The Sun.
London, England, 1837-02-14 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

THE NEW POOR LAW AMENDMENT ACT.
Yesterday a Special Court was held for the consideration of the Re-
port of the Coal and Corn and Finance Conunittee, on the reference
Tespecting the formation of an union of the several parishes of the City
of London, under the Poor Law Amendment Act, as read on the 9th
of February, and the petitions from the several parties and parishes then

presented on thatsubject.
Alderman T. WOOD said he approached that question as one of vital
Importance, as demonstrating as clearly as figures could show the re--
sults—gross mismanagement of the parochial funds, and 5.411 grosser
neglect of the poor, as well as a lax administration of splendid charities,
alike hurtful to the poor as disgraceful to the agencies by which they
were accomplished. He then adverted to a few petitions as a sample of
the rest—for instance, a gentleman who made himself conspicuous as
one of a deputation of some 20 or 30 out of 97 parishes, representative
of one parish, St. Clement, Eastcheata, stating he had but opepaelper in
a fanned house, but what house he did not know ; that tpatiper had
been visited but once in three years ; that there wereeanie poor rates,
nor had been for several years, though by the public. "returns, the fol-
lowing were the stated results, as made by that very parish itself :
Poor.rates.
Population. 1823. 1834. 1835.
256 £490 £339 £315
That they had 5601. charity fund, only paid 11. a week to all the in-door
poor, and 41. per month for the out-door poor. Where, asked the
Alderman, was the balance, being somewhere about 4001. a year?—
(Hear.) Where was the humanity of this parish, whose officers
having but one pauper, sent it to a farmed house on a miserable pit-
tance, without ever visiting that unfortunate being for two or three
years? What did the Court think of his statements of no rates, and
-the return of rates for three years, and after that give implicit cre-
dit to his statements, or much admire his humanity, or laud his fi-
delity in the administration of charities, except indeed that of which
he spoke so feelingly, the donation of an Alderman for the purpose of
parish harmony ? Who was the ',cause of all this opposition ? A
vestry-clerk. That vestry-clerk called on him in March last, when
the whole occurrence was fully explained, and the whole of the
particulars detailed, and he went away fully satisfied, and yet now
be deliberately presented this petition, stating he had heard of these
proceedings only within a few days —(Cries of " Hear.") So much
for his accuracy! now for his interests. He was vestry-clerk, ob-
taining an advantage of 1501. a-year.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") He
drew the resolutions. They were moved by a publican, who said he
had not read them, but if Mr. Jones would say there was nothing libel-
lous, he would move them. This gentleman, when the preliminary
meeting took place, and the poor churchwarden, in the height of his
exhilarated spirits, so capered in anticipated triumph, as to break his
leg, now demanded their sympathies. Butwould it be believed that a short
time since, the collector of the rates was defitient about 3001. ? The
mode of making up the deficiency was curious ; the gas got into the
drawer of the table, ignited, spared the table, but burnt the collector's
books; and so vigilant was the vestry-clerk and the rest of the officers,
that they employed him again at somewhat about 801., or 1001. a-year.
Why, the officers of this parish cost the parish about 5001. a-year,
when they ought to cost no more than 501., if so much. Without
troubling the Court with these details, further than they were rendered
necessary by the misrepreseetations cut of Court, he should proceed to
consider of the present system. It was one of gross mismanagement, and it
was said that the system was calculated to attend to the wants of the poor.
In what way was this done let it be asked. Was it by visiting the poor ?
Mr. Sharpe, and he was a sample of the others, admitted that the visits
took place but once in two or three years. What did they do with the
young ? Did they educate, or take care of their morals ? One instance
came under his knowledge while he was under-sheriff, cf a man con-
demned for murder, about nineteen years of age; he was brought up
from his infancy in a city parish. and at fourteen was put out apprentice
to a little fisherman above bridge—and (would it be believed) thi•:,,
a'though fourteen years in the keep of the parish, he could not re Id,
and his sorrowing mother confirmed the fact ? But why look to Jsese
appalling details—tho system was bad. It was said London is 'eke any
other place in this respect, and God grant its fellow might not, OE found.
It was said that the Poor-laws could not improve It. 'filet would
be soon seen. Take the city within the walls, and uPerli a population
of fifty-seven thousand, the Poor-rates were 46,000/; while without
the walls, upon a population of sixty-four thousand, '.lie rates were about
25,0001. If that fact alone did not strike on every ear, and carry con-
viction as to mismanagement, what would ?- -(Hear, hear.) There
was a comparison of London with itself, and there was cent. per cent.
against the management of London within Cr.: walls. It was said that
this measure is not a Constitutional one. -What sort of a measure was
the 43d of Elizabeth, the foundation of else law under the old systOn ?
That was not a popular election, and the, overseers were appointed by
the Justic.s, who could order relief; an.t here the guardians were elec-
tive, all their officers were elective, ar,d the only controul' was exer-
cised by the Commissioners. He then moved, that the Court approve
of the Resolution to tee effect of introducing the Poor Law Bill into
the City.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Deputy PEACOCK.
The Mowing amendment was moved by Mr. W. S. HALE :—" That
it be the instruction of the Court to the Committee to communicate
forthwith with the Cornmission,:rs on the projected union, and to with.
draw from their minds, without delay, any impression which has been
conveyed to them that the rate payers of the parishes of London are de_
sinus of having those parishes formed into union, which has been found
not to he founde i is fact."
The amendmint was supported by Mr. Williams, Mr Christie, and
Mr. Wheder, and opposed by Mr. Ald. Cope, Mr. Wire, Mr. AUL
Venal, e 3, and Mr. IleePel•
Mr. Ald. T. Woon having briefly replied,
The question was put, and the LORD Marcie declared the amendment
negatived.
A division was then demanded, and granted., when the numbers
were, f r the amendment, 43 ; against it, 49.
The Report was then agreed to.
FOR THE UNION-49
ALDERMEN.
LP.iDSOD
% enables
CCI,MMONERS.

Copeland
Hunter

T. Wood.

Austwiek Galloway Marchant Redhead
Baylis ' tiilihs Morrisun R•ibinson
eckwith Gihsen Parker Selson
Brass I 1g.,. pen Patten .1. ..;inith
J. Brown Lioard Peaccck Stewart
Corney ILA. , Filcher 'Fagg
Crawford Ilaale Ponder Taylor
Curtis R. Johnson 'E. W. Price Toplis
Day W. Johnson U. Price. , Walton
I.:d .varrla W. Lawrence W. Pritchard • Wilson
French S. Lepard Rawlings, Sir W. vS
AGAINST TILE UNION-13.
ALDERMEN—NOT ONE.
COMMONERS.
Adamson Elmes Jacque.;
Bailey Finals Jarman
Bennett, S. Fis'cr King
Bevis Fro sham Lawrence
Briggs Haines Marsdc; I
Christie Hale, W. S. Manghan
Comyn Hale, F. alullens
Cooper Haswell Negus
Colic, T. Hayward Norris
Crauc:,er lii 1 Oakley
levies, J. Jackson Powell

Pritchard, G.
Rice, J.
Sharp
Smith, W. U,
Stulabing
SOces
Utiwin
Wheeler
Williams, T. G.
Wood, 1).

BUCKINGIIA3ISHIRE ELECTION.

Avissauttr, FEB. I3.—We can lardly describe the consternation o:
the Tories on ending, at daybreak this morning, that instead of walk-
ing quietly over the course, and rendering the county as it were a
nomination borough, a candidate was to be proposed on the Liberal
side, in the person of Mr. George H. Dashwuod, of West Wycombe-
park. So completely were they taken by surprise, that the Tory candi.
date, Mr. Harcourt, having long hugged himself with the belief of a
certain end enepposed seat in Parliament, had ordered horses on the
read to London, ni the, hope of taking the oaths and his scat this even-
ing; and had ectually his chair ready, and men hired to cerry it, in ex-
pectation of a triumphant procession; and even the usually wary clerk
of the peace had been so occupied, we imagine, in preparing the inden-
ture of his favourite candidate's return, that he quite forgot to providt
himself with the registers ot the county voters. At an early hour it:
the day the good people of Aylesbury were astonished to find that early
in the morning a handbill had been issued, stating that a Libera
candidate would come forward.
At twelve o'clock the High-Sheriff took. the Chair, soon after which
Lord Nugent matte his appearance, and was received with loud and
enthusiastic cheers. Alter the usual preliminaries bad been gone
through,
Mr. GRANVILLE PENN, jUll., of Stoke Park, in the absence of his
father, who was unab e to attend, nominated George Simon Harcourt,
Esq , of Ankerwyke, as a fit and proper person to represent the county
in Parliament, which he proceeded to do amidst great confusion.
The nomination was seconded by Coloted CHESTER.
Mr. LEADER, M.P., then came forward, amidA loud and long-con-
tinued applause, to propose George Henry Dashwood, Esq., of West.
Wycombe Park, who formerly represented the county in Parliament.
In justice to them and to Mr. Dashwood, he would here observe, that
he had had AO communication whatever with him on this subject—ex-
ercising his right as a freeholder of the county, he proposed him as t e
person in his opinion, best fitted to represent them, and who had the
greatest claim to their support. The Tory party at present possessed
the entire representation of the county. Were the Reformers of the
county content to be thus represented? Were there not enough of
them to shake off the yoke? The people of England must
be a moat patient and forgiving people if they had already for-
gotten and 'forgiven the mischief, the miseries, and the almost
intolerable burden inflicted upon them by the Tory Govern-
ments, which misgoverned the country for half a century.
Let them take any great political question now before the country; is
there one on which the Tories are not opposed to the great body of the
people ? Would the Tories support a measure to extend the suffrage,
to protect the voter, to limit the duration of Parliaments ? No; they
are opposed to these, and to all the other great liberal measures. It was
time, then, that they should di,tingtkish between their true friends and
those who, under the mask of friendship, would dec&ve them, and at-
tempt to deprive them ot their rights. He would crave their
further attention white he brought one other subject of im-
portance before them.—(Hear, hear.) By voting for the Tory
candidate (continued the Hon. Gentleman), you will, of course,
strengthen the Tory party in the House of Commons. If a few more
constituencies followed their example of returning to Parliament
none but Tories, the Liberal party in the House of Commons
would be outvoted, and they might expect to see a Tory Govern-
ment in power.—(Here some one cried out, " I could tell you that I'')
Upon which Mr. Leader turned round very good-humouredly and said,
" Yes, and I can tell you something more than that." Now, had they
ever calmly considered what would be the result, almost the immediate
result, of the return, under present circumstances, of the Tories to
power. A Tory Government might perhaps be able with groat difficulty
to govern England and Scotland, without much disturbance, for a very
few years. He doubted whether they would be able to do even that
much, but how could a Tory Government manage Ireland ?—(Tremen-
dous cheering, which lasted several minutes.) There are more than six
millions of Irishmen who detest with all their heart, with all their soul,
and with all their strength, the Tory party now in opposition. They
have reason to detest them, for they have always oppressed and mis-
governed Ireland. I ask you, as honest, intelligent, and right-feeling
Englishmen, will you lend a hand to bring about a bloody war in Ire-
land ? But, suppose a Government wicked enough to attempt to dra-
goon Ireland into submission—supposing the Parliament and the
people of England weak and deluded enough to support them in so atro-
cious an attempt, and supposing the attempt actually in progress of
execution, do you think the evil would stop there ? Away with the
vain hope. Do you think the powers of Europe would remain inactive
spectators of the conflict ? No; we have interfered too much in the
affliirs of the continent for the continent not to return the compliment
and interfere in our aftlors, should we ever unhappily be plunged into
civil contentions. Then must follow all the miseries of a general war.
This is not an overcharged description of what would follow the return
of a Tory Government to power. If you would avert it, then, assist
as much as in you lies to guard against the event by giving your votes
for your former Liberal representative, George Henry Da.sha cod, whom
I propose as a fit and proper person to represent this county in Puha-
nt.—(The Hon. Gentleman retired amidst the most enthusiastic
'ng.)

. ' owNDES STONE seconded the nomination.
ma. acourcr then came forward amidst hisses and cheers, the
chern• ,derating. After denying that he was the nominee of
Mr. X. any other individual, declaring that he would support
s integrity, professing the greatest interest for the
former pp.,.. ;g for not following Mr. Leader in all the political
Lord Cha 7 I'A 1•! •4eloquently discussed—declaring himself an
the Chafe a i - It-7—. , ~
amVala
' 1- - lc the show of hands, which were two to
' • ,' '—r accordingly declared the election
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A poll was then demanded on the part of Mr. Harcourt, which was
fixed to take place on Thursday and Friday next.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, after which the meeting
separated.
The excitement in the county is excessive, The Tories are taken
eDmpletely aback; and their preparations are so incomplete, that sue-
c,:ss for the Liberal candidate is not impossible, even in the county of
Uuckingham.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

STAFFORD BOROUGH.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
MONDAY, FEB. 13.
Motion made, and Question proposed,—" That Mr. Speaker do
issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new
Writ for the electing of a Burgess to serve in this present Parlia-
ment for the Borough of Stafford, in the room of Sir Francis Holy-
cake Goodrieke, Bart., who since his election for the said Borough
bath accepted this office of Steward or Bailiff of his Majesty's three
Chiltern Hund,reds of Stoke, Desborough,. and Bonham, in the
County of Rockingham :—(Mr. Chetwynd : )—Amendment pro-
posed,to leave out from the word " That" to the end of the Ques-
tion, in order to add the words " no Warrant for a new Writ be is-
sued for the electing of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Bo-
rough of Stafford until ten days after the commencement of the
next Session of Parliament," instead thereof :—(Mr. Divett :)
Question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part
1 of the Question :"—The House divided :
MAJORITY—AYES, 152.
Agnew, Sir A.—Wigtonshire Irton, Samuel—Cumberland
Alsager, Captain—Surrey Jackson, Mr. Serj.—Bandon Bridge
Arbuthnot, Gen.—Kincardineshire Jones, Wilson—Denbigh
Ashley, Lord—Dorsetsbire Jones, T.—L. ndonderry Co.
Bailey, Joseph—Worcester Kerrison, Sir Edward--Eye
Baillie, H. I).—Honiton Kirk, Peter—Carricifergus
13wring, W. B.—Winchester Knight, A. G.—Nottinghamshire
Baring, Thomas—Yarmouth Lawson, Andrev;--Knaresborough
Beckett, Right Hon. Sir J.—Leeds Lees, John Fie derick—Oldham
13e11, M.—South Northumberland Lefroy, Rigut Hon. T.—Dublin Uni-
Bentinck, Lord G.—King'sLynn versity
Beresford, Sir John—Chatham Lewis,
_ WiNyndharn—Maidstone
Bethell, R.—East Yorkshire
L•ongfielex, Richard—Cork Co,
Blackstone, W. S.—Wallingford Lowthe r , J. H.—York
Rolling, W.—Bolton Lucas,
-E.—Monaghan
Bonham, IL F —Harwich Lygrva., Hon. Colonel H. B.—West
Borthwiok, Peter—Evesham. Wo'xestershire
Bowles, George Rushout—Evesham Ma rrinnon, W. A.—Lymington
Bramstoe, T. W.—South Essex • Mairean, Donald—Oxford
Brownrigg, S. J.—Boston Ai alien, Viscount— Hertford
Bruce, C. L. C —lnverness, &c. -;.•/,),„eu,
Capt. H.—Lisburne'
Buckingham, J. S.--Shetlield Alordaunt, Sir John—Warwickshire
tiller, E.—North Staffordshire
Burton, Henry—Beverley
Berwickshire
Canning, Hon. C. J.—Warwick Sir o.—North Stafibrdshire
Buller, Sir J. Yarde—Devonshire
Nicholl, J —Cardiff
Norreys, Lord—Oxfordshire
Campbell, Sir IL—
Ossulston, Lord—N. Northumber..
Mosley,
Canning, Right Hun. Sir S.—F Jug's Owen, H. o.—Pembroke
Lynn Palmer, R.—Berkshire
Chandos, Martpiis of—Buck, Palmer, George—Essex
Chapman, A aron— Whittri
Patten, J. Wilson—Lancashire
Chisholm, A. W.—
Clive;
Inver.ness.shire Peel, Right lion. sir R.—Tamworth
Clerk, Sir George—Ee;
mburghshire Pemberton, Thomas—Rit,on
it. H. - Se"tP 'Shropshire Perceval, Colonel—Sligo Co.
Cole, Hon. Arth,ur
Conolly, Edwrs e. tl. —Enniskillen Pigot, Robert—Bridgenorth
M.--Donegal eltimptre, John P.—East Kent
Conte, Si*.
L-: --t.Neen's County Pollock, Sir F.—Huntingdon
Corry, Hon. FL I.,.—Tvrone Co. Praed, W. Mackivorth—Yarmouth
Dalbiac, S' r Charles—Ripon Price, Samuel Grore—Sandwich
Dunc°l-0),,e, Hon. W.—Yorkshire Pringle, Alexander—Selkirkshire
East, Zames B.—Winchester Reid, Sir J. Rae—Dover
F.atr,,a, R. J.—Cambridgeshire Richards, J.—Knaresborough
Ecr e,ton Lord Francis—Lancashire Richards, Richard—Merionethshire
l' .4.ey, Sir John—Windsor Robinson, G. R —Worcester
Antwitle, John—Rochdale Ross, Charles—Northampton
Vancourt, Major—Barnstaple Rushbrooke, Colonel—Suffolk
Fector, John Mina —Dover Sanderson, ltichard—Colchester
Feilden, AV. J.—Blackburn Scarlett. Hots. Robert—Norwich
Ferguson, Sir R—Londonderry Scourfield, W. M. —Haverfordwest
Finch, G.—Stamford Shaw, Rt. Hon. F.—Dublin Univcr.
Follett, Sir W.—Exeter Sheppard, Thomas—Frome
Forester, Hon. o.—Wenlock Shirley, E. S --Warwick* hire
Forster, C. S.—Walsall Sihthorp, Colonel—Lincoln
Ffrench, F.—Rosscommon Sinclair, Sir G.—Caithness-shire
Freshfield. Jas. Wm.—Penryn Somerset, Lord G.—Monmouthshire
Gasket!, J. M.—Wenlock Stanley, Lord—North Lancashire
(teary, Sir Wiliam—Kent Stewart, John—Lymington
-Gladstone, W. E.—Newark-on-Trent Strangways, lion. John—Caine
Gordon, Hon. W.—Aberdeenshire Sturt, Henry Charles—Dorsetshire
Gore, Ormsby—Salop Thontas, Colonel—Kinsale
Graham, Sir J. B. —Cumberland Trench, Sir F.—Scarborough
Grimston,Visrount—Hertfordshire Trevor, Hon. Arthur—Durham
Griinston, lion. E. H. St. Alban's Trevor, lion. G. R,.—Caermarthensh
Hamilton, George A.—Dubiin Tulk, C. A.—Poole
Hamilton, Lord C.—Tyrono Co. Twiss, liorace-13ridport
Llarcourt, 0. G.—Oxfordshire Verc, Sir Charles B.—Suffolk
Hardinge, Right Hon. Sir IL—Lawn. Vesey, Hon. Thomas—Queen's Co.
ceston Vyvyan, Sir R. R.—Bristol
Hardy, John—Bradford Wall, C. Baring—Guildford
Hayes, Sir R.—Donegal Walter, John,-Berks',ire
Jeathcote, G. J.—Lim:oinshiro West, John Beatty—Dublin
Henniker, Lord—E act Suffolk Williams, Robert—Dorchester
Fierries, Right Hon. J. C.—Harwich Wodehouse, Edmund—Norfolk
Hinds, John Ilodgson— Wood, Colonel T.—Br:cknockshire
Hogg, James Weir— Beverley Wortley, Hon. James S.-11alifroc
Hope, James —Linlithgowshire Wynn, Right Hon C. W.—Mont.
Hope, H. T.—Gloucester gomeryshire
Ilotham, Lord—Leomioster
Houstoun, George —Rentrewshiro
11115,res, AV. H.—Oxford
Ingham, IL—South Shields

MINORITY-
13agshaw, John—Sudbury
Banbridge, E. T.—Taunton
Baines, Edward—Leeds
Baldwin, Dr.—Cork City
Ball, Nicholas—Clonrcell
Bannerman; A.—Aberdeen
&zing, F. Thornhill--Portsmouth
Barr , G. S.—Cork Co.
Belfast, I rlof—Antrim Co.
Bellew, it M.—Louth
fentinek, Lord W.—Glasgow
Bernal, Ralph —Rock, ster
Bewes, T —Plymouth
fish, T —Leominster
Blake, M J.—Galway
Biidltin, John J c.s—Galway
L' wring, 14.—Kiimarnock
Brady, Denis Caul:l:Ad—Newry
tiridgercan, Hewitt—Ennis
/Ironic, W. lt.—Salisl,ury
liroiherton' J.—Salford -
Browne' It. I).—Mayo
1
Butler, Charles— Liskeard
Callaghan, l).—Cork City
Cavendish, Hon. C.—East Sussex
Cay Icy, E.S.-N. Yorkshire
Chalmers, Patrick—lnverbervie
Chichester, J. P. B.—Barnstaple
Clay, W.—Tower Hamlets
Clements, Vim—Leitrim Co.
Edward B.—Hereford
Colborne, nirtleY—Wells
Collier, J.—Plymouth
Crawford, W.—London
Crawley, S.—Bedford •
Cartels, E. B.—Rye
Dahneny, Lord—Stirling
Donkin, Sir It. S.—Berwick
Duncombe, Thomas—Finsbury'
Ebrington, Visc.—North lievon
Evans, G.—Dublin Co.
Ewart, Wm.—Liverpool
Fergus, John—,Dysart
Ferguson, R.—Haddingtonshirc
Finn, W. F.—Kilkenny Co.
Fitzsimon, C.—Dublin Co.
Fitzsimon, N.—King's Co.
Fort, .1. —Clithcroe
(:askell, D.—Wakefield
Gardon. Robert —Cricklade
Grattan, Henry—Meath
Grattan, James—Wicklow Co.
Grey, ir George—Devonport
Grosvenor, Lord R.—Chester
Grote, George--London
Gully, Jolin—Pontefract
Handley, Henry—Lincolnshire
Harland, W. C.—Durham
Harvey, D. W.—Colchester
Hawes. Benjamin—Lambeth
Hawkins, J. H.—Newport, I. Wight
Hay, Sir A. L —Elgin
Hector, C. J.—Peterstielit
Hodges, T. L.—West Kent
fiollan 1, Eilwarci—Worcestershi re
Horsman Edward—Ciickermouth
H'iwarti, P. 11.—Carlisle
Howlett, Vi c.—Northumberland
Hume, Joseph—Middlesex
Hutt, W.—Kingston-upen- Hull
Jam ^v, William—Cumberland
Jephson, I). o.—Mallow
Jervis, J.—Chester
Kemp, 'l'. R —Lewes
Labouchere, Right Hon. Henry—,
Taunton
Lemon, Sir Charles—West Cornwall
Lennox, Lord J. —West Sussex