The Express.
London, England, 1847-02-18 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL:

CORPOII,ATITON REFORM.—A court was held en
Tuesday. The summons stated that the court would be
special, for the election of the various City officers, and " on
noother husinees."—Mr. J.Dixoe, on the Lord Mayortaking
the chair, expressed regret that the feeling of some of the
members had manifested itself in so objectionable a manner
at the last meeting of the court.
The LORD MAYOR said he felt much gratified at the
expression of regret at treatment which he was conscious he
had not merited. After the minutes of the last court were read,
Mr. WIRE rose to move that the minute of a former court,
en the subject of the proceedings on the Qualification Bill,
be amended by recording the tact that a notice given in open
court by Mr. Wood, a member of the court, in the following
words, was handed in and publis`led by him to the court •.
" Notice—Motioa for the next court by Mr. Word • —That
the bill to declare the qualification of freemen of Lon-
don to be elected members of the Court of Common
Council be read a third time.—John Wood —Feb. 11,
1847.—And the Lord Mayor declined to receive the same."
Aber much discussion, this amendment was adopted.
Mr. Low (the chairman of the Committee of Privileges of
the whole court) then rose and said he begged respectfully
to state that the Committee of Privileges had almost unarm-
mouldy agreed to adopt the paper which he held in his hand,
in answer to the statement made by his lordship at the last
court, and he begged that it might be read.
The Loau MAYOR: It is not in the paper of basiners, and
I cannot permit it to be read.
Mr. ANDEISTON : Then I shall move that the court do

now adjourn. I '
Mr. Josta : My lord, you are bound to have the paper I
read. In justice to the court, 200 members of which have
in committee agreed to it, you ought to hear it. You thought
fit at the last court to state your opinion, and this is an an-
swer to the paper you then read.
The LORD MAYOR: When the business for which the •
court was summoned—the election of officers—shall have
been finished, I shall hear the paper read.—The RECORDER
said the court ought to consider that the corporation was in
a locked wheel, in consequence of the non-appointment
of its officers. The LORD MAYOR protested against
the ungenerous course of making the officers victims
to the disagreements which had sprung up be-
tween the two branches of the corporation.--Alderman
Witeox said it was unreasonable to expect that
the Lord Mayor would allow any business to be proceeded
with which did not appear upon the paper of business.
Mr. WIRT: I am anxious to say a few words, that it may
not go abroad that your lordship's speech could not be an-
swered. (Hear, hear.) There IMO imputations in that
speech upon the members of this court for which there was
not the slightest foundation. It must not be allowed to be
stated that we wish to coerce our officers. There is not the
least truth in that accusation. (Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR said that such language was unworthy
any member of the court.
Mr. ASHITHST : Every word Mr. Wire has uttered is true.
—Mr. Lawitaxeri said it was quite evident that the Lord
Mayor was acting under the influence of the Recorder, in
distrusting the court (Hear, hear.)
The Loan Mayon called to the Town Clerk to proceed
with the business on the paper, and, after a remark by Mr.
Powtress, added, that the gentlemen who were constantly
rising were quite oat of order.
Mr. Jones It is the Lord Mayor that is out of order.
My lord, you are out of order. (Loud cries of " Hear,
hear," and " No, no.")
The LORD MAYOR Will you, or will you not, go on
with the election of officers ? (Loud shouts of "No, no.")
Alderman Peruser( : I came here an hour and a ialf ago
to elect the officers, and I am not to be kept here all day.
All sorts of illegal and absurd things are taking place.
Mr. ARRDEST : There (pointing to the Recorder) is the
comae of the whole confusion.
The LORD MAYOR: I am myself the cause, for I am
doing what is right.
Mr. Arensitrom I shall persist in my motion for the ad-
journment of the court.
The RECORDER : That motion Is not consistent with your
oath as a member of this court. (Loud disapprobation.)
Mr. ANDERTON : That is an imputation of direct perjury.
(lies!, hear.)
Mr. Wigs: The Recorder has imputed perjury to a
member of the court. It is an insult to every member. I
move that the Recorder be removed from the court. (Great
confusion.)—Mr. T. H. HALL moved that Mr. Low
be requested to postpone the presentation of the
paper. —Mr. HARTLEY seconded the motion.— The LORD
Maros: No, no ; I shall not put that question.
After further altercation, Mr. PRENDEROAST said the
court was actually trifling, and called upon the members to
proceed at once to the election. The Town Clerk rose with
the list of the names of the officers in his hand.—The
Recorder again and again asked whether it was the
pleasure of the court to proceed to the election.—
After the objections to this course had been repeated again
by several members, Mr. Marriott said the members were
fighting with a shadow, and proposed to them the magnani-
mous act of being the first to retire from the contest. (Loud
• cries of " No, no.") Mr. Marriott then moved, and Mr.
Williams seconded, the motion that the court proceed to the
election of the officers.—Mr. Wire immediately rose to op-
, pore the motion, and began to read the paper containing the
answer to the statement of the Lord Mayoras pert of his
speech, but the Lord Mayor, before many 'enemies had
; been read, rose, and orderingthe mace-bearer sad the sword-
bearer to precede him, retired from the court.—The gallery
' was filled during the discussion by persons who seemeti to be
struck with astonishment at the whole of the proceedings.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING TILE AMEND-
MENT OF THE LAW.
A general meeting of this society was held yester-
day evening at ita rooms, in Regent, street ; Mr. Commissioner
Fonhbinqtae in the chair. Upon the motion of Mr. P.Taylor,
the draft report on the principles of punishment presented
at the last meeting was received. The sum of it was that it
is desirable that all secondary punishment should be awarded
sad conducted with reference mainly to the reformation of

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRU.

the prisoner ; that they should be corrective sa well al for

Mr. Mittea then read to the eoeirty the report of ate
committee appointed to enquire into the best method of
amending the preen must inefficient and mischievous
practice in the master's offices. Basing observed Om
" references of any importance, where the parties are a 'verse,
are seldom completed in less than two or three years; that,
in many casts, the reports have not been obtained in less
than seven or eight, or even ten years, after the decrees di-
recting the reference ; while in other, the parties have been
dr.ven by the delays and difficulties in obtaining any final
reports to abandon their claims alto,uther, or have
submitted to heavy sacrifices, rate r than incur the risk of
a protracted and ruinous litigation," the report suggested the
"assimilating the proceedings before the master as nearly as
possible to proceedings in the ordinary courts of justice.
That each master should have a daily list of causes, and
each cause be called on in its turn, and be proceeded wilds
continuously, until the whole matter capable of being ass-
sidered and disposed of had been gone through. That to
afford facilities for the attendance it counsel, the masters'
sittings should be from II till 5 on alternate days, and that
no cause in the list, to be attende I by counsel, should be
called on before 3. That either party not being prepared to
proceed when the cause was called on, should pay the costs
of the day to the other party, which, in case POlicitors only
attend, should be fixed at two guineas; and in case counsel
should attend, at five guineas unless a satisfactory reason
were given for the default. That each maser should keep a
book, to bo called ' The Masters' Entry Buok, in which
should be entered all hearings bef ire him, specifying the
cause or matter, the solicitors, or parties and counsel who
appeared before him, and, in his own handwriting, the
points ruled, or opinions finally exproased by him, such re-
cord of the proceedings being producible when required by
either party, or by the court or taxing master, before the
Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Itolls, or the Vice.Chan-
' fullers ; and before the taxing master on any taxation in the
suit. That the master should fix a time within which each
party should be bound to complete his evidence, and that sic
evidence should be allowed to be brought in after the expi-
ration of the time fixed, except by sp,mal leave of the master
subject to appeal."
'The reporters added that several of the rules they sug-
gested had been introduced by Sir Edward Sugden into
the masters' office in Ireland, and bad been attended with
the utmost success. The consideration of the report was
postponed till the next general meeting.

REPRESENTATION OP DIARYLEBONE.—TFIE MART-
LEBOSE Raronx SOCIETY.—A numerous public meeting
of electors of the borough of Marylebone, resident in the
densely populated district of Somers-town, was held on
Tuesday evening at the Bee Hive Tsvern, Chapel-street. Mr.
Douglas stated the objects of the association, and hlled for
union amongst all classes of reformers, as it had been broadly
asserted that Mr. Bond Cabbell was already in the field, and
organising his committees in that borough. The principles
of the asseiatian were an extension of the suffrage, vote
by ballot, triennial parliaments, the abolition of all re-
strictive duties on commerce, and a determination not to
pledge thems:lves to the support of any particular candi-
date, but the best candidates who accorded in the principles
of the association, which now alre.tdy numbered 50) or GOO
members. After several speeches on voting by ballot, a con-
siderable number of electors were t nrolled.

GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND.-Yegerday after-
noon the eighth annual meeting of the members of this
testitution, established for " granting permanent pensions to
actors and actresses, chorus singers, dancers, ptantominnets,
and prompters." took place at the saloon of the Lyceum
Theatre, for the pupae of receiving the reports of the cent-
mittee and auditors. Mr. Buckstone (treasurer) was called nn
to preside. Mr. Cullenford (secretary) then read the report,
from which it appeared that the committee had invested
3,461/. Bs. in the public securities, and that a balance of
WC 19s. Sid. remained in the hands of the treasurer. After
discharging all demands there was au increase in the
receipts of last year of nearly 4501. as compared with those
of the preceding year. The report having been adopted,
the Secretary stated that the committee, at their last
meeting, had received such a flattering statement of the
finances of the institution, that they had recommended the
allowance to annuitants to be increased 51. per annum-viz.,
from 251. to 301. a year. -The chairman then announced
that Mr. Macready had kindly consented to take the chair
at the ensuing anniversary festival of the fund at the Londen
Tavern.-The Secretary read the following letter from Mr.
Charles Dickens : - " Paris, February sth. Dear Sir,-
Ilhave been very glad indeed to hear through Mr. Macready,
before receiving your letter, what chairman you have
secured ; a more appropriate one, or one more likely
to do service to the fund, and good service too,
in the public recognition of it, could not, I am certain, have
been found. I am bold to say, and I hope the committee will
not be uninterested to bear that I shall be able, please
God, to attend the dinner this year. I hive arranged so to
leave here as to be in London and at home again on the 27th
of March, and I beg you not only to insert my name in the
list of vice-presidents, but to keep a seat and a toast for me,
both of which I will do se much honour as my cordial in-
terest in the meeting and its object. can muster. Dear air,
very faithfully your, C. DICKENS.-To W. Cullenford, Esq."
-1 he list of subscribers contains the names of the late Duke
of Northumberland, 601. ; the Duke of Devonshire, 10/. 10s.
(annual) ; Charles Kean, Esq. 601.; W. C. Macready, Esq.,
301. ; W. Yemen, Esq., 3011
.: B. Webster, Esq., 201. ;
Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, 101. ; Luke J. Hansard, Esq.,
251. • Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq, 211. ; Earl Fitz-
hardinge, 51. ; Earl of Ellesmere, 5/. ; Douglas Jerrold,
Esq., 61. ; Charles Dickens, Esq . 51. ; John Forster, Esq.,
51 ; the Hon. T. Hope, 101. ; Sir Bellingham Graham, Bart.,
10!. ; John Stnitt, Esq., 101. ; W. H. West Betty, Esq., M. ;
Sir A. Barnard, 51. (annual); Mies Helen Faucit,sl. (annual);
Mrs Glover, 51.; J.Yandenhoff, Esq., 6/. ; T. P. Cooke, E.g.,
51., &c. The erection of officers followed.-Trustees: Mr.
Sergeant Talfourd, Charles Dickens, Esq., and Benjamin
Bond Cabbell, Esq. Honorary Tresaurer, J. B. Buckstonc,
Evq. Committee: Messrs. A. Younge, E. F. Saville, Worrell,
William., G. Osbaldeston, Buckstone, Attwood, H. Lewis,
on, Cullenford, Cowls (vice N. T. Hicks), Saker, J.
Hward, H. Hughes, and Morelli. Auditors : Mr. H. T.
Craven and Mr. W. Searle. Secretary: Mr. Cullenford.
The customary vote of thanks was presented to the chair-
man. Mr. Buckstene, in an appropriate speech, briefly ac-
knowledged the compliment, and the meeting separated.
FRAUDS ON PAROCHIAL AUTHORITIES BY THE
Pooa.-At an inquest held yesterday before Mr. Mills, the
deputy-coroner, at the King's Arm., Frederick-street,
Regent's-park, on the body of a child, the parents of whom
were in the receipt of parochial relief, Mr. Coullart, one of
the relieving overseers, explained to the coroner the vast
amount of imposition and fraud practised in order to nbtain
parochial assistance, more particularly amongst able-bodied
vagrants and Irish labourers. Mr. Coullart said the deputy-
coroner would remember some remarks made by him at the
recent inquest on the child Joseph Woodward, to the effect,
that it was quite clear that " the strong, the violent, and
undeserving were the first to obtain relief, whilst the
humble, meek, and feeble, who were really deserving, either
were kept all day to obtain relief, or they did not receive it
at all." The directors of St. Pancras, determined to prevent
this, had, since the inquest, on persons presenting them-
selves at the workhouse.door for relief, directed the porter to
give them a tin ticket bearing a number, and the parties were
entitled to go before the relieving officers in rotation, in ac-
cordance with their number. The average number receiv-
ing relief at present wuBoo per diy, and when the doors were
opened, the rush was so greatthat the able-bodied managed to
get the eulkickets, and it had been discovered that they
made a ma et of them in the following manner :--The
bolder of Tic et No. I was entitled to go in first, and so
on, and he would make it his business to get into conversa-
tion with a poor widow perhaps, or some such person who
had left a family of young children at home. and who
would be glad to get away. He would ascertain her ticket
to be numbered 50 or 60, so that she most stay an hour or
two before her turn came, and she would be glad to give
3d. or 4d., if she had it, to exchange her ticket for the early
one, knowing that she would get Is. or ls. Bd. and three or
four loaves. The early ticket-holders would then sell this
latter ticket to a person perhaps who held ticket 160 and so
on to No. 600 or 600 and, bane e made 14d. or 15d., would
walk off with the la'st ticket in his pocket, and perhaps sell
it to some one else outside. Under the management of the
old select board it was • common thing for the monthly
pensioners to pawn their relief tickets, and for the pawls-
broker's man to come up with the ticket for the money. lie.
Pike, another of the officers, stated that so great was the
imposition at the present time, that one day last week, out of
70 cases he had to inquire into, there were 48 who did not
live at the addresses given.
REFORM AND REGISTRATION ACTIL-Yefitlaq
evening • meeting was held at the Crown and Anchor Ifte,
vern, Strand, for the purpose of petitioning 'melamine to
repeal the rate-puing clauses in the Reform and Resides-
tion Acts. Mr. T. Wakley, M.P., took the chair, and was
supported by Sir Hugh De Lacy Evans, M.P., Mr. Dun-
combe, M.P., Mr. F. O'Connor, Mr. Cochrane' and other
gentlemen.-The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, re-
marked that he, with his hon. friends near him, had just
come from the House of Commons, when they had gained a
splendid victory in carrying the second reading of the Tea
Hours Bill by a majority of 106. (Cheers.) Labour had
been too long the slave of capital ; but by this bill, whish he be-
lieved would per in afew weeks, that evil would be remedied.
It was hoped that the attention which had already been paid
to the social condition of the people was beginning to have
its effect, and that laws would be enacted for the protection
of the suffering slaves of this country (Cheers.) The peo-
ple, however, should exert themselves generally, for if they
did not spread this feeling throughout the length and
breadth of the land, trickery, manoeuvre, and deceit would
do their work. The cisject of the meeting was, curiously enough,
to assist • Whig administration in carrying outthe principle of
their own act. (Laughter.) In the Reform Act there were
various persons qualified to register, and if he had had the
drawing up of it he would have given to every man the
right to register. The first provision of that act enacted
that a man must reside in a place for 12 months before he
was qualified to register, and it was also enacted that a man
should pay his rates six months previous to his claiming a
vote. He contended that such reatrictions were oppressive.
His hon. colleague, Mr. Doncombe, had brought the subject
before the House of Commons, but he regretted to say that
he was not supported as he ought to have been out of doors.
It was his hope that such apathy would no longer be exhi-
bited, and that this meeting would prove itself an earnest of
Paton awarme in getting rid of these obnoxious clauses.
-Alm * nearetary had read letters, apologising for the
wil
of Lord J. Russell, Sir Benjamin Hall. Mr.
iiM.P., Mr. Geo. Thompson, Lord Ro-
ble . r .8. O'Brien, and other gentlemen,
Iles Illenoe Clark proposed the Ant resolution, which was
aNnaill W Idr. Cardinale : it was to the effect, " That it is
Abe ophdon of this meeting that the rate and tax-paying
dares la the reform and registration ants are vexatious and
Zirs:ye, end opposed to the progressing spirit of the age,
and
to be repealed forthwith.--Oeneral Sir Hugh
de Lacy Evans, in supporting the resolution, said