The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-05-04 00:00:00

PORTLAND.

ZLECTION OP CORONER.

At noon on Tuesday, mooring to appointment of the
High Sheriff of the county, end under authority of her
Majesty's writ De Corweatore El:gent:lo, a successor to
she late Dr. Frost, as ooroner for the Portland District,
was elected at the2ortisead Aims Hotel, Fortune's Well.
There were two candidates n the field—Mr. Steggall,
Town Clerk of Weymouth, and Mr. Howard, solicitor,
Weymouth and Portland ; and on behalf of these
gentlemen an earnest canvas had been carried on for
some time previous to Tueschir, the result of which oam
vass, it was said, led each competitor to feel confident
of success. On Tuesday moning, accordingly, spool
number of the freeholder.' of Portland assembled, well-
. . . . .
.1 street of the
thuid Arms,
with their
Of the hotel.
ring been duly
Templer

behaved aa.,
capital of the
while the r
oarivaseare,
Soon after ,
opened,
The DEPUTY

main

hoot of the
the ooronr
he front ...
the court ha,

Portland

ooronerslip,

rOOM

Heury A.

Imrireti:ed the

imcverri

advertisement
_
they . he wig, the important duty they were
called upon to perform; and, as the representative of the
High Sheriff of the county of Dorset, it was only neces-
sary for him to bespeak a patient hearing for any free-
holder elector of the Portland district, and conduct of that I
peaceable and quiet character, he knew Portland men
always exercised on occasions like the present, would
be secured. He called upon
The CRIER OF THA COURT, Mr, Beyer, to read the
Queen's writ, which was dated Westminster, April 17,
for the election of • coroner for Portland in the room of
the late Frederick Speroer Frost, M.D.
The DEPUTY SHERIFr then asked the electors to pro-
pose a candidate for the important office which was
vacant;_ and
Mr. H. BENJAMIN SCRIVEN stepped forward, say-
ing he had to propose a gentleman fully qualified for
the responsible office of coroner for the island and dia-
trict of Portland, namely— Mr. Frederick Charles Stag-
gall, of Weymouth. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. JONATHAN LANO seconded the nomination of
Mr. Steggall, whom he for many years had known, and
who, he had no doubt, would fulfil the duties of the
appointment faithfully.
The DEPUTY SHERIFF inquired if any other candidate
were to be proposed, whereupon
Mr. Lung MARE! nominated Mr. Richard Nicholas
Howard for the office. For two reasons Mr. Mabey
proposed that gentleman—first, because Mr. Howard
was an honest man (hear, hear), and, secondly, bemuse
he was • benevolent one. (Hear, hear, and applause.)
But • few weeks ago a lady told the speaker, if • good
lawyer were needed each a one would be found in Mr.
Howard. With regard to that gentleman's benevolence,
a short time since he defended a poor man named
White who had been charged with unlawfully picking
up a piece of timber, and Mr. Howard deemed to
charge either travelling expenses or fee in the case.
Mr. RICHARD liooss cordially seconded the nomina-
tion of Mr. Howard.

WeitiAlChw
- - knew,

The DEPUTY SHIIIIIP asked if any other gentleman
MIS to be brought forward. Receiving no answer,

Mr. F. C. Sizatiam. came forward to address the
elector'. He said he felt deeply the reception given
him and should ever be grateful for the kindness and
courtesy accorded to him throughout his canvass by
every Portlander. He had not heard • single unkind
word from any one ; but, on the contrary, he had been
reminded of acts of his 20 years old (hear, hear and
applause), by the childrea of men who had gone hence i
ads he had long since forgotten. Now, a friend of
his opponent had, with perhaps inure real than discre-
tion, brought forward the political principles and per-
sonal appearance of Mr. Steggall in comparison with
the youthful aspect of Mr. Howard, comparing the
grey hairs of the former with the more amber-coloured
locks of the latter. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) But
he (Mr. Steggali) was sure neither age, grey hairs, nor
experienee was any disqualification for the responsible
and serious office to which he aspired. (Hear, hear.)
He was no stranger to freeholders, for he had resided at
Weymouth and had been amongst Portlanders for 25
years, during which time ample opportunities had been
afforded of pdging whether or not he was competent
to fulfil the duties of the coronership. He resided
within the district set down by law, namely two miles
within the boundary of the district assigned by the
Quarter Sessions, It was, however, for the freeholders
tdltiatege °awasrhkre
thanking the assembly f t e patient hearing,
him. (Applause.)
Mr. HOWARD, in addressing the freeholders, remarked
that his opponent had referred to his own grey hairs,
and to his (Mr. Howard's) amber looks. About this,
however, he (the speaker) cared not. His opponent had
likewise adverted to Mr. Howard's youth, and to his
own age and experience. Experience was always an ad-
vantage, but he had yet to learn that youth was in
every case a drawback. These consideratione, though,
would weigh lightly with electors, who were called on to
exercise • right given by the Government of the country
—a right which was the foundation of all liberty in
England. Were it not for vating Britain would not be
the free country that it was, and it would soon sink to •
state parallel with that of despotic continental nations.
Portland as well as England would suffer by such a
lapse. Hence the right of voting, whether on the part
of the poor man or the rich, ought to be exercised freely
and without shackle ; electors should consult their own
conscience and reason only, and act thereon. (Hear, hear,
and loud applause.) Let nothing shackle them in this
respect, and as the carpenter in trying to split • piece of
mood puts in first the fine end of a wedge and then drives
It, let no wrong thin end be driven in in this instance_ ,
for the matter would never rest there, but would be
forced further. For many years freeholders had not
been called upon to use their franchise, they having had
• coroner who was respected by the inhabitants of the
Island, and in consequence of whose death alai:lton were
now to use their right. He (Mr. Howard) came confidently
forward to ask at this election the support of the free-
holders. He was no stranger in the island, but for some
years had been well acquainted with many of the reel.
dente, and he had received very great kindness all
through his canvass. As to promises, if books were
compared they would be found to be on an equality, and
he did not shrink from the strictest scrutiny. He would
not say that any Portlander had so disgraced himself as
to promise to vote for both candidates, but the filling up
the office of coroner rested entirely with the freeholders.
He appealed confidently to them, assured they would not
let any dictate which way votes should be given. The
employers of labour in Portland were too much gentle.
men to bring undue influences to bear upon freeholders
voting. He was sure every elector would look as men
upon the matter, and vote for the candidate they thought
best. (Hear,) If they did him the honour to elect him,
he trusted he should carry out the duties of the orb*
honestly and faithfully, whilst he should feel for ever
grateful. It was a great honour to be coroner for an
island ouch as Portland, and it was the honour that
brought him forward as a candidate. Honour tempted
many • man onwards ; yet, notwithstanding this, it
was Incumbent to look on the serious duties to be per•
formed by the coroner. He would not talk about his
fitness and qualifications but, if not sleeted, he should
thank his friends for their kind promises on his behalf.
If some sealous friend of his had spoken of Mr.
St•uall's grey hair, some of that gentleman'. friends
had said erector, were going to vote for a boy in support•
log hint (Mr. Howard) ; so that if one had been tarred
with one brush another had been tarred with another,
and the candidates were on a par. (Hear, hear, and
laughter.) He was not ashamed of his youth. There
was many • married man there, but both candidates
were single I for although his friend had lived for many
year' In the world be was like himself (Mr. Howard) a
bachelor. (Laughter.) There were a great many women
present, and they had a good deal to do with voting,
and should they say they were ping to vote for a boy,
all he mild reply was that the proof of the pudding was
in the eating (laughter) , and his friend soulil not boast
of his rising family any more than he (Mr. Howard)
eould. Without detaining freeholders longer, he would
Just advise them to elect the man they deemed best qua.
Hied for the office, and let them ozonise their privilege
without fear. (Cheers.)
The DiPUTT 81111117 then called for • show of
bands in favour of Mr. Stanfill, when • good number
were held up. He next asked a show of hands for Mr.
Howard, when a lesser number were raised.
The Calla then asked if any one could ohow cause
why Mr. St•ggall should not be appointed; no reply
coming,
The DiTtITY SHERI?? declared Frederick Charles
kungen, gentleman, duly elected coroner for the County
of Dorset, Portland district. Three cheers wore given
for

Nall
P.ll.
0 3O
10 111
, a 30

lirEcom.L, who briefly returned thanks. He
felt, he said, the deep responsibility out on him, and
he knew the serious duties of the °Moe of ooroner ; but
he trusted to conduct the humanise to their satisfaction.
He hoped soon to have an opportunity of personally
thanking the freeholders of the Island. (Applause.)

Mr. HOWARD then came forward to •ddrees the YAM.
bly. He thanked all for thelreat oourtesy with which
he hul been listened to. Ha stated some reasons why
his friends had not demanded a poll. There was fur
that if some freeholders voted in opposition to the
labour-mutere unpleasantness at least might result,
and as he could not employ much labour, there Wee no
wish that Any difficulty at all should uise. Again, it
was a matter whore neither polities nor principles were
conoerned—it was a question between two men. And
rather than cause feelings of pain or raise excitement
throughout the island, he preferred not to Igo to the
poll. No faint-heartedness was the reason, for where
any matter involving • question of principle came for-
ward, freeholders would never find him backward. If
anything at all unfriendly had arisen, he hoped such
unfriendliness would now stop. He specially thanked
those who had promised him support. (Applause.) Mr.
Howard concluded by moving • vote of thanks to the
Deputy Sheriff for his able and courteous conduct of the
business of the day. (Cheers.)
Mr. STEGGALL seconded the proposition.

The Dirorr Bum?". retn;neci thanks in • good-
humoured manner, expressing a hope that hereafter he
might meet Portlenders, for a jollier set of fellows he
had not often met with. (Laid cheers.)
The proceedings terminated orderly and peacably
about one o'clock, the writ being signed by • few of
the electors. Had • poll hem demanded the election
would have Lobed two days.

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