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THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVoL B.—No. 93.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1881.
Fix this textPrice—3d
Fix this text§tilktk
Fix this textSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, ISBI,
Fix this textA Privileged Plutocracy.
Fix this textIt is strange that in a democratic community such
Fix this textas our own, persons should be perpetually striving
Fix this textto create a system of class privileges and caste
Fix this textimmunities. The words “class” and “caste”
Fix this textin the preceding sentence must be allowed a,
Fix this textspecial significance, varied considerably from their
Fix this textordinary sense. Generally they carry a meaning
Fix this textwhich comprehends the idea of heredity. Here,
Fix this texthowever, as yet, they cannot be used in connection
Fix this textwith that idea. There is, in fact, no conception
Fix this textleas esteemed by our would-be grandees than that
Fix this textof heredity. At most, they entertain the idea only
Fix this textprospectively. Retrospectively it is intolerable to
Fix this textthem. Their class is of to-day, and of the here-
Fix this textafter. As for the past—silence. But what they
Fix this textmake no claim to have by inheritance, and cannot
Fix this textalead that they have been bred to regard as their
Fix this textpeculiar right, they show a singular eagerness to
Fix this textcreate for themselves, amidst our free institutions,
Fix this textand in despite of these institutions, in vulgar and
Fix this textcontemptible, but at the same time dangerous,
Fix this textimitation of the abuses which in older countries
Fix this textstill survive as relics of the old evil feudal op-
Fix this textpressions.
Fix this text• » *
Fix this textThe latest example of this tendency proceeds
Fix this textfrom that fountain of corruption —the Town Hall.
Fix this textHis Worship the present Mayor has, since his
Fix this textelection to office, distinguished himself by the
Fix this textactivity to which he has stimulated the officers
Fix this textcharged with the supervision of the street traffic.
Fix this textIt has been during Mr. Harris’ term that men in
Fix this textthe uniform of Corporation officials have assisted
Fix this textin separating the stream of vehicles on Saturdays,
Fix this textand sometimes on week days, and in compelling
Fix this textdrivers to observe strictly the rule of the road.
Fix this textIt has been during Mr. Harris’ Mayoralty that
Fix this textthe regulation requiring all drivers and horsemen
Fix this textto walk their nags over the street crossings has
Fix this textbeen enforced. These have been useful regula-
Fix this texttions, and for the attention he has given to the
Fix this textmatter Mayor Harris deserves the credit due to
Fix this texta representative man who attends to his functions.
Fix this textThere may, perhaps, be two opinions respecting
Fix this textthe rule winch enjoins drivers to pass over cross-
Fix this textings at a walk. It may be argued with some force,
Fix this textthat what is gained in safety to pedestrians is lost
Fix this textin convenience to both pedestrians and riders,
Fix this textnaamuch as the crossings are perpetually impeded
Fix this textby vehicles crawling slowly over them, while car-
Fix this textriages, cabs and omnibuses are provokingly de-
Fix this textlayed. But in deciding upon the existent rule,
Fix this textthe authorities have the support of successful
Fix this textprecedents in other
Fix this textThat, however, is a trifling matter. A truly
Fix this textimportant one is that the regulation should be
Fix this textadministered in the same spirit as is supposed to
Fix this textanimate all laws affecting Britons —that is to
Fix this textsay, without respect of persons. The instruc-
Fix this texttions given to the Corporation officers, who are
Fix this text■ v .rged with the task of seeing the regulations
Fix this text-served, are based on that not only commendable,
Fix this textj vitally necessary, principle. They are told to
Fix this textbo no respecters of persons. Attention to that
Fix this textsimple and excellent rule will, they are informed,
Fix this textsecure for them permanence in their positions.
Fix this textWe are not aware whether this assurance
Fix this textis conveyed, accompanied by a wink or
Fix this texta finger laid along the nose. _ But cir-
Fix this textcumstances which recently transpired in the
Fix this textSummons Court, and have since eventuated,
Fix this textseem to point to a probability that some
Fix this textsymbol of the kind would be appropriate. On
Fix this textthe 15th of last month, a Corporation official, in
Fix this textthe course of his duty, stopped various persona
Fix this textwho drove over the crossings at a pace exceeding
Fix this texta walk. Among the offenders so pulled up were
Fix this textMr. Alderman Daniel O’Connor, M.P., and a
Fix this textMr. Wadsworth, not himself a man of special
Fix this textnote, but so far favoured by Providence as to be
Fix this textbrother to an Alderman. These two, with a dozen
Fix this textor so of smaller fry, constituted the officer’s bag
Fix this textfor the day, and all were duly served with sum-
Fix this textmonses to appear and answer for their transgres-
Fix this textsions. When the day of judgment arrived, the
Fix this textmembers of the Bench who sat to adjudicate were
Fix this textinformed that, out of about eighteen cases en-
Fix this texttered on the list, two had been withdrawn. • One
Fix this textof these was the case of Mr Alderman Daniel
Fix this textO’Connor, J.P., M.P.,—an Aldbrman of the city
Fix this text°f Sydney, one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the
Fix this textPeace, and representative in Parliament of the
Fix this textelectors of West Sydney. The other case with-
Fix this textdrawn was that of Mr. Wadsworth, by
Fix this textOie grace of God brother to an Alderman. It
Fix this texttranspired that these two dignitaries had applied
Fix this textto Inspector Seymour for a withdrawal of the
Fix this textsummons, and that the Inspector had, instead of
Fix this textknocking his head in the dust and instantly dissent-
Fix this texting, referred them to his Worship the Mayor. We
Fix this texta *®i in view of subsequent events, quite in the dark
Fix this textw hy Mr. Seymour still retains his situation. What
Fix this textaction the Mayor took may be gathered from what
Fix this textfollowed. The cases were withdrawn. Mr Pen-
Fix this textfold, J.P., from the Bench animadverted
Fix this textcaustically upon the distinction so made, whereby
Fix this textthe ordinary citizen or traveller, the poor man
Fix this textwithout influence or means, was brought up to
Fix this textendure the penalties of the law, while the richer
Fix this textman —the man who made laws—or his relatives, or
Fix this texthangers on, were shielded and let go scot-free.
Fix this textThe magistrate further declared that, had he his
Fix this textown way, he would dismiss every similar case
Fix this textbrought before him that day.
Fix this textMr. Penfold directed that a fresh summons
Fix this textagainst Mr. O’Connor should issue, and post-
Fix this textponed the case to that day week.
Fix this text# * «
Fix this textThe impulse expressed by Mr. Penfold was a
Fix this textnatural one, and shadowed precisely what the
Fix this texteffect of unequal administration of justice would
Fix this textbe likely to have upon the general mind. If we
Fix this textcan’t have equitable laws, people will say, let us
Fix this texthave no law at all. Inequitably administered law
Fix this textis injustice. No justice at all is preferable to
Fix this textinjustice. The Magistrate’s strictures seem to
Fix this texthave rankled somewhere. That afternoon the
Fix this textofficer who had dared to touch the Lord’s
Fix this textAnointed, in the persons of an Alderman and an
Fix this textAlderman’s brother, received intimation that, by
Fix this textorder of the Mayor, he was suspended, and on the
Fix this textfollowing Monday he was dismissed! The osten-
Fix this textsible cause of dismissal was not summoning
Fix this textmembers of the privileged orders at all. It was, wo
Fix this textunderstand, “abusive, violent, and uncivil language
Fix this textand behaviour to Sir George Wigram Allen
Fix this textwhen stopping him in George-street on the previous
Fix this textThursday.” The villain had been at it again ! But
Fix this texton his interviewing Sir George Wigram Allen
Fix this textit transpired that that knight had not made any
Fix this textcomplaint of violent or uncivil -language. Sir
Fix this textGeorge had not relished being stopped, and had
Fix this textspoken - about it. J3ut he, upon matters
Fix this textassuming this phase, went and saw the Mayor, who
Fix this textassured him that it was upon other charges that
Fix this textthe officious offender had been dismissed. What
Fix this textthese other charges were, the dismised man had
Fix this textstill to find out. if he could.
Fix this text* # #
Fix this textOn the day appointed by Mr. Penfold for
Fix this texthearing thepostponed case against Mr. O’Connor,
Fix this textthe case was not on the sheet. The Bench again
Fix this textdrew attention to the fact that poor boys, to whose
Fix this textparents the amount of fine was, perhaps, a matter
Fix this textof daily brbad, were brought before him—and the
Fix this textwealthy men, if summoned, had their cases with-
Fix this textdrawn. Mr. George Merriman, the City
Fix this textSolicitor, then addressed the Bench, saying they
Fix this texthad made certain comments on the last Friday
Fix this text(when he was absent), and he was certain they
Fix this textwere not cognizant of the true facts of the case.
Fix this textHe proceeded to say “ That the person who insti-
Fix this texttuted the charge against Mr. O’Connor had since
Fix this textbeen dismissed the employment of the Corpora-
Fix this texttion for violent and abusive language to no less a
Fix this textperson, your Worships, than Sir G. W. Allen.”
Fix this textThat' these charges had been very numerous
Fix this textagainst this “ person” (naming none of the charges
Fix this textspecifically), and that he had actually been seen
Fix this textwhilst on duty smoking a pipe at the corner of
Fix this textthe street.
Fix this text* * «
Fix this textHere we have two definite, and a cloud of
Fix this textindefinite, charges. Of the definite charges, one
Fix this textpreviously discarded, is repeated afresh, in Court.
Fix this textThe other is smoking a pipe when on duty, in the
Fix this textstreet. Awful crime ! But mark here the dex-
Fix this textterity of the whole business. It is no longer Mr.
Fix this textO’Connor or Mr. Wadsworth who are defend-
Fix this textants. It is no longer the Mayor who has to
Fix this textexplain his conflicting statements. It is the man
Fix this textwho stopped members of the privileged pluto-
Fix this textcracy, who is put on the rack ! The man tried to
Fix this textvindicate himself, but, of course, was not per-
Fix this textmitted. The Corporation solicitor had a locus
Fix this textstandi and. a right to be heard in the Court. The
Fix this textdismissed man had neither; so the matter stands.
Fix this textThe fate of the offender will be an eternal warning
Fix this textto his fellow-officers in his late occupation, that
Fix this textlaws are not for members of the Privileged Pluto-
Fix this textcracy. The common people—the vulgar—must
Fix this textsubmit; but the Privileged and superior classes,
Fix this textaldermen, members of Parliament, chimney-
Fix this textsweeps and nightmen, beatified by election to
Fix this textoffice of any kind, must stand exempt. We would
Fix this textlike to hear,Mr. O’Connor on this subject. He is
Fix this textgiven to orating about being a man of the people.
Fix this textDoes he really desire to be one of the founders of
Fix this texta Privileged Plutocracy, a Plutocracy which will
Fix this texthave shackles/er, and a scourge gules, for emblazon-
Fix this textments, and a bar sinister across its ’scutcheon ?
Fix this textIs it to be understood that the laws are to apply
Fix this textonly to the ordinary populace ; that Mayors, and
Fix this textMinisters of Justice, and Aldermen are to be
Fix this textexempt, and their brothers and cousins to the
Fix this textthird and fourth degree ? People who havo not
Fix this textthe distinction of being connected with Aldermen,
Fix this textor descended from the Pilgrim Fathers, had best
Fix this textsee to this matter, and if a Privileged Plutocracy
Fix this textis to erect itself over a Servile order, the bases of
Fix this textmutual relations cannot bo too early defined or
Fix this texttoo clearly understood.
Fix this textThe Hon. John Richardson, M.L.C.
Fix this textThe portrait which we give to-day will be
Fix this textpromptly recognized by old colonists of New
Fix this textSouth Wales and Queensland, as that of a man of
Fix this textsterling value, who, while devoting his time, with
Fix this textmarked success, to commercial pursuits, has now
Fix this textfor over forty years lent his aid to the political
Fix this textadvancement of this country. The Hon. John
Fix this textRichardson, M.L.C., now residing at Armidale, is
Fix this text71 years of age. During the period of his colonial
Fix this textlife (forty-three years), he has built up two for-
Fix this texttunes—earning, in connection with the one, the
Fix this texthonour of being a pioneer of pastoral settlement
Fix this textin Queensland; and, with the other, of being, in
Fix this textNew England—though advanced in years—one of
Fix this textthe most active and enterprising of men. Mr.
Fix this textRichardson was to the front, years ago, in the
Fix this textconflict for Constitutional Government, and was
Fix this textone ot those who battled beside Dr. Lang for the
Fix this texterection of Queensland into a separate colony.
Fix this textHe was the first representative for Brisbane in
Fix this textthe New South Wa’es Parliament, and was the first
Fix this textMayor of Sydney. Mr. Richardson was born in
Fix this text1810, at Freuchie Manse, Fifeshire, Scotland,
Fix this textbeing the eldest son of the Rev. John Richardson,
Fix this textof that place. He is a cousin of the late General
Fix this textSir Thomas Pratt, who rendered signal services in
Fix this textthe Indian campaigns, and received for them
Fix this textseveral marks of royal favour. He came to Aus-
Fix this texttralia at an early age. While in Sydney he be-
Fix this textcame a writer for the Press, and was thus enabled
Fix this textto pursue the studies he had begun at home. He
Fix this textgraduated at the Sydney University, being
Fix this textamong almost the first who won that hononr.
Fix this textHe proceeded shortly afterwards to Queens-
Fix this textland, and commenced business in Brisbane
Fix this textas importer and shipping agent. While
Fix this textthus engaged, he received several of the
Fix this textimmigrant ships sent out by Dr. Lang. Mr.
Fix this textRichardson was twice elected for Stanley, and four
Fix this texttimes for Brisbane, being three times returned
Fix this textwithout leaving Sydney. After devoting some
Fix this textyears to politics and business, he took a voyage
Fix this texthome, but returned to the colony in 1868, and
Fix this textshortly after his arrival in Sydney was nominated
Fix this textto the Upper House by Sir James Martin. At
Fix this textthis time Mr. Richardson entered largely into
Fix this textstation investments in Queensland, and during the
Fix this textperiod of what is known in the sister colony as
Fix this text“ the black years,” lost the fortune he had pre-
Fix this textviously earned. Ten or twelve years ago he re-
Fix this textcommenced business in the New England district,
Fix this textfixing on Armidale as the centre of operations,
Fix this textand his old success has again attended him. In our
Fix this textLegislative Council, Mr. Richardson has at all
Fix this texttimes been on the side of liberal and progressive
Fix this textlegislation, and in his capacity as a citizen has
Fix this textmanifested an equally liberal spirit. On the as-
Fix this textsembling of the first Parliament at Brisbane, Mr.
Fix this textRichardson was offered the Speakership, but he
Fix this textwas compelled, for business reasons, to decline
Fix this textthe honour. He has been thirty-five years a
Fix this textmagistrate. Mr. Richardson married the third
Fix this textdaughter of the late Mr. Robert Russell, of Sydney,
Fix this textand has ten children. Three of his sons manage the
Fix this textbusiness at Armidale, and one of them has now
Fix this textfor the third time been elected Mayor of that
Fix this textborough. Our engraving is from an excellent
Fix this textphoto, by Solomon, of Armidale.
Fix this textPLAIN ENGLISH.
Fix this textLegislative Larrikinism.
Fix this textMr. Macarthur, in his recent communication to the
Fix this textPress, indicates our primary school system as the seed-
Fix this textplot of larrikinism. He is at some pains to prove hie
Fix this textposition, and is not without some claim to success.
Fix this textBefore settling down to the consideration of any single
Fix this textsource of this baneful evil, however, it might be well to
Fix this textlook further and higher for evidence of a kindred
Fix this textagency. Larrikinism, as we know it, has very pro
Fix this textnonneed and decided features. Contempt for the wholes
Fix this textsome restrictions of law and order, and for that sober
Fix this textdecency of social life and manner which forms the bond
Fix this textand preservative of society—this, perhaps, is its most
Fix this textnoticeable distinguishing mark. Anything, therefore*
Fix this textwhich goes to encourage or set in motion a tendency of
Fix this textthis nature, may be regarded as a direct aid to the
Fix this textpropagation of that most undesirable oS-shoot from
Fix this textcivilisation. The effect of such an influence, of course*
Fix this textis proportionate to its importance and publicity. I*
Fix this textencouragement of this kind comes from an elevated
Fix this textand influential source, the result will bo deep and per-
Fix this textmanent ; if the circumstances attendant are such as to
Fix this textensure publicity, these effects will be widespread and
Fix this textmanifest. This tejpg so, it seems a fair question to
Fix this textask—as a corrospeLdent does—if it would not be logical
Fix this textto attribute the increase of larrikinism in all the Aus*
Fix this textTHE HON. JOHN RICHARDSON, M.L.C.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134096293
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved March 26, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134096293
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 26 March 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134096293>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 26 March 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134096293
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 8 No. 93 (5 Nov 1881)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134096293
| id=nla.obj-134096293
| access-date=26 March 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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