The Express.
London, England, 1864-09-16 00:00:00

COURT 07 COMMON COUNCIL.

A Court of Common Council, the first fdnce the
vacation, wee held yesterday at Guildhall; the LAD
Mania presidiag.

CITY TILTS.

Alderman WATIDLLOW brought before the court, as •
question of privilege, the expenditure incurred by the
special committee appointed to superintend the erection of
the new roof to the Guildhall, for refreshment, trips in the
Meek Wood, and other items of • similar ohmmeter. H.
prefaced his motion by disclaiming all personal feeling in
the matter, and said that the only reason for his taking the
course be bad don. was that in a matter which, acoordiug to
his opinion, affected the honour, the credit, and the prestige
of the corporatiou of Loudon, it was a duty that devolved
upon this court to take mean to prevent proceedings of a
similar character from again taking place. (Hear.) The
worthy alderman then mounded to state that be held in his
hand three warrants for the payment of the 've sums
of 2.51., 501., and 2701., which money had been by
the Guildhall Improvement Committee for en-
twining:mute, and for an excursion in the Maria and
he said he felt assured that when the committee in ques-
tion was appointed the court had not the least idea that
they had delegated to it the power of expending so largp
a sum of money for such objects—(hear, lieral—be would
therefore propose as • resolution for the adoption of the
court that it was their opinion that these several sums h.-1
been expended for purposes not contemplated by it, and
that in future no such expenditure should be made by any
committee without the sanction of this court. (Hear,
hear.) The ally question, as it appeared to him,
was whether, under the several orders of refer-
ence having relation to the work that was en.
I trusted to this committee, they bad the power to
speed the money in the way they bad done, and it ap-
peared to him that those anises clearly
_did not authorise
any such expenditure. (Hear, hear.) The committee had
thought fit to give an entertainment upon the occasion a
the lay* of the first state of the roof, to have breakfasts
and other entertaionteete, and also to have • trip up the
river in the Maria Wood, sod they bad expended 340/. of
the City's ma upon these objects, which, it appeared to
him, had never been mutinied or ooatemplated by the
court when the committee wee appointed. He had no wish
to enter into any farther details, or to may anything that
was calculated to give offence to the committee, or any
member of it. The money was gone and could not be got
back —(" bear. bear," and • laugb)—but he hoped the ef-
fect of his resolution would be to prevent such • thing from
occurring in future.
Mr. JOHN KELDAT, the chairman of the Guildhall Im-
provement Committee, secoeded the resolution, and he
at the same time mid he felt obliged to the worthy alder-
men for bringing the matter before the court, and that the
explanation he hd given to him upon the subject justified
him in taking the course of seconding hie modem. He could
only justify the proceedings of the committee upon the
broad principle of precedent. (Hear, and a laugh.) This
committee had only dose what had bees done by other
committees, and after what had sow taken piece such • thing
could not occur again. The oommittee of which he had the
honour to be chairman were most anxious to carry out the
wishes of the court, and in making this expenditure they
had acted entirely upon the precedent afforded by, the pro-
ceedings of other similar committees, but to was not at all
prepared to soy that the course wee • right one, or that it
ought to be continued. He had no objection to offer to
the resolution of the worthy alderman, and under the cir-
cumstances he felt himself justified in recoeding it.
Mr. RICHARDSON said that he wee use of the committee
whom proceedings bad bees brought before the coniidera-
tion of the court, and he could not help expressing his sur-
prise that the chairmen of the committee should have
seconded inch • resolution, and thereby attempted to throw
upon the members of it the blame of au expenditure for
which be, as chairman, was alone responsible. During the
preeeediegs be had protested spited such lavish expeoda-
nue being made for entertainments sad similar objects, and
the chairman told him, when be inquired where the money
was to come from to pay for them, that he need not trouble
himself about that, as shay had • fund appropriated for
the purpose, aid that the money would not come
out of the City's cub. This being the state
of the use he thought the chainnea was going • little too
far in seconding the present resolution, and throwing upon
the committee genfrally blame for which he alone was re-
sponsible.
Mr. RI:DLLS whited to ask the bon. member whether he
was not one of the party who joined in the trip in the Maria
Wood and in the other festivities of the committee. (Hear,
bear, and • laugh.)
Mr. RICHARDSON admitted that be was, but said that
this had nothing to do with the gaieties. He was induced
to take • share of the enjoyments that were provided by the
repressetation of the chairman that there was a fund to
pay for them irrespective of the City's ash.
Alderman WATISLOW mid that after what had taken
placebo hoped be might be allowed to seats, 4e..lanetion,
that the warrant for the largest sum that had been paid,
'lamely, for 2701., was signed by the honourable member
who had just addreesed the court. (A mu of laughter.)
Mr. RICHAITSION said that this wee true, but boa bad acted
under the responsibility of the chairman of the coemmittee.
Mr. FRICRER said he had always been opposed. to the
principle et special committees ezpeedieg mousy in enter-
tainments without the sanction of this court, but he could
not help saying that be thought the present proceeding wee
rather an extraordinary pantomime, and that One of the
toembera of a committee who bad paitakeo of all the fee-
tivitien said enjoyments that had ties provided, and, so
doubt, to his great delight, should tarn round and endia-
emir to clear himself by kicking his chairman. (Laughter.)
Deputy Lour expressed his opinion that the matter had
bees made • great deal too much of. It had always bees
the custom for conimittele to expend messy hi this manner,
and the same thing had been dew by Alderman Duthie, the
chairman of the Laoatic Asylum Committee, and by the
chairman of the Royal Entertainment Committee.
Alderman Dam said that, ee be bad been 'Hided to, he
begged that it might be undaistood that he had never done
anything of the kind, except with the sanction of that
court. (Hear, bear.)
Mr. Ti cecorr. the chainue of the Royal Entertainment
Committee. made • similar statemeat.
. .

The 'rotation of Alderman Waterier wan then put, and
carried unani!noraily... . . . . .

Alderman our then said that perhaps he might be
excused for taking that opportunity of asking if r. Kelday
when the new roof was likely to be completed ? From what
he saw of the Meer of things that morn*, in passing
through the ball, it did lot appear to him to be very pro-
bable that it would be ready for the approach* great ec-
cestos.

ILr. K!LDAT said ha was happy to be Ala 424 that
in another month there would be • very great and
that the hall would certainly be quits, may by Lard yor's
day.
One or two motiotia that were spat the paper of basin'sa
were pcetponed, and the court bribe up at an early hour.

Wats Aso Hlremara. —The will of the Hon.
Finny Corollas Peoningtoo, of llnnesater Castle, Cumber-
lam ; Water prior', Yorkshire; and 220:nart, Picca-
dilly, was peeved in London by ler the Right
Hoe. Joslyn Francis Lord Mummerand the Hon. Alan
Joseph Peneingtoo, the joint actiog executors: The par.
eoWty was ewers under Z.OOO/. Her ladyabjp was this
eldest daughter of the third Baron Lowther, Amusing Lord
Muncaater, aid died on the 12th of July last, at Vevey,
Switzerlsod, attire age of M, having executed leer will in
Jul,, 1863. Hue ladyship lee bequeathed to . her slater,
the ion. Lonna Drummond. wife of Mr. E A. Br= mond,
all her jewels, with the exception of a pearl noeklace,
beanie* and earrioga, sad diamoud star, which are
bequeathed to bar ladysbip's two Webber% the
executors, who're also appointed residuary lepton of both
the real and personal estate. The will of Hr. Edmund Han-
boroligh Joyama, of St. Mary Cray, Yarn, ppaappeer manu-
facturer, wee proved in the London court by his -in-
law, Mr.Charleallobert Collins, together with Hr. John Got&
Hbwn,and Mr. iftarleae, )1c•, of Faith, the SUMAC.=
and keens'. The personalty wae sworn under 33.0001.
The will bears date Aped 23 bet, and he died June at
Eastbourne, Somer. To his wife ha he binamitbed an
immediate legacy of 5001. and the furniture, to ; also tho
gam of 10,000 i. nods, the terms of their mierne settle-
moot. sod leaves bee a life intariet in his estate 1$ Beckley,
Kent. This este" upon bar dooms, is to be divided
equally Amaral their ohildna„ who an also ap-
pointed residuary legatees of the real and personal
estate, ineludng his share in the busies= of
paper manufaotnne, earned on by his father and himself.
To each of his throe sisters, as well as to • friend, he has
left legacies of 5001. There are legacies left to his coach-
man, gardener, end all his other servaish• The will of
Mr. William IMagoae, civil sleepier, of Beigrave-road,
Pimlico, was administered to in the Londe* Court of Pro-
bate on the 6th ult., by hie soo, Charles Seaward Simpson,
one of the residuary legatees named in the will, the execu-
tora—nanaly. Ha. Charles Samosas, the testator's brother,
having died, and Mr. Henry Lloyd having gerionacag;
Tho personality was swore under 30.0001. The tes-
tator, who was drowned in the Thames, soar London-
bridge, to
May last, bad executed hie will so far back am
1849, bequeathing to his wife a life interest In tics-thirds of
hie real and personal estate ; and this remora* third, to-
gether with the reversion on the death of his wile, he leaves
to his eon and only child, the said Charles Seaward Snip-
son=lllitstroted London Pete.

CRYSTAL PAL•CR.—Fzurcu Fnurr.—.4. large
and intereating collecting of apples aad pears, from tb•
welllinown passe of Andre Leroy, at Angara, is now on
slew in the metre Maampt. It consists of magi than 300
worts of peals wed 120 of apples, all geed spettineos, care-
fully labelled, and is well worth the attention of the fruit
powers of this °natty.
If Ammon WlTit • DIMAS= WITS'S EIRTER.—
The Qasensland sesegibly, se we learn by • telegram pub-
lishedin the South •Nstralien !hunger. and dated Brisbane,
July 25, ham passed an act legalities marriage with • de-
ceased wiles goer.

Zhe erpreoo.

TO CORBF:3-PO.NDENTS.

Advertisements Inteldea—g77:ieW HzWsk;" London Evening
Paper, must be at the Ofkee, 10, Bonvetie-street. by Two
o'clock on the day of publication.

PRINCE&TS..

THIS IMMO. BORN TO 600 D—LUCK. Mr. D. Mneray.
And THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs. J. W. Ray, David
Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, H. Forrester, and H. Mellon ;
Mrs. IL Marston, Muses Barnett and Gwynne.

THIS ETIMEMI. THE iiiii.oftc iliac RESS. - Singing by Mr.
11. Clifton and Mr. J. H. Stead Madame Pleon.—Mr. G. W.
Jeater.—Concluding with THE MUTINY AT THE NORE.

lIIGD WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE.

TfttS DAT Morunv. lh. 45m.... Afternoon, 2h. 11m.
Tu-XoalloW 31oruing, 2h. SM....Afternoon, 2h. 66m.

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16.

PARLIAMENTARY Reform is decidedly a very
restless and perturbed spirit. It cannot be laid.
It is continually disturbing the slumbers of the
satisfied, and vexing the conscience of enlightened
selfishness. An admirable address delivered at
Brighton last Monday evening by Professor Few-
errr, will probably surprise and irritate the herd
of half-hearted or insincere, the indifferent or
reactionary Liberals, who would fain hope and
believe that this great question is laid to rest for
years to come. Those who cultivate an implicit
faith in the perpetuity of the existing poli-
tical lull, do not like to be reminded of
the unwelcome truth that the world still moves,
and that public men who wish to act a manly,
enlightened, and patriotic part must move with it.
Professor FAwcErr broadly states that the great
question after the next general election will be
Parliamentary Reform, designating at the same
time the probable leader of the movement and the
powerful arguments by which it will be supported.
This declaration will not surprise those who
are accustomed to mark the less obtrusive signs of
approaching political change. The comparative
quiescence of the classes directly interested in an
extension of the franchise admits of the
simplest explanation, and will hereafter
justly constitute one of the most powerful
arguments in favour of their claims. During the
last few years a large section of these classes have
suffered the extremity of hardship and want from
the effects of the great struggle on the other side
of the Atlantic, in which, however, they have
from the first taken the deepest, the most intelli-
gent, and unselfish interest. In dwelling on this
fact Professor FawcErr paid a weßmerited tribute
not only to their noble fortitude, but to their
generous political sympathies : " When we in
" England were indulging in sneers against the
" people whom we ought to be proud to claim as
"our kindred, these were the people who came
" forward at public meeting after public meeting
" and said, We don't mind bearing starve-
" tion year after year so long as slavery,
" with all its hideous consequences, can be
" wiped from off the face of the earth.'"
While some of this clan have thus directly
suffered from the conflict of political principles
amongst a kindred people, it may be fairly said
that the whole body of English workmen have,
during the same period, been interested to an
almost unparalleled extent in military and political
struggles directly affecting the welfare and progress
of other nations. They have followed with the
keenest interest the fortunes of regenerated Italy,
the uprising of the devoted Pules, the patriotic re-
sistance of Denmark, and, above all, the great con-
flict between two opposite and incompatible forms
of civiliz%tion in America. This has been to them
a political education of large and permanent value,
the good effects of which cannot fail to tell advan-
tageously on their individual character and col-
lective action. The very causes, however, that
have thus tended to increase their political intel-
ligence and raise their general character, have at
the same time withdrawn them to some extent
from home affairs. Yet their feeling on the sub-
ject of an extended franchise if less noisy, is
at the present moment far stronger than it was
even four years ago, and any public man of unpre-
judiced mind who cares to inquire, may easily con-
vince himself of this. In his interviews with
various deputations of working men last session,
Mr. GLAD,ToNE discovered their true feeling, and
the practical results of this discovery suffice to
show that when the time comes they will not want
for leaders in urging their just claims to political
enfranchisement.
In dealing with the question how the exist-
ing constituencies can most effectually serve
the cause of Reform, Professor Fswcerr hits
what is undoubtedly at this moment the
most menacing blot in our representative
system—the corrupt expenditure of money
at elections. N otwithstanding the repeated—
though in some cases rather lukewarm—
efforts of Parliament to suppress this evil, it is
still on the increase, especially in large consti-
tuencies, which were supposed from their very size
to be least accessible to its influence. It would be

difficult to exaggerate the wide-spread and malignant
injuries to tho body politic which most inevitably
result from the spread of this social and political

leprosy. It tends directly, of course, to degrade
and demoralize the constituencies ; but this is by
no means the whole, nor in many cases the
worst part, of the mischief produced. Nothing
could well exercise a more fatal influence on the
composition of the representative body than the
whole tone of our public life. Seats that are
notoriously dependent on money will generally in
the end be filled by those who have nothing else
to recommend them, and the multiplication of inch
representatives is a positive calamity to the country.
If the system of corrupt expenditure spreads,
Parliament will gradually be filled by a lower class
of men, who have neither the ability nor the disposi-
tion to deal intelligently with great public questions,
or to conduct the &treks of the country on well-
defined principles, and in the interest of the entire
community. Instead of public men of high tone,
char convictions, and cultivated political intelli-