The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-03 00:00:00

PETERBOROUGH ELECTION.

PETERBOROUGH, THURSDAY.
The present election promisee to be of a very
exciting character, in consequence of some peculiar circum-
stances connected with it. Such is the agitation which
prevails in the town, that some fears exist of a breach of
the peace. The nomination is to take place to-morrow,
and the pulling on Saturday.
The circumstance which gives the election so much inte-
rest is, that • public statement has been made by Mr.
Whalley, one of the candidates, to the effect that ho had
been offered a sum of money if he would withdraw from
the contest. This extraordinary statement is made in ex-
press terms, but Mr. Cornwall Lewis, the other candi-
date, has issued circulars, in which he denies the allegations
very distinctly. Mr. Lewis says, " I distinctly repeat,
in the most solemn and deliberate manner, that
neither my father nor myself, nor any person
authorised by him or me, or acting on his or on my behalf,
or with his or my knowledge or consent, either on Friday
last or at any other time, offered • sum of money to Mr.
Whalley, or made any other proposition or offer to him
whatever." Mr. Lewis adds—" I never authorised Mr.
Biddulph to make any offer of money or otherwise, or an
proposition whatever to Mr. Whalley in connection with this
election. I further declare, in the most positive manner,
upon the authority of letters since received from my father,
that although Mr. Biddulph conveyed to him a proposition
from Mr. Whalley for a comparison of the Peterborough
canvassing lists, my father declined to see Mr. Whalley, or
to receive any proposition relative to the Peterborough elec-
tion from him, end that ho did not authoriser or request Mr.
Biddulph or any other person to make any_offer of money
or any either proposition whatever te Mr. AVhalley." Mr.
Whalley, however, persists that he was offered money in
the lobby of the House of Commons to withdraw from the
contest, and a meeting is to be held to-night at the Corn
Exchange, et which Mr. Whalley promises to prove his
statement On the other hand, Mr. Lewis has also invited
a meeting of his friends to-night, at which ho proposes to
refute the statement in the most unequivocal manner. The
meeting is looked to with great anxiety, and is likely
to be very stormy. Mr. Whalley does not say what
are his political principles. He stated generally in
his address that he would support the government
of the Earl of Derby, but on subsequent occasions all that
could he elicited from him was, that he approved of the Mili-
tia Bill, and that Ire considered it a mere waste of time to
legislate upon the Ten Hours Bill. The ether candidate,
Mr. Cornewsll Lewis, is known as a free trader, and his
antecedents end connexions inspire the confidence of the
reformers of the borough.
Both parties speak with confidence of success, and it is
certain that the contest will be a very severe one, end at-
tended with much excitement. In order to decrease the
excitement as much as possible, the market, which is nasally
held on Saturday, has been held to-day.

BURY ST. EDMUND'S ELECTrON.

BURY ST. EDMUNDS, MOISDAY, Dic. 2.

•
The nomination of candidates for the vacancy in
this borough, caused by the appointment of Mr. Stuart to a
Vice-Chancellorship, took plass this morning, and although
on many former maims eamplaints have been made of
the disorderly esarlast of the people when called upon to
exercise the death, hosialsise, it was universally admitted
that the premed posseediage were the most tumultuous and
disorderly ever willemased is the town.
The two candidthes were Mr. H. P. Oakes (conservative),
the sox of a beaker, carrying on business is Bury, and Mr.
J. A. Flatheads (liberal), who represented Colchester in
the last parliament. The friends of both candidates
paraded the town from an early hour in the morning, with
banners of all sorts and sines, the designs of many of them
being of* grossly personal, rather than or a political character.
This circumstance caused math exasperation, and it
not unfrecsently happened that the two parties
came into collision while pursuing the route marked
out for them. Bat it was not until the candi•
dates made their appearanos on the hustings,
that the bitter feelings whisk had been engendered
broke out to any_very melees Went. As soon as it was
known that the Mayor was an his way to the battings, a
tisidzir of horseman wearing Me. Othre's colours, and coa-
ct( country squires, magistrates, and gentlemen
Ma into the met mem of pusses who had con-
ing took up their position in the middle of the
4%evellTh oireumatenos idled forth Mad rebuke' from
various r.. and arm of Mr. Hardeamie's men eadea-
voure4, mess of their lap, whisk were of Itnerlilolll
idea ts vs bask the intruders. This they resisted ; the
hormones formed titesiselves into a MM. and at a given
sigaal treat ono of their party, 'spit, Mismeed sad rode
down lege. men, and every hl ny that min ia their way.
TM yobs% assisted by a large augabor special mastables,
when- Its Mayor had judiciously sworn in, enaveyod some
of the leaders to the lock-up, when they were manned
oasis offimakelfar of the day. This was net, however,
to sewn mar, he daddy the whole of the sub.
to
zratimili==d=beziesisreassmizarszibizasts
so
dell and oarmsde • town as Dry should have been able to
mama such • thoententod and diesavisat main of what
in an adjoining meaty was recently ilemribod by a high
govemment autheally as " tho maim"
The Wage 1111,111 beed rod. end Ohm yeelinsinarise
usual m amesime memilssl wi
The Mayo. ei ltoav(M. John trams) entreated his
fellow.aownemon am to give way to riotous and
feeliaps is trusted that there would net be at=
ofltec=istal embed which, be was min to e 4. had
cthe hal alseles. He mahatma itreipmemo
who so esesbasiml thomeeme were the peat ermine of
popular dosibm. (Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. BMX came forward to propose Mr. H. P. Oakes.
He said that at the lest oloothe it was remarked that they
were in Mew of daft • meager who wadi ymbahly
Mee the town and net be heard of any meek That slate-
MISt bed paved assoly tree, for Mr. Brusgt, who was
dolled, had left theme n, and it was not Weft they would
ever bum my mem Wig mart In his Weld ty.
At the items the, he me Mead M say that Mr. &martammi lad
retired in • weep yrasatal memenr. (Chairs, Mem, sal
laughter.) Mr. Odor was so rass ammget them. Rs
was a native of the town, mut brilMegmadmem tleagemiste
aszlety to servo it. Ho was steiniko tompamie I.
his jussepies, moderate is his god armagag
to the present administration. (N oh," saps mil
Dr
soaftsice.)
Dr. Hill seconded the noodastion.
Kr. H. Ls Gum propoood Mr. Hardosado, but hardly a
word of his address was audible. lie was understood to
my that Mr. Hardeastle was a magistrate as well as a
deposty-liratensat of the meaty, and bad sat for the bo-
rough el Colchester for Ivo years, during which time he
had gained nub parliammiszy amseissos. He was a
thcresih redeemer, sad sot seemly a ftut.trader jut he.
cause the ymeranseat bad tuned rouadluEsithat qua-
, tie.. He was ea Message for civil sad liberty,
, for entombs of the slaw. sad
_veto by Ho NE-
rommmerlel Mr. nargallaill We suggest of /Moleatoss._

Conran', in soricadiag the nominatios, said Yr.
Hardamlo's opinions were balm the worl. bat it was
impossible to say what a man was who declared bkmalf
in favour et Lord Derby's govoniamat. He abseil say
that mob a sea was • wpm*, of so priatipiss.
The Haroa homing immild whether it was latimilsdi to
propose say other imailitee, egad are MMse kfffin his.
returned.
Mr. O•gis stood tesword, ad war resolved with the
shams of Ws own party. sad all sorts of hideous mime beat
hiesppsoiats. H. midi the messesof was Ile SW time he
had mse had appmehmity odive Maw
letramem 4•11 shades of opkisa, sadadim be mastedWs that he
&said M dommesd with a print
bogged in twee that
the shame might Mow what his cochleas many
wen. Ho to mast than politico in t pro-
soot day Irmo vary sliihroat from wiat May were 10he or 111
spa. el Ikar. lam," sad dada* shame.) Ea
Whale that ohms** men it maid sow be hard
to kid ea eisi asearming tsay of as ad
imbed l hat am sa that might hastithadosght it would bs
dillierak to had mita a aired* or
as doemsrat. (Grass aset= They we only head
mosamt the amobasseed amd w Blasi
fag Were them as Oho massrvatim all/hems& asadidato. he
woad frankly stabs to them what was his aced.
His was a loyal did obodisat sermat of the mad
&areas of maistaksieg Os osastitatisa vYeh had "
male
Beghml the ihst dem aides% the may of ear-
swami esaaidso. he apes of the seastitatioa,
moat as Wok k that word the happy salsa of church
sad Mats, sad the epholdiap of *Ns Imes valor which wo
had Os to live. ThM be behoved es he the basis
dillisilimini=kes led ihine Derhy
aad his mewould sem oat Wb.ahe mdi ha
was a impasse mum, ha wished to be isadssabied that he was.
and always led as
a fres trader. (Ohms sad .)
Still ha tem mot as advents of the libiathastre select Ho
was in femoral a Just sad ogailable meadjutwisat of tan-
mita ; he willed to see all equity glued with sash other
in what was galled warestristed onsgiselhog. H. spoke as
• supporta, as he hoped to be, or Loud Derby's govern.
meat. Ho was not a ribber of who agriculturist, for
he was embus to Ns the agriiallanst able to
ciontead with his seighboar the manufacturer on
a mead sad prow footing. H. was • reformer—
but a rodstmor as meservative principles. While be ad-
mired sad mama the laws which the wisdom of our an-
fasten had loft ak he thwaght them capable of emendation
Improvement, awl adaptation to the wants of the times.
Thom was a seal sad vitality in those laws which must
esmmemi thair naps* and esteem. In another way hs
was I esheamr, aid a mateerrative reformer. If there was

be =wired, or any injustice which could be remedied, he
enp ahem which after examination and Investigation could
Well he the very first man to do away with that abuse
and diet ImPesties. Lord Derby's government had lately
Set hol'are ffhom in the Queen'. speech a list of tome of the
imprevements which it was intended to carry out. The
esentry might well be congratulated on that speech, as it
seatekeed more matter, more clearly and accurately placed,
than any document of • similar description heretofore.
The great question of free trade had been set at rest s'nee
the meeting of parliament, and the government would
now carry out measures which would give a cheap
and good loaf to the great body of the people.
(Cheers.) Awl while they did thw, be holm d they would
also adopt measures which would have the affect of giving
the people cheap beer. The Quern's speech contained a
notice that the government had appointed a commission to
inquire into the revenues of the established church, tar the
purpose tat increasing her utility by affording her the means
of effectively carrying out her spiritual mission. That was
a proof that the government he hoped to support was not
rally anxious for the bodies of the people, but tared also fur
their souls. (Cheers and laughter.) Another most im-
portant point was noticed in the Queen's speech, namely,
the examination of the university system, which was begun
under the late government. thst sui.j. ct would now be
placed in the hands of men of mature jwigment and accu-
rate knowledge of university matters, gained by long con-
nexion with them. Such improvements as were in con-
templation could only be carried out under oho auspices of
a Derby administration. He felt so strongly the necessity
of supporting the present governmeut that he had no hest-
tatioo in saying he was wedded to it, for he believed that its
measures would give to this country more ia-
ternal peace and prosperity then it hail ever'
hitherto enjoyed. lle could not forget that to
morrow evening was the time appointed for bringing
forward the financial statement of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer. He looked forward to that statement with win.
siders4ir anxiety, because he believed there would be points
in it which would realise his most earnest hope.. Ile
trusted that the government would take speedy measures
for diminishing the taxation of the country in those quar-
ters where it unjustly pressed, and lay it un the shoulders
of those most capable of bearing it. He believed that this
country was the beat governed, for its inhabitants possessed
the grea.est amount ut liberty, sod under such a we,e go.
vernment as now ruled the destinies of England he had no
doubt that liberty wculd he upheld.
' Mr. iiAiIDCASTLII was rapturously received by his
1 attends, and as heartily hooted at by his antagonists. He
add it was aremarkable thing that Mr. Oakes was so ardent
•eopporter of the present government, coming is as it did
on protectionist principles, whilst he was, and ever had
been, a free trader. (Hear, hear.) What the hon. gentle-
man's political opinions were it would be difficult to guess ;
but what his (Mr. llardeastle's) views were they well knew
from his votes in parliament. It should be recollected that
be was an old reformer and free-trader. It was perfectly
tree that they were all free traders and reformers now, hut
sash was not the case six months ego. (Hear.) lie had
always been an advocate for parliamentary reform, and
when be spoke of parliamentary ref 'run he meant such a
reform as would secure purity of election—that the honest
and independent voter should give his vote without the,
mew being put upon him by any man or body of men. lie
was sorry to say that such was not the case at present. (A
Veioe—" That cuts both ways.") He felt sure that at the
root of all other reforms was reform of parliament, mid
they could never expect to have financial reform, re-
form in the churen, or reform in taxation, unless they had
parliamentary reform to begin with. (Hear, hear.) In
=lag himself, therefore, an advocate for parliamentary
, he expressed himult favourable to all those reforms
which must and would follow. It was almost needltu fur
him to tell them that he was and always had been a con-
sistent free trader. Mr. Oakes had told them that he was
sat a robber of the agriculturist, by which he eupposed it
was to be inferred that he (Mr. Hardcastle) was. lie begged
to deny the charge. lie thought the prescut state of the
agricultural districts, to say nothing of other parts of the
solustry, was sufficient to prove that thou who had sup-
parted free trade were not rubbers of the agriculturists. He
thought the present state of the country was a proof that
the legislation of the last six years had been, not a failure,
but the greatest possible blessing to the country. (Hear.)
What wee the state of pauperism now compared with what
it wee six years ago ? What was the state of those great
Um of industry where men worked so hard and produced
sack great results ? They were never so prosperous as at
tie preen& moment. He would ask thc landowners present
whether there was such a depreciation in land, as some per-
sons would have them believe ? There certainly was not.
Had any of them a farm mist in the neighbourhood ? lie
defied them to " yes" to that question. (Hear, hear.)
Surely, it proved that the trade carried on in those farms
was a profitable trade. If he saw half the shops in a street
shut up, he should infer that there was very insufficient trade
there, and when he saw a county without a farm to be
let he thought he had an equal right to infer that those
who were conducting them were securing a fair remunera-
tion for their trouble. (Cheers.) He would ask his anta-
gonist end his father what was the pries of the Three per
Ccuts. ? and whether they could mace anything like dis-
tress out of the present state of the funds ? On the °pu-
trefy, the country was in a state of prosperity, and this
they had • right to attribute to the influenceof free-trade.
He (Mr. Hairdo:aide) was in favour of the ballot, as • most
important element of parliamentary retain. Let them see
for a moment what had been the history of parties during
the last thirty years, with • view to test the comparative
`claims of himself and bin opponent. The tory party, with
which Mr. Oakes was identified, and who had now turned
reformers, signalised their love for the people by putting on
a eorn-law' and the party to which he (Mr. Hardcastle)
belonged had done all in their power to take it off,
and had fortunately succeeded. (Cheers.) The tory part
resisted the repeal of the Test and Corporation Act, which
was a prostitution of the church's most solemn rites to vile
political purposes. Then as to Catholic Emancipation. It
was true that the measure was pasted by the Duke of
Wellington's government, but not as a matter of principle,
but because it was feared that it would be unsafe to allow
matters to remain any longer as they were. That great
boon was given to the Roman catholic& simply on grounds
of expediency of the lowest kind. Then with regard to the
Reform Bill, what would have been the result if the tory
party had been allowed to have their own way ? Why
the House of Commute would have been • mass of Der*
thin, as it was before the passing of that great measure.
(Hear, hear.) Then, lastly, with regardjto the contest fur
the repeal of the earn laws. He asked them whether the
conservative party did not for seven long years vigorously
oppose that repeal, end whether, ahem the repeal was car-
ried,
they had not dose all they could to
mete* them ? He would pat it boldly, then,
es thee eenstituesey, whether • man attached to
AMlofty was the proper person to repreaeat them. (Criss
Net no," and great confusion.) He believed that as a
ormisteat reformerority., the electors of Bury would return
him by • large maj
The Mayer naked whether any person wished to put any
quell= to Mr. Oakes or Mr. Hardesatle, bat the various
poetise below were too busy in the settlement of their per-
med carrels to heed the invitation, and the candidates
IMMO sealed the infliction of a cab:aliened examination.
Tbe Mayor having taken • show of hands, said it was so
wady equal, that be had some &frailty in deciding. To
the beet of his judgment it wee in favour of Mr. Oakes.
Mr. La Mimi demanded a poll on behalf ,of Mr. Hard-
L esetle, and the proceedings terminated with • well-deserved
' vete of thanks to the Mayor.

RAILWAY MEETINGS.
KILL sway JUNCTION RAILWAY.
TM eleventh half-yearly meeting of this company
was held in Dahlia, at Terminus of the Southern and
Woolens Railway, adToseft ; G. Ron Sm., in the
chair. The peeper et the on the Ili; le Mu stated
in the segiese's mid
" the sake lime is timed upwards of 600,000 cubic
yank et essikwark, sad 40,00 d cubic yards of rock have
bees essseeted ; of the twelve river bridges, eight are
asepleis eft nearly so—three are about half built, and the
ems has been commenced. Of the eleven public
reed five are nearly complete, and kw others in
pregrese—the ostreets are amen all bade. 01 the thirty-
two miles miss entram. twenty-few have been brought
fistastiesinel.lleutesei of whisk have bees ballasted,
and nee reedy in mein the mennemat way; at the Mallow
of the line, Me wines et thoperemmeat way have been
laid ; the heavy rook mat* at Imeekosoppu is going on
well, and will be out early in the going. Oa the remain-
ing eight miles neat Xlikamay, the earthwork and masonry
I are finished, nearly the oath* length has been ballasted,
and little remains le be dome bat in lay the permanent way;
the weeks have sustainedm Wen from the tuthaually heavy
nine and sesesquat *lsk, whisk we have bad for the last
twelve months."

BELFAST AND BALLYMENA RAILWAY.
The fifteenth half-yearky_ general meeting of the
of the Bella ffiallymeaa Railway was held
ral=y, at ths euemany's Isessimis, Yerk-road, Bel-
fast The chairman of the company, the lion. George
ilmAssak, presided. The direseses' report, which was
unanimously adeptsd, matelas the Mewing pampa :-
" The esesipts hem WMO last ohs prisangan amount
to 2,91 W, L. 94.; dills tram 61,048 mend elms ditto,
to 4,1411. 14s. ltd.; dine bets 178,230 third clam ditto,
to 4.1 W. lia. bd. ; fatal, 149,238 psmengen ; amount,
1114061.14. Id. Far paresis, MIL lbs. ; for homes, 311. Ils. ;
lam eerelegse, 371. In; be &as, 151. lea. 10d. ; total,
4011. Is. 104. For seeds. 4,8141. 10s. Ild. ; for mails,
OIL 95.; for cartage, 2041.5. 91. ; for transfer fees, 61. 55.;
4114 6,6481. 74. Bcl.-maklng &great total of 18,3371 13s. 7d.
In reviewing the Mae et the half.year, end contrast-
ing it with the truss
previme half-year, we find
the following fliale. &MOM of Si first-du pas-
Mr; but ea leamese in the neeipts from this elms of
s. 6d. In the Una dam, a decrease of 9,072 per-
inea, bat an isms= of 781.9 x. Id. la the third clam, an
Isisesese et 22.008 , and in amount, 6961.164.24. ;
=a ielel of 13,882 passengers and in
IMI. 9e N. The geode traffic, as compared with
the emeescidieg provisna half year, shows a very slight
variation, tme issmese. Ia the receipts for the con-
voy's's of mails? a Ming 4of 7121. 34. 7d., arising from
the alum& 814•100 fTrilld. The total receipts for the
to 1 half year amount 1. 134. 7d. ; from which deduct
the working expenses ,2671. 7s. 104. ; and interest on
loans, 2,9331.75. 84. ; total, 10,1901. 15s. 6d. ' • and there re-
mains a sum for disposable balance of 8,1461.184. Id. ; out
of which we recommend a dividend of 184. per share, on
7,700 shares, 69301.; to be placed to reserved fund,
1,0951. 4s. 41. ; leaving to next half year, 1211. 13s. 9d.
We experience no difficulty in renewing the bonds of the
company, as they fell due, at 4 per cent. interest.
Our attention has been dram to the favourable oppor-
tunity about to be afforded us in next session of

3

larliament, for obtaining powers to consolidate the present
oan debt of the company into capital stock—transferable—
bearing a low fixed rate of interest. The total reserve fund
at this date, 8.5981. 2s. Bd. A detailed classified statement
of the expenditure for the half-year is annexed, to which
we refer, and congratulate the proprietors on a very mate-
rial reduction in the locomotive expenditure—amount
6471. 151. 91—as compared with the same period last year.
In the maintenance of the permanent way, there is also a
reduction of 2711.6 c. 5d., making together 9221. le. 2d. on
the half-year. The engines, carriages, and rolling stock
ere, notwithstanding, in excellent working core.ition, and
fully and efficiently maintained out of the current revenue.
The merchandise charg.s are *lightly increaee.t, ~wing to
the extensive alterations made in the waggon and carriage
stock during the half-year. In September lost, a special
general meeting of shareholders was convened to conaider
the propriety of extending the line from Itandalstown to
Cookstown, a distance of 27 miles. The meeting unatii-
mouslyag reed to authorise the el i rectors to proceed with the ne-
canary surveys and plebs ; and to give the notices riquired
for an application to parliament for a bill to construct the
proposed addition to the Itandalstown branch. In confor-
mity with the resolution passed, we have to report that the
surveys have been made, the notices required are in course
of service, and wo shall be in a poeition to proceed virly in
the seuion of parliament. Since it become publicly known
that we should apply to parliament for an extension to
Cooluituwu, we have been of illy informed of the inten-
tions of the directors of the Londonderry and Coleraine
Railway Company to extend their line from Coleraine
along the west hank of the Bann to Castledawson, there to
join our extension line, and thus complete a line from
Londonderry to Belfast. Proceedings also arc being taken
and notices given by the landed proprietors, merchants, and
others of the northern portion of the county Antrim, fur
the formation of an independent company to extend the
preleinut4li,necofairom Ballymena
ato lyre% uteeyt,bee Coleraine, and
direct
Puri I , ph. ng by thin
railway communication between Londonderry end Belfast.
A dividend of 18s. per share (501. paid up), for the half
year was agreed to,