The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-15 00:00:00

trifle after a loss, in three day's fighting, of 75,000 !
However, small or great, comparatively—there is
the fact of those 3,000, and it is a fact that has its
significance ! Besides all this about the gold still
rising, and about these not severe losses, proving,
after all, to be a loss of three thousand men in a
single contest—there comes that rather sus-
picious, not to say sinister, intimation
that, while heavy firing was heard in the direction
of White House, no particulars could be learnt
—because—ahem ! the telegraphic wires had been
unfortunately injured—by the weather ! The
natural, nay, the inevitable inference being, that
those:particulars were known, " weather" or no ! (it

matters little how you spell the word) were known
whether or no by the Federal Government, but
were discreetly held bank upon this wretched
little wire-drawn plea—at any rate until
the going out of the Peruvian and City
of Baltimore ! None, the proverb says, are so
deaf as those who won't hear. And certainly, in
the same way, it may be said, and quite as truly,
that, in those Northern States of America, none find,
at moments when obscurity would be particularly
convenient, such a difficulty in reading off the
clicking of the telegraph, as those who can
at other times, work it, that is the tele-
graph, according to the expressive slang
of the hour, to perfection! " MANHATTAN"
in his last missive said, as plainly as words could
say anything, that ill news for the Federals
would be certain to reach Washington before the
departure of the outgoing steamers, but that that
said ill news would be held back until the
mail should have left. And it certainly looks un-
commonly like it—what with this talk about
heavy firing heard in the direction of
Whitehouse, no particulars, and the sudden
interruption of telegraphic communication ! It
bears all the appearance of an intentional acci-
dent. It looks suspicious. Speaking plainly,
we
.would say, that all this talk about tele-
graph wires injured by the weather, just
at the right moment, and in the right direction, to
secure an opportune delay, seems uncommonly like
Much ado about—Nothing! Or, at any rate, if nut
much ado—certainly a do !

The selection of an assize town in one of the
many shires in the United Kingdom would appear
at first sight to have little concern with the general
body of the public. Yet it has recently been the
occasion of a good deal of debate and discussion,
has occupied the attention of both Houses of Parlia-
ment, and given rise to a division in both. In the
Upper House, indeed, Lord WHARNCLIFFE'S motion
resulted in one of those Ministerial defeats which
are portentous signs of the times ; but, in this in-
stance, the discomfiture was not so well merited as
in some other instances of similar ili luck. The
votes of the Houses of Lords and Commons
represented fairly enough the diversity of opinion
that exists on this important question of Leeds
versus Wakefield, since the Lower House affirmed
the decision of the Privy Council, while the Peers
expressed their dissatisfaction by a majority of 26.
The arguments were as usual of a very opposite
nature—one side declaring that all the local inte-
rest was in favour of Leeds, end the other maintain-
ing that Wakefield was by far the most popular of
the rival candidates. It must be remembered that
it is not the question of the assize town for the
county that is being discussed, but only for one part
of it. That part, it is true, is of sufficient extent,
population, and importance to rank among the
counties, since the million and a half which the
West Riding can boast of possessing is nearly
equal to the whole of the neighbouring shire of
Lancashire, and might astonish some of the pompous
princelings and serene highnesses of German
grand duchies, With us, however, what
would in the Vaterland give rise to a whole
page of titles in the Almanack, de Gotha,
and would think itself constituted to take an active
part iu the direction of European politics, subsides
into a third of a county. But that nominal third
—for in reality the relative importance is very dif-
ferent—is by no means an inconsiderable member
of the State. It has furnished us with able politi-
cians and eminent men in various walks of life, so
that a Yorkshireman has grown to be synonymous
with a shrewd, sturdy, hard-headed man of busi-
ness, who is very capable of managing his own
affairs, and of resenting undue interference in them.
The Yorkshiremcn collectively do not, however, in
this instance seem very well able to decide for
themselves. It is of course the privilege of the
Privy Council to fix the locality of the assizes, and
no hesitation could be felt as to the right of the
West Riding to possess an assize town, when Lan -
cas'n;.re, whose population is scarcely greater, is con-
sidered entitled to three. The next question, after,.
deciding upon granting the request, is to decide
whish town is to be the favoured resort of the wig
and gown, of professors of pocket--picking and bur-
glary. The argument brought forward on both
sides in the debates In this matter is that public
opinion in the localiV is entirely in,Javour of the
advocate's own islde of the question, but this plea
appears to an impartial reader to have no weight
whatever, since a singular degree of discord is
app.rent. One party wishes York to remain the
Assize town, others are for Wakefield, others
again are for Leeds, while faint voices are
even raised for Sheffield and Mull. Who shall
decide when doctors disagree. Who shalt mediate
between the rival claims, when one party gravely
tells us
that 'Wakefield has a population of 900,000
in its neighbourhood, against 623,0 C
of Leeds ;) in the vicinity
arrived
that
wni,e Lord DE GB..EY informs us that the
Privy
theatpo theirpu a tdi decision s
oi of n
Wwai
kt he theeld
fact before them
n
was 23,000 and that of Leeds 207,000 ! Unless
the Wakefield side
Can lay claim to a very large
P roportion of criminals, we fear the y can hardl y
maintain their ground. i
Leeds s a large trading
city, full of business and bustle, and therefore, say
the Wakefield faction, unfitted f
cr an assize town.
Bat that very fact of its large commercial dealings
will give rise to a great deal of assize business. It
is in the busiest and most populous districts that we
shall find the most crime not only in the fair pro•
portion of the population, but in consequence of the
increased opportunities for fraud, robbery, gze. we
never heard that perfect stillness was essential to
the deliberations of a judge and jury. Our London

criminal courts are not all situated in such tranquil
localities. The plea of the dense population round
Leeds being a serious objection, as likely to give

room for riots in times of public disturbance, is

quite untenable, cod does a great injustice to our
artistns. 117.. i have happily little reac.on to antici-

pato disaffection in any locality, but we have st'll
less reason to fear teat the simple officers of public
justice should c)rae into collision with the body of
the working classes. Oar artisans are no frends
to pickpockets cr to rou:derers, os the very
wrong feeling exieting against working with
ticket of, leave men might show. This
argument however strongly urged on behalf of
akefield, is net likely to influence the decision of
the Council, Which indeed there seems little reason
to reconsider or to reverse, The only valid reason
Cor makicg a change in it would be a strong oPP°
siton on the part of the general public of the,West
Riding, but there has not as yet been any such
manifestation, and the conclusion formerly arrived

at having been made on sound grounds of public
convenience and practical common sense, we cannot
suppose that the adverse vote of Monday evening
will produce any sensible effect.

Sir WALTER CaoFToez is an undoubted authority
on all matters connected with prison discipline and
other questions relating to the treatment of con-
victs. It is, therefore, very gratifying to find that
he should have addressed some remarks on the sub-
ject, for they cannot fail to be of service at this
juncture, He speaks what he knows, and discourses
on what he is fully acqainted with. All the obser-
vations of a man who has been particularly suc-
cessful in any special department are deserving of
attention, and should be paid due regard to. It is
want of experience and ability that occasion so
many mistakes, and gives rise to so many neje•
chances in the carrying on of the arduous duties
that are necessitated by the conduct of prison
establishments. The supervision of ticket-of-leave
convicts in Ireland was for some time under the
control of Sir WALTER CROFTON, and, therefore,
he very appropriately introduces his comments at
this crisis, when so much discussion has taken
place, and so many doubts are urged on all sides,
as to the practicability of attempting the like ex-
periment in this country. It will be encouraging
to those who have advocated the adoption of this
measure, and reassuring to those who fear its effects,
to hear from this good authority that it is a desirable
plan to undertake, and also the only sure safeguard
that we at present possess. It is here stated that
at first no " police supervision" was exercised in
Ireland when tickets-ofeleave were issued, but it
wds now found out that the system could not thus
succeed, and recourse was, therefore, had to the surer
means of attaining a fit control over these dangerous
characters. It stands to reason that an occasional or
irregular check upon them will not be suffi-
cient, and that before all things some decided
and definite system must be organised. Doubt-
less much of the trouble that has been felt here
in the arrangements of the convict system has
arisen from the irregular mode of treatment and
uncertainty that prevailed among authorities, and
also among the men themselves to the exact
amount of control or interference which would be
exercised. The Commissioners who attentively
studied the subject in alt its details, gave it as
their opinion that a " thorough and more efficient
supervision" was absolutely necessary. As they
had considered the question in all its bearings, and
weighed well the pros and cons of the affair, they
must have been more qualifi'id to judge fairly, and
arrive at an accurate conclusion than those who
jumped at conclusions, and were well-meaning but
mistaken in their estimate of the affair. A due
exercise of supervision is essential for the well-
doing of the ticket-of-leave man himself, for other- I
wise he may be tempted by too much laxity to
relapse into his old ways, and return to his former
reprehensible practice. Some plan must perforce
be employed that will establish a check, afford
safety to the public, and exert a restraining in-
fluence on these lawless and desperate members of
the community. Sir WALTER states that the evils
of undue interference which have been adverfed to
so frequently in the discussion were very prevalent
in Ireland before the introduction of " police super-
vision," but that since that period no complaint has
been made on that score. That this is very likely
to be the case may be seen after a few moment's
reflection, for nothing that is conducted in a
settled form, and a firm and fixed basis, ever occa-
sions half the annoyances, or produces the irritation
that ensue from the irregular and uncertain em-
ployment of controlling agencies. These irritate
and excite without poßgeseins sufficient power
and their check being only an occasional one,
its deterring effect cannot for long produce
a beneficial result. Besides, as Sir WALTER
CROFTON very truly observes, there are mitiga-
tions which, judiciously employed, may tone down
and temper the stringent and arbitrary decrees that
in some cases are absolutely necessary and imperae
tively called for. Thus the report or guarantee of
prisoners' aid societies can be accepted in lieu of a
convict's personal appearance. The Home Secre-
tary can alto release the convict from further super-
vision, when this is found to be unnecessary. In
Ireland this plan has been tried with success.
Therefore it is not unreasonable for the writer of
this letter to declare that "it will surely not be
difficult to devise such regulations, and in-
structions as will judiciously nealy,
and bene-
ficially use, the power given by this clause." It is
idle to denounce any measure until it has had fair
play, and it may 100 said that the notion of " police
supervision" has had its trial in Ireland. If there
it 'oas worked well—if it has gained the object for
which it was intended, and reconciled the hard
measures of authority with more benevolent
innovations it justice and mercy have gone
together, as it were, on the part of the criminal—
it is not out of character to say that there can be
no valid reason why, in this country, we should not
go and do likewise. There is always so much pre-
judice to encounter in making any changes and al-
terations that it is not to b 3 wondered at that the
powers that be so often shrink from the exertion
and shun the odium incurred by making them. The
errors prevalent in our penal system, however, were
of so flagrant a nature that they spoke trumpet-
tongued to Vie community, and some change was
absolutely necessary. A very partial and moderate
system has been suggested, and now an outcry has
been raised as to undue interference. This is as
serious an error as any legislator can fall into, to
substitute consideration for weak and insufficient
control, and the sensible remarks of Sir WALTER
CROFTON are most apropos at the period we are
now arrived at. A confirmation of the wisdom of
the enactments now proposed from so good a judge
is a very encouraging thing, and it is to be trusted
that time will prove the truth of his remarks, and
that speedily and satisfactorily.

We are pleased to be able to state on sound
authority, that another volume of poems from the
pen of Eliza Cook will be published in the autumn.
Despite of severe suffering, her brain has, at inter-
vals, powerfully displayed its vitality, and the vo-
lume will not only contain numberless charming
lyrics, but will also present an original poem of
considerable length, marked with vigour of thought
ant beauty of sentiment, which cannot fail to charm
old friends and attract new admirers. We shall
at
hail the volume with pleasure, and earnestly hope
sthpared this genuine English
poetess may long be
to enjoy her well-merited pension, and
gratify the public with her gifted productions.
THREE FATAL ACCIDENTS.--.Yesterday informa-
tion was received by Mr W. Carter, the coroner for East
Surrey, of the three following dreadful accidents :—A man
named Joseph Smith, aged 40, in the employ of an under-
taker, was riding on a hearse at Batham-hill, when he was
jerked offend fell with considerable violence to the ground.
In an insensible condition he was conveyed to St. Thomas's
Hospital, where he shortly afterwards expired. The second
happened at Wandsworth to W. Parker, a gardener, in the
s scythe, when he was knocked down,
falling
service of Mr Neale. The poor fellow was proceeding along
the
the, which entered and ripped his arm
up, and n add p
caused
other shocking iujuries that he died
soon after his admission to the hospital, The third case
was that of Celia Turner, aged 13 years, who whilst en-
ar road carrying
rt
yh
e suchngs cy
en-
gaged cleaning out a room at her parents' house, :No. 10,
Joiner street, Westminster•road, went too near the grate,
and her dress quickly ignited. She wee most frightfully
burned, and was conveyed to St. Thomas's Hospital, where
she expired,

ink :--