The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-12-06 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. A meeting of the Town-council was held in the Town-ball on Wednesday, for the transaction of busiiss. Thomas Walmsley, Esq. the Mayor, presided. MR. R. JONES, JUN. The MAYOR said that the first business which would oc cupy the attention of the council had reference to the coun cillor for St. Anne's Ward, on which the Town-clerk was now prepared to report. The TOWN-CLERK then read the following report : I have considered the report of Mr. Alderman Benn on the subject of a fraud upon the franchise of the burgesses, appearing to have been committed at the last municipal elec tion ; and in pursuance of the reference of the council, I have made the strictest investigation in my power. In pursuing the inquiry, I have taken down fully all in formation which came before me, but in considering the im portant questions referred to me, I have been guided by legal rules of evidence, as well because 1 considered myself pro perly confined to that course, as because I conceived it the best to aid me in arriving at just conclusions. I have now to report that upon the information before me, it appears that James Connor, a person who is not a burgess, did, on the Ist of November last, commit the fraud of per sonating. John Bond, a burgess of the ward of St. Anne street, before the alderman and assessors of that ward, by claiming to vote, in the name of John Bond, for Mr. Robert Jones, jun., a candidate for that ward, and now the sitting councillor, and by delivering to those officers a false voting paper, made out as the voting paper of the burgess John Bond, and by answering the questions prescribed by the 34th section of the municipal corporations act, alleged, however, to have been irregularly put. And I am of opinion, that whether the questions were re gularly or irregularly put, James Connor-was in law guilty of an indictable misdemeanour; on which point I laid a case be fore counsel, concluding with the following query :—" Whe ther the mere-personation and the delivery of the false voting paper in fraud of the act, did not, of themselves, amount to an indictable misdemeanour." Upon this case I have obtained from Mr. Starkie, queen's counsel, and Mr. Charles Crompton, an opinion as follows : " We ne of opinion that Connor, under the circumstances, was guilty of an indictable misdemeanour, in personating Bend, and offering a false voting paper. " Temple, 2d December, 1839. " A copy of the case and opinion is subjoined. I have further to report, that upon the information before me, a question has been raised whether the candidate, Mr. Robert Jones, jun., did not contend before the alderman and assessors for the amission of this vote, under circumstances which showed that he at that time knew that James Connor had committed the fraud of personating John Bond. On this question I have taken down information from seventeen witnesses, and I now report the following conclu sions, which, to the best of my judgment, I have arrived at, viz.- I.—That Mr. Jones was not present at the time when James Connor tendered the voting paper or answered the questions. 2.—That there has been no evidence before me of any oc currences up to that period to affect Mr. Jones. 3.—That after Connor had tendered his voting paper and had answered the questions, Mr. Jones did, in the booth, be fore the alderman and assessors, contend for the admission of the vote. 4.—That James Connor was the brother-in-law of Mr. Jones, having married Mr. Jones's sister. s.—But that whether Mr. Jones bad, or had riot, the knowledge in question as to the fraud of Connor at the time of his so contending, or at any time until Certainly after the close of the poll, upon which knowledge the imputation against him altogether depends, there is conflicting evidence before me. 6.—Upon this conflicting evidence, without impugning the veracity of any witness, pursuing the course which I have stated, and making all just allowances proper from the nature of the evidence, especially considering the excitement and confusion which appears to have prevailed, I come, with sa tisfaction to my own mind, to the conclusion, that Mr. Jones had no such knowledge ; consequently, that Mr. Jones, upon my report, stands free from any imputation affecting his ho nour or character. Mr. Alderman BENN said, he was extremely glad to hear that this conclusion had been come to. His object in bring ing forward the subject had been twofold—namely, to have the delinquent punished, and Mr. Jones cleared from the imputations which had been cast upon his character out of doors. Mr. Jones, he thought, must feel obliged to him that he had acted as he had done, because a statement had been made to the effect that Connor had admitted that Mr. Jones had put into his hand the voting paper presented at the booth by him. His (Mr. Beun's) aim had been to give to Mr. Jones an opportunity of saying whether lie had or had not been privy to the fraud attempted to be practised, and there fore be had brought the matter before the council. On a former occasio❑ he had been asked to enter into an explana tion, but had declined to do so at that time, thinking that such a course was irregular. Mr. Jones, he was happy to say, was now altogether freed from the imputations cast on him, and his character had sustained no injury from the cir cumstances of the case. Mr. COGLAN said, I feel very great regret in being obliged to differ from the opinion delivered by our very talented Town-clerk. (Cries of " Oh, oh.") Mr. Mayor, I claim your protection while I proceed ; and I must express a hope that the scenes which occurred at the first time I bad the honour of addressing you on this subject will not be permit ted to be repeated this day. I was then much interrupted, and prevented from giving the explanations that were requir ed to place the matter fairly before the council. Prior to giving my reasons for differing from the conclusion come to by the Town-clerk, I beg to correct what sonic consider an error on my part, in my address at the last council meeting— namely, when I stated that Connor did not vote. I certainly then stated that Connor did not vote, whereas it is contended by some that he did vote. I meant to say that Connor did not legally vote. I knew that he went through the forms and ceremonies usual on such occasions; but from the peculiar circumstance of the case, I feel convinced that he did not come within the fair scope of voting—that is, he did not le gally vete. When the paper was presented at the polling booth, and the name John Bond was called out by the polling clerk, Mr. Raynor, one of the assessors, who knew Bond in timately, turned round and saw a person as dissimilar as could be, and he said, " You are not Bond." The man said that he was. Mr. Raynor said, " I know that you are not, for Bond is in Lancaster,. I will not," he added, " allow this vote; for I know that he issan impostor." Mr. Grocott, with equal zeal on the other side, and anxious to secure a vote for Mr. Jones, insisted that it was a proper vote, and to put the matter to the test, he went through the regular forms. " Are you," he asked the man who tendered_ the voting pa per, "John Bond ?" The reply was, " Yes." " Where do you reside." "In Soho-street." " Have you voted be fore at this election." " No." Mr. Grocott then insisted that the vote was a good one, and a long test ensued, during which time Connor went away. The voting paper was folded up, and put by itself, and was finally taken away by Mr. Raynor, on the ground of its being an illegal vote, and the other assessor agreed that Connor 's name should not be in cluded. Was I not justified then, in saying that he did not vote legally ? According to my opinion, it could not be a good vote without it was a legal one. Now, with regard to one very important particular that occurred, and I am glad the town-clerk has had counsel's opinion upon it. It appears that the delinquent got off in consequence of Mr. Grocott not having complied with the terms of the act of parliament. Mr. Grocott got up and proposed the questions without being called upon by two burgesses. There were two that would. have called on him to do so ; but, as he stood up, they thought it a work of supererogation to ask him to put questions that had already been answered. Yet on this very simple fact the magistrate considered that the proceeding was not legal - ; and he would not commit Connor to prison, because the as sessor had not acted according to the strict letter of the act of parliament. The man was charged wilts a misdemeanour, and he was gone to sea since ; he has been got out of the way. Now, as to the conclusion of the town-clerk. The town clerk would not come to the conclusion on conflictive evi dence that Mr, Jones was eta — The MAYOR.—I beg your pardon, Mr. Coglan. It will be a question for the council, after the reference that has been made and the decision that has been given whether they will go farther or not. Seeing that Mr. Jones's character is en tirely freed from suspicion, I will put it to you whether it is desirable that you should proceed further, and cause recrimi nation. I should not like to stop the freedom of debate or of discussion ; but I am inclined to think that the council will be of opinion with me that the subject had better not be further gone into. The matter referred was divided into two heads—namely, with respect to Connor and to Mr. Jones. The town-clerk has decided with respect to Connor, that he is indictable for a misdemeanour ; but, as regards Mr. Jones, he has been freed from every imputation, and I would sub mit it to the council, and my friend Mr. Coglan, who, I am sure, will rejoice in the decision, whether it is advisable to pursue this matter further. Mr. COGLAN.—I beg pardon for differing from to high an authority as yourself, Mr. Mayor; and I claim the right of proceeding to make my remarks; for whatever conclusions the town-clerk may have arrived at, he is not infallible. To question my right of proceeding is to limit the freedom of debate itself. I disclaim the idea of wishing to hurt the feel ings, or vilify the, character of any man. I come forward on public grounds, in consequence of its having been communi cated to me, by highly-respectable authorities, that Conner presented a fraudulent voting ticket, and that Mr. Jones was in the booth during part of the time of the investigation, and that Mr. Jones put the question to the alderman— The MAYOR.—Do you conclude with any motion ? Mr. COGLAN.—I will. Mr. Jones put the question to the alderman, er, at least, he claimed the right of having the vote recorded. I have it from highly respectable authority that, during part of the time of the investigation, Mr. Jones was in the booth, and that he addressed the alderman, saying, This is a good vote ; you have no right to refuse it, because in the morning you allowed one of a similar character, Young's, to be recorded." This was part of the time the investigation was proceeding. The evidence of Mr. Hay dock has been a good deal dwelt on by Mr. Grocott in his public letter. The question put by Mr. Mason to Mr. Hay dock was, "Was Mr. Jones present when Connor tendered his vote ?" Mr. Haydock answered in the negative. The magistrate put a stop to the inquiry, otherwise Mr. Haydock was prepared to prove that Mr. Jones was present during the latter part of the investigation. I deem it necessary to repeat these facts, because 1 have a motion to put which I hope will meet with the support of the council. When Mr. Raynor protested against the vote.as a an illegal one, the man Connor had gone through the ceremony of voting. Mr. Raynor knew him to be a delinquent, and ordered him to be taken into custody. The inspector on duty at the booth went after him, and took him into custody—took him within the line of voting in the booth. He was then on one side of the palings, so that all persons on the opposite side could not fail to see him. Mr. Jones was not present when the vote was tendered, it is true ; but Mr. Jones returned during the time that Mr. Raynor and Mr. Grocott were contending, be cause Mr. Haydock and Mr. Helsby are prepared to prove that. Now, if Mr. Jones put the question to the alderman without knowing anything about the vote, whether it was a good one or not, he certainly acted in a way that was not right; but Le wanted it to be received on the ground that it was a good one. This lam prepared to prove on the testi mony of Mr. Haydock and Mr. Helsby. Mr. Jones stated at the last council that he had not seen his brother-in-law from that time till then. Now, I have it on testimony that Connor absolutely supped with Mr. Jones on the evening of the day of election, and Mr. Jones admitted it to the person I can bring forward. Does not this show something of con nivance or of knowledge ? That this is the fact lam credi bly informed ; but that there may be individuals who will state other circumstances I am ready to admit. The town clerk may have gone through a legal investigation of the mat ter ; he may have had testimony and counter-testimony ; there may have been half a dozen persons who stated that he was not ; and he (the town-clerk) may have come to the conclusion that Mr. Jones was actually not present, though the matter on that ground is not sufficient to justify him in announcing any thing like connivance on the part of Mr. Jones. But it is only right and just that we should investi gate that matter ; and I only consider it an act of justice to him, as well as to me, that the testimony of Mr. Benn, Mr. Haydock, and Mr. Helsby, should be read ; and let the testimony of Mr. Jones's friends be read, and then we may come to a conclusion, without trusting to any individual, however respectable. This testimony is due to the public; it is necessary that they should see it—in order that those persons who are to blame may be held up to public odium. I therefore feel it a duty to move that the town-clerk read the testimony of the different witnesses, and on that being read I shall proceed with my motion, which is, in the first instance, that the testimony be read. I beg pardon, perhaps the better plan would he to have a committee—a select or se cret committee formed—l don't know what you may de signate it—and that it be referred to that committee. Having been requested to put his mo ti on i n wr iti ng , Mr. Coglan did so. The following is a copy of it :—" That the . 1 "7 1 - 2: 4, w c;,4 report of the town clerk, and the evidence on which it is founded, be referred to a committee consisting of seven members of the council, with power to seek further evidence and take such further steps, or such further legal advice, as they may deem necessary to report to this council." _ Mr. RATRIIONE seconded the motion. He said—l acknow- ledge that I was surprised that the report of the town-clerk should be so totally unqualified • inasmuch as it is drawn up on conflicting evidence. To the legal report of the town clerk of course the council would bow • but the care of its own honour is in the keeping of the council. This is not a trifling question • we cannot take up too much time about it ; and it is therefore necessary that we should know on what grounds it is that a member of the council, with so many accusationa against him, has been cleared of them. I have no personal feeling whatever in the case ; it would be beneath any man that feels his responsibiliy as a man or a councillor, to trifle with the character of any man opposed to him on such a question as this. But it is essential that the purity of the council should he kept up, and on that ground it is proper that we should he the judges, and not the town clerk ; and I am surprised that the town-clerk should have adverted to it at all. I think that was not what the town-clerk was called on to report. I have great pleasure in seconding the motion of Mr. Coglan ; and, sir, from the sentiments which we have have heard from gentlemen on the other side of the house, I think that they will feel that the honour of the council is so strongly involved in this question, that some of them at least will vote in my favour. Mr. BusuELL.—Before attempting any comment on the extraordinary proceeding of this morning, I feel it my duty to thank you, sir, for the attempt you made to save the time and patience of the council, as well as for your attempt to save Mr. Coglan from the extraordinary exhibition he has made. Mr. Rathbone, during his concluding observations, looked very hard at me, and I shall therefore reply to him. What are the facts ? When it was proposed that this matter should be referred to the town-clerk, who stood up and said aught against it ? Not one. If the town-clerk's report had been different to what it is, who would have stood up to oppose its reception ? Not one. But the fact is, that the town-clerk's report is of a nature that is nor agreeable to some gentlemen on the opposite side of the house, and there fore they oppose it. If Mr. Coglan had come prepared with a resolution, instead of detaining the council a quarter of an hour in drawing it out, I should then have given him credit for honesty in the matter. But what does he do ? Ire first heard the report of the town-clerk read, and, finding it is in favour of Mr. Jones, he then comes forward with his motion. Mr. COGLAN.—I beg to say— Mr. BUSHELL.—I will not be interrupted sir. (Hear, and order.) Mr. COGLAN.—It is not true what you say—(Much con fusion.) Mr. BUSHELL.—Not trite ! How dare you say that, sir? The MAYOR. Address yourselves to me, gentlemen, if you please. Mr. BUSUELL.—You have heard what Mr. Coglan said— he said that what I stated was not true. Mr. COGLAN.—I did not know * of the report of the town clerk. Mr. BUSHELL.—I did not say that you had any previous knowledge of the town-clerk's report. Mr. Alderman EARLE.--.-The word honesty was used. Mr. BLACKBURN.-1 think the gentleman who stands up and charges another with dishonesty, should not be very nice. Mr. T. CASE.—I heard words used by the gentleman next to me (Mr. Coglan) which I think should be removed before we leave this room. I hive strong reasons for it, Mr. Mayor. Mr. BUSHELL.—The word " honesty" has been quarrelled with, I did not use the word in the sense that seems to be put upon it ; I did not mean that Mr. Coglan had been guilty of dishonesty. I mean that it would have been a more straightforward and honest course if, instead of his drawing out his resolution after he had heard the report—he had come into the council chamber prepared with that resolution—if he had prepared it without knowing the nature of the deci sion of the Town-clerk—without being aware whether it was for or against Mr. Jones. If Mr. Coglan had entered this room prepared to dispute the reception of the report alto gether, he would have shown a strong disposition to do what was just and honest ; but I cannot say that it was commend able in him first to hear and then oppose the report. What would be said to the person who consented to an arbitration, and refused to accede to the decision after it had been given ? (Loud cries of" No, no.") Why, if not distinctly and openly, he tacitly submitted the case to the arbitration or decision of the town-clerk. Mr. Alderman SHEIL.—As to the town-clerk's decision, it is not worth a penny, even though it were an arbitration. Mr. BUSH ELL.—Well, I must certainly compliment the town-clerk on the high estimation he seems to be held in. But, as I was remarking, what would be said of those who, having agreed to the dcision of arbitrators, afterwards op posed the decision when given ? I know what would be thought of them in the mercantile world, and I should think that the same principles of judgment ought to operate here. lam perfectly satisfied that Mr. Jones is innocent. He says, " I was not there." Mr. Rathbone has referred to what I said on a former occasion—namely, that if Mr. Jones were guilty, I should be one of the first to rise up and con demn him. That I repeat. I say that if the charge•against him be proved, I, so far from standing up to support him, would he one of the first to lift up my voice in his condeinna • tion. I trust that I have now placed that matter in a proper light. With regard to Mr. Benn, 1 have nothing to say, be cause I believe that he has been dragged into this matter against his will. But what has Mr. Coglan done? Ile has made a very rambling speech, in the midst of which he proves that Connor attempted to vote. (Hear, hear.) Who doubts that Connor presented his polling paper, and that he would have recorded his vote? No one. Every body knows and admits that. But Mr. Coglan has shied that which is the real point of the case--that which, if true, casts opprobrium on the character of Mr. Jones. Of that, Mr. Coglan has scarcely said a word. lie feels himself, if I may so say, in the position of a guilty man, and thinks that it is necessary for him to say something ; he therefore talked by the clock, and sat down without saying anything to the point. I shall conclude with moving an amendment ; and if it is the wish of the council that their views and opinions should have weight in the town, I feel convinced that my amendment will be adopted • for nothing could possibly be more prejudicial to the council, in the eyes of the community at large, than to allow it to be suspected that party spleen and venom influence its decisions —that it had deserted honesty, uprightness, and true prin ciple—forsaken— The MAYOR—Deserted honesty and true principles? I call upon you, Mr. Bushell, to withdraw the words. Mr. BosnELL.—I did not say that the council had de serted honesty and true principles. I say, let not anything be done here which shall give rise to the accusation that honesty and true principle have been deserted. I impute no motives to any one. There is not one of this council, with whom I am acquainted, that I do not in some measure re spect: I 'beg leave to move, us au ,uncrniment, that the town-clerk's report be confirmed. Mr. JOHN SMITH seconded the amendment. Every un biassed mind would be satisfied with the report of the town clerk, and that every gentleman whose judgment was not warped by prejudice must see that Mr. Jones stood cleared of every accusation that had been urged against him. Mr. BLACKBURN—I intended to have proposed an amend ment of a very different nature to that moved by the mem ber of Abercromby Ward ; and should it be lost, I shall main tain my right of introducing another amendment. I 'think that we never had to discuss a question of more vital impor tance to the character of the council. But, before I proceed further, will you allow the resolution, referring the matter to the town-clerk, to be read? The Towsr- CLERK read the resolution, as follows :—" That the case mentioned in the report be referred to the town clerk, with power to investigate and to report to the council." Mr. BLACKBURN.—Yes, he had to report the result of the investigation, and not his opinion. It never entered into my mind that lie was to give a decision—that he was a judge. The whole of the argument of the member for Abercromby Ward has gone on a wrong assumption, and we should di vest ourselves of all right of judgment, and leave it to the town-clerk, to be governed by his opinion, whatever that may be. Mr. BUSHELL.—Why not have mentioned, then, that the evidence should be laid on the table? Mr. BLACKBURN.—It never entered into my mind, and never was the intention of the council, that the town-clerk should give any opinion, but to report and give the result — that is, of the evidence, not of his opinion on the evidence. So far from binding ourselves to ,his decision, we never re quested it ; but merely that he should investigate, and report the result of that investigation. I therefore throw out all the arguments of the member for Abercromby Ward, (Mr. Bushell,) because they are based on a wrong assumption ; and his reference to arbitration is totally inapplicable. The result does not mean, to give a report to bind us by his con clusions, neither was it my opinion that it would be given. I came here this morning under the expectation that he would lay before us the whole of the evidence, and that we should judge. It is the business of the council to do that, and such was the purport and intent of the resolution. I appeal to you whether it was so or not: (" Yes, yes.") The result is the evidence that he collects, to lay open the case in all its bearings. No arbitration was appointed at all. I stand up as much the friend of Mr. Jones as any one. If the town clerk's opinion was called out by the evidence ; if he has dealt fairly ; if he has stated the ground for the conclusions to which he has come, which I do not impugn, then the more thoroughly that ground is known, the better for Mr. Jones. If it has convinced the town-clerk, it must convince every other candid mind. Then let Mr. Jones have the benefit of it. I beg leave to move the following amendment :—" That the whole of the evidence collected in relation to the persona tion of Mr. Bond by Mr. Connor, at the last election for St. Anne's Ward, be printed, and a copy furnished to every member of the council—and that the consideration of the town clerk's report be deferred to a future meeting of the council." That is the fair and straightforward mode of deals ing with the question. I throw back the charges brought against this side of the house being influenced by party spirit. (Cries of " No, no ;" "no such charge was made.") We desire that every man may sit here so that he can be treated with respect—so that we can respect his character. There is just one circumstance to which I will allude, unless, indeed, Mr. Bushell will consent to withdraw his amendment. Mr. BUSIIELL.—I am willing to withdraw my amendment. Perfect justice for all parties is what I seek. lam sure that the evidence, not only from the known ability of the town clerk — Mr. Alderman SHELL.—This is quite irregular. Mr. Bushell has already spoken. The MAYOR.—He rose to withdraw his amendment, at the suggestion of Mr. Blackburn. Mr. SHEIL.—Yes ; but he enters intcert long-explanation. Mr. BUSHELL.—I am quite as anxious as Mr. Blackburn or any one else that the whole of the evidence should be laid before the• council and the town. lam fully persuaded, from the known ability of the town-clerk, that the evidence will bear out his conclusion ; and, from what 1 have seen of it, I am sure that the more the evidence is circulated, the better for Mr. Jones. Mr. CASE.—Do you mean, by this amendment, to shut out the reception of further evidence ? (No, no.) Mr. BLACKBURN.—I cannot in this resolution make pro vision for further evidence ; but it does not shut out further evidence. If, after the evidence is received, it is not satis factory, and additional evidence can be obtained, let it be re ceived ; but, if, on the other hand, it is satisfactory, there will be no need. lf we proceed as I have recommended, we shall give weight and importance to our proceedings, and prevent the recurrence of such circumstances in future. I was going to say that the point of difficulty is this. It is ac knowledged that the personation took place; it is acknow ledged that Mr. Jones was not present in the booth when the vote was tendered ; and it is acknowledged that Mr. Jones afterwards was present during the discussion on the vote, and gave an opinion in favour of the vote, contending that it ought to be received. (" No, no ;" and " That is not ac knowledged.") Am I correct Mr. Town-clerk ? The TOWN-CLERK.—Yes, you are. At the request of Mr. Blackburn, the Town-clerk read that part of his report referred to. Mr. BLACXBURN.—It appears, then, that Mr. Jones was present during the discussion. (" No ; there is nothing about the discussion.") Well, after the tender of the vate ; and that he contended for the admission of the vote ; and therefore, I think, he must have known something about the vote. Did any one mean to say that he contended for the admission of a vote of which he knew nothing? He might have given sonic reason why, in his opinion, it ought to have been received, and he must have known something about it to give that opinion. The point is, how is Mr. Jones to be thoroughly and effectually cleared from all guilty participa tion in accepting that vote, when he advocated its accept ance ? The town-clerk is satisfied himself that he is cleared, and I want to see the evidence, that I and others may be satisfied. The point is one of difficulty. Mr. Jones was not likely to come forward to advocate a vote, and yet know nothing of its nature ; and if that is the case how can he be free from all stain? Without attributing anything improper to Mr. Jones, and with a desire that he may be fully .ac quitted—for it would be a pleasure to me to see him ac- quitted 7 I beg to move the amendment for the printing of evidence. - Mr. R. GLADSTONE seconded the amendment. He said —lt appears to me that the council should adopt one of'two courses—either accept the report of the Town-clerk, or pur sue the course recommended by Mr. Blackburn, that all the circumstances should be made public, and, if investigation is to go on, that the matter should be sifted to the very bottom. From what has fallen from Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Coglan, I am impressed with the idea that it is absolutely necessary that the evidence should be printed. As to Mr. Coglan, I quite concur with the other member fur A.bercromby ward, in thinking that he has evaded the point in which he is most personally interested. Mr. Coglan, as I understand, at the last council stated that Mr. Jones was in the booth when Connor, the person who personated Bond, was there. It is perhaps not for me, who was not present on the occasion, to rise and say that this was not the case ; but I think I can take upon me to deny the fact, as I know it can be proved, if the evidence is gone through, that that was not the case. Again, Mr. Coglan has to-day stated that Connor, with whom, as the council knows, Mr. Jones was not in intimacy, supped with Mr. Jones on the day of the election. Is this true or is it not ? These are points which speak for them selves. They are facts which, if true, must have come under the cognizance of other people, and it must, therefore, be well known whether they are true or untrue. How stands the fact on this particular point ? After the election was over, Mr. Jones, as I dare say other candidates have done, and as I myself have done, after the excitement and toil of a contest, felt a good deal fatigued, and thought that he should be more quiet at his father's house than if he went home. He therefore proceeded to his father's house about five o'clock, and did not return to his own home until ten at night. 'ln the meantime, Connor—and I am sure, when you recollect that Mr. Jones was not in intimacy with him, you will think very little of the circumstance—went to the house of Mr. Robert Jones. His wife was unwell, and in bed, and Connor did get supper in the house, but without Mr. Jones's knowledge or consent, nor was he aware of the circumstance till the next morning. Some may say that this is all very well as an individual statement ; but it is an occurrence which can be proved, and satisfactorily proved ; but it will, of course, take time to probe this and other things to the bot tom, and, moreover, it will take time to consider upon them afterwards. Ido therefore hope that the proposal to publish the evidence will be agreed to by the council. At the same time, I candidly tell you that it occurs to me that such a course is scarcely a safe one. My own opinion is, from all that I am able to ascertain out of doors, that there is some- thing like a libel on the character of Mr. Jones in the pro ceedings that have already taken place. Whether lam cor rect or not, I leave to the decision of others better informed than myself. This certainly does to me seem an obstacle ; but, at the same time, I am so anxious to probe the matter to the bottom, that I second with great pleasure the amend ment just made. Mr. IsAae HOLMES—I shall not occupy the time of the council long ; but some of the remarks made by Mr. Coglan relative to Mr. Jones should not, I consider, go before the public uncontradicted. Mr. Coglan said that Mr. Jones went into the booth, and contended that the vote was a good one, and ought to be accepted. I belieVe the fact is, that Mr. Coglan left the booth about twenty minutes to four ; he himself was not a witness ofthe transaction. Mr. Jones was absent, I believe, from twenty minutes past threw until five minutes to four, when he returned to the booth. At that time he brought in his own voting paper. There was a crowd in Christian-street at the time, and, as any one else would have done, he asked what was the matter. The evidence of Mr. Davies was, " Mr. Jones, when he came into the booth, asked what was the cause of ie dispute ; and he said, if they were sending a man to bridewell for personating a voter, " what did they intend to do - with the person named Young. I believe that evidence will be produced to prove that Mr. Jones had no knowledge whatever that Connor had been personating a voter at that time, and that he made inquiries, as auy other person would have done, merely for informa tion. I believe there has been a degree of animus in this matter that lam sorry to see manifested. Mr. Berm has come forward in a noble manner and exonerated Mr. Jones. What was the charge sought to be substantiated? That Mr. Jones had concocted a plan with a relative of his own, for the purpose of obtaining a vote, and therefore that he was guilty of what might be termed subornation of fraud; that be dressed up the man for the occasion, and that he was in the booth ready to countenance and support the fraud. Now, it can be proved that the very clothes worn by Connor on that day had been worn by him for two months previous. That can be proved by the Rev. Mr. Picton, a gentleman whose character stands as high as that of any man in this council. Since names have been mentioned, 1 will read you the names of a number of persons who eau establish the case for Mr. Jones. [Mr. H. read the names of about twenty persons, and said that he could add ten or twenty more to the list.] hope that if the committee be appointed, that it will consist of three persons nominated by Mr. Coglan and three by Mr. Jones, and that'the.mayor be the chairman. Mr. Alderman SHEIL contended that the statements in the town-clerk's report did not authorise the conclusion to which he had corns, and thought it would have been better if he had confined himself simply to the legal view cf the case. He ridiculed the idea of Connor going to the house of Mr. Jones to sup, if it were true, as was stated, there was no intimacy whatever between them. " God," said he, " I would like to see the man that would go into my house, and take his sup per under such circumstances. In the next morning he would find himself in a place where he would have an opportunity of calmly investigating his proceedings of the previous day. He was a little surprised, and disappointed, and chagrined to see the way in .which the individuals who moved and seconded the adoption of the report introduced the matter; they at tempted to carry it by a coup de main. Now, he could tell them, and all the members who had recently come into that chamber, that they knew little of the mettle of the council, if they thought they could carry things in that way. The council was not so destitute of courage. It had courage to meet the _town upon the question, and he cautioned members not again to use words that rankled on the mind. He sup ported Mr. Blackburn's view of the case, and he thought that the gentleman who had supported Mr. Jones's case would have done much better if they had left it alone. Mr. HODGSON thought that on this subject the council had been called upon to take an unusual course. The strong party in the council, after having deliberately referred the matter to the town-clerk, and to their own town-clerk too—(ironi cal cries of " Hear, hear" from the radical councillors) — thought proper to reject his report when tendered. He sat as member for many bodies, but he never yet heard of a pro ceeding similar to that proposed to be adopted. He had lit tle or no intimacy with iMr. Jones, and did not pretend to have any very overwhelming interest in him ; but he did not like to.see such a spirit as was then manifested—it mortified him. With respect to Connor, he was a man who had mar ried into the family of Mr. Jones by running away with his sister. On the day of the election, Mrs. Jones was confined to bed and the wife of Connor was then in the house, acting in the capacity of a servant, as she sometimes did—she was attending upon Mrs. Jones. At night, Connor went to the house, and supped there with his wife. That was the explana tion of the circumstance alluded to by Mr. Coglan. To de scend' to the notice of such occurrences, looked to him like a sort of special pleading. He would advise those who were so sedulous in hunting out these minute particulars, and so ingenious in twisting even the smallest occurrence into a cor roboration of the great and grave charge brought against Mr. Jones, to come into court with clean hands. (Hear.) Who had not heard of the meetings at the Angel, and of the decisions there come to for the purpose of over-ruling the council ? (Hear, hear.) I say, (continued Mr. Hodgson) they have converted everything into a close borough ; their study has been to put no one upon the committee who did not suit their purposes ; they have elevated to the aldermanic seats the rejected. (Cheers.) Their arts have been—what? (Hear, hear.) Instead of preserving the independence and honour of the civic chair, in which you sir are now placed, they hate converted that chair—into what? (Hear.) They have made it into a close stool ! (Hear, and laughter, succeeded by cries of " Order.") Mr. JORDAN.—I am surprised that such filthy language should be used in this council by any gentleman. (Uproar.) Mr. Alderman EARLE.—Oh ; the more he says, the more it stinks. (Renewed uproar.) Mr. HODGSPN.—I repeat that it is corrupt of us—that corruption has increased upon us, and that it stinks in the nostrils. (Great confusion.) Mr. RATHBONE.—I protest against this ' • but Mr. Hodg son thinks if correct to use the language of Mr. Roby, be cause he has not wit enough to invent his own. (Continued uproar.) Mr. HODGSON.—If it is offensive it is not my fault. I have taken it from the mouth of one of your own aldermen. Mr. CASE.—Why did you not call him to order, then, as I now call you ? Tne MAYOR.—I am very sorry to be obliged to call any one to order, as ',wish the freedom of debate to be stretched to the greatest possible extent. But I conceive that Mr. * Hodgson has used language most indecorous and unfit to be addressed to this chair, and I hope that he will retract those expressions. Mr. HODGSON.—WiII you be pleased to name the words, Mr. Mayor, to which you object ? The MAYOR.—I have been told that it is almost disgrace ful to sit in this chair—(No, no)—and I think that Mr. Hodgson, on due reflection, will regret deeply the language he has used. I permitted him to proceed without interrup tion as long as I could, and even when he became, as I thought, personal towards myself, I felt a desire to let it pass. But since the council have taken up the words, I call upon hint to retract, I must beg that he will do so. Mr. HODGSON. Retract what particular words ? and what is the meaning put upon those words? The MAYOR.—You have said that this chair has been con verted into a close stool. Does any gentleman here conceive that that is a proper expression to be used in this council chamber? (Iso, no.) Mr. HonosoN.—Honi soil qui mal y pence. (Hear, hear, much confusion, and a cry of " What is that ?" " Evil to him that evil thinks." Mr. Alderman EARLE.—Pronounce it es we can under stand it. The MAYOR.—I must have a disclaimer of anything per sonal. Mr. HODGSON.—I disclaim the use that has been made of the close stool. Mr. BLACKBURN.—It is useless to trouble him any fur ther. It is merely a miserable pun. The MAYOR.—Then am Ito understand that you retract the words? If not, what do you mean? Mr. HODGSON.—I mean that, par excellence. the borough has been made a close borough, and that your chair hai been made a close stool. The MAYOR.--I put it to the council-whether Mr. Hodg son shall be allowed to proceed until lie has made the amende honorable. Mr. YATES.—! heard him say that lie withdrew the parti cular expressions. Mr; JORDAN.—My humble opionion is, that what has been uttered is disgraceful to this room, and as I had the honour of proposing you, Mr. Mayor, without concert with any gen tleman in this room, I say what he has asserted is a gross falsehood. The MAYOR.—I must request you, M r. Jordan, to with draw that word ? Mr. JORDAN apologised, The MAYOR again called upon Mr. Hodgson. Mr. R. GLADSTONE.—Entertaining the same opinions as Mr. Hodgson upon most subjects, as a friend I would recom mend him to 'withdraw the expressions. Su& words are to tally unnecessary for an argument. If our argvments are to he propped up by such words, I,say at once, let them fall. Mr. Hodgson knows, as well as I do, that they were words which would not be allowed to be used by any of us in our own families ; they are not words which one gentleman ought to use to another. But I confess that some allowance ought to be made for gentlemen feeling, as we do, warmly, and some excuse might be urged from the nature of the dikcus sion. I would beg to ask Mr. Hodgson to have recourse to some other words. The dictionary is large enough. The MAYOR.—Mr. Hodgson will bear in mind that he questioned the honour and integrity of the chair. He owes is to himself and to the council, as a gentleman, and to me, unless he can show that, on any occasion, I have acted im properly, or with a political prejudice, since I have taken this chair, to withdraw the words. Mr. HODGSON.—I most willingly adopt the suggestions of my friends, and am ready to make an apology for the words, received as they have been by the council. A construction has been put upon them which I never intended they should bear. I meant nothing personal to you, sir, far from it ; for I have seen nothing in your conduct, since you occupied that chair, which I cannot commend. There have been gentlemen sitting there for whom I did not entertain the same feeling. I meant, in what I said—and so far as that goes I cannot withdraw my words—to show my sense of the conduct of professed liberals. There have been many things d. , ne at the Angel, which, as emanating from men who professed general liberty, and who were in favour of all things being left open to free and frank discussion, I hold to be utterly abominable, especially on the part of men who have got into power from a declaration of their abhorrence of such practices. (Cries of " Question, question.") I maintain that this does bear intimately on the question. I conceive, and wish to declare to you, that the spirit which governs at the Angel—the fallen Angel, as I may call it—is precisely, or, at least, a material part of, the animus that governs here. In my opinion, it is really altogether unworthy of this council to carry the matter in dispute further. If the evidence is to be printed, let it be; I care nothing about that, because I believe it will bear out the conclusio❑ to which the . Town-clerk has arrived. • But this proceeding is merely an attempt to persecute, and not to elicit truth or. do justice. The TOWN-CLERK.—It does not become me to answer any of the argginents that have been addressed to the council on the subject of the report ; I fear that is beyond my province ; but I conceive it right that I should explain, in as few words as possible, why it is that I conceived my authority in this matter to extend to the full amount, as exercised by me. In the first place, there was a reference to me, and I appre hended that it was in the nature of a reference in parliament to a committee. If the council pleased to make me their committee, it rested with them to do so. I never saw a re port in the House of Commons whicn, along with the evi dence, did not include the opinion of the committee as to the evidence—in other words, the results to which they had ar rived after their examination. But my explanation does not rest merely on that. As a private man, lam aware, it would have been quite absurd in me to have annexed an opinion to my report of the evidence taken by me, not on oath, and without cross-examination, but constituting, in fact, no more than those proofs appended to the brief of a solicitor. For me to have reported that evidence, whether in the shape of a question or answer, or in a statement of the various fact§ proved, would have been to have deprived it of very much of its effect. In fact, it would haNc been to publish a libel. The reference was made to me on the report of the alderman with respect to the conduct of the personator, and contem poranous with it was the issue joined on the conduct of Mr. Jones, which had not made any part of the alderman's re port, but which is a fact that goes along with the reference. Independent of that I could scarcely sit down to take evi deuce but there arose testimony on the point whether Mr. Jones was a party concerned, and according to the reference, I was bound to inquire whether he was guilty or not. Hav ing, therefore, been obliged to proceed in this inquiry, hav ing examined seventeen witnesses upon it, was I to. stop short, and leave" Mr. Jones to submit to all the imputations which were the subject of conversation in the town- , -was I to meddle with .the question whether he was guilty or pot, without reporting whether in my opinion he was guilty or not? If I could not have adopted the course I -did in finding that report—and my confidence in the propriety of it has not been at all shaken by what I have heard to day—as a man of honour, not as town-clerk of one party ,or another, but as the town-clerk of Liverpool by the .ap pointment of this council—l should have thought it my duty to say that I would net proceed one step farther. It has been said that it was my duty to inquire, without the authority of coming to a decision ; but if that had been the case, the de fence of Mr. Jones should not have been prejudiced, whether the question NV's to be discussed in or out of the council. I must have come, to the determination to report as I have done, or I could not have gone on with an inquiry involving character. I was notoriously examining witnesses from day to day, under the idea that 1 shotild have,to acquit, if in my conscience the accused party was entitled to acquittal. You could have nothing from me but that finding ; you could not have merely the evidence. With regard to the proceedings, proposed, I very much doubt whether this evidence—here sealed up, to be disposed of at the pleasure of the council-- could be published, inasmuch as it is not necessary, without committing a libel. And for this reason : this is not final ; it is at most like the evidence of a coroner, who has power to exclude the press because his examination is not final. I cannot be an officer like a coroner; I am more like a private solicitor ; and what should you think of the solicitor who ad vised the publication of, or himself determined to publish, the brief of his client? If an actual necessity be shown for the printing of the evidence, it might perhaps be done to the extent requisite for the supply of the council; but the neces sity must be shown, or you must take the consequences. I must really confess that I was never more uncomfortable in the council than at the present time. I think, however, that I can afford to be wrong on this point, for it will be the first time, I think, that the council ever found me wrong. I should advise, further, that the evidence be not printed on another ground. The course of the courts of justice, (and their rules ought to have some respect paid to them,) is never to publish evidence till the whole is taken, because the temptation held out to contradict that which was taken and printed, by improper persons, who would not speak the truth, is very great. I would advisej you to pause before you print this evidence, or, if you determine upon referring the matter to a committee, that they be instructed to complete the case before you print the evidence already taken. If such a reference were made to me again, I assure you that I should adopt one of two courses, either to inquire into the facts, with a determination to do as I have done on this pc casion, deciding in favour of the party if I honestly could, or come to the council and beg of them to relieve me of an in quiry which, as an honour:Ale man, I could not undertake. Mr. COOPER regretted that Mr. Bushell had withdrawn his amendment, and he should say that whether the amend ment of Mr. Blackburn was carried or not, he should reserve to himself the right of moving that the report of the Town clerk be confirmed. Mr. SANDS.—And I shall be most happy to second it. Mr. BOLTON said, that as the Town-clerk saw great diffi- culties in the printing of the evidence, he should prefer the original motion of Mr. Coglan. He thought that the ends of the inquiry would be best answered by that mode. The town clerk had said that Mr. Jones had contended for the taking of a fraudulent vote, and yet, at the end, he acquitted him of any imputation. Now, the person who attempted to get such a vote registered could not be free from all imputation. He thought that they were not bound to receive the conclu sions of the Town-clerk. Everything that was referred was afterwards a 'Latter of discussion in the council, as to whether it should be confirmed or rejected, just as they thought pro per. Then the town-clerk's expressions of contending for the vote of Connor, and acquitting Mr. Jones, did not accord. The TOWN-CLERK observed that the very essence of the offence charged upon Mr. Jones had reference to the name of Connor. Now, the talk in the booth was of a nameless man who had. endeavoured to personate a voter. If any name was used at all, it would be that of Bond, and not of Connor. Mr. CURIIIE defended the line of conduct pursued by the town-clerk, who, he thought, had not exceeded his duty ; but he was, nevertheless, of opinion that the best mode was to refer the matter to a committee. Mr. BLACKBURN said that he would withdraw his amend ment, if Mr. Gladstone would consent, and let Mr. Coglan's `motion go to the vote. With regard to the printing of the evidence being a libel, what had they to fear? The only per son that could bring an action was the councillor for St. Anne's Ward ; and would he place hirncoif in ouch a ridicu lous position as to say that he had cushioned the evidence by a threat like that. He must wish the thing to be investi gated as well as any other man. Mr. R. GLADSTONE consented to the withdrawal of the amendment. He complimented the mayor on his impartiality since he had - presided over the council ; and after expressing a hope that Mr Hodgson had satisfactorily withdrawn his of fensive expressions, Mr. G. called the attention of the mayor to some expressions used by another member, which he hoped would be withdrawn. The MAYOR.—Do you mean Mr. Jordan? Mr. GLADSTONE.—NO ; I allude to Mr. Alderman Earle. Mr. Alderman EARLS.—Oh, dear, yes, I remember. It was mere flash in the pan. There never was anything more absurd than to make 'of consequence anything I have said. (Great laughter.) It was a very dirty, thing, I recollect, that Mr. Hodgson said, and I remarked that the more it was stirred the more it stunk. It is a great pity that Mr. Hodgson did not stop with the cookers, where they, are silent, rather than get up here to blackguard the council. Mr. BusliELe.—l hope, sir, that you will call upon Mr. Coglan, too, to withdraw his expression, which he must do before he leaves this room, or take the consequences. He said that I. was speaking an untruth. Mr: COGLAN.—I was surprised that he should state that if I had not known what the report would be; I should not have been prepared with the proposal which I made. ( " He said nothing of the sort.") Well, it was under that impression that I said it was untrue. If he did no say so, I withdraw the words.' The MAYOR.—Mr. Bushel said just the reverse to what you imagined, and of course you withdraw. Mr. I:OGLAN.—Yes. Mr. Jos:Es then rose to speak, but was dissuaded from so doing by his friends—a determination which met with the approval of several members on the liberal side, but which Ma. Evans characterised as most extraordinary. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE then asked whether Connor was to be prosecuted. Mr. Alderman EARLE.—Perhaps, George, you can tell us o wherei go E ne -2I can tell you, s i r . H e h as gon e to the NnGD he A p has sTN coast of Africa, Mr. EARIA—Then he is fairly transported. Mr. COOPER having, as he Lad intimated, moved an amendment, to the effect that the report of the Town-clerk be confirmed, the vote was now taken on that amendment. It was negatived by a majority of 33 to 18. The following is a list of the voting : For the amendment.—Councillors—D. Hodgson, Isaac Holmes, W. Preston, Hr. R. Sandbach, G. Wright, J. Bar ton, T. Sands, J. Mellor, J. Cooper; T. Robinson, J. N. Wood, R. Gladstone, C. Bushell, It. Rigby, G. H. Law rence, J. Smith. Alderman—C. H. Jones, and the Mayor. Against the amendment.— , Courieillors—J. Holmes, W. Thornhill, T. Case, H. Holmes, E. Pilcher, - T. Bolton, J. Prietley, J. Woolright, R. Bright, W. Rathbone, H.Horry, R. V. Yates, I'. Blackburn, E. Segar, T. Coglan, R. Jones, Jun. J. Platt, W. M`Kee, F. Jordan, W. M. Duncan, W. W. Currie, D. Mather. Aldermen—R. Sheil, T. Booth, R. Roskell, R. Benn, W. Earle, J. Moon, E. Evans, T. B. Barclay, T. Holt, W. P. Freme, E. Harvey. Absent. Councillors G. Quayle, R. Houghton, B. Frankland, J. Lawrence, W. Lassell, T. Harvey, J. Carson, T. Morecroft, J. S. Leigh. Aldermen—T. Leathom, G. Holt, T. Bullev. The original motion was then carried by a majority of 32 to 18, having first, at the suggestion of the town-clerk, been altered to the following shape :—" That the report of the town-clerk, and the evidence upon which it is founded, be referred to a committee consisting of seven members of the council, with power to hear parties, and to take further evi dence, subject to cross-examination by parties, and to take such further steps, or such further legal advice, as they may deem necessary." It was understood- that the examination would be open to every member of the council, though none but the committee and parties implicated were to interfere in the proceedings. After much altercation, and the refusal of several persons proposed to act in the COmMittee, the seven following persons were at last selected :—Mr. E. Evans, Mr. T. Booth, Mr. J. N. Wood, Mr. C. Bushell, Tilr. T. Bolton, Mr. R. Gladstone, and Mr. Mellor. The proceedings of the several committees were then read by the deputy town-clerk, and confirmed. it appeared that the Finance Committee declined to allow the use of the Town hall to the Odd Fellows, on the ground that their institution was not strictly a charitable one. • A short discussion took place on the proceedings of the Education Committee, but it was ultimately agreed that fur ther debate should he taken at a future meeting. The MAYOR said he had received a letter from the Rev. Hugh M`Neile, and the petition of the Protestant Operatives on the subject of the corporation schools, agreed to at the Music-hall on the 16th Oct. last, and signed by 2056 persons. The Mayor read the letter, and the Town-clerk the memorial. Mr. Alderman EARLE.—Let the look at that precious document. The TOWN-CLERK immediately handed it to the alderman, who forthwith commenced a scrutiny into the style of the signatures. Mr. BLACKBURN moved that the petition be laid upon the table. Mr. JORDAN seconded the motion. Mr. JOHN SMITH moved an amendment, to the effect that the petition be referred to the Education Committee. Mr. COOPER seconded it. Mr. BOLTON observed, that, by the petition being laid upon the table, it would be competent for any member to intro duce it at a future meeting. Mr. BUSHELL thought that as the subject would be fully debated at another time the present discussion was unneces sary. Mr. Alderman EARLE.—There is a wonderful similarty in the writing. Some of the parties had better go to the cor poration schools to learn better. Mr. Honosos.-1 think if the worthy alderman cannot find cut anything worse than that they do not write to his satisfaction, they will set a mark upon him he will not easily forget ; and, for my own part, I am thankful to see so large and respectable a body have come forward to express their sentiments. I agree with Mr. Bushell that it is tco late to take the discussion now. Mr. Alderman EARLE.—I want to bear distinctly what the worthy representative for Everton ward says. What mark is it that he says I am to be made ? Mr. HODGSON.—A mirk of their disapprobation of the present system of eduCation. Mr.. Alderman EAnLE.—I thought you said they would make some mark of me ? Mr. HonGsO,•sr..—l never dreamed of setting you up as a mark. - - Mr. Alderman EAnLE.—Yes, sir ; but I am not to be shot at by such a fellow as you. (Cries of " Order." There's the rubbish . (throwing the petition down.) It is a pity such a precious document should be lost. The question was then put, and the amendment lost by a majority of one, the numbers being—for it, 16—against, 17. Several memorials were presented, and referred to the Fi nance Committee. The following communication from Mr. C. Okill was amongst the number : . Thum-hall, 3rd December, 1839. GEl4.rtiatkx,---I beg, with all deference; to submit for your favourable consideration the following statement, in support of salary, and I trust that the grounds whereon I venture to urge my claims will be deemed a sufficient apology for the same. Personal solicitation has always appeared to me to be ob jectionable, and I adopt, therefore, the present method of bringing my case under notice ; more especially because many of the council may probably be unacquainted wtth my em ployment under the late council. So long ago as August, 1815, was appointed to audit the then treasurer's accounts, which had not at that time under gone any examination from the date of his appointment in 1789. My task was one of peculiar difficulty, and was finally completed in December, 1817, when a full and general report was laid before the council. In the course of my examination,, I became convinced of the necessity of a minute investigation of the extensive landed estate of the corporation, and was led to recommend the same. To this latter duty I was appointed in 1818, and having, in the meantime digested a systematic method of survey, (where there had been no syStem before,) I was ena bled to submit the results in my map of the corporation estate, and its auxiliary books of reference and registers. This was the work of close application for several years. In 1824, 1 had the honour of being appointed to my pre sent office, and have continued to the present day the sys tematic plan above-named, the beneficial effects of which have been, I' humbly conceive, generally acknowledged ; especially. in the discovery of property under lease which had fallen into possession, or was on the years of which there was no record whatever. Whilst engaged in the above duty it was necessary to refer perpetually to the deeds, muniments, papers, books, &c., in the repository, which .1 found in great disorder ; but all of which I carefully arranged in their present systematic order. The knowledge thus necessarily obtained of the corporation estate, gave me the opportunity of being of essential service on a most important occasion. I allude to the question cf the towu dues. Having traced out the title from 13 Henry 111., 1229, down to the royal grant of Charles 11., and from thence downwards to the corporation, I submitted, with all defer ence to the late Town-clerk; William Statham, Esq., my humble opinion, that this was the ground of defence, on which the corporation could successfully resist the attack made on the town dues, instead of resting their title on pre scription, as was intended by Mr. Statham, according to the impressions prevailing in his mind, handed down to him feom his predecessors. lam proud to say, that with the ap proval of counsel engaged on behalf of the corporation, my recommandation was adopted. The members of the council are aware of the success which attended my course. For my services on this occasion, during several years, in which my health suffered materially from the necessary sedentary nature of my laborious employment day and night, I was, undoubtedly, remunerated by the late council, but I re spectfully submit that I did not then consider, nor leave 1 ever since done so, that I was adequately recompensed, con sidering the immense importance of the property at issue, the success attending the line pointed out by me, and the sacri fice of my health. In addition to the grounds I have thus stated, I would beg to refer to the great increase of of committee business since 1836, when the present council came into being. .In the twelve years preceding, the copying into the committee books occupies about 3150 pages, in the last four years, to upwards of 3000 ; an increase in the ratio of nearly three to one. _ _ I will no presume to detain the attention of the • council further, but beg to add, that should it be their pleasure to think my application deserving of consideration, 1 shall be at any moment ready to afford any explanation they may re quire, and submit such proofs to support my present state ment as I cannot doubt will bear me out in all I have re presented. With great respect, I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obliged and faithful servant, , CHARLES OKILL. The Worshipful the Mayor, And the Town-council. In reply to a question from Mr. Sandbach, it was stated that the salary of Mr. Okill was £7OO. The Council, not having finished the business on the no tice list, adjourned, at half-past three o'clock, to Wednesday next. ..,,,. [+•, `• r ;,----_, c,.. k,,*7!‘,.:',„1,; , ..... 4 -et '. I 7., 1, ,, ,.. p .i. ' '4 '''...;• , 4 , ; i t . ; .'',,,,, • ,1,..." . g INQUESTS. DEATH DY BURNING CAUTION TO PARENTS. —An inquest was held on Tuesday, before P. F. Curry, Esq., touching the death of 'William Hebb, aged five years. James Keough, of Charters-street, deposed that on Thursday even ing, between four and five o'clock, he was coming down the court where he resides, when he saw the deceased running out of his mother's house " all in a blaze of tire." He (witness) immediately stripped off the child's pinafore, and folded a wet cloth that was hanging on some rails round him, and thereby put the fire out. Mary Griffiths, who also resides in Charters-street, deposed that the child was left in the house by himself, at the time he caught fire. She heard the alarm given by Keough, and ran to his assistance. Ile had already extinguished the flames. She wrapped the child in her cloak, and carried him to • his grandmother. Elizabeth Hebb, the mother of the child, stated that she left him in the house about half-past four o'clock on Thursday last. There was a fire burning in the grate. She was absent about twenty minutes, cad, on her return, she found that her child had been burnt. It appeared, by the evidence of the surgeon (Mr. Getty) who was called to attend the deceased, that he died in convulsions on Saturday last.—Verdict accordingly. AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH. —An inquest was held on Tuesday, before P. P. Curry, Esq., to inquire touching the death of Patrick Moran, aged 30 years, who suddenly drop ped dead as he was dancing at a beer-house. John Beaman, a labourer, residing in Eiizabeth-court, Oriel-street, deposed that the deceased was a labourer in Mr. Maw's foundry. About half-past ten o'clock on Saturday night last, witness and deceaged went into a bccr-housii. The doceased appeared in excellent health. He drunk two or three glasses of ale, and, afterwards twopennyworth of hot whiskey., He got up to &Inc.; with a young woman, and whilst in the act of danc ing he suddenly droppcd'on the floor a corpse. Ile died in stantly, never making the least motion of his hands or feet after he tell. He had for some time past complained of a pain in his breast. Ellen Makin stated that she had known the deceased about four years. On Saturday night she was in the public-house where he was., Ile asked her to dance with him, to which she assented. He had no appearance of drink on him at that time. They had danced about five minutes when he suddenly fell to the floor dead. Mr. John Cameron, surgeon, stated that he was called in to the deceas ed, and found him dead. Ile had made a post mortem examination of the body, and found considerable disease of the heart. There were no marks of violence on the body. The jury found as their verdict that the deceased died of a disease of the heart. Y. On Tuesday, an inquisition was taken, at the Coroner's Court, before P. F. Curry, Esq., for the purpose of ascer taining the circumstances which led to the death of Owen Griffith, aged 33, one of the hands and part owner of the smack Victoria. James M'Manus, a labourer, stated, that, during the last week he had been employed counting oysters, on board the smack Victoria, in the Canning Dock. The deceased belonged to the smack. The last tune witness saw him was on Saturday last, since which time he had been missing. Witness was on board the smack that morning, (Tuesday,) when he heard that the deceased's hat had been found on the dock. The captain of the smack ordered grap nel irons to be procured. Witness got the grapnel irons and sought for the body of the deceased, which he found in about halt' an hour. The body was given into the charge of the po lice-officer on duty. Police-officer John Rivers stated, that, he siw the body of the deceased taken out of the water, and had it taken to the dead-house. He did not observe any marks of violence, excepting a slight wound over the left eye. which he conceived had been inflicted by the grapnel. The pockets were searched, and a silver watch, silver chain, some money, a knife, several tobacco pipes, &c., were found therein. Thomas Griffiths, the master of the smack, deposed, that the deceased was his brother-in-law, and part owner and one of the hands of the smack. He last saw him alive on Saturday night, when he left him at a public-house in Ormond-street, with a man named Thomas. The deceased slept on board the smack. Owen Thomas, a sailor, stated, that, on Satur day night last he was with the deceased at a public-house, in Ormond-street. They left there together, and witness saw him on board the smack. He was slightly intoxicated at the time, but was able to go on board himself. Witness never af;erwards saw him alive. Verdict, " found drowned." STATE OF TRADE. MANCHESTER.—AIthough there was a very limited de mand both for goods and yarn yesterday, and no improve ment in the prices of either, the predominant feeling upon the exchange was more cheerful and buoyant than for some weeks past ; and expectations of a speedy improvement in business appeared to be pretty general. These expectations were, to some considerable extent, founded upon the recent advices from America, and particularly those respecting the cotton crop, which have put an end to the fears of a specu lative advance, greatly checked the disposition to work short time, which had previously existed.—illarickester Guardian. ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, MONDAY, DEC. 2.—The flannel market has!been in a very depressed state to-day, and many who have sold have been obliged to take lower prices. Work begins to be more scarce ; and, if there is not a speedy change in the •market, many hands in the woollen business will be shortly unemployed. The wool market has also been dull and heavy, and prices rather tending downwards.—lbid. HUDDERSFIELD MARKET, DEC. 3.—This market was rather more buoyant than of late, there being some buyers who purchased low plain and fancy woollens pretty exten sively, but at very unsatisfactory prices. The inquiry after wools is greater than for some weeks past, but we do not hear of any advance in price. Light fancy goods, and superfine woollens, are little in demand. On the whole, con sidering the season, and the state of the money market, there is not much cause for despondency. The beginning of a new year is expected to usher in more favourable auspices. Busi ness in the warehouses is rather better, and the shopkeepers are in higher spirits.—lbid. Trade in the Staffordshire Potteries is, we regret to learn, in a very indifferent state, owing chiefly to the derangement in the American markets. In a few instances the manufac turers are only kneping their works open three days a week. We have heard that one extensive firm has, this week, re. ceived large orders of a satisfactory nature from America, which will be of essential service. —Stafford Advertiser. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—The works of this railway, between Dudast and Farringdon, are so far advanced, that we understand the directors confidently expect to open the line nearly 30 miles beyond Reading, about the same time as to that town itself; in which case upwards of 6 miles of the London division will be open for public use in the spring, and the line between Bristol and Bath at the same time. We have elsewhere published the correspondence between Lord Hill and Colonel Thomas, and we must admit that, al though his lordship's censure is con ve y e d i n somewhat caus tic language, the principle he lays down is one, the propr.ety of which it is not possible to question. We do not, however, remember to have heard that the guests at a certain dinner at Quebec, given by a regiment of Guards, to Lord Durham, at which several inflammatory toasts were drunk with most uproarious applause was ever visited by any censure from bead-quarters ; but, one man may steal a horse, whilst ano ther may not look over the hedge !—United Service Gazette. LONDON GAMBLERS.—We have seen the dice and roulette table seized by the police at the gaming -house in the Re gent's Quadrant. One case of dice contains eight pair, of which six pair are falsely numbered, and so contrived as to exclude altogether particular chances or results. The re maining two pair, though rightly numbered, are "loaded." The roulette table is also constructed for robbery. These are facts which we feel it our duty to state thus openly to the public, in order that every man entering a gaming-house may be assured that he is not merely indulging in the ruinous ex,. citement of play, but that he is wilfully handing himself over to a gang of professional robbers.--Sunday paper. REPRESENTATION OF LIME-STREET WARD. PUBLIC DINNER TO ROBERT RIGBY, ESQ. On 'Wednesday evening the conservative burgesses of Lime-street Ward gave a public dinner to their patriotic re presentative in the Town Council, Robert Rigby, Esq., who, it will be remembered, defeated his opponent at the late election by a very large majority. The dinner took place in the large room of Lucas's Repository, Great Charlotte-street, which on this occasion was completely fill ed. Between four and five hundred of the burgesses and their friends were present: Amongst them were James Owen, Esq., Ambrose Lace, Esq., John Nelson Wood, Esq., Smith, Esq., Thomas Murray Gladstone, Esq., Samuel Holme, Esq., Thomas Rigby, Eq., Richd. Benbow, Esq., Wm. Wright, Esq , Isaac Holmes, Jos. Sanders, Esq., John Formby, Esq., Duncan Gibb, Esq., John Kul shay!, Esq., Wm. Brocklebank, Esq., Peter Wright, Esq., John Pennington, Esq., John Wilkinson, Eiq., Jas. Holme, Esq., George Gordo n , Esq., &c., &c. James Owen, Esq., took. the chair. The vice-presidents were Messrs. W. C. Davies, John Berry, Ambrose Byford, and Thomas Green. The dinner, which was of a sumptuous character, was pre pared by Mr. Lawton, of the Rainbow Hotel, Williamson square, and gave great satisfaction ; and the proceedings of the evening were rendered additionally interesting by the professional services of the following singers :—Mr. G. Hol den, Mr. Andrews, Mr. George Stott, and Mr. Ball. The cloth having been withdrawn, the PRESIDENT pro 'posed the health of her Majesty the Queen. The National Anthem was then sung, the applause being most decided at the lines,— " Confound their politics; Frustrate their knavish tricks." The PRESIDENT next proposed the health of her Majesty the Queen Dowager, which was most enthusiastically cheered. Glee.—" Hail smiling Morn." The PRESIDENT next proposed " Our glorious Constitu tion in Church and State," observing that it would be re plied to by a gentleman capable of doing justice to the sub ject. (Three times three, and one cheer more.) Mr. THOMAS MURRAY GLADSTONE replied to the toast as follows—Mr. Chairman and G en tl eme n, h owever h um ble the individual who has risen to respond to the toast which has been so enthusiastically received, I am satisfied that he will receive due attention from so extensive a meeting as this —a meeting so'decidedly conservative—a meeting of gentle men who have Shown themselves such strong supporters-both of the altar and the throne. (Hear, hear.) In entering upon a subject which has so many ramifications, I cannot be permitted to go deeply into any of its branches ; but there are two particular points in which I view it, namely, the con stitution as it is in the church, and the constitution as it is in the church connected with the state. With respect to the church; mithing . that I might say could tend to strengthen her foundations, for they rest on the holy hills • and nothing can be added, in this sense, to the security dher walls and her bulwarks. Having such a foundation, does it not become essential to a country which is a Bible country, a country such as England has been and is at this moment, than she should attach to the state a foundation such as is the church ? But whatever loyalty we may pcissess, whatever attachment to that church we may feel, we find in these days men wha, being desirous to establish theories of their own, wish to make a separation between the two. The. moment that cor ner-stone, that key-stone of the building, is removed, then may we look for anarchy and boufusion in the state, and nei ther you nor I, nor any man in the country, can hope-Wen joy those privileges which we have been privileged to enjoy up to this moment. (Tremendous cheering.) :Having such a corner -stone, should we not value those privileges, should we not value those enjoyments, and endeavour to hand them down unimpaired to our posterity ? (Hear.) I for one, gen tlemen, would readily sacrifice my blood in case such a change should be .attempted. (Applause.) I would :readily come forward, as I am sure you all would, in the defence of that union which is as essential as it is natural—as desirable as it is good. (Cheers.) If I might use a simile, I would say, that the state without the church is like a beautiful statue, which may reflect the highest credit on the sculptor, and ex hibit all the symmetry and the vigorous proportions of the animated being; but it wants one thing, and that one, in dispensable to its activity : it wants a soul. So it is with states where there is no church. They want vitality ; and without that vitality, they are like a large class of useless theories; which may be admired, but they are only admired : when brought into practice they are found to be of no active use. And it is not merely our glorious constitution in church and state—it is a protestant church that-we have to contend for. It is a church that rests on the Bible for itsfoundation ; and, resting on that foundation, it demands our respect and sup port ; and I have no doubtthat it will have the support of all whom I see before me, as well as that of the conservatives of the kingdom at large. (Cheers.) And are we obliged to argue this question now in the nineteenth century ? Why, what is the fact? That her majesty's ministers have endeavoured to strengthen themselves by the introduction of popery into the cabinet. Is that supporting protestant institutions? (Cheers.) And while protestantism is left out of the royal speeches, socialism is introduced to the person of the sovereign. (Hear.) Therefore it is time we should be up and stirring. When we see the confusion ministers are bringing about—when we see an attorney-general, with all the self-gratulation a man could display. boasting to his constituents one day that he had put down chartism, and see, on the next, thousands of deluded men rush down from the hills of South Wales, and cause what might have been a most extensive and unfortunate rebellion in the country at large;---(hear)—when we see, further, our mo nd ary system shaken to its base—when we see our North Ame rican colonies put into„ the hands of an individual to compare whom with its former governor would be to compare a raw militia man to a trained soldier of the line (hear, and a laugh) —when we see the West Indies daily declining in productive ness—our commerce unprotected in the Ea,t—when we see these things, what are we to hope from the persons now in power? (Cheers.) I rejoice, however, that there is a pros pect of better things—a prospect of returning prosperity to the country—a prospect of a return to measures which wiil pro tect and confirm the institutions which we wish to uphold. (Cheers.) We look at the returns for the counties, and we see a spirit of conservatism coming over them. We look at the towns and cities, and we see the same. We look at Lime-street Ward, and see the same.. (Cheers.) As there are many individuals still to address you, I will not proceed further, but thank you for the attention with which you have listened to me. (Applause.) The PRESIDENT—Gentlemen, I give you the Army, whose bravery has never been impugned, and the Navy, which has been shamefully neglected, (Loud cheers.) Glee—" How merrily !" . The PRESIDENT—I noiv give you the Duke, the hero of a hundred fights. (Nine times nine.) Glee—" Mighty conqueror." - • • The PRESIDENT next proposed the healths of Lord Lynd burst and the House of Peers. (Three times three.) The PRESIDENT next gave Sir Robert Peel.and the Con servative Members of the 1-fouse of - Commons.(liine times nine and one cheer more) The next toast was the Members for the County, which was received with nine times nine. Mr. FORMBY replied to this toast. He said—Gentlemen, I have been invited, by note, to respond to this toast. I had a strong reason to dissuade me from doing so, but I had two reasons for accepting it, and the two overcame the one. The reason for declining the office was, that if any of the members for the county should see a report of this meeting in the newspapers, they might think it presumptuous in me to get up, on two occasions, to return thanks on their behalf. I hope they will consider what I now say as a suffi cient apology. With regard to the reasons I had to under take this task, one is, that any request that Mr. Robt. Rigby or any of his friends make to me, if it be in my power, I am bound to comply with it. (Cheers.) The other is, that I am anxious to set Lord Stanley right in the opinion of the public, in reference to what was said. at a former meeting in this room. The editor of the Mercury, and I hope his re porter is here—(hisses)—stated that, on the giving of a toast, Lord Stanley said something which was'not fit to be printed in the columns of the Mercury. That paper came out on the following day, and, as soon as I read it, I tried to recollect what Lord Stanley had said ; I consulted several friends who had good memories, and we made out a report which might have been read by the most modest woman without a blush. (Cheers.) With regard to our county members, I think they do us great credit. (Hear.) We have had every reason to be satisfied with . their conduct, and to consider ourselves well and ably represented, by men who are truly deserving of the name of English gentlemen; and it has been said, and justly said, that a real English gentleman is the most perfect specimen of human nature on the face of the earth. (Cheers.) I believe that a person who returns thanks for a toast, has the privilege of giving one. I will not take mine out of the chairman's list. I will not give it ; but if any gentleman in the room will give it, I will drink it. I mean, " The health of her majesty's ministers." (Laughter and hisses.) The CHAlRMAN.—Gentlemen, I have now to give you a very important toast—the members for the borough, and no mistake I and there shall be no mistake in future.- " The Members for the Borough—Lord Sandon and Cresswell Cresswell, Esq." Nine times nine. Mr. IsAAc HoemEs replied. I really know not, he said, why I have been selected to respond to this toast, but such having been the case, I wit, to the best of my ability, en deavour to perform the task assigned to me. I am upon this occasion rather selfish, and being rather selfish, allow me to tell you that the late election in Lime-street ward has re lieved me from a great deal of fear and quaking which I hitherto had in the council. You are aware that a silly namby pamby gentleman, of the name of Vincent Higgins, threat ened me, in the council, with a vote of censure, because I would not sit down quietly and let Mr. Wm. Rathbone— blackguard I was going to say,'but I will not use the word— make a personal attack upon me. (Hear, hear.) I resisted the attack, and then Mr. Vincent Higgins said, " We must pass a vote of censure upon you!" (Hear, hear.) Now you, gentlemen, have passed a vote of eensure upon him— (theers)—and next year you will pass a vote of censure upon many others by putting Conservatives into their places in the councilthe situation where they ought to be, and which the town demands. (Hear.) Now, gentlemen, I will at once respond to the toast. It is said that a person who returns from a bad place can better describe that place than anybody else. Now I was a long time in finding out the sort of in dividuals with whom I bad connected myself, and I think I can pretty well describe them and their conduct, although you must know them pretty well. (Cheers.) Their descrip tionis of that nature, that the sooner you get rid of them the better. (Cheers.) With respect to the members for the borough, I am sorry to say that I have never assisted you to return them ' • but I pledge myself that, on the n ext occas i on , I will do all that I can in my Ward to maintain the conserva tive interest, and show the deceptives in their proper colours. (Cheers.) When Lord Sandon came amongst us, he was a diamond in the rough—but the brilliancy of the gem is more and more discovered every time he comes amongst us. You have seen the manliness and the ability with which he repre sents this town, and constantly maintains your intere s t s an d the interests f the country. (Cheers.) Mr. -Cresswell's talents and integrity require no comment from.me—they are beyond all comment. (" Hear." and cheers.) You have placed these gentlemen in the House of Commons to combat with a ministry the most contemptible that ever ruled the destinies of the country. (Cheers.) What have they done I will ask the ministers of the church ? They are endeavour ing to prostrate the Protestant church of England, that the papist and infidel may riot on the ruins. (Cheers.) The throne of the country is founded on that Protes tant church ; the constitution of the country rests upon it; the edifice of the constitution, the church, is the sacred spire that points the way to heaven. (Cheers.) In spite of the papist and the infidel, the church exists in the hearts of the people, and she will ultimately triumph over all their machinations. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, since I have been in the council I have endeavoured to do my duty. (Cheers.) You have thought proper to send another person there to b.:, like myself, obnoxious. • Aye, we are obnoxious ! (Laughter and cheers.) He has opened the way and shewn the path by which the ward may be won. I have no doubt, that you will never rest till you have freed this borough from the contamina tion with which the deceptives have obscured it. (Cheers.) I see before me those able to achieve the victory, and it will be a great victory next year if you effect it, over that insidious and deceptive politician, Dr. Blackburne. That would be one of the greatest victories that could be achieved in the town of Liverpool, and I trust that it will be the next which you will achieve, and that my right hand friend, Mr. Wright, will be placed this time next year as near me in the council as he is at this moment. (Cheers.) I am told that I have left out of my notice another gentleman near to me, Mr. Jones. I feel' for the manner in which that individual has been used. (Cheers.) He has rescued another ward which they thought they had, and hence all the venom and rancour of the Whigs has been cast upon him. (Cheers.) All their slime and dirt has been cast upon him, but they have covered themselves by it with their own filth. (Cheers.) The r rn cour of the whigs is such that there is nothing earthly to which it can be likened. It can only be likened to one thing, and that is, to the fire of the bottomless pit—it is for ever un quenched and unquenchable. (Cheers. It is proper that I should tell you how the farce has been got up in the e ° .. °ll ,.pd against Mr. Jones. I believe you are pretty well acquaw's:,l with the mode in which things are got up there. As I have 01: many times, and 1 say it again, the child does not go the re . be christened, it merely goes there to be confirmed. (`` I nr' and cheers.) It was a very pretty scene that about Jones. You all know the old story about Little Cock Robb?. At the Angel they thought they would get up a tale of a airt i : lar description. One Alderman said " Who will bring ill the e . memorial ?" Another replied " I have a spite, and, he'll_ I can write, I'll bring in the memorial." Again it was as" ' "Who will support the memorial?" " I,'" said Alder man Eyre, " I can use words of fire, and I'll support the metne rial.." But who will bring the accusation ? " I , " *3 l. Councillor Coglan, " for myself I've a regard ; afraid losing the ward ; and I will bring the accusation." (Cl' ee ; s : and laughter.) Well, though to-day a report was read in council from the town-clerk, stating that Mr. Jellies' chic. ter was unassailable, and that he came into the council ollon; ber spotless, that would not satisfy them ; and to-day theY ll3 , : ,:c e appointed a committee to see if they could not pinch a hole in the coat of Mr. Jones, which they would try to into a great rent. (Shame.) Though it was understoo d t i b l ' e town-clerk's investigation and report were to be final, A radical majority in the council have this day determin e,. that .there should be another inquiry by their own CO; mittee ! (Shame.) Alderman Benet, it is right to say , Insin a handsome apology to Mr. Jones ; but with respect Councillor Coglan the spite remained. (Shame.) Mr. • 1 ' until he entered the council, could have formed no ides nt the malevolence of the party. Gentlemen, in Lime-st_ ree i Ward and St. Anne's Ward you have a duty to perform , , Aw k hope you will perform it. (" We will.") I now have to lb l you for the compliment paid to me in calling upon me to reP for the borough members, and I am extremely grateful On my conduct has been such as to retain your apProb at:ww (Cheers.) • to The PRESIDENT said the next toast would come home: , the heart of every man in the room. It was a toast w orti ! r of the cause—a man who came forward to fight the battle Lime-street Ward when there was scarcely a hope--(eli n r —and a man who, in all the relaticus of life, had shown 111.: self a sterling conservative—a man not easily daunted, rrf builder of his own fortune, and au indefatigable sup porter f t ; their rights. (Cheers.) When Mr. Rigby came forwar d ; r se (the Chairman) pledged himself to be his chairman;. was determined to do his duty as his chairman to the 01- e . • of his power. (Cheers.) With Mr. Rigby he had bee of quainted for more than seven years, and the more he. f s 0 hint the more he admired his character. (Cheers.) Ile felt a man for whom words could not express the regard Le h. —a man he was, of unblemished reputation, of uniraPen, c ,,, e able character, of independent principles, - and, what b e ‘7, 0 Chairman) gloried in-still mole, was, that Mr. Rigby old English gentleman. (Cheers.) If there were onetle more dear to him (the Chairman) than another, or one rl o . by which he should wish to be characterised more than ac he ther, it was the title of " the old English gentleman .in- , olden time." (Cheers.) Thank God we had one left while he regal'd the rich, Ne'er forgo. the poor—(cheers) —a man who had raised himself by his own exertions t?,,,, the position he now held—a position, by the way, open to 81„ , man who had served the poor, and whom the poor had warded. (Cheers.) The blessings of the widow an u ,,,' o , orphan were upon him, and never, never would be When he fought the battle with Mr. Rigby not a reaP . , suited hini--ou the contrary many of his opponents s alu b r him, *" We are sorry we cannot vote for Air. RigbP cause we are pledged." (Cheers.) Mr. Rigby, lul e ;bit had been returned by a very great majority, add at : . - is time he had twenty-seven burgesses in the booth walule vote, and thirty others that could have come. Without o ' o further . eulciAium upon his character, he would proP° s6 health of Robert Rigby, Esq. (Immense cheering.) Mr. RIGBY, on rising to reply, was most enthusiast i 0 cheered. He said—l rise with a great deal of diffitiel s 'c e co much has been said, that it unnerves me. (Cheers.) b a d. may depend upon it, you would never have seen me he re ..l it not been to support the cause of that constitution ivh c4. .. I hope God will give me strength to take care of as lougri o live. (Cheers.) It is not for my own aggrandisemen t fo p to the council. (Cheers.) It was upon principle I aw e 0 i• ward—a principle I will always maintain as long asp` Itbs bly can. (Applause.) And I would advise the re o ayd wards to look to one thing—to begin now, as we r ,„b e rt follow it up, and to take into consideration what Sir P'A e re _Peel said—" Register, register, register." (Cheers.) lei is another thing I have to mention. There happetied.t!„,4 meeting of the friends of my opponent, Mr. Vincent 1 1 _„iab t l i ei at the Reform Association rooms, where it was stste u ,...„' although Lime-street Ward had put in so many mot'' votes that they thought they could win. I should like , g 0 tlemen, to look around here, and see how many faggli t et have. (Hear.) Let us' see whether there is no bun o ) sticks that wants burning amongst us. (Hear, and c b „ e a cilo I have been, indeed, at tne Town-hall, and in the ctllici• but they have given me nothing to do ! (Hear.) 1° 01 dually, I am obliged to them ; but it is not for me, b ut °f ork' constituents, to look to that, because lam ready to if if they will give me a berth. (Cheers, and laughter.)ol, they dont, I must exhort you to do again as you bi tl eag el ready done in Lime-street Ward, and then in tvr l3 . l) I shall have a chance. (Renewed laughter and aPPlit u Vbsidl have great pleasure in thanking you for the honour Y O ,O, done me in drinking my good health, and, in conein s 7 e ati beg to drink you all your good healths, and your urW'„,icll families. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Rigby then sat down °— loud cheers. tIO The PRESIDENT said he was now about to prePnle,...et health of a worthy man—of -the candidate for t r e. . 1, Ward next year. (Cheers.) The more he knew of at tletnan, the more he was satisfied he would be a fit reed tative of the ward ; and, with this impression, he wo n ' ing-) " The health of William Wright, Esq." (Great Che er i o , Mr. Wittowr returned thanks. He said-1 scarcelYdosas how to address you, or to return thanks for the ' n th 1 way in which you have received the toast of my he n , (role is with great reluctance I come forward. I have declineutico time to time, but my friend, the chairman, having en ! ,itetl requested me, and having, last Monday evening, been Woof' by a numerously-signed requisition, I now say, I 4/33101l candidate for next year. (Loud cheers.) In coming A s I ward, I expect it will interfere much with. my busin ess 'ors; have found parish affairs have within the last thral l ptal but I think it is time gentlemen should come uP,n tl _ r e re' ready and willing to give my services whenever they P",,nt; quired. (Cheers.) I know I have a powerful open,. but when I see this meeting, I cannot doubt that vi „, e 10,0,; shall be powerful ; and, moreover, if you use the same abr. ence in 1840 as you have in 1839, I have little &ni g lef t ' sit 'upon your chairman's right instead of upon (Cheers.) But I wish you to understand, that I '" to ol' undue influence to be used. If I am sent to tlie__Of council, let me he_ sent there independently, if it be, ol e kir a majority of one, for I would rather be sent there rode 0001 clentiy or not all. (Cheers.) Much has been said o f 0: votes, and, as Mr. Rigby has el esdy stated, 1 see nos e t ide but men who will vote without being influenced on 20 1. for —(cheers)—and, when that is the case, there is but 11ti1 l lie that I shall be carried. (Cheers, and a Vorcs- - po d wright.) Begin from this day, and I will go hand miter: with you, at all times, and in all places. (Loud cheers/ 0 0e / are many speakers to follow me, and as I have no Pr e t eat to oratory, I will sit down. I will, however, tell yon to t am a true conservative—one of your own choice, te a l tu cl , you please to put me into the council, I will voter ge ati r , manner as you may be assured will please you ; a n ' t er men, I shall, at any ward meeting be happy to an' clie el;', question you may be pleased to put to me. (Len d ye a The PRESIDENT:—I am going, gentlemen, to g'''„ e c i eh'";( health of Ambrose Lace, Esq., (immense cheering), e "„me e ,B say one wcrd only, for no more are needed. Tn e ) - 1 b s r l j t Ambrose Lace will ever be honoured. (Applans e 'l R aLl known him from the beginning of these contests,b-socteer, more I see him the more am I delighted with his c i e 0; 0 A . (Cheers.) If there be one true friend to the cause vatism in Lime-street ward, that man is Ambrose I ",_, b5 ,,5 newed cheers)—a man in every way connected witrobrife who delights in it, and who wlil stand by it ; mo d ' R ill frequently defeated, he is the man the burgessll/100 .An? Tee to represent them in the council before long. e 1P" cheering.) I beg to give you the health of "`.-- „tie Esq., with three times three. (Great applause.), „b o lt Led Mr. 'LACE replied to the toast as follows:'' 1 1„ grid very sincerely for the manner in which you have bev:odta7f to receive the proposal of my health. It has hee n ,Yeeirse to me to receive this expression of the good-feelinfP::,eietlit, of my fellow-townsmen towards me; but, more e s ,r;the I believe, the mention of my name has been eying ~„'dalite d e ties I have fought along with you in this ward. (Liu - efri7Y So long as I thought there was an opportuning ofan e f o sPe; t oi. -your representation in the council, I was; will in he g elef e Te your candidate. (Cheers.) It happened to me to „"-sen; ol I thought that fighting against liberals, who en 3 r - r iser fighting for liberty, 1 should find liberty. - 1 ° . 6 „" the fl oefj there a more monstrous attempt at dominati e- k' made by the liberals at the first municipal elteti en t .e . for ° V, and cheers.) It was said they wanted corporatieln es the purpose of every man voting freely. No w 'rice %O r : except Mr. Blackburne—of the three representn-, cr, ward in the first election, were any of their runn e l -' N °; IJ 13 ; of in the ward before? (" No, no," and eheers2 tben i t t o lf 6 ; were told to elect men, not bec a use you knew tar,r)?iii because they have been previously elected at prt ra y, n ert ilG (Cheers.) This was called liberty ! (Cheers.) tw that sort of liberty I came forward—(loud ef e h oe tr,, &V, could I have given time to it, I never wad", yo u 'P o le' ward. As I said when I addressed some 0 1 a file room last year, I found it impossible to sneetl e ban" candidate had time to go round and address tmitigl)44ll for himself. (Hear. hear.) My friend, Ai r ' ,) 'ooo pledged himself to that course to-night. (Che er ; 00 , 0 tb men, as has been already observed, you mu st 1 1 0 110::i you will persevere in the same course as you its, gye othe to year, you-will next year return Mr. Wright, an'tcheevithu year, I hope, you will complete your victory• t ` cries of "We will.") Gentlemen, I will n° o tat) myself the very thing I condemn in the othr e ' i clel!'hee not say the Town Council should be compoee" d "ll re sgy e t conservatives. (Hear.) Our opponents said be reP be impartial—that they wished every opinion to •o r til c t oo l d ed—but what did they when they obtained pon'_ l : t the) fee t kept every man out of conservative principles Wil l ey 5 e Did they select men for their fitness ? No . bAnd o those only who would go into the council tied , ito le4erf o ri —they even excepted some of their own part;t te e (cede choose to obey the dictates of the Angel corntn i r d s Since I have come into the room, I have and, frertbitil what passed in the Town-council to -day ; ro d e lf think the knell of the liberal party is sonn w i ,", 3 th e ,, , ber ° They left their own legal adviser to report I; ele" 0 l‘g t ee of Mr. Jones, but when they found that up °ne wh it ! ' lie tt formed opinion of the town-clerk—(and n ° vtn e s o l r dr i , the ;town-clerk as well as I do, would say y.-1 5 ; i i et; from giving that opinion fearlessly and bone s ` 3 ' t heY 4 : 0 0? they found that opinion did not suit their, 10011,014 refer the matter to a committee of their o " ers a g,ice.e . (Cheers.) We have heard in the liberal pap an toitele about the cruelty and wickedness of puttingn, e pros e 0 0 0 0 1 his trial. (Cheers.) I beg to ask what is tn.,4o l ' c oied (Cheers.) Their own legal organ has acquitt,!"pcl64nst cause he has done his duty, they must neen; v ice de r else who will not do theirs !—(Cheers, and L i g th e tr not right.") Mr. Lace concluded by thatw — 1111 1 ' ern' for the compliment paid to him. itt eu II 1,1,1 Mr. WRIGIIT said, the president had hea ( f t he propose a toast. He begged to give the of t oe Samuel Holnae,—(loud cheers)—the chairi n pool .Tradesmen's Conservative Association/cbeet,',)eoLlg no more. The toast itself was his speech. ci . o ditd o ' ) /3 ti; rt; Mr. SAMUEL HOLME then rose, and was + con d o/ 1 4;01 tulated. He said—lt is with unmixed Pi s , co r ti e t , respond to the sentiment which you hav e o f collg o gs,, ceived, because it gives me the opportunitY, a l s o ! cif • l e, you on the victory you have achieved ; 01 , 4 ° 4 foh '' ( 4 o o with the conviction that similar results ,i s let , rs ,) 1 , 3 4 fro o f exertions in every ward of the town. (C l d V' C' O r ted tlemen, have possessed a well-organised a__ 01 0 4 0 0 P mittee ; you have been determined to br„lreP' tir the imputation of radicalism, and of he,;n t 0 jetliio .i , three gentlemen holding opinions von dr $ O, hostile Jo ve r 0 0P establishment; and by your success, . It, to t he t heavy blow, and given great di sc ouragen' el _ n talt ° o teiye t° o ‘. ples which you have believed to be detria co e ecr pf the happiness, and the safety of our belo b et ' ec eel tD ep tept plause.) And, gentlemen, you have %fianee e pti°!o.siil., l almost against hope, and certainly in t he ',.. g 0 ~,o, o ° nostications of that press which spea" s „ r tele"' those whom I am sorry to designate 9,-ered anon Lie! Lime-street 'Ward has ever._ been c0 1151 .%...-(a f e fiLie! the county of Carlow, a safe speculatioi.ope el ic it to", t t, you, its coservative electors, the forlorn_, J .,',,ol s' b operje vative party. Even conservatives exinfoour,„ . 0 „7 0 0 that you could not succeed ; but, like t)e to ';,, 0; ti al ls l o to so gallantly stormed the fortress of N r i`' ou r °l t 're o ,4 ° o l ' r ried the breach. You have repulsed " %r ids 0 0) 1 j o. you have planted the standard of the_ . `" d i s hl eo de o rd on the citadel itself, notwithstanding tne_,,,,ur.„. of your friends, which whistled above ) lt lauseq somewhat perilous enterprise. (ATP