The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-06-13 00:00:00

CONDUCT OF SHERIFF PARKINS.

Mr. Dtiort said, he held in his hand a copy of the
charges loid against Mr. Sheriff Parkins by the late
Lord Mayor, amongst which were the non-attend-
ance of the Sheriff upon his Lordship in a state car-
riage, and his conduct toone of the Judges at the Old
Bailey. The proceeding upon this subject had been
delayed in sp unaccountable manner, as well as an-
other motion, of which he had given notice last win-
ter, for the grant of a certain sum of money to relieve
the unfortunate wretches who were subject to the
inclemency of the weather. The time passed over
until May arrival!, when any motion of the kind
would be laughed at. He entered into a circum-
stantial account of the conduct of Sheriff Parkins,
mid said, that if needy adventurers were encouraged
to come amongst them and undertake the highest
offices without maintaining the necessary splendour,
there could be no such thing as a hope of keep-
ing up the respectability of the City, the more
so, because such adventurers would put into
their pockets ell that could arise from the duties
of those offices. The tines on the City, in
some caves. were very hea►y, and it had been
decided that those flues were to go to the She-
riff. As a proof of the benefits arising from
those finer, he instanced the case of Lord Sligo,
who had been fined 5001. and that of Wolfe and
others, which were also to be disposed of in the
same manner. The Court had the power of pre-
venting the payment of these fines, and he hoped
they would exercise that power as far as it related
to Sheriff Parkins. lie then moved, that the Re-
port of the Committee upon the charges against
Sheriff Parkins should be read. It stated, that
they had searched the records. and applied to the
law authorities to ascertain what power the Court
had over the Sheriff's. The answer was, that the
Court of Common Council had the power to re-
move the Sheriff for misconduct ; that such power
had been exercised at a remote period; but that
the nature of the office at the present tunic render-
ed the exercise of that power of such importance,
that it would not be advisable to proceed to such
an extremity except in a case of the utmost neces-
sity. The Committee advised that the payment of
the fines should be stopped. Mr. Dixon then
moved, that all payments heretofore made to the
Sheriffs should be suspended with regard to Sheriff
Parkins.

Mr. I'. N. WILLIAMS said, that if any offices of
the Corporation were degraded by those who filled
them, the Corporation was degraded; and stated,
that the Court were now to prove that they were.not
a party to their own disgrace, by inflicting a pu-
nishment upon one who had acted in violation of
the established principle of the Corporation. He
reprobated the neglect of pageantry by the She-
riff, and the disposition to neglect it upon the
part of others. He should be sorry to see the
day when the Lord Aqui would be seen passing
through the streets in solemn silence. Neglect
of the splendid forms might be considered as
the stepping-stone to revolution. He had it from
the best authority that the share of the expenses
which should have been paid by Sheriff Parkins
on the Lord Mayor's day of splendid entertain-
ment, amounted to 6001. and Its share of the ex-
penses at the Old Bailey amounted to 6001. ; the
whole amount of what the worthy Sheriff should
have paid, but one farthing of winch he had not
defrayed, was 1,8001. Was it to be endured that
a man should be allowed to escape with Isis purse
containing such a sum, which ought to have gone
towards the maintenance of a hospitably magnifi-
cence. lie concluded with seconding the motion.
hire SOUTHGATE followed Olt the same side.
Mr. Pestitsum said he had looked in vain for
authorities in the Report. He denied the right of

the Court to remove the Sheriff from his situation.
to render the right of election in the Livery nuga-
tory, by depriving hurl, of his emoluments
where could be the elective franchise of that body if
the ofice►s whom they elected could be moved next
day by The Common Council ? He did not defend
the conduct of Sheriff Parkins, but the rights of the
Livery. With respect to himself, he stood there in
a very painful situation, knowing that he had helped
Sheriff Parkins to the office. He doubted whether
the pageantry so much appliuded would not he pro-
perly given up, and entered at great length into the
history the Ace, which be said was one of the
most importout in the City. Ile had himself advised
Sheriff Pai lons to endeavour to put a s'op to the
dinners the Old Bailey, and he maintaitied the
opinion, that it would be of much advantage to
abolish them. He had seen that conduct upon the
part of those who dined which was highly dia.
graceful. He hail seen some drinking Champaign
and claret, and washing their mouths with rose-water,
&c. &c.—Fie moved an amendment, when se-
veral Meniliers rose, and 1111 adjournment of the
debate was immediately carried.

LAW lIVTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, MONDAY, Jima 12.

The Court was occupied the whole day upon the
peremptory new trial paper, but there was nothing
of a public nature in the proceedings.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, MONDAY, Jams it.