Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-07 00:00:00

THE BALLOT IN THE UNITED STATES.

Two letters—one from the Hon. Neal Dow, Mayor of
Portland, the other from the Hon. C. W. Millard, Secre-
tary of Vermont, have _been published, which show that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer is wrong in saying that
in one State only was secret voting used. Both letters
were addressed to Mr Whitehurst of the Ballot Society.
The letter of Mr. Neal DJcv is dated Portland, Maine,
May 24, 1856. Mr. Dow says :--
" Sir,--The ballot is almost universal in this country
entirely so in the free Otates—and there is not a man
among us who would for a moment entertain the proposi-
tion to abandon it for the viva vice mode of voting. So
entirely has the conviction that the ballot is the best mode
of voting at elections taken possession of the public mind,
that a proposition to change it for the viva voce vote would
be regarded by us as absurd. The ballot is not necessarily
secret, but the voter can render it so if he wishes to do it.
Every voter, when he goes to the hustings, unless he is
known to be a man of settled opinion anti decided cha-
racter, is presented with a ballot of each of the pvties as
he passes along towards the ballot-box.. If he wishes to
cast a secret ballot, he takes every one which is offered
to him, and puts that one which he prefers of the many
which he holds in his band, into the box, and thus eludes
the vigilance of any who choose, for any reason, to watch
him." _ _ _

Mr. Millard's letter, dated from the Secretary of
State's office, Montpelier, Vermont (May 23, 1856),
reads :

" Sir,—The system of balloting in Vermont d)es give
voters the p)wer of voting freely and indifferently, because
secretly. The electors can, if they desire, keep their votes
secret; but, in fact, a great majority do not do it. There
is no question but what, for this country, our system of
voting by ballot is the bast that can be devised. It was
the object of our law in relation to this subject, and espe-
cially the provision to which you refer in the statutes of
this State, to enable all voters in independent circum-
stances, such as operatives in factories, and hired la-
bourers generally, the opportunity of keeping their
political preferences from the knowledge of their em-
ployers, and also to enable merchants and shopkeepers,
and others dependent on public patronage for their sup-
port, an opportunity of voting secretly, so as not to
prejudice their trade. '

JAPAN AND EUROPEAN CommEr:co.—The Japanese Go-
vernment has send a circular to all the Europe in consuls
in the Chinese seas, informing them that it is disposed to
conclude with their sovenigns treaties of commerce
similar to those entered into with the United States,
England, and France.
Tff ?I Allem SEA.—Commodore Rodgers, of the U.S.
ship Vincennes, has communicated some interesting
observations to the Secretary of the Nave at Washington,
on the temperature and specific gravity of the Arctic Sea,
at tha surface, midway, and at the bottom. The results of
his examination show, with remarkable uniformity, that
the surface consists of warm and light water, odd water
in the middle, and warm and heavy water at the bottom.
These observations, which were made witoin Behring's
Strait, tend greatly to confirm the theory of an open sea
in the Arctic Ocean.

A RIMIAN &HMM DOING HIR DUTY.--In the early
part of the month of June a conflagration broke out at
the hamlet of Bardosk, in Russia, aril co-isumed 192
houses, among which was a house occupied by the Invalids
Company in garrison there. Before this house a sentry
was posted, whom, in the hurry and confusion incidental
to the fire, nobody thought, of relieving. The private who
was here on guard. of !hl name of Pankov, remained at
his post though the house wig barned down, and then his
sentry-box ; and it was not till after his own cloak had
caught fire that help came in the shape of a non-commis-
sioned officer, who relieved him. The Emperor has pro-
moted the private to be a non-commissi..ned officer, pre-
Rented him with fifty ronbl s, an had his name and his
firmness immortalised in general orders.

BRUTAL CONDUCT To A DOG.—Andrew Jones, a respect-
ably-dressed, innocent-lookieg boy, aged fourteen, a car-
pFnter, residing at No. 5, Railway-place, Hello vela was
placed at the her, before Mr. Tyrwli:tt, at the Clerkenwell
Police-court, 'charged with cruelly ill-treating a dog, by
stabbing it with a knife, at Holloway. It appeared from
the evidence that at the back of Railway-place, Holloway,
in eenscquence of bay being made there, a large number of
children were there, on Friday, play lore and amongst
them was the daughter of Mrs. Gibson and the defendant,
the former having a little dog with her. The children
were romping together, when the defendant said, " If you
do not let that dog go, I will stick It." As the little girl
would not give up the dog, the defendant took out a large
clasp knife, and stabbed the animal in the stomach-
Police-constable Tomlin, 528 N, was called to take the
d, fondant into custody, when he found the poor dog nearly
dead, and with is bowels protruding. In
.defence, prisoner
stated to the magistrate that he was very sorry, and
pleaded for mercy. Mr. Tyrwhitt said it was quite
shocking to see a smooth-faced boy like the defendant
behaving in such a brutal 'way. He should send him to
the House of Correction for two calendar months, without
the option cf a fine.
FEARFUL CATASTROPHE AT SHREwSEURY —We have to
record one of the most tragic occurrences that ever took
place in this fovea. O.r Fridsy last M. Jullien's annual
musical fete was held in conjunction with the show of the
Shropshire Horticultural Society, on a'small by-let of the
Severn called the Island of Poplars. The river, for the
occasion, was spanned by a bridge of boats about 150 feet
in length, the river at the deepest part being nine feet deeps
The evening's entertainment concluded shortly after ten
o'clock, with a display of fireworks, when, jest ac the last
rocket whizzed into the air, the enormous multitude, num-
bering several thousands, rushed to the bridge. It appease;
that some thoughtless persons,
.who were probably in e
state of intoxicesion, had planted themselves in the centre
boat, which they commenced rocking to and fro, in spite
of entreaties to abstain from such dangerous conduct. To
a few minutes the boat slink and partially capsized, about
150 persons being precipitated into the water, many of
them being buried beneath the boat. The scene, as may
be supposed, was most agonising, not only to those who
were struggling in the water for their lives, but to the
spectators else, many of whom were waiting for theit
friends. After some delay, the great bulk of those who
wire immersed were rescued, many of them having suffered
sevsre injuries. Several, however, as we before steteds
were crushed beneath the centre boat, and of those who
were an placed not less than ten were taken out Trite dead,
whits it is suppoeed that other bodies still remain there.
Juror SADLBIR AGA.IN.—In the Insolvent Debtor's
Ceure Cork, on Wednesday, in the care of Patrick Der"
mune, a petitioner for relief under the act, Mr. Wallis
()lapsed on behalf of Mr. Anthony Norris, the executor of
the late John Sadleir (laughter) to whom the insolvent
passed a bond for £368 -53. on the Ist of March, 1854;
Mr. Julian, on behalf of the insolvent, said he had held
two farms, the property of Sir George Goold. II gave up
003 firs, and he was then about bens?: put out of posses"
Sion of the other by a person named Hickey, who repre"
seated Mr. Sadleir, the receiver over the prverty ; and
threat was held out that an habere would be executed
forthwith if he did not peas the bond in question fur some
old arrears of rent, part of which had accrued in the fainine.
years; at:other pertion was for au abatement in his rout
of £3O a year that he had claimed and been allowed for e
number of years ; and the rest was £lOO for the farm he,
had already given up, and which Mr. Sadleir had neglected
to let for a year. It was said to the insolvent, " there l 4
the bond for you to sign, or there is the road for you to
' take with your wife are( children," so that to save thelo
for the present he Wits forced to sign the bond by Sadleir'
Mr. Wallis said Messrs. rslorrogh and Kennedy, who had
instructed him, did not wish to give any harrassing oppo'
sition, and they were willing to come to an arrangetnenti
Fie would telegraph to them the facts that had been sestet'
by Mr. Julien. The case was adjourned. •
PRO.3ECUTING TILE Crate N.—At the Westminster Police'
court, the other day, Mr. Reeve attended to apply for
summons, in order to render secure the premises known ag
the Gan Tavern, which were in a dilapidated state. 11
reply to a question from Mr. Arnold, applicant said that
some parsons, on a former occasion, attended from the
Woods and Forests. Mr. Ara +1: To whom does the
property belong ? Mr. Reeve : It helengs to the crown'
Mr. Arnold : Then I cannot act. It what way is the
sumffions to he issued ? Mr. Reeve : Against th
owner, without mentioning any name. Mr. Arnold
But if the owner be the crown. I cannot act. I cannel
make an order on the crown. The crown, as a gener-10
rule, is not bound by any order I may issue. Mr. Besels,
referred to the act, and said that he thought duel;
were clauses in it by which the crown would 17„
liable to the process of a summons. Mr. Arnold
Suppose the crown refuse P bid you ever 101°0
of an instance of an application against the erowo
beiug granted ? Mr. Reeve explained that if a sumille f
were granted, and was not acted on, the Commissioner at
Police would proceed to protect the premises, and recorrci
the expenses from the owner. Mr. Arnold : Then I abL'llhe
be applied to for a summons to recover expenses front t."
crown. sflow is it that it allows a structure to be io tiloo
ea
a state? Mr. Reeve observed that it was a building
had been purchased for the contemplated improvement kg
the .vicinity of Buckingham Palace, and that it was thog'ig
the building would last till it was necessary to PuPthet
down. Mr. Arnold : Do the officers of works know bat
'Timis .are going to make this application ? Mr. Reeh.t
is a specific application. Mr. Arnold observed eof
the better course would be to give notice to the e% to
works, that you have applied for the summons, eeiost
adjourn the application to a future day, so that they U
have an opportunity of attending.

LA QUESTIONE NAPOLITANK DEVANT

&c.

Under this title has been issued an imposing collection
of documents consisting of the official despatches on the
subject of Naples between the British and Neapolitan
representatives, with an apparatus of explanatory miscel-
lanea, and a critical narrative, written in the interest of
King Ferdinand's Gcvernment. Every Power has cer-
tainly the right to put the best construc.ion upon its own
espeaie:ly 'when arraigned by'the liberal opinion of
Europe, and it is, :therefOre, not' to be ,regretted that this
elaborate apologv should have appeared. Nothing tends
more to elicit the general truth than a full and free discus-
sion in which both sides equally share. Whatever may be
the effect of the publication; it is unquestionably interest-
ing, as well as important. After a rapid prelude, in which
we discover signs of a somewhat bitter animosity against
our Cabinet, we have the correspondence of Lord Claren-
don, Sir William Temple, Lord Cowley, and Prince Carafe,
Ferdinand's Minister for Foreign Affairs, in addition to
numerous memoranda of the highest significance as State
papers pointing to the objects and resolves of the several
Courts concerned, In the first place, the Neapoliian
functionaries display singular tact in their commentaries
on the missives from official sympathisers at the British
embassy. Whether or not they meet the case must
be left to the judgment of the reader who may follow
the entire course of these, diplomatic dialectics. One
thing, however, is clearly demonstrated ; we allude to
the existence of a strong feeling at Naples in connection
with the pretensions of the Muratist party. That party
was, undoubtedly 'encouraged from Paris ; and if the
Neapolitan King can extenuate his acts of severity, upon
any ground whatever, it is by exposing this diegraee-
ful concert between the French Emperor and the
corrupt adherents of a family which is a mere fungus, a
stench in the very nose of Italy. But the time has not
come, we suppose, for telling the whole truth with respect
to that affeir. The British Government, at all events, is
on its guard, and the King of Naples has distinctly. im-
peached Louis Ndpoleod w.th connivance• in • a Muratist
conspiracy. In coneln.eiart, the Neapplitan- monarchy
asserts itself to have • prompted commerce, industry, and
charity, and to be singularly clement in its- dealings with
classes of criminals. According to its own account
there are at present-in the prisons of Naples 645 political
offenders, while from 1850 to 1856, more than eight
thousand were pardoned. A variety of information is also
afforded concerning ilie industrial and naval condition of
the country. which endeavours to prove, in the face of
alleged despotism, the thriving internal condition of the
country.—London Paper.

Tux BANK CHARTER COMMITTZE.—It is understood that
this committee are not likely to conclude their labours
during the present session. They will, doubtless, report
evidence. Their final. report will probably not appear
until the end of 1858 or beginning of 1859.
ILLNESS OF BEtIANGER.—The poet Beranger, who has
been suff,ring for some time past from severe illness, was
on Thursday in such a state as to leave hardly a hope of
his recov,ry. He was repaned to he a little more Irte
from suffering on Friday, but it is feared that the relief
is but temporary.
THE LATE REV. G. C. G RHA3I.—In reference to a
paragraph in this place, last week, upon the death of the
Rev. G. C. Gorham, we are sincerely rejoiced to receive
(from a correspondent) the information that " some mon'hs
ago Mr. Gorham sought reconciliation with the Bishop of
Exeter, and the most kind, friendly, and Christian letters
passed between thern."—E?iglish Churchman. •
In Baines's Directory for 1825 (in his hid history of
Manchester), the following► remarks occur : "It does not
appear that Manchester, in any poriod of its history, has
had the honour to entertain a British monarch ; but
Christian VII., King of Danmark, on his tour through
England in 1768, visited the recently formed works of the
Duke of Bridgewater, and, with his suite, lodged at the
Bull's Head 'lnn."
MAN BITTEN BY AN ADDER.—Mr. Henry Armstrong, of
Regent-street, Newark, had the misforturne to be bitten- by
one of these frightful reptiles on Monday last. We under-
stand he went to Stapleford wood, in the neighbourhood of
Newark, for the purpose of taking some snakes for preset-
vatio". He succeeded in capturing an adder alive, bat
afterwards bad the ill luck to be bitten by it in the centre
of the hand. Smelling immediately ensiled to a serious
extent, which induced him to go to Messrs. Lacy and
Rodgkiuson, surgeons, Newark, and, afterwards to Mr.
Wright, surgeon, Nottingham. He is progressing as
'favourably as may be expected under the circumstances.—
Nottingham, Review.
Divoace 114 Penssra.--The New O'azette of Prussia of
the 28th ult., publishes a circular of the Superior Evan-
gelical Council relative to the marriage of persons divorced
according to civil law. It says that when such persons
demand to be married,. notice must be given by the
clergyman to whom they apply to the C ,nsistory of their
district, which shall decide whether it be in accordance
with the principles of Christianity. The right of appeal
from the Consistory to the Superior Ecclesiastical Council
is to be al:owed. Dispensations to marry after adultery
are no longer-to be granted; and the clergy are forbidden
to give any recommendation in favour ef them.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. —A
new siding is being laid down from " the points" at
Hunslet, on the Midland Railway, to Messrs. E. B. Wilson
and Co.'s Railway Foundry. A man employed oe the
work on Friday morning was at this junction, when a
'Great Northern train was going out. At the same time a
train was coming towards the station. The poor fellow
appears to have been confused by the circumstance, and
instead of stepp;ng into the six feet, where ha would have
been see, he got within the four feet and was struck by
the Great Northern train, He was picked up, and taken
to the Infirmary, but upon arriving at that place he
was dead. We ware not able to ascertain the name
Of the deceased, but the inquest will be held to-day.
EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT BY A CORPORATION OFFICIAL.
—The magistrates at the Oldham Town Hall were engaged
for several hours on Saturday, in investigating a very serious
charge of embtzzlement against the manager of the gas-
works under the Corporation, Mr. Benjamin Clegg. The
court being densely crowded during the whole time. Mr.
Summeracales, the town-clerk, appeared for the prosecu-
tion; and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Mellor. It
was stated that Mr. Ciegg's defalcations, so far as they had
yet been ascertained, amounted to £926 73, and extended
from the 4th October, 1855, down to the present time. It
was also, shown that in Fbrnary and July, 1856, he
invested £9lO in ga,-work annuity shares. The pri-
soner, .who reserved his defence, was committed for
trial at the assizes, and the magistrates refused to admit
him to bail.

WESTMINSTER LAW COURTS.— Tho Royal Commis-
sioners appointed to inquire and examine into the consti-
tution of the superior courts of law at Westminster, and
into the existieg arrangements of the circuit courts, he ve
.agreed to- their report; which will he printed and ready
to be submitted to Parliament before the close of the *en-
sign. His understood that the Commissioners will express
their opinion, founded upon the evidence before them,
and their awn experience, fiat no diminution of the num-
ber of the judges can take place. Indeed, at this very
time, the several courts can scarcely make up a full court,
or get through the Nisi Prins sittings in time for the
circuits. Several changes in the times and manner of
holding the assizes will be recommended, as well as the
division of the larger comities, anal a more equal distribu-
tion of the eircuite, with other matters of detail of a prac-
tical nature, so as to ensure a more speedy and uniform
administration, of justice, both civil and criminal.
THE BRITISH COMULATE AT NRA, Yogx.—The interest
which the merchants of New York naturally feel in the
question, " Who is to succeed Mr. Barclay ?" in the con-
sulate for this city, induces us to notice a rumour that a
Mr. Lousada, holding some subordinate consular position
in Cuba, is to he advanced to the vacant pest in this city,
Without knowing the history of the rumour, we shall ven-
ture to disbelieve it, upon the simple ground that the Bri-
tish Consulate in New Yolk is of far too great importance
to English interests, and too intimately connected with the
commercial intercourse of_ the two natioee,eo be intrusted
to one who, whatevir. ahilies he may have elsewhere
shown, is a stranger to our people, unversed in their habits,
their customs, their temper, and their laws. Time was
when the consular offices in the gift of the government.
like the colonial governorships in days of old, were lavished
Upon personal favourites, or bestowed as rewards for party
Services, with little regard to the fitness of the man for the
work allotted him ; and if the statement of a London
letter-Writer be correct, of the host of a pplican's for Mr.
Barclay's place, the coition would appear to be prevalent
that the ancient ptactice is not ex'inet. But even if this
be true to some extent in England and the world over,
there is a marked. difference between petty consula'es in
less frequented states and the consulate of New York, that
neither the British government or the British people, intent
on the protection of British interests and the encouragmem t
of international hermonv and co-operatton with the grow-
ing empire of the west:, are at all likely to overlook. In
regard to the individual
nominees for this post, the expres-
sion of personal preferences by any body of American mer-
chants—exceptine
perhaps the British residents-1111;11'
well be regarled''by the Foreign-elm as an unauthorised
interference, if not ,an impertinent dictation ; but we do
not for a moment suppose that the British ~overamkt'al'e
insensible to the hope and belief naturally entertained on
this side, of the water that is their deliberate selection of a
gentleman to act as their Consul in New York, their choice
will fall on come one who ie already known and respected
by Our community, who is already familiar with the duties
and responsibilities of the office, and who will command
from the start the regard and confidence of the people in
whose midst those dnties and responsibilities are to be
borne.—New York Tribune.

STREET MIISIQ.

TO TEE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN TIMES.

Sir,—l was very much pleased at the remarks
in two letters, which appeared in your paper on
the 2nd and 3rd instant, respecting street music.
I wish you would call the attention of Major
Greig to the said letters, he..is. the only person,
(the proper person I mean) to.put- a stop to them.
I do not know a-greater anthiYance than these idle
fellows, continually grinding their -organs Scc.,
under the windoWs of a person that wishes to be
quiet, after a•days' turmoil of business. It is the
police that are to blame for allowing them. If
I was a magistrate, (bye-the-bye I might have
been 'one of" the last bateh),' I would make an
example of one or 'two of them, and very soon
Clear the town of them in the same way
as they. do, any other rogues or vagabonds.
Your 'insertion of this in your valuable paper,
will oblige your. obedient servant, Z.
Liverpool, July '6, 1857.

ACCIDENTS AT BIRKENHEAD.