Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-26 00:00:00

EVERTON AND KIRKDALE WARD.

A second meeting 'of the friends of Mr. J. J. Stitt, the
Radical member for this ward, was held last night,' at
the new building known as the-EvertOn Athenaeum, in
Breck-road. There was a very mixed assemblage, and
, the principal gentlemen on the platform, and in the
meeting, consisted of—CounCillors Steaini,.J. R. Jeffery,
and Kitchen ' • Messrs. Callan, Higginson, W. P.
Frame, Alfred King, jun., G. M'Connal, &c. ; together
with Mr. Clarke Aspinall, Mr. Fraser, and Mr. Cameron,
from St. Anne's Ward.

Mr. JOHN WALKER, of the Customs, was called to
the chair, till the arrival of Mr. Leicester, the chairman
of the committee ; and the first resolution was proposed
by
Mr. C. MILLWARD, who argued that it was a vexatious
opposition to which they had been subjected. He wished
them to beware of the " religious cry" which had been
raised against Mr. Stitt, and stated that he knew him
to be a regular teacher in a Sunday school. The motion
consisted of a declaratory resolution that the thanks of
the electors were eminently due to Mr. Stitt.
Mr. THOMAS YATES simply seconded the motion,
which was carried by acclamation ; and
Mr. STITT, who was received with cheering, was then
introduced to the meeting. Mr. Stitt, referring to
remarks at the meeting of Mr. Carne's friends,
said that their present meeting was their Donnybrook
fair. His coat was his conduct in the Council, and he
called upon any gentleman present to come forward, and
tread upon it now. (Applause.) He complained that
his chivalrous opponents, like the Chinese, had been
throwing stink-pots—(hear, hear, and laughter) ;—and
quoted Shakspeare—that "though we be chaste and pure
as snow, we shall not escape calumny." He had
been a conductor of a Bible class for twelve years, but
stated that he was an advocate of the voluntary prin-
ciple, and quoted, in confirmation of his views in that
respect, opinions uttered by the Rev. Rector Campbell
and the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. Mr. Stitt next
proceeded to justify himself for the part which he had
taken in the establishment of a fever hospital in one of
the best localities of Everton. He denied that he had
neglected his duty in the Council, but said the real
charge against him was, that he was not a Conservative.
(A Voice—" I hope you will never be.") That was a
sentiment to which he most heartily said amen. (Ap-
plause.) He claimed to be a moderate, but determined,
reformer, and a friend of progress. Mr. Stitt then, at
great length, proceeded to review some of the
questions which had come before the Council within
the last few years. Amongst these were those of the town
dues, the public parks, the rating of the out townships,
the sanitary improvement of the town, the supply of
water, the erection of public baths, the establishment of
boulevards, &c. ; and concluded by promising that, if
returned, his best energies should be directed to the
promotion of the interests of his constituents. Possibly
their vote might be adverse : if so, he should retire.
They might deprive him of his seat in the Council-
chamber, but c€uld never deprive him of the satisfac-
tion of feeling that, as an Englishman, he had done
his duty. Mr. Stitt then sat down, but immediately
rose again to announce that he was in favour of the
rating of the docks.
An ELECTOR asked Mr. Stitt if he had not received a
deputation from Everton Ward, on the subject of the
hospital, with discourtesy ?
Mr. STITT stated that he had no recollection of it.

Mr. JOHN WALKER proposed the next resolution,
expressive of confidence in Mr. Stitt, and pledging the
meeting to promote his return.
The motion was seconded by Mr. JAnnz JONES, and
carried by acclamation.
At ten o'clock our Reporter retired ; but it was
understood that, even at that late hour, Mr. Steains,
Mr. Clarke Aspinall—and, of course, Mr. Jeffery—
would subsequently address the meeting.