, viz. :—When at the time the property belonging
to West India merchants was about being interfered with
by law, to the injury of the owners, the then parliament
voted twenty millions of money to be paid out of the Con-
solidated Fund by way of compensation."

to protect the agriculturist, and to benefit the labouring
classes. He next remarks upon the changed feeling of
these classes themselves ; and concludes, whilst urging the
necessity, on every ground, of a final settlement of the
question, by an attempt to throw dust in the eyes of the
manufacturing operatives, as to the certainty of a repeal of
the Corn-laws rendering unnecessary any legislation for the
restriction of their hours of labour, and the following sop
addressed to the landlords and eulogistic of his own dis-
interestedness.

" As to the agricultural interest—the interest with
which lam myself connected—l would say, let us have
certainty with reference to the value of our land. That
certainty you will have as far as it can possibly be given
from a change in the law. But in add'tion to certainty you
will have peaceful enjoyment. You will have that peaceful
enjoyment without exciting the jealousy of your poorer
neighbour. And Ido not think that landlords will have to
make any very great sacrifices; but, entertaining the opi-
nions which I do, founded on the experience I now possess,
I say, were the sacrifice ten times greater, I for one, sooner
than it should be said of myself, or any of the class to
which I belong, that our object was to secure for ourselves
an increase of rent, and not to promote the welfare and
happiness of the great body of the community—sooner
than leave any room for such a suspicion, I should say,
speaking for myself, that I would descend to a lower es-
tate, and abro!,ate my inheritance. (Cheers.) It is said
a great party has been dissolved. It is said old political
ties have been severea. It is said that social relations
have been disturbed. It is anticipated, and it is probable,
that an administration may be dissolved. (Cheers.) And
though I should regret the former part of those conse-
quences, on my conscience I believe this proposition will
save a great and powerful nation from anarchy, misery,
and ruin. (The right bon. gentleman resumed his seat
amidst great cheering.)

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.—On Wednesday, an old
woman named Burns, hying at Preston, beckoned a
neighbour into her house, and giving to her a baby, (the
old woman's grandchild,) exclaimed, "Look, here is the
child burnt, and I shall have to go to the madhouse," and
immediately ran out and disappeared. The neighbours
gave the alarm, and the child was found lying down by the
tire, its clothes blazing ; it was either dead, or, if alive,
quite insensible, and must have died immediately. Search
was made for the grandmother, hut up to the inquest, she
had not been heard cf, and it is supposed the accident bad
such an effect upon her mind as to cause her to make
away with herself. Verdict—" Found mortally burnt in a
dwelling-house alone, but how or by what means she be-
came so burnt, no evidence appeared."
BILLIARDS.—Tyro of " Duntibbin's " slate-bedded
tables, for playing the game of billiards, have been added
by Mr. Whiteman to his estdbliAment, the Brunswick
Hotel. They will be a great acquisition to those fond of
the amusement.—See adv.

PIRACY.-11 is well known that Messrs. Rowland and
Son have, by a series of labours and highly-successful ex-
reriments, succeeded in preparing for the Toilet, articles
which have obtained a universal reputation all over the
world. Some vile and unprincipled imitators, destitute
alike of honour and talent, have conceived the nefarious
idea of fabricating articles. so closely resembling in ap-
pearance those of Messrs. ROWLAND as to require a
somewhat careful observation to detect the difference. The
objects consist of pernicious and injurious compounds,
which are offered to the public under the name of MA.
CASSAR OIL for the HAIR, Of KALYDOR for the COM-
PLEXION ; articles which, as prepared by Messrs. Row-
LAND, are universally preferred and esteemed. The only
mode for the purchaser to avoid the imposition, and escape
the baneful effects which the vile counterfeits will infalli-
bly produce, is to inspect, with great care, the bottles and
labels, and to ascertain that they bear the actual signature
of Messrs. RowLAND and Sorts. No others are genuine.
—See advt.