The National Register.
London, England, 1822-04-21 00:00:00

COURT OF CO )I.IION COUNCIL.

On Wednesday last a Court was held, which was moot
numerously attended.
OFFIce OF COMMON SERGEANT.—The Recorder re-
turned thanks to the Court for the honour they h
td done
him by electilq him Common Sergeant in I t4OJ, and
declared that his feeling of gratitude was touch stronoer
thau he could express.—He then formally resigned die
office of Common Sergeant.
Mr. SLADE then addressed the Court. It was, he
said, the anxious wish of a ',feat number of the Court
that the situation of Common Sergeant should be given
to a person of great talent, and that no political feeling
should interfere with the election. (Cheers.) The office
was one which might be considered the stepladder in the
highest offices of the State, and therefore should he de-
nied to ally Wall who had not talents that would Le pro-
portioned to the extent and variety of the duties. He
contended that illeh a regulation as that which made
the places of City Counsel porchaseable should he abo-
lished, and that the Court should, instead of considering
the purchasers of such places entitled to the expected
elevation, proceed to elect, with a view only to the ad-
vantage of the public. lie then moved, that the Court
should proceed to the election of a Cot' wou Sergeant at
the next Court, ou the inst.
Mr. SLADE also submitted the very important motions,
the acquiescence of the Corot in which plover, their in-
tentiou to throw open the office of Common Sergeant to
free and equal competition, affil to elect that officer
on
the same terms as the Judges, " Imaindia se Lvue vsterit."
The first was, that the standing order of the Coml.
directing that the COIIIIIIOII S..rgeant should be elected
annually, be suspended. Toe second was, that the
standing order, by which it was necessary tit it any can-
didate for the office should be n Ireemsit of the City of
London of two years standing, be suspended.
Ald. BROWN trusted that the Cowl, which had often
shewn its jealousy of the prerogative of the Crown,
should arrogate to themselves what they would deity io
the King, and refused to make their Law Officers
iodc-
pendent, and the Judges of the City should have the
same privilege.
The motions were then agreed to, and Mr. Slade sub-
mitted another, which was also agreed to, namely, that
in the event of a Common) Pleader of the City being
chosen Common Sergeant, he should tie required to sur-
render his office to the Conn.
CONDUCV OF ALDERMAN WA ITIIMAN.AT KNlGHTS-
sitlDGE.—Aldernian BROWN rose for the purpose of
submitting a motion upon what he describA to be a sub-
ject of peculiar delicacy and importance, the inure so, as
the Court had already decided upon part of the quest
in a manner which a more mature deliberation would
probably base condemned. The subject regarded the
condurt of Mr. Alderman Waiffiman during the inquest
at Knightsbridge, upon the body of F. Honey. :rite
Worthy Alderman concluded with moving " 'fitat it be
' referred to a Select Committee to enquire Ono the con
' duct of Alderman Wattlituan before the nuttiest held
uu
the body of Francis Ilemey."
Air. CROCKIIK seconded the motion.
Mr. DORNFORD said, 111,11 he had written to AP 1.
Waidiman, asstuing him lie was acting wont:ti—
tle (Mr. Dotuturd) however should vote tor the pre-
vious question.
Mr. W A rrustAN condemned the conduct of A Wenn:, it
Brown in keeping this question in agitation lour uotntos.
That worthy Alderman, who was so much afraid of the
enacts of prejudice, never thought fit to be touched in
his feelings when he saw a brother Alderman and whets
totally de qualifying themselves for any office, by acting
in the association alluded to. Ile denied that he had
attended the inquest in his public capacity. lie was not
attended by any officer, nor had he bus chain or ittiy.
other ensign of autotity upon h,
nt. lie ha
the d cit IM.
mischief that was duhne. Ile had been, names
of witnesses, and he had, h principle a lisciph: of hunisitity

and justice, purMed those who were chargeable with
the crime. Lvery thing had been done by Government
to ascertain something to his prejudice. Government
bad prosecuted a poor man named Fly, fur giving a
Guardsman a slap in the face; but on an occasion of
viol importance enquiry was retused.—lle (),I r. Waith-
man) had acted with forbearance at the inquest. The
Coroner, and those of the Jury whose politics were dif-
ferent front his, would bear te,,timony to that aisertion,
Was he, because he was Sheriff, to divest hints.. If of int.
inanity ? Ile was officially bound to pursue criminals.
1 he saw a man shot, he was bound to pursue those who
shut hint. Alderman Wallis Mall concluded amidst
cheers, with stating that enquiry would be advantageous
to him.
slr. OLnitau could not go the whole length with
Alderman.Waithotan, whose conduct at the inquest was
not at all justified upon legal grounds. lie condemned
the worthy Alderman for not having finished the bust-
of the inquest as he had began it, and expressed a fear
that great political teal had interlered with the judgment
of that excellent individuai.
Mr. Dritote said, the public wanted no more of the
sultject, and moved the previous question.
After suitor observations from lUr. Fayed and others,
Alderman Biown withdrew his motign.