The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-02 00:00:00

DURHAM CITY ELECTION.

DURHAM, WEDNESDAY APTEENOON.
The nomination of candidates for the vacant seat,
oecaaioned by the death of Thomas Colpitt Granger, Esq.,
Q.C., took place in this city to-day. Mr. Henry William
Fenwick, of Chester-le-Street, was brought forward by the
liberals and free-traders, Lord Adolphus Vane by the tories,
and the agents of his father, the Marquis of Londonderry.
Great interest is being felt in the result of this election,
both on account of the peculiar relation of parties in the
city, and the close run that was made at the general election
in July, Mr. William Atherton, Q.C., the free-trader, beat-
ing Lord Adolphus by but five votes.
Lord Londonderry has always claimed "a property" in
this ancient city, and has not been sparing of his " treasures"
in efforts to keep his position. Like all other constituen-
cies transferred from the days of boroughmongerinx it con-
tains a body of freemen, who have always been considered
pliable by those little influences so will known to tory
tacticians, and gentlemen sent down from town to " win'
elections. But, independent of this, the marquis hu ex-
tensive collieries lying outside the town—and it has ever
been observed that those freemen who "served the cause"
could and employment and good wages at those works,
irrespective of the maxim of "a good day's work for a
good day's pay." In addition, his lordship has large
market waggons which he sends into the city, or
withdraws, as he is pleased or displeased with the
shopoeracy ; those waggons bring in pitmen and
their wives, whose presence in or absence from the market-
day bas some effect upon the tills of the retail dealer ; and,
in addition to all these, the marquis is lord-lieutenant of
the county, having place and appointment to distribute
amongst lawyers as they fall in ; hence be becomes a for-
midable customer for the liberals to handle in an election
for members I. serve in parliament. Some years ago, be-
fore the repeal of the corn laws, an election happened in
the city. The tory troope rebelled against their constitu-
tional leader—put up a man of their own—and the
marquis, to spite them, and to show his power,
by the influence of his agents, returned Mr. John Bright
as a fit and proper man to serve I. parliament. The tories
met after the election, swore in their wrath that they would
follow him more, and next election the marquis wu
a general fully equipped for action, but without troops.
In this predicament the representation was given up to
the liberals, who remained in quietposseuion of the field
until last election, when, as ' time works wonders,"
the tories came into the field again with united
forces, but were beaten by • small majority. The
present election is therefore a fair stand up fight
between the "blues" and the " reds ;" and as the
interregnums between the lamented death of the old whig
member, Mr. Granger, and the calling together of the new
parliament, has been necessarily long—and the whig paper
having peppered the tory paper of the ell weekly during
this season, the tory paper returning the compliment in
beer and speech-making, also having been in great demand
amongst the freemen—the free and independent electors
came like well-seasoned troops to their duty at the hust-
ings this morning.
Over night there had been " revel in the hail,"—and the
streets were filled with drunken men until midnight yester-
day. The liberals hive had watchers out all night looking
atter the freemen, and there are rumours of bribery this
morning, but more of that anon. At the present moment
, whatever be the upshot of the election to-morrow, there is
enough treating and drinking to damnify all prospect of the
tory holding the seat. But the liberals will not lose. They
are pulling altogether like men, and have the hearty co-
i operation ofthe non-electors, who aro doing a good work
In keeping waverer' up to the mark, and having their eyes
upon any " frail" customer that may cast up during the
election. It is said the marquis has vowed that he will
"damn Durham" if his ton is not elected, and the
liberals have accepted his challenge.
The hustings were erected in the market place in front of
the Town-hall. The morning hu been exceedingly wet and
bleak; notwithstanding which the Heelers and non-electors
were mustered in strong force. Mr. Fenwick was received
with great enthusiasm. Lord Adolp`iusVane was proposed
by Mr. Wharton, of Dryhurgh, and seconded by Mr. An-
thony Wilkinson ,• Mr. Fenwick by Mr. Thompson, se-
conded by Mr. Alderman Storey.
•

_ .
Just as the train wu leaving the show of hands was
taken. Mr. lenwiek had two-thirds more than his
opponent.