New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-07
BRITISH TOPICS.
NOTES FROM LONDON.

ARNOLD AT HUNTINGDON.
IPRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE.
LONDON, Dec 20.-A step predicted, and indeed in
evitabe, ever since the Trades Unions of working
men grew so powerful, has at last been taken and |
publicly announced. This Is the formation Of |
Trade Union of employers To some extent, and for
special purposes sIich thing has existed beforeas
when the ron-masters in South Wales combined |
against the combination of theirme last year Now
we have q National Federation Of Associated En-
ployers" made up of many of the wealthest manufac
turers in England, mostly of Lancashire and York
SHIRE Such names as those of Crossley Of Halifax,
Laird of Birkenhead, Salt Of Saltaire. Menelaus
of Dowlais. and many others which are
found on the list of members, are known
the world over. They declare that they
mean to oppose the existing Trades Unions by
methods similar to theirs to oppose combination to
influence public opinion and politics, to make them
selves felt in Parliament and to have Press OF their
own. The announcement has fairly woke up the
slow Brton, especially the working BrtOn,
and has been very earnestly discussed all
the week. On the whole, shonld say that pub
lie opinion does not seem very much intimidated
1t recognizes the formidable character Of such an as
ISOLATION and regards the OF such means against
the Trades Unions as fair enough But it is felt to be
a mistake to proclaim political purpose. The po-
litical purpose would be more surely accomplished
without the proclamation, and O new movement
which leads off with distinct blundcr in tactics Is
not likely to be well engineered in the long run.
We shall soon see what they really mean and really
can do.
If somebody for whose opinion Mr.. Bright has
respect would take the liberty to advise him not to
write letters of personal controversy for publication
and if Mr.. Bright would take the advice, it would
lotal
Rev. Alexander Read fooshly attacked Mr..
Bright for calling the lower classes or some Of them,
aresiduum, which Mr.. Read explained to mean the
dregs of the people, and to be an insult to them.
Hence he drew the conclusion that Mr. Brights
friendship for the working classes was only pre-
tended. Some one of those iDjudIci6us friends who
have 80 much bungling good will to spare,
and who are unhappy only too numerous,
sent Mr.. Bright copy Of MIR. Reads re-
marks, and asked him whether the charge was true.
Mr. Bright replied angrily that he did not remember
where if ever, he had used the word residuum but
that il was SANDER to say he had spoken OF the
working classes as the dregs Of the population, and
that Mr. Read was an ignorant and scurrllous
clergyman for whom his congregation ought to pray.
Perfectly true, but perfectly unnecessary for Mr..
Bright to say. Not ten men would have known or
cared about Mr.. Read any rubbish he might talk,
had not Mr.. Bright lifted him into Importance by
reply His indiscretion has thrown his enemies into
fits of delight Then as Mr.. Read was able to quote
passages in which Mr.. Bright spoke of residuum,
though not in the way or the sense attributed to
him. it gave in the eyes of stupid or careless people,
color of justification to the original abuse OF him.
Mr. Bright did say in 1867 that there in all, or
nearly all, the boroughs a small class OF whom he
declared it would be much better for themselves if
they were not enfranchised because they had no in
dependence and, he added, :" ! call this class the
residuum of almost hopeless poverty and depend
encen That is very far from being slur on the
working classes nor is there word in the speech
that Mr. Bright now would probably care to recall
He might well have left the speech to take care Of
itself.
Mr. Motley is back again in London looking rather
better for his Devonshre aunt and IN better spirits
Rnt 5is physician still insists on bis Quitting En-,
will turn his back on London and go into exile for
the Winter at Cannes. To be sure, he is an exile
here also, but his great fondness for England and
English society make the English capital seem as
hOmelike to him any place in the world but Bos-
ton. His new book, though printed, has been de-
layed by the engaver Of the frontspiece and is not
likely to appear till after the holidays.
Mr. Arthur Arnold, who has just been beaten as
Liberal candidate for Parliament at Huntingdon is
the editor of The Echo tho enterprising half penny
evening paper which has disappointed host of
prophets by living and prospecting for some years
past His successful rival, Sir John Karslake, was
Mr. Disraeli's Attorney General, and is one of the
ablest men at the common law bar. MIR. Arnold did
not, presume, expect to be elected. Huntingdon is
pocket borough or was before the Reform
act of 1867. 1t used to have 400 voters and
two members The Reform act deprived
it of one member land added about 500 voters,
but did not by any means destroy the controlling
influence which the Earl of Sandwich had 30 long
possessed. 1t was thought the Ballot might do that
and very likely it has done it to some extent. Sir
John Karslake, who, in old days would have walked
over, was opposed by minority of al voters to his
400. The majority is largo, bat Mr. Arnold has made
a creitable fight and earned claim to the support
of the party at the next election in some less hope
less borough. And he has done himself honor by
refusing to solicit votes personally from the electors
The practice of canvassing has always seemed to me
degrading one alike to the candidate and the con-
stitueucy; nor have ever been able to understand
how high-spirited man could 60 about from house
TO house begging for support. Yet from time imme-
mortal and down Ito this hour high-spinted men
have done it. The ballot tends to discourage this
sort of thing BY making it more difficult to insure
the keeping of promises when given. MIR. Arnold,
in a letter published this morning, describes the
way in which his opponent canvassed. Sir John
Karslake was accompanied about the town by
friends and retainers of Lord Sandwich, who stood
by while tradesmen, whose customers they were,
we're asked to pledge themselves for Lord Sand
wich's nominee. "One old man." says Mr. Arnold.
told me that the process reminded him of the press
gang. Some hid themselves, some pleaded illness
or engagement but the majority had to surrender
It was against this system that Mr.. Arnold meant
to protest by abstaining from asking for pledges.