Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-11-03 00:00:00

ST. PETER'S WARD.

Of all the conte,ta, the con'est in this ward was the
severest, the votirg being kept up wish unflagging
spirit by both parties from the commencement of the
poll, at 9 a.m , until its final close, at 4p m. From
tie out set Mr. BJwring's friends felt assured of the
victory, and, though severely proceed by their opponents,
yet at no time did they waver in their confidence. About
two p.m. Mr. Banner's friends admitted that Mr. Buw-
ring had a cleeided lead on the poll of 17 or 18 but de-
clared that in a short time a number of Mr. Banner's
friends, who were then detained on 'Change by business,
wculd record their votes in his favour, and so change a
seeming defeat into a glorious and crowning victory. Met,
alas, for all predictions. The " coming men " did not turn
up; Mr. Bcr,vring's majority continued to increase, ani
at length, on the close of the poll, the numbers were as
follows :

Mr. Bwring
Mr, Banner

32
. ...... 295

Majority for Mr. Bowring 31
The voting stood as follows at the close of each hour :-
10 11 12 1 2 3 4
C. T Bowring. .95...165...203... —276_296...326
H Banner. • ...246..265 ..295
After the last vo'e was reeo.ded, Mr. Bowring and his
supporters retarned to the committee•roem, the Brunswick
Henover street, for the purpose of announcing to a
large crowd of people, who had gathered around it, th 3
result cf the contest.
Mr. CII titrAs WlaLstnte, Cheitman of the committee,
first addre'sed the assemely. Ht f aid :—Fellow Electers,
it is my pleasing duty to announce to you the result of
the contest which has jest closed, and I have no doubt
you will receive the result with the Lame feeling of satis-
faction with which I convey ft to you (Cheers.) Accord
ing to cur report, the final close of the poll is as follows :
Mr Bowring
326
Mr. Banner
Giving a clear majority for Mr. Bowring of 31. (Loud
cheers.) As to the result of the contest there can be a o
doubt, because the committee fur our opponent upon the
present occasion, give the return as folios 9 :
Mr. Bowrirg
Mr. Banner
Giving Mr. Bowrirg a majority of 21. (Cheers) As to
the result of the beetle then, there can be no question
(Hear, hear.) The victory is yours—(Cheers) —and I
hope that it is the forerunner of many more victories
which will follow in this St Peter's Wald. (Cheers.) We
have long been told that the ratepayers have no voice, and
should have no vaiee, in municipal matters. We have
long been told that it is au arena up in which an exclusive
few should alone be permitted to exercise control, but I
think you have Flown to-cley, by your votes and your
exertion., that you are prepared to assert your rights
and independence. (Cheers.) In Mr Bowring,whcm I have
now the pleasure of introducing to you, I trtht we shall
find a member who will, upon all occasione, show every
disposition to meet the wants arid wishes of the large ward
of which he is now the representative—(hear, hear)—and
that he will be ever ready to afford every information and
assistance to those who have voted against him, as well as
to those who have voted for him. (Cheers.) There is
one question to which I shall only allude, and that is the
water question. I look upon it that now is the time for
people to show their determination to have something like
fair play with regard to the question cf obtaining for the
inhabitants the pure sand-stone water again--water which
has not been fairly supplied to the ratepayers during the
last twelve months. (Hear, hear.) Ido not mean to say
that Mr. Banner's opinions are different from that cf Mr.
B .twring on this question, bat I de mean to say this that
Mr. Bowring goes into the Council determined to give
every attention to that subject, and that had
Mr. Banner exercised that influence which he
ought to have exercised, knowing so much
of the water question, fry m his connection with the
Harrington Water Cernpaoy, had he exercised his in-
fluence on that question, the result or this day's cont-st
might have been different. He should have Wren a fore-
most lead in that question, ani sheuld not have rested
satisfied until he had carried for the inhabitants a supply
of the red sand-stone water. (Wear, hear) The failing to
do that has lost him the election on this occasion. It was
not sufficient for him to give a silent vote : he f hould have
taken an active part in all proceedings having refer,nce to
the water question. (Hee, e hear) However, as I raid
before, I will not occupy your time by any lengtheued
observations, because I wish you to return home and
rejoice over the victory you have acchieved. On the part
of the committee, I shall take this opportunity of returning
you our thanks for your great exertion., End shall conclude
by calling on your representative to return in person h's
thanks for the honour which you have conferred upon him.
(Cheers )
Mr. C. T. Bewateo then came forward, and was enthu-
siastically receivoi. He said : *Fellow. electcrs, lam afraid
that I shall not be able to make my voice heard over the
very great mass which I ace before me; but, however I
will do my best— (hear, hear)—and, first, I must congratu-
late you upon the victory you here won. Our triumph has
not been fairly decribed by the word victory. Our victory
is of no common order, for we had no common ward to
fight, and we had no common men to fight against. (Hear
hear.) The victory we have won is the victory of liberal
principles over conservative principles. (Cheers.) That
is the victory which we have won—that was the battle
which we have fought ; for, as to Mr. Banner, I, at the
commencement of this struggle, told you that, even if it
were to win every ward in Ltverpcol, not one word offersive
to Mr. Benner should he usei by rue, and it has not been
used. (Hear, hear, and cheers) I respect Mr. Beerier
as much a 3 any of his strongest friends can
in his personal and private capacity, but as a politician I
differ from him essentially and diametrically. I admire
his philantrophy—l respect his private character as a Ilan
and as a citizen, and 1 am willing to show that respect in
every way that one man can show it to another,_ but as a
politician I am decidedly adverse to him. (Hese, hear,
and cheers.) Mr Banner is the representative of a prin-
ciple which has stopped the progress of events, which has
stopped the progress of reform, in numerous instances—
(hear, hear)—but I appear before you as the humble advo
cate Cif the cause of progress. (Cheers.) Gentlemen,
with regard to Mr. Banner, I would say, and with all re-
spect, that le a is a period of life fast appreaching to all of
us, when the - domestic fire-side, and the domes'ie
circle, are best suited to his physical faculties.
(Hear, hear.) Again I say, that this is a victory
of principle. It is the progress of liberal opinion
in this town, and especially in this ward, which has
to long been proclaimed the Gibraltar of the Tories.
(Cheers and laughter.) Gibraltar has been carried—
(cheers)—and no more shall the Tories say that they have
the exclusive control of St. Peter's Ward. (Hear, hear.)
I am indeed proud of our fight in the cause of civil and
religious liberty, that glorious motto which you have
inscribed on your banner. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, the
pleasure which I feel in being returned this day is not an
unmixed one, because, to the honour you have paid me, I
feel a responsibility is attached of no ordinary charact r
When I look to the vast and important interests which
are committed to the charge of your Town Council, I
cannot but feel that every man who goes in there ought
to do so with a determination faithfully to fulfil the
duties of the position. (Hear, hear.) I know that
industry is needed, that anxious thought is necessary to
prepare any man for the consideration of those questim,