Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

1 SUNLIGHT 1 g <-oap WRAPPER 3 %r competition. BOOK | Zj 1^. | pu]l Particulars J2J S- PRICES | round each Tablet £ DURING | of 1895. SUNLIGHT SOAP. 33 ts»- I 253 XBSSSaBSmmmmtrnrniam A LONG LIST of CHOICE BOOKS to SELECT FROM. ^PU{|*ili!lisliiliiliiii0illUH3liil!H»«lHII!tniHI!»»;u:««:»»minH«umu. p WOTH ZAAPOXITAART. 5=s Clergymen, Schoolmasters atid Schechnis/resses, Suutfay'Scheol JJJJ Supeppiendenfs and Teachers, may form Book Clubs" amongst "9^ Kjn,. Parishioners, Congregations, ami Scholars, and by c elite ling San- • Wrappers swn havt a valuable Library. piy*. =iJ!|Ji!liliillill!ii;ii:iiiii:i|:i»i>ii'»i',ii»:»",»-« wj LEVER BROTHERS, LIMITED, ^55 SET Port Sunlight, 4" ICr: Nr. BIRKENHEAD.

AT EIN DA RLLENWYR. Cyfeirier pob gobebiaath Gymrcig ar bynciau dyddorol, Ileol, neu weithfaol, yn nghyd a'r farddoniacth, i'r swyddfn fcl y canlyn :— H IOn WERTH," Moihjtr Times Office, Merthyr. "JOE A MK. TOM ELLIS. .1 y eanlyn yr ysgrifena Cymro Gwyn" i'r t-imrn. Yn y Merthyr Thins rhydd •' Joe Hamroer- banes ei ymweliad a'r Cyngrair Khyddfrydul •V" Nghaerdydd, pryd yr oedd y Prif Weinidog yno. Yrwed Joe" mai o'r holl wyr enwog oeddynt ar y 'yfan, ni chafodd neb dderbyniad mvvy croesawgar n*1' "Welsh Parnell." 'Doedd byw na marw na chodai y gwr bach dewr o Criccieth i fyny i wneyd "J^ech. Yr oedd y deng mil oeddynt wedi eu pacio H penwaie yn yr halen," wedi penderfynu y niynent ^'ywed ei lais, a lux raid iddo ildio, a gyrodd yntau y fiJ'nulleidfa ar d&n gyda'i hyawdledd. Yr oedd Ellis yno," niedd JOG "Hammersmith," "gobaith 'Jalc'ader Cymru dair blynedd yn ol, yr oedd yntau OIK! am Lloyd George y crochlefodd y dyrfa. Tom wedi ei golli yn awr er's pan y oiao yn o'r Weinyddiaeth." Hold on, "Joe," paid a aweyd hyny. Ydvw Tom Ellis ddim wedi ei colli i m> ac y mae yn sicr pe na buasai y gwron o Cynlas ■fl1 perthvn i'r Llyvvodraeth bresenol na chawsai f ,ur y l>adgysylitiad y lie blaenaf yn rhaglen y c.Tmbor nesaf. Da yw i ni fod genym "friend in <*>Urt." Nid ydyw Tom Ellis wedi gwneyd dim hyd hyn i fradychu ei egwvddorion, a phe cymerai y Weinyddiaeth unrhyw gamraa ag y tybia y Prif w'Pa fyddai yn erbyn Ilea y wlswl a gar mor fawr, efe fuasai y cyntaf i ymddiswyddo. Yr wyf yn 'neddwl, yn wir yr wyf yn hollol gredu, f')d y yn ,nyn'd dipyn yn rby bell. Fe ddengys amser o law nad ydyw Tom Ellis yn lost to TVales, a cheir gweled Jpai nid anfantais ond mantais i wleidyddiaeth ■lyrnreig ydyw fod yraelod anrhydeddus duw 1'einon yn nghyfrinion y Weinyddiaeth. Gall .'l^00 Hammeremith fod yn ddigon tawel, na ddaliaiTom iSllis y "chwip" yn ti law haner awr ]>e roeddyliai y byddai hyny ronyu o anfantais i Gyniru oblee'yd y mae ef o'i galon yn caru y wlad a'i macco."

COMEDAU. Awdwv dyddan ydyw'r seryddwr enwofc Syr Robert Ball. Nid o&j ball ar ei wybodaeth (medd y Cfjiuro) yn ughylch y llu wyljreuol, ac y mae ganddo ddull dyddan iawn o gyiieu yr hyn a wyr o flaen ei ddarllenuyr. Ychydig ddyddiau yn ol bit yn traetliu ar natur [1, dybon eoniediut. Dvwedai nmi creadunaid •anj^tywallt tros ben ydyut, a'u bod wedi dysgn y drwg yn ddiweddar o doii eu cyhoeddiadau. Nid yw Syr Robert yn sicrhau y pawn ni weled seren Sy^ffon" eto hyd 1910, sef "Corned Halle," yr hon ^ydd wedi ymddangos bob 75 mlynedd e'ra 2,000 o ^?yddau. Y flwyddyn ddiweddaf y bu hi j*n ngolwg y adaear oedd 1835. Hi a barodd ddyc-hryn aruthr y Canol Oesau un tro. Parodd y Pal; i glychau »oIl eglwysi Cred gael eu canu a chan faint y twrf, aychryuodd y gomed — beth byuag, hi a giliodd Mnaith ya fuan. Disyni iawn ydyw c.yfaiuoddiad c'oinedau yn main seryddwyr dyfynai Syr Robert ^J'r John Herscheli, yr hwn a ddywedai y o^Uid goblygu y gomed fwvuf a'i rhoi irewn port- Wntcau. A rhood(xld yr aatronomydd Gwyddelig raeth brawf mor ddisylwedd ydyw'r goleuadau J eithr ac aruthr hyn aeth y Ddaeav trwy gynffon ffomed y Dydd Hwyaf o 1861, ar Sabl>oth, ac ni fu f lu ailnf?'1a5ael hyd y gwj-ddisond i offeiriad crwledig u darllen ei brogeth heb oleuo dwy ganwvll. n "iarn Syr Rolx>rt, sylfaenedig ar dystioliWJthau, fflamllyd oedd comedau yn eael eu poeri o'r naul yn ol y cyflymdra o 585 milldir mewn un eiliad, a chadarnheid y golygiad hwn gun y darganfyddiad defnyddiau hetuawg pydd mewn comedau. Y Y on ogoneddusoi ohonynt oil ydyw Seryddiaeth. i ?. mh'le mae'r Gymdeitlias Servddol Gvmreig hono S' i J 'R°eddwn i'n mvn'd heibio godreu Moel •_)atx»d ddydd Gwener diwedfdaf; acer eraffu 'ngoreu, 1 jvelaia ddim arwydd fod darpariadau wedi eu eo"reu er gwneyd Arsyllfa ar ei phen.

YMGOM A JOHN BEIGHT. T ERwanwyn 1885 yr oedd y gwln.dweinydd enwog V, u Bfight yn aros yn yr Hydropathic Institution, Llandudno. Ar yr un nryd yr oe<ld Andionicus yno, JT hwn a yngritenodd nan en yr ymddiddan a gai o ryd i bryd a Mr. 13right. Ac yn awr y mae ^ronicus wt-di eyhoeddi eyfrol o'i adgofion, a'r orthygi jrybwylledig I mewn ynddi. Cyfrol ddifyr lawn yw Adgofion Andronk-uf, ac fe fydd y sawl a'i IJryno yn sicr o gael llawer o fwynhad iddo'i hun, ac P-v yr nn pryd j'n gwneyd eymwynas a gv. r sydd ar w'a«tad ei gefn ar wely cyst'ldd er's yn agos i ddeng P'lynedd bellach. Cyhoeddir y gj'frol pan Gwmni'r a.ag Genedlaethol, Caernarfon, a'r pi-is yw haner ^ron. Dyfynwn a ganlyn o'r erthygl ar John bright: — Yr oeddwn yn ddigwydd bod yn dia phoenuR v diwrnod hwnw, f'l yr oedd yn rhaid i IIn 0>r gwasa'nacthyddion fy hclpio i'r vstafell l»oeth, a'm ?osod i orwedd ar y fame bren. r oedd Mr. Bright yno o'm blaen, a gorweddai ar fy ngiiyfer. Edryehai amaf yn dosturiol, a dvwedai. "YrydychnK-wn iwwn "lavrr, beth ydyw oieh aficchyd 'r Dywedais mau tUal y cryd cymalan. Dvna yr ho11 .^gwrs y diwrnol cyntaf. pan aeth i'r ystafell arall, gofynai i r ystaf- tUydd pwy oeddwn, o b'le y deuwn, a !>eth oedd fy "galwedigaeth ? Dywedodd Frank, y balhmnn, Wrthyf wed'yn. "Yr oedd yr hen wr yu holi am danoeh fel pe dase fo yn myn'd i ysgrifenu bancs eich "ywyd; niae o wedi myn'd yn hynod blentynaidd, ao eisieu gwybod hanes pawb." Yr ail ddydd, pan oJ'tnerais fy lIe yn y bath, yr oedd Mr. Bright yno, a ?°fy>J0dd yn siriol. "Ydecli ehi yn llai jioenus I'^dvw ? o Caernarfon yr ydech ehi yn dyfod oni Hen dref ddyddorol ydyw eich tref chwi, ac yr ydych yn gryn Radicals acw." "We!, wn i ddim am '•yny, Mr. Bright," meddwn iuau, "y maey mwyafrif tnawr ohonom yn Yrnneillduwyr, ond wn i ddim l>eth am ein Radicaliaeth. Yr wyf yn tueddu i feddwl fod y pleidiau yn lied gyfartal. "Beth ydech chi'n acw o Fesur Claddu Mr. Oaiiorno Morgan, Mr. Jonca ydi o yn dvfod i fyny a'ch dymuniadan 'Wei, nac vdyw, syr, inao llswer o bethau ynddo eu newid." "Wei, beth ydi v.n ohonynt' "WeJ, syr, ni fu'm i ond mewn un cynhebrwng o dan .V Drefn Newvdd, ae yr oedd hwn yn dd'wniod oer a Rwlyb, cefais i a llawer ereill ein gwJychu at ein erwyn Wrtll .sefy 11 allan tra yr oedd yr hen eglwya o fewI1 Ychydig latheni i ni, ond nid oedd genym bawl i Pynhal y gwasanaetli ynddi hel) fyn'd a'r person ui." Ar hyn chwarddodd yr lien wr yn galonog, a sylwai r-"Mae'n debvg mai effaith y gwlychu y diwrnod, hwnw ydyw y cryd eymalau, ac felly y iliac yn rhaid 1 chwi ddiolch i Mr. Osborne Morgan am eieli an- "wyldeb." "0, nuge, syr; buasai Mr. Oaborno Morgan yn ddigon parod i ni gael myn d i r Eglwys I Sfynal y ffwasa^actli, ond y Toriaid :1:r Arglwyddl oedd yn erbyn." "Wei, na hidiweh, Mr. Jone«; mac Dadgysylltiad yn Nghymru yn «iCi" ? dayfod, er Rxv^ethaf y Toriaid a'r Arglwvddi. Ond v niae n 'haid i chwi gynhyrfu y wlad l>en bwy guydd, a S^ylio eich cvilc, pan y l>ydd pliidlais C ymru jn l'i m nerthol yn Nhy y 'Cyffredin. Fy main l ydyw ,riai Eglwys Y^gotlaud fydd raid fyn'd gyntaf, ac vvedi hyny yr EglwYd yn Nghymru. EfaHa- fy mod ^nmethn." Mae'n debyg pe buasai -1 r. Bright yn fyw y dyddiau hyn y buasai wedi ncwid ei feddwl. Yr oedd Mr. Bright yn myn'd yn fwv rhydd pob "ydd fel yr oeddyrn yn tlyfod yu fwy cydnabyddu.s a niiiau yn gofalu peidio cymeryd mantais o hyny i'w '{ynu allan. Yn y^.tod y dyddiau hyny yr oedd j\Ir. L. Bright yn anereh cyfarfodydd yu Stoke, gyda'r nica-a o ymgeisio aiu y sedd yn yr etboiiad cyffredinol oedd with y drws. Y peth cyntaf a °*ynodd Mr. Bright i mi un prydnawn oedd, "A ^'elnoeh chwi y Liverpool Daily Post heddyw, Mr. •Jones?" "Do syr." meddwn inau. "A welsoch araeth fy mab yn Stoke ar helynt yr Aipht; both oeddych chwi yn feddwl o gymhariaeth y 'coginydd' Do syr, mi gwelais hi, a meddwl yr oeddwn i v dywed lIawor o bobl mai chwi wnaeth yr araeth, mae nior debyg i chwi." Tybed, tybed," meddai yntau dan chwerthin. u ystod y ddyddiau yr oedd yr yuiddiddaniun hyn J n cymeryd lie, digwyddodd tro lied ryfedd. DrrbjTi- V>arsel oddiwrth gylaill, a hwnw wedi ei lapio toewn dalen o'r Times am y flwyddyn 1345. V ^arn o'r papyr JT oedd un o areithiau mawr Mr. fright yn Nhy y Cytfredin ar y Mesur Hehvriaeth. Adroddai:. y (j'aith wrtho y prydnawn hwnw. Dear meddai yntau gyda f^yndod, p'le, tybed, y ^ll y darn xiaviv* vna er'^ deugain mlynedd ? Yr wyf cvGo yr araeth yn dda, ac y mac £ e»yf acbos cotio r'nywbeth arall yn ndyn a hi cos ti odd yr araeth hono i mi £ 500. Perswadiwyd ti gan nifer o gyfeillion i argraphu yr arieth me\vn flfurf pam- phledyn, a gwnaethum hyny taenwyd ugeiniau o hloedd ar hyd ailed y wlad," ac ychwanegai gan wenu, and I had to pat! the piper." Un prydnawn dywedodd wrthyf, Bu'm yn rho'i tipyn o dro yn y wlad, yr oedd yn lx>oth iawn, ae yr oeddwn yn fvchedig. Troais i fewn i fwthyn ar ochr y ffordd a gofynais am ddiod o ddwfr. Ni fedrai yr hen wraig Saesneg, ac ni fedrwn inau eich iaith bryd- ferth chwi; put bynag, gwaith hawdd ydyw gwneyd irywunddeallfodsj'chodarnoch. Yr oeddyno hengloc gwyneb pres, a« wrth edrj*ch ar fy watch, gwelais fod yr hen gloe awr yn ffaat. A fedrweh eabonio hyn i mi; yr oeddwn wedi gweled pefch cyflFelyb amryw droion mewn rrmaethdai Cymreig yn sir Feiiionydd." I" Y mae yn hen arferiad syr," meddwn inau, jm y wlad yn Nghymru, i gael y clociau awr o flaen cloeiau y trifi, er mwyn cael gan y gweision a'r raorwynion godi yn y boreu." "Wei, wel, Mr. Jones," meddai yntau, gan chwerthin nes oedd yn eiglo, "dydw j ddim j"n gweled Ionic o gwbl yn nyny. Oe bydd y gweision yn dechreu ar eu gwait'u awr yn foreuach, y maent yn cael rhoddi i fyny awr yn gynarach hefyd, oa ydynt yn myn'd wrth y ^loc." (Tn diwrnod daeth i a.r<M I'r sefydliad hen foneddwr o Durham, ac ar ol tipyn o sgww, cefais allan ei fod ef yn aelod 0 bwyligor etholiaa Mr. Bright pan jm- feisiai am gj-nrychiola«th y ddinas hono yn y wyddyn 1843. Nid oedd wedi gwel'd Mr. Bright i siarad gydag ef byth ar ol hyny, a llawenychai yn fawr pan glywodd fod y gwr mawr yn Llandudno, a bod tcbygolrwvdd y o'ai ei weled. Boneddwr hynod o wylaidu oO'Jd y gwr o Durham, lied anhebyg, mae amaf ofn, i ysgrifeuydd yr adgofion hyn. Fodd bynag, hysbysais y ffaith i Mr. Bright, a chafodd y ddau yuigoin hapus am ddigwyddiadau yr amser gynt. Fel y gwyr y darllenydd yr oedd Mr. Bn»ht yn hoft o billiard*, ac yn chwareuwr o'r radd ucnaf, ac nid oedd dim a roddai fwy o foddlonrwydd iddo na rhoddi curfa dda i rhyw sicell a ddigjwyddai cael y fraiut o chwareu gydag ef. Chwareuai un waith bob prydnawn oyn gadael yr Hydro. yn fwyaf cyffredin gyda Dr. Thomas. Ar ol mynd yn ol i Lundain, anfonodd anrheg o set o daclau chwareu fel rhodd i'r sefydliad, ac am ddim a wn i, yno maent eto. Dyma y tro olaf y bu Mr. Bright j'n Llandudno, a gallwn ychwanegu mai dyma y tro olaf hefyd i'r ysgrifeuvdd, —ond nid yw hyny fawr o bwys. Terfynaf yr ychydig adgofion hyn am yr hen Grynwr enwog o Rochdale yn ngeiriau Mr. "Punch" bynttbes mlynedd yn ol,— Stout John Bright, What ever you do, whether wrontr or right, You do it with all your wight.

Y LONDON & NOKTH WESTEEN A'LL GWEITHWYR CYMKEIG. Y CWMNl WEDI ILDIO. O'r diwedd^ wedi hir ymgyndyuu, y mae cwir.ni y London and North Western wedi ildio i lais y cyhoedd. GweLsant en cam^meriad o droi ymaith o'u LlwaA* anaeth y Cymry na fedrent yr iaith Saesneg. Deall- WI1 fod yr holl Gymry a ddiawyddwyd wedi ca^l gair oddiwrth y swyddogion y caent eu lleoedd yn ol, ac y byddai iddynt gael ail-ddechreu gweithio dydd LIun. Nis gwyddom a fydd i'r oil o'r dvnion dderbyn y cynyg ai peidio, gan fod amryw ohonynt wedi cael gwell lleoedd nag oeddynt yn ei ddal ar y rheilffordd. Hyderwn na fydd unrhyw anghydwelMiad o'r fath yn cymeryd lie eto yn hanes y cwmni hwn. Medd y (leuedl: Barn y bobl a orfu, a darostyng- wyd balcbder Cwmni Rheilffordd y London and North Western Nid oes eisieu mynd yn mhell i ebwilio am y rheswm o'rcyfnewidiad sydyn hvTJ. Yr oedd y cyfarwyddwyr wedi cael profion rhy heilltion fod v w lad fel un gwr wedi codi i'w herbyn. Yr oedd Cyngor Mon, yn y cyfarfod diweddaf, ar g^Tiygiad Mr. jtJ'Killop, wedi jvasio J)enderfyniad JTJ gwahodd Cwmni'r Midland i estyn eu Ilinell hwy drwy sivoedd Dinbych ac Arfon i'r arfordir or mwyn cystadlu a'r London and North Western. Byddai hyny jm ergyd drom i'r cwmui olaf. Heblaw hyn yr oeddent wedi dechren teimlo eisioes mewn man tyner hyd y nod i gwmni mawr fel hwn, sef y bocerl, nad oedd gwiw gwingo yn erbyn v symbylau. Pan welodd V cwmni fod masnachwyr Mynwy, Morganwg, a Myrddin, Manchester, Liverpool, a Llundain, j*n ogystal a Mon ac Arfon, yn tynu eu cefnogaeth yn ol, ac yn ffafru llinellau ei-aill, dechreuasant agor llygaid i'w camsjmiad mawr. Da y gwnaeth Cymru Fydd a da y gwnaeth pawb arall, i godi'r toimlad drwy'r wlad yn erbyn formes anhcilwng v cwmni. Dyma wers effc-itbiol i driliit a ffroenucheledd y Sais nad anghofir yn fuan.

A DANGEROUS GANG AT DOWLAIS. EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT. .lolm Thomas and Thomas Richard", two young men, were charged at the Merthyr Police-court on Monday with being drunk and disorderly at Cae- harris. Dowlais, on the previous Saturday night.— Mr. Gwilym James- said ho had been asked by the Dowlais Iron Company to prosecute in this case, because the defendants were members of a Penywain gang, and these men were in the habit of coining down to Dowlais on a Saturday evening and terrorising the inhabitants of the district.—Eugene McCarthy and John Uyan, gate-keej)er at the Cae- harris Lodge, spoke as to the rowdy manner in which the.se nun and others behaved in the road on the night in question.—P.C. Smith Baid that on arriving at the rujot at 11.20 p.m. he found a large crowd, of which the defendants were the leaders, shouting and challenging anyone to fight.—The Stipendiary said that the defendants were guilty of a most alxsminable offence, and if members of these gangs came before the Bench a^ain tho heaviest jxmalty would b« inflicted, or the offenders would sent to prison without the option of a tine. The two men before the Court would now be lined 20s. and costs each, or 21 days.

A VIOLENT CHARACTER AT MERTHYR VALE. At the Mcrtbyr Police-court on Monday, a young mau named Win. Bennett was charged with being drunk and disorderly and with damaging a door, the property of John Lloyd, at Perthigleision, Merthyr Vale, on the previous Friday, the amount of the damage being assessed at 5s. The defendant was further. charged with assaulting P.C.'s Venn and Tompkins at the same time and place. Ftom the evidence of the constables it appeared that tho man was behaving in a mast rowdy manner, and when the oflicers remonstrated with him he struck and kicked them vioiently.—Jane Lloyd, the wife of John Lloyd, said that the defendant tried to gain admission to her house, and on being refused he broke the door open. John Morgan, a neighbour, said that Bennett tried to get into his house, but failed to do so, and then turned his attention to Mr. Lloyd's door.—Inspector Coles handed in a long list of previous convictions against the defendant in the Pontypridd Police-court. He was now amerced in a penalty of 10s. and costs, or 10 days for being drunk 40s. and cost* or a month for the assault; and 10s. and costs, and the 5s. damage, or 14 days for smashing the door. n- _n.O_

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A DOU, Ou Thursday, at the Merthyr Police-court, Joseph Thomas, 5, Penyard-street. was summoned by Edward Daviesfor cruelly ill-treating a doj' on January 16th. Mr. Sidney Simons prosecuted, and Mr. Beddoo defended.—It was alleged that the defendant had thrown a stone at the dog, injuring his head, and also that the man took the dog up and heat it against the wall. The Bench did not think the evidence strong enough to convict, and dismissed the case.

• ALLEGED THEFT OF 50LBS OF BEEF AT MERTHYR. Nicholas Cohill was brought up at the Police-court, at Merthyr on Monday charged with stealing 50Ibs of beef, the ptopertv of James Thomas, butcher, db, Fontmorlais, Merthyr.— P.C, David Morns said that at 7.30 on Saturday evening he met the man in Bethesda-street, carrying a leg of beef on bis shouldetj On being asked where he got this large johit he stated that he picked it up ou Jackson's Bridge.-— James Thomas identified the meat and taid it was worth 25s. --On the application of Inspector Coles the prironer was remanded for a week.

All hopo of coniforl in mv home had did I l'ulíl the JIATCUU^S CLEANSER KOAr I tncù,

LIBERALISM THE ENEMY OF THE WORKING CLASSES. To the Editor. SIH,—My reference to your not having been long in Merthyr was in no sense meant to be a reproach. You made a public appeal for support for the so-called Literals at the recent elections, urging electors to have nothing to do with the independent candidates. I said your honesty was to be commended for having admitted in the past that Liberalism in local matters had done nothing for the people, and I ventured the opinion that when you had been Ion* enough in Mer- thyr to measure up our precious Liberal rulers you would come to the conclusion that such people were I best relegated to obscurity. Surely there was nothing offensive in that, nor anything to which you need take exception. When, too, you made the mistake of ¡ ascribing the defeat of the free library agitation to ) Tory opposition, I said that if you had lived longer among u" you would not have made that mistake. To that statement I adhere. Now, you call the defeat of that agitation only a detail. But, sir, it was the one and only instance you gave of Tory opposition to Liberal rule in Merthyr, and detail or no detail it was the case you relied upon to exemplify the wickedness of that proverbially wicked creature, the Tory. I distinctly challenged you and your two supporters in this controversy to name one single instance in which the Tories had successfully impeded progress in ouv local boards, but that challenge will never be taken ) up. What I insisted on, and now insist on once more, is the absurdity of asking public support for admitted incompetents in preference to other and letter men, simply because ths latter are Tories. That is my point, Mr. Editor, and it has not yet been met. Now, finding your position untenable, you ask me for my programme, and the refined "Disgusted," who was too fair-minded to set you right in your free library statement, because to leave it uncorrected would have been to pcorc a point against the Tories, backs you up in your request. Well, sir, on that point I won't dis- appoint you, only let us have one thing at a time. I started to prove Liberalism the enemy of tho work- ing classes, and I am not going to be led from that subject either by Progressive'ssermon on I mashers or your own request for my programme. Nothing will be lost by p<>~t))ouing discussion on the Union programme until the present controversy is finished. Besides, would it not have been fx*tter on your part to have asked the Tory candidates at the recent elections for that programme, before asking tho public to vote for their opponents whom you yourself admitted had done nothing in tho pant? You know perfectly well that tho Liberals, who included the vahooa and ignoramuses to whom I have before re- ferred, would follow blindly the losses of the old caucus, the big man from GwaeJodygurth, and the little one from the Glebeland. And you admitted that in the past that clique bad done nothing. But you did not know how Dan Thomas and the others would act in tho administration of our affaire, and yet you asked the public to vote against thorn without asking them for their programme. You see, Mr. Editor, that it will not do to M honest and be at the same time a snpporter of the incompetente and the faddists, and your effort in that direction has landed you in a bog hole out of which there is no escape. We fchall soon be in the midst of fresh local elections. Will you then repeat your advice of last November and Decem- ber, or before condemning the Tory candidates will you ask thorn for their programme? Since Liberalism is an admitted failure Toryism, in common fairness, ought to have a chance. So poor old "Disgusted" throws up the sponge. Wise man. Rats desert a sinking ship, and nis- fusted will seek to defend tho indefensible. But eing such a stickler in hair-splitting discriminations be ought to have quitted tho arena with Fome show of decency. Because I have endeavoured to show that rt is the duty of the British Government to pro- vide work for the British working men, I am accused of appealing to the passions of the mob, and what I write is positively wicked. Tommy rot, my "Dis- gusted friend, tommy rot, in the biggest letters in the case. It is tho duty of every man to look out for himself, and the man would he a fool who did not do so. Tho days have gone by when the public could be gulled with the old phrases about" The Tories are the enemies of all progress," "The Tories want to keep the working man down," See., kc. I believed this rubbish myself at one time, but that wa-s when I was very young and took my thinking ready made. Claptrap like this is an excellent thing in the eyes of our not too scrupulous friends of the set fawr but once a man comes forward and eudeavours to show what n frightful sham and imposture modern Liberalism it, he is aocused of pan- dering to the mob, &c. Bah Let's have no hypocrisy in this discussion let us face facte fairly ana squarely, and leave the commonplace rant of the Radical tub-thumper on one side. What does Keir Hardie say in his article in the National Revieic? The workingmen are learning that Liberalism and not Toryism is their greatest enemy." And in the fame article be "aya The workingmen have less to fear from an aristocratic House of Lords than from a bourgeois House of Commons." Pretty word?, these, are they not, my Disgusted" friend t Ponder them over, please, and let's hear no more of your chimerical pension as a cover for real incompetence. But if one must quarrel with Disgusted for trotting out tho ptoek phrases of tho Radicals, it must be Kaid for him that he is a good controversialist. He does not wander far from the subject under discus- sion. But what can one say of Progressive except that he is a consummate humbug ? Don't tone down that phrase if you please, Mr. Editor, for it is written after careful consideration. Who but a humbug would wilfully misrepresent an opponent as he did in the case of the 18-carat Parnellite," and then enter into a disquisition on mashers ? That was bad enough in all conscience, but what he has done this week fairly eclipses everything. What in the name of common sense is that first paragraph all about ? Such a botch potcb of incoherence I have never read, and I at once own that I don't understand it. What is the melodious harmony of the hedgehog in diffi- culties?" Can the new Liberals of Merthyr find no better champion than the babbling blockhead who writes such a mass of incomprehensibility as that first paragraph Three things only I can make out of the whole salmagundi. First, Progressive has doubts about my mental balance. Well, let him mind his own business. The subject under discussion is Liberalism tho enemy of the working classes," and not the mental condition of one of the controver- sialists. Next, Councillor Thomas Thomas is, as a feeler" I suppose, named as one of the yahoos and ignoramuses to whom I referred. Well, he is not, that" all. I did not include that gentle- man in my list at all for the simple reason that I don't know him sufficiently well to say whether he is an ignoramus or not. Judging by his writings he is not. I don't coudemn unless I know. And this brings us back to that well-known phrase yahoos and ignoramuse" but I don't know in what amnoc- tion it is used by the preacher on mashers. Cleav away your verbiage, my good fellow, and don't exhibit the superficiality of your knowledge by, every time you write, trotting out the name of Home professor. Come down to hard facts. I tell you now for the third or fourth time that there were brought out at the last election as official Liberal candidates yahoos and ignoramuses who could not write two presentable sentences, and who had no more knowledge of the duties of the offices to which tht-y aspired than a hedgehog. Wereauch things as these to be preferred to Dan Thomas aud the other men of intelligence who asked for the people's votes ? Come, Rir, have done with your inanities and your wanderings among meaningless phrases and answer the question. Show that you are a man who can face a difficulty squarely, and thereby disprove my contention that you are a verbose humbug, who seeks to cover his retreat with a sermon on mashers and the melodious harmony of the hedgehog iu difficulties," whatever that may mean. Sir, in leaving the local aspect of the discussion I claim to have proved, and you havo admitted it as well, that Literalism has done nothing for the work- ing classes. But I have gone further. I have shown that the affairs of this district are not in safe keeping when entiusted to Literalism, a thing that prefers ignorant and illiterate ahony-hoys to enlightened men. I have dared all three opjwnents to say openly, whether thoy sympathise with this disgraceful method of keeping out good men, and they are all silent. They dare not say that a creature that can sea rely write his name is to te preferred to Henry Lewis, for that would be to confess openly that a tom-cat calling itself a Liberal is to be preferred to a man of sense calling himself a Unionist. And they dare not give the other answer, for that would offend the great cause of Liberalism, and as I said before everything and every- l)ody must l>e sacrificed to the Moloch of Literalism. Progressive," like the noisy babbler he is, does not attempt to meet my oft-repeated challenges, but gives as an instance of the present Government's care for tho working classes the passing of the Parish Councils Bill without the property qualification. Of course he forgets to tell me how such a Bill or any other like it is to benefit anybody. It simply affords a pack of nondescripts tho means of gratifying their ambition to rank on an equality with the ""bis? guns of their particular districts. For the rest what will it do, what can it do? When Fouquier-Tinvilie was being led to the guillotine, the populace who remembered how his victims had been "tried" in batches that they might be the more expeditiously got out of the way, shouted to him, "Fouquier, where are now thy batches?' And the gory attorney, maintaining his sarcasm even while death stared him in the face retorted, Hungry Canaille is your bread cheaper, wanting them ?" In these caustic words one may very well address the raving elamourers against the House of Lords, would-be plunderers of the Church and screaming Local Optionists, for as "Unionist" pomtedlyasks, "How will any one or all of those measures benefit the workers of this country?" In the same way I will ask, how tho Parish Council Act will tenefit us to the extent of a half-penny ? For reply I expect Progressive will mention the name of some professor, and then give us a disquisition on the crinoline, or something equally germane to the question. One other point in the rambling rigmarole of the moralist on mashers calls for notice, namely that in which he says, People cannot be exr>ected to buy a thing unless they want it," this evidentlv tein^ Ins apology for tho existing depression in trade. The statomeut taken by itself i« sound enough, but it exemplifies once more tho wilful blindnsss of the com- mon or parden Radical. I have said before, and I repeat it now, that tbere are millions of miles of British territory where no raihvavs havo been con- structed, and I say it is the duty of a British Govcru- ment to look after the welfare of British subjects and B!,ltlsh trade all over the. world. Can you find fault wtththat, my 18-carat incoherent friend' If our piecious Government had the interest of the people really at heart, they would seek to own up new markets for British trade instead of pottering at the constitution and pandering to tho rabid enemies of everything that is English. I claim that a Radical Government is tho enemv of the work- ing-cias-jes, occausc the capitalists have 11) confi, dcuee in it. and because it offers no protection to the enterprising. H«=re is the proof. Let us first of all take tne exports of this country from the year 1882 when after the murders in the Ph.rnix Park Mr' Gladstone entered upon his policy frf aurrrnder and let the intelligent reader remember that the exlwts repmeut the value of the goods made in this country and -;cut abroad. Listen, yo frauds of labour v r 1882 £ 241,467,162 1887 £ 221,913,910 18&3 £ 259,T98,4T3 1888 iSM.M4.912 1884 £ 233,025,242 1889 £ 248,935,195 1885 £213,115,114 1890 £ 263,530.585 1886 £ 212,725,200 1891 £ 247,235,150 Total £ 1,140,132,191 Total £1,216,149,752 It will thus ba seen that during the Unionist regime the trade in English produce increased by more than £ 76,000,000. In 1891, it will be observed there i" a decline in trade, due in great measure to the fttct that the Unionist time of office holding was nearing ite end, and the practical certainty that the Radicals would succeed to power as the bye-elections had indicated. Well, "the friends of labour" came into power in 1892 on their factionist majority, and this is the result:— i 1892 exports, 422'1,077,053 1893 „ £ 218,496,246 The figures for 1894 have not yet been published, but for the first eight months the average is even 3bvver than that of 1893. Observe, there is a fall of 1:45,000,000 in the exports of this country from 1890 to 1893. Such are the results of Radical Govern- ment. Are you satisked now, my 18-carat bab- bling friend ? Can you sermonize the meaning out of tiie above figures ? Will you still prate ot the Radicals being the friends of the working-classes wheu vou find that the wicked Tories sent out £ 76,000,000 worth of British produce mere than did the all-virtuous Liberals in the same period of time? Sir, the cold, hard fact is that under a Radical Government, trade and capital fly out of the country because the men ef business, the men who make this little island the proudest spot on earth, have no confidence in a patched up party that is the friend of every eountry except their own. And the inevitable result is that wa^es are reduced, and the number of the unemployed increases. Alderman Forrest recently told the people of Dowlais that at the present time ten per cent. of the working men of this country are out of employment, and the truth of the statement caunot be questioned What a com- mentary upon the Government of the friends of Labour," who, judging by their promises, were going to make this country nn Elysium ? Sir, I have by no means done. I have many other facts to adduce in support of my contention that Liberalism is the enemy cf the working: classes, but I must have regard to your space, and withhold them till uext time. One word, however, I nuist say before closing. "Dis- gusted evidently tliinks lie has cornered me when be quoted Mr. H. C. Lewis as saying that a Govern- ment has but little to do with the trade of the coun- try. Directly that of course is true enoueb, but when you have ^Government stirring up the masses against the classes.eheerfully entering upon a policy of revolu- tion at homo, and constantly surrendering abroad, how can anyone have the slightest confidence in it? The men of money are treated with contempt by the Radicals, and are denied protection, not to say encouragement, and the iuevitablo result is that capital is driven out of the country. Let anyone who doubts this statement remember how this unpatriotic anti-British Government treated the East African Company. This act, with many others like it, show that under a Radical Government it cannot be said of England, that The nations not so blest as thee. Shall in their turn to tyrants fall While thou shalt flourish great and free, The dread and envy of them all. —I am, kc., FOHWAHP. SIH,Like a true Radical your correspondent Disgusted runs awav when tackled, and says he has had enough of it. Why does be not stick to his guns if the Radicals have such a good cause ? Why run away when you might be able to enlighten the people ? What has Literalism done for the working classas ? The fact is, sir, that he has found the pre- sent Liberalism of to-day won't bear too much light, and he, therefore, retires "isfcoramudy" from the field. Well, Mr. Editor, with your permission, I will continue th9 subject, and as "iorward has pro- mised to give figures showing which is the best Government for trade I will take another subject,and try to prove that Literalism is the enemy of the working-classes. Take the question of foreign contracts, a most important question to working men. What do we find ? Why, the present Literal Government giving contracts to foreigners, while British working men are starving. Now here are tho factn. During the Gladstonian six years of Govern- ment prior to 1886, we find they are responsible for about £ 800,000 of public money being sent out of our conn try to employ foreign labour. Among the articles purchased abroad were bursting guns, breaking swords, scabbards, gunpowder, torpedoes, braid and cloth, studs, discs, screws, tents, saw", butter, salt pork, and many others, all obtainable far better at home. Surely our Irish brethren could supply the butter and pork. Now take the Unionist Government from 1886 to 1892. Y ou will find who employ home labour and make trade prosperous, and here is the proof. The Unionists were returned by British patriot", and well-wishers of our country in 1886, and by strict vigilance quickly succeeded in reducing the contracts with foreigners and stimulating home industry. The Gladstonian average of £ 126,000 was brought down in 1889 to;056,429, and in March 31st, 1892, down to JE38,142, and was confined to a very few necessary articles not to be had in this country. But again in 1892 arrive tho Gladstonians on the back of the Irish National League, and at once the Government contracts to foerigners nearly double, and go up to £ 60,290. They order foreign shells for our guns off French workmen, besides lx>afcs for our Navy, and many other articles from Germany, and glory in doing so. They have since placed orders with foreigners for dozens of boilers for our ships of war (at a cost of £ 13,840) and aleo locomotive engines by the score whilst fuiuaces are blown out in tucrland and Wales, and British boiler makers, engineers, and other skilled artizans walk the Rtreets with empty jxickets. In fact if these Radical frieuu9 of the foreigners are not turned out from the office they discredit the orders to foreigners, paid out of the public purse, will continue to rise. The resolution in favour of fair wages, fair con- tracts, and fair hours, which was readily accepted by Lord Salisbury's ministry will be evaded, fo% neither trade union wages, nor trade union hours, nor factory laws apply to work done abroad. You ask me, Mr. Editor, in your last week's article to give you the programme of the Unionist Party. I That I will do with pleasure in my next letter.—I am, yours etc., "UNIONIST." I )

CYCLING GOSSIP. Br WHEELMAN. The cycling world is all agog with the possibilities and probabilities of the coming season, and the fine clear weather has turned out many au iron horse to carry its rider with swift, silent, and exhilarating motion over the haid lio.-t-teund roads. The ques- tion of a cycling track is again talked of at Aterdare, and I was glad to see the able letter written by Pneumatic Tyre" in last week's Merthyr Tiuit*. As he points out, the establishment of a track, with occasional raw-meetings, would he the means of bringing people to the town. Those jx.oplo would bring money, therefore it would improve trade. Let the athletes: of the district combine, for unity means strength, and let them get a recreation ground in which all will have an interest. It wi!l foster the sport in a way that nothing else will. Cannot a representative meeting of the various football, cricket, cycling, and lawn tennis clubs te held, and a sensible scheme brought, forward ? With the influence that the patrons of the various sports would lend, the ultimate success of tbe general venture, in which all would mutually tenefit, would be assured. It has been doue in other places why not in Aberdare? I would suggest that a. company be formed to be called, say, The Aterdare Recreation Company," and shares be issued for small amounts, say £1 per share. It would be a profitable invest- ment, nnd I know of plenty who would invest and be glad of the chance. As to the matter of a site, what of the Ynys Meadow, C'ae Smith, Rosser's Field, or many other places just as suitable? The Park, I telieve, is unattainable, and in truth I am not sorry. 1 am very proud of our park, certainly one of the tinest in South Wales. The mention of the Park, too, brings to my mind a very forcible reason why the new District Council t-l:uuld do all in their j sower to further this mow merit. The Park in the nearest approach we have to a track, and tk. riding that is done there has given rise to a good deal ot comment, and been the causo of one or t« o accidents. Indeed the steep gradients and the splendid surface combine to make the pace of riders something approaching terrific. I have myself seen euch near shaves that Providence only averted the danger, or else our speed men are like "Jack," watched over by a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft." But to return to our muttons." If the District Council help us, and a recreation ground and cycling track became a reality, will it not do away with tho scorching in street and park, and encourage young people to practice the theory embodied in the words, A sound mind in a healthy body," There are our Licensed Victuallers, who bold their annual sports, and who would, doubtless, come over and help us throw in their lot by amalgamating and taking a share in the labour and profit. Again, why not include our swimming baths in the programme ? What does Mr, D. Davies, our ex-Eigb Constable say ? Well, I have had my say I hope that the matter will te earnestly taken up. It's like the auctioneer and his bid, it only wants, a start. Arthur Linton and Jimmy Michael, our champion representatives in France, were on the list in a 24 hours race in Paris, February 3rd. Up to time of writing no news of the race has arrived. Another promising rider is turning his attention to the racing events of the coming season. I refer to Ji. 11. Pugh, who rode well, but was attended with the worst of bad luck through tlie whole of last season. He is, I believe, the fastest man on the sprint in South Wales, aud in my opinion if ho sticks to short distance races he will make his mark. Another whom I should like to see on the track this season is our old friend A. J. Sheen, than whom, notwithstanding tho fact of tho very numerous prizes he has won, a straiglrter or more consistent rider never crossed a machine. By the bye, I feel sure that he is oue who would go in heart and boul for the trick affair," and his experience would be found invaluable. Our Welsh professional champion has not got any further in the matter of his match with A. W. Harris. All due respect to Tom James, he will find A. W, a big mouthful, and although I am patriotic enough to hojie that James wins, I am rather doubt- ful of the issue. A fire, which might have been serious, occurred on Saturday week at the premises of A. D. Jones, hair- dresser and cycle agent, Aberdare, and several valu- able machines were only rescued from the flames by the prompt action of the proprietor. I shall bo glad to receive notc-õ or items of news from fellow-cyclists in the district. Iiet every com- munication be brief and to the point. Address: Wheelman," Times Office, Merthyr.

BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. Best Baking BORWTCK'S BAKING POWDER. I'^r BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. Whoi7lw BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. T-' BORWICK'S BAKING iWDER. irW Aluuu

J! I THE BITTER CRY OF MERTHYR CHILDREN. [Br PHILA-NTHROPIST.] i How bitterly cold we say as we leave our co«y firesides and warm, cheerful dwellings for the frost and enow without, and encounter tbe full force of a piercing wind. We shudder, for the cold is so intense tbat it seems to freeze our very marrow. But let it not get near our heart?. They should ever teat warm for those who are les* fortunate, perhaps, than oar- selves, and are not able to share tbe same joys and comfort* that we enjoy. I have read of the "good old time'— When rich aud poor were more akin, And held high feasts together, >• And warmly beat the hearts within, Despite the wintry weather. Even supposing that in those days there was undue eating ana drinking, there was nevertheless practical help and sympathy for the stranger, and a cordial I welcome to the festive board." And to-day, I know, there is to te found the same spirit of genuine sym- pathy for t.ho"£' who most need it. Let us for a few moments look into our very midst, here in Christian, civili7.ed Merthyr and if the life- piotures I shall endeavour to pourtray cannot te seen at any time amongst us, let any person, man or I woman, te bold enough to come forward and give me the denial direct. Joe Hammersmith," in referrinr to the drink question, recently asked Does any father advise his son to take to drink and grow up a drunken sot ? Does any mother recommend her daughter to cultivate a thirsty soul, and make a gin- spongo of herself?"' My answer is "Yes," literally, an answer which I submit most respectfully. I know I public-houses in Merthyr where both fathers and Mothers are to be frequently teen sitting, with [their j young children, drinking, and allowing their little ones to sip at the drink which they themselves are taking. Is not this sowing the seed of drunkenness, recommending, encouraging the FOU to gTow up a t drunken sot, and advising the daughter to make a I gin-sponge of herself? No doubt this is the kind of recommendation" which has been given to many of reL the "slaves of drink" who figure so often in our police-courts. But this, Mr. Editor, is not the object for which I ask a small space in your most excellent journal. My object is to make an appeal for our poor little children, those who are unfortunately the offsprings of parents whose only attraction is the bright, gleaming lights in the windows of the gin palaces, the sounds of revelry within, the contents of the tin jacks or spirit glasses, as they are passed round from mouth to mouth. Their children are neglected, they become little outcasts, dirty, forlorn, ragged their pinched faces not having seen either water and soap for days past; their hair dishevelled and matted they have but little clothing for their body, thoir legs almost bare, while their boots, well, they had apartments to let locg ago, and the wet and snow have found a habitation within them for many a day. My heart has literally bled for these poor little mites, as I have observed them night after night outside these boozing dens (for I can call them by no other name) shivering in the cold, watching and waiting for their parents, who never dream of leaving before stop-tap or turning out time. The habitations of these little waifs are in keeping with their own wretched little selves. A loom, with an orange-box for a table, two chairs with broken backs, two panes of glass stuffed with rags, a candle in a beer bottle, two cups which lost their handles in the wars long ago, two broken plates, a small piece of dry bread, and the remains of an onion. There's a home for you And te'nold the state of the father and the mother as they enter the dwelling. The father is as ragged as the children are, state of the father and the mother as they enter the dwelling. The father is as ragged as the children are, with a slouching, reeling, walk, and a face which tells to what end he is rushing while the woman has a dirty, ragged shawl over her head, and a dress full of patches and holes. Hear their greeting to the children-word" so foul and loathsome that you wa,-e to wonder why go many of these little ones in Merthyr can swear like troopers." Cuffs and blows are their reward when they reach home." Home," did I say ? What a wicked wretched use of that beautiful word, a wcrd which is mewt dear to every humane man and true Christian And yet, dear reader, you may say that I know nothing of what I write, that I am exaggerating, that I have never seen these homes. All this you may say, and yet, alas, find plenty of scenes such as I have described. My object in writing these few liues is not with it view to lecture or dictate far from it, but simply to impress upon your readers to remember the rioor children, ill-clad, wretched, cold, starving little boys and girls of town. They can te seen to-night. And when, dear friends, your heart expands, and the kindliest feelings are aroused within you, will you not think of these miser-able children ? Will you not do something for them ? Think of your own beautiful hornet and when you go forth to make your own purchases, don't torget the purchases that will gladden many little hearts, brighten sad lives, and the knowledge to me would be sweet indeed."

EISTEDDFOD AT GELLIFAELOG. A very successful eisteddfod was held on Mouday at the schoolroom at Gellifaelog used by the Bethauia (Welsh Congregational) Chapel Sunday school. The venture was set on foot by an energetic committee of young people interested in the Sunday school, to which institution the proceedings were devoted. The committee were fortunate in having Mr. D. J. Williams a" secretary, for be carried out his duties in ',h(. most prai.-K.*worthy manner. The eisteddfod com- prised two meetings, tho first of which was held in the afternoon, under the presidency of the Rev. R. S. Williams, pastor of Dethania. Mr. John Evans (Eo" Myrddin) was tho conductor, and it is scarcely neces- sary to state that under his experienced direction things went forward with a bum, w hile his seemingly inexhaustible >-tore of wit kept tho audience in the test possible humour. Mr. John Evans (Cerddor Morlais) was the musical adjudicator, and the merit of the lit-erary and eloeutory competitors was decided by Mr. John Lloyd, Penydarrca Schools. The presi- dent having delivered a brief address, the opening song was sung by Mr. Evan Thomas, after which the competitions were disposed of in the following order —Repeating the Welsh alphabet by children under seven years of age, nine competitors; prise divided between Grace Rees and Maggie John. Singing Remember me by children under seven years of age four cumpetit )rs, of whom Grace Rees was the best. Singing by girls under 10 years four competi- tors winner, Lizzie James, who also won the recita- tion pi ixe offered for girls of the same age. Singing of Is there room for Mary there? by boys under 10 years of age best, J. James. Singiug The old, old story by girls over ten years of ago the prize was awarded to Abigail James and a special prize to Margretta John. Singing by boys over 10 years of age six competitors prize divided between Handel Evans and Jeiikin Jones. Recitation competition for children under 14 years of age nine competitor? the prize was divided between Martha M. Griffiths and H. E. Jones, and a "pecial prize was given to Grace Rets. Quartet competition threu parties entered, and the prize was awarded to Mr. Abraham Bo wen's jxirty. This was the last competition at the afternoon meeting, every competition at which, it should be stated, was coutined to members of the Sun- day school. The schoolroom was densely crowded in tbe even- ing, when the second meeting took place. The officials were the &ame as at the tirst meeting, and, as before, Mr. Evan Thotnaa sang the eisteddfod song, or rather solo, for on this occasion his contribution was Honour and Arms," of which he gave a capital rendering. Miss Maggie Jones, Walter-street, was declared the test contralto soloist out of seven, the test piece being, Hogyn drwg." There was a eplen- did contest for the soprano solo prize, which was eventually divided between Miss Maggie Watts and Miss Sarah Griffiths the test piece was Llythyr fy Miss Sarah Griffiths the test piece was Llythyr fy mam." Mr. J. Griffith, Victoria-street, was the cue- I cesnful love letter-writer out of seven competitors, and no end of amusement was created by the adjudi- cator's remarks upon the contest, and his selection of some of the choicest passages in what the young reporter would call the amatory effusions. The male voice duet contest brought out 13 couples, and the prize was awarded to Messrs. Thomas Williams and David Thomas, Penydarren. The last-named gentle- man was also successful in the bass solo competition, the subject being Ybachgen dewr," and the numter of eomiJetitors l3 as before. The sight-reading prize was won by Mr, Evan J. Price, Gellifaelog, aud Mr. Thomas Williams, Penydarren, sang Yr Eos" tetter than any other of tbe nine competitor* for the tenor solo prize. Mr. Evan Thomas, who conducts the singing at Gellifaelog Schools, was, after the last- named competition, giveu the name of Ervr Glan Morlais," in recognition of the services he bas ren- dered to the cause of music iu Dowlais and the neigh- bourhood. Tbe somewhat novel ceremony was con- ducted by the president and the conductor. Verges eulogistic of the recipient of the new honour were read by Mr. J. Lloyd and Mr. J. Jones, Gellifaelog terrace, their respective composers. Miss Blanche Lewis was the best elocutionist over 15 years of age, and Mr. Tom Daniel and friends were successful in the trio competition, the test piece teing Gwyn fvd preswylwyr dy dy." There were five choirs in the chief contest of the day, and the competition evoked an extraordinary amount of excitement. After a keen struggle the prize was divided tetween choirs led res- ¡ Lactively by Mr. David Thomas and Mr. B. Jones. With this award the business of an extraordinarily successful eisteddfod came to au end. It only remains successful eisteddfod came to au end. It only remains to be stated that the accompaniments were played by Mr. Harry* Evans, A.R.C.O, in his usual accomplished manner.

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS, (Br COT NTILLON THOMAS THOMAS], The sons of Lateur need not be a-shaaied of their record during the comparatively short period they 1 have teen represented iu the House of Commons. Although that representation may be looked upou simply ws au experiment, yet there is hardly one in the British House of Parliament to-day, who will, or does shine before their constituency in a better light than the handful of men, whom the labouring classes of this kingdom fortunately have been able, at their own cost, to return to the House of Commons, from their own ranks to take part in framing laws for the I good and welfare of the community at large. It is now 27 years ago or thereateuts since wo had the first direct Labour representatives in the House of I Commons in tho persons of Messrs. McDonald, Bu) t, and Mr. Broadhurst, the two former representing tho minere, and the latter as a stonemason representing the building trades. I need only mention the names of this trio, to carry conviction to the heart of the most sceptical, and to remove all doubts as to the ability of the labourer to repre- sent his fellows even in St. Stephen's. The amount of practical knowledge required in that august assembly when industrial laws are teirg framed, has given great opportunities to the Labour membeis to prove to the public from time to time how necessary it is that Laliour should be more adequately represented in order to have laws made and passed, to free us from the tends which bind us so unfairly. It must be confessed that great changes have taken place, during the last 15 or 20 years in the minds of different classes of tho kingdom. The advent of McDonald, Burt, find Broadhurst into the House of Comrnous was sneered at by many of tho pona of wealth and privilege, believing as they did, and indeed they had great cause to believe so, that the House of Commons was a kind of preserve for the Old Nobility and their successors, so that the presence of a Lateur representative in that (to them) sacred assembly was nothing more or less, iu their opinion, than poaching on their preserves. But thanks to tho energy and practical knowledge that those three pioneers of Labour representation brought to bear in tne House of Commons, they gradually convinced those that were opposed to them that they were only human beings after all, who had dared to penetrate the hitherto impregnable sanctum of the few. Once that was done. and it was a great thing to do, because the House of Commons at that time was freely dubbed as "The club for tho gentlemen of Englaud," the road was comparatively clear. It is astounding, when we consider it, what effect the success of those three gentlemen has had upon the workers generally of this country in every phase of public life, both administrative and legislative. Everywhere there seems to have taken hold of them a craving for representation upon every public body that has within its jurisdiction the welfare of the community. It is almost incredible, in the face of those facts, that the working classes of this country are so sparsely represented. There is no doubt that the want of education has been one of the chief reasons that account for the slackness which has taken place among the working classes in former years. Through deficient education, the working classe- were left a prey to all kinds of political adventurers who wanted to be menibers of the House of Commons to gain place and priv ilege. With the advent of a more popular education, a change came over the scene, the working classes tegan to realize that the laws of this country were enacted so that they were bound to observe them, and it naturally dawned upon them that they also bad a right to make them. To bring this about they learned that it was necessary for them to he represented on every possible body. Before proceeding any further, I think it only right to state that a great tribute is due from the working classes generally, to those men who have lateured so haid in the past, endeavouring to pas", laws for ameliorating our condition, Some of them spent their lives for this purpose, purely out of love and sympathy for tho working classes, As it was in the early days of Reform, so it is to-day, the real friends of labour are to be found in the great party of pro- gress, the Literal Party. Although laws have been made facilitating the way, so that the working man may be directly represented from Parliament to the parish meeting, yet the one thing needed is wanting, that is compensation for the loss of time incurred by carrying out the duties of representatives on different public bodies. It has been my personal experience for the last 13 years that paid representations, however small the fees may be, are far more effectually carried out than those that are not paid for at all. Of course, you will under- stand that I am now speaking of the representation that belong particularly to ourselves as colliery woikvr^in different phases. Almost iu every cast when representatives are required for conferences committees, &c., we pay in working hours to com- pensate for the loss mcurred, and also we pay for work done outside tbe working hours with this difference, that for the former full compensation i? given for the loss of time sustained hy the repre- sentatives, fus far as the judgment of the committee goes, whilst on the latter occasion, although tbe full value of the work done by tbe representatives is not paid, yet, in almost every case, an acknowledgement is given in the way of a small fee, thereby recog- nizing at all times the grand principle that all are worthy of their hire. It this fair and honourable rule was only adopted in our legislative assembly and our different administrative bodies, it would te followed with a far different result than what we perceive to-day. I have endeavoured to point out to yon how necessary it is that Labour should be more exten- sively represented, not because we are more numerous as a class, which in itself is quite sufficient an argu- ment, but as an expedient conducive to the welfare and contentment or this vast community, which is most essential to secure the continued prosperity of this rapidly developing Empire. The prosperity of any country depends entirely upon the amount of confidence the people as a whole place in their administrators. The State is governed exactly on the same principle, or at least it ought to, as our friendly societies are governed, where everyone deems it his duty to make them as prosperous as possible, knowing that once that is accomplished, we feel that the tenefit of such prosperity comes eonear to us, that we rest assured, contented, and confident in its security. What creates this confidence and security ? The answer is quite simple, because every member, of whatever class, has a band, directly or indirectly, in promoting its prosperity. I think you will agree with me when I say that never was there a time in the history of Great Britain when it was more necessary that effect should he given to the claims of Labour than to-day. Tho sudden awakening of the labouring classes to their responsibilities, and the knowledge which has come to us of centuries of neglect, make it almost an impossibility to meet the demauds made by us as workers on the legislators, and very little hope can be entertained of having immediately passed measures of & sound, useful, and practical character. To secure practical legislation, so greatly needed by the working-classes, we must have a fair ehare of the representation of the Ho ise ofCoumons, and before ever we can have any hope of this being realized, memtera must be paid honour- ably for services rendered to the State, by the State, Then we can hope to have faithful and pure repre- sentation, and not have cause to complain, as we often have to do now, because of the gross neglect of members in attending to their duties in the House of Commons. In advocating the right of my class to be directly represented in the House of Commons, I come to another very important poiut, that is the administra- tion of the laws enacted by the legislature. Now, as it is important that the working-classes should share in framing the laws, it is quite as important that we should see that they are administered in the spirit in which they were made, otherwise the law may he a dead letter. In order to do this, it is obvious that Lateur should be adeouately represented on all administrative bodies. To secure proper working- class representation, with practice, and full knowledge of needs of the population, the same principle ought to he adopted as in the House of Commons, Why should a person give his time and energy to a county, a borough, or a parish, any more than to tbe State. It is the same people that are represented in both departments, and the time in one is quite as valuable as the other. It will be said, I daresay, that it is necessary to have payment for serving on local bodies, as there art: plenty of persons ready and willing to serve for the honour of serving. But the question can be asked here with great propriety, why should any public body he deprived of the services of a working man representative ? Because the squire or flourishing tradesman may be in a position to give their services gratuitously, is it jight that the working man, who may have been selected by his fellows to represent them on a public body, should be asked to sacrifice his time in serving the general public? Logic says no, and fair and honest dealing proclaims it as a right thing that all should be paid for their Rervicc". The sooner the law empowers public bodies to be paid out of the rates the better it will be for all, a* the system of voluntary services is fast being played out. This system of voluntarianism in our public bodies bAA been the means of keeping good and useful person* in the background out of sight. Not only that, but it has had a tendency to alienate the people from their duty, create heaps of irresponsible nonentities. Not only is such a practice unfair, but it takes away the independency of the people. I daresay this fact is known to some of you, who are members of Friendly Societies, that whenever and wherever the A.M.O., of the order is held, certain pers-ona offer themselves yearly as volunteers to attend those meetings at their own cost. Owing to the fact that their offer means a saving in the expenditure of the society they are accepted until they have actually created a monopoly of that post. But at what cost ? The societies are by such practice closing the doors against any working man tnat m»3T aspire to fill that post, and perhaps firl it better than the volunteers yet he is debarred from having the chance of taking a fair share in his own society, and not only that, but such practice creates dissatisfaction in the rank and file of the society, which in the end militates against the best interests of the society, In conclusion let me state again my opinion, that it is most essential that Labour should be largely represented in House of of Commons to legislate, and on all public bodies to administrate, and to secure this provision should te made by the Government to adequately pay them for their services, ¡< I ùo, that thi", wOI1I(IIJt-) most conducive to the future prosperity of this country.