The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-14 00:00:00

THE LONDON COAL DRY.

On Saturday, in the Marylebone Vestry, Mr.
' Hodges moved the adoption of a report of the committee re-
commending a petition to the House of Commons praying
the repeal of the duty upon coal, and the tax upon cans
entering and leaving the City of London, of which Mary-
lebone paid 25,0001.
Mr. C. Gnomon seconded the motion, and said that if the
corporation of Leaden conducted their affairs as did the
vestry of Marylebone they would require no tax. (Hear.)
The poor rates of Marylebms, with 14,000 houses, and a
population of 140,000, were only 415,8451., while in the
City, with 16,0(10 houses, and a population of 127,000, they
amounted to 984,4791. 14s. Ild. is 1811. In Marylehene
the police only cost 21,9561., in London they cost 46,2001.,
independent of a further sum of 3,8581. The church rates
and tithe in Marylebone were only 9,5531., while in London
they exceeded 57,4801. 15e. In London the corporation
paid 5,4731. to a chamberlain, 3,2681. to a solicitor, and,
aping royalty, paid in pensions to aldermen's wives and
daughters, 2,4891. 16s. (Hear.) To (the four potato and
fruit meters they paid 5,3871., and 1,5911. to deputies, be-
sides salaries to ticket and various other porters. (Hear.)
The breakfast at the opening of the Coal Exchange cost
5,2661. 17e. 2d. He (Mr. George) sincerely hoped that
London would, ere long, be purified from the abuses of its
present corporation. (Hear.)
Mr. Ron said, that the mere decorations of Guildhall
pre_paratory to the royal banquet of 1851 cost 8,0001.
Mr. BIACON and MT. VINFANOZI3, sin., supported the
motion.

Alderman SALOWONS defended the corporation, and jus-
tified the expenditure of the corporation in civic feasts, aa
essential to sustain the dignity and the hospitality of their
ancient city. The worthy alderman further stated, in
proof that the corporation did not lavish its income upon
the City alone, that they built New Oxford-street and Vic-
toris-street, Westminster.
Mr. BROUGHTON' the magistrate, followed on the same
aide.

Mr. Honon having replied, the motion was carried, and
the vestry adjourned at a late hour •

LEEDS NORTHERN RAILWAY.

A special general meeting of the proprietors in
this undertaking was held in the Stock Exchange, at
Leeds, on Friday, to consider resolutions plaid at previ-
ous ?entice of the company in reference to the proposed
ass aeon with the York. Newcastle' and Berwick and
the York and North Midland Companies tthe principal point
unsettled being the division of the profits amongst the diffe-
rent dames of the shareholders.
The meeting was not numerously attended.
THOMAS CONSTABL 'Z. Esq. the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, presided, and after recapitulating
the p whisk have taken pleas, stated that the two
York oompesies required the Leeds Northern shareholders
to sires somaget themselves as to the division of their
properties et the net earnings of the three companies, and
to lakmathemet their decision before the 16th inst. If, there-
fore, the musing did not agree to the proposal to be submitted
to them, the emelismation would be off and this company
would gib le thrown into a state of disunion. The di-
reetais peepssed that the amalgamation should be unani-
mously sanctioned, and that all matters affecting the rights of
the preference shareholders, u well as the division of profits
u between them and the original shareholders, should be
referred to G. C. Glyn, Esq., M.P., and Robert Stephen.
son, Esq., who had consented to aid the company in sett-
ling existing differences. On this *cession the directors did
not intend to use any proxy votes, but in order to ascertain
the feelings of the shareholders, they had been written to
signify their assent or dissent from the proposed arbitration
and reference. 754 shareholders, representing 42,246 ori-
ginal and preference shares, had signified their consent ;
and 40 shareholders, representing 5,664 shares, had signified
their dissent from the proposal. In conclusion he
moved two resolutions, the first approving of the amalga-
mation, and the second referring all points of difference
as to the division of profits to the arbitration of Messrs.
Olyn_ and Stephenson.
Mr. MARSHALL seconded the resolnione.
Mr. T. E. FLINT, of Leeds, who represented a number of
preference shareholders, agreed to the amalgamation, but
protested against the reference to Messrs. Glyn and Ste-
phenson' except upon certain conditions. Those whom he
represented were determined to maintain their rights before
the House of Commons. (Hisses.)
Mr. itamtscrox opposed the reference on ono point
only ; and Mr. HARRISON altogether.
Mr. Warean ones, of Sheffield, a large preference:holder,
supported the resolutions as wise and just, as did Mr. MAR-
*HALL, a director, Mr. Jxo. Gorr, and others.
After a good deal of discussion the resolutions were put to
the vote and adopted, with only nine diuentients.
A vote of thanks was then accorded to the chairman, awl
the business terminated.

THE HA311"4111 n LAIIOURERW STRIKE.—The
carters and farm labourers near Andover, Hants, who hays
struck for higher wages, hare been in the habit of /miring
about is. 6d. per weak.

ELECTION EXPOSURES.

NEW WINDSOR.

On Saturday,the committee appointed by the
house to inquire into the allegations of bribery and treating
contained in this petition agaiust the return of Lord Charles
Wellesley met for the first time. Mr. M. Gaskell chair-
man ; Mr. Cumming Bruce, lion. 11. Caveadish, and Mr.
Charles Cowan.
Counsel for the petitioners were Mr. Edwin James, Q.C.,
Mr. Rodwell, and Mr. Power. Counsel for Lord Charles
Wellesley, the sitting member (who was present), Mr Ser-
i jeant Wraugliani, Q.C., Mr. Merewether. awl Mr. Ferrer.
Mr. Edwin Jeines okeeed the ease fur tbo petitioners,
1 who sought, he stated, to unseat Lord Charles Wellesley
on the ground of bribery aial treating at the last tleetien
for the borouge of Yew Windror. He (the learned coun-
sel) would state at once, iu justice to Lore Clia ley Welles-
ley, that as regarded his lordship germinally there was not
the slightest imputation on his character o: conduct dere,:
the whole of the proceedings of this electiot: ; but the cies.,
to bo disclosed would present features of bribery and cot-
; ruptien on the part of those who were intrusted with his
'lordship's el• etion that could uet be overlooked, and such as
committees of the House cf Commons were now vieding
with severe conclemnatien. The total emistitumery of Wind
sor consie•ed of 710 seiner. The candidates at the best
elec-
tion, in the censervative interest, were Lard Ches. Wellesley
and Captain Bueeelev ; the centlidetes for the liberal inte-
rest were Mr. C. W. Grenfell and Mr. Samoan Ricardo.
Lord Wellesley was retinue,' at the top of the poi], and
rolled 341 vote*, Mr. Greufell 324, Mr. Weenie 290, and
Captain Iluleeley 162. Lord Wellesley, it would he proved,
had an iutervieat with a Mr. Vaults, a solicitor, at his
office, who wouel be found to have taken a eery active part
in the elcetioh ; and it was to be regretted that Lard Wel-
lesley bad entrusted his election to Mr. Vaults., browse it
would he peeved that the acts done by VOla.e4 would he
cenclusiee as to brehery, and Lord Wellesley must he liehla
for them. It was arranged at this interview that Mr.
Voules ebould be his hardship'. agent. It was on the 29th
May, 1852, that Lard Wellesley announced himself a ran-
, dilate. A select cemmittee was formed for conducting
the etectioue and to which was 'attested the more Itn-
-1 portant owners connected with it. Of this committee
Aldernieu Winch, a large brewer, of Windsor, was chair-
' man, and he took a very active part in all the proceedings.
Voules, it would be found, had a great deal at influence
among the lower class of voters, and employed his clerk
(Man:ter) as avert el faeotum, to assist him. Ea_aged in
the election for bird Wellesley, there were Mr. Long, a
solicitor ; Mr. Phillips, a solicitor ; Mr. Devereux, a
hatter ; Mr. eiitchell, a tailor ; and McAlester, an IIC•
ouuntant—the latter being the paymaster of a bead of peo-
ple who were celled in Windsor " roughs." Tows roughs
were very well known at Windsor elections, and were not
emplaced with Lord Cherie* Wellesley's knowledge. A
man named Wilkins was appointed by Voules to act as field
miniml of the "roughs." (Laughter.) Wilkins went by
the soubeireitel of Bunker, though it was difficult to say
whetter the name had any connection with tee celebrated
Bunker's lilt. It would be preyed that Lord Charles
Wellesley c invassed frequently with Voules and the other
persons mentioned. There were several cases of brii,ery to
he brought forward, and one persenally against Voules, his
lord. hip's admitted legal agent, of whose tactics it would
furnish an illustration. A man named Beason, a labourer
at the gas weeks, was token by Wheeler to Voules'e office.
This man had promised to vote fur Ricerdre but was bribed
by Voules to vote t-r Lord C. A:Vales:ley for 31. or 41.
lie voted a plumper for his lordship, and split his
vete far G retrial. t eis man, however, only received 10s. on
account from Voules, one whether he had received the rest
was nut Leven. The liberal interest was very etrong in
Windsor, so much so that !Ir. Grenfell polled 10(1 a head of
the conservative candidate. Thu money, it would appear,
was not pail by Voules, because he was in pecuniary d 11l
culty, stud became a bankrupt. In another case it would
he shown that Mr. Alderman Winch sent one \Vet to
Robert Sidwell, a voter of Windsor, but then at Guildford,
and offered Sid .cell a sum of 10e or 201. for his vote. A
1 good deal of this eel tones would havo to be wrung from
hostile witnesses. Wix went to Sidwell, and told him that
if he would come to Windsor, Mender (Voules's managing
clerk) would give him 51. Wix, prior to his excursion after
ISidwell to Outland, was no doubt amply furnished by the
worthy ahlerman with the means of supplying the creature
comforts on the road, for it would appear that he and Sid-
well indulged themselves with what the committee wou'd
admit was a greet luxury in July, viz., hot roost
goose and bottles of port. (Laughter.) Sidwell
"is satisfied " by one Adams, and votes for Lord
Wellesley. Matthew Clymer, another voter, had pledged
himself fur Ricardo, and Voules promises him a suit of
clothes. Adams b2came guarantee for the suit of clothee,
and the man, r(110 was thereby secured. Another case wan
that of Charles Lightfoot, one of the poor voters of Wind-
sor. Voules had these poor voters at his fingers' ends, and
knew how far they were corruptible and open to tempta-
tion. Lightfoot had pledged Ricardo, but he was poor, and
owed 71. 10e. for rent. Long, however, promised to pay
the rent, and secured his vow for Lord Wellesley. In ad-
dition to those cages of bribery, there were several of treat-
ing. The chief committee was at the White Hart, but
there were several minor committees held at public houses,
where the treating in question was carried on. The prin-
cipal of thecae was the Ship, the Victoria, and the Wel Fel-
lows; but there were two private commune, rooms also, one
at a tobacconist's and another at a cabinet maker's, both of
which latter had promised their votes for the other side, but
eventually voted for Lord C. Wellesley. These committees
were district committees in disguise. At the Ship alone,
kept by one Berlins, the bill amounted to 1071., and
Voules, it would be proved, borrowed 71. from the landlord
in order to pay the messengers. The learned counsel con-
cluded by stating that these were the principal easel., and
proceeded to remark upon the, system of treating adopted.
The treating system WAS the most debasing of systems, and
it was one against which all the committees now sitting re-
solutely set their faces. It was more debasing than bribery,
ter while the gift of 5/. was calculated to do a voter good,
drink only corrupted him mentally and bodily. A sum of
501. was run up at the Sun, and 401. at the Odd Fellows.
Theft bills were not paid to this moment, but it would be
proved that Voules said, " Keep the matter quiet, and they
shall be paid after the petition." The vacant seats in the
House of Countless now went to testify that committees of
the house were determined.to hold hon. members responsi-
ble for the acts of their agents, and if so in the present in-
stance, Lard Wellesley, while there was no personal charge
against him, must be held accountable for the acts of those
whom he employed.
Mr. Richard Oxley, proprietor of the Windsor Express,
produced the manuscript sddms of Lord Charles Welles-
ley. It was in Mr. Voules's handwriting, and had, with
otter advertisements, appeared in the dzpress. His ac-
count was 181. It was sent to Mr. Alderman Winch, the
chairman of Lard Wellesley's committee, and witness re-
caned a cheque for the amount en the bank of Reid
and Co._

Mrs. Jane Darling, of the Ship Inn, examined by Mr.
James—Four or five rooms were ensured by Vendee at the
Ship, and bale were put up, headed " Lord Charles Wel-
lairs Committee." Mender, Voules'e clerk, was there
every day and gave orders. Phillips. the solicitor,Bannister,
the butcher, and Devereux. the hatter, were frequently
there with others. They supped there a good deal.
The total amount was 1071. It was headed " Lord
Charles Wel!esley's Committee." It was all supplied
in a fortnight. The bill began with cigars, and
ended with suppers. (Laeghter.) Had orders from
Voids/ to supply all who came in, whether flagmen. head-
man, or others. They had roast and boiled. Witness
cooked two cwt. of meat in two days. One supper came to
Lent Voules 71. to pay the men the day before the elec-
tion, but had not been repaid. Lent Vouln the account
book, and he did not return it until her husband went to
his house and said he would not leave without it. Distri-
buted a barrel of beer among the people, and heard the
bills would be paid as soon as the business of the petition
was settled.

John Harris, landlord of the Odd Fellows beer-shop,
deposed to its having been taken as a committee
room. Witness had placards with "Lord Charles Welles-
ley and Cheap Bread, ' " Lord Charles Wellesley and Free
Trade." Sent in his bill of 172. 10s. to Winch, but it had
not been paid. Witness supplied refreshments en the pre-
sentation of tickets that came from Voules. They were
from ls. to 2s. Had not asked for payment of his account.
Was a free-and-easy sort of fellow, and did not like to
trouble people. (Laughter.) Did not my if it had not
been for the d—d petition he should hays had his money
long ago. Might have said tho petition was a foolish thing,
and caused a disturbance among the people.
H. B. Gray, a bricklayer, spoke to a visit from the
" roughs" at the Odd Fellows. The " chaffed " him be-
' cause they could have what they liked without paying, and
he could not. -

The committee, at this stage of the proceedings, adjourned
to this day.

HUDDERSFIELD.
CMIE OP THE PETITIONERS CLOSED.
This committee—the Right Hon. S.Walpole(chair-
mam), Mr. Tomline, Mr. James McGregor, Mr. T. A.
Mitchell, and Mr. F. W. West—rc-assembled on Saturday.
One of the walls of this committee presented a very cu-
rious and unusual appendage to the proceedings of an elec-
tion committee, in the shape of a tremendous map, which,
it was at first thought, had by some accident lost or rather
found " its way " into the committee-room from 50111 C
neighbouring committee on railway bills, but conjecture
as to its object was soon set at rest by the calling of the first
witness,
William Crowther. who explained to the committee that
it was a map showing the parliamentary boundaries of the
borough of Huddersfield, and indicating in dark purple
dots, at various distances, the 76 public houses where the
treating took place.
This closed the evidence for the petitioners.
Mr. Wells then summed up the evidence, contending
that if ever there was a case of an election won by bribery
and treating on a most extensive scale it was the last elec-
tion fur Huddersfield. _ _

Mr. Alexander, Q C., then in a long speech addressed
the committee on behalf of the sitting member (Mr. Mans-
field). He complained of the exaggerated manner in which
Mr. James had opened the cue fur the petitioners, and
that it was not borne out by the evidence. A list of 75
public-houses had been given in where treating was alleged
to have taken place, whereas the evidence only affected 10.
The lit of persons tribal contained 82 names, and there
were only 13 against whom any evidence was attempted to
be proved. lie complained also of the incalculable expense
this inflicted on Mr. Stansfirld, but he had likewise to
complain of the way in which the other side bad dwelt on
what was to m_ l the intimidation practised by Mr John
liarastlen on his tenants, of which there bad not been the
slightest proof brought forward, except in four or live
CUM WWI lektence 19 what were WWI " bottled Totem."

The fact of the matter was, as would be proved to the
committee, that the intimidation practised by Mr. Willan's
party rendered the mune pursued by Mr. Stansfield's
party e matter of self-prenervation. Thu four or five esters
alleged to have been " bottled up " at the George, were in
reality plated there to keep them from the molestation of ,
the other patty. The map mounted up in the rsinn was no'
doubt prepared to create sa prejudice, but the parties who
prepared it, he thought, would find they had miscalculated
on the matter. lidimitlation std the wont species of
tyranny would be proved to have been ezerciard by the
other side. There were a large number of working men
engaged in the manufectorin of Daddenfield, a great pro-
portion of whom did not possess the elective franchise, end
Mr. Willans addressed himself to there classes. Large
organised committees of non-electors were formed, and ad-
, dressed by Mr. Willits, and told that though they pos-
-1 seised no votes themselves, they loosened iefiaence over
those who had, viz , the retail de,lere of their reapeedve
localities. The vilest species of intimidation wos exorcised
over those &Alen, and those non electors told them aignifi-
eantly, "that though they had no votes themselves, they
reed every 8 iturduy night. ' (Laughter.) On many occasions
they resorted to actual violence. In one of the outlying
districts of Huddersfield, called Deighten, Mr. Willaus ad.
dressed a large number of nan.electors, and told them if
they exerciaad their power he might be returned. They
were then invited to the Wo dpack Inn, and enrolled as a
nut-electors' committee, and promised they would be paid
for their time and services, nod he believed do wore el:-
rolled. A similar 'latent was adopted at l'addock, another
outlying district. 1.113 r. ault was, that some of these nee-
electors actually proceeded to acts of violence. They were
told to " watch the rugues"—that way the elect ow going
along the roads, and on asking Mr. Deeps, an eet:ve par
titan of Mr. Willits's party, whether it would not be un-
sale to stop people on the high road, he, though an iron-
monger, assumed the lawyer, stud told them there was no
law during an election, or the day before the poll. (Loud
laughter.) These non.eleetors wet Illy acted on this legal
advice, amid carried off by main farce several voters, one of
whom was only rescued by the wont s, of the neighbour-
houd coming to his assistance with a flaurish of tongs and
pokers. (Loud laughter.) Another voter was made drunk,
' and carried it a phaeton by a circuitous route far away
from nod& tsfield, but who, on getting partially sober,
effected his escape, and, after walking nearly all night,
reached II uthh.vstield in time to poll for Stanstiold. Other
voters went Only rescued from the Wilians's party by aid
of the superintendent of police, and it wool I be shown that
those voters, stigmatised as baring been " battled up,"
were so placed set the George as to enable them to proceed
in the independent exercise of their franchise, which it was
the endeavour of the Witlans's party to prevent. There
was rue coineion whatever used in placing the four old men
at the George.
The learned counsel intimated that evidence on behalf of
the aittiog member would be proceeded with on Monday.

SOUTHAMPTON.
CLOSE OF THE CASE FOR TOE PETITIONERS.
This committee commenced the eighth dry of their
inquiry on S iturday. Mr. Henry Herbert in the chair, Sir
J. Waight Rom IL 13. Br.ind, Lord ilotham, and Mr. 3. B.
Smith.

Sir Alexandei Cockburn and Mr. Wilcox, the sitting
member., were both present during the proceedings.
Mr. Sewell, Q.C., in a speech of three hours, summed up
the cue for the petitioners. The petitioners came before
the committee, calling upon them to preserve not only the
freedom of electim, but its purity; and day after day
showed the anxious desire of tho house to sweep sway
every vestige of corruption, and to allow the franchise
to remain free end uncorrupt. In the present case
the committee had oalv to substitute the Peninsular
and Oriental Steam Company for the government.
and they had the case of the Chatham committee almost
over again. The watchwords of the party were "Freedom
of Election," but this was merely a mockery. The learned
counsel then went very minutely into the evidence adduced.
contending that it told completely against the agents of the
sitting members, but that the latter, under the act of pat-
'lament, must be held responsible fur the acts of their
agents.
Mr. Serjcant Kinglake, Q.C., then in a powerful speech
opened the case for the sitting members. He felt that •
heavy responsibility attached to him iu the conduct of this
case, and that heavy and important interests were con-
cerned in it, but if asked whether he felt any anxiety
as to the result of tho inquiry, he should unhesitatingly
answer "No." He (the learned counsel) hail prac-
tised for the last fifteen years in election com-
mittees, and could nut in the whole course of
hie experience remember a ease of more wanton at-
tack on the seats of the sitting members or a case that was
more completely founded in falsehood and ingenious fiction.
Sir A. Cockburn, it was well known, from the high and
distinguished position he occupied, would not condescend to
relopt the ordinary run of electioneering manoeuvres, and
started with an open avowal that he should be most guarded
sad scrupulous in his conduct with reference to the
management of the election. If evidence, such as had been
adduced before the commttee, were to be allowed to affect
the sitttng member, there would be no member to the
House of Commons henceforth safe in his seat. The
learned counsel then went on to show that the machinery
employed by the sitting members in carrying out their
election was perfectly legitimate, and that the ratepayers
were employed to canvass inconsequence of their familiarity
with the residences of the constituency, which was very
wide spread and extensive, and beyond the grasp of a single
candidate. Sir Alexander Cockburn, it wouid be proved in
evidence, doubtless from the knowledge he possessed of
these matters, and kno Aing how desirable it might be,
never canvassed but in company with Mr. Harman or
others of his committee. Mr. Andrews would be called to
disprove what Langford had said connecting the name of
Sir A. Cockburn with the obtainment of some situation on
the quay. There was not a word of truth in what that
witness had said. It would be shown also, that instead
of Mr. Tucker asking Malachi for his vote, that he went
to Malachi to ask him to act as porter for him at
an auction, having been in the habit of employing him.
It would be preyed that Mr. Tucker did not see Malachi,
hut his wife, and that as he was going away she said inci-
dentally to him, she understood there was a vacant place
on the quay, and that John would like it, to which Tucker
replied it re ted with the commissioner!, and Tucker said
they were to send in printed addresses. The learned sergeant
was proceeding with his address when the committee ad-
journed until this day.
During Saturday the obdurate witness Bower, who, it
will be remembered, refused to take the oath, was released
from the custody of the sergeant-at-arms, without being
called upon to pay the fees. It is said he found the "prison
of the House of Commons" so may as to be almost careless
whether Its was caged there till the Easter recess.