The members of the Finsbury Conservative Association had a meeting
on Thursday, to receive the annual report of the Committee. The only point worth noticing in that document refers to the recent registration. The Commitee state, that "They succeeded in establishing the claims of 64 persons of Conservative principles, in expunging from the lists the names of 40 persons, and in reject- ing the claims of 207 persons of opposite principles to be placed on the regis- ter, and likewise in defeating the attempt of the opposite party to strike from the list the names of 16 persons of Conservative principles; thus making a dif- ference of 329 votes in favour of the Conservative cause."
TheCommittee's account is deficient in two important items,—first, it is not said how many Reform claims were established, or how many Conservative claims were rejected ; it is only said that in sixteen instances the attempt to remove Conservatives failed : in bow many did it succeed ?
A meeting of the working classes was held on Thursday night at the Mechanics Institution, Chancery Lane, to consider the propriety
of aiding the workmen now "out" in the Potteries, in their struggle against the masters. Two deputies from Staffordshire explained the nature of the dispute ; whence it appeared that it was a strike " not for wages, but against a principle." The wages, indeed, seemed to be very good, none under 20s., but generally 24s. a week—equal at least to 32s. or 33s. in London. There were some regulations of the trade, and some proceedings of the masters, however, which were denounced as arbitrary. It was acknowledged that the greater pet of the men struck from " excitemect ;" this. was especially the case as regarded the men employed in the extensive works Copeland and Garrett ; alto- gether 30,000 persons are thrown our of employ by the strike. meeting was satisfied with the representations of the deputies- passed the following resolutions- " That this meeting, solemnly recognizing the great and indisputable princi- ple that labour is the creator and supporter of all wealth or capital, that every man has a right to the unconstrained disposal of his own productive energies, whether of body or mind, WA that, viewing the present system of the masters in the Potteries of Staffordshire towards their journeymen to be as unjustifiable in principle as it is revolting in practice, it shall be immediately resisted through the intelligence, energies, and perseverance of nun who kaow their rights, and 'mowing, ate resolved to maintain them. "That this rtweting would assist their brethren of the;PoCarias to the ut- Met extent, and by every means in their power."
The Marylebone Vestry have adopted resolutiore in support of Mr. Hume's plan of taking the control of County-rates from the handset irresponsible administrators, and transferring it to a Council elected hy the rate-payers. They have also called, for the Pith of next moth, a general meeting of delegates from the other Metropolitan parishes, to consider the necessary steps to be taken in the matter, and bring it be- fore Parliament.
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