The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-06-27 00:00:00

S.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.

of Mr. Clay's valuable

or otherwise, as much as possible
services may be continued for some time longei
Mr. Addison said the intimation which was thus conveyed
would be received with regret not only by that court but: by
all Who paid attention to prison discipline, not alone in that
countrys but throughout Europe. The reputation of Mr.
Clay wys of a European character. (Liear, hear.) I3ut,
as time passed away, u. was not given to any one to sustain
always an equal power of use falness, and the failing health
which Mr. C:ay bad cf late experienced, compelled him to
give this intimation. The visiting justices felt what the loss
by the removal of such a servant. would be to the public,
and the difficulty they would have in suppl:ing his place.
They, therefore, felt it their duty to sabrait the question to
that court, to determine upon the proper course to be taken.
They had the alternatitre of allowing Mr. Clay to retire on
the pension which be had a right to expect, or adopting the
suggestion contained in the report of the visiting justices,
and appointing an assistant chaplaiia for the present, by
whose aid Mr. Clay might be enable] to carry on his
personal discharge of the ditties for some time longer. This
latter course Mr. Addison advocated, as well as on the ground
of recovery, as of advartage in the discipline of the house
of co recti' n. Ile concluded by proposing that the question
be referred to the visiting justices, with authority to provide
an assistant chaplain until the further order of the court.

Mr. Miles seconded the motion.
Mr. Ashworth supported the motion, and added, that if
Mr. Clay retired his pension would be £230 a year, being
twu-thirds of his present salary, which, with the salary of
a successor, estimating it at £2OO a year, would be £430 to
be paid by the county. If, on the other hand, they con-
tinued Mr. Clay at his salary of £350, a,4.d appointed an
assistant at £l2O, the amount would be only £470, being
but £4O more than according to the other arrangement.
For so small an amount as that he did not think any
one would be wall., g to deprive Mr. Clay of any portion
of his present salary.
Captain Aspinall thought mere motives of generosity
to Mr. Clay should be sufficient to determine the court,
leaving the question of amount and economy aside.
The Chairman : It is very well when both motives canbe
combined.
Several gentlemen paid high tributes to the valuable
character of Mr. C'ay's long services.
Mr. Catterall opposed the appointment of an assistant
chaplain, on the ground that tbey could probably only get
a man inferior in capacity and ability, but who would,
nevertheless, when Mr. Clay finally resigned, be in posses-
sion, and have a sort of claim upon the county for the
appointment of chief chaplain. He therefore suggested
that Mr. Clay's resignation be accepted whenever he thought
fit to tender it, and that the magistrates advertise for a chief
chaplain in his place. Far this purpose Mr. Catterall con-
cluded by moving the previous question.
Mr. Addison stated that Mr. Clay was himself introduced
to the court thirty years ago by him in the capacity of assis-
tant chaplain.
The court finally divided, when Mr. Addison's motion
was carried by 24 against 10.
Sortie discussion took place as to the amount of salary to
be offered for an assistant chaplain. The question lay
between £l5O and £l2O per annum. Finally a division
took place, and £l2O was agreed on by 21 against 10.
This closed the business of the day.