The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-14 00:00:00

ELECTION OF CORONER FOR

MIDDLESEX.

the nomination of candidates for the office of Coroner of the
County of Middlesex took place this morning, recording to an an.
elent custom, at Clerkenwell-green, and attracted an immense crowd
"Persons ; the great majority of those present appeared to be the
friends of Mr. Wakley, and the usual good-humoured jokes and
Jibes were bandied about among the crowd and the leading person.
ages On the hustings, which were erected in front of Hicks's Hall.
fihrough the kindness of Mr. Wakley, who handed the reporters
t"
the Public press some of the tickets which had been given him
for distribution to the members of his committtee, we obtained
access to the hustings, the official personages at the entrance hav-
ing refused us admission.
At nine o'clock Mr. Sheriff WOOD having read the precept, and
called Upon the meeting to give a fair and impartial hearing to all
the gentlemen who intended to address them,
SirJoux SCOTT 'Awn came forward to propose Mr. Wakley.—
heetk) The qualifications of that gentleman were well known to
"'en,. He had undergone the ordeal of several elections, and had
been at different times returned to represent the borough in which
dhe now stood in the Commons' House of Parliament. His cot,
uct, as the Editor of an eminent medical publication, was known to
. He had been indefatigable in his exertions to expose the abuses
existing in the Hospitals throughout the kingdom. He had on
ail °cessions thrown open the pages of his work to the commurica-
ti°ns of all parties without reference to their politics, party, or
Profession.— (Hear, hear ) He trusted that the electors of
Middlesex would lay aside all political and party feeling,
On thepresent occasion,ane• neither allow pocket nor political induce-
teems to influence them in their votes.—(Loud cheers.) Ile (Sir
J• S. Lillie) had intended to vote for a gentleman supposed to be of
different political opinions from Mr. Wakely—(Hear, hear)—and
if that gentleman had come forward, he certainly should have sup_
Ported him ; but as lie had retired front the contest, he felt very
Ing'cesaitisPlienashtis poreist:erpronmting the return of Mr. Wakley, by every
(Loud cheers.) That Mr. Wakley had enc..
~Imes, he would not deny, but it was impossible for him to have
to
have undertaken to c!eanse the sewers—the masses of corruption
which he had brought to light, without having made some personal
fen..,ern'iler.—(Hear, hear.) Instead of that circumstance operating
—Ws disadvantage, he thought it would be an editional recom-
Wleridation to the votes of the electors of Middlesex —(Hear.) He
13'"tild not trespass further upon their time, as it was limited,
ut would at once propose Mr. Wakley, the Member for Finsbury,
. n fit and proper person to be Coroner for Middlesex.—(Much
4theerig,)
Mr. Iticuano TaTtOtt seconded the nomination of Mr. Wakley
,With very great pleasure, as his character and talents, which cwt_
it'sehh tly qualdied him for the situation, were well known to bins.
ten;tio:Y. all knew what responsible duties were attached to the sittia.
, and they were well aware that by privileges conferred upon
and
in '" "Y the Constitution the right was vested in the people of elect-
i-lf the Coroner. (Hear, and cheers.) They were aware of the inde-
i,rWenee, activity, and intelligence of Mr. Wakley, and he felt great
ittsure in seconding the nomination.—(Loud cheers.)
eei..a4. Ohivmt came forward to propose Mr. Alley, and was re_
aed with min
n "led cheers and disapprobation. He was happy to
4 (hens all in shch good humour, and he assured them he would
:4silt'Y "thing calculated to put them out lif temper, and therefore he
ed they would give Lim as patient and kind a hearing as they
had giver. the gentlemen who preceded him.--(Hear, he :r.) Ile
i".a.l.7the honour of proposing to them Mr. Arley.—(No, no ; cries of
ot.'tle Won't have him.") He was not there to canvass the opinions
`le tneetin. • t and respectable as it was, and therefore he
,litt they '' gr"
us " would allow him' to put his friend Mr. Adcy
(Aicnornination.—(Hear, hear, hear, and much confusion.) He
lte..°liver) happened to be one of the same profession as
Ade),
otott_ , and he felt satisfied that a gentleman exercising the severe
Judi', of the legal profession, and who had some experience of the
a,,,,Pal °Mee, was better qualified, by his knowledge of the value of
(gear ice' to discharge the duties of Coroner than any other.—
ski J.' "ear.) It was unnecessary for him to offer any arguments to
tri' them upon that point, but he felt a thorough conviction that
PeZber of the legal profession—one who had some practical ex-
alt—nee in dissecting, selecting, and comparing the testimony of
ofenenes, arid which was one of the most important functions in the
ktre of Coroner, could be better discharged by his friend Mr. no
ieY, that' the other candidate,—(Loud cries of " No, no,
he '),„, The office was one of very great importance, and if
t,,"as not aware that his friend Mr. Adey would fill it
~_ • conscientiously, and to the best of his ability, he should
11-';:i. have ventured to propose him. He believed in his
satioct and conscience that Mr. Adey would discharge it to the
liartaetion of all parties. The present, he trusted, would be no
04'rti eontest.—(Cheers.) Of the two candidates, one must be
%le r and lie would obtain the victory who who was most accept.
la both the great bulk of the electors. There was a fair field open
neon the and the electors would have an opportunity of deciding
the,'." the relative qualifications of the two candidates. Ile trusted
koci.r choice would fall upon his friend Mr. Adey, who was well
ltiodwi n to all of them, although he did not possess the very great
ohi,leal experience and ability of Mr. Wakley, which he (Mr.
Iffy er) Was
quite ready to bear testimony to.—(Much cheering.)
aoct
iAdey, if elected, would discharge his firmly, impartially,
be te!deltendently ; and he hoped, on the edgeounds, that he would
1".1i41,,an of their choice.—(Cheers, and cries of " No.")
tw,,,,,_'*unE, in seconding the nomination of Mr. Adey, said he had
ca_three years ago offered himself as a candidate for the office of
aoti.ner „„., "(Laughter.) He said the question was between a legal
losat-71eal candidate.—(Hear, hear.) The freeholders did not
(I. tip,P,',"e—ancl as for the " Lancet," they had enough of it.—
(11:„'"`er) Throw physic to the dogs, we'll have none of it."—
h "Nei;
asaja ' aughter ) The present contest would be celebrated as
Gioteglitaken Place on Valentine's day.—(Roars of laughter.) Mr.
Net, ad a stick in his hand which he continued Co shake .nost en-
araLcallY---and which, added to a pair of large spectacles, gave him
t4i grotesque appearance, and produced roars of laughter. Mr.
as
editor
had already become Member for Finsbury and he
10' editor of the " Lancet," so he had enough to
-tor he Ought ' •
e 0...
.to retire from the contest and give the electors no
(Arr.
_I his twaddle.—(Laughter.) Then as to the Poor-law—
akr_Uldude
.here became so violent in his gesticulations with the
slaiZi stick that one of the Under Sheriffs took it from him
pao"ti roars of laughter)—Mr. Wakley was a supporter of the new
ski,,:laW. (Mr. Wakley, who was standing next Mr. Gude, here
kr' With great vehemence, " You are stating a wilful falsehood."
,j3lle sat down amidst universal jeering and laughing.
ao_nle SuERIFF (Wood) having inquired if any freeholder had
toner candidate to propose, and no answer being given, proceeded
tittake, the show of hands--the result being almost unanimously in
kr IN akley's favour; there was, in fact, only one hand held up for
i Adey.
the-etr: WAILLET then came forward, and was received with loud
Ws. r'nkg. He turned round, and called for Mr. Gude. The cry
tleraZieed by the crowd, but no answer was returned, and consi.
Ilte
i,e.laughter ensued. Mr. Wakley commenced by saying t—
o•eloovi_il Will begin, according to the enactments of the law, at ten
to no u' so that I have not much time to address you. I will speak
loaalt, however, at greater length in the evening. I trust that so
distant/
Unijtes Will be recorded in my favour, and in so short a time,
ePOnent, by continuing in the field, will excite against him
eitodid:trsal feeling of indignation. (A man coming forwardasa
retired e for a Popular office would, if he had any delicacy, have.
(I'4l di °m the contest, after he had witnessed the unequi-
-411h1)147 ofpopular feeling in his (Mr. Wakley's) favour.—
Radar, --ear.) 11fr Adey's personal friends knew that he
tiled -4.er'niPetent a's a mere legal personage, to perform
bY si4t'es "Corot; ' D'd Mr Adey expect to carry the election
ac . ropty _ n er: i .
al was ato an °Unclog from Stone-buildings, Lincoln's Inn, that
i,,ati fro,„., Yer—(Hear and laughter)—wby a certain old gentle._
''• the -•• the lower regions, when he visits earth generally does so.
ktu ta-ri'gcn,...ise. of a.lawyer—(Hear, and laughter)—and Mr. Adey's
me,,..--4. Ad '..duct in this contest tends to confirm the suspicion;
to eY's object in continuing the contest can only be to put
the But in that object Mr. Adey will be defeated ;
:lAeato. genercus exertions of the freeholders of Middlesex.—
tit , )1, . I ana not here to complain of political opposition—it is
question—(Hear)—and I here publicly express my
4 hi„ Persons connected with allpolitical parties for the manner
%It h`" they have supported me in the contest.—Cheers.) I will
4fr, liVe-ge 14r. Adey toll C tervative for Conservative, as well
34,401 aif,% Whig, orP°Rad°iciall for Radical.—(Cheers.) Why, a
1711e,houdi e has canvassed on my behalf among the lawyers of
akr It Inga----(A laugh)—and among 32, 19 were for me, and
-ate, i la aii4,
lat -*'l,sn `7.—(Cbeers.) It is a mistake to suppose that Mr. t1t5.....,(4-I)Perted h-
y the lawyers, and that he will find perhaps too
as 44
the :,!'lto_questin is not, as Mr. Adey says, be-
t' "ler and a doctor.
Of I, ' law
ti (bille di_. Yer of Stone-buildings, and Mr. Baby, the jalap-seller,
1" ishet `LI' Place in the city—(Laughter and hear.) The ques-
°lt for Ween two men—one of whom has, I trust, been known to
Sherot realt
of mho? Years past by his public services—(Cheers)—and the
pekeotia n, it entirely unknown to you—except for one species
es • °et : the man who
colt the business an . asks your suffrages as " a lawyer,"
ftatichtl. MY and see tool' his life to. into the registration courts of
Vrha-c 15e,...._("„ deprive Ingsofellow.citizens of the elective
th, ntht ar, hear.) If there be a man in the whole county
bps_ of shrink from soliciting an exercise of the suffrage on
ben lON
or his Com,.
, ~ —"rYlneh, it is the man who makes it the trade and
ving the life to go into the registration courts for the purpose of
sail blo,4;PeoPleof their rights.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, he must.
ofa,ttlider s' rnan who dares come before you on such an occasion,
ttl"Nrsne-4th Circumstances. He must have the largest quantity
.I'it't You „,.c„eliPled with the smallest quantify of mind,—(Cheers.)
Dot' othet. dal hear hear from him what his claims are to your support.
ali4tr‘rnei said Y o„gentleman from Chelsea, who came forward to sup_
dacere at I,' , I know Mr. Wakley, his political principles and.
ieest. 04
~NOCe ; I don't know Mr. Adey, but I do know this,
lltster btea'ceaSion, although I am a lory, he struck me off the
lote'eta.) it'l" I had removed from one house to another.—
at 4in dey hasbeen in the habit continually of striking off'
thi thine . .
40t1 a I residentlStratton courts, on the ground of the party remov-
lo,tot pie the, as if the vote was in the mere bricks and mortar,
I ha' deed to eraniUM of the man.—(Laughter.) He is a fine fel-
itice not c decide questions of the cause of death.— (Laughte-. )
tit at ntteth °ill* here upon political grounds; lam here because
.a
il ta er
Wiet,, of the freeholders of the county of Middlesex have 5011-
%4,11:1AN i-oc!'n e forward. The freeholders of Middlesex state that I am
it ti ntioe but'charge the office of Coroner, but Mr. Adey is of opinion
Ce„' Pleases lawYers will do. Now I will take him on that ground
ha: ii of .;.4: Has he ever defended himself in any of the superior
It star Law ? He has not ; but I have, and I have succeeded
hi: Atic r all the big wigs in Westminster Hall.—(Cheers.) But
i 'kite is a lawyer ; no doubt he is, but I very much fear that
thita." 4 Stuffed with
thingnoth but dried parchment.—(Laughter.)
'el) t' from the course has adopted at this contest, that tt is
tlitseati'kelY that it will be found to be the case when he comes. to be
'n(etrieo";--f(,.ot.itin laughter.) As to Old Gude he is just as bad.
b_ tt to tei, a great deal worse.") That old mats had the impu-
ii-i7is he
o__l_ you that I was an advocate for the Poor-law Bill.
j et k„.7wt killoar that I opposed it at every stage.—(Cheers.) Does
dsat.o,"„na that if there sn man more hostile than another to that
riot It 11l that man ?—(Cheers,) Does he not know that in the last
ills i*---(Ch'",,!_nded a motion for the unconditional repeal of that
raoln the .::'.) And yet that man, for the purpose of prejudicing
batigbity to' of the peol supports Middlesex, has had the audacity and the electioil'tate that I d the measure.—(Cheers.) At the
IN
Dolt,'es he had the impudence to bet me 50/. with respect to
INih,it
thand When he found he had lost lie declared that I had
4:04:
bk:
,bcaortie.--s (Laughter.) What did he do to him occasion ?
hay, 11,-,/ ?ght the interest of one candidate and sold it to
~ hair "I bef ef " Shame.") Now, with respect to myself, I
}met" e been ere the public for some years, and wherever
tet ton'''. whatever office I have filled, 1 have
ei• out sight of h
papered beie, t e political principles with which
to ' and I have never swerved from that which I
to
_iloa,,)
.lY dirty to perform.—(Cheers, and cries of " You
liol., Which
~4e,..e office of Coroner belongs to you, and its for you la ,e'ledge ef't7 Will h.
, have, a man who professes to have only. a
410: I as soul: 'aw, or one who has some knowledge of medicine
khrt e3,re stippmk„"wiedge of law.—(Cheers.) The lawyers them.
lira, • hie, 4,1;4ig Me in this contest, and it is a deception en the
iae(Cheero , Y to Make you believe that the lawyers are with
i:, nth only the 0a.j,,, ,:rahre.Attorney and Solicitor Generals are on my
'hid Me ' . rister who has written on the law of Coroner
bat
twollid ea?. Jervis, the
ill arrive here to support my election. I
tollt sot :: ' eanbee:h 3
r i n Honourableg to b Memberecordefodr Chester.
say
~_ -4 previous en !lot 40140 he I, au ) gagement It is nonsense for Mr. Adey
11107 Stuitined i is
by ail the lawyers. The lawyers are
0401 "I not ' " are not so d ••d of common .ense.
I 4 5t tsh advertise themselves as such asses— (Laught'er)---
*ill h°41',.)14-"eY fulfils his Pledge, and keeps the poll open to the
theth'uPPore I'llll find his mist k in imagining
a. e
th -41'es ta
idn•---(Cheers ) Na hy nine out of ten of the lawyers
eiltittly_e_ocr actoa.no..wledge that a medical man is best fitted to fill
(oplaw,:te
o:,.._.Ntri.:nae.r,ibanngddrenoao.ftt a mere legal one. Now contrast the
that .er ; he _tile
With that of Mr. Borchelt. Mr. Borchelt is
t,.4lb):"'" receiv_,. his profession as any one. He says
):vrai.,t,----hlit he
weals
eb.e Will „and Mr. Ade support, and therefore he retired—
anixiou.3 that another attorney should come
.. het _ !ke rau,,,_ Y ell into the trap. We have got him.
ram 't ingat,...'e et. blal ; and he will form a most interesting
_:aamte. ',.?' Mr. Borchelt retired in a manly, straightfor
a,O sue, ‘ Ile had acted throu •tuait with perfect good feeling,
that sit mat 7 he found he had no chal'nce,
hash
retired from the conte.r.
I ha, gnaht and •
stote t n pure,. wicked report been put into circulation
tai 'itl f u4se M 13 '
h alseh r. ur.hell out of the field. This is a
-or . (sod. sk
ta did i , • Ir. Burr:bell never received any gift from
It's e'er Make j.,-
a nm,t,
__ca. Ms the promise of any gift or advan-
sr s, foul, and malignant calumny,—(Cheers.)
„___