Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-09-03 00:00:00

went which took place in the year 1856, the
Vice-President of the Board of Trade introduced
a measure which had for its object to confiscate
the property of all the seaports in the kingdom without
giving them any compensation. That measure excited so
strong an opposition, and the injustice of depriving so
many important c mmunities of their property without
compensation was so loudly declaimed against, that the
Government were under the necessity of withdrawing that
iniquit,,us measure. And yet in the ensuing session of
Parliament, the session of parliament which has just
terminated, the House of Commons passed a measure with
similar provisions, but directed only against the town of
Liverpool, almost sub-silentio. Now, Mr. Mayor, although
I must ever consider that this is a most arbitrary and
unjust act, to the town of Liverpool, we must all admit,
that, all things considered, the provisions which we have
obtained are far better than those which we might have
anticipated. (Hell, hear.) Considering that we had an
adverse House of Commons, that we had the whole weight
of the Government opposed to us, I think we are greatly
indebted to the gentlemen who have devoted so much of
their time and attention to the measure, and have suc-
ceeded in obtaining for the Corporation far better terms
than we had any reason to expect. (Cries of Hear, hear.)
But, Mr. Mayor, the principal debt of gratitude is due to
the Town Clerk. (Hear, hear.) It is owing to his
untiring diligence, to his great discretion, and the great
ability and judgment he displayed throughout the whole
of that arduous contest that we have obtained satisfactory
terms. (Hear, and cheers.) In my opinion, not only
the Council, but the whole community owe a deep and a
lesting debt of gratitude to the Town Clerk. (Hear, and
cheers.) In compliance, I believe, with the general feeling,
not only in this Council Chamber, but throughout the
town of Liverpool, the Finance Committee have come to
a resolntion recommending the Council to grant to the
Town Clerk £1,000; and in making that orant, we shall,
in my opinion, not be conferring a favour, but discharging
a debt of justice. (Hear, hear.) For my own part, I
have very great pleasure in moving the reso'ution. Mr.
Hornby conclude by reading the recommendation as given
above.
Mr. Alderman Holm:: I have equal pleasure, sir, in
seconding the resolution.
Mr. WOODRUFF: I have no doubt, sir, that it will be
considered almost presumptuous of me to occupy the
Council for even a few minutes in opposition to
the recommendation which has just been made to
vote a sum of £l,OOO to the Town Clerk, more

especially when I am given to understand that a large
majority, if not the entire of the Finance Committee have
concurred in the recommendation, and I believe a large
majority of the gentlemen present are already prepared to
vote for it. In fact I know that before the proposition
was consented to by the Finance Committee, members
have been canvassed, and I have no doubt that the thing
was made " all right" before it was proposed at all. (Cries
of "No, no.") Well, sir, Ido know that members were
canvassed, and I do know that I myself was canvassed.
Mr. Alderman BOLD : By whom?
Mr. WOODRUFF : By you, sir.
Mr. Alderman BOLD : I never canvassed you, sir.
Mr. WOODRUFF : I beg to say that you asked me for
my vote at the corner of the Exchange seven or eight
days ago, and you told me that I was the first who threw
cold water upon the subject. Now, sir, I admit the force
of every word which has fallen from the Chairman of the
Finance Committee, as to the zeal, ability,•judgment, and
perseverance displayed by the Town Clerk, and I
think that no one can speak too warmly of
the Town Clerk, and of the services he has
rendered upon this and other occasions. Far be it from
me to attempt to detract one moment from the great
ability of that gentleman, or the energy and determination
evinced upon his part to secure to the town of Liverpool,
everything which Liverpool ought to have secured to
her. It, therefore, must not be supposed in this room that
any remarks I make use of are personal towards the Town
Clerk, or meant to imply any want of ability on his part,
or that he has not done hie duty and everything that could
be done on the subject. But, if my memory serves me
right, in 1847 there was a sum cf £5OO voted to the Town
Clerk—for what ? For carrying through Parliament a bill
with reference to the Water Scheme. If we are to go on
thus, whenever a little extra exertion is required upon the
part of the Town Clerk of Liverpool, voting away sums of

Money, notwithstanding that the services may have been
already most adequately remunerated, I contend that we

are acting upon an unsound principle, and not dealing
as we should with the money of the Burgesses. In
June, 1853, an increase took place of £5OO a year, to
the salary of the Town Clerk. I believe, sir, the
principal reason given for that increase was, that it was
known that this attack was about to be made upon our
revenues, and that, in fact, the very commission to which
Mr. Hornby has alluded, had eat and reported. The
forthcoming storm and struggle were known, and the
increase was made principally—at least, it then appeared
conclusive to my mind, and to the minds of others—because
of the great difficulties the Town Clerk would have to
encounter, and the greatly increased exertions he would
have to make. Anything less than he has done before
parliament would have been a departure from that which
we expected from him and from his duty ; and instead of
having £l,OOO voted to him, he would then have been subject
to our censure for a neglect of duty. If you go on voting
sums of money because a man has done his duty, where are
you to stop? Are you going to stop with the Town Clerk ?
You have your Town Surveyor, a man of eminent ability,
who wes occupied in London long enough neglecting his
health and everything else. Is it to follow ? If you are
to take others into consideration, let us have them alto-
gether. If you propose a vote of money only to one, you
are unjust to others, and those others not so well paid as
the Town Clerk. Sir, I deplore and regret, as every
member of the Council must do, the attack which has been
made upon our rights and privileges, and I believe a more
unjust attempt was never made as regards ay public
body. It, however, will largely relieve the Town Clerk of
Liverpool from reTonsibilities and labours. Whilst
admitting, therefore, most fully, everything which has
been said in his favour, I contend that the continuance of
the salary of £2,500 a year, when a great amount of the
labour has ceased, willibe a suißcient equivalent for any
additional services rendered during the peet struggle, and
requires no vote now at your hands of any additional sum
of money. I therefore prows() as an amendment—for which
Ido not know whether I shall find a seconder or not—
" That so much of the proceedings as refers to the pro-
posed vote of £l,OOO to the Town Clerk, be not con-
firmed."

The amendment was not seconded. The motion was
then pnt and carried amid loud applause.
The proceedings of the committee were confirmed.
The Tows CLERK here entered the room, and was received
with loud applause.
The Tows CLERK said : Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,—l
did not at all expect upon entering the room to be received
in this manner I beg to return my warmest acknowledg
:cents to the Council for the complimentary manner in
which you have recorded your approval of my services,
The question has been in agitation during these four years
back, and duringthat time I have devoted my best energies,
mental and physical, to the defence of the rights of the
burgesses of this town against an unjust and unwarrantable
attack. (Hear, hear.) I hope the arrangement which
has been made will prove satisfactory to all parties, and
will conduce to the continuance of the prosperity of the
port of Liverpool, and to the interests of the people of
Liverpool. (Applause )

WATCH COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee were read.
The memorial of Mr. Robert Jones, bootmaker for the
police force, praying that the contract price entered into
by him m3y be increased, owing to the increased value of
leather.

Mr. J. B. BRANCKER observed, in reference to the
memorial, that there was no doubt Mr. Jones had lost by
the contract, but nei,her the committee nor the Council
had any power to relieve him.
The memorial was accordingly ordered to lie on the
table. _

Mr. KITCHEN said he was reque3ted to ask what course
would be pursued in reference to the numerous complaints
of the non-lighting and zemoval of street lamps ?
Mr. BRANCKER replied that they were forwarded to the
chairman of the gas company, and he had no reason to
doubt but they were attended to.
The proceedings were then confirmed.
The proceedings of the Dcck. St. George's Hall, and Mar-
kets, comprising—Recommendation to appoint Joseph
Lloyd,collector at Gill-street market, to be a Leave Looker
and Sanitary Inspector in the place of John Thompson, de-
ceased, at the salary of £lOO per annum,.being the same
salary as his predecessor. Recommendation to appoint
James Worthington,one of the Market Constables, collector
at the pig market, at 265. per week wages, with the usual
allowance of clothing Recommendation to appoint
Thomas Roberts, P.C. 637, and James Messenger, P C.
778, Market Constables, at the wages of 223 a
'reek each, with the usual allowance.of clothing.
Education, Gaol, and House of Correction ; Town Hall
Establishment, Health, Gardens, (comprising recommend-
ation that the tender of Mr. John Rigby for painting at
the Botanic Gardens, at the sum of £74, be accepted)
Church Expenditure (comprising recommendation to
accept the resignation of Mr. Evans, Organist of St.
Martin'a Church) and Observatory Committees were read
and confirmed. They contained nothing of interest.

LIBRARY AND IfIIBEURY CODIACITTRZ.

On the suggestion of Mr. Steams the proceedings of
this Committee were allowed to take precedence of the
Water Committee. They comprised : Recommendation
to accept the tender of Messrs. froltne and Nicol for con-
structing the superstructure of the New Public Library
and Museum at the prices therein usated. Becommeada.