Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
18 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
Mountain Ash Education Committee.
Mountain Ash Education Committee. On Tuesday, Mr. J. Powell in the chair. The other members present were: Mrs. Owen Jones, J. P. Davies, W. Davies, Hugh Price, R. Parsons, W. Fenwick, W. Griffiths, D. Rogers, Thomas Jones, J. Charles, E. V. Tidman, E. T. Williams, and W. Millar, with Mr. Alfred Morgan (director of education), and Mr. F. Stock (assistant clerk). ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL. COMMITTEE'S INDIGNATION. REAL CONDITION OF THE SCHOOL. BOARD OF EDUCATION WRITTEN TO. The greatest part of the meeting was devoted to discussion upon matters apper- taining to the Roman Catholic School. A letter was first read from the Board of Education, stating that they had re- ceived a communication from the Rev. Father Irvine to the effect that the work was being carried on at the New R.C. School with the greatest difficulty owing to lack of books and stationery and other school apparatus. The school had not been properly furnished. The attendance had fallen very low, there having been no attendance officer attending to tne school for the past two years. Chairman: The obvious reply to that id that we have not had a list of what they required, placed before the managers be- fore last Friday. Rev. E. V. Tidman: I am of opinion that a strong letter should be sent to the Board of Education. I think it is a dis- grace that the committee should be kept m the dark all tnis time. We have been ignored by the Foundation Managers for nearly three months. The Chairman said he was in entire agreement with Mr. Tidman's suggestion that full information be forwarded to the Board of Education how the committee had been ignored. But he did not think they would he justified in refusing to con- sider the report of the managers' meeting. Father Irvine's letter of complaint to the Board of Education had been sent back to them (the committee) as if the Board re- quired an explanation of the committee's conduct. It was as much as to say that the promises made by the committee to carry out their duties were not being ful- filled. Mr. E. T. Williams said that it ap- peared to him as if the correspondent of the R.C. School had written that letter immediately after the managers' meeting, without receiving official intimation from that meeting. Mr. W. Griffiths: Was that the very first meeting of the R.C. managers held last Fridays' Chairman: Yes. Rev. E. V. Tidman: And the Board of Education are apparently unaware of that fact. I move that a strongly-worded letter be written, to the Board of Educa- tion pointing this out. Father Irvine has put one side to the Board, and it is our duty to put the other. Our delinquencies have been pointed out, so suppose we point theirs. Mr. D. Rogers seconded, and added that the Board were under a misapprehension. FIRST MANAGERS' MEETING, The Director then read the minutes of the first meeting of the R.C. Managers, held on Friday, the 17th inst: "There were presnt: Rev. H. Irvine, Rev. J. O'Reilly (Aberdare), Messrs. M. Phelan and W. Murphy, foundation man- agers; and Councillors E. T. Williams and J. Powell. Rev. H. Irvine was ap- pointed chairman. It was proposed by Mr. J. Powell, seconded by Mr. E. 1. Williams, that a list of the children and their average attendance, be submitted at the next meeting. Mr. J. Powell proposed, and Rev. J. O'Reilly seconded, that a certain sum of money be paid on account to the R.C. teachers, and that a statement of their salaries be sent to the Education Com- mittee. It was afterwards proposed by Rev. J. O'Reilly, seconded by Mr. M. Phelan, that Mr. J. Powell should visit the R.C. School and report. Mr. J. Powell proposed, and Rev. J. O'Reilly seconded, that the bills be sub- mitted to the Education Committee at i their next meeting." Rev. E.V. Tidman: Were all those car- ried unanimously, Mr. Chairman? (Laughter.) Chairman; Yes. Mr Rogers: You seem to be going on all right. Mr. W. Griffiths: They have started all right, at any rate. Rev. E. V. Tidman said he wanted to be clear on one thing-that no public mon- ies were to be spent on this Voluntary School. He would like to know whether y the portion recommended to be paid to the R.C. School were public monies. Chairman: The grants will more than cover what we shall pay on account. We were given to understand that some alter- ations have been made in the amount of salaries paid the teachers. It was pointed cut that the teachers had not received their salaries for the last three months. We do not want to deprive the teachers of their earnings, so we decided to pay them something on account. The minutes were unanimously con- firmed. In reply to questions, the Director stated that the present salary of Miss Reardon, the headmistress, was < £ 110 per annum. There were two Articles 68 re- ceiving X36 and « £ 33, while another teacher received £ 12. It was pointed out that these salaries did not amount to anything like these sums until the 31st of May last. Rev. E. V. Tidman: Who raised the salaries ? Director: The only authority in exist- ence at that time-the managers. I am doubtful whether the youngest teacher can be recognised by the Board of Edu- cation at all. Mrs. Jones: She is not entitled to .£12 at any rate. Rev. E. V. Tidman: If we pay these sums this afternoon, we shall be confirm- ing the action of the Foundation Man- agers in increasing the salaries. Chairman: No; we shall only pay suffi- cient to cover the salaries they got prev- ious to the 31st of May. Mr. Thomas Jones: I move that they be paid at that rate. Then we can go into the matter thoroughly at some, future meeting. Mr. D. Rogers: From what source will this money be paid ? Chairman: From the general fund. There is no other. Rev. E. V. Tidman: Are there any school pence paid? Chairman: I am not aware of any, but there is a poundage. At our local collier- ies there is a POUNDAGE DEDUCTED FROM THE EARNINGS of workmen who profess the Catholic faith. There are two separate deductions. 'First of all, 6d. per individual is kept 'back every fortnight from the workmen's earnings, and then a poundage of 1,1,,d. is also deducted. These sums go to main- tain either the Roman Catholic Church or School, or both. We have been charged (continued Mr. Powell) with depriving the children of proper education, and de- priving the teachers of their salaries; but it is oDvious that neither of these need have taken place for want of funds, when there was such a large sum of money kept back at the colliery offices and paid over to the Roman Catholic authorities. Be- tween X30 and £ 40, I should say, are de- ducted every fortnight from the earnings of Catholic workmen at Messrs. Nixon s Collieries. Rev. E. V. Tidman: If I were one, I would not submit to such a thing. Chairman: I might explain that any workman who objects to have this money deducted has only to inform the colliery officials of his wish. Mr. W. Griffiths: And this is done at Messrs. Nixon's Collieries? Chairman: Yes. Mr. Thomas Jones: No monies are kept back at the Penrhiwceiber Colliery. A resolution was then framed, embody- ing the suggestions made by several mem- bers that no money be paid over and above the scale of salaries previous to the 31st of May. Considerable difficulty was experienced in drafting this resoltion to the satis- faction of the whole committee. After some time, however, the Chairman drew up a motion, which was accepted, and unanimously adopted. Rev. E. V. Tidman: I move that that resolution be not acted upon for one month. (Laughter.) This motion was not adopted, and it was decided to pay the teachers at once, and to instruct the attendance officers to at- tend to the R.C. School. CONDITION OF THE OLD SCHOOL. "Grave Reflection Upon Managers." The Chairman then stated that in ac- cordance with instruction, he, in company with Father Irvine, nad visited tne Old R.C. School, to see what furniture and school apparatus could be removed to the new building. He had heard a great deal in that committee about this school, but he had never realised tlie condition it was in until he visited it. He felt more than surprised that the Board of Education should allow the school to be earned on in that condition. There were only ten desks—dual ones—which w ere, possibly, worth waile removing to the new build- ing. The others were not only old and old-fashioned, but as black-looking as the —— as tney possibly could be, and they were in a dilapidated state. Tne chest- of-drawers had to serve the purpose of a cupboard. Then there was only one black-board and easel. This black-board was used by two classes at the same time. This placed the teachers and children at a great disadvantage, because the surface of the black-board was glazed, and could not be seen clearly from all directions. He was at a loss to know how the Board of Education allowed such conditions to exist so long. It had been said on that com- mittee that they were unjust in asking the R.C. Managers to place their school in order, because they had no time for .t. Whatever force might have been in that argument, it was clear that the furniture could have been changed at once. The state of the desks and others things went to show that things had been very much the same for many years. Mr. J. Charles: And yet that school ob- tained grants. Chairman: Yes. The teachers were placed at a very, very serious disadvant- age. My feelings are not so much against them as the Board of Education. (Hear, hear.) Rev. E. V. Tidman: This is only one instance where schools are declared effi- cient, when really they are anything but efficient. Chairman: The Inspector ought not to say a single word against our schools after they visit the R.C. School. A list of furniture, desks, etc. (required at the New R.C. School), which had been prepared by Father Irvine, was read, and Mr. Thomas Jones asked if some of the items could be eliminated. Chairman: I am afraid not. The aver- age attendance is 96, and there is accom- modation for 180. Mr. W. Millar: What will the cost of the articles be? Director: They must run into three figures. Rev. E. V. Tidman said that the new building was not a new school under the provision of the Act. Therefore, the com- mittee were supposed to have that school handed over to them, properly furnished. He was of opinion that another strongly- worded letter should be sent to the Board of Education, pointing out the shocking state of the school, and the injustice of being called upon to furnish it. He re- garded it as a grave reflection upon the Managers, the Inspectors, and the Board of Education, that the school should be IN THAT AWFUL STATE. Mr. D. Rogers said that one thing had been demonstrated, and that was, that the action of the committee in refusing to take the school over had been abundantly justified. He had never dreamed that such a state of affairs would be allowed for a moment, and to think that the grants should be awarded that school was monstrous. He, for one, was opposed to furnishing that school. He understood that in other districts the Education Authorities had declined to do so. Rev. E. V. Tidman: I am also prepared to resist this to the utmost. Ihe resolution to forward a strongly- worded letter to the Board of Education was carried. JUNIOR CLERK. There were eight applicants for the post of junior clerk. W. J. Griffiths, Beckett-street, Moun- tain Ash, obtained seven votes; Gwilyra Price, Abercynon-road, 4; and W. H. Richards (Mr. Gwilym Jones, solicitor's office), 2. Griffiths was afterwards appointed una- nimously.
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Echo of the Great Strike. Abepaman Greengrocer's Failupe. A meeting of the creditors of Thomas Alfred Williams, greengrocer and labourer, 202, Cardiff-road, Aberaman, Aberdare, was held on Tuesday at Merthyr. The statement of affairs showed gross liabilities, d £ 155 13s 8d; liabilities to rank for dividend, X149 3s 8d; net assets available for distribution, zC28, deficiency, X121 3s 8d. The debtor at- tributed his failure to the strike of 1898; bad debts, and customers leaving the district without paying him, and depres- sion in trade.
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I B. RUNGE, 1. DUKE STREET, ABERDARE, Practical Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller, &c. Best Workmanship. No Old-Fashioned Prices. A TRIAL SOLICITED.
Letters to the Editor.
Letters to the Editor. MR. STANTON AND AN ANONYMOUS WRITER. Sir,—Please let me reply to one signing himself "A Carpenter," who wrote me afnonymouisly, and wants my reply through the. "Leader." There may be much truth in what he says, but I cannot take up cases and make charges against others on the strength of anonymous letters. I agree with him that there are a few forming a clique whose sole busi- ness on the Council appears to be to better the position of their relatives and friends to the undoing of other unfortun- ate^mortals who are not so favoured by accident or birth. "Carpenter," take my tip; go to chapel on Sunday, and mind which you go to, if you want to get on. It is your only chance just now, until our Trades Coun- cil does some more scavenging work and clears some of the rotters out. Then, and then only, will there be a chance of fair play to those employed. In the meantime, I beg to remain, in h&ste, yours truly, C. B. STANTON.
< £ 800 PER ACRE.
< £ 800 PER ACRE. Sir,—Allow me a little space in your columns to call attention to the action of the Mountain Ash District Council in agreeing to purchase land at the i^ove price as a site for a cemetery. One would think we were buying gold mines, or perhaps the Council has en idea that there is treasure hidden there. The sum of tSOO per acre, which has been reduced from £ 1,000, is a Shylock price, when we take into consideration that nearly the whole of the estate belonging to Lord Aberdare at Mountain Ash was bought for the sum of £ 1,800 not mere than 140 years ago by the great-grandfather of the present Lord, and after receiving royalties on minerals gotten by the workers, for which he has not invested any capital, he now asks the ratepayers to pay the sum of Y,800 per acre. So much for our gener- ous Lord. Now, I want to draw the ratepayers' attention to the persons who moved and seconded the adoption of the report of the Cemetery Committee, namely, Messrs John Powell and Mr. Wm. Davies. One would imagine that these persons had the Chancellor of the Exchequer at their backs, and not workers who are already directly and indirectly taxed until the tax is becoming unbearable. It makes one wonder whether those gentlemen are representing Labour or Lord Aberdare. The latter I should imagine, by the way Mr. Powell took up Mr. Rogers, the Labour member for Ynysybwl. I hope the electors of Miskin and Dar- ranlas Wards will bear this action in mind at the next election. Although my sympathies are with the Labour move- ment, I could not support candidates who would spent the ratepayers money in such an extravagant fashi I am, A RATEPAYER,
MERTHYR'S LABOUR SENATE.
MERTHYR'S LABOUR SENATE. Sir,—I am glad you noticed my little effort last week on the above subject, be- cause it gives me the pleasure of writing you another letter, and because it makes your position clear. I can now under- stand your attitude towards the Labour movement, and why you thought those gloomy warnings so necessary. Your conception of what a Labour Re- presentative should be is by no means an isolated one. It is the beloved one of 'nearly the whole of the press, the churches, and the party politicians. The capitalistic Liberal Party will welcome such a, dear nonentity with open arms; they will feast him, drink his health, and make him fat, because they know if he tries to serve two masters he is "a gone coon." You ask me, Are God and Mammon syn- onvmous with Labour and Capital?" Well, they do tell us that God is good and worthy to be served, and that Mammon is bad and unworthy. If that is so, I claim that the analogy is complete. Let me elucidate. Labour makes wealth, capital takes wealth. What analogy do you see be- tween these, two that you ball them up into one, and make their interests appear identical? One ninth of the population take one-half of the national income; the other eight-ninths have to live on the other half. And the "Aberdare Leader" suggest that it would be tyrannical to prevent this shameless plundering of the workers, because it will also prevent a few small capitalists, who once worked for wages, from making their savings a chan- nel for conveying the earnings of others into their own pockets. This is straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel with a vengence. This is the only argument ad- vanced to bolster up this vicious system of inequity; and it is one of the weakest and most futile. Let us see what it amounts to. What happens to the small capitalist when the commercial buzzard comes along with his trusts and combines ? What has happened to hundreds of small grocers because of your Liptons, Peglars, Home and Colonial, etc. ? What has hap- pened to hundreds of butchers through the operations of such vast concerns as Eastman's Limited? Why, they have been crushed out as mercilessly as a hun- gry lion would crush a lamb. The same thing applies to all branches of industry. If the workers could put a stop to the operations of the Guests and Nettlefolds, who crush the soul out of a man with their two and six per day, till you can scarcely tell whether he be man or brute, could they not afford to treat the smaller tradesmen more generously than driving them to take poison like the Merthyr tradesman and his wife did the other day? How, think you, is the worker to come by his own, unless we stop the rob- bery? Is there any other way? No, I feel sure there is not. The implications that there are no aims, no ideals, and little brains in the Labour movement is contained 7 in the sentence that I quoted, namely, that the masses are eager for a change, feeling sanguine that any alteration must mean reform- ation. This is as much as to say that Labour has no set purpose in choosing its own representatives, but is more the re- sult of a blind impulse. No, sir, any alteration will not satisfv us. Nothing short of stopping the rob- bery of the workers by rich idlers will satisfy the thought of the movement. The time is coming when everyone must de- clare himself either on one side or the others.—Yours, etc., W.H. (Uur correspondent s letter is one sweep- ing tirade against capital. Our con- tention is that capital, per se, is not an evil. It is true that capital can abuse its powers, and so can Labour. But capital, no less than Labour, is an essential element in industrial and com- mercial life. Even the small trades- man, whom W.H. s"o warmly befriends, could not do without it. In the in- stances of tyranny that he cites it is not capital v. labour, but big capital v. small capital.—Ed.)
THE CRY OF ABERPENNAR: LAND…
THE CRY OF ABERPENNAR: LAND FOR THE DEAD! Sir,—May I humbly trespass on your land, viz., the "Aberdare Leader," this week with a dreadful "bugle call" on the ratepayers of the above town and district, to wake them out of their deadly trance, in fear that they might open their eyes in another atmosphere, and find out there is no room for their remains within the land of Penar, unless they are prepared for the same to be cremated into dust, and scattered broadcast by the four winds of heaven. The alternative is to pay XSOO per acre to secure for their remains a cold, earthly rest. Only a few years ago (the time of the South African War], the cry of the Penar- ites was quite of a different tone. At that time it was "Let us fight for our country," "Protect our homes," etc. Well, we did fight, and we have been amply compensated for the great grand tight we made (we have had Chinese labour in South Africa). We scored a victory for whom and for what? For our country r Nay, nay, we have no country, only a narrow walking space to, carry our- selves through the main streets and the public roads. We dare not turn on our right or on our left, or lay a foot on the turf anywhere, or we will see a "penalty of forty shillings and costs" staring us in the face. Again, if a person avails him- self of a reireshing walk up the moun- tain side, he will soon find someone cross- ing his path to put some queer questions to him, with a tone of wonderfully mighty authority. "Do you know you are tres- passing? Now, clear out of it, or pay the penalty. This is our country." Britain for the British, indeed < Again, our homes, where are they ? May 1 ask the readers of the "Aberdare Leader" how many ejectment orders have been granted at the Mountain Ash Police Courts during tne current year? And how many families would have been evicted out into the street, if it were not for kind neighbours taking them into their homes. And on more than one occasion people have had to go out of town to live lor the want of dwellings. Others are living (existing I should say), two, three, and lour families in the same dwelling- house, which consist of oniv three, four, and five rooms. Should this sort of habitation be allowed? Yet our District habitation be allowed ? Yet our District Councillors, with all their mighty in- tellect, say, "Oh, we'll have plenty of houses in Mountain Ash before long." The 'Forties' will build some, and you shall pay for them at the 'forty rate.' Where are our homes? I wonder will our Labour members answer the ques- tion? Time after time this subject has been referred to them, but, alas! all in vain. l am afraid they are about turning to us with their last tale, that there is no land available for the Mountain Ash Dis- trict Council to erect workmen's cottages. We can only have land for the dead, and we as Labour mpmber, in company with Capitalists, have agreed to pay for the same the nominal sum of ISOI) per acre. What a good bargain! and, all! what good honourable buyers our Labour men are! And what a generous vendor they had to deal with! Only eight hundred pounds per acre! May I call the attention of the rate- payers of this district to their duties. Judge for yourselves, wake up to your duties, endorse the action of the Coun- cil by remaining quiet, or, on the other, hand, let us have a public general meet- ing of all ratepayers to protest against paying such a Shyiock price for a bit of turf. I also may call the attention of our Electoral Council to the mover and secondcr of the adoption of the report, who agreed to pay such an exorbitant sum per acre for land to cover the remains of the dead. Mr. Editor, I thank you very much for allowing me to trespass on your valuable space without inflicting upon me any penalty whatever.—Yours, etc., TRESPASSER. (We shall not inflict any penalty unless our ,correspondents attempt to cover too many acres or wander too far from the path of the subject. Should that happen, that instrument of torture-the scissors—will be introduced.—Ed.)
MOUNTAIN ASH INSTITUTE.
MOUNTAIN ASH INSTITUTE. N Mr., Bennett's Challenge. Sir,—Mr. Schaff in your last issue accepts my challenge to Christians in gen- eral to defend their faith. He commences his letter by mis-quoting my challenge. I did not challenge anyone to "repudiate my pet theory that there is no God." My challenge, which was plainly stated, was to all and sundry to "discuss the relative merits of Christianity and secularism." I do not deny the existence of God, neither do I say "I do not know" to every argument. JViy position is, that until evidence is forthcoming I cannot believe in the existence of God. Now, Mr. Schaff is evidently a Christian, and he says there is a God. Therefore, the onus of proof lies with him. It is his duty to offer arguments: to prove the existence of God. It. will be my duty to show that his arguments are erroneous and illogical, or on the other hand to accept them if true. Mr. Schaff drifts away upon clouds of metaphysics and wastes something like half a column in saying that "faith in God is a proof of his existence." If this argument is true, and we follow it to its logical conclusion, we will find that there are thousands of gods. God, in short, has faded into a metaphysical abstrac- tion. The little ghosts vanished lo.ng ago, and now the Great Ghost is vanishing into thin air. Failing to find facts as evidence for the existence of God, Mr. Schaff tries to convert faith into know- ledge, for he says "faith is a higher sort of knowledge.' But this is illogical, and he will find that his position is unten- able. If man has knowledge of the exist- ence. of any object he has no need of faith. Faith is simply trust. We trust that our friends have been faithful to us. But if we have the knowledge that they are faithful, surely we have no need of faith. Therefore, faith exists rather where there is a want of knowledge, and not where knowledge is. So faith in God is not a proof of his existence. An innocent maiden may have faith that the man she loves, and in whose hands she has trusted her honour, loves her, but the man may basely desert her, thereby proving that the love, in the existence of which she had great faith, did, not exist. And do you really believe, Mr. Schaff, that if there is a God, that there would be any need for you to descend to use such weak arguments to prove his existence ? Would not his existence be as manifest as the sun in the sky, or as the existence of poverty and misery in this "God-governed world." Mr. Schaff must be very hard pressed, indeed, for arguments, for he calls up his savage allies. He argues that the belief of savages in the existence of God is an argument in favour of his existence. But tne oenet of the tavage is due to ignor- ance and fear. He saw the lightning flashing, he heard the thunders roll, ha saw rivers flood and overflow. When he saw motion in nature he argued from an- alogy that there must be a personality, who caused the motion, and because the power or powers must be superior to him- self, and fearing that these beings—which his own imagination had called into exist- ence-would do him injury, he worshipped them, and tried in his own ignorant way to please them. In the case of a human enemy, stronger than himself, he would do precisely the same, in proportion to the strength of his enemy. So the idea of God had its origin in ignorance and fear. 1 his explanation is rational, and does not prove that there is a God. It only proves the ignorance of the savage. As know- ledge has advanced, God, or belief in God, has receded. We know to-day why the lightning flashes, the thunders roll, and the rivers flood. Mr. Schaff calls Voltaire a great Athe- ist, and tries to score a point by saying that Voltaire prayed during an Alpine thunderstorm. This point is lost, when we make him acquainted with the fact that Voltaire was not an Atheist, but a Deist. He believed in God, and even went so far as to say that if there were not God we would have to invent one, an argument which Mr. Schaff uses, and which we will deal with presently. Neither was Renan an Atheist. And what matters it what Shelley loved to think of? I love to think of this world as a world where all are happy, where there is no misery, pain, or anguish, but, alas, this world of my imagination does not exist. Man has a capacity for re- ligion, says Mr. Schaff; but a child is not religious. But Mr. Schaff holds that it has the capacity to become religious. This is simply to say that" human beings are naturally credulous. So human beings are naturally ignorant, but this does not prove that there is a necessity for ignorance. Neither is the credulity of man a proof of the necessity of religion. Mr. Schaff says that in danger men in- stinctively cry to God for help. This is not true of those who do not believe in God, and in the great majority of cases, it is not true of others. When all human aid is out of the question, men say, "God help him now." But they never think of God, or of calling upon him, while there is a possibility of saving, a person's life. Mr. Schaff tries to prove the exist- ence of God by-man's moral and intellec- tual nature. He says that "in the com- mand and reproaches of the moral nature the soul recognises a law-giver and judge," and that "man's intellectual and moral nature must have had for its author an intellectual and moral being." Man's moral nature does not "prove the exist- ence of a holy law-giver and judge." What is a moral man? He who so con- trolg and guides his actions as not to in- jure a fellow being. Surely there is no need of a God to tell us it is wrong to injure a fellow being. That knowledge arose naturally from our objections to being injured. I object to being robbed, therefore I know that it is wrong to rob others. There is nothing supernatural in this. A moral nature, or conscience, as Mr. Schaff terms it, is not a gift from heaven or God; it is not born in man. It has slowly grown through the ages, and experience and memory have been the chief agents in its origin and growth. If conscience were a gift from God, given freely to all men, would it not be the same, and act the same in all men ? But it is not so. The conscience of the Turk allows him to have many wives, but the tender conscience of the Englishman grants him no more than one, and the conscience of the Catholic priest finds even that one too many. The conscience of the Englishman raises its still small voice against cannibalism, but the conscience of the South Sea Islander sees nothing wrong in its possessor having roasted grandmother for his Sunday dinner. Con- science is experience and memory com- bined, and superstition or supernatural- ism has nothing whatever to do with it. Social laws were not invented by religion, but religion has tried to claim the credit for inventing these laws. I deny that the emotions of human beings prove the exist- ence of God, for man may find amongst his natural fellows satisfying objects of 'his affections, and, I hold that love of humanity will "call forth man's highest activities and ensure his highest pro- gress." I hold that our fellow creatures are worthier objects of our affections than some supernatural beings of whom we know nothing. "Only a being of power, wisdom, holi- ness, and goodness can'meet the demand of the human soul, says Mr. Schaff. Thus he incidentally defines his idea of God. This he should have done at the commencement of his letter. But better late than never. Is this Mr. Scliaff's idea of God ? If so, I absolutely deny the existence of any such God, and I am prepared to prove it. I pause for a reply. Re Mr. Schaff's argument, which was used by Voltaire, i.e., "that if there were no God we would have to invent one," this is precisely what Mr. Schaff means when he says that "such a being must exist, otherwise man's greatest need would go unsupplied, and belief in a lie would be more productive of virtue than belief in the truth." Such is the abyss of de- gadation into which religion plunges the minds of men. Mr. Schaff means that if there were no belief in God men could not be virtuous. How untrue this state- ment is: let Pagan Japan stand as an' in- controvertable witness. Will not science, culture, and the love of man for man, which is becoming more manifest day by day, make and keep man virtuous? Will not the love of my children, and anxiety to keep the stain of shame from their pure young lives, keep me virtuous ? Can not an Atheist be good? Nay, I do not believe that Mr. Schaff means to insult the memories of all the good men who have lived and died without belief in God by making such an insulting assertion. Mr. Schaff is right: I have a mind that cannot find God, but I do not possess a "heart that cannot do without him." I have no need of the supernatural. No, I do not "believe in an unknown power to which I cannot give a name." My creed may be summed up as follows: We should make happiness our aim, here in this world, and the way to gain that happiness is by trying to ensure the happiness of the whole human race. This is my phil- osophy. and I know of no higher or better. I am, etc., T. BENNETT. 10, Rare on rt-terrace, Penrhiwceiber.
--_.___..-...--Entertainment…
Entertainment at Hirwain The weekly entertainment in connection with the Temperance Society of Taber- nacle Chapel was held on Wednesday evening, M1 i Edward Lewis (High-street) presiding over a large attendance. Mr. D. P. Davies opened the meeting in prayer. The following had arranged the appended excellent programme: Misses Mary Jones and Anne Williams, and Messrs. John Arthur Davies and Tom AV, atkins: Pianoforte solo, Miss Bronwen Jones. Solo, Mr. David Daniel Roderick, "Yn wynach na'r Od." Recit, Miss Annie Price, "Mae Nhad yn Gweddio." Solo, Miss Maggie J. Jacobs, "Tell me the old, old story." Recit, Miss Lizzie Wakefield, "Y Bwthyn Ue'm ganwyd." Solo, Miss Mary G. Williams, "Hyn fydd yn nefoedd i fi." Recit, Mr. Robert Morris, "Dyn Meddw." A striking and practical address to the children by the esteemed pastor. Recit, Miss Adeline Davies, "Dywedwch Amen." Glee by Parti'r Aelwyd. Recit, Mr. James Rees, "Ymson y Llofrudd." Chorus, Band of Hope. After a few words by Messrs. Lewis Beynon and D. P. Davies, Mr. Edmunds closed the meeting in prayer.
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Sudden Death at Hirwain
Sudden Death at Hirwain With much regret we announce the sudden death of Miss Mary Jones, Bre- con-road, at the age of 48 years. The sad event took place on Tuesday week. The deceased lady was in her normal health during the day, and on the pre- vious day bad attended the Aberdare fair, For many years she had carried on a dressmaking business, and a large number of young ladies who had been trained under her supervision, to-day mourn the loss of a diligent teacher and loving friend. On Tuesday, the young ladies on returning from tea found Miss Jones standing outside the house, and she complained of being ill. She was conveyed to the house, and medical aid was immediately summcgaed, but before the medical man arrived she had passed away. Death is attributed to failure of the heart. The deceased lady was of a rather delicate constitution, Her affable manner had made for her a large circle of friends. For many years she had been an active and devoted member of Bethel (C.M) Where her absence will be keenly felt. On Saturday the funeral took place, and was largely attended. The service at the house was conducted by her pastor, Rev W. J. Williams, and at the grave by the Rev Ll. Jenkins, rector of Penderyn.
---_--Mr. Keir Hardie and…
Mr. Keir Hardie and Theological Bias. Mr Keir Hardie, M.P. spoke at Mer- thyr on Tuesday night. Referring to the local bye-elections he said he was sorry to hear there were influences at work against one of the candidates on what were called religious grounds. He hoped the rumour was not true. The gentle- man to whom he referred was a working man of good character and ability, and if returned to the Council would do ex- cellent work in the interests of the class to which he belonged. It was religious persecution and religous bigotry- (shame)—to refuse to vote for a man who was otherwise well qualified because his opinions on theology did not agree with theirs. (Applause.) He trusted that all the Labour nominees would be again returned.
The St. Malo Disaster.
The St. Malo Disaster. Sad Fate of the Onion Vendors The South-Western Company have received an official report from St. Malo which states that the number of souls on board the Hilda was 134. the passengers numbering 106 and the crew 28. Six were saved, and the total loss of life is therefore 128. There were about 21 English saloon passengers on board, all of whom perished, and 85 onion-men. Among the onion sellers who were drowned were seven who left Aberdare last Friday. They had been staying in an outbuilding at the rear of the Glan- dover Inn, Gadlys, and on Thursday evening went to bid good-bye to some with whom they were familiar, and in broken English expressed the hope that they would meet again. Fate, alas, des- tined that it should be otherwise. Some of the Breton onion-men had reaped a golden harvest, and it is stated by some of the rescued that in all they carried about t2 000 in English gold sewn up in belts.
---------.------. .Football.
Football. On Thursday (to-day) the midweek Soccer elevens of Aberdare and Aberaman meet at the Athletic Grounds. Struggles between these old rivals have always been very keen, and this contest will be no exception. The Thursday Rugby fifteen will jour- ney to Brecon to-day by brake to meet the locals. If they repeat their perform- ance of last week, Brecon will have to put out a strong team to defeat them. Soccer football, as far as the Aberdare Premiers are concerned, will be at a standstill next Saturday, Mr. Rees Thomas their energetic Secretary having failed to arrange a fixture. Maesteg are the visitors at the New Athletic grounds on Saturday in search of League points. If the Darians play up to anything like their recent form the visitors are sure to return without the coveted brace. The following fifteen have been selected to represent Aber- dare:—Full-back, Peter Lockman (re- serve, W. Stoyle) three-quarter backs, Trevor Flooks, Sladen, Downing and Owen Williams; half-backs, Rhys Rees and Mog Bevan Forwards, selected from Dan Jones (captain), Will Bevan, P.C. Arch, Jack Jones Reddick, Alf Williams George Wrentmore, Cash David, Sam Jones and Jenning. On Monday Dec 4. a supper and pre- sentation of medals will take place. A rugby football match will be played at the Robcrtstown Field on Saturday, Nov. 25th, between the Trecynon R.F.C. and Abercynon R.F.C. The following will represent Trecynon:—Back, H. Brown; threequarter backs, D. Watkins, Bert Millard, D. J. Giles, Owen Williams half-backs, W. Williams and Ted Hig- gins; forwards. J. L. Morgan (capt.), T. R. Lloyd, J. Heath, H. Miles, D. Davies, W. Rees, A. Spacey, L. Gould. Re- serves, G. Thomas. J. R. Owen, J. White. A. Price, D. J. Jones, Emlyn Jones.
-_-----_---_n-Escaped Lunatic…
-n- Escaped Lunatic Captured Henry Evans, a native of Mountain Ash, who escaped from Pare Gwyllt Asylum, Bridgend, on Saturday, was found on Tuesday evening wandering at Bridgend; and was taken back to the asylum.
------. Premier and Hwfa Mon
Premier and Hwfa Mon A few months ago the Prime Minister promised a grant of X50 out of the Royal Bounty Fuud towards a maintenance fund which was being raised for the late Archdruid, Hwfa Mon. Owing to the serious illness of the Arcbdruid the maintenance fund was not proceeded with. Mr Balfour, however, has just forwarded a cheque for X50 to Sir Marchant Williams, with directions that it shall be applied to the benefit of the late Archdruid's estate.
_-_,_--Aberdare Chrysanthemum…
Aberdare Chrysanthemum Show. This show was held on Monday at the Market Hall, under the auspices of the Aberdare Flower Show. The secretary, who worked assiduously and well, was Mr Alf. Picton Owen. At intervals Mr. Ar- kite Phillips' Orchestral Band gave some fine selections of music. Mr. F. W. Caunt catered. The shoy was upon the whole successful in point of quality of exhibits as well as in the sale thereof. Mr. Isaac George, High Constable (gardener, Mr F. Turner), had a line group of chrysanthemums, among them being a green flower of a rare kind. Messrs. W. Treseder and Case Bros., from Cardiff, exhibited some very fine blooms, and their floral designs at- tracted much attention. Mr. W. Marsh, Morgan-street, Aberdare, displayed some iloveiy chrysanthemums. he had the words, "Good Luck" worked into a floral motto. Mr. T. Muscott, Lord A.berdare's gardener, exhibited a good miscellaneous collection of plants and vegetables. Mr. C. Leek, Rachel-street, Aberdare, had a unique assortment of flowers. plants, and vegetables of rare quality. Mr. Theo. J. Thomas, Abernant Gardens, had a large and varied exhibition of vegetables, fruit, etc., while Mr C. Garrett, Llewelyn-street, Trecynon, had an equally attractive dis- play. A good miscellaneous collection of vegetables was shown by Mr. John Prowle, East Avenue, while close by was another collection by Mr. S. Cox, Eliza- beth-street, Aberdare. Mr. S. Lawrence, the gardener of Mr. W. T. Rees, Maesy- ffynon, had a very elegant group of chrys- anthemums. In the centre of the hall Mr. E. W. Mander's gardener, Mr. W. Reed, was in charge of a rare group of chrysanthemums, encircling a magnificent palm. In close proximity was another line group of chrysanthemums from the garden of Mr. Hann, Aberaman (gardener, Mr. John Davies). Mr. George Moore, Bank-street, Aberdare, had also selections of fruit and flowers that deserve mention, while Mr. R. J. Rhys, Plasnewydd, ^pre- sented an admirable group of chrysan- themums. Mr. W. Vallis, Cemetery-road, Aberdare, was also an exhibitor.
-"__---_."--Mountain Ash Police…
Mountain Ash Police Court. On Wednesday.—Before Sir T. Mar- chant Williams EJECTMENT. William Blacker applied for an eject- ment order against John Henley, 9, Wall- street, Matthewstown.—Granted. DRUNKS. Frederick Edwards, in YnYfl1 and costs; Henry Jones, in Victoria' street, Miskin, 10s. ■and costs; George Huntley and1 Edward McPherson, in Cai- diff-road, Newtown, 10s. and costs each. SOON BE ON THE. BLACK LIST. Jennett Williams, Ynysboeth, and Sara^ A. Jenkins, Ynysboeth, were for being drunk and disorderly. 0 The constable deposed to seeing the tw defendants at 12.30 Monday mid-nigh1* They were very drunk, and had five or si* young fellows round them. He (witness; took them to the Police Station, their names were taken. They w'el afterwards allowed to go home. e OM of the defendants denied that ther were fellows with them. Stipendiary: When people are druu they generally see double, but it seetv* you could not see at all. l- It transpired that this was Mrs. Jefa kins's third offence during the last months, and the Stipendiary that she would soon be on the black Fines of 15s. and costs each were in" flicted. STEALING COAL. Saorah Davies, Cwmpennar, was Sllo- moned for stealing coal, the property of the Powell Duliryn Co. Tl,, P.C. Mildon said that one evenin# met defendant coming from the GeoiB Colliery Tip, with a bag of coal on h back. He asked her if she had perniis61. to go to the Tip, and she replied that s was under the impression that it free. A fine of 10s. was imposed. SHOWMAN'S GOODS STOLEN. Albert Gore (10), and George H- ant (10), Miskin, were charged with stc:,ir0 mg ornaments, the property of GQOio Morris, showman. i0 Morris said that on the 13th inst- had a pipe-breaking saloon on the gation Grounds. He had some fans, cy goods, and ornaments, which he ga, as prizes to those who succeeded in bl'l1t; ing the pipes. About 11 o'clock at he missed several articles from a D They were valued at 5s. q "f' il"lfcon sai(I he wentr to Schools the following day. The two were brought out, and they admitted ing opened the box and stolen therefi the articles.. ,hg The Stipendiary said he would give, h,,y boys one more chance. Next time t were brought before him they w"°u+ilPy sent away for five years. This time- would have to pay a. fine of M each. STREET OBSTRUCTION. Theophilus Miles, for obstructing .Ct°S% street, Penrhiwceiber, by fighting m u street, was ordered to pay 40s. V. Freed, for allowing boxes to rein on the pavement, was fined 10s. AFFILIATION ARREARS. Thomas Roberts, 26, Catherine;stree^ Aberdare, was summoned by Mary James, Tonypandy, for JS2 16s. & all ation arrears. Complainant said order was made against defendant 111 cember, 1902. Twelve months aftp- a warrant was issued against him, left the district, and it was not on him until this month. He had paid her anything. The amount now < £ 20 9s. 6d. _■ t ved A fresh warrant was thereupon sel on defendant. to Asked whether he had the money pay, defendant said he had not. Stipendiary: Then you will have to prison for three months. Printed and Published at their ing Works, Market Buildings. /i|9- Street, Aberdare, in the County o morgan, by the proprietors, W. irUgn J. L. Rowlands.