The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-08 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK.

Benjamin Beadle, cab driver (badge Isio. 10,322), was
summoned for demanding double his legal fare.
Mr. George Peter Bacon deposed that a little before four
o'clock in rive afternoon of Friday, tke 2nd instant, he
hired the defendant's cab at the corner of King. street,
Cheapeide, to drive him to the South Eastern Railway ter-
minus, London•bridge. He stopped at the Bank of Eng-
land three minutes, and on his arrival at the railway ter-
minus he tendered him sixpence, hie legal fare. The de-
fendant demanded more, contending that he was entitled
to it for waiting and distance. Witness refused to comply
with his demand, well knowing that sixpence was his just
fare ; but on his persisting in being paid more, he pulled
some silver out of his pocket, and told him to take
what he &mended, but that if he exacted more
than his legal fare, be should summon him.
The defendant then took half-a-crown, and re-
turned witness ls. 61., stating that was hie fare. I
should not have brought this ease before the court, only
I think that persons proceeding into the country by railway
are robbed to a great extent by cabmen; and frequently
rather than go to the expense or trouble of attending a
police court, allow the cabmen to rub them with impunity.
The defendant said, when he got to the Bank of Erg-
' land, he was compelled to take his cab a distance and place
himself in the rank, and be considered that he was en:itled
to sixpence more than the usual fare for that. He was,
however, sorry if he had done wrong.
Mr. Combe—But you don't seem to care what trouble
or expense you put people to. You have brought this gentle-
man from the country, which you might have avoided by
acting legally.
Mr. Bacon begged to say the defendant did not act un-
civilly towards him, although he exacted double his fare.
Mr. Combe said the feet was the cabdrivers in the metro-
polis did not like the sixpenny fares, even if they drove a
short distance.

The defendant informed his worship that the act of par-
liament did not allow the drivers to gain an existence. He
was compelled to take his master home 14s. a day for the
cab, and if he could not get it he would take his bed, and
even his shirt from Ids back. The fact was he was com-
pelled to extort money from the fares. (Surprise.)
Mr. Comb•—You might as well tell me that a pickpocket
was compelled to rob the public, and thereby evade the laws
of his country, as you to extort money with impunity from
the parties who hire you. Thio is a very gross case, and 1
shall feel it my duty to impose upon you the penalty of
201. and costs, and in default of payment, (weer you to be
committed for 14 days.
The defendant with the greatest impudence pulled out •
handful of gold and paid the money, considcrirg that it
was a great hardship fur only a little sixpence.
Mr. Combo told him after the impudent manner in which
he had conducted himself and his admission of extortion, he
considered that be was not a fit person to have a license.
He should, however, suspend it for a fortnight, and forward
a statement of the facto to the Commissioners of Police. lie
hoped that would act as a caution to other cabmen, and
show them that the law punished them for extortion.
The oefendant then left the court vexed at his own folly.