The Express.
London, England, 1865-10-06 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE

COURT OP COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a Court of Common Council was held
in the Council Chamber at Guildhall, under the presidency
of the Loan MAYOR (Mr. Aldermen lisle), and was oume- I
rously attended. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, accom-
panied by the new sheriffs, Mr. Aldernme Gibbons and
James nai°, Foq., entered the Council Chamber punc-
tually at 12 o'clock, the sheriffs reeeivieg the cordial fit.
fogs of the council as they paned up to the dais.
Oa the motion of Sir JAMES DUCT" Bert., it wan magi-
manly resolved that Mr. Sheriff Figgie' be invited to take
his seat on the aldmmartic bench. Mr. Sheriff Figgie&
accordingly did so amidst loud cheers.
Mr. Jotirt Ittosaansde then rose to move, pursuant to
his notice, the following resolution :—"That this court
madden, the time has now arrived when it is desirable to
settled the franchise to the freemen householders of the
City of London to vote io municipal elections for the lord
mayor, sheriffs, chamberlain, Niftemeetere auditors, end
other offieers ; and that it be referred to the Law, Parlia-
mentary, and City Courts Committee to consider and re-
port thereon to this court." In support of this resolution,
Mr. Riehardsoe tared that his object was to bring about
a good feeliog between the liverymen and those who were
only freemen of the City. He believed that the two bodies
should be joined together. and be had no wish to deprive
the liverymen of their salient and inalienable rights. He
contended that the livery companies were now merely
settled down to manage their charities, and to enjoy
those social amenities which be did not wish to
i.e disurbed. In 1832 the livery consisted of
something like 10,613 members, living within and without
the bounders, the City. Of thaw, 9,0e0 wers qualified to
vote for members of parliament, but in 18611 he found that
the number of liverymen had dwindled down to less than
6,600, and their number had been lessened by 300 or 400 a
year, and unless the constituency for municipal purposes
were enlarged in the way be proposed it would be idle to
speak of the glories of the ancient City. He believed that the
blending of the two belies—the liverymen and the free-
men—would be productive of the highest benefits' to the
community, and on that ground he should move the sem-
i lotion which now stood on the paper in his name.
Mr. FRICILER thanked has colleague for having brought
forward the motion. At present the liverymen had no
more connexion with the City of London than they bad
with the city of New York. It was very well to say that
any gentleman by a money payment might get into the
livery, but men in high position would not accept the
livery of the minor companies, and could not get in by any
means into the Fishmoogers and other rich companies.
Hs was at a loss to understood why a class of men who
were considered competent to vote for repreeentativee in
parliament should out be allowed to select the corporate
otheers, from the chief magistrate down to the ale-conner.
(" Hear," and laughter.) He moat cordially seoonded the
resolution of his friend and colleague.
Mr. Alderman Swear opposed the resole-hie in its pro.
mot form, though he agreed with many of the arguments
advanced by the mover sod seconder • but at pretest there
were so many different coostituencies;lready existing in the
City of London that it was doubtful whether the legisla-
ture to winch they must go for a champ would content to
that which tended to increase the civic jurisdiction. He
would suggest that the words "freemen householders"
ought to be expelled from the resolution. sod then the
committee could report which clam of conntituanta they
would recommend as an addition to, but not in deprivation
of, the rights of the liverymen of London.
Mr. Deputy Ecuorr said that the resolution opened se
large a matter for consideration, that be was almost induced
to move the previous question. The subject ought to be
diacussed without passion. He considered the motion to I
be most mischievous and indiscreet, and he should oppose it.
Mr. Alderman J. C. LAWRENCE moved the previous clues-
tics, considering that the .juestion was one that re aired the
most minute and serious disce.saion. As chairman of the own-
mitten appointed to protect the interests of the corporation, '
he bad boil interviews with many of the right bee. Kettle-
men who had held the office of Secretary of Slate for the
Home Department, but from none could he obtain an ex-
plicit reply on the subject of the reforms contemplated in
the constitution of the eorporation of the City of London,
(tempt from the late Sir G. C. Lewis, who had had the
manliness to state that is the contemplated reforms of the
government it was not intended to give increased power or
' stability to the corporation of London as it Dow existed.
He warned this court against taking a hasty step, and with
that view he now moved the previous question as an
amendment.
Mr. FINLAT seconded the arneadmest, which was opposed
by Mr. Tterign and Mr. Rowe.
•i-
Mr. H. Lowest+ TAYLOR in a long speech supported see
amendment, we:nixie the court that the resolution must
necessarily be shelved by the oommitree, to whom it was pro- •
peed to refer it, and if adopted it would only strengthen
the heeds of their opponents to parliament. He mild sot
but think at first sight that the resolution had been put
on the paper as a joke, and he contended that it would be
I the height of folly to seed this to a committee, inasmuch
as it would be a standing fact which would strengths the
1 hams of the government and of parliament, already
anxious to diminish the rights, privileges, and petition of
this ancient corporation.
A long discussion ensoeJ, in which the original motion
wes supported by Mr. Deputy Fry and Mr. Rudkin, and
opposed by Mr. Deputy De Jersey and Mr. Harris.
After, a reply by Mr. IYICHARDRON. a show of bands was
takes, when the aseendmest (that of the previous question)
was declared to be carried by a large majority.
A division was demanded by Mr. RICHAIDBOII, when the
numbers were—
For the amendment 73
Against it
The remaining business, consisting of the disposal of peti-
throe, which were destitute of general public interest, was
then disposed of, and the 000 rt adjourned at a quarter to 5
o'olook.

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