The Express.
London, England, 1855-05-31 00:00:00

THE CHARGE OF INHUMANITY AGAINST THE

72-111EVING OVERSEER OF ST. PANORAI:

Yesterday being appointed by the vestry of St.
Pancras fur considering the charge made by a coroner's
jog upon the body of John Dewdney, aged 68 (who com-
mitted anicidei by hanging himself, incited to summit the
act, as was alleged, by Mr. Birchmore, the relieving over-
seer, telling him, when he applied for relief, to go and place
hie head under a cart wheel), a numerous assembly of that
body took place at the Vestry Hall, for the purpose of de-
ciding on what coarse should be adopted in reference to the
charge.
John Mather, Rig., Id A., churchwarden, presided, and
Mr. Birchmore was permitted to be pesent, is offer any ex-
planations he might think proper. He distinctly denied the
imputation upon him of having made any such unfeeling
remarks to the aged applicant, and letters were read from
Mr. Corrie, the police magistrate ; Mr. Wakley, the co-
roner; and others, bearing testimony to his invariable hu-
manity towards the poor so far as came within their know-
ledge.
After a long and searching inquiry, Mr. TIIIPBON said he
could not but feel that this poor old man, 68 yean of age,
bad bees moat cruelly treated. His conviction was, that
Mr. Birehmore did tell him he was a "lacy man, and to
put his heed under • cart-wheel," and therefore he had no
hesitation in moving that the office of relieving officer, now
held by Mr. Birchmore, be declared vacant.
Mr. TIMMIIIt seconded the resolution.

Mr. TAPPING moved an amendment, to the effect " that
the vestry being aware of the high character Mr. Birch-
more had maintained for many year, for the efficient dis-
charge of his duties, as well as general humanity to the
poor, could not but regret that he should have made use of
any expressions calculated to effect the mind of the deceased,
John Dewdnoy, and for which he was thereby severely
reprimands d.'
Mr. tilvatirrnx seconded the amendment, and charged
equal blame on the oommittee of director,, who did not
admit deceased into the house, and upon Mr. Timpsoa, who
recommended his case to Mr. pirchmore, that he did not
secure his admission.

A long discussion ensued, in which Messrs. lichen,
Stockton, Turner, With', sad other gentlemen took part,
tho observations id the speakers being generally favourable,
to the officer. . _ _

-- ----
On the question being put to a show of hand., thee, ap-
peared—Fur the smendment,4o; against it, 12.
The amendment having been declared to be cried, Mr.
Birehmore was called in and the resolution was read over
to him with some comments by the chairman, and the pro-
osedings terminated.

of Commons is to go into committee on this measure onheld this teovwennultiiiratae•fotirlgaitairnvoe;edan igc,coticeu-lsaaiglis-lis
THE CHURCH-RATS ABOLITION BILL—The Houle
pAirN all
D LxwE t-
rex
.REFORII.—BIHMINOHeit, WEDNEB-
- the Bth of June, and as Mr. Follett, M.P., has form Association. The object of the promoters of the move-
given unties that he will move that the bill be committed meet is to remedy the present unjust state of the law as re-
that the tax itself and the mode of levying it, It is
that day six mouths, it is evident that it is to be opposed
with narelatiting hostility at every stage. Its supporter tin that egiuiriflbeyinroemarlybutl. g "6.1 samefitrencial a urattui-
should, therefore, take care that their friends in parliament that derived from realised properly Ell utijust. This inaSs-
tilllCUO vigilance ; and especially that thew liberal mem- quality is strongly felt by the commercial ind proteosional
bus who were absent on the second reading should record portion of the community, sad the consequent* is that the
their votes on the subsequent stages of the bill. Although lo4newit:sta; stiabineeitrifiPnplefauelarnt sotfateallifistnlanectod electors
it Le likely that the Premier will not persist in his opposition
it is desirable that farther efforts should yet be made, that the House of Commons. We understand there is no wish
up The subject, and a pressure be thus brought toque" upon
lamming majorities may load the Rouse of Lords to the on the part of the originators of the association to embarrass
oesolusitn that the ebureh-rate question can be settled In no the
ea the nt,
beingr escape
m da o nan
feairuirbletiontillloultestheydintrat
other way. The following is a list of liberal members who al utiCaution
in gie state should contribute a properP principles,
voted with Sir William Clay last Ultioo, but, from various of the public burtbens. Resolutions constituting a society,
esneedomm
etalpatilde
pfrroomortin-
causes, were absent on the 16th ult.:—C. Bailey, John to be called "The Income-tax Reform League," having for
Ball, J. F. B. Blanket', L. H. Bland, Hoc. H. Brand• its object the carrying ou!,tlhtahe. [Mowing measures, were
Haeophrey Brown, John Esmond., William Ewart, T. E.
Headlam, C. Hindley, J. Locke, F. Lucas, J. M'Cann, P. unanimouslyea ase professionsagee ei3sit'll not eat
of that paid from realised property. lhat on appeal, a
Whialson, Viscount Houck, Hon. T. Mostyn, G. F. Hunts, statement of income, supported by the oath or declaration
It rests astrounliniann"imalliyareaseonle.vedtotihiadtueceviz member of the
Bit T. O'Brien, C. O'Brien, John O'Connell, W. Pigmy, of the taxpayer as to his belief of his income, shall be final•"
soc
the representation of the people in parlianiecsntndtuidsauttppos for
B.3.7Lei.ourßl.Cißrd.
War
a1r1...
Rail:, A.
PAamace. RaellYbuCkB,irFj.. Bela' Ity,""dH. D"..
aer, W. H. Wickham. the above principles Detailed announcements of the objects
CRYSTAL PALACB.--BIIILLINO Dew.—MAT SO.— of the society will shortly be issued.
Adair:dam on mums; 6,017 ; ditto bj Noes ticket% MAIL AIITONIS RaLWAY.--Tiala for the week
OM—Total, 6,671. Wing Mei 17, 186k_lbei.; 1861, 1911.