The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-11 00:00:00

THE FATAL RAILWAY ENGINE

The adjourned inquest on the men who were killed
by the explosion of a locomotive engine at the London and
North-Western Railway Company's Works, at Longsight,
near Manchester, lon Tuesday, took place yesterday after-
noon, at three o'clock.
Sums additional evidence was adduced, and was not con-
cluded when our report was despatched.

SCHOOL FOR TILE INDIGENT BLlND.—Yesterday
this charity, instituted in 1799, for the purpose of impart-
ing to the indigent blind a sound moral and religious educa-
tion and instructing them in a trade by which they may pro-
vide wholly or partially for their future subsistence, held its
annual general meeting at the London Coffee-house, Lud-
gate-hill ; Lora Radstock took the chair. The report stated
that the present number of pupils in the school was 75
males and 69 females. There were 27 candidates for admis-
sion. The receipts for the year amounted to 4,2171. 11.,
and the disbursements to 2,5441. 9s. 3d., leaving a
balance of 1,6721. lls. 91. in favour of the institution. An
announcement was made by the secretary that a donation
of a grand pianoforte had been made to the school by John
Melhuish, Esq., of Tooting. It was resolved unanimously
that the subjoined be made a bye-law :—" That in considera-
tion of an application on behalf of hie Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales and a donation of 300 guineas to the
corporation, he be entitled to the privilege of having one
tn nominee always in the school, such nominee to be subject
equally with other pupils to the rules and regulations of this
school. Same business of a routine character having been
disposed of, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the noble
lord for his courtesy in the chair, and the meeting
, dissolved.

SERIOUS GUN ACCIDENT AT TURNHAM-GREEN.—
_Yesterday afternoon a man named James Harrington, aged
28, was brought to St. George's Hospital under the follow-
ing circumstances :—Harrington is a garden labourer in the
service of Dr. Lindley, the well-known botanical author,
and with his wife, resides as care-taker at a cottage in the
occupation of his muter at Turnham-green. On the pre-
vious afternoon, a little before 6 o'clock, the doctor was
amusing himself in the presence of his family by firing with
a rifle and the new conical shot at a target abut 120 yards
distant. After having fired several shots, the Doctor sent
his daughter with a small square piece of board to place
near the target, and when she returned he levelled his rifle
to fire. Just at that instant, Harrington, who was standing
on one side to mark the hits, suddenly sprang up to rectify
the position of the small board just as the discharge took
place. The shot struck him and passed through the back of
his right hand, thin through the left thigh, afterwarls per-
forating a thick board, and has net since been discovered.
The distresing scene which followed may be imagined.
Surgical aid was instantly obtained, and yesterday it was
thought safe to remove the wounded man to the hospital.
Happily the ball missed the femoral artery, and there is
' reason to hope the sufferer is doing well. It is a remark-
able fact, that last year another eminent botanical writer,
Professor Schleidon, of Berlin, had the misfortune seriously
to wound an assistant while rifle shooting.
TELEGRAPHIC IMPROVEMENT.—The direct trans-
minion of messages by the electric telegraph between Paris
' and Lonffin commenced on Monday. A singular circum-
r stance took place on the occasion ; a dispatch of forty words
sent from Paris at nine in the morning arrived in London
; at two minutes before nine. This is explained by the
t difforenee of time existing between the clocks cf Paris and
of London.

ELECTION EXPOSURES.

SELECT COMMITTEE ,ON THE WITH-
DRAWAL OF THE NORWICH ELECTION
PETITIONS.
itntelutil, ~ M
intoe d
why
ur.y
ELECTIONEERING AGENT REVELkTIONS.
clock, Yesterday, this committee, consisting of Mr.
Tho
adlie
miles Dur Zil a
e ,
tchlmn 2
lonch, M
tor.
and because of the withdrawal of these petition*.
The hon. Chairman commenced the proceedings by re.
questing Mr. Eales, the committee's clerk, to read the
petitions referred to the einnutitter, complaining of the
withdrawal of the original petitions preseued
.in Novem-
ber last, 41 the committee would then uederstand nure
completely what was the nature of the allegattens.
The petitions set forth in substance that the petitioners.
Mews. Phillip*, Abel, Eludes, Scott, and Markley, electors
of Norwich, originally presented a petition against
the return of Mr. Pete and Mr. Warner, on
the ground of bribery and corruption, and complaining that
by these and other means the electors were deterred from
recording their Yetis ter the llsrquis of Deere (now the
Duke of WeLington) and Colonel Dickson, the conservative
causlidates. That the recognisance, for this petition were
duly catered into and referred to the general gem:dates
of elections. rhe petitioners Lad since been engaged in the
preparetioa of their CAW, and were ready at the pro, yr
time to substantiate it before the committee, believing that
the cheeps would have resulted in the unseating of one or
both of the liberal members. Much to their niertineetion
and surprise, however. they learned from the pupae prints
that the petitien had been withdrawn without their con-
sent. That they (the petitioneri) had never girc.l Mann.
Thompson, Debeuham, mid dross n any teutbority to en:m-
-(l,m ties petition, end submitted that justice could not be
doae witeeett the pstitionere were re-instated on the lee of
election petitioners, and that the order of the horse dis-
charging the petition shoal be rescinded.
The petition of Colonel Dickson, of 10, Stanhope-terrace,
Ilydespark-gartien., was next read. It stated th it he (Cul.
Dickson) felt much aggrieved by the withdrawal of the eeti-
lion, and that it had been done without the knowledge and
consent of Ur. Netten. the local agent of the petitioners ;
that it was a great injustice to the petitioners and to hen
(Colonel Dickson), who was surety tor its clue end proper
prosecution, and outman:el thet Mr. 11. L. Drown, the par-
liamentary agent employed by the local agent, had com-
mitted a breach of the privileges of the house, and had
every reason to believe that the grid IL E. Brown had acted
in au uojust manner for the sake of party purposes, thereby
seer:dr:Mg the interests of the pet:water. tie petitioner
prayed thet the wetter might be inquired into.
The Chairman then said the committee, on tee application
of Mr. Brown, had resolved that all witnesses should with-
draw from the room, and that the only parties consented
with the proceeding allowed to remain should be the peti-
tioner or the scents. It is a very peculiar inquiry, but we
have no feeling otherwise than that it cannot be too
public-
The letter of Messrs. Thompson, Debenharn, and Brown
to the Speaker, withdrawing tho Norwich petition, having
been read and put in evidence,
Mr. H. E. Brown, of the firm of Thompson, Debenhsm,
and Brown, parliamentary Agents, 31, Peelimment-street,
was thou celled, and said, of course it is not for me to
dis-
obey or dictate to the committee, but I beg to submit that
they should first of all allow the accusation to be made
mutest me.
The Chairman—The charge is contained in the letter
to the Speaker, who reported to the bode that he had re-
ceived notice from Messrs. Thompson, Debenham, and
Brown, agents fur the petitioects in the cases of Gloucester,
Middlesex, Norwich, and Kidderiniuster, that it was not
intended to proceed with them. Is it in your handwriting t
The Witness—Yes. Tho letter e s" was subsequently
added to the word petition, so that the letter dated 14th
of February, related to the withdrawal of two petitions. I
are an atterwy and solicitor. I wrote the letter by the cu-
therity of Mr. Kitten. lie gave see the authority on several
occasions, but particularly the last time I saw him before
the letter was Written.
The lion. Chairman—What were the instructions Mr.
Kitten gave you ?
Witness—With submission, I think we should begin at
the beginning. Again I submit it is very hard to put me in
the box before you have heard the accusation against me.
1 ant personally as respectable as any man in the towel, and
I causot help submitting that to put me in the box with-
out first having the accusation preferred against me made,
is an unparalleled thing in the history of Englund. It is
perfectly (with emphasis) unparalleled. I throw myself on
the mercy of the committee.
The lion. Chairman—Toss have beard the charge in the
Speaker's letter. It may be unparalleled, bat we want the
truth and nothing more, and if it is possiole to extract the
truth we will have it.
Witness—lf you are determined that that is the proper
course to pursue, I throw myself out your mercy, hut I
think it is a hard and unprecedented way of dealing with a
petition, alleging a breadi;of privilege or etiquette. Sucha
thing against a professional man was never heard of that he
should be the first witness called without accusation made.
It is unparalleled—unparalleled.
The Hon. Chairman—No one lees doubted your respect-
ability, Mr. Brown, or said a word about it ; but the ques-
tion was, when did you see Mr. Kitten, and what were the
instructions he gave you ? I require an answer.
Witness-1 saw him on the Saturday previous; but be-
fore I answer further, I again appeal to the committee.
After a pause the committee cleared the room, and, on
re-admission,

The Chairman slid—Mr. Brown, we postpone your evi-
dence, and proceed to examine Mr. Kitten.
Mr. W. M. Kitten, solicitor, of Norwich, examined by
the Chairman—Had seen the petitian of the five electors of
Norwich, complaining that the petition against Mt srs.
Pe to and Warner had been withdrawn without their consent.
Was the local agent for that petition, and employed Mr.
Brown as parliamentary agcut, but had never given him
any authority whatever far its withdrawal. First knew of
the petition being withdrawn on Monday, the 14th of Fe- •
binary, by taking up the Times of the following day. Had
seen Lrown at his office on the Saturday previous. Hed
conversation with him there, and Brown asked witness if
he would withdraw the Norwich petition, as a set off for
the West Norfolk. 'Witness replied, it was so thoroughly
understood, however, that tho West Norfolk petition
was " a sham," that he would have nothing to do with it.
During the day of polling at Norwich, it seemed to the con-
servative party to which witness telouged, that something
extraordinary must have been done. The Marquis of
Douro, in his farewell address to the conservative elector*,
said—" Although the political connexion which has existed
between us, for 15 years, is severed, I cannot but suppose
that the personal honour of the successful candidates re-
mains unsullied, although it is impassible to reprobate too
strongly the means that have been unsparingly used to throw
obstacles in the way of the constitutional action of Conser-
vative principles, and to overbear the consciences of the
I voters." The Marquis and Coiontl Dickson were defeated,
and subsequently, on being applied to by some of the lead-
ing conservatives of Norwich, witneu took charge of the
petition, and with his clerk investigated the matter. Witness
then saw a gentleman in town who recommended Mr.
Brown to him as a parliamentary agent, to conduct the
petition.
The Chairman—Who was that gentleman?
Witness (reluctantly)—Colonel Forester.
The Chairman—Whore did you see Col. Forester ?
Witness—At the Carlton. I subsequently saw Mr.
Brown on 15th September, at Salter's-hall, City. They had
a conversation, and witness said be did not feel himself
instilled in going into a petition that would incur any heavy
parliamentary agents' bill, and that was the reason he had
seen Colonel Forester. Brown said the expense would be
trifling—not worth talking e out. Witness told him the
local expenses would be provided for, and Brown said, "In
ease we go into committee, from 5001. to 1,0001. would be
required." It was understood that if on further investigation
the facts did not justify the prosecution of the petition or
any heavy expense, or if the Norwich conservatives did not
to raise sufficient means, that then the petition would bo
withdrawn. Witness, Colonel Forester, and Colonel Dick-
son, then met at Mr. Brown's office, in Parliaments
street, to arrange the matter, and subsequent'sy
witness received a letter from Thompson, De-
benhatu, and Brown, stating " we have gone through
the evidence, and can have no hesitation in stating that if
the facts can be proved there will be no difficulty in unseat-
ing the present members. If it be determined to prosecute
your present petition you will have the goodness to send
the names of two persona who are trustworthy, and with a
surety who is well worth 1,0001. There may be two sure-
ties for 5001., or four for 2501. each, but we infiaitely prefer
one with 1,0001. The petition and reeognisances can be
presented and taken any day between the 11th and 24th
November." Witness enclosed this letter to Mr. Samuel
Bignoli, one of the leading conservatives at Norwich, and
tho result was a meeting_ of the " of the leading
conservative party" of Norwich on the Bth Nov., and they
passed a resolution appointing a committee to consider and
report upon the subject matter of the petition. The reso-
lution produced was in the handwriting of Mr. Kerrison,
agent of the Marquis of Dante. Lord lianelagli, though
not au elector, but holding considerable property in the
neighbourhood, was present at the meeting, which was
held at Mr. Bignold's house. In con.sequence of that meet-
ing witness went further into the case. Saw Brown again,
and Captain Ives and Colonel Dickson became sureties,
and the objections by Coppoek to the recognisance' were
overruled before the examiner. Saw Brown again on the
ISth of January, and Brown asked Jahn if he would set off
the Norwich petition as against the West Norfolk. Wit-
ness said, " It is quite impossible." I understood Colonel
Dickson that Mr. Oliveira, the member for Pontefract, had
made some application with regard to the petition, which
Colonel Dickson had declined to listen to. I told
Brown it would be quite out of the question
that the petition could bo withdrawn, after the
sureties had been given, without the concurrence
of Col. Dickson. Brown, in reply to witness, said the mat-
ter was likely to come on in March, or after Easter, before
the committee, and I must proceed with the case. On the
Saturday before the petition was withdrawn, Brown again
asked witness if he would withdraw the Norwich for the
West Norfolk, and witness again declined. This was at
Brown's office, in Parliament street, at about three o'clock,
and Brown went over to Coppook's, laying, " Your petition
will nut come on before Easter ; the matter does not press."
These were Brown's last words on the subject. NS itness,
seeing the paper on the table, said, "I will look at it while
you are gone to Coppock's," but did not wait till Brown
returned, and left, saying he should be in town on Tuesday.
Subsequently witness was surprised at seeing the withdrawal
of the petition announced, and w witness wrote thereon to Col.
Dickson, and also to Brown, stating he had to authority
from his (witness's) clients for the withdrawal of the
petitions, and requesting him immesh tte/y to restore them
to the lists, sad asking for a reply. Witness, however, had

Tt e.ft,. no r ply t.. the letter, Lot received one from Drown
dste toe l tn. e I February, stating, "I has e a i•he:raern
toe Norwich itetiti. Its. with theft for 7.qichile sex, Kidder-
u, nets:, sly tilentecster. Cop:asek has withdrawn You
ar.4 West Norfolk.
Chai-rnso—li. thAt CAW then Cappo-k had not the
advantage.
wicaesa—No. There were two petitions preser.ted in
the case of Norwich ; one against Peto and another &anion
'.lVarner. '1 tie object of having two petitions insteed of a
joir.t ertitien was, to have the power of withdrawing one
If it war desired ; an th.:t Lard Dior°, or Gavot el
Dicks a and Veto might remain, or Lord D iuro
and War. et r. Did not know that it was to
Saito:tate compromise, or to oht..in Colonel Dickron
a seat is hi.•a rat Warner. In the e iume of ads transactiou
was swath • frir od in a dy, In Noce ich, ar.d was mobt.cil by a
tan:teed peep! t. he..led by a tests-a:stile man. (L oszlider.)
The I raka of li.Chornn was trout at this time, so that the
Marquis of D .ure would rot he efi,tihle. Did not know
that the prtitiou a4iinst Warner was presented with the
view •f a salutatorian moo sett, and oh:Med Colentl Dick-
son in it is lien of Mr. W.:raer. Culairr imi-e had been
t. red o , but there was no negotiation. In 1t5.17 a petition
was 0re5.,... it? tits,t iii 5.r.....ut Doke rf WOlin;:oe, and
the present Lord Abinger, and the latter withdrew, and
maae way tar Mr. South. This was the result (Jan offer
from the :Outside, and this was inconsequence of the even
'tau off arties in.NOrificii. awl Coe el. sire they bad when loft
to Lieu aloes to res. rye liermuoy and concord.
Witness would hove said, by means set up t s that prio-
ti.4. on the last • lorthm. Front 1.037 to 18.11. w,. have gone
en in that way, each party returning one, and I aliould have
has peMeetly I sf Pete and I/ ono had been we-
t:lmo& ant think that although Brown's firm were
coped., c .1 ;orisons, 'c.d. as he (witness) mg:aired, that
they led any power independent of witae-s, at a law or
bug agent. AcroPlieg to tt.e rules ofprefessicoal etiquette,
the pet.ta in could no: be withdrawn without witness eon-
fermi with his eieots. If Brown hod said to witness,
t• Now, Kitten, Werner will retire if )nu withdraw the pe-
tition," niter-, would 1 itie Ca::-11 his party together.
Brown had n r right to d.r anythiez without
witness's bistro:lions, witness being sole agent.
When Cul. Forester recommended Brown to witness at the
Cultdi be took mitoses into one of the rooms, and had
only seen him since the recognisances had been entered
Lau ror the r.itirct of the withdrawal of the petition. Wit-
ness steroid:6,l,d to Cu!. Fore-ter as to the eoaduct of
Brown, .and ho coincided in his views, awl I:: seemed to
think Brown Lad acted indiscreetly. Cod. Forester did not
all vidnesa he haul given Brown any authority to withdraw
the petition. Did not infarm the colonel that Co;v3ek
bad"pair..)" rff so many petitions on the other side.
The profemival charges of the petition were to be paid by
o solurription in Norwich, and not by the Carlton. Did not
unde.4 and the Carlton were to contribute to the expense
of the matter in Laudon. Understood that Messrs. Thomp-
son, Detwieham, and Brown were, protessionally speaking,
eleet.onetring ageats of the Carlton. Coionel Forester
cif red,::, or cll. for the preliminary invostigation at Nor-
'% ahien witness dentin I, sayine if the I,cslity did not
*aloe forward the petition must drop. D'd ant know to
se ow Brown was to look for his iiipenees. lie had not
incurred any. Never considered Colonel Fore ter had any-
th -.4 to do with the potation, or that he ihterfered.
Bum:ned by Colonel ihshsan—Col. Dickson, seven or
eight weeks all, asked the witnees to remove the petitions
from Brown's hands, because Lord Ranelagh bad expressed
Coi. Dickson a very stnry or bad opinion of Brawn, say-
ing, t. sell you." (Laughter.) Col. D,rkson had cn
many occasions told witness nothing would make him drop
the prosecution of the petition, and that he would subscribe
towards ita expense.
By the Committee—Cumionnizated with Col. Forester at
the Csrlton from speaking to him on other matters, and
Col. Forester but written to witness about the disastrous
result of the Norwich election, and hoping witness would
still continue to giro his attention to the registration.
Witmer, with hill partner Beekworth, were employed at the
eitetion in 1137, and :kitten. Dyson, Hall, Parkes, and
Ehrnbsole were his usual porliameubry agents, but not in
elc:tioas.

-------
Cfo44 et...wined by Mr. Brown—Did not think that by
presenting two petitions it would frighten Mr. l'eto into a
compromise, and did not remember saying on more than
one occasion "the Mr. Peto would rather do anything than
wear in the position of Mr. Jacob Bell." Diet nt.t at the
first interview say the real object of the petition was with a
view to obtain a seat by compromise, hut that it might very
likely end in that, and that he (witness) might be disposed
not to press the petition in case such an offer was made.
Did not on seeing Col. Forester at tine Carlton say he de.
s:red to place the matter in Brown's hands because ir •com-
promise wars not effected the party would make use of the
petition, but that he was desirous of placing it in the hands
of an experienced man like Brown. Never stated that the
petition might be withdraws., or paired" with the Wert
Norfolk, the Liverpool, or Canterbury, without consulting
witness's clients. Never heard Mr. bignold say he washed
Lis hands of the petition. Never said, at interviews, that
pecuniary overtures had been 111340 by Mr. Oliveria to
Colonel Dickson, and that he would be party to nothing of
the kind ;or that if the petition could he paired" fur a
good party, witness would not mind. Witness thought the
arrangement proposed by Mr. Oliveira bad far its basis the
retention lay l'eto and Werner of their seats.
The Chairman—What was the connexion between your
remaiuing in Brown's office and Bro.en's going to Coppock ?
Witness—Merely the gossip.
The Chairman—Or the Times newspaper. (Laughter.)
Witness—When Brown came back, he said ". Coppock's
list is nearly exhausted." Ile talked about Cui.pock's
f' lighting petitions," which witness supposed were against
conservative members.
The Chairman—They apprami tube balancing an account
current of lighting petitions ? (Laughter.)
Witnus—Yes.
The Chairman—Did you understand that Coppoek's powers
of compromise were nearly exhausted ?
Witness, examined by Mr. D:unnon I—That is what I
under trod. (Laughter.) When he said there were cer-
tain lists in Brown's anal Coppuck's hands, he only spoke
from on din. Was oat acquainted with the arcane of toe
Reform Club. (Laughter.) It was generally understood
that bath anted in concert as t 3 them petitions, and that,
somehow or other, when Brawn withdrew a petition, Cop-
pack withdrew one also. (Laughter.) They were called
fight:n:3" petitions. He supposed because when they
cats into committees of the house, the parties assumed the
attitulo of fight. The other petitions had no tarticular
name ; but in some (..sell the sitting member carried too
many guns for the petitioner. (Laughter.) Slate were
fit:Ain't., others were "fighting" petitions, end some were
bonafi:e. The Norwich petitions were no speculations.
The *lieul principle on which political parties iu Norwich
bad nil along acted, as regarded election of members, was
that of " one and one."
The committee adjourned at 4 o'clock.