Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-04-27 00:00:00

Mr. Hutchison proposed, that Mr. Jones be re-elected
senior churchwarden, and was seconded by Mr. Luff.
Mr. Peck had not the slightest objection personally to
Mr. Jones, but he heard it rumoured, that there was an
under-current at work on account of the relig,ions opinion
of a late member of the vestry, bat he would maintain his
opposition, so long as the churchwardens were coalesing to
keep out any person ; there was one Roman Catholic—he
need not mince matters—there was Mr. Whitty. He was
given to understand, that the churchwardens had left out
Mr. Whitt), in their list, and solely on account of his
religious principles.' Now, he (Mr. Peck) differed from
Mr. Whitty in his religious principles, even
more so than the churchwardens themselves, but
he would not stand and see a man slighted on account
of his religious feeling. He appealed to the good feelings
of Mr. Jones to give him a direct answer to the question,
were they prepared to propose Mr. Whitty as a select
vestryman ? if so, he would not move an amendment.
Mr. Jones said he was only carrying out the custom of
late years. He thought that it was not the thing to dictate
to the ratepayers who should be elected to the select vestry,
and who should be kept out. They, at the proper time,
proposed a member, and it was left to the ratepayers
whether he should serve or not. As to himself, he would
not serve as churchwarden, except with the unanimous con-
sent of the ratepayers.
Mr. Peck complained that this was no answer to the
question ;it was merely Jesuitry. Mr. Jones wanted to'
put them off the scent of the fox they were following, but
he was determined to persevere. He would not slight a
man in consequence of his religious opinions, and as he
could not get any answer from Mr. Jones, he would propose,
as an amendment, that Mr. Cretin be appointed senior
churchwarden.

Mr. George Lowden seconded the amendment.
Mr. Peck, in answer to a question, said he had not per-
sonally asked Mr. Crellin whether he would act as a church-
warden, but he had it from his friends that he was not un-
willing to act as churchwarden.
Mr. Brown hoped that Mr. Peck would withdraw his
amendment. He quite agreed with his views. Religion
should be no bar to a man, if elected, to serve the interests
of the ratepayers ; but he thought that the amendment would
do no good.

Mr. Peck again asked the churchwardens if they intended
proposing Mr. Whitty ? If not, he felt it was his duty to perse.
vere in his opposition. He did not want to have an indecorous
fight between two gentlemen, but he did not like the
factious proceedings of the present churchwardens. Against
dictation he would always act; but he did not think that
it was any dictation for the churchwardens to propose a list
and circulate it among the ratepayers. They, no doubt,
had made a list, but they kept it secret ; no doubt for some
underhand motive.
Mr. Cropper denied that they had any improper motive.
They had followed the precedent of former years, and Mr.
Peck was quite at liberty to oppose any gentleman he liked,
and also'to propose.

Some conversation ensued between the Chairman,
Mr. Jones, Mr. Peck, and others, the result being, on the
advice of the chairman, that
Mr. Peck at once proceeded to put his amendment,
saying, that it was in no factious opposition that he was
bent. He then proposed, as an amendment, that Mr.
Crellin be elected senior churchwarden for the ensuing
year, and the show of hands was in favour of the amend-
ment.

This result was received with great applause.
Mr. Cropper demanded a poll oft the part of Mr. Jones.
Mr. Cropper was then proposed as junior churchwarden,
but was opposed by
Mr. Peck, who said he had no objection to either Mr.
Jones or Mr. Cropper. lie only wished them to adopt a
proper course, and not to concoct a secret list, and leave
them all in the dark. He moved, as an amendment, that
Mr. Bairstow be elected junior churchwarden.
Mr. Bairstow said, he hoped that there would be no
cause to go to the poll. If the churchwardens would at
once tell them their list, there would be no opposition to
their re-election. If not, he would sacrifice his time for
the purpose of enforcing civil and religious liberty,, and he
would consent to act as churchwarden.

On being put to the vote, the show of hands was greatly
in favour of Mr. Bairstow, and he was declared elected.
A poll was demanded on the part of Mr. Cropper.
Messrs. J. Gibbons, Livingstone, and Robert Tindle were
elected sidesmen ; the Chairman remarking that the office
was a sinecure —" they had nothing to do, and they did it."
Mr. George Nixon and Mr. Thomas Palmer were elected
churchwardens of St. John's.

Mr. J. R. Jeffery and Mr.-William Roberts were, amid
much laughter, elected churchwardens of St. Paul's.

VOLUNTARY CHURCH RATE.
Mr. Jones said that he was happy to say that no church
ratyeare
wouldlbe proposed this year. The voluntary rate last
been liberally responded to, and the receipts were
some £5O over former years. The churchwardens had
endeavoured to deal with that money faithfully and honestly,
and with the strictest
economy. They had succeeded m
keeping down the expen
church rate of a penny in the He proposed a voluntary
same good feeling of the Parishioners
and he hoped that the
toners would be exhibited
this year as it was last year.
' The rate was carried.
THE WALTON CEMETERY.
Mr. Jones, in relation to the cemetery rate said,
that last
year it was a id per pound, but they ad not expended all
the money collected, there being now a balance of £1,400,
and he would therefore propose a rate of only id this year..
By the rate he calculated £3OO would be collected.
Came said that, seeing there was such a large amount
in hand, it was unnecessary to levy a rate. He would ask
what they intended to spend this year.
Mr. Jones said the act of parliament empowered them to
levy a rate for the purchase of land, and for draining, in