The Express.
London, England, 1847-02-13 00:00:00

merit of the legal expenses of the complicated suit which he
hail conducted for them against the Skinners' Company,
until the chances of success were actually endangered by the
delay. Re accused them of having suppressed the it moue-
able acknowledgment of their debt to him during the
whole progress of the suit, and with hasing so
managed their attack upon his reputation, as to in-
thence many individuals who would have voted for
him to appear amongst his other misinformed adversaries.
Nothing could equal the shabbiness with which the society
doled out the expenses, after quarrelling and squabbling
about every bill he presented, and objecting to every item.
Mr. R. TATILUIt, a late member, and Mr, William Jones,
the late deputy chairman of the Irish Society, nee to reply
to the observations of Alderman Wood, but there was a
general expression of dislike to the continuance of the din-
cusoion, and the Recorder said the Lord Mayor was of opi-
nion that the election should proceed without further coat-
meet.—Mr. R. Taylor and Mr. W. Jones complained of the
interdict of his lordship, as they considered it exceedingly
unfair that they should not be allowed to contradict the
slanders which had fallen from the lips of Alderman= Wood.
The show of hands was then taken, and Alderman Wood
WAS rejected by so small a majority, that several persons
who rapidly counted the hands were of opinion, until the
Lord Mayor gave his decision, that the election had fallen
upon the object of accusation. His lordship declared that
Aldermen Sir John Pirie and Parehrother were elected.
TILE CONFLICT ABORT TOR QUALIFICATION BILL.—
Mr. ASKURAT row to move that the report of the committee
of privileges of the whole court should be read.
The Loan Mayon, after some little hesitation, occasioned
apparently by a consultation with the Recorder, put the
question " that the report he now read." The court an-
swered with a unanimous shout. The resolutions contained
in the report, which was signed by sixty-eight member,
including the ablest and most independent men in the court
were u follows :
That this committee request the Lord Mayor to restore the Qua-
lification )tilt to the paper of buainear to be brought mat the neat
court. That In the event of the Qualification Bill not being placed
on the paper, the Court of Common Council be recommended to
assert and adhere to their right to bring on the same f..r Macueaion,
and to have the question " That the bill be read a third time " put to
the mart. That the Remembramer be requested to lay before this
committee a copy of any bill he may he inatructed to prepare for pre-
mutation to the ROOM of Commons, to: repeal or alter the act of
11 Geo, 1., as soon se it than be prepared.
Mr. AARURKT.—I move, now, my Lord Mayor, that the
court do agree with the committee in their report.
The LORD MAYOR then rose. with a paper in his hand,
and read from the paper the fallowing observations "My
brethren the aldermen and gentlemen of the Common
Council,—As a mark of respect to this court, I am anxious
to state my reason for declining to accede to the wishes of a
committee of this court, intimating to me their desire that I
should place on the summons for business to be traumeted at
this court the third reading of a bill to declare the qualifica-
tion of freemen of London to be elected members of the
Court of Common Council. The bill in question had un.
dergone all the amendments proposed therein, and appeared
to me as so framed as not to be in accordance with the pro•
visions of the charter 15 Edward 111. The Mayor
and aldermen, so far from claiming the assent of the
commonalty (the common councilmen of the wards and
commoners of this court) to this bill, have solemnly pro.
tested against further proceeding with this bill, in which
protest I, as mayor of this city, have concurred. And I be-
lieve the bill, aa framed, not to be in accordance with the
laws, charters, and customs of London, nor with the consti-
tution of the city, nor with the rights and franchises of my
fellow-citizens, the freemen, inhabitant homeholders of the
respective ward., the electors of the common coun-
cilmen of the wards, both by the laws of the
city and under the statute 11 George I. This
bill deprives the electors of the exercise of their
franchise in as ample a measure as they now enjoy it bylaw.
Under these circumstances, I feel it would be contrary to my
duty as chief magistrate and mayor of this city, to allow the
question of the third reading of this bill to be put; for the
same reasons I have declined to insert in the summons to
attend this court for the despatch of business the motion for
the third reading of this bill. I disapprove of dissolving the
court, but I deemed it to be MY duty to interfere merely in re-
ferenoe to this bill, and to decline to put the motion.
The RECORDER said the difficulties which presented them-
selves as to the putting of the question of the third reading of
the Qualification Bill were embodied in the report; and it
appeared to the Lord Mayor that to put the question that the
report be agreed to was, an effect, to put the question of the
third reading of the bill.
Mr. PRENDERGART said he was decidedly opposed to the
idea of adopting such a report. The Lord Mayor had a high
prerogative. The refusal to put the question as to the Qua-
litiestlon Bill no doubt came late, but it was the duty of his
lordship, at the very latest moment, to reject the proposition,
if he considered it to be illeoal to consent to it. lie should
move as an amendment to Mr. Ashurst's motion that it do
lie on the table. Alderman JOHNSON seconded the amend-
meat.
The court then divided, and there appeared for Mr. Peen-
dergast's ameadmeut, the Lord Mayor and 7 aldermen,
6 commoners, and 1 teller ; against It, 3 aldermen, 124 com-
moners, and 3 tellers; majority in favour of receiving the
report, 116. Present in the court at the division, 144. The
announcement was received with immense cheers.
Mr. J. WOOD (the original mover of the Qualification
Bill), then rose to move the third reading of the bill, which
was seconded by Mr. Wire.
Mr. PRIINDBROART said there was no notice of the motion
on the paper of business. It cannot, therefore, be put.—
Aldermen Gibbs and Farebrother, and others, said the
course was quite irregular; and the Lord Mayor called upon
the town-clerk to proceed to the regular business on the
paper—the election of officers.—Here several members told
the town-clerk at his peril to put any other question until
the decision of the court should be given upon Mr. Wood's
motion.
The RECORDER The Lord Mayor has directed the town
clerk to read the names of the officers of the corporation.
Mr. Wine : I ask the Lord Mayor to proceed legally and
regularly, I stand here as a citizen of London to demand my
right, and I am surprised that the Recorder, who is a mere
officer of the court, should thus interfere with our pro-

ceedings.
The RECORDER " The Recorder is not an officer of the
court. Is it the pleasure of the court to proceed with the
business of the day ?"—SeveralVoices : " Yes, the motion for
the third reading of the Qualification Bill is the business of
the day."
The Loan MAYOR : I shall not put that question.
The Towx CLERK (reading from the court list) " That
the following officen"—A number of members here roise,'and
with negatives immediately drowned the voice of the town
clerk.
Mr. HARRISON : I am an independent member of this
court, and all who ars like me, independent, will join me in
resisting this attack upon our rights.
The LORD MAYOR: There is no use in argument upon
the subject. I distinctly refuse to put the question.
Alderman SIDNEY intimated to the members that they
could not proceed without the Lord Mayor, to any business
whatever. (Murmurs and confusion.)
Sir Cerra Lstatis : The Lord Mayor has no right to do
wrong. That would be a power indeed ; but it is a power
which it would seem he thinks he possesses. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Joust WooD : You say, my lord, that you will not
put the question. I have a right to give notice, which I
accordingly do give, that I shall at the next court move
that the bill be read a third time. (Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR I shall not put that notice on the
paper of business. (Marked disapprobation.)
Mr. LAWRINCI : Then we shall try the question

The LORD MATOR, who was calm but resolute all through
th's extraordinary scene, then left the chair and the court,
amidst hisses and groans, which some of the principal
members of the court endeavoured in vain to check.

THE MARYLEBONE GUARDIANS AND THE Pool"-
LAW COMMISSIONERS.—Yesterday, at the meeting of the
directors and guardians of the poor of St. Marylebone, Mr.
MsHellen in the chair, • voluminous communication from
the poor-law commissioners was read to the board by Mr.
Thorne, the secretary. The effect of the document was, as
upon former occasions, a direct interference with the inter-
nal management of the workhouse and its officers. The
following opinion of counsel was appended to the commu-
nication :
We are of opinion that the rules and regulations nude in Atwood,
1834, by the directory and guardians of the poor of the parish of St.
Marykhme, under the sections 153 mid 136, 34 Occaye IV., but net
=bedded to or set approved and confirmed by the pane-law °twangs.
190001. are not valid wholly or In prt, so far se they
for
the
regulations and government of the worMioase or other boom for the
recepUen of the poor, or the °dicers menected therewith, or in any
way relate to the adminietration of relief to the ;woe statute 4 and
S William IV., e. 76, no. 13, 21, 21, and 42.—(8igned) Joss Lowy%
T. Toe soy.—Temple, January N.
Sir James Hamilton, Bart., moved " that the secretary be
instructed merely to acknowledge the receipt of the poor-
law commissioners' communication." Mr. Potter seconded
the resolution, and be would only my that he for one was
determined row to offer the most strenuous opposition to
any further interference of the poor-law commienoners. The
motion was put from the chair and carried unanimously,
after which the board separated.
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.—
A weekly council was held at the society's house in Hanover-
square, on Wednesday last, the Earl of Egmont, president,
in the hair.—Professor Sewell exhibited a machine for the
inhalation of sulphuric ether by large quadrupeds, for the
purpose of suspending their animal sensation during the per-
formance of surgical operations ; and gave an interesting
detail of the result of his experiments at the Royal Veteri-
nary College. Having first ascertained the influence of the
vapour on a healthy lamb, be proceeded, on the following
day, to amputate the limb of a diseased sheep. He also divi-
ded the nerves in the foot of a horse, with perfect success,
and without the slightest apparent pain. Mr. Sewell bad
made experiments on the apparatus essentially required for
the purpose of inducing this state in the smaller animals of
farm, and found the application on simple and inexpensive as
to kid to • hope that every painful operation would soon be
performed under the deadening influence of this vapour. An
interesting discussion then ensued, and the council adjourned
to Wednesday next, the 17th inst.
ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.—THE MEDAL QIJESTION

Yesterday the annual general meth. was held, when the
usual report from the councal woo sot The subject of the
new planet, and the claims of Kussa. beerier mai Maar,
were naturally of prominent kowtow. In has gem
the report that the council could net awe le as agesumwt
upon any one course, by a majority ealklawas amain to
the laws of the society, to allow these to sat flow,
it seemed, wished to call a general users ha
pend the existing bye-low on the Wood al fella, and
to award two such distinctions. TOY was supped on
the ground that the differences of egikria• general
meeting would probably be u great SO ONO
vglik OD 110BaCil,
—and that it would be contrary to the tbe laws
of the society to throw before a wog aaesting a
peculiarly difficult subject, of a kind slater eves in the
sealer cues, had been by those laws melt egarialy reserved
to the council. This view of the wattle parpallel—by what