The Express.
London, England, 1849-07-05 00:00:00

GRAMMAR SCHOOL ABUSEi. -MEETING

AT ROCllliSfir.

The Dean and Chapter of Rochester Cathedral hay-
loft recently dismissed the Itlv. ILibert Whisten from tae
head mastership of their grammar-school, in cal sequence of
a pamphlet published by him, relative to alleged mismanage-
meet of the cspitular funds, a public meeting was held yes-
terday, in the Town•hall, Rochester, is discuss what the re-
quisitionists term, the unconstitutional and übitr.iry con-
duct of the dean awl chaptir, in dismissing the Rev. IL.
Whiston from the head-mastership cf the Cathedral gram-
mar school ; and also to consider the propriety of petitioning
the Queen in council." The rcom was densely filled at
an early hour. The platform was occupid by county magi-
strates, clergymen, and nearly the whole of the town
council.

On the motion of J. EDMONDS, Esq., seconded by J.
NIGHTINGALE, Req. (both comity magistrates):
Capt. BAKER took the chair, &nu proceeded to state the
objects for which the meeting bad been convened. He
begged to disclaim any intention of jejuna; the church by
the prominent part he was taking in the present proceedings.
However, he felt strongly, and should perhaps be obliged to
express himself strongly, on the subject under discussion, the
more so when he found • section of perhaps the most im-
portant and influential body in existence, persisting is a
course which, in the words of the bill he held in his hand, he
would call unconstitutional and arbitrary. (Cheers) lie
asserted that it was the duty of every man whohad a drop of
English blood in his veins tostand forward, and by his exer-
tions and countenance to endeavour to succour the oppressed.
(Cneere.) Let th. M consider Dr. Whiston as standing in
that aituatioo, and for what? Not fur agitating fur
his own personal benefit, but for the good of the people of
Rochester and their families. (Hear, hear.) He craved
permission to say a few words on the public conduct
of the Dean and Chapter, deem:ng that as public men they
were public prupery, while he releliously abstained from
alluding to their private ce.aractere, which he believed to be
most estimable iu all the relations of lite. They were the
administrators of a property which it was alleged had been
Mended down to them and their predecessors 300 years ago,
and they asserted that their management, which was now
impugned, was precisely that welch had been adopted
by their predecessors. To tan assertion he gave • most
distinct and positive denial. (Hear.) If there had been no
d:soussion during the last tweuty years relative to the con-
duct of deans and chapters towards the property entrusted
to them, then perhaps they might have sheltered themselves
under the plea that as it was handed to them, so they had
administered it. But it must be remembered that in 1h36
a certain bill was brought before parliament to alter in some
respect the cathedral system of this country, so as, while
preserving existing rights, ultimately to re was the expense
tie thess establishments. Now, when that bill was going
through parliament, what was the conduct of these reverend
gentlemen and their friends ? They presented • memorial
serpent by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of
Rochester, and the Dean and Chapter„ the teaor of which
showed clearly that they were fully swore of the real pur-
port of these statutes, however now they might prokss igno-
rance. In that memorial they intimated "that the prop, Bed al-
terations would be wrong in principle,invelyingthesabversion
of ancient institutions which had not ceased to be of service
to the church, the violation of statutes which were still ob
served, and would touch a more serious question, that of con-
science, as regarded the oaths taken by their officers as well
as the members of the establishment, and of which the obli-
gation was kept and the sanctity revere d." If, as was
alleged in justification of the dismissal of Dr. Whiston, that
gentleman had been gull') of a sc:.i.delous attack on the
dean and chapter, the law wee open to them. L t them
take an action, and if Dr. Whiston should be cast,
let them dismiss him, but let them not assume
a power vehicle no ether body in the kingdom possessed—
that of throwing upon Dr. Winston the expense of a lawsuit
to regain that of which they ha 1 unjustly deprived him.
(Hear, hear.) A letter had been sent to him yester-
day by Mr. Easel. Against that gentlemen he had nothing
to say. Be was chapter clerk, and consequeutly the cat.h.
dentist adviser of the dean and chapter ; and, therefore, his
letter was to be taken for what it wait worth. lie was not
going to examine that letter in detail, but in his opinion a
mare futile attempt to deceive the people never appeared in
print. (Hear, hear) It was the greatest rubbish he had
user seen, and if it was put forward t 3 gull the people of
Rochester, Me relieved it would lamentably fail in its elect.
(Cneen and laughter.) lie did not think it would make a
single convert, but would on the contrary confirm the people
in the opinion they had already fennel of the cenduct
of the dean and chapter. Not an allegation in Dr. Whinon's
pamphlet was denie el in this letter, lied yet he was accused
of having printed scandalous libels. Why, the libels were
not these of Dr. Whiston, but of the Bishops of London,
Lincoln, Exeter, and Canterbury, who each in their places
in parliament (in 1836) used language much stronger than
any adopted by Dr. Whiston. He would now read to them
an address to Dr. Whiston, the adoption of which would
be m :ved and seconded by two gentlemen who were about to
address them.