The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-08 00:00:00

ERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.

inspire-in the minds of the profligate and vicious,
thei.e• could be no safety, either for life' or pro-
perty, and society must of necessity resolve itself
into its original chaotic elements.
The , more perfect that system of police is,
which has for its object the prevention of crime,
and the protection of the virtuous, the weak, and
the well-disposed, the nearer do we approach
towards true civilisation. We agree with SIDNEY
SMITH, that " the staff and the stout arm of the
constable is the only effectual method of keeping
a clear highway in England.". Our " new
policeman" is a being of comparatively modern
creation. He certainly cannot boast of the
antiquity of his order, although he may most
truly of his efficiency and respectability, when
these are contrasted with his predecessors ; and
wa believe the community have no more valuable
servant than the constable who knows, and who,
honestly, fearlessly, and faithfully performs, his
duties. Such a man is indeed a " terror to evil
doers, and a praise to those who do well." His
sleepless nights are spent in anxiously guarding
those who repose secure in his watchfulness. He
is ever ready to rush to the cry of distress, to the
protection of the weak, or the safety of the help-
less, and his own life is often imperilled by his
efforts to protect that of his fellow-citizens, when
exposed to danger. His task is indeed an
arduous one, exposed as he is, in all weathers, for
some ten hours, night after night, without rest
or shelter of any kind, moving round his beat
like a mill horse ; his work is as trying to the
constitution as anything can be—so trying that
many sink under it.
The constable who is openly at war with
criminals of every stamp has every right to all
the protectino which the law can throw around
him, and it is the knowledge of the possession
of this which enables him to act with confi-
dence and promptitude on every emergency. He
is armed with power of the most formidable kind.
To interrupt a constable in the discharge of his
duty, either by word or deed, is a very grave
offence; to touch him is an assault ; and he has
the terrible power of inflicting death itself
on a- prisoner who may he legally in his custody,
should that prisoner endeavour to make his
escape. On the other hand, should he fall while
in the execution of his duty, the law decrees it
to be murder, and nothing less. But while the
law thus arms the constable with such vast
powers, it is scrupulously careful that he shall
not exceed the limits allowed him. Of this we
have a most striking instance in the recent stab-
bing case at Birkenhead, where a constable was
instantaneously deprived of life by a miscreant,
who struck him to the heart with a knife. Such
was the feeling of horror and indignation which
this assassination provoked at the moment, that
had SMITH been put upon his trial there and
then hislife would no doubt have been forfeited,
as it certainly would have been subsequently
had it not been for the facts which transpired on
the trial at the Assizes.
From these it appeared that the constable
was called to the ' housp of a publican,
morning, to remove the prisoner, who Was
disorderly. The landlady, however, refused
to give him into custody, and the constable
acted discreetly by counselling the prisoner to go
home. This advice he appears to have taken,
for he did zo some distance in that direction.
What exactly transpired in the interval does not
clearly appear, for the only person who could
have thrown any light on that portion of the
transaction—namely, SMITH'S companion—was
not examined. We have it in evidence, how-
ever, that VAUGHAN was joined by another
policeman, named WurrEsinn; that the two
had some conversation ; that they then
demanded the prisoners' names, which was
refused, on which VAUGHAN seized SMITH
by the collar, while WHITESIDE seized his com-
panion, and attempted to drag them off to
Bridewell. This was resisted, and the result
was the death of VAUGHAN. .
Rumour, however, gives a different version of
the story. It is alleged that VAU3HAN was
an Orangeman, and that SMITH is a Roman
Catholic. VAUGHAN had that evening been
attending an Orange Lodge. He had met
SMITH in a beer-house; that some words passed
about religion ; that VAUGHAN exhibited Orange
colours, and made remarks calculated to irritate
Salmi ; that after the affair at SOFTLY'S the
feud was renewed. Be that as it may, the jury
could come to no other conclusion than the one
they arrived at—namely, that the - unfortunate
man VAUGHAN had met his death at the hands
of the prisoner; as
,the constable had no
legal right to have laid hands on the prisoner,
the offence resolved itself into one of manslaugh-
ter only ; and it is evident, from the very light
sentence passed on SMITH, that the learned
Judge fully concurred in the view taken by the
jury, which has, however, caused much dissatis-
faction amongst the police of Birkenhead.
We have been led to make these comments
with a view of pointing out to the constabulary
of this and other places how necessary it is for
their own safety, and the interests of the com-
munity at large, that they should, in the perfor-
mance of their important duties, never suffer ill
temper or feelings to guide them. But
there are other matters which have come to our I
knowledge, seriously affecting nearly the whole of I
the Birkenhead police force. We have already
shown that the law has armed constables with
great and almost irresponsible powers ; at the
same time it is scrupulously jealous that these
powers shall not he exercised to serve the pur-
poses of party or faction ; hence constables have '
`SP
been prohibited from joining certain associations, THE correspondence, which we publish in full
or taking any active part in Municipal or Parlia- to-day, between the gentlemen concerned on
mentary elections, or doing any other act which either side in the "bales and trusses" question,
might lead them to prostitute the powers of I scarcely calls for any remark from us. As usual
their office for improper purposes. Amongst in such cases, the main point of the question
the most obnoxious combinations which ever appears to have been lost in the redundance of
afflicted and disgraced an unfortunate country, phrases. All that particularly concerns, the
are, the Irish Orange and Ribbon Societies. 1 public is, that an open investigation of some
Many attempts have been made to innoculate the ' kind is certainly offered, and is for some not very

Liverpool police, by the emissaries of one, at all
events, of these illegal combinations. The
attempts were, however, speedily and signally
defeated by the energy and firmness of the
authorities. In Birkenhead, however, they have
—if our information is correct—been eminently
successful. The police are mostly Irish, who,
with one solitary exception, are all Orangemen.
The exception is an extra hand, who has only
been fourteen days in the service. This is a
startling state of things. A formidable body
like the Birkenhead police, openly avowing
themselves members of a political combination,
and indulging in bitter denunciations against a
large number of their fellow citizens—the whole
party leagued together as one family, and ready
at all times to screen from punishment, by the
most questionable means, any of their number,
be his offence what it may. Nor is this protec-
tion extended merely to the members of the force
—the dearly beloved brethren out of doors can
always count on the influence, assistance, and
advice of Constable This or Inspector That. In
short, if one half of what we have heard in regard
to this body be true, the police establishment of
Birkenhead is almost metamorphosed into an open
and avowed Orange lodge of the most dangerous
and reprehensible character, and its immediate
purgation must be effected either by the local
authorities themselves, or they may rest assured
their proceedings will not be kept a secret from
the authorities at the Home Office.

A COTEMPORARY has volunteered a defence
of the convention lately entered into between the
British Government and that of the French, on the
subject of the Newfoundland Fisheries, which is
calculated to mislead the public as to the facts of
the case. That the colonists of Newfoundland
feel deeply that their interests have been trifled
with, cannot be doubted, and that by persons in
sptoocov
de r.
This , by
is sufficiently whomthosee
ntl y
interests
evidentwere
by
the n otu nde
r-
sympathy
ener-
getic action
withof thewh ie h colonists,th e delegates
and bythe
New-
foundland to the sister American colonies have
been received. It is plain that those best able to
understand the bearing of the question, by iden-
tical interests and geographical proximity, have
entered warmly into the question, and consider
tha.t the conduct of the British officials has been
exceedingly blameable in the matter ; as a proof
of this, we refer our readers to the resolutions
adopted at a public meeting held at Halifax,
Nova Scotia, on the 16th ult., and which will be
found in another part of our impression of to-day.
The fact, as stated by our cotemporary above
referred to, is, no doubt, that the French Gov
ernment have claimed an exclusive right by
treaty to some part of the shore of Newfound-
land, where English fishermen have settled
themselves; and that they (the English fisher-
men) in those parts of the shore carry on in fact
a concurrent fishery, but not to the annoyance of
the French fishermen ; this is evidenced by the al-
most total absence of disputes between them. On
the foundation of thuisiacgtiinaruytiegrreie:ti,aancies,uthnes
which,
h7is9ct taiqstevidl oie extraordinarytr havenongvei
into
lniceo; dntsti ide
makers
eta
enrristti
the
French claims, and if necessary to the ends of
rencih
milesmtn t
shfhryoa
Intl
ht that part
French,
heehrighth aovfe theo of fishing
agreed
ficos
istnt whichhgat F
justice providing for the ejection of the British
fidemandeds
fishermenh e concur-
rentlyr
witho
fßtrhi tei sshh
afirsehoefr tl2, ea
hn r
ao
dn aboute
roenae
ghruena -t
dre
d
number of establishments for the prosecution of
the British fisheries have been erected and in use
for more than a century, and where a vet • y large
outlay of capital has been made to this
end. It
also gives the French fisherman the ght of tak-
ing bait on the southern shore of Newfoundland,
where now a large and industrious British popu-
lation resides, who already often have the produce
of the whole year jeopardised by the want of
bait ; and who, if this convention came in force,
would further have their already scanty supply
decreased by the French fishermen pursuing and
taking the bait in their harbours.

These concessions of concurrent rights of
fishing and taking bait to the French would not
assume so alarming a feature were it not for the
enormous bounties granted by the French Go-
vernment to the fishermen on the produce of their
fisheries ; the fact being, that for every cwt. of
dried fish exported by French fishermen, a
bounty of 10 francs is paid, which is really
almost as much as the fish produced by the Bri-
tish fisherman is worth, after all the labour, ex-
pense, and risk of catching an i curing has been
borne.

If, therefore, this convention were to be ratified,
the colonists would be obliged, still more than
they are at present, to compete with their rivals
who are supported by enormous bounties, and
from the increased facilities which this convention
would give the French, our fishermen and mer-
chants engaged in the trade would be met by
these 'rivals under all the disadvantages which
such a state of things involves, in every fish-con-
suming port of the world, our own colonies not
exempted, whilst in France, and its colonies,
British caught fish is strictly prohibited. It i

is fortunate that the persons who repre-
sented the British Government, in negotiating
this convention, made its being acted upon con-
tingent upon the Colonial Legislature approving
of it. If this had not been the case, the interests
of the colony of Newfoundland would have been
materially injured, and a hardy and industrious
population, as well as a great nursery for sea-
men, seriously damaged.

apparent reason declined. What Mr. Al'
said on the hustings, or what Mr. Tull°
replied, matters little either to the public or tc
us. It is to be regretted that, if Mr. Tull
feels bound to ignore the existence of Mr;
EWART'S Committee, he could not sugr
through any channel the means of forming
competent tribunal.
We say this, supposing him, as reported
all the Liverpool papers, to have vehement'
called for enquiry when accused on the daYrl°
nomination. If, however, he declines ericilli;
because he assumes the charge to be unwti;c.
of his notice or refutation, it is very much t°
regretted that he did not form this resointi°tti
and rest in silence on the weight of his challici.t
at a somewhat earlier period of the debate.
suppose nothing now remains hut that triblirYct
to which we have before referred, in which
of us must judge for himself, and allow his deo
sion to influence his action as a citizen on atj;
future occasion which may bring the Patti
again into antagonism.
One remark we have to make upon
I.e,
r3ROCKLEBANK'S concluding letter. The "gr 3
wade
br
charge," to which he alludes, was not 1333`;),(
the press, so far as we know—certainly P° ty
us. It was made by. public men, before
public, and only commented on by the'
410' I
when it had become a topic of so much 4, r
to
discussion that it was no longer possible -
it over in silence,

TELEGRAPHIC NEI*

FRANCE.


01"
PARIS, TUESDAY E 5114,04
The illoniteur publishes an imperial 54d
which, after having given all the consideLliotA
declares that the acts of the Bishop. Of
towards his clergy are abusive, and are an"'
suppressed.
The Paris Three per Cents. closed this
e
at 69f. 30e. •

THE SOUND DUES.

'!
STOCKHOLM, MAl'e-soi,
The Diet has unanimously approved of tile
Dues Treaties concluded with the different g,

PERSIAN AFFAIRS.

-

MARSEILLES, TuF'diiil
The snow that blocks up the roads in Per Ire'
delay the return of the ratification of tbeipt
with England. Tile Ottoman Ambassou,,bl
Teheran has presented a note, the object of
rrel
is to demand the execution of the boundaqu'o
and the restitution of seven towns to
especially of Ourmiash and Sulamanich.

BANKRUPTS.

[By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph
Frederick William Whiston, druggist, BirminghaT.a,
Samuel Richards, apothecary, Bedford square, L9l°
Frederick Blucher Dowland, builder, Lee, Kent.
Elijah Lawton, cotton waste dealer, Manchester.
John Easton, builder, Glanham road, Surrey.
Die i
Christonher Hall, East India merchant, Sun court,`--0
Jarnea 13,-Fidshaw and Aaron Collinson, cotton 015
tnrers, Burnley.
William John Roberts, draper, Burry Port, pembre.TlC

menthenshire.
Thomas Pyecroft, carrier, Walton, Yorkshire.
William Sniffler, grocer, Bodale, Yorkshire. Not
Richard Jones, flannel manufacturer and slay atakerP
Montgomeryshire.
Edward
,cm:lai
Ynn:
usrDifinfoiel
no
lane,er
ye ,editei
vaolcteindr
eoir
London,
Ca 05
nt raa eu
ui
Gloucestershire.
Iph
Charles C,,oland and William George Barnes, P"risi"
William Gibbon, grocer, Spenny Moor.

in°llfir
GATISTON' BOARD OF HEA LT H.—The usual _este.
meeting of this board was to have been held ..7_
eel
af-ernoon, hut in consequence of some mistake, the in
did not take place, being adjourned to Saturday
o'cloc
Svak. urea
A NDLER.—Our town has been /6 bortO
some time past with a "monarch" of the above Alice
but probably in a few hours, a genteel stop will
the peg,
the gallop of this "gentleman,'' and possibly
court may be adorned with his presence. ~est
t t
EXPORTS FROM LIVERPOOL..—It appears from Eoto
tics published in the Liverpool Customs' Bill of
(1004
the value of the goods exported from Liverpool 4,60'
quarter ended the 31st of March, 1857, was 'tjlr ofj?„
against £12,477,214 of the corresponding clan„„
.156',J
showing an increase in favour of this year of
THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET.-13y the Overland„os,l
have received advices of the safe arrival of the 01'1;e,',
Sunshine, belonging to the Mersey line, at Melho.llr4l
to
a passage of eighty one days. This gives adds
couragenaent to intending shippers and passenge,,lth
Eagle Speed, of the same line, the packet of the .0 0,
which is a sister ship to the Smshine. She is 11,.°s
berth, east side of Prince's dock, and will 1:0f
close inspec ion, alike in strength, fittings, an°
arrangement.
i,„ eaPtrlY
SHIP DAMAGE IN THE RlFER.—Yesterday .0 oy
a brig, called the Belsev, summoned the eaPttleedi
Ocean Monarch for £so'd'amag,e alleged to have 'collo,
to his vessel in consequence of the neglect of thePt
board th- latter vessel, on the night of the 14th till/.0
river. The case came before Mr. Mansfield. Aerstivol
was for the complainant, and Mr. Bremner for the ',berg)
The whole q -estion turned upon the fact, °I/O.IOV
transaction was purely one of accident or Ile? ser
several witnesses being examined at bzth sides, htsr, ot,/
was of opinicn that die affair was one of acelloti,
that the pilot and people on board the Oceati ioea
had done all that they could to avoid it, disc'
complainant. 110001
TOXTETH PARK LOCAL BOARD OP FIEALTIL'"
monthly meeting of this board was held vesterAred,
public offices, Park place. Mr. Alpass presilre,
other commissioners present were—Messrs. go
Briscoe, Hughes, Darsie, Rogers, and Boult.
ings of the last committee having been confirtnedt'ies'of
district rate of 8d in the pound, and a highway Otto(
in the pound, was ordered to be levied on the 281 b t104",r1
ft was exolained that this rate was Id more thil„"0","
the previous year, owing to having to pay sonle:aficare
expenses The recommendations of the finance and
age committees were adopted and confirmed, nbat;e6
being no other business, the board adjourned unti." poops,
instant, when a special meeting will be held for 4101
of dewing a commissioner in the place of Mr•
THE DODGE THAT FAlLED.—Yesterday aft e, fr°,l
and to transact other business. 00°11
fellow named Griffith, was brought before v.etl'heo
magistrates oa the following charge :—lt aPPeStfd.t4
the dodge of this fellow is quite new, and no c,.;irriiio,
this becomes known, the public will be on 0105: et
against such scoundrels. He went into a bee-gl,oli
Boundary street, near Bootle, and asked for! ',be 01
ale, at the same time asking the landlady hau.,„ggeritOl
sixpenny pieces of 1856 ? saying he had made a "- 6'4'10
she had so many in the house. The woman toe-r,
the silver she had and laid it out on the 00110810
the prisoner began to turn it over, and in a 001 eftbiol
landlady missed six shillings, and she told fir4o
whereon he bolted. She chased him into a hoot-bow
he was captu,-ed. He was searched, and a of!i11.1-for
identified found on him. He was sent to Jal e 4
months with hard labour. f igho
THE GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS.—In our paP,„--„°0540
will be found the advertisement of Messrs.
Cushing's great United States Circus. /t will u;101 be
on the vacant ground opposite Commutation row,
e.
cover a space of more than half an English serosliiS
troupe of artistes and horses are fully 200 ill;n afgegt
comprised exclusively of equestrian and gymnast—e 61:tag
and horses. Among the novelties that this, till be
e
circus company in the world, will introduce, wiii isoUta
Apollonicon, a newly invented and gigantic musicroPileat
ment, a number of Indian savages—chiefs, braves, P, waid
squaws, and papooses—American clowns, educate% it
to
Sce, The arrangements now in progress -11,1eir 0J
anticipated, enable the spiried proprietors to give " etaeld
entertainment on the 20ah inst. ; and as their engagr wed!
will not allow them to stepmore than three or foubiesfej
in Liverpool, we are confident that the erection, %0M
be capable of accommodating 5,000 persons, wil„4%
to overflowing during their stay in this town.:

Mr. AII
Mr. Ttri°

! public or.

Mr. To°.

ence of

not sitige

)f forming'

i ti
s reported
~:
'e vehemO,:l

)1-1 the daY'
;lines encig'l,fi t
be unOrtPi;
,y much to
.
his resoldtl(4,
f his challici,t'i
debate. t_.,!

that tribo;
in which eaci:
allow his dev(
citizen 00 9,;
ng the V

lie upon 'of
The "grf:v
a not 120 ti(
artaini ty,
ien, befog
by thilbv
o much
)ossil)le t° I

NETS;

- 1"7
IDAY Evo?feft.!
mperial. 00:
Oonsidell.l
of
iareand „