New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-11
MR. poRTERS VELSH LETTERS

One of the most remarkable letters called out
by Mr.. Porters series of papers on Industrial
England" will be found on the second page OF
this issue. In describing the seaport towns OF
South Wales he made some startling assertions
respecting the amount of mineral wealth and
landed property controlled by small group of
powerful noblemen. He stated, for example,
that Cardiff, Swansea and Newport were owned
by half dozen aristocratic capitalists, that
Cardiff was almost wholly included in the estate
Of one nobleman, Lord Butte, and that it would
never become a great seaport unless it could
release itself from a condition of absolute de-
pendence upon this titled monopolist. A resi-
dent of Cardiff, instead of resenting these strict
ures and correcting Mr.. Porters assertions re-
spectlng extortionate ground rents, the tyran-
meal exactions of Lord Bute's agents and the
blighting effects of his monopoly of land and
commerce, fully sustains these charges. He
explains, It is true, that since the correspond
ence from South Wales was published the
House of Commons has sanctioned scheme
of the traders and laborers of Cardiff for a
dock and railway of their own in opposition to
Lord Bute's dock monopoly. He hopes that
this will be the list step toward the complete
emancipation OF the town from a degrading and
facilitating dependence upon its owners
greed and caprices. The Importance which he
attaches to a popular movement that would be
considered of slight consequence in aG Amer
lean city attests the complete subsection of tho
lower and middle classes of Cardiff to this
aristocratic capitalist. Here is an educated
and public-spirited Englishmans word for it
that one of Mr.. Porters most startling and
painful recitals has not been OVerdrawn, but is
a faithful reproduction Of actual conditions.
This Cardiff citizens letter is interesting on
another account. 1t reveals an intensity of
feeling, a passionate sense OF indignation, con-
Trusting strangely with MIR. Porters calm and
temperate manner of recording his Impressions
of the England of O-day. The "upas shadow
Of a lordly house." the enormous income wrung
from population of 100000 souls TO supply
one mans pleasures and extravagances" and
the shallOwness of the pretence that aristocratic
prestige exempts landowner and monopolist
from responsibility for the heartless txactions
of his agents, are discussed with an earnest
ness that is at once fierce and scornful. Such
letter as this helps an American 70 understand
what The Spectator meant when il declared that
all Englshmen are interested in the American
President as the only Englshman who reigns
by election, and are SOLICITORS that he do
nothing lowering on Office that half of them
feel must one day exist in England" 1t is ten
years since Americans have heard anything
about English Republicanism, and Sir Charles
Dixie, who once expressed tho conviction that
the great body of his countrymen as they came
to be better educated would prefer a republic
to monarchy, has been sobered by the re.
sponsibities of Office. The Republican move
ment has apparently collapsed; but all this
time English Radicalsm has been making con-
tinuoas progress. 1t is the new wine that has
been poured into the old bottles of Liberalism,
and it's energzing elements are evolving new
political forces. This letter from Cardiff, with
its hearty appreciation Of American ideas and
democratic tendencies, and its passionate de-
testaton of aristocratic domination over the
lower and middle classes, is only one of a
thousand indications that the minds Of English
men are already swayed by new ideas.