The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08 00:00:00

Tfll TOTITIPPIDGF OPSFRTFR.

Parliament elected in I S6B, and,Mr. Gladstone was
o go to the country with a splended record of
!egislative achievements, appropriately finished up
I.y a masterstroko of policy in that department of
the State which had been the scene of so many of his
triumphs. As the recess went on, the tide of Eon-
:ervative victories showed no signs of diminution.
Just before Parliament Liberals had been replaced
Is Conservatives in East Stafford anti Greenwich,
and as the autumn advanced, Shaftesbury. Ren-
frewshire, Dover, Ha, Exeter, and Stroud followed
the example It was the Shroud election, on the
6th of January, which at last exhausted Mr. Glad-
stone's patience. Any life was better than that
which was called upon to witness a vote of censure
upon an average once a month; and so, on the
morning of Saturday the 24th of the same month
the news that Parliament was to be immediately
dissolved, was announced in the columns of the
London papers, and travelled with the speed of
lightning throughout the length and breadth of the
land. _ _

When Parliament was prorogued on the sth of
August last year, who was sanguine enough to fore- ,
tell that on that very day twelvemonths the mem-
bers of a Conservative Administration would take a I
joyous trip down the river to Greenwich, and dine ,
at the "Trafaln " off the additional whitebait ?
The ministerial whitebait dinner had for years been
in abeyance, and there had been none since July
1868, when the Conservative Ministery, with Mr.
Disraeli at its bead, made mery before appealing to
the country under that extended franchise which 1
resulted in their removal from power. In fact the
whitebait dinner had passed well nigh out of mind.
During Mr. Gladstone's Premiership it had been
, dropped. The right hon. gentleman cares little for :
an elaborate dinner, and never attended these
gatherings when he was a member of Lord Palmer-
ston's Cabinet. It was impossible to have white-
bait dinner without the Prime Minister as President
and as Mr. Gladstone was known to dislike osten-
tation, these banquets were quietly dropped. It
is true there had been rather a stormy and broken
session, but that was nothing more than might be
expected in stirring times. The recess was coming
and with it a period of anticipated political calm ;
no more awkward questions to be answered in the
House of Commons, no more critical division, no
more damaging debates. Besides, who knew what
might turn up in six months? The tide of Con-
servative reaction might by that time have ebbed,
for it had then been flowing for two years and a
half, and, like everything else upon earth, most
sooner or later have a termination. Yet, when the
doors of the House of the Conservative party flushed
with victor- at the polls of the three kingdoms,
and with a triumphant majority. The liberals took
their places to the left of the Speaker, and a Tory
Government was in power.
The Session, which did not open until the 19th
of March, has not been fruitful of great events,
'nil there are very good rert.ons why this should
Oe we. In th,, nrst place the new Gov rnment
looked at the verdict of the country as an emphatic
declaration that the people wished for a season of
peace from the contemplation of sweeping reforms
and organic changes. In the second place, having
been called so suddenly to office, it had been impos-
sible for them to prepare any measures of consider-
able importance, or to elaborate a policy. They
preferred to confine themselves to promises of
social legislation which time and the exigencies of
political warfare have not enabled them to carry
out. The Licensing Amendment Act has been
passed. but the bills completing the reform of the
judicature, providing for a more efficient means of
land transfer, and for placing friendly and build-
ing societies on a sounder basis, with many others
of minor consequence, have had to he abandoned,
and constitute rather a heavy legacy of work left
undone. The session has been rather remarkable
for the ecclesiastical conflicts which characterized
it during it, later weeks. The Scotch Church
Patronage ET and the Public Worship Regulation
Hill sailed safely enough over the smooth waters
of the House of Lords, but no sooner had they
entered the Commons than they found themselves
upon the surface of a stormy sea. The climax was,
however, reached when Lord Sandon introduced
the Endowed Schools Act Amendment Dill, which
the Liberals, although in such a minority succeeded
in emasculating. It is likely enough that the heat
and Parliamentary debates are but a foretaste of
the animation which will mark the legislative
conflicts of next year. It was impossible that the
calm of the first three months of the session should
last for any length of time. The quiet was
unnatural, and having been broken, is not likely
to be witnessed to any great extent next year.
Ministers will have ample time during the z.,cess
to elaborate their masures and to propound a
policy, and granted that the lives of the rival
leaders are spared, 1875 will see some intellectual
struggles which will be watched with intense in-
terest by the nation.

form a complete list of either three or nine. At
that meeting they could not take cognizance of
a proposition containing the name of ouly one
person to be on that Board.
Mr. Prescott: This meeting has first to decide
this question. How ninny members will this
Board consist of?
The Chairman : I call upon Mr. Bernard to
move the first resolution.
Mr. Bernard rose to do so, but Mr. Prescott
geld be would not hear him, and claimed to be iu
possession of the chair— (cries of" Bernard, '
"Chair').
Mr Prescott said he was in possession of the
chair, and had asked a question, and was entitled
to an answer, and'if he had to stop for a mouth
he would stop until he had it answered —(cries
of We ehaut stop with you, and laughter).
Mr. Bernard : I propose the first resolution.
Mr. Prescott: I object,
I am in possession of
the chair.
Mr. Bernard: I claim the authority of the
police to keep this room quiet.
Mr. Prescott still objected, but the meeting was
strongly against him, and the cries of " chair "
prevented him speaking.
At length, Mr. Bernard, snported by the meet-
ing, was able to move his resolution, and proposed
"That the Burial Board for Lipper Swinford and
Stourbridge be nine in number, and that it con-
siat of Messrs. C. king. E. Stringer, J. B. Shep-
herd, 11. Billingham, W. J. 'Forney, F. Evers, U.
Perkins, F. J. Haskew, and W. Platt.
The Chairman: I call upoa Mr. Richards to
second that resolutiou.
The Rev. I. Richards said he had great plea-
sure in doing so. He thought that list of names
had been fairly and judiciously chosen, as repre-
senting the different classes of society, and the
different religious bodies in the neighbourhood—
(hear, hear).
'1 he Chairman then read over the list of names
and said before putting the proposition to the
meeting he would Itek if any gentleman had an
amendment to propose.
Mr. Prescott : Oh, yes--(laughter). In the
first place it is a very unusual thing for a list
of nine persona to be brought forward in that way
and that they should nominate nine persons at
once, and 1 shall object to that course.
Mr. Penney: Of course; I expected that.
Mr. Prescott: If Mr. Penney has anything to
say I boee he will say it.
Mr. Penney : Go on.
Mr. Prescott: I shall not go on for you—
(l..ughter. and a voice, 'f ten sit down.
Mr. Prescott : I won't be buLied. Your bully.
Aug wout interfere 'ARIL we, Penney.
The Chairmen asked Mr. Prescott if he had
amendment to move.
Mr. Prescott said he had and moved that the:t
were not fit and proper persune to form the Board
and demanded a poll.
Mr Perry said that was not an amendment,
and Mr. Prescott ineintained it was. No one
seueutieu it, and the original motion was declares
carried.
Mr. Prescott: Now, I demand a poll, and that
the poll take place in two or three days to conie.
Mr. Kelly : I should like to ask one question.
At whose expense is this poll to take place.
Mr. Prescott said the parish would have to be
at the expense.
Mr. Stterrard then said be should fix the poll
for that day week (Tuesday nezi ).
At this there was some murmuring amongst
those present, and
Mr. Maginnis asked the chairman why a poll
w dem anded—(great contusion ensued).
Mr. Blurtou asked Mr. Prescott why he de-
manded a poll.
Mr. Prescott: Mr. Blurton as a man of experi-
ence, and au educated wan ought to know that
it was not fair to the ratepayers to call a meeting
at that hour of the day, when they had not the
opportunity of being present.
Mr. Kelly asked Mr. Prescott if he thought it
wag fair to put the inhabitants to an expense 01
X 2.0 to please a foolish idea?
Mr. Prescott: That is your idea.
Mr. Kelly : Juetify it if you can ; we will serve
you like we aid before, when it comes to the
poll.
The meeting was at length formally adjourned
till five o'clock on Tuesday, to receive the result
of the poll.

THE CHILD MURDER AT CRADLEY

COMMITTAL OF THE ACCUSED FOR WILFUL
MURDER.

At the Police Court, on Tuesday last, before
Colonel Fletcher, Sarah Ann Liddell, of the Tw,
Gates, Gradley, was brought up on remand
eborged with unlawfully and wilfully slaying
Wader Liddell, her illegitimate son,lu Wedues.
day, the 29th ult. After the prisoner had been
charged she was allowed to sit down in the dock.
while the evidence was being taken. She ap-
peared to feel her position acutely, and hung
down her head most of the time, as if anxious
to escape observation. Otherwise, her demean-
our was very calm, and it was only M long in-
tervals that an occasional sob which she gave
vent to, showed that she was an interested party
in the proceedings.
Ehe first witness called was—

Eliza Banner, who deposed: I Boa a singli
woman, and live with my grandmother, and an
daughter of the prisoner. I knew Walter Lid-
dell, the dece..sed, son of the prisoner, who is
married, but does not know where her husband
j. The deceased is an illegitimata child, and
was two years and seven mouths old. My mother
lived with my grandmother, at Two Gates.
Gradley. She kept herself by sewing. On
Wednesday last I left the house at seven o'clock
to go out washing. I returned home about three
o'clock. I slept in the same room as my mother.
When I left the room my mother and little
brother were in bed. The child was asleep. I
cannot say whether my mother was or not.
When I left the house no persoa was in it ex-
cept my mother and brother. My grandmother
had left to go to work. From something I had
heard I returned home about three o'clock.
There was a crowd of persons about the house.
My grandmother had returned. Did not go up
stairs until half-past three o'clock. Did not see
the little boy. I did not see my mother again
until night, when she was in custody of the po-
lice.

Phoebe Banner deposed : lam wife of Edwin
Banner, spade moulder, and live at the Two
Gates lam sister-in-law to the prisoner. I saw
the little boy on Tuesday last. Prisoner came
to my house with the little boy. She appeared
rather "down." She left about nine o'clock at
night. On Wednesday I went to the prisoner's
house about half-past two o'clock. I found both
doors locked, front and back. I found the key,
which was kept in a regular place, and opened
the door. The first thing I saw was the little
ney's jocket on the table, and his shoes on the
floor. Wont to the kottout of the stairs, and
called three times. Got no answer. I then went
op stairs, and saw the boy lying on the floor, co-
y. rod with blood. The boy was dressed all but
his shoes and stockings. Did not notice the
throat. I then ran down stairs, and made an
alarm. Several of the neighbours came. I sent
for the police. Found the deceased in the back
room. Police-constable Heath came, and the
next time I saw the prisoner, she was in custody.
Prisoner was a very kind mother to the child,

Richard Williams deposed : I live at Cradley
Forge, and am a gardener. I know the prisoner,
and met her about eighty yards front her house,
at half-past two o'clock, oa Wednesday. I spoke
to her, and she answered me. I thought she
looked rather strange, as she was holding her
heed down. I said to her it was a nice day, and
she said that Awes.
Police constable Heath deposed: lam a police
officer stationed at Crailley. From information
received on Wednesday last, I went to the house
occupied by the priamer's mother. I saw a
number of persons there, and Pitcobe Banner
told me that a child had been murdered. I went
upstairs, and there saw the body of the child ly-
ing on the floor, quite dead, and cold. There
was a quantity of blood on the floor, and the
clothes which the lad had on were saturated with
blood. Without delay I went off in pursuit of
the mother of the child, and overtook her in a
lane at Lutley, about a mile and a half from her
house. She was walking slowly along the
when I saw her, but had nothing with her. I
took hold of her by the right arm, and said, Yon
are jest the party I was looking for, and take
you in custody on a charge of murdering your
child." Prisoner appeared confused, and said,
"Am I." I then perceived that her throat was
cut, and a small quantity of blood was oozing
out of the wound. I secured a trap, and con-
veyed her to the Colliers' Arms, when Mr. Ker,
surgeon, was sent for. Prisoner was put to bed,
and the doctor sewed up the woulids in her
t:.rod. One of t,02 women who was present in
the room asked her if she was not sorry she had
done it to which the prisoner replied, No, I'm

lane

glad, for the poor thing is now at rest in Heaven
ind from under the frowns of everybody.
There bad been a conversation amongst the
women present about the murder, and it was said ,
iu the hearing of the prisoner that she had killed
her child. I then left her for a while in charge
of another constable, and then returned to the
public-house, and remained with her all night.
On Thursday morning I removed her to Stour-
bridge Police Station.
Martha Partridge deposed: I live at Two Gates
Cradley. lam wife of John Partridge. On the
29 July I went to the Colliers' Arms about five
o'clock. Saw the prisoner there. Took off her
clothes, and found a quwitity of blood on all her
dress, it having soaked through the flannels
I asked the prisoner where the blood came from.
She said out of the baby, as she had it on her
' lap. I asked her the reason she did not do her
own throat. She said she picked up the wrong
knife.

Ann Sheward deposed: I am a widow, and
live at the Two Gates. On the night of the 29th
nit I went to the Colliers' Arms about eight
o'clock. Saw the prisoner there, and accompa-
nied her to the Stourbridge Police Station. I
asked her if she was not sorry she had done it.
Prisoner said, "No." On Thursday, at the Po-
lice Station, I saw the prisoner. After she got
into the cell I said. " Now, Sarah, bain't ou
sorry you have done it?" She said, "No : my
child is in heaven." Prisoner said, " I loved my
child." I said, " Sarah, you must have been in
great trouble ?" She answered, "Yes, all sorts."
She said ever since she had been a married wo-
man she had been in trouble. I asked her how
she killed the haby. She answered, "In my
lap." I then asked her who put the rope there,
,on the stairs. Prisoner said, "I did." I said,
"To bang yourself ?" Prisoner said, "I
thought it would not be strong enough." I asked
her if ehe cut hir throat before she went from
home. Prisoner said, "Yes' At this stage
prisoner began to cry.
Police-constable Roe deposed that about half-
past four o'clock on the afternoon of Wednesday
he went to Mrs. Banner's house. On going up
stairs into the back room he saw the dead body
of Walter Liddell. There was a wound in the

throat, and a great quantity of blood about. close
to the child's feet. Saw two knives. The table
knife appeared to have been recently sharpened.
He found the rope produced on the rails of the
stairs. There were marks of blood on it. Took
her clothes

Mr. Kerr, surgeon, of Cradley'Heath, said ha

. .
male a p,,st ntortaii examination of the body of
the child. Opening the skull he found the
membranes of the brain were healthy, but the
verticles were quite empty, which was unusual in
. . . .

cases of natural death.' he wound in the neck
was about three inches long, and gradually went
deeper as though cut from left to right. On
the right it had cut though three of the brunches
of the external carotid, including the thyries
artery. The windpipe in the front was cut
through, exposing the vocal cord. All the organs
in the stomach were perfectly .healthy, but
unusually free from blood. The stomach was
empty, with the exception of about a tablespoon-
ful of gastric fluid. ,There was no recently di-
gested food in the bowels. It was probable that
the child had not received any food since very
early the same evening as the day of its death.
tie was clearly of opinion that the child had died
from loss of blood from the wound in the throat.
Witness did not notice any blood ou the wont in's
clothes when he first visited her.
Colonel Fletcher then read the usual charge,
calling upon the prisoner to say anything she
liked; but prisoner declined to say anything
and she was committed to take her trial at tilt
next Worcester Assizes for the wilful murder of
her son, Walter Liddell.
On the previous day (Monday), the Coroner's
_ _

inquest osi the.body.ca the chsht Walter Liddell,

Watl concluded. evidence' was similar to
,hat given above, and the jury returned a verdict
of •• Wiaul Murder" against the prisoner.
Prisoner was then removed down stairs into
the cell, walking without any assistance, and in
toe afternoon was conveyed to the railway station
al a cab en route for Worcester.