The "hackney carriages," on which so much of the legislative
ingenuity of the session has been expended, have been withdrawn from the streets of London, pending negotiations with Mr. Fitzroy to obtain an amendment of his act in favour of the cabmen, who profess to be especially aggrieved; and it will be seen by the pro- oeedings in Parliament that Mr. Fitzroy has to some extent given way. "The cab movement" is to be followed by others ; several working trades in the MetroPolis being in a very uneasy and rest- less 'state. One, rather formidable in its appearance, is a possible strike both in the Metropolitan and in the City Police. These movements are a consequence and a part of the general rise of prices and of wages throughout the country ; and whatever modi- fications may be necessary, from the varying circumstances of different places, there are common reasons for the movement, in the increased cost of subsistence and the increased value of labour. The degree to which those reasons must be admitted in particular cases is a matter of fact only to be ascertained by evidence. But, under any circumstances, one obvious duty is incumbent upon those who have to take the lead in any such disputes : it is that of ascertaining the truth and the facts bearing upon the claims, and of coming to a clear understanding, as impartially and promptly as possible, on the common sense of the matter.
