New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
LONDON GUILDS.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAINs TRIBUTE TO THEM
WITH SOME FACTS FROM A PARLIA-
MENTARY REPORT.

because N''~
medieval guilds which have survived the reform
movements and progressive tendencies OF many
generations A century ago John Carne, men,
ber Of the worshipfrl Company OF Cordwainers'
left all his property to the guild as trust Tor pen
sioning blind deaf and dumb people and clergy
mems widows The beouest is nov represented
by an investment Of S1S2 600 in consos, with an
income which Is shared by 100 pensioners IN
the course of a century about So00,0OO has been
expended for the relief Of these pensioners Alter
this charity had been silently in operation ioi
this long period the company decided 10 coni-
memorate the virtues and generosity OF this eN
ceent cordwainer or shoemaker 80 manu-
some memorial window was ordered Tor the
Cordwainers Hall, with central hgure haoiteu
in the livery gown and with attendant hgures Oh
ST. Crispin and st. Crispinian, the patrons OF the
company, and with embematic designs OF the
operation Of the charity.
Mr. Chamberlain ordinarily has so many I'M
portant matters of public concern TO talk about
that he seldom refers to his early life ana an
cestry On this occasion he surprised MS audl-
tors by informing them that he Londoner
by BIRTH and that his father. grandfather ana
even great grandfather. 10 say nothing Of an
uncle and a great-uncle, had been masters or the
company and had been foremost in upholding
its rights and privileges. Nobody had even sus-
pected that he had had grandfather, to say
nothing of a great-grandfather. Two of these
Chamberlains had been contemporaries with
John Carne and hence 1t was appropriate that
he their descendant, should be there TO unveli
the memorial to the benevolent shoemaker. HaV-
ing established his democratic ancestry as proud
ly as though he were rccting titled geneaiogy'
Mr. Chamberlain paid an eloquent tribute TO the
fidelity with which all the liveried companies
were discharging trusts imposed upon them, ana
earning thereby a new lease of life under the
altered conditions Of modern progress. He en-
larged upon the useful services of these ancient
guilds with their honorable and stately TRADITIONS
and rejoiced in the evidence that they still en-
doyed the affection of the citizens of London.
SURPRISING TRIBUTE.
This tribute must have startled rot only the
Cordwainers, but the members OF all the otner
worshipful companies we'll. They are not ac-
customed to receive compliments from any
source much less from Minister Of the Crown
Once a year in the Lord Mayors Show few
of the lvered companies have holiday parade
and the fantastic mummery is tolerated as
reminiscence Of ancient tradition and ceremonial
At other times they escape observation or are
referred to with contempt as relics OF the Middle
Ages. which ought to be buried out of sight In
with their exclusive privileges and vested inter-
ests; but in London they remain as select So
cieties with limited membership but with SUBJ
stantial resources Of political power. There are
eighty OF these guilds with total membership
that does not exceed 5000: but with their great
vested interests and their exclusive privileges
they control the government Of the ancient city.
The Lord Mayor Of London is virtually the can
didate and representative Of the ancient trade
guilds. They have ceased to have any practical
connection with the trades represented by them.
They are no longer trades-unions Of employers.
1.-The character of the organizations has been
transformed; yet their political power remains
and has survived the passage of reform acts and
the evolution Of a progressive system of munich
pal government in England. In reality Mr..
Chamberlain was rejoicing over the existence
OF an anomaly and hoping for its continuance.
John Carnes estate has been prudently ad-
minstered, and the money has been used as he
intended that II should be; but 1t would be idle
TO assume that there have not been abuses in
the management Of the companies. The Parlia-
mentary Commission which conducted an ex-
haustive investigation Of the liverled guilds dis
covered that the income of these companies ex-
ceeded that Of the Universities Of Cambridge and
Oxford 1t was nearly 81, 600, 900 year, and was
increasing at the rate Of 100000 a decade
Large sums were virtually at the disposal Of
small groups of men after the requirements Of
bequests and Of corporate law had been COM
piled with. Not more than one-thrd Of the In
come was used for public objects. such as the
maintenance Of almshouses. charity funds and
schools. From S2750000 to $3,000O00 was cor
porate income and at least $1375000 was ex-
pended annually on maintenance and entertain
ments.
d A
Most<of the companies have handsome halls.
and the dinners served in them are among the
finest in London. The cost of these entertain
ments is estimated at 100000 year, and this
is betrayed from the corporate funds. There are
splendid banquets to the liveres. TO which guests
are invited The largest companies have two
or three public banquets annually, TO which
royal personages. foreigners of distinction and
persons Of emlnence are asked. The companies
in this way assist the Lord Mayor and the cor
poration in dispensing the hospitality Of the city
Then there are dinner parties whenever the
courts or governing councils of the companies
meet. and guests are invited TO these entertain
ments also. Some Of these banquets are pro-
yided for by special bequests, but the cost Of
most Of them is levied directly upon the
treasury.
The maintenance Of these guilds Is also ex-
pensive apart from these sumptuous banquets
About 100000 is expended the salaries of
officers and servants; $375,O00 Is used for taxes
repairs and improvements. and 100000 is paid
to the members of the governing bodies as court
fees. This last sum Is annually distributed
among the members Of the companies for attend
ance at meetings. management Of estates and
superintendence of schools. The highest fee paid
for attendance a: single meeting is five guineas
and the lowest is half guinea. The courts Of
the chief companies meet once month Where
the business is large. committees are appointed
for special purposes and in some cases the men,
bers receive extra fees. 1t Is not uncommon for
v,apohere Of he courts IN receive as rnllch as