The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-20 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS.

. Yesterday the Surrey Magistrates assembled at Kingston, for the
purpose of transacting a great deal of the county business. Bee:-
SAWN BAe%AID, Esq. in the chair.
. The SUrgeo4l.ll Report upon the condition of the prisoners in
Brixsoc gaol was read, which stated that 94 out of 1119 of those con.
Seed were allowed extra food.
Mr. H. SumWEll asked why so great a number were elbowed
that irdulgence. It was, he observed, extremely unusual to have
more than 11 or 12 out of such a number upon the extra Fool list.
The keeper of the gaol was called upon to account for this 3ppi.
randy unnecessary distribution of food, and he said it had been
doonest necessary to give the ind olgence on account of the loss the
le_presons bad sus:alined in weight (at the tread-mill).
he Rev. Mr. Macaw, in his Report, stated, that four Or five
months ago, there unfortunately was considerable insubordination
amongst the prisoners, in consequence of the discussions concerning
the discipline of the tread-wheel; but that insubordination ter.
eiinated in two months, and was now completely at an end. The
cond.:et cf the prisoners was, upon the whole, improved.
' Mr. SUMNER.--It strikes. me as extremely improper that sol-
diers confined in our county gaol should he rut to work on the
tteadieheel with felons. I hope, Mr. Bennet (turning to Mr. ferry
Acmes) that you will give me your assistance in bringing in a Bill
tii prevent seeh a practice next Session. I shall propose a different
House of Correction for the Military.
Mr. Bee NIT did not at all see why any distinction should he
made.
' Mr. Su ra steaL,Surely you would not like to see soldiers at the
wheel with common felons?
Mr. BENNET.—Certainly not, if the soldiers were not felons.— I
Atter all, a soldier is no more than one of the people with a red
eon: upon him. IA laugh).
Mr. DENISON moved for a Committee, to which, if granted, he
freended to submit a motion for the extended admission of the
friends of those confined for debt ; and also for extending the period
of the admission of food into the prison. His next object related
to misdemeanants committed before trial—those who were suspected
of chlsdemianours, and who could not tied bail. He would have
those persons permitted to purchaxe a terrain quantity of fond and
beer—in moderation,•of course. The third class comprehended
those misdemeanants who acre convicted, but whose cases. so far
'Min being aggravated, were sentenced to the penalty of imprison-
ment alone ; to those persons it was but fair to give the liberty of
"ensuring food and beer in moderation.
. :Ai- l'itostres Tu aene wrended the motion.
Yr. STEwaaT was of opinion that the third proposition of Mr.
penioson would promote the formation of gangs, who would sup-
port their fellows in prison.
Tee motion was negatived.
THE LICENSING SYSTEM.
Mr. Dana/SOHO said, the present plan of licensing public-
asauras was the most corrupt and abominable, sad there was reason
AO suppose that brewers, distillers, and magistrates, contrived the
t%:r.g amongst them. He did not mean to involve the whole Berth
Hi the censure, for he knew that many acted with strict impanialii v.
'Me powers of the Magistrates had been interferol with in man
-ewes by their brethren, who were interested in the houses for which
licences were sought. The emoluments of the Magistrates were
ie fact enormous. Another evil was, that the licences erare not
red in proportion to the wants of the nelghbourhond, but in
Ff°portion to the desire of the Magistrates, to forward the intereets
(hose whose cause they espoused. The houses supported by such
interest were the scenes of the most horrible vice. The remedy he
prdposed wits, that the Clerk of the Peace should give notice to
Me: y Magirtrate of the county of the time and place at which it
eras intended to grant licencem.
' • After tome observations from Mr. Breese' and other Magill-
'trete', the motion was carried.
Mr. BENNET asked Mr. Kenriek, whether the reports spread
oaresd reseecting his treatment of a man named Franks, were true
Fie would be gnided by the answer iii ths manner of treaiing Mr.
&zeta se a hlagistrate.
• Mr. IL Somalia objected to the question, and an angry discus.
Pon arose. It was finally decided by a shew of hands, that the
question should net be put.
The Magi-trans, of whom there were I% on the Bench, then ad-
;;etireed foe the day.