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-.......,.-.-The Man About…

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The Man About Town. Now that it is clear the Corporation ot Cardiff can do nothing to retrace the false step taken by their Sub-committee, it is urgent that a new plan of action should be formed. The tolls must certainly not be permitted, and although the Bute authori- ties are said to be devising a method whereby passengers will not be taxed, so gra^e an infliction should not be left even to doubt and uncertainty. The mere possi- bility of an injustice like this is enough to band all thinking ratepayer:) in a common cause. One chance only is left. The Bute Bill should be opposed in the Commons. There is a method fortunately still left to us, de- spite strict Parliamentary regulations. It has not altogether a pleasing name, for in- discretion and bigotry and personal animus have brought odium in no small degree upon it. And yet it is plain to see that, used wisely and for proper ends, its existence is a useful safeguard against the rushing through of selfish measures not calculated to benefit the general interests of the public. I mean that the Bute Bill should be blocked. It needs only that Sir Edward Reed, who can scarcely feel other than sympathetic with the universal opinion of his constituents, should use this effective engine, and the desired end may without much difficulty be attained. If he or some other member blocks the Bill it will, in all probability, force the promoters to withdraw the obnoxious clause. If they do not do this, it will then become necessary to I move its rejection and there is small like- lihood of the Commons disregarding the voice of the town and of its member. Of course, such voice should be clear and unmistakeable. It must not be a quavering, uncertain sound. There is only one way in which it may make its strength and sincerity felt. Petitions should at once be signed by all classes of the community. I should suggest that those who have done such admirable public service by public speech and action against the conduct of the Sub- committee should add to the indebtedness of their fellows by speedily printing forms of petition and seeing that they are properly circulated and signed. Armed with a sanc- tion so clear and pronounced, Sir Edward Reed would regard the battle with complete assurance of success. It must not be for- gotten that, if the Bill be wholly with- drawn, Cardiff will not be the losers. Many specious arguments have been used to cloud the issue but it must never be lost to sight that the Bute Docks Company is compelled, for its own interest, to construct a large dock. Cardiff is falling behind the time, and she will not be much longer able to compete with her ampler. Is it possible, then, that the Bate Company will be able, in a huff, to throw up their undertaking ? Are they philanthropists seeking to spend three-quarters of a million simply to add to the prosperity of the town ? Or are they not a simple commercial body of men who aim at a business end for the benefit of themselves 1 Indeed, the present, Bill does not in any way provide for the building of a new dock. That must be kept clearly in mind. All that it seeks is poiver to build it within a period of ten years. Practically it is a pro- hibitive measure intended to prevent any rival company from anticipating its pro- moters within that period of time. Even if the Bill passed, the dock might not be built and if it is, it might not be started for a decade. I do not, of course, suggest that the dock will not be built. It must be. But what I wish to point out is that there is no obvious intention of starting at once, and a delay of one or two years in the passing of the Bill will, in all likelihood, have no practical effect in injuring the final prospects of the proposed undertaking. For such a shadowy gain it is sheer madness to throw away so important a principle. The Bute Company get all their money from the trade of the town and its district. It is un- fair that they should seek to tax the pleasures of those by whose industry and labour they profit. Is this new step to be taken ? If so, to action at once 1 It will be a new-and in some respects a startling-development if this matter be taken up and carried through successfully by the Trades Council; if the individuals whom the steady stay-at-home rate- payer has become accustomed to as- sociate with bands and processions, strikes, and threatened tumult, should appear in the entirely new and original" character of rate-savers. They will assuredly go up at a bound in the esteem of good folk whose consciences are perilously near the breeches pocket. For my own part, I am most struck with the fact that here we have a new social power in process of evolution upon novel lines. It is only recently that the Trades Councils have acquired so much influence in relation to electoral work, and now, already, Cardiff organisation goes a step farther, and is to be utilised as a safeguard against the consequences of mistakes by the constituted municipal authorities. Will the next stage be admission of reporters to their meet- ings and didactic discourse to those unfortunate slaves of the pen, administered by irate gentlemen in a condition of care- fully-cultivated indignation ? Before this disaster, though, we may expect to see I beneficial intervention in local affairs carried further. No local M.P. can afford to disregard a Trades Council resolution. No municipal representative would venture to set that body at naught and as a result of any action taken this evening, we must expect considerable enhancement of the power which the Trades Council will exer- cise in the 1st of November contests. Platonic friendship The learned counsel in the recent sensational case spoke of it and observed that a great philosopher had held it possible. What philosopher 7' asked the Judge. Whereupon Counsel stammered and stuttered, and could not say. Well, the question is not settled. Who, then, was the philosopher who advocated' Platonic friendship ? And why is it called ¡ Platonic friendship ? I pause for a reply I The Corpus Christi Procession is a touch- ing and beautiful spectacle young girls in I immaculate white, tripping I merrily along with hearts aflame in bright anticipation of the coming feast, not yet on the threshold of life, gazing still afar and with not clearest eye upon the future. It makes one pause a moment to reflect what the future has in store for them—these bright-eyed children —when years shall have rolled over them, and they, perhaps with wistful tear-stained face, regard this solemn festival from the bitter altitude of experience. It is by such beautiful and impressive ceremonies that the Catholic Church has kept itself in proud pre-eminence. Aye, ear and soul alike are awed by such a gathering. There is no separation in that magnificent old Church of the elements of man's life; each contributes its share. Is there its like to this Cor- pus Christi Procession in any other faith, one so attractve to young people, so solemn to the old, so fascinating to all alike ? The Catholic Faith teaches still the world how magnificently useful ceremonials can be made, how instructive and impressive and inspiring. Life would be more beauti- ful if some of these lessons were better earned and the external was not so much neglected.

IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE.

...-.......orv--RE-OPENING…

-TO-PAY'S WEATHER, 4.30 P.M.

--.___-Amusing Breach of Promise…

GROSS IMMORALITY,I

FIRE AT CARDIFF.

-ENGLISH FLEtT AT BOSTON.I

-. __n_._..-.-_.__-AMERICAN…

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--Cardiff Municipal Muddle

AN APPiAL FOR FUNDS.

I THE ACTION AGAINST MR INEWNES.

I SALVATION ARfo.Y & THE MUSIC-HALLS…

I A PRIEST'S REOANTATION.

I THE FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.…

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SOUTH WALES TIDE TABLE. I

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ICorpus Christi. -1 '

IANARCHY ON .THE CONTINENT.

ISPANISH QUARANTINE REGULATIONS.-

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