The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-03 00:00:00

BAN KI-iti PA'S.

Lewis Henry Myers, lela of Mile-end-road and Longacre,
but now of VlTelltzlY-street, Stepney, dealer in Mat-
chester goods.
John Bedds, Briaol, grocer and provision dealer.
John Lowden and William LoWden, Caleshill-street,
Pimlico, shipowners.
George Matthews Hell, Cardiff; formerly of St. etrvens,
Mounlonthshire, victualler.
Robert Noble, Whitby, Yorkshire, dentist.
George Durrarii, Starling, Ortnesby, Norfolk, grocer,
draper, end miller.
Georg:, Whisldon the Younger, Wyke House, near Win-
"canton, Dorsetshire, brickmaker and tilemaker.
Banjamin Chadwick, Liverpool, chronometer and watch-
maker.
Richrd Walburn, Iloydon, Ilet r ()rook:, Durham, grocer
and draper.
George William Glanister, spring garden-place, Stepney;
and William Joseph Glanister, Green-street, Stepney,
grocers.
John Joseph Buggies, Swiniegham. silver plater and
pearl cutter.
Thomas Greenwood and Samuel King, Devonport, bolders
and contractors.
John Evans, Whitfield, Lancashire, bleacher.
James Woods, Conduit-street, Hanover-square, tailor.
Charles Dubben, Basingstoke, Southampton, tailor.

ELECTION OF BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.

This, to the ratepayers of the township, most important
annual event, came off yesterday, and perhaps excited a
greater amount of interest, at least amongst the thinking
portion of the class most interested, than any similar
election which has taken place for ma'.ly years past. This
may be attributed to two circumstances—first, the impor-
tant matters connected with the township, that are at
present before the House of Commons,—and, secondly,
the objection that some persons, and rather a large class,
have of being dictated to, as to whom they should favour
with their votes, it being " imagined," and we will not
attempt to say, that there was not some truth in it—that
the body of Commissioners who had been elected, and who
had wielded the power of authority coming within their
district, had—some say, with sinister intentions—tea wish
to keep that power in their own hands. Be that as it
may, two lists wEre proposed—the one called the "Red,"
and the other the " Blue" list, and comprising the names
of gentlemen of respectability and integrity, whosepolitics
or religion was never named (for in Birkenhead, the voters
do not forget either of such standards) throughout the con-
test. However, by the special meeting of the commissioners,
held on the evening prior to the election at which it was
announced that the Gas and Water Bill had been thrown
out, and that arrangements were in progress for the settle-
ment of the Dock question, much of the excitement on
public matters wan allayed, and therefore the chief contest
was on principle. The fight devolving on this question.—
Shall the inhabitants of Birkenhead be represented
in their own beard-room, where their own money
is expended, by gentlemen nominated by, and
chosen out of, those whom they had previously
sent to represent them ; or would they have gentlemen
chosen by themselves. That the real merits of this contests
may be seen, we will just give a brief digest of its origin
and history. First, we find it stated that it was thought
that the Commissioners would have ceased to meddle in
the open and unblushing manner they have been accus-
tomed to do; but, on the contrary, we find them this year
interfering in the election in a more than ordinarily objec-
tioneble manner. They have con men ce dat least six weeks
before the day of election to arrange their plans and to
organise a committee tor the purpose of returning the whole
of the retiring Commissioners, seven in number, who go
out of office by rotation, and, not satisfied even with that,
they have also nominated an ex-Commisssioner in the
place of Mr. Bryans, who has voluntarily disqualified
himself by non-attendance, before the expiration of the
three years for which he was elected. But such would
not seem to be the case, for next we find that a select
committee of the Commissioners was appointed, for the
purpose of reporting as to who should retire
from the Commission, and what candidates should
be recommended to be Commissioners, seven for three
years, and one for one year, in the place of Mr. R. Bryans,
who had become disqualified from non-attendance. The
" Red" committee having been thus constituted, the follow-
ing gentlemen, all of whom were the retiring Commis-
sioners, were recommended for re-election. The following
was stated to be the policy to which they would give their
support if they were elected :

1. An arrangement with the Gas and Water Company for the pur-
chase of their works by the commissioners on equitable terms. galling
any arrangement, the bill of the company if persevere.' in to be
StrennonsiyoppOs3d, with a view to prntect the interests of the rate-
payers.-2. The bill by the Corporation of Liverpool for completing
the Birkenhead docks, Including the providing a landing stage on the
Cheshire side, in front of Woxiside-ferry, to have the earnest support
ef the commissioners.-3. The bill by the Birkenhead railway com-
pany, which seeks to interfere with the ferry rights of the commis-
sioners, to be vigorously opposed, unless the interests of the township,
are duly protected by an ambab'e arrangement. —4. A public ceme-
tery for the township being absolutely requisite, the opinion of the
ratepayers to be taken at an early period, with a view of adapting the
land of the township at Flaybrick-hill, for the purpose, under the act
passed in 1843.-5. Me steps already taken by the commissioners to
ensure the river between Woodsi le-ferry and the landing stage being
kept clear of ships lying at anchor, and also to Secure batter approaches
to the landing stage on the Liverpool side be persevered in,

_ .
Charles Olives Baylis ..-. .. Doctor of Medicine Hamilton-square
Charles C00k......„ ...... Brewer
Thomas Boyden Golborne.. Agent Mersey-street.
George Harrison .. : ...... Civil Engineer Grange field.
William Hind • • . . Merchant Birkenhead-park
William TristramKeightley.. Solicitor ..
James M`Whir ter Flour Dealer .... .. Argyle-street.

One Commissioner for One Year, in the ro of .11'ch Ird B:yans, Esq,
disqualified.

John Timber Measurer and Broker.. Canning-street.
This was siguei by some 300 ratepayers, of whom it was
observed that the placard contained a long list of persons
said to be pledged to the return of the commissioners
nominees, many of whom publicly repudiate any such
pledge on their part ; and doubtles many of these who
gave in their adh sion to that list, have been induced to do
so without reflecting upon the great impropriety of pledg-
ing themselves before they know who wouldhebrought forward,
or by such sweet influences as are usually resorted to in
elections, but which are a disgracealike to those who offer,
and to those who accept them. This list of names having
appeared before the public. the "Blues" began to work ;
but, as is too often the case, they " did not wax
warm' in their operations until their opponents
had entered the field, thereby placing themselves in the
worst position, because they had not only to fight against
the `authorities that be"—but th•y had also to fight
against the first impressions made on the public by their
opponents' policy having been first published ; but when it
was done, it was accomplished in an honest, straightforward
and manly manner, by issuing an address signed by Mr.
E. G. Willoughby, a commissioner, on behalf of the
" Blue" Committee, to the following effect :

The period is fast approaching when you are entitled in the exer-
cise of your franchise to elect certain persons, to whom, with others,
will bs entrusted the management of your local affairs. In anticipa-
tion of this duty, you have been solicited to support a number of indi-
viduals, whose names are printed on red papers, as fit and proper
persons to exercise this trust ; some few of those named are, doubt-
less, fully enticed to your confidence and support, but their merits
are neither guarantees of the capabilities of the other individuals
associated with them, or of the approval by the ratepayers of this
arbitrary m :de of selection. This list, concocted_ by certain individuals
apart From any legitimate tribunal, either of selection or approval,
seeking to secure, by the influence and we'ght of the able, the re-
election of the unfit and incapable, containing only the name of one
new ceedidate (51r. Holmes), who, when previously elected, resigne
the office, beers the stamp and character of a bold effort to deprive
the ratepayers of the fair exercise of their franchise, and to constitute
the office of commissioner self-elective. The attempt to give to this
document value, as the legitimate exponent of the opinion of a large
body of ratepayers, by appending to it certain names (in many in-
stances without the assent of the parties', however ingenious in the
originator, is at best but a futile scheme to entrap the unwary, and to
shroud, under the cloak of a general certificate cf fitness, applicable
to the few, the inability and unfitness of the rest. It is, therefore, at
this moment of paramount importance that you, as ratepayers,
should, by a united expression of your opinion, declare whether the
right of election vested in you is a nominal or a virtual privilege. If
the latter, unbiassed by fear or party, select from the candidates pro-
posed those who you believe understand and are best able to advocate
and protect your rights and interests, and who, in this puma, apart
from individual fends and party strife, will prop- and me sures con-
ducive to the general good. Acting thus, you will carry out th, in-
tent of the privilege entrusted to you, and best a'd an investigation of
the causes of those local burthens so long pressing heavily and un-
evenly upon you ; so by this means you will forward those efforts
that would replace expensive and trifling legislation by proposing
some large measure that would effectually secure to each ratepayer
his privilege, and, by enlisting the interests of the surround"ng local-
ities, work out a beneficial reform in our local government and
expenditure.

After that address, a meeting of the ratepayers was con-
vened at the Castle }Tote), when it was deeidei to put in
nomination the following gentlemen, alit was then thought
that they would best represent the feelings and interest of
the ratepayers—

George Harrison Civil Engineer... . Grange-fieid.
_ _ .

Charles Cook ...

..Brewer

.oxton-road.

William Hind . . . . . Merchant Birkenhead-park.
Edward Bretherton Solicitor Hamilton-square.
William Henderson Seedaman ..Market-cross.
Joseph Timmis Tea Dealer llarket-street.
John Alexander Barnett .... Wine Merchant Hamilton-street.
One Commissioner for one year, in the room of Mr. R. Bnyans,
disqualified.
James Highton ............Gentleman

Clang!Von

From this list it will appear that the ratepayers had great
confidence in some of the gentlemen nominated by the com-
missioners, or " red" list, for they actually selected three
on the " blue" list, thus giv:ng those three gentlemen,
Messrs Harrison, Cook, and Hind, a double chance. This
may have been policy, but certainly it was very bad tactics
in electioneering affairs, and from what transpired in
the course of the voting, we have no doubt but
that it will be remedied on a future occasion, particularly
where "the battle has robe fought on pri;zeiple." The "blue"
list of names having been published, the three gentlemen
who had been selected on each list issued an address to
the ratepayers, (tailing upon them to support the "red" lie,
in the following terms :
We, the undersigned, being convinced that unity of action in the
Board of Commissioners was never more essential than In tlle present
crisis of Birkenhead affairs, and 13.lieving that the trop in'erests of
the Township regnire a mo-iit c 9a of the present bi I of the Gas and
:irate/ Works Company, or :,,nge in its management ; the support
of the Birkenhead peeks ,he Preservation of our valuable Ferry
Bights; the formation of a Public Cemetery; and the maintenance of
an unimpeded passage across the River for the Ferry steamers, we
baye consented to be pat, ir. nomination with the Gentlemen whose

names are stated at foot, who are equally agreed with ourselves in the
policy of earrying out such measures is all their integrity.

The above. address having been published to the rate-
payers, the following humourous jeu d'esprit followed :
" Ratepayers, the parties on the "red" list wish you to
re-elect them to ensure unity of action ! Remember there
was unity of action amongst the directors of the Briti,h
Bank." After the meeting held on Saturday night, at
which Mr. Laird, the chairman of the Board of Commis-
sioners, spoke and advocated at considerable length the
"red" list of candidates, the following rather personal, bur
some state, truthful, assertion was published :

Clap-trap.—Mr. John Laird, in Lis speech on Saturday night last
says—" That Birkenhead, if incorporated, would have to make a great
sacrifice r! Ought he not to have'said—" I, John Laird, shall have
to make a great sacrifice. I shall have no more mononolyin Birken-
head. N 3 more back-stair influence in Birkenheld. No more .e 1,500
of ratepayers' money; and my tail will drop off, and sink Into the
obscurity from whence it came."

Thus the contest stood, until yesterday morning, when
at eight o'clock the voting commenced, prior to which,
however, a placard was issued, as follows : Ratepayers ;
have no dictaion. Vote for the "Blue" List and freedom of
election." In consequence of something that oozed out at
a "private" meeting of the "Red Party," held on the
evening preceding the election, the "Blue Party" thought
it really necessary to issue the following caution :
" Electors, the "Red" List threaten to fill the committee room
at one o'clock, with non-electors, to prevent the electors from
voting. Ratepayers, stand to your rights." This appeal
might be well-meant, and well-intended, but from some
cause it did not create that fire in the breast of the truly
independent party that it wet intended it should ;
for instead of placing the " Independent," or
" Blue" List, at the head of the poll, as it was
promised by a retiring and a most influential member of
the old board, " that it should bo," as he would get all
his friends support to the list, The leading gentle-
man, who bona fide placed his name to the independent or
ratepayers list, and voluntarily gave £5 towards defraying
the expenses of the election of the "Independent,"- did a),
and there is no doubt but that he will re 'eem the
promise he has made by paying the money, notsvithstmd.-
ing that the parties he volunteered to support, in conse-
quence of his having afterwards left the meeting, for the
purpose of attending a Ferry Committee meeting, and pro-
mising to return as soon as it was over. The Ferry
Committee did meet, they performed the duties that
devolved upon them, and after that they adjonrned.
What was the consequence ? Why! That the gentle-
man who had pledged his word to support the " Blue
List," did not perform his promise by returning to the
meeting, but actually signed his name in favour of the
" Red List." We do not state this on hearsay evidence,
bat on the word of the gentleman, Mr. Bretherton, who
was induced to allow himself to be put in nomination
under that promise, and he stated that, as all honest
men would do in open court, and it was confirmed by
many present ; therefore, as it was not denied, we have a
right to believe that it was correct. But whether it was
so or not, 111,.. M'Whirter, one of the protogees of the
commissioners, fully confirmed the assertion by statng
that the gentleman alluded to, was so fully convinced of the
ability of the "red list" to do their duty, that he did
recommend them to the patronage of the ratepayers.

AVAIIIIT CONSISTENCY.
Well, the election proceeded, and we give, much to our
own disappointment, and to the disappointment of the
ratepayers in general, the result of each hourly return, as
it was issued from the "red party"—

30

A.M. A.M. A.M.
9 10 110 3o
-1--
71 174 236
93 203 276
66 166 212
98 222 296
96 22; 293
65 170 233
64 165 225
62 165 226
'36 64i 86
39 53' 72
28 44 55
25 42, 54
34 57 70

N AL3I.IIOOII'PAI
11 30 12 1
8. 376 445. 484
0 427 498 533
0 350 401 433
9 468 542 541
6 464 534 579
'9 369 403 459
3 365 421 458
3 365 313 445
4 144 170 191
9 120 143 160
5 82 93 103

2 I

Baylis 33
Cook..
Golborne 2B
Harrison
Hind
Keightl,4'
Bl`Whirter..
Holme
Brethert,n
Benderson
Timmis
Barnatt
Highton 20

76 85
97 105

The utmost good humour prevailed throughout the day,
and Mr. Bretherton, who had the management of the in-
door department, and, consequently, had to stand all the
" chaff and the sneers" of his, for the tima—(for it may be
relied on, that faction will be subdued by principle as sure
as free trade principles conquered monopoly)—successful
opponents, which he did with the greatest good humour,
and never fora moment allowed himself to be taken aback
by the " jibbs of others." Throughout the day there was
a band of music, engaged by the "Blue Party," who
played some of the most popular pieces of music of
the day, as they patrolled the town ;—but, still, the
music did not bring up the votes for the "Independent
List," for the "Scottish. Chief" of the township was " up
and doing;" therefore it was of no use calling the inde-
pendent " SPIRITS" from their homes—and why ? Because
they were afraid to come. Well, the remit of the poll at
four o'clock was as follows :

Harrisori... ..... .
Hind • .
Cook .
Baylis....
M'Whirter....
Keightley ..
Golborno

• 702 votes.
—693 „
674 „
▪ 551 „
536 „
532 „
... 521 „
▪ 229 „
199 „
• 136 „
138 ~

Bretherton .
Henderson
Timmis
Barnett

For One Year.

Holme
lighten .....
We need scarcely say that as there were a great number of
the friends of the "Red List' present, and as Mr. Brether-
ton, who, for the sake of principle, had fought the battle,
was, as is sometimes the case, left, like " the last rose of
summer, blooming alone." The result was received with
a faint response to the call for "three cheers," the pro-
poser, an unknown individual, being the proposer ani the
cheerer. Thus ended the election for the Birkenhead
Commissioners for the year 1857, the result of which is—
to use a military term—" Left "—"Right "—"As you
were,"—no change having been made in the constitution
of the Board.

•• • • 526 „
• •

The tunnel of Uauenstein has crumbled, suffocating
fifty workmen.

F&rukh Khan, the Persian Ambassador; has returned
to Paris from his visit to different manufacturing towns in
the north of France.

By the new bill on the French army, just adopted by
the legislative body, the minimum effective of the army,
in time of peace, is fixed at 600,000 men.
QUESTIONABLE DOINGS IN COURT.—The following state-
ment from the Limerick Chronicle, appears in the Dublin
journals of Friday morning :—" A considerable sensation
was recently caused in legal cir3les in the metropolis bj
the announcement that an order had been made by the
commissioner of the Encumbered Estates C:urt, that the
titles should be referred to certain gentlemen of the bar,
and none others. A legal professional meeting was on
the point of hang called when the obnoxious order was
rescinded. It is stated that there were 21 u.).ines in
the favoured list."

ETONIANS IN OFFICE.—Of the four new government,
officials just appointed, three are old Etonians, namely,
Mr. Chichester Forteseue, M.P. for Louth, Under Secretary
for the Colonies ; Sir John William Ramsden, Bart.,
M.P. for Hythe, Trader secretary for War; and Mr. T.
G. Baring, M.P. tor Falmouth and Rinryn, a Lord of the
Admiralty. Mr. Fortescue left Eton for Christ Church,
Oxford, of which he became a student (Fellow) graduating
in very high classical honours ; Mr. Baring was, we believe,
a fellow of Brazenose, and also a graduate in honours ;
Sir John Ramsden was for a short time at Cambridge.
All three are very young men, and were at Eton under Dr.
Hawtreea, the present Provost. The Speaker of the
House, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and the Secretary,
Mr. Osborne, arid the Chancellor of the Exchequer, are
also Eton men.

EXTRAORDINARY CONFIACL—A letter from Kiew, in
Russia, gives the following recital, but the authenticity of
which we cannot guarantee. ft is well known that, in
virtue of an order of the Emperor Nichelas, the students
and pupils of the colleges are obliged to salute the officers
whom they meet in the street. A student of the Univer•
site of Kiew having by some oversight omitted to salate a
genera who was passing, the latter gave him several blows
in the open street with his stick, and had him arrested by
some soldiers. The student was set at liberty by order of
the governor of the town, but the whole body resolved to
avenge the insult so offered to their comrade. Some days
after, the general was at the theatre, when several hundreds
of the young men entered the place, and one of them
mounting on a seat apologized to the audience for disturb-
the representation, but said that the affair having taken
p'aee in public, the punishment must be equally so. They
then seized the general, laid him on his free along a bench,
and gave hum a severe whipping. The students then left
the house, after having asked pardon a second time for
saving disurbed the representation.
Cast' AND DEED Boxes.—The next important thing to Hi> posses-
sion of cash is, how (when you have gotiii
to keep it seely, either in
the counting-house or at home. The same remarks apply to deeds
and other valuable documents. we have seen a large and varied
stock of both these desirable articles, manufactured expressly for Mr.
E. T. Hall, of South John-street, that challenge attention. These
boxes are made on new and admired principles, and posses: patent
locks, which defy the ingenuity of any " pick-lock" in the world to
open, except with the legitimate key. To merchants, solicitor', and
others. these new safe:, on a small „ale, must
prove vatnahle
—,Vorthern Daily Timm, 21.1 May, 1857.