The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-29 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.

officers, and 12 sailors killed, and about 50 wounded. They
pretended to have set fire to the fortress of Isactcha."

the Russian belligerants, then, have changed

their military tactics

Instead of sustaining the

Protectorate of the Principalities (such being their

intention, judging from COUNT GORTSCHAKOFF'S

note), they have thought proper to try a further

manceuvre, and force the passage of the Danube

The result, for them, has proved disastrous, and
may be regarded as a token of final and complete

discomfiture

Already, disease is creating fearful

havoc amongst the Russian troops. They are daily

becoming decimated; and this circumstance, it is

said, being known to 03IER PAM' A, has induced

him to seize an early opportunity for attack.
No doubt every despatch that arrives will brin g

us very important intelligence, and -quite of an
opposite character to that which we have been
in the habit of receiving. That the hostile Powers
will come to a pitched battle, seems almost ine-

vitable, since the preliminary conflict has been
engaged in. We are gratified to find, that the
combined fleets of England and France not only

purpose to remain quiescent in the Black Sea, but

are determined to render effective assistance, to
that PoWer which, by treaty, they are bound to

protect

THE period is fast approaching when Mr. SAMUEL
HOLME will retire from the high position of Chief
Magistrate of this important town. The duties of
the Mayorial office have seldom been more effi-
ciently performed than during the past twelve
months, and if there has been a dash of ostentation
in all the proceedings of the present Mayor, a
marked predilection to entertain " distinguished
guests," still Mr. HOLME will descend from the
civic chair respected and esteemed by his fellow-
citizens, whose interests and welfare it has been
his highest ambition to forward and promote.
The question then arises who is to be Mr.
HOLME'S successor? It is confidently stated that
Mr. JOHN BUCK LLOYD is to be Mayor of Liverpool
for the ensuing year, and there can be no doubt of
the. fact. Mr. LLOYD is a gentleman of cultivated
mind, refined taste, high position, and quite com-
petent to discharge the duties incident to the office
of Mayor with credit to himself, and advantage to
the public of Liverpool. But are there no other
gentlemen who have prior claims to Mr. LLOYD?
Yes ; we may mention, for instance, Mr. GEORGE
HOLT, a gentleman equally distinguished for his'
public services and private worth. Few men are
more interested in the prosperity of Liverpool, and
if individual worth can add dignity even to a high
official position, the civic office was never more
exalted than if filled by Mr. HOLT. But the spirit
of party interferes to prevent this, and the ipse dixit
of a dominant clique elevates a useful partisan in
preference to a tried and useful public man. Mr.
LLOYD has been named for the office more than
once during the past few years ; but the claims of
others were more fully recognised, even by his own
party, and he was passed over. But an altered
state of circumstances has arisen since last Novem-
ber. A parliamentary election now intervened; a
stranger, unknown to fame, ,was thrust upon the
constituency by a few individuals, who pulled the
strings and set the puppets of the Constitutional
Association in motion. The opinions and wishes
of many independent and influential ,Conservatives
were. disregarded, and the result was that those
men rose superior to the ties of party, asserted
their independence, and selected Mr. J. B. MOORE
as a candidate for the representation of Liverpool.
He sustained a disastrous defeat, and there are
some persons sufficiently uncharitable to hint
that the office to which Mr. LLOYD 18 now about
to be elected, devolves upon him, far less in right
of any efforts he may have made to, cure the re-
turn of Messrs. HORSFALL and LIDDELL, than is
an inducement not to lend his influence to oie
with whom he was on terms of the most close and,
intimate friendship. We can scarcely believe that
this is so; but the mere suspicion of such a barter
of a high and honourable office, if not contradicted,.
would do more to bring our local institutions and
their managers into disrepute than anythiig we
have yet heard.

For three successive years have the Mayors of
Liverpool been selected from the Tory part? in the
council ; a fourth selection from the same party is
about to be made, and a fifth is promised. and yet
a claim for extreme liberality is put fort by that
party, because they permitted a veneralle gentle-
man, now no more, to be elevated tf the civic
chair four years ago. How much lsprger will this
state of things be permitted to centime ?

The meetings of public bodies of (this Borough
must be viewed as the assembling d so many par-
liaments, having considerable locil jurisdiction,
and the administration of large ptblic funds. In
selecting men to fill offices at piblic boards, it
behoves the community at large, to select those who
are equal to the discharge of the werous duties of
office; and who, above all, have, no personal in-
terest to serve, or local views to promote, at the
public cost. In the management of the Liverpool
Docks for example, what an rmount of care,
practical knowledge, and pure tublic spirit, is
required. Here we have an' immense capital sunk,
large returns. to husband and account for, in-
creased facilities to afford, and competition to
anticipate, while the attempts of interested parties
to create local jealousies are to be frustrated, and
their foolish practices deterfnimayte,pudiated
and overruled.

Men of mean capacity are not eapaole of dis-
charging these essential duties. The merchant
and enlightened man of business, shins only to
perfection in pursuits of a really practical charac-

ter; and, in a town so essentially commercial as
ours, there can be no difficulty in fading such
men to fill places of great public trust
The recent meeting of the Doct Committee
affords us a very striking example of the great
injustice that may be done, by thewant of a due
regard for the expression of piblic opinion, in
relation to matters of great loc4 •iiterest. That
some rumour has gone abroad,; respecting the
charges on-shipping in this pat, is:pretty certain,
from the fact, that a Royal Conmission was appoint-
ed to inquire into the subjeA of Dodk, charges here
and at two or three other.dorts. The facts brought
before this Commission at the period of its visit
to Liverpool, were suchas to convince any man, that
the Dock Committee does act with grave injustice
to ship-owners ani consignees of vessels unload-
ing at the Birkenlead side of our port, by charging
them with due, for unloading when they come
into the Liverpool Docks simply to load. This
almost inemlible fact was brought before her
Majesty's Commissioners in such a forcible light,
that we feel convinced the Legislature will
eventuoly interpose its power, to remedy such an
impottic course.
_ _ -

Emu the report of the proceedings of the Dock
Ccfnmittee, which appeared in the NORTHEN DAILY
'MIES, 'it will be seen that the Dock authori-
ties are resolved to continue their present charges.

The Chairman, Mr. CHARLES TURNER, announced
to the Committee, that " the triennial revision of
the rates of vessels using the Li,ierpool Docks

had that day taken place before the Mayor,
Mr. Trafford, and himself, and it was thought, that
no alteration on those rates was necessary, and a
resolution to that effect had been passed." Thus,
it appears, that as far as the Dock Committee
is concerned, the unjust and oppressive charges
complained of before the Commissioners are
to be continued for a further period of three

Now, any proceeding that cannot be justified
in equity must be attributed to some paltry spirit
of jealousy—some small views of- a parish, or a
personal charaCter. Such facts or ideas could
never influence the acts of a liberal and really
enlightened man. Hence the necessity for having
persons in all offices where the public good should
be the watch-word, and the great interest of
our port without reference to its natural
divisions—the ruling incentive to action. In
speaking of Dock Charges, we do not mean to say
that they are generally too high; but with regard
to the double charge laid on ships coming from
the Birkenhead Docks, we certainly would go
much further than merely directing public attention
to them. We would, in fact, recommend that the
inhabitants of both towns should take the matter
up, with. the view of bringing the Dock Committee
to a proper sense of the great mischief which
must necesssarily accrue to our port, from fostering
feelings of petty jealousy, which are inimical to
the best interests of both sides of the Mersey.

On the subject of charges generally, we would
also recommend to the. Committee; the utmost
moderation, considering that we are threatened
with serious competitioh, in the most profitable
branch of our shipping trade, by Milford Haven,
Cork, and Galway. These are all active rivals,
and in the advantages they hold out, they have
not forgotten to set forth the charges on shipping
in the port of Liverpool.
Reductions may not only be expedient at
the present moment, but may soon become
imperatively necessary. The sum now swallowed
up in the extension of dock accommodation must
also soon be left applicable for other purposes; and
it is self-evident, almost, that our dock extensions
have now been carried to the utmost limit they can
go. When the demand for money ceases in this
direction, the Dock Committee:will be in a position
to reduce the .charges very much below what they
are at present. But in the meantime the public
Must not remain satisfied with a future probability.
The fact is, that the double dock charges we have
pointed out are most unjust and oppressive; and,
therefore, they should be at once abolished, not-
withstanding the Committee have thought fit to
pass a resolution to the contrary.
With respect to the Harlington Estate, we have
an anomaly with which rate-payers should grapple
instantly, as there appears to be something at the
bottom of its management which needs a search-
ing investigation. -A positive loss of £B,OOO or

£9,000 we cannot reconcile with our ideas of judi-
cious management or commercial propriety. We
repeat, the offer of such a large bounty to an un-
grateful ands thankless trade, such as Mr. EYRE
EVANS represents the timber trade to be, is sheer
folly, if it dOes not materially interfere with the
profits of private individuals who have yards for
the storage of timber.

A DEAD BODY FOUND.—The body of a man waE
found floating in the river near the Victoria Tower or
Toterday. It was the body of a man about 5 feet Bor 9
inches in height, stoutly built, having a seamanlike ap-

pearance, and-wearing a blue pilot cloth jacket with grey
trousers. As yet he has not been identified.

SINGULAR DEATH.—Yesterday, an inquest was
held before Edward Herford, ESq., coroner for the city of
Manchester, at the Dog and Partridge, Oldam-road, on
view of the body of Sarah Murray, (daughter of Robert
Murray,) of 6, Back Portugal-street, hawker,) aged five
years-and-a-half. Sarah Murray, deceased's mother, stated
that on Monday night, about half-past six o'clock, the de-
ceased came in with some candles which she had sent her for,
and that she was crying. She stated that she was running,
and that she struck her eye against the wall. She said it
Was sore, but she ate her meat, and slept as usual. On
Wednesday morning she was singing as usual, but about
twenty minutes past twelve o'clock, she came into the house
screaming, and stated that she had a pain at the side of her
head near the back. She had a fit, and witness took her
to a druggist, who advised her being put into a warm bath.
Then Mr. Charles Boinpas, medical officer of the district,
was called in and prescribed. Next morning, about four
o'clock, she was found dead. Mr. Charles Bompas, stated
that on making a post mortent examination he found that a
small vein had been ruptured at the outside of the lateral
ventricle, and from this the blood had become effused. and
there was about an ounce and-a-half of blood coagulated.
He had no doubt that this caused death, and that the blow
against the wall, described by the mother, would be suffi-
cient to cause death. Verdict accordingly.

MR. BAINBRIGGE'S LECTURE.-011 last evening
Mr. Bainbrig,ge delivered the last of his series of lectures,
in the Collegiate institute. The lectures chiefly directed the
attention of the audience to the fact that the inferiority of
different tribes of the human population arose less out of a
decided and inherent inferiority of race than out of the
want of the principle of education and the diffusion of
religious truths. In support of this belief he pointed out
to their notice the numbers which exist even in the most
civilized and educated communities who approach no nearer
to those who had received that education which made them
virtuous and happy than did the most ignorant tribes of the
uncivilized world. He therefore impressed upon his hearers
the necessity of early and careful implanting of the seeds of
.education, and the importance of attending to that sound
state of health and body in youth which could alone be
compatible with, their productive reception of the Arms
from whence sprang enlightenment. In referring more
particularly to the training of youth, he gave a decided
preference to the system of teaching in a public seminary
than mere private reading. The latter produced only
theoretic knowledge, while the former diffused practical
education. In every large institution for education were to
be found exemplifications Of all the different forms and
passions of the human mind, and thus therefore would the
young student acquire that practical experience which would
guide, him in his future path through the world outside.
The lecturer was loudly applauded during his progress and
on concluding it.
THE SGIITHAMPTON MAILS.—The Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company's ship Iberia, Captain
R. Roberts, sailed from Southampton, on Thursday, with
the mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar,
with 36 passengers— a full general cargo (the largest that
has left for the Peninsular ports during the past two or three
years), and specie value 1525/. for Lisbon, and 1001. for
Vigo. The screw steam-ship Douro, Captain T. S. Russell,
also took her departure at 2 p.m., for Gibraltar, Malta,
Smyrna, and Constantinople, with 40 passengers, specie
value 18,5991. 10s. 5d., for the Levant ports, and on freight
about 290 tons of measurement goods. The cargo by the
Douro was not a full one, owing to the political complica-
tions in the East. Among the 40 passengers by this steamer
are Lord and Lady Hay, the Hon. Captain Gardiner, &c.
The United States mail steam ship Franklin, Captain I. A.
Wotton, left Cowes Roads, on -Wednesday afternoon, for
New York after embarking the semi-weekly American mails,
via Southampton. The Franklin departed from Havre the
same morning, and has nearly 20 passengers and an immense
cargo of costly continentla merchandise.

MELANCHOLY CASE OF SIIICIDE.—On Thursday
night a young man named William Rigby, 36 years of age,
residing at No. 130, Falkaier Street, committed suicide by
taking a large dose of sulphuric acid. Every effort was
made to preserve life by Dr. Patterson, Dr. Bickerstaff and
his son, but in vain. The deceased had led rather an ir-
regular life, and for some time past was in a desponding
state of mind. On the night of the 13th he was robbed of
a gold watch, and the case having appeared in the public
journals contributed much to unsettle his mind. On Satur-
day last he left home and did not return until Monday
afternoon, when he appeared in a very excited state from
drinking. Ile went to bed and did not get up until Wed-
nesday at two o'clock, when he appeared much better, and
remained up until the usual hour for the family to retire to
rest, and before retiring he joined in the family prayer.
Next day he did not get up, and about two o'clock he called
for his cousin, Mr. John Harrison, and told him he was
about being carried away from the house, his mind appearing
at the time quite unsettled. His cousin endeavoured to
re-assure him, but apparently in vain. About four o'clock
a scream was heard from his bedroom, and when the family
rushed up they found him lying outside the parlour door in
his shirt, and frothing at the mouth. It was at first thought
that he might have been attacked with cholera, but Dr.
Patterson, on his arrival, instituted a search and found an
eight ounce bottle in his room, containing sulphuric acid.
The deceased when questioned signified by a nod of his
heiid that he had drank a portion of the contents, and
shortly after expired. It is supposed that he had drunk
about half the quantity which the bottle contained. An
inquest will be held upon the body this day.