The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-08


complex problem presented But it is more
probable that the ancient guilds OF the
Old city, which are still all powerful in
politics interfered to prevent legislation
that would deprive them OF the extraordi-
nary privileges they enjoy. Thus. since
1888, London has been waiting for the
promised reconstruction of its government,
although from time TO time special legis-
lation has been enacted by parliament TO
meet particular emergencies. 10 remedy
evils that could not be longer endured, and
10 establish reforms which were required
by the commercial and industrial interests
OF the people. The British are commonly
regarded as a nation of shopkeepers. and
their nerves are focused In their purses.
Therefore, al the modern notions that have
been introduced into the government Of
the city and the reforms that have been
furnished by installments have been die
tated by peculiarly interests rather than
by public welfare or the study Of the
science Of government
1t is the duty of the vestrymen of the
several parishes, however, still to collect
the taxes, or rates as they are called
mere, and disburse them 20 look after the
poor and the sick the pavements, the sew
ers, the public lighting ana other con-
Germs, which are attended to directly by
the parish clerk and his assistants. They
have been deprived Of the power to grant
monopolies and supervise other pubic
works. The police, fire department, public
schools, bridges, the water works, the gas
WORKS the electric light companies ana
other large interests which serve all or
more man one OF the parishes are now un-
der the control of a county council whose
jurisdiction seems to be rather vague, and
is exercised without limit so long as it
does not collide with the powers OF the i'm
perial parliament
one parish fits into another like the toy
maps ana pictures that are cut up into
odd-snaped slices for children to put to-
gether Their limits We're laid out by the
o.shop OF London centuries ago, and few
of their Inhabitants know them. The par
lshes Of the West End know less of those
ln the East End, or across the river in
south London, and take less interest in
their affairs than in those of India or
Australia but they have all been swal-
lowed up and surrounded by the ever-eX-
banding city, until they now form COM
pact mass and are usually moved by
common impulse. The vestries are close
corporations. The same men are elected
year after year and manage affairs in
their own way. Occasionally there is
public remonstrance stirred up by some
disappointed contractor or an Oficious
meddler, but the public seldom questions
their authority or critic.ses their action.
London proper-the little kernel in the
ftlltE-lilt nGdIl OF IllE great metropolis,
and the commercial capital of the world
is still imbedded in the medieval system
and is governed by what are known as
the Hveried companies" so called be-
cause on occasions Of ceremony their mem
bers wear distinctive costumes that date
back to the time of Edward III in the
fourteenth century There are eighty Of
these guilds, which Were originally or
gauized, some Of them a thousand years
ago of men belonging TO the same Orct1-
pations and professions for mutual pro-
lection and monopoly. The most impor-
tant are the MERGERS. grOcers. diapers,
hshmongers goldsmiths. SINNERS haber-
dashers, ironmongers and winners. but
nearly all the trades were thus organ
lied so that they could maintain &rices,
regulate competition and keep their GUS
toners in proper state Of subjection.
The names Of these guilds suggest pic
lures of early English life, and a visit
10 their halls Is one of the regular duties
and pleasures of the tourist.
These companies were Incorporated in
early times and were granted extraordi-
nary privileges which We're not enjoyed by
citizens VINO did not bear an active rela-
lion to the industrial and commercial life
OF the community. While they were or
lslhaily designed 10 protect and regulate
the interests of the occupations whose
names they bear, their mission was soon
SN1'iieteu 10 itCIuAe beueNOleuce and other
Denehts to their membership. Their dues
accumulated ana We're wisely invested
great endoWments were entrusted to them
by their members who had no other heirs
chaflty trust FUNDS and educational insti-
tuuohs We're placed in their care, until
theT property mas accumulated into the
huhdfeds OF millions OF pounds and their
incomes combined are not less than 81
V1VJJ or %S'OVo'WO annually.
Inc MERGERS ana drapers are the richest
OF we gurus ana are said to enjoy in
comes OF more than $4,000 each A num-
per or the other companies are very
wealthy ana an OF them have substantial
incomes "nich are used for various pur-
poses-lor charlty, and TO maintain hospi-
tals' asyiums' technical schools and other
Suuca l'ohal institutions. and not less than
S'vVWo year Is expended for banquets,
naHs' parades ana other entertainments.
Inc WorshIpIul company of Fishmong-
ers' Tor example always entertains the
puohe win display upon the river and
the lord mayors show which is an
hualiy managed by these guilds, is one OF
the most expensive as well as preposter-
Gus examples OF pageantry
some OF the guilds are very small in
numbers they are close corporations, and
X rs dlNicult 20 secure membership eXcoUt