The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-27 00:00:00

POLICE.

• •
MANSMN
Testatdetp Mr. Aldermen Warritstas, accompanied by the
Cameo& Councilmen of the Ward of Famingdon IVithdut, came
to lament to the Lord Mayor a Report of the proceedings on Wed.
needo, at the Pastry Room of St. Bride's Church, relative to a
complaint_ made to his I.oreLhip, some weeks ago, about the state
of Fleet-peat.
Mr. Alderman stated to his Lnotahip that it had been thought
net-emery. in consequence of a statement in the Newapapors, re-
flecting upon the conduct of the City Magietracy and the Com-
mon Council of the Ward, and most grossly misrepreseuttag the
tallithim of Fleet.street, to call a meeting of the reprempatives
of the ward, and of the inhabitants, in order to investigate the
complaint. The meeting had taken place, and, after a strict ex.
aminatlon of those who were best qualified to decide, a resolu-
tion had been passed, to the effect, that the statements in the
newspapers were of a calumnious nature, whoever might have been
the penes by whom the accusations were made. If the charges
merely cast imputations upon the conduct of the Magistracy and
the Common Council of the Ward, they would be passed over with
indiWerenee, as the characters of the accused could suflie nothing
from aspersions of the kind, the opinions of the inhabitants of the
ward being fortified against attacks of such a nature. Rut the
statements were calculated to do most serious mischief to the shop-
keepers of Fleet-street. The Alderman then detailed what hail
taken place at the vestry at St. Bride's on the preceding day, and
presented the Report.
The LOUD filas-on, upon hearing that part of the Report read
which embraced the assertions of some of the police, declared,
without hesitation, that lie hail heard settements directly the re.
verse on the day the complaints alluded to had been made to hint.
He said, lit thought when he heard of the report in the newspapers
(for he had not at that time seen it) that tt was rather severe ;
and he regretted that circumstance, from his knowledge of the
uneasiness and confusion the statement was likely to produce. He,
however, soon felt differently upon the subject, and was convinced
that although it had occasional momentary dissatisfaction' great
good had resulted from the publication of what had occurred. Mr.
Vale, the Deputy of the wanl, had, when he appeared to contre-
diet the general etatement, admitted (and it was in opposition to
the result of the 'Armes of the representatives of the ward) that
Fleet-street was in a very bail condition—that it was itt a dis-
graceful state; that, in fact, it was in is worse plight with respect
to thieres and prostitutes than he had ever known it to have been
before. Now, at the vintry the asseverations were of a veil dif.
ferent nature; but perhaps the police officers were unwilling to
speak out on that occasion.
Mr. Alderman %Weidman denied that there was A tittle of truth
in the account. Ile referred to the vestry Report, which contained
the plain statements or the police anti of the inhabitants, all of
whom concurred in loving that Fleet-stree was as well superh -
tended by the police, and as free from offensive characters and
houses, as any populous street in the metropolis.
In this opinion the Alderman was strongly supported by all the
gentlemen of the ward, except Mr. Butterworth, who coincided
with the Lord Mayor.
Mr. Butterworth stated that be certainly considered the Report
at variance with the tier. Ile had lived in Fleet-street for many
years, and he must declare that he had never seen that street in so
disgraceful a condition as it had been latterly. Ile would have at-
tended the vestry meeting, If lie had not mistaken the hour ap-
pointed.
After a great deal of conversation, In which it was stated dial
Elect-street was NOW as free as any street from bad characters, and
that the tethlic-houser were condtteted in an orderly and quiet man-
ner, the Alderman and Common Council of the Ward, returned
thanks to the Lord Mayor, and retired from the Justice Room.