GIG 
THE TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF 
in the Benevolent Fand, which claimed to be for the advantage of all, they were to be pre¬ 
cluded. Now the latter appeared to him to be a most extraordinary objection. They 
had a fund of upwards of £G000 subscribed by individuals for a given purpose, but unfortu¬ 
nately it had not been so extensively useful as the Council desired. Means, he was happy 
to say, had however been taken to make it more so, and although the amount distributed the 
last year had been greater than in former years, the fund had increased. He took it that 
if the Bill passed, there would be nothing to prevent all who subscribed to the fund from 
having a voice in its management. Surely those who did not subscribe to it could not 
expect to have any voice in its distribution. 
Mr. Orridge asked if that line of argument was used with reference to those who had 
mooted the proposed alteration. 
Mr. Savage said he supposed the ‘ Chemist and Druggist ’ might be considered to repre¬ 
sent the views of the United Society. 
Mr. Orridge said he hoped it was not attributed to those who were acting with him. 
Mr. Savage said, No, he was merely using it to show that the ‘ Chemist and Druggist ’ 
had taken an active part in the matter, and might be said to represent the views of those 
outside. 
Mr. Hollier denied entertaining any such views, or that they were entertained by 
many of those in his district who were not members of the Society. 
Mr. Savage said he was glad he had elicited that expression of opinion, because it 
relieved him from further occupying the attention of the meeting. 
Mr. Pedler said he was sorry to differ from the admirable speech they had heard from 
Mr. Edwards, who was an honour to the Council, and who had so ably advocated the 
course the Council had decided on taking. He thanked the Council for the time and 
attention they bestowed in promoting the interests of the Institution, and he hoped they 
would pardon him for occupying their time whilst he stated his reason for differing from 
them. He differed from them principally on the ground that the legislation sought for 
was not likely to attain the object and end which they all so much desired, any more than 
the legislation that had taken place with regard to the medical profession. The Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society was increasing daily in respectability and influence, and in its hold on 
public feeling. They found also that chemists and druggists were increasing in every di¬ 
rection, for in small towns where a few years since there were only one or two, there 
were now half-a-dozen at least, so that they had now become a very large body. An 
Act of Parliament was obtained for the purpose, if possible, of bringing all into one 
homogeneous body, but twenty-three years’ experience had proved to them the contrary. 
They had however nothing to regret, but much to be thankful for, because it had had the 
effect of raising the standard of the members. It had also taught the public who were 
to be trusted, and daily experience proved that they preferred men who enjoyed the dis¬ 
tinctive title of Pharmaceutical Chemists to those who could only call themselves che¬ 
mists and druggists. Though they had not done all they wished, they had as a volun¬ 
tary society accomplished much ; and consequently many, no doubt, asked themselves the 
question, why the Pharmaceutical Chemists wanted a Bill for the purpose of regulating 
the business of chemists and druggists, or rather why it was they were so anxious to go 
to Parliament at an enormous expense, and in spite of the opposition they were likely to 
receive, for powers to extinguish the present race of chemists and druggists, for that was 
really its object. That, he contended, would be the ultimate result if the proposed legis¬ 
lation was granted. He repeated, its effect would be to close every chemist and. druggist’s 
shop throughout the kingdom, and were they, he asked, prepared to meet such an opposi¬ 
tion as would be raised to it in Parliament? He thought not, and further, he did not be¬ 
lieve they were possessed of sufficient power to persuade Parliament to agree to any such 
measure. He felt convinced that further legislation with regard to chemists and drug¬ 
gists would have the same effect as legislation had had upon apothecaries. When once 
they tied down chemists and druggists to a particular line they would have some other 
body vending physic, and things then would be worse than before. He felt certain that 
Parliament would never grant what they now sought for. 
Mr. Waugh said he sympathized with the doubts and fears that had been expressed 
by many gentlemen as to their getting these powers. He hoped however they might get 
it, and that it would be obligatory on the public to always employ thoroughly qualitied 
chemists, but he had great fears that Parliament would pass an Act forbidding every 
person from taking his prescription to any man he chooses to trust. It was well how- 
