The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-06-17 00:00:00

iimperial Varlianunt.

HOUSE OF LORDS—MosnA.v.
Lord BEAumoNT spoke of the inconvenience resulting
from the recent proclamation respecting the gold coinage, and
asked if any steps had been taken to provide a remedy ?
Lord W H ARN CI IF FF. said that the loss rarely exceeded one
and a half per cent. ; and added that measures had been
already taken, both in town and country, to facilitate the ex-
change of the outstanding sovereigns for those of proper

At the suggestion of the Duke of 'WELLINGTON', the In-
ure Tax bill is to pass through committee pro forma this
ening, and to be read a third time on Friday. on which day
a discussion on the measure will take place.
Lord CAMPBELL then brought under the consideration of
e house the case of William Sympson, who was called as a
tness on the trial of James Henry, at the late Stirling As-

,nose evidence was not taken on account of his re-
gious
opinions, to establish which several witnesses were ex-
amined by the court. The noble lord, ofter narrating and
commenting on the facts of the case as they had reached
him, concluded by moving for a return of a copy of the record
of the trial.

,zes, and

The LORD CHANCELLOR said he bad communicated with
the lords justices on the subject, and they were of opinion
that the proceedings which had taken place were in strict con-
formity with the law of Scotland. Whether the law was po-
litic or otherwise was a question which be would not then
discuss. The motion was an attack upon the Scotch judges,
and, in their defence, it was only necessary to shew that they
acted according to law, whether that law were judicious or
the contrary.

After some further discussion, in which Lords Denman,
Brougham, Wynford, and Haddington took part,
Lord CAMPBELL withdrew his motion, and the house ad-

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY.
In reply to a question from Mr. Hutt,
Sir It. PEEL said that the Government had altered its in-
ention with respect to the duty on exported coal. They
vould now propose a duty of 2s. per ton on round and ls.
)er ton on screened coal.
It was then arranged that the discussion on the coal duties
hould be taken to-morrow (Tuesday).

In answer to a question from Mr. Childers,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the great-
est depreciation of the gold coinage would not exceed from
one and a quarter to one and a half per cent. The utmost,
therefore, that should be exacted for a light sovereign was
three-pence.

The second reading of the new Poor Law Bill was then
ed for Friday (this day).
Mr. O'CONNELL asked if the Government would object to
before the house the coroner's inquisition on the bodies
those persons who were killed in the late dreadful transac-

r R. PEEL said that a barrister had been promptly sent
Irish Government to inquire into the whole

down by t

_ parties implicated by the inquest must
idergo a trial, he hoped nothing would be asked for which
might have a tendency to prejudice the proceedings.
The house then went into committee on the new tariff.
Mr. MITCHELL proposed to raise the duty on cables from
£6 to £8 per ton, being of opinion that the duty proposed by
Government would not afford sufficient protection to the

and as t

interests concerned.
After a short discussion, the motion of Mr. Mitchell was
negatived by a majority of 163 to 35.
Mr. G. BANKES moved that the existing duty on stones
for building purposes should be maintained, with a view to
the protection cf the Isle of Portland quarriers.
Mr. CHRISTIE opposed the motion, as likewise did Mr.
GLADSTONE, who said thai, the present duty was more than
even the parties most interested asked for.
The amendment was then withdrawn.

Lord Hownic moved that the duty on foreign coffee be
reduced to 7d, instead of 8d as proposed by Government,
which was tantamount to a duty of 230 per cent. on the value
of the article. The Government proposition created a dif-
ferential duty between foreign and colonial coffee of 115 per
cent., which was so great that it would have the effect of
stimulating unnaturally the produce of the colonies, and
must ultimately prove injurious. His proposition would, he
believed, materially benefit the consumer, without seriously

the revenue

Mr. GLADSTONE said, that upon its own grounds there
uld be little objection to the proposition of the noble lord ;

but the government, nevertheless, were compelled to resist
it, owing to the state of our commercial negotiations with
coffee-growing countries, with which we might be enabled to
make better conditions for the introduction of our manufac-
tures by holding out as an equivalent a reduction of the du-
ties on coffee.

Mr. HUME supported the proposition of Lord Howick.
Sir R. PEEL was of opinion that we should not lightly
row away those inducements which we possessed to cause
)reign nations to receive our manufactures.
LORD HOWICK could not approve of the practice of mak-
e; these reductions of duties matters of barter between

nations. To keep up duties for such a purpose was to ex-
hibit jealousies ourselves at the very time we were seeking
to induce others to abandon them.

le motion of Lord Hovviciwas negatived on a divsion,
majority of 81 to 48.

Lord SANDON moved an amendment to the effect that all
foreign coffee now in bond, and all which shall arrive on or
ore the Ist of August, should be admitted at a duty of 7d.
He thought that those merchants who held large
-fign coffee, imported under the present system
- would be exposed to great disadvantage
ae concession he suggested.
Mr. GLADSTONE said that in all great changes cases of in-
.ividual hardship must occur, but those cases should not be
allowed to interfere with the interest of the community.

Sir R. PEEL did not think that sufficient grounds had been
stated to warrant the house in acceding to the motion of the
ord. It would have been impossible to have framed
if if they were in every instance to consult individual

noble 1

scussion, the amendment was negatived by a

•
majority of 133 to 69.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE moved an amendment, to the effect
that corks squared for rounding should be admitted at a duty
of one shilling per ton.
' a division, the amendment was negatived by a majority
ofl'37toSi.
Dr. BOWRING, in the schedule on straw hats and platting,
proposed that an ad valorem duty of 20 per cent. should be
adopted, instead of the duty of Bs. 6d. per lb. proposed by
the Government, on straw hats, and is. 6d. per lb. on straw
platting.

Mr._-GLADSTONE opposed the amendment, which was ne-

tived without

a division

Great progress was made with the tariff, which Sir R.
Peel hoped would be finished to-day, the few remaining arti-
cles to be taken after the duty on coals shall have been dis-
posed of.

The house then resumed, and the chairman obtained leave

to sit again to •morrow

The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
house adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS—TUESDAY.
In accordance with a request from Lord REDESDALE,
- _

Viscount DLNCANNON stated the nature of the resolution
to be moved by the Marquis of Lansdowne on Friday next,
on the third reading of the income tax bill. It was to the
following effect :—" That while this house is unwilling to
obstruct the progress of measures calculated to supply the
present deficiency in the public income, and to make it ade-
quate to meet the public charges, it cannot refrain from re-
cording its opinion that a judicious alteration of the duties
.

corn, sugar, and timber would have greatly dimi-
nished the amount of additional taxation required by the ex-
igencies of the state, and would at the same time, from its
effect in increasing the comforts of all classes, and lessening.
the privations of the great body of the people, together with
such addition as might have been obtained from other
sources, have been preferable to a tax on income in the pre-
sent circumstances of the country."
Lord HOWDEN asked if any official reports bad been re-
-d by the government corroborative of the intelligence
had himself received from private sources, of the
-ograding state of the people of Syria, and the
,Irganisattnn of affairs in that quarter? The
noble lord was proceeding to comment on the policy which
led to the existing state of things in that country, when
The Duke of WELLINGTON rose to order, and complained
of the great inconvenience of bringing forward such matters,
and making a speech upon them, without having given any
notice whatever on the subject.
The matter then dropped.

which he
rapidly r

complete dis

The copyright bill was committed, and ordered to be read
a third time on Tuesday next, when the discussion is to take
place upon the principle of the bill.

. .
A petition was presented by Lord WHARNCLIFFE, against
the law by which prisoners were called upon to plead to an
indictment. This led to some conversation, in the course of
which Lord DENMAN and other law peers contended that
calling upon a prisoner to plead not guilty was in effect, if
guilty, asking him to add the crime of falsehood to that of
which be was accused. He should be tried at once without
forcing him to confess his guilt or to tell a lie.
On the motion of Lord BROUGHAM, Mr. Roebuck's bill
for giving indemnity to witnesses to be examined before his
committee on elective compromises was read a second time.
The standing orders were then suspended, and the bill was
'nirered to go through its remaining stages without oppo-

sit
Theirlordships then adjourned

fir'slik "USE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY.
W moved a new writ for the borough of Belfast ;
upon Which
Mr. o,co
committe_ NNELL moved, as an amendment, that a select
promise shouldwhich be appointed to inquire intoa corrupt cool-
in fact, wawcil was alleged to have taken place, and which,
proof of
tultTtteot denied. He had in his possession ample
largely praettsritend corruption, anal personation of voters,
transactions hot Lat the last election for Belfast, in which
After some pbsrits were implicated.
Sir H. BARapx „Tons from Captain PoLBILL,
keep back evidence frothat a sum of £6OO had been paid to
Sir R. PEEL thought the nelfast election committee.
upon to convince the caul:1110%m of Commons was called
termination to put a stop ter. that it was sincere in its de-
fore felt the necessity of inst7t_es,, Prngs, and he there-
He also thought that the nit Tanyary into this case.
limited time. sh be suspended for a

a:i
nominatedt tretd
After some discussion, Mr. Saw
desirouswao s
dr
oe sooe
On:
rejected
tedhbdri
y_-.:
[awing his motion, but not
ision took place, when the issue of the
a majority of 170 to 73.
Mr. O'CoNNELL's amendment being agreed to, it was a
ranged that the committee should be

nesuay.
The house then went into committee on the
The CHANcELLort of the EXCHEQUER. then moved
tariff.
of 2s per ton on coals ex ported to foreign countrarievsed a duty
the original intention of the government. to fix a duty' It was
ton on exported coals, which it was estimated wouldpr°f,l4B a
"e of £200,000. On consideration of the interests
it was deemed advisable to adopt the
Juld produce a revenue of about .£60,000-
thout calculating anything for increased exportation,. which
`+t compensate for some portion of the differepee.
Btu, assented to the amended proposition of the

involved, however,
lesser duty, which w

right hon. gentleman.
Lord Howicx referred to the negociations which had ta-
ker! place between the government and the coal owners, and
which had led to the present proposition, as a compromise
to obviate their opposition. Although the amount of the
duty might appear to be small, it would, nevertheless, mate-
rially affect our export trade in coal, which was already open
ttaola competition which threatened our hold of the continen-
tal,
particularly of the Mediterranean, markets.
'thestauTtrn between large and small coals would, in levy-
ing, , ,lead to additional custom-house supervision and
gse, and dir •
-- Under

Joinish the amount of net revenue.
all these circumstances he thought the tax injudicious-
Mr. Hurr also contended that the tax was mjudiciou.S.
The CHANCELLOR OF TEE EXCHEQUER denied that any
rornpromise had been entered into for the purpose of avert-
ing the opposition of the coal owners.
After a few observations from Mr. Liddell and Mr. Ber-
nal.

Mr. GLADSTONE said that the great argument in favour
of the tax on exported coals was the advantage to be derived
by the revenue from as unobjectionable a source of taxation
as could be devised. The right hon. gentleman then con-
tended that the trade was not likely to be so injuriousl af-
fected as was supposed by this tax. y
Mr. LAMDTON opposed even the modified proposition of
the government, as likely to prove extremely injurious.
Lord MAHON supported the proposition of the govern-.
ment, on the ground thot we should husband our stores of

coal, and as was said by a witness before a committee of the
house, " prevent foreigners from eating into the vitals of our 1
posterity."

Mr. P. T. BARING said that the principal reason for this
tax was an increase to the revenue, but the amount to be de-
rived was insignificant when compared with the important

interests endangered by its imposition.
Sir R. PEEL ridiculed the charge of compromise in a
matter of this kind, and asked if government were to be de-
barred, when about to legislate, fruit' all communication with
parties interrested in the changes they were about to pro-
pose. The simple fact was that government was endeavour-
ing to supply the deficiency in the revenue, and looking at
the fact that coals were incapable of reproduction, and that
the foreign demand was increasing, he thought their ex-
portation a proceeding most legimately open to taxation.
Mr. HUME thought this tax opposed to all sound princi-
ples of commercial legislation.
Lord J. RUSSELL supported the proposition of the govern-
ment, though he thought there was some risk in the experi-
ment. He did not, however, think there was any such
danger as should induce him to refuse the government the
amount of revenue they demanded.

Mr. C. BULLER opposed the tax,
But on a division the government proposition was carried
by a majority of 200 to 67.
The remaining items of the tariff were then agreed to, and
the house adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—WEDNEaDAY.
The Sugar Duties Bill and other bills were brought up
from the Commons and read a first time, after which their
lordships adjourned.

Mr. F. MAULE said he understood that the Church Pa-
tronage (Scotland) Bill, which stood for second reading this
evening, could not be proceeded with because the assent of
her Majesty should have been obtained before the bill was
introduced, inasmuch as it interfered with the prerogative
of the Crown. He therefore gave notice that on Tuesday,
the Bth of July, he would move an address to her Majesty
on the subject, and hoped Sir R. Peel would give precedence
to his motion ; but if not he should move it as an amendment
on the first succeeding night of supply.
Sir R. PEEL said that he could not consent to give other
than a bond fide acquiescence on the part of her Majesty to
any proposition, for he never would consent to give a con-
structive assent on the part of the Crown for the purpose of
raising a discussion. The hon. gentleman might allow his
notice to stand for Tuesday, the Bth, and in the interim he
would tell him how far he could comply with his wish, that
his motion should have precedence.
Mr. D'IsRAELI asked if it was true that propositions had
been made by the commissioners appointed by the state of
Maine to treat with her Majesty's envoy equivalent to a vir-
tual relinquishment of territory and of the navigation of the
river St. John; and if it was also true that her Majesty's
envoy had entertained such propositions, leaving this coun-
try in possession of an inferior boundry to that awarded by
the King of the Netherlands ; and also. whether full power
of adjudication had been awarded to that envoy ?
Sir R. PEEL said that these questions were altogether pre-
mature. He held in his hand despatches stating. that com-
missioners had been appointed by the state of Maine, but
he did not believe that Lord Ashburton had had any com-
munication whatever with them, for they were appointed
not to act by themselves but with commissioners from ,the
other states of the Union. It would be wholly inconsistent
with propriety to give any answer whatever to the questions
of the hon: member in the present state of the negotiations.

Mr. H. VERNON asked if it was the intention of the Go-
vernment to bring in or pass any bill for the reform of the
ecclesiastical courts during the praseut session? It would
be inconvenient to do so as the right rev. prelates, who were
deeply interested in the subject, would be absent on their
visitations.

Sir J. GRAHAM said he should take an early opportunity
of moving for leave to bring in the bill.

Lord J. RUSSELL said there was a report afloat that it was
the intention of the Government to pass a bill continuing
the poor law commission for another year to postpone the
poor law bill until next session. He wished to know if there
was any ground for the rumour.

Sir I. GRAHAM said he had no hesitation in declaring that
Government would endeavour to pass the poor law bill
during the present session. _

Mr..' FLEMING said that the parties accused by the report
of the Southampton committee were ready to defend them-
selves and to be examined either at the bar of the house or
before a committee, and hoped, therefore, that Mr. Mac-
kinnon would postpone his motion for a new writ, in order
to give time for a select committee to enter upon the in-
quiries.

Mr. MACKINNON said he had no objection to postpone
the writ again if Mr. Stanley, who had moved the suspension
of the writ, would pursue some definite course upon the
subject.
After some observations from Sir R. PEEL and Mr. STAN-
LEY, the latter gentleman adupted a suggesion made by Sir
Robert as to the mode in which the inquiry should be
brought before the house this day.

The Designs Copyright Bill 'Committee was postponed
until next Wednesday, owing to the absence of Mr. E.
Tennent.
The Mines and Factories bill was read a second time.
Mr. M. GIBSON moved the second reading of the Electors
Removal bill, the object of which is to prevent the loss of
the franchise in consequence of removal from one house to
another in the same borough.

Sir J. GRAHAM opposed the bill, as being likely to lead to
practices which would nullify the reform bill, and prevent
the poll being taken in one day.
Lord J. RUSSELL supported the bill, which he thought
might be rendered unobjectionable in committee. _ _

On a division the second reading was negatived by a ma-
jority of-120 to 102.

_ .
Sir R. PEEL, in reply to a question from Mr. Hume, de-
clined to pledge himself to bring in a bill to remedy the in-
convenience which the bill just thrown out was intended to
provide for.
In reply to questions from Mr. Duncombe and Mr.
Clements,

Sir it. PEEL said that Sir James Graham bad already in-
timated his intention to state in a few days the views of the
government with respact to the measure of English re-
gistration.
On the motion that the Electors Removal Bill be read a
second time that day three months—the second reading that
night hating been already negatived—
. .. .

-IVlr. F. MAULS moved that the second reading be post-
poned for one week only.
A division followed, when Mr. F. Maule's amendment
was negatived by a majority of 101 to 79.
The report on the Customs Acts (New Tariff) was brought
up, and the resolutions were re-committed, for the purpose
of making some amendments.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
house adjourned.

DRAPERS', &c. ASSISTANTS

PUBLIC MEETING AT WOLVERHAMPTON

On Friday, the 27th ult.a public meeting of the inha-
bitants of Wolverhampton, convened by requisition, was
held in the Assembly-room, Queen-street, in that town, to
take into consideration whether any and what measures
should be adopted with a view to abridge the hours of busi-
ness in the numerous retail establishments within that popu-
lous town, in order to afford assistants, clerks, apprentices,
and others, such relaxation and abatement of their labours
as might be deemed necessary for improving their physical,
mental, and social condition. John Barker, Esq., a magis-
gistrate of the county, and an iron-master, occupied the
chair.

The baneful effects of the long confinement to which shop-
keepers' assistants were at present subjected, were pointed
out with great force by most of the speakers. In adverting
to the physical results which are generated by the excessive
requirement of labour in retail establishments,
Dr. Turnbull observed that he considered it his duty, as a
medical man, to bear his testimony to the evils of the present
system. Deprived of light, air, and exercise, as most of the
shopkeepers' assistants were, and subjected to confinement
and excessive labour, it was not surprising that they should
be the victims of indigestion, consumption, and all the long
train of diseases arising from debility. (Hear.) That they
were so, was proved by the evidence of medical men and sta-
tistical facts. At no time, indeed, did confinement and con-
tracted labour act more injuriously that when individuals were
passing from the state of boyhood to that of manhood. (Hear.)
No error was greater than to suppose the unconsolidated
frame of youth could better resist the effects of confinement
than the matured system of more advanced life. At that pe-
riod life was more (freely expended than any other season.
Dr. Hume and other distinguished medical men had shown
that the vital power more frequently failed between the ages
of fifteen and twenty-five than any other period of life, ex-
cepting only the extremities of life, infancy and old age.
Dangerous as this period naturally was,
.its danger was
greatly enhanced by confinement and excessive labour. Nor
were women, though the contrary was often supposed, less
susceptible to these unhealthy influences. If the present
system was, as it was proved to be, so injurious, morally,
physically, and intellectually, ought they not, at the least, to
place the assistant to the shopkeeper on the same level with
the labourer, whose hours of toil were much less, and whose
opportunities of improvement were, of course, proportionably
extended.
In the course of the proceedings an eloquent and argumen-
tative appeal from the shopkeepers' assistants, addressed to
the meeting, was read by Mr. Ash, principal assistant to
Messrs. Sidney and Co., whose exertions ha%;., been foremost
in the cause; and it was stated, by Mr. A. H. Browne, that
a petition, in behalf of the object, had been sinned by 1,477
ladies, at the head of which were the ladies of the Giffard

family.
The m

.eting, which was one of the most numerous and

respectable, and its proceedings decidedly the most unani-
mous ever known i❑ that town, lasted upwards of two hours
and a half, and the able and telling addresses of the several
speakers produced a powerful effect.

THE SMOKE NUISANCE

" Hyde Parke Foundry,
" Glasgow, Bth June, 1842

" To John Alston, Esq
" My dear Sir,—On Monday mornino• last, we put in
operation Mr. William's Patent Argand Furnace, applied to
one of our Engine Boilers, and I am happy to inform you
that the success of the experiment is complete, in respect to
the prevention of smoke,—and I already perceive a consi-
derable saving of fuel. In consequence of the interest you
have taken in this matter, and your influence to forward the
adoption of the improvement I shall be glad if you can make
it convenient to examine our Furnace to-morrow, along with
any of your friends, ere. &c.
" STEWART KERR."

ingenious engineers,
of those Alston to visit the foundry
n Thursday last, we are
Having accepted, with pleasure,
Messrs. Kerr, Neilson, and Co., 0 .
the invitation of Bailie
now perfectly convinced that
which this city has been
altogether and totally the smoke in
We formerly so long enveloped by its public works..
l to be overcome sus-
pectedbe-
fore there was something very material it is quite practicable. to abate
todoubt whatever
Our visit to Hyde Park foundry has left no
altogether,
this could be effected with advantage all concerned.
that we are on the eve of .
and
as it is now proven that the smoke may be consumed,
say
that with a veryconsiderable saving of fuel,
teen. In a few da
thirty per cent , on an average, as ten is to four-
to give the matter a thorough and impartial trial,—one week
in the old system, the neat in the new,—so as to be able to
Ys Messrs. Kerr and Neilson are going
*Weak decisively as to the difference in the consumption of
heir. In the meantime, to prove that there is no longer any
doubt as to the practical nature of the improvement, these
gentlemen are at present busily employed in applying
it to
various boilers in some of the most extensive factories in
Glasgow. In this matter Bailie Alston deserves the thanks
of the community for his persevering exertions, and he shall
yet receive them.—Glasynto Constitutional.

LINA,Tiow. The
zvho had sentence
to be
INNOCENCE PROVED. AFTER CON
yot;Og man named Wilson, of Rotherham"
of death recorded against him at the last assizes, on a
charge of burglary and robbery in the house. of xj, ,
cock, at Brampton, but who has since been prc7r.is• Han-
innocent of the crime, arrived at home on Tuesdayiti
is to be hoped that some remuneration will be afiordeiti It
for the sufferings he has already endured. Had the limit
this case been executed in the rigour of half a century agog
what reflections would jury, judge, and all connected with
the trial of this mail have bad in contemplating his judical
murder! This ease ought to speak most solemnly to all,
whether the framers of our laws or those to whom are in-
trusted their execution
.—Hull Rockingham.