The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-11-28 00:00:00

THE DAY'S NEWS

We are again called upon to notify a further
prevalence of crime and outrage. The catalogue
is not only large, but alarming. Amongst the most
atrocious is that of the Croydon murder, the par
titulars of which will he foundiin another column.
What motive could influence the human monster,
is as yet a mystery. From the active exertions of
the police, he will, no doubt, soon be cap-
tured. In the case of the Erith murderer, who
poisoned himself in the Bridewell at Greenwich, a
coroner's jury have returned a verdict offelo de se.
To-day Marley, who stands accused of the Parlia-
ment street murder, takes his trial at the Central
Criminal Court, London. There is nothing fresh
respecting the Dublin tragedy, although everywhere
the police are most energetic in trying to effect
the capture of the barbarous assassin. The latest
Dublin news about this affair mentions that a
rumour, originating ,from respectable sources,
was circulated on Wednesday, with great confidence,
that a man bad been arrested, and having been
brought before some justice of the peace, not one
of the police magistrates, had been committed to
the Richmond Bridewell, on the charge of being
concerned in this murder. The police, however,
in answer to enquiries made at a late hour that
night, stated positively that there was no truth in
the report, and that no arrest had yet been made.
The investigations arecontinued with the most pos
sible secrecy, but with the most persevering energy.
There is no new fact, however, to communicate. It
will be perceived that yesterday there was another
excitement got up in Liverpool by the report that
a second arrest had been made of the supposed
murderer of Mr. Little, but from all the enquiries
which our reporters could institute there is no
ground to expect that the party detained had any-
thing to do with the murder beyond a few insane
statements, the result, probably, of an attack of
delirium tremens. No murder, in this country or
Ireland, has caused such excitement as that of Mr.
Little, if we except the cases of Palmer and Dove.
We have further news of the Southampton elec-
tion, the contest in which is now exciting so much
attention. The two liberal candidates seem as de-
termined as ever, although, from the reports which
have regaled us, it is rather evident that Mr.
Edwin James has rather got sick of the affair ;
for he was to have met his friends and supporters
at Southampton on Wednesday, but took suddenly
ill—a circumstance which his opponents have
not been slow to take advantage of, and to attribute
to it an evidence that Mr. James must, and
does feel, that his chance of success is daily on the
decline. Terminate as the struggle may, it is
certain that the electors of Southampton are un-
willing to make the representation of their borough
the precursor of aspiring lawyers stepping upon
the judicial bench clothed in ermine.
Those who have read in the colums of a cotem-
porary, a series of articles entitled "Liverpool
Life," will have become acquainted with many
of the sayings and doings of the gaming fraternity
of Liverpool. The proceedings in the Queen's Bench
on Wednesday contains some startling revelations
of gambling in the metropolis. A young man—
Mr. John Sidebottom, of the firm of Sidebottom
and Co., cotton manufacturers, Manchester, visits
a house in Albemarle-street, and loses £25,000
or £28,000 in gambling. Th 3 mode in which
he lost the money was by the gaming-house
keepers using loaded dice and what are called
despatches, so that in the game of hazard
played at these places, a loss was almost inevit
able to those who played against the gaming-
house keeper. The loaded dice were given to the
party playing against the proprietor, and the effect
was that he would be sure to throw the low cast,
deuce ace, while the " despatching " dice, which
threw the highest number, was substituted when
the other party had to cast, which, when a young
man was heated with wine, might easily be effected
without being noticed. The court, after hearing
the evidence, summed up very elaborately, after
which the jury returned a verdict for the
defendant. _

The proceedings of the Dock and Health Com-
mittees, at their usual weekly meetings yesterday,
are reported elsewhere. Nothing of any import-
ance took place at the former. At the Health
Committee, Mr. John Clare, jun., made a proposal
to relieve the town effectually of all Smoke Nui-
sance but he stipulated that, if he was successful
in his
plan, the Committee were to advance him
£l,OOO sterling, and, as delays are dangerous, he
only gave
the Committee a few days to consider
of and accept his proposal. Our reporter facetiously
remarks, that the matter ended where it began, in
smoke, no action being taken thereon. Alluding to
the Health Committee reminds us that, yesterday,
there were a number of summonses to be heard for

NORTIIERN

the non-payment of the Sanatory Rates of the
Borough, and, as usual, the cry was—" Wanted, a
Magistrate !" Full details of the matter, together
with the proceedings on the hearing of the com-
plaints, will be found in another column.
Our latest continental advices inform us that
the Turkish Ministry is again reconstituted, still
under Redschid Pacha—but for how long ? The
Constantinople correspondent of La Presse now
states as a fact, for which he can vouch, that the
Porte communicated to the French Ambassador its
resolution to demand the evacuation of the Turkish
territories, in accordance_ with the terms of the
Treaty of Peace, at the same time that the English
Ambassador and the Austrian Internuncio received
the assurance that it would not do so. This, of
course, would fully explain the discrepancy in the
assertions in the different ministerial organs. We
suggested at the time that some such duplicity of
the high Turkish officials might be at the bottom
of this matter. According to the same correspon-
dent, the affair of Yenikale has been settled by a
recognition, on the part of Admiral Lyons, of the
right of the Russians to interdict the entrance of
the Sea of Azoff to foreign men of war.
From Berlin we have rather unpleasant intelli-
gence. The official organ of the Prussian Ministry
adopts a tone of undisguised menace towards
Switzerland. The speech from the Throne, by
which the Prussian Landtag is to be opened to.
morrow, will, no doubt, become the chief turning
point of this unfortunate affair. The movements
of the Government, as well as those of the people
in Prussia, have been at all times sudden, because
feeling rules there more than reason,and occasions
for public display have always been prominent in
the history of that monarchy.
The relations of the States of the German Con.
federation to Denmark, seem at present to be
hardly much better than their relations to Switzer-
land. An additional element of danger works in
this case. Not the slightest ill-feeling exists in the
German nation towards the Swiss, but such feelings
are largely entertained over all Germany towards
the Danes, ever since the suppression of the late
Schlegwig-Holstein revolution, Should the Ger-
man governments take up arms for the independ-
ence of Holstein, this would be at the same time
an appeal to the national feelings, and a large war-
party, mistaking war for a means of progress,
would most probably support them.
At Vienna the policy of France was still con-
sidered unsatisfactory, for, instead of positively
declaring that Russia must fulfil to the
letter, the engagements of the 30th of
March, she is endeavouring to mediate be-
tween the St. Petersburgh Cabinet, and
England and Austria ; and it is said that,
in the estimation of St. Petersburg, the Emperor
Napoleon is a political adventurer, who may be of
service to Russia, but neither the Court nor its
official advisers feel any sympathy for him.
The refusal of the Swiss Federal Council to
release the Neufchatel prisoners has been published
in an official form. It is full of significant allusions,
not the least of which is that referring to the assur-
ances of good feeling which Austria, Bavaria, and
Baden thought fit to express when they supported
the demands of Prussia. The Federal Council have
informed those Powers that they know how to
appreciate these assurances. The result of Gen.
Dufour's mission cannot yet be made public. The
Federal Council have been unanimous, and there
is no blinking the fact that this seemingly small
affair grows daily in gravity and importance.
From Spain there is not any intelligence of
importance. At Malaga all was quiet, and the
coercive measures adopted by the authorities were
being gradually relaxed.
The Overland mail has arrived at Trieste. A
telegraphic despatch of the commercial intelligence
has been received, but there is not any political
news to hand.
The screw-steamer Kangaroo arrived here last
night from Philadelphia, whence she sailed on the
13th inst. She brings a large and valuable cargo,
and upwards of 120 passengers. The Kangaroo's
news will be found in another column.

Mr. JOHN WYBERGH'S resignation has afforded
the majority of the members of the Town Council
an opportunity of displaying their innate love of
prodigality. The late Borough Treasurer accepted
his office and discharged its duties efficiently and
faithfully for several years for a salary of 5001. He
gave the required bond, and took upon himself all
the responsibilities of his trust. His stipend was
raised to 7001. a year as a reward for good service,
and why this course should have been departed
from on the appointment of Mr. TWEEDIE, none
but his supporters in the Council Chamber can
comprehend. There is a fixed determination,
however, on the part of the Finance Committee and
its clique to seize every opportunity that occurs
of heaping expense on the town. By giving Mr
TWEEDIE 6001. a year, they saddle the Ratepayers.
with 1001. per annum which might have been saved
without doing injustice to that gentleman. The
new Treasurer had no right to expect more
for his services than his predecessor
received on taking office. But there was
an opening left for the prodigals by Mr.
WrsEson's resignation, and they could not help
making a job of the appointment of his successsor.
Lavish expenditure constitutes their highest
claim to notoriety. Without it they would sink
beneath the lowest point of public appreciation.
They therefore cling to the traditional fame of the
spendthrift-order to which they belong.
Had Mr. SAmusr. HOLINIE fulfilled his promise,
and essayed to "pluck the leaves off the cauli-
flower," when he found the Reform favourite of
Lime-street standing before him, the Burgesses
would have been far better satisfied. But instead
of this, Mr. J. R. JEFFERY took Mr. HormE in
hand, and endeavoured to arrest the flowery Alder-
man in his career of habitual extravagance. "It
has been stated to me," said Mr. JEFFERY, " that
" the salary of 6001. a year was fixed in eonse-
" quence of the high amount of bond which it had
" been determined to obtain from the treasurer.
" I am told, and I must ask the indulgence of the
" Council for my inexperience, that this gentleman,
" Mr. TWEEDIE, whom I have not the pleasure of
" knowing, is now in the receipt of 3001. a year.
" I am also informed, that Mr. WYBERGH, when
" first installed into his office, received, for not
" less than ten years, onlr 5001. a year." This last
sentence shews the prodigal design. An extrava-
gant bond was demanded from Mr. TWEEDIE to
justify or furnish a paltry excuse for raising the
Treasurer's salary. No attempt of the sort could
have been made in the absence of some childish
demand on the proposed occupant of the office.
A bond of 8,0001. was consequently asked for,
instead of the former bond of 5,0001, and for the
nominal security, for it really is little more in
this case, the Borough is put to the additional
expense of 1001.
If the Council had really b sirous of giving
the Burgesses ample security for the funds
entrusted to the Corporation, they would have
adopted Mr. JEFFERY'S suggestion. That gentle
man's recommendation would have rendered a bond
almost unnecessary. He contended that, after the
recent instances we have had, it becomes our duty
to take every necessary precaution to prevent the
funds of the Corporation from being drawn upon
the sole signature of a paid officer, however high he
may stand in the estimation of the Council. And
he subsequently moved, as an amendment, " That
" the salary be 5001. a year ; that the bond be
" reduced to 5,000/. ; and that each cheque be
" countersigned by the Chairman or Deputy-
" Chairman of the Finance Committee." The
idea of asking for a bond of 8,0001. as security from
an official who has frequently a balance of 100,0001
or 200,0001. in his power, and for which he may
write cheques, is really very laughable. The
Borough Treasurer might at any time draw on the
Corporation's bank for twice or three times the

TIMES.--LlVtlll4oota,

suspicion

amount of his bond without causing the slightest
To talk, therefore, of 8,0001. as
security to the tax-payers is ail moonshine. Let the
Mayor and Chairman of the Finance Committee
countersign every cheque drawn by the Treasurer
of the Corporation, and then the public will have
something better than a bond to rely upon ; and
that.this obviously necessary practice has not been
long since enforced, appears perfectly inexplicable.

RUMOURS OF A MINISTEBIAL EMUTE.—During the last
few days all sorts, of rumours have prevailed as to the posi-
tion of the Ministry. This, no doubt, arises, in some degree,
from the frequent and protracted sittings of the Cabinet.
Reports are current, in political circles, to the effect that
there is a split in the Ministry, and there are persons in the
West End clubs who assert, with a degree of confidence,
that the subjects which have produced discord are both
numerous and varied. Some aver that, several of the
Ministers, being apprehensive that the intriguing and ver-
satile Premier, with the view of strengthening himself
by an infusion of new blood, is desirous of casting them
overboard, as a set of medocrities who, in the stormy
coming session can be of no service—have offered resistance
to the Palmerston scheme, and have got up a counter
intrigue to bring Lord John Russell into the cabinet, in
order that they may oust their present chief, or, in the
event of failure, that they should make their downfall
appear as the defeat of whiggery. Moreover, it is also
rumoured that this discontented section of the cabinet has
lately urged the necessity, so as to promote its plans, of
introducing a Reform Bill, but it is said the noble
premier feels quite indifferent on the subject, that he
is opposed to innovation, and a convert to that policy
which would tide over difficulties to a future day, so that,
as long as it is possible, quiescence may be enjoyed. On the
other hand, there are those in political circles who profess to
have 13;en " behind the scenes," who consider the gossip
about a new Reform Bill a mere invention. They, however,
consider that our foreign relations, and the elevation of Mr.

Buchanan to the Presidential chair of the United States,
are matters which form the main topics of consultation and
debate at the cabinet councils. We give all these rumours
as they reach us, leaving to our readers to form their own
opinions as to their truth or likelihood of realisation.
HAYS TRH PUBLIC GAINED BY THR NEW COUNTY COURT
Acr?—We have heard much of the vast benefit which the
public would reap by the provisions of the New County
Court Act. Such, however, would appear not to be the
case, inasmuch as the new act gives to attorneys consider.
able powers of fleecing needy and unfortunate suitors. They
can, according to the statement of an intelligent correspon-
dent, make charges three times as heavy as before. For
instance, an attorney is to have ss. for attending at the
clerk's office, and entering a plaint; 3a. a witness for taking
notes of their examinations ; and 71. for drawing up a
consent, when the man could better go to the office and
consent there, as is generally done. It appears that, after a
certain court held this month, a leading attorney sent in his
bill for the cases he bad been on, which were not more
than 14 or 15 in number, and they exceeded in sm)unt the
whole month's fees for entering and hearing 230 plaints,
and levying 46 executions; in fact, doing everything
belonging to the court. This is a monstrous piece of
public iniquity. Indeed, there are many things in connec-
tion with these courts which should not exist.

THE ANOMALIES OF THE FRENCH LAW.-011 looking over
our French files, we find in one of them a curious point of
law enunciated. As is well-known, French workmen are
prohibited from combining together to procure an advance
in wages. If they do so, they are liable to be fined in a
sum not exceeding 3,000 francs, nor less than sixteen
francs, and to be imprisoned from six days to three months.
Some agricultural labourers were charged with committing
this offence, but it appears that the law does not apply to
them, they are specially provided for by another law,
which treats their offence with much more consideration.
The fine to which they are 1 iable cannot be higher than
twelve day's wages, or the imprisonment of longer duration.
By this it is established that the workers in manufactories
and workshops are altogether on a different footing from
agricultural labourers, in respect of combination for increase
of pay. From this it is evident that the country labourer
is deemed a much less dangerous character than his town
rival. The French law is exceedingly strict in all that
relates to the city ouvrier. The precaution alluded to
may be good, but we mistake the French character very
much if the time is not fast approaching when such
social fetters will be 'rudely cast off, and the hands so
long accustomed to restraint, will use with terrible
strength their newly acquired freedom.

STEAM-BOAT EXPLOSION AND LOSS OF LIFE AT SOUTH-
AMPTON.—On Wednesday evening as the engineers were
getting up steam in the Parana, one of the West India
royal mail steamers, one of the boilers burst, which killed
three persons, and wounded nine seriously. The full
particulars have not yet been ascertained.

CATHOLIC INSTITURE.—A literary soiree was held in the
hall of the Catholic Institute, Hope street,last night. It
was numerously attended. The chair was occupied by J.
B. Aspinall, Esq. During the course of the evening an
address was delivered by the Rev. James A. Stothert, on
" Modern Science."

HISTORIC SOCIETY.—There was no formal meeting of the
society last night, but the members assembled at a cotaversa-
zione at the Egyptian Museum, 8, Co!quitt street, by special
invitation of the proprietor, Joseph Mayer, Esq., F.S.A.
A very pleasant evening was spent in examining the
contents of the museum, which are various and most inter.
eating.
HOPE HALL Luc-runms.—The lecture last night was
delivered by Mr. P. E. Dove, author of the " Theory of
Human Progression," &e. The subject of the lecture was
"St. Louis and the Waldenses," and in his treatment of it
the lecturer was most happy in rivetting the attention of
his hearers throughout the whole of his discourse. The
chair was occupied by Mr. P. M. Dove.

THE LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURTS.—There i 9 no
court or other place of public business in Liverpool more,
conveniently situated than the Bankruptcy Courts, but, unfor-
tunately, that advantage is almost more t nan counterbalanced
by their very defective hearing, consequent on their proximity
to South John street, and Cable street. South John street
is one of the leading thoroughfares of the town, and from
six o'clock in the morning until a late hour at night, the
traffic through it is incessant. It is paved with square sets,
and, as lorries pass along, the reverberating noise so fills the
court that the husiness has frequently to be suspended, it
being impossible for the professional gentlemen engaged in
the cause immediately before the court to make themselves
heard, even though they should speak at the top of their
voices. The learned commissioners are also much incon-
venienced by it, and must find it very fatiguing in deciding
the many points that arise in the conduct of a case. Yes-
terday, in Mr. Commissioner Stevenson's court, an exami-
nation could not be proceeded with for some time, in
consequence of the noise in the street. The learned com-
missioner stated that the landlord was bound to put double
windows to the court, and observed that it that were done it
might be some imnrovement. Mr. Evans, Mr. Dodge, Mr.
E. Banner, Mr. John Yates, jun., and other gentlemen
professionally engaged in the court, also complained of the
annoyance, and expressed a hope that steps would be taken
to abate it. We think that the street should also be
Macadamised in front of the court. It would be the most
effectual remedy.
PRESENTATION.—M. L. Hubert, French master in Mr.
Wands' school, 7, Percy street, was, on Thursday morning,
the 27th inst., presented by his pupils with a handsome
gold pencil-case, on occasion of his changing his residence
from Liverpool to Paris. Master Samuel Kerr, 33,
Falkner square, in the name of his fellow pupils, read the
following address before presenting Mons. Hubert with the
pencil-case :—" Sir,—We, your pupilq, in Mr. Wands'
academy, have heard with deep regret that you are about to
leave this country and return to France, by which
.change
we will be deprived of your valued instructions in the
French language, as well as the pleasure of meeting with
you our kind and highly esteemed master. It is only since
we were made aware that you were about to depart from
amongst us that we knew how much we love and esteem
you. Many times, we fear, we may not have been so good
boys as you could have wished us to he, and rnay, also, in
our thoughtlessness, have given you unnecessary annoyance.
We hope, however, you will f irget and forgive all our
faults, and believe that we have always held you in the
highest esteem and respect. And now, when we must part,
we assure you that you carry along with you our sincere
wishes for your future happiness and prosperity. We feel
desirous that you should also carry with you to your new
home a small taken of our love and affection. However
worthless it may be in itself, we feel assured you will value
it, not for its intrinsic worth, but for the affection which
prompted the gift. We hope, sir, you will be pleased to
accept from your French cl.,ss, attending Mr. Wands
school, this pencil-case, as a small token of their love and
esteem." M. Hubert made a suitable reply, and both
master and pupils were deeply affected at pat tiug with each
other.

FRI:DAY.