New-York tribune., 1873-01-16
BRITISH TOPICS.

irRoA ruR RKGI1,AR CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRIBUNBl
LONDON, Jan. 2.--There is at least one man
who has proved himself superior to the depressing IN
Guences OF this dreadful weather. and that Is Mr. Yer
non Harcourt-our old friend HstorieHs Mr. Harcourt
has been addressing his constituents Oxford and has
made the c,eyerest speech OF the Parliamentary recess
which rs a GOOD deal say, considering that Mr Lowe
has made two or three OF his own. There a time
when Mr. Harconrt Thought trife ponderous, but
that is all past His first oxford speech-for has made
two-sparkes all through with epgrams aud brilliant
phrases and happy touches. 1t has q quantness and
case worthy OF Palmerston, and sincerity which In
Pamerston too often waning. Yet an enemy
might describe 1t as apopuartyhuntng speech ior IL
goes dead against the last Licensing act and apparently
against any legis laye restrictions drinking ana IN
oxford the pubcans strong, and the question OF
beer beer stirs a deep interest its being univer-
sy town having possibly something to do Win H. MT
Harcourts views win get little sympathy among tenn
perance people anywhere the United States least OF
a but nobody refuse him the merit OF courage and
fankness in stating them without denying as the ad-
vOcates Of license often do, the possibility of making
men soberlby act OF Parliament, Mr. Harcourt doubts
the desirablty Of it, He is against intemperance, but
he values temperance account OF the voluntary SELF
denial the deliberate secontrol which ressts tempta-
ton and man. for the sake OF himself and Others
10 abstain from vicious indulgence and that is what
you cannot create by act OF Parliament He even de-
nies that sobrety IN itself means of abolishing
misery vice. gng that the most sober races in the
over legislation on social subjects what Mr. Harcourt
breads and he rdicules those who having established
free trade. woad yet set up protective prohbitOry
the habits OF the people; who have removed
religious tests. and would the Thirtynine Articles
for the tavern He does not Iadmire grand-maternal
government which ties nighcaps grOwn-up nation
by OF Parliament lie is against putting people to
bed whe want TO sit up; against foTbiddng man 10
glass OF beer II he wants have glass OF beer
against public house restrictions and park regulations,
and docs not approve Mr. Ayrtons making it misde-
meanor to use soap in bathng-the latter an
actual existing Government ordinance in respect
10 the serpcntine in Hyde Park. More than half the
speech devoted TO this licensing question. aud sup
pose may take it a not AcatOn that Mr.. Hareourt
TO devote good part Of msenerges next session
procuring the repeal modification OF the present
law. Not less interesting and in higher tone, is his
reply The Marquis OF Salisbury the position OF par
ties and tic speech altogether marks distinct advance
I'm Mr. HarcOurt's place both in the House aud before
country What lie has lately published in behalf Of
Law Reform may also be taken pledge that the
Government is not be allowed togo 10 sleep that
question "a question with which Mr.. Harcourt has
shown himself well able deal that Lord SobOurne
must b. prepared with a very broad measure indeed If
he does not wish TO be outstrpped by independent
effort
A strike on a gigantic scale is threatened in South
Wales and the circumstances OF it extraordinary
as It's magnitude. The trouble began with Fnotice
issued last month 7OOO0 colliers employed by ae
great Of South Wales, that per cent
ducton would be made the existing scale OF wages
This the would stand and they resorted 70 the
usual menace OF a strike In old days, the masters
would have accepted the challenge once. and have
met hy q lockout with every chance Of carrying their
point by force of combination amoug themselves. IN
these days the also have learned the power Of COM
buation and of organization. and have taught employ
that contract has two sides TO it, and that
who has labor to sell good the who wants
bay %. and that the TWO may treat terms.
The masters accordingly, resolved to negotiate, and
they took uncommon step. They asked their 10000
20 meet them by delegates The accepted, and
The meeting took place last night IN hotel in Cardiff
and long teegrapic report OF it appears in this morn
iags Duly News. The maVnates of the iron business III
South Wales there: Mr. FOtherg of the Aberdeen
aud Plymouth works. Mr.. Menelaus Of the great Dow
lais works Mr. Crawshaw OF the largest prOprieorS
in the and perhaps dozen Others About 80
wOrkinnen were present to represent their 10000 con-
sutuents
At the very outset the discussion took unexpected
MI Fothergiu began by admitting that the price
OF had within short period so per cent,
so that lately worth $50 a tun worth SIS.
Wages had been advanced proportion, and he pre-
sumed there was no collier present whose pay not
90 per higher than when iron stood at the
old price. But the rise IN iron had suddenly stopped
America had ceased call for H. and that said Mr..
Fothergil'. had a great blow the South Wales
trade lie had had 10 sell within few days at $40 a tun
less than the recent price and 1t was this reduction IN
the price aud the cessation Of demand which had com
PEELED the employers the notice OF reduction Of
10 per cent IN the mems complained OF. Mr..
Crawshag aud Mr. Neneaus spoke the effect. the
former pointing out that OF men in his employ
had been raised from II 10l per cent, the latter
from 90 % 100 per cent The had prob
ably seen, said Mr.. Menelaus. iron rails quoted in
the newspapers $50 per tun. That price be believed
had been inserted purpose Eat any rate he
could them that the hhes price obtained by the
cofpnaiy he represented was S7 tun. He produced
paper showing the prices received and offered to submit
81 TO tine mems examination.
The men we're evidently taken by SURPRISE and had
the frankuess TO say So One OF them to say they
had been mised adding that. in his opinion If the news
papers d not quote correctly the prices Of rails it would
be as well for the newspapers finally to TO appear
But they plainly hestated to accept their employers
statement. whereupOn Mr.. Meneaus offered to place all
the books of company at the workmens disposal for
Ipspection whether ,they might be examined by an
accountant he seems omitted to declare and the
men reasonably enough protest that the ledgers OF
great company would be all Greek to them. Their
answer finally was proposal for arbitration. They dis
trust themselves well as their masters, and would
prefer 70 see their interests hands OF third parties
IN whom they have confidence. But, for some reason
not gwen the employers are averse to aroitration;
indeed il IA alleged they have resolved not TO agree TO
&C. and as the disposed 70 insist the prospect OF
peaceful settlement Of the dispute not good one
The protracted examination of Mr.. Robert Bowles be-
fore the Lord Mayor has resulted in the cOmmal OF the
accused take his trial at the Central Criminal Court
on the charge faudulenty appropratng securities
intrused charge Of himself and his partners You
will observe that the only question raised on this exam
ton was the personal liability Of Robert Bowles.
His counsel admitted In the explicit that the
securities belonging TO Messrs. D'AgOnt, Mr.. Gardiner,
and Mrs Gates had been deposited with the firm, and
had been most improperly and eriminaIy tampered