The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-07 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1853.

BAR.VSTAPLE BRIBERY COMMISSION.

BARNSTAPLE, MONDAY NIGHT.
The Commissioners resumed their inquiry this
morning at ten o'clock. The first witness esaakined was

Sir Biuchicr Palk Wrey, But.—Had token great iris-
! rest in the three last elections. In 1852 on behalf of Lord
Ehrington. Was a freem■n, but not on the register, owlet
to non-residence. Oa the day before the nomination went
14, the Angel, but treated no voters. Invited none to drink
and ',Rid nothing for himself or others. Canvassed as many
voters there as he could for Lord Ettringion, but they said
it was not convenient then. It would be better to come
again at nine o'iloce in the evening. Went there at nine
o'clock, and found about 40 voters there. Was desired to
go upstairs, es they would then be more select, and more
likely to do business. Went up stairs, nil wished to take
down their names for Lord Ebrington ; but it was not the
custom in Barnstaple to give names under such circus-
, stances, and they declined. (Laughter.) Did not know
who they were, then or now, but we, told by those who
ought to know, that they were voters. Did not know who
I told hint this. Avery, the landlord, however, was one.
One of the voters, taking him aside, told him they were all
desirous to vote for Lord Ehrington, but expected 61. each
for doing so. Witness said he could promise nothing of the
kind. Did not remember saying 7!. 10e. was the figure.
Held out no prospect of money being paid to them, directly
or indirectly. Did not say, " I see what you want—an old
fashioned election, and I should like you to have it." Told
them he knew money had been formerly given, but things
were ci.anged, and none could be given now. Some
of the men said they wanted some refreshment,
and rang the bell for that purpose. Avery came up
when witness t?Aci him be could order nothing, and pay
for nothing, on behalf of Lord Ebrington. Avery then said,
" 06, then, I suppose I must treat them myself," and some
brandy, or other liquor, was then brought up. Did not
know whether Avery had since been paid for the drink, but
believed not. Was told he could have forty voters that
night if he liked to promise the money, but would not do
so, and was given clearly to understand in consequence that
none of the party would vote for Lord Ebrisgron. To
show how prevalent the expectation of money was amongst
the freemen, witness might mention that in 1847 he was
offered a whole family named Osydon. There were four-
teen of them, and the price demanded was 151. each. Did not
give the money, and believed there was no mosey given by
either party at that election. Just before the poll closed
was told there were five or six voters holding back at a
public house. Went to MMUS and was told they would
vote for 161. each. Expatiated to them upon the enormity
of bribery, but finding they were drinking, and pretty far
gone, said "he would very likely pay them another visit,"
and in the meantime advised them to "drink on." Went
to them again when the poll had closed, and had the plea-
sure of finding them drinking still without having voted at
all. (Laughter.)

Mr. S% Locke, shoemaker, recalled—Remembered that
in addition to tie three voters whom n• had named on
Sattirday, be bad also paid Thomas Locke 61., after the
election, and John Drake 61. (lot the money from Mr.
John Petters. Two out of the five were freemen, but the
others were householders. Was aware of no money spent
in bribery in 1847.
Mr. George /lowering Brown, brushmaker.—Was en
Lord Ebrington's committee in 1852, and took a warm
int n his election. Canvas ed Thomas Abrahams, and
some other voters, on the polling day at the Shipwright's
Arms. Did not offer them 101. each, or any sum, nor tell
them they should have the money at once if they went to
the committee-room. Did not promise Drewe, Randall, and
Hu:table, at Swansea, 51. t ach for going to vote for Lord
Ebrington, end 51. fur coming back, nor make them any
offer or promise of mousy wha . Had heard that
Drewe told this to the committee of the House of Commons;
but witness utterly denied the statement. Did not treat
these three voters at Swansea, nor it a public-house at
Barnstaple. Treated no ono with the view of influencing
his etre. Thomas Abrahams was a carrier, and conveyed
witness and some of his goods from Barnstaple to Ilfra-
combe. He voted for Bremridge and Ebriogton, and after-
wards told witness he had lost money by so doing, and it
was all owing to witness. Witness then gave him helf-a-
sovereign, but told him it was not for his vote, but for
carrying him and his goods, and for loss of lime, about ss.
of the money being for the latter. Witness hadilagreed to
give hiss nothing before he voted.
Mr. Thames Hodge, linendraper, chairman of Lord
Ebringten's committee for the Queen street district, denied
having authorised Mr. Jolliffe to offer a voter named
Drewe, 31. to vote for hie lordship, or that Drewe asked his
permission to make such an offer. Was well aware that
Lord Bbrington would sanction to such expenditure, di-
rectly or indirectly.
Mr. William Henry Thorne, sen., grocer, and 101. house-
holder, was on Lord Ebrington's committee for the Back-
lane district, arid canvassed a good many electors, amongst
others, a man named Andrews, but never said be was
authorised to get 26 voters at 401. a man. Never offered
401., or 391., nor any sum of money whatever, directly
or indirectly, to any voter, nor promised any money. Had
no money placed at his disposal for the election, nor was
any money pieced at the dtsposal of the committee. Told
many freemen that nothing would be given by Lord Rhein-
ten or his party. Quite sure he never offered Arthur Gay
Beale 21. to vote for Lord Bbrington. Andrews's wife told
witness her husband would have voted for Lord Bbrington
if he bed seen witness before going ,tothe poll; but wit-
ness did not remember saying anything mere than that he
was very lorry for it. Did not remember Andrews telling
him that the Forteseue family had not treated him well, or
at all mentioning Lord Fortesese's name. Knew of no
eorrupt practices or illegal expenditure at the election of
1847._

Orlando .Tolliffe shoemaker, wu not a voter at the last
election. Promised Mr. Crewe U. to vote for Lord Ebring-
ton, but did not give him the money. Was not authorised
to offer any sum, but Mr. Hodge told him to secure the
vote, and be thought there was no other way. (Laughter.)
Thought Mr. Hedge said, " Secure the vote on the best
terms you can," or, " Secure it if you can." Could not
repeat the exact words. Was not sure anything was said
about terms, but understood any money he might give
would be returned. An hour afterwards saw Mr. Hodge
again, and told him be had offered Drewe 31. Mr. Hodge
told him Lord Ebrington would not spend a shilling, and
witness had better go beck to Drew*, end undeceive him.
Witness went back, and told Drew' that Lord Ebringtsm
would not give a shilling but if he held him to his word,
he (witness) would nay him out of his own pocket. When
witness offered the 31. Drewe shook his head, u if to of it
was not enough. (Laughter.) Offered money to no one
else.

Mrs. Mary Anne Andrews revelled.—Did not remember
Sir W. Fraser promising her a present when be canvassed
her husband; bat in September illumine, about the time
of the fair, ber buslmsd brausin home a box, which he
said at first Sir W. beer, end alksewords Mr. Greenslade,
had given as a moat to theft daughter, who was LS years
old. It was a lead belt, and her bitsbead bad bought one
like it for three halfpence for her other daughter. (The
witness here prodseed the box referred to, a man nog
snug-bolt, amid the laughter of the court.) Was tides Cer-
tain the box produced wee the amly present received by her
about that time, and that she did net lad SL in the home.
Was sure that she heard Mr. Thane Wm her husband 391.
to vote for Lord Ebringtsa. Her husband replied that he
had not made up his mind, and Mr. Thorne said " Thirty-
nine is my figure." This was jest after Lord Ehrington's
address was booed. Witness remembered Mr. Thome w-
ine the words within the last two or three days, when the
thing wee brought up, but bad thought nothing about it,
nor heard her husband say ea about it before.
Thought at the time it wee merely aJo s, and thought so
now. Mr. Greenslade was a married man, and witness did
not know why be should take the liberty of presenting her
daughter with a three-halfpenny box, but was quite sure
there was no money in it.
Miss Mary Anne Andrew', daughter of the last witness—
Is in her 18th ear. Received a present soon after the last
election, but -knew nothing about six sovereigns being
found in the house. The present which she received her
father told her came from Sir W. Fraser. She at first
thought it was silver. Some people said it was
silver' and some said it was not, and when she
found it was not, she thought it could not have
come from Sir W. Fraser. (Laughter.) ller father gave
her sister a similar bow, which he said also esme from Sir
W. Framer, but afterwards, when people were talking about
it, he said both the boxes were given by Mr. Greenslade.
Witness had no acquaintance with Mr. Greenslade, and had
not seen him since to thank him for the box. (Laughter.)
James R. Collard, staymaker and 101. householder,
proved the identity of the box produced, and admitted that
he had 6/. sent to him by Mr. Gaydon, about a week after
the election, having voted for Fraser and Bremridge. In
1847 he did not get a " seurrick of any kind, sort, or de-
scription." (Laughter.) When canvassed told Mr. Gay-
don if anything was given away he should like his share,
and Mr. Gaydon told him he should have the same as others
but did not mention any particular sum.
Thomas Abrahams (at the time of the election a carrier)
voted for Bremridge and Ebrington. Mr. G. B. Browne,
before witness voted, promised him " a round one " if he
voted for Lord Ebrington ; and afterwards gave him half a
sovereign. Witness lad carried some bags of brushes to
l'fraeombe for Mr. Browne, which came to about 65., and
Mr. Brown* paid this in addition to the half sovereign,
telling him the latter was for loss of time. Witness was
father disappointed, as he expected the "round one"
meant a whole one ; but Mr. Browne would give him no
more. Got 21 10s. for his other vote, which Mr. W. Cle-
ment left with his "minus." Told Mr. Clements after
he had the 21. 10a. that he had got 10s. from the other side,
and Mr. Clements said he thought it was not very honour.
able in them to give so small a sum. (Laughter.)
Adjourned till Tuesday.

BOROUGU ELECTIONS.—By an act lately passed,
elections in future for boroughs, cities, &c., are to take
place within six days after the receipt of the writ or pre-
cept, giving three clear days notice at lout of the day of
election, exclusive of the day of proclamation and the day
of election.

CORK AND YOUGHAL RAILWAY.—A new survey
is being made of this line, and for branches to Queenstown
and Forney.

1 BIRMINGHAM BOROUGH PRISON.

SEVBNTH DAY.
BIILMINGIUIt, TVaIDAT.
The Commissioners proceeded with this inquiry
again to-day.

Capt. M■eonochie wu again examined—With reformats
to the punishment he inflicted on a boy named Bedford, he
said that he was a very bad boy, and that twine on new day
he inflicted on him twelve outs with a light at. With re-
ference to an entry in the punishment•beak m the effeet
that this boy had bean " confined in irons," he ezplained
what this punishment really was. It wu simply a loose
chain fastened to the well and to the prianer's awls, Wein
him a scope of frees five to six feet, the object being to
prevent the boy doing mischief. The captain admitted
that some of his practices in reference to the treatment of
the prisoners, such as the deprivation of food for a certain
time until it had been earned, was at variance with the
ordinary prison rules; bet (he said) the visiting jasfices
never disapproved of it ; and all his reports to the visiting
justices at the quarter sessions contained a full statement of
his plan and its results; these reports were confirmed by
them.

Dr. Baly—How often, Captain hisoonochle, did yen use
the strut jacket?
Witness—Often on the women's side ; I think never on
the male side ; m regards the hand-cuffs, my impression is,
that I did not use the hand-cuffs once in throe weeks.
Dr. Bsly—flow often did you am the strait jacket as a
punishment to the women?

- Witness—l can't say positively; it was chiefly in the
second year of my governorship, after the magistrate, had
deprived me of the authority to bring to bear that descrip-
tion of moral influence, which I had successfully exerted
the first year. I had nothing to do with an article which
appeared in the Seamus% newspaper in reference to the
gaol, it was written and published entirely without my
authority, sanc.ion, concurrence, or approbation. With re-
ference to his differences with Lieut. Austin, Capt. Marone-
obis said that the former was disposed to punish prisoners
with much greater severity than he thought necessary or
desirable, aud that he remonstrated with him on the impro-
priety of it on several occasions.

_
Lieut. Austin wu again examined.—l was appointed to
this gaol in 1830 as deputy-governor, I had been in the navy
from boyhood, served is China, and obtained my lieu-
tenant's commission in 1838, and retired from the service in
1847. I qualified myself for the governorship of a
gaol at Tothill Fields Prison under Lieut. Tracy.
Captain Maconochie's mark system was abolished six
months after I left the gaol. I had a note from Mr.
Smith, one of the visiting justices, to say that he wished to
see me. In the conversation I afterwards had with him, I
stated to him in reply to questions, my opinion of the general
inefficacy of Captain Maconschie's system. I went to Lei-
cester with Mr. Luckcock, another of the visiting justices.
At that gaol there is a strict system of separation and of
labour. Mr. Luckcock also went to Wakefield and Preston
prisons. (The witness was then examined at great length
in reference to disputes which arose during Captain Matzo-
nochie's governorship .respecting the visits of the captain's
son to the gaol, and his subsequent exclusion, chiefly in
consequence of the witaess's representations, by order of the
visiting justices.) In another part of his examination, Lieu
Austin said that he had seen a woman strapped to
the railing in Captain Maconochie's time, but he
admitted that such punishments were only inflicted for very
violent conduct, and that it was not an ordinary prison
punishment. When he (Lieut. Austin) first went to the
gaol there were only two cranks at the gaol ; subsequently
twelve others were introduced at his recommendation. It

was not till then that the crank was used u the ordinary
hard labour punishment.

Capt. Williams—When Capt. Naconochie was governor
were all the punishments in accordance with the acts of par-
liament ?

Witness—They were thought so.
Capt. Willisms—Had you seen any such system of
punishment at lothill-fields
Witness—No. I found that at Leicester Gaol it was the
custom not to record the privation of food on the punish-
ment book. I did not see the books at Leicester, but I was
informed that this was the practice by the governor.
Mr. Weleby—When was the collar and the strapping to
the wall introduced 1

Witness—On the 27th of March, 1862, after Freer be-
came deputy-governor. I remember two prisoners, Howard
and Heath, being kept in the strait-jacket all night. One
was violence, and the other attempting to eommit suicide.
Mr. Welsby—What is the longest time you ever knew •
prisoner in the jacket and collar strapped to the waU ?
Witness—Twelve hours, in cases where • prisoner had
been very violent.
Capt. Williams—How would they be fed ?
Witness—The ward., would bring the loaf and feed the

Capt. Williams—What, mouthful by mouthful?
Witams—Yee.
Capt. Williams—Would they loose the primmer's heads 1
Witnem—No.

Capt. Williains--Wonld they loose the collar?
Witness—No.
Mr. Weisby—What was the ordinary period for con-
fining a man in the jacket?
Witness—From one to six hours.
Mr. Welsby—Hss this sort of punishment been attended
with injury to the prisoner ?
Witness—Only once, and that slightly. I have heard of
prisoners fainting ; in that case the mouth and face would
be washed.
Mr. Welstry—Suppose a prisoner strapped up in this
way for six hours, when would he be fed?
Witness—At night and morning, bread and water.
Dr. Billy—Did you ever give instructions, that if pri-
soners were fainting they should be taken down ?
Witness—No, I did not.
Mr. Webby—Do you now think that this sort of punish-
ment was calculated to irritate the prisoners, and induce
them to commit prison offences ?
Witness—lt was an experiment, but I now think it
would have such an effect. I now trace that hack from the
first use of this system of punishment.
Dr. Ball—Would not this strapping to the wall produce
great pain ?
Witness—lt would produce numbness.
Mr. Weisby—Now there is a statement by the chaplain
that in one instance he saw a prisoner swollen and a dark
livid colour, in consequence of this punishment. Is that
possible ?
Witness—lt ma have been.
Mr. Wel.by—Tb.re is another statement that a prisoner
was foaming at the mouth with pain. Is that likely ?
Witness—lt might.
Mr. Welsby—Do you think that prisoner was suffering
from pain ?
Witness—Tee

Dr. Rely—Don't you think this would produe swelling of
the arms and numbness of the hands ?

Witnees—lt mig
Dr. Baly—Might not your warders draw the straps
tighter than you would approve ?
Witness—They =Light.
Mr. Webb —Did it take tee men to put the jacket on ?
Witness—Two would do it better than one.
Mr. Webby—Tell me to what clan of pristmen In parti.
oiler you applied this system of strapping to the wall ?
Witness—To violent and dogged spirits.
Mr. Webby—How soon atter the introduatioa of the
strapping to the wall did Mr. Luckcock, the visiting justices
see a prisoner in that state ?
Winter-81x months.
Mr. Webby—Then in fact you employed this system of
punishment six months before the visiting Janice. knew
anything about it?
Witness—Yes; I hadn't made any special report relative
to the subject.
Mr. Webby—l find a great man entries of this sort,
" Three days bread and water in poo tjasket." Doss
that mean also strapping to the wall ?
Witness—Occasionally.
Mr. Weleby—Did you ever give any direction in refer-
ence to a particular prisoner sentenced to fourteen days'
labour for • prison offence, not to make his gruel too good ?
Witnem—l did.
Mr. Weisby—Why was that ?
Witness—lt was a casual remark from one of the
justices.
Mr. Webby—Well, don't yon think it was a very extra-
ordinary remark for a justice to make ; and a very scan-
dalous one, if made

Witrays.(after long hesitation)—l did not view it in that
strong light. I don't think there was any intention—it
was a easttalremark.

16.Weiel;i-7Why Wu the remark made, then? Who
made it ?

Witness—l don't know who made it.
Dr. Bali—Wu the remark addressed to you ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Welsh —Then how came you to act spots it ?
Witness—l think I was wrong; that, in fact, I was
highly imprudent.
Mr. Welsh —Then why did you sit upon it ?
Witness—l acted on the suggestion.
Mr. Welaby—Now, upon your solemn oath, can't you
recollect who the magistrate was that made it ?
Witness—l cannot. Mr. Lacy, Mr. Smith, Mr. Luck-
cock, and Mr. James were all present.
Dr. Bali—You say you acted on the suggestion. Do you
think the remark wee intended as a suggestion ?
Witness—l did.

Dr. Baly—You just now said it was a casual remark and
not a suggestion?
Capt. Williams—Te whom could the remark be addressed
but you ?
Witness—Nobody.
The witness subsequently admitted, that in consequence
of his directions, one-third of water was added to the
prisoners' gruel.
The " cats" were produced : in respect to them Captain
Williams said that there was no doubt thsy were light
instruments.

Lieut. Austin was examined at some length in relation to
the frequency of the attempts at suicides, but was unable
to offer any explanation. There were five attempts from
March, 1850, to October, 1851, the period of Capt. Maco-
-1 nochie's governorship ; and ten from that time, the com•

moweemeut of Mr Austin's governorship, up to May in
this y. 117, beside, the three caws terminating fatally. With
referemas• to the visits of Mr. Perry. the 'government in-
,
armadot. ha said that that gentleman had n seen pri-
eaten in eh ' cellar strapped to the wall ; neither had he
ken isfurw,d of their labourina in their cells in the dark
St night; oar of 6.11 r being deprived of their beds until •
late hour.
•

Di..lialy asked Lieut. Austin whether he attributed the
decreen in the number of suicides to the discontinuance of
the strapping to the wall and punishments of that class ?
The per was that he did.
Capt. Wiaisms—There is an entry to the effect that a
child nine years of age was left at night in a cell alone, and
that it cried so much you were obliged to send some one to '
remain with it. is that so ?
Witness—The child cried so bitterly we were obliged to
send some one to remain with it.
Capt. Williams—Ray, you left other children as young
alone in their cells at night ?
Witness—l have.
A long examination followed relative to a practice at the
gaol of allowing prisoners in a bad state of health to remain
in their cells, and be treated by the surgeon there, instead
of being removed to the infirmary. Lieut. Austin admitted
that this prevailed to a considerable extent.
The Rev. Mr. Sherwin, the chaplain, re examined—His
ministrations had (he said) been frequently interfered with
by the injudiciou application of punishment. Since these
proceedings were instituted last April the punishments havo
been relaxed, and this has been followed by a great decrease
in the number of offences.
Dr. Baly—Do you think the bop are benefited by strict
seclusion ?

Witness—Certainly cot.
Dr. Baly—Eatentling that to the adults, do you think
that the separate system has been beneficial ?
Witness—For the first part of their imprisonment I would
keep them separate.
Captain Williams—Are you able to visit the prisoners as
often as you think necessary /
Witness—Certainly not. Children nine years of age msy
be three or four days without being visited either by school-
master or myself.
Capt. Williams—Then these boys are not instructed in
classes ?
___

Witness—They are not. I wish they were.
Dr. Baly—Han you made representations to the visiting
justices to that effect?
Witness—l have.
Capt. Williams—Do all the prisoners go to divine service
twice a day ?
Witness—No, only once a (ley.
Captain Wiliiams—Why is that ?
Witness--There are a series of boxes in the chapel, one
prisoner being placed in each, the consequence is that the
chapel will only accommodate one half.
Captain Williams—Does not that system interfere with
your ministerial duties ?
Witness—lt does very greatly, and is, besides, productive
of the worst oonsequences. I have known prisoners faint and
have fits in those boxes during service, and a more distress-
ing or more horrible sight cannot be conceived ; from the con-
struction of the boxes I have known prisoners almost
choked before they could be got out. It Is, I assure
you, peculiarly disr.nting to see women in the
chapel caged like wild beasts. I have sug-
gested an alteration many limes, but I found
a steadfast refusal, not only as regarded that
matter, but wh I wanted to extend my ministerial
influence. Mr. Sherwin went on to give an account in
detail of the sufferings endured by prisoners who had
been strai pod to the well. He gave a description of each of
these cues, and of the state of mind of those prisoners
who had attempted to commit suicide. Amongst other
attempts, was an extraordinary one at drowning. The man
actually turned the water on into his cell, but was dis-
covered by the officer. His picture of the miserable con-
dition to which these poor creatures were reduced was
truly app,lling. One boy, who had not done his creak
work at ten o'clock at night, was confined in the strait
jacket all night on eight ounces of food only.
Witnen represented this case to the governor; but (he
said) the magistrates hinted, when he reported on the case
of Andrews, who committed suicide, teat he had been
listening to the lies at the gaol. The magistrates had stated
I that they never read the entries in his (the chaplain's)
journal: " I believe Mr. Wills said so."
Mr. Wills—l did not, sir.
Mr. Sherwin—Then I beg your pardon.
Mr. Welshy—Let us have no issue of that sort, Mr.
Wills. The visiting magistrates shall each make their own
statement at the proper time.
The court then adjourned.
[We are anxious to give the earliest correction to a verbal
error which appears in the rep at of This
inquiry ;
it occurs in the evidence of Pearce. This witness is speak-
ing to the fact rf the rivernor and surgeon thrusting salt
into a prisoner's mouth ; once in the course of this evidence
the word " chaplain " is substituted for " surgeon ;" the
error would scarcely need to be corrected, having in view
the sentence which precedes it, but we should regret if by
any accident an erroneous impression went forth on such
a matter respecting so excellent a man as Mr. Sherwin.]

METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWERS.

SPECIAL COURT.

Yesterday a special court Vof sewers was held.
The members of thee commission present—Mr. R. Jane,
Chairman ; Mr. 0. 8. Smith, Mr. EL A. Hunt, Lieut.-Col.
Dawson, and Mr. Gibson.
The SZCZETART read a statement of the payments that
had been made since the last meeting, and stated the
available balance in hand to be 83,800!.
The next business was " to consider steps to be taken for
effecting a loan on the security of the rates, as empowered
by the 2nd section of 18 and 17 Vie. e. 26."
The CHAIRMAN said that the powers given by the
Continuance Act only gave them powers to raise 200,000!.
by loan, and they had to consider how that was to be spent.
The demands upon them were large, more even than they
could meet by means of that 200,0001., and they would con-
sider how it was to be used best for the public advantage.
It was then arranged that steps should be taken for adver.
tieing for the required loans.
The formal business of the day was then proceeded with,
and rates ordered on the Western Division, Poplar and
Blackwell District, Greenwich District, Ravensbourne Dis-
trict, Eastern Division, Hackney Brook Level, Spitalfields,
tic., Level, Hermitage-street Level, Lower Wapping Level,
Holborn Division.

CITY MUNICIPAL REFORM.

The following is extracted from a circular jost
issued by the secretary to the City of Loudon Municipal
Reform Associatioa

"The municipal government of this city is in the hands
of a privileged clue, to the exclusion of a decided majority
of the community. Local government is thus,
reverse so far u re-
gards that msjonty,tbe very oflocal selflovernment.
I The authorities hold office by the will of the minierity ; and
the magistracy are elected by and from a very small section
of that minority. The exercise of authority is therefore
felt to be an injustice and a wrong, whilst the administra-
tion of the laws is necessarily regarded with suspicion.
The privileged few tax the unprivileged many—wute the
trust fund' of the city in tinselled pomp and luxurious in-
dulgence—provide for the education of their children by
the sale of the municipal franchise—and extort a monopoly
trade-tax by the threat and under the dread of distraint,
seizure, law-ants, and penalties. Black monopoly, ender
the sanction of the municipal laws of the City of London,
infests the social and commercial relations of our every-day
life ; for, whilst it is penal in the proscribed tradesman to
sell his goods, it is actually penal in citizens of the privileged
elate to employ an unfree mechanic or labourer in prefer-
ence to a privileged competitor. This is offering a premium
to ignorance and presumption_, and putting intelligence and
worth at a fearful discount. That these and such anomalies
may be made_ patent to the Queen's Commissioners, to the
end that Her Mejenty in Council may relieve the citizens of
London from their baneful effects, this association has been
established."