The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-20 00:00:00

THti SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, OCrOBER 20, 1863.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day.

few days since several cases of cigars, valued at £l5O, were
stolen in the St. Katherine's Dock, brought out in another
barge, and removed from the cases, which were discovered
empty by the Thames police. The ingots of tin were stolen
from the barge Vesuvius in the East India Dock. Five men
are known to have been connected in the robbery. and but
for an accident would have all been in custody of the
Thames police. The prisoners are watermen and lighter-
men, and well known to the Thames polies. Holmes was
in custody a few weeks since for furious driving and kil:ing
a woman opposite Stepney Church. A coroner's jury took
a merciful view of the case and returned a verdict of acci-
dental death. Holmes was then discharged from custody.
Evidence was given of the delivery of 160 ingots of tin
from a vessel called the Anna Augusta into the barge Ve.
suvius, belonzing to Messrs. Ward and Harris, lighter-
men and carriers, of No. 67, Lower Thames-street. The
Vesuvius was moored alongside the ship Kent. The ingots
of tin were correct on Saturday, the 10th instant. On the
following Monday morning the hatches were taken off and
26 ingots of tin were missed.

Robert John Major, an inspector of the Thames police,
said that in consequence of the robbery of the tin on board
the Vesuvius he was on the watch on the East India Dock
pier-head during the whole of Monday, the 12th instant.
Inspector Clark was with him. He saw the prisoners
several times in the course of the day, and he observed
them go on board a barge called the William, and bring it
out. They first brought it to the upper end of the Bruns-
wick pier at Blackwall. After sunset he went on board the
barge William, in company with Clark, and found several
ingots of tin concealed under some iron hurdles. They
continued watching the barge, and saw the prisoners go
on board again. On the same night a horse and cart was
brought to the entrance of the East India Dock. He got
into a boat with Clark, and expected to apprehend the
whole gang concerned in the robbery, but they got scent of
what was going on and made their escape. While rowing
towards the William they heard thefwooden handles fall,
and preparations being made for the removal of the stolen
property. All at once the prisoners and their confederates
hastily decamped. The whole of the 26 ingots of tin wore
found on board the William.

One of the ingots was produced and identified.
Dyer, another Thames police officer, gave evidence
affecting the prisoners.

Mr. Gomm, who appeared for the prisoners, cross-
examined the witnesses, but did not elicit any material
point in favour of the prisoners.
Mr. Partridge said he should remand the prisoners at
present. His intention was to commit them for ttial on a
future day.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

GREAT INDIAN PENINSULA.

The report of the directors of this company states that
the average number of miles of railway open for traffic dur-
ing the half-year was 504, being an increase of 66! miles
upon the number open in the corresponding period of the
previous year. The gross amount received for traffic in the
half-year ended June 30 last was £290,444, equal to £576 5s
62d per railway mile and to 11s B±d per train mile. Of that
amount £56,101 was expended in transporting the traffic
between the gaps in the railway system at the Bhore and the
Thull Ghats, which left £234,343 received for traffic.
Against this latter sum were set the working expenses cf
the railway, amounting to £149,550, leaving a net profit for
the half-year of £84,784. The train miles run were 667,142,
being en increase of 86,055 miles; the number of passen-
gers carried was 1,5:58,970, being 266,603 more than for the
corresponding half of 1862. The merchandise carried, in-
cluding
39,339 tons of the company's materials, amounted
to 211,523 tons, being 25,000 tons more than for the same
half of 1862. The receipts for passengers amounted to
£79,161, being an increase of £15,600 ; and for merchan-
dise to £155,182, being an increase of £51,598 over
those for the corresponding half of last year. The average
receipts per train mile amounted to 7s 04d, and the expenses
to 4s 54 d, showing a net profit per train mile of 2s 62e1. The
working expenses amounted to 63.81 per cent, of the total
receipts, against 62.10 per cent. for the corresponding halt
of 1862. The receipts per railway mile were higher in the
past half-year by £B3, notwithstanding the increased mile-
age worked. The directors were of opinion that a still bet-
ter result would have been apparent had such rate been in
force, as the board considered the company were fairly en-
titled to charge, and which they had for a long time past
been endeavouring to get the consent of the Government
to introduce. The directors' views on the subject were in
the month of June last again prominently brought before
the Government authorities at home and in India, and they
had now reason to hope that it would be shortly dealt with
in such a manner as to realise the company's just expecta-
tions. The working expenses amounted to 63.81 per cent.
of the receipts, being an increase of 1.71 per cent, upon the
expenses of the corresponding period of last year. This
rate of per tentage included for compensation £24,619 or
10 51 per cent. of the receipts; the amount of that item in
the corresponding period having been only £796 or 0.47 per
cent. Excluding " compensation" the ratio of expenditure
to receipts in the past half-year was 53.31 per cent. The
directors regretted that the company should have sustained
the serious loss of £24;619, which arose chiefly in connec-
tion with the cotton traffic, several accidental fires having
occurred in trains of cotton during the dry season, and a
considerable quantity of cotton which was in course of tran-
sit at the commencement of the S.W. monsoon had been
unavoidably damaged by rain while in the comsany's pos-
session. Measures have been taken to avoid similar acci-
dents in future, By the end of this year the only works
of importance upon the Thull Ghat incline which would
not be finished would be No. 2 tunnel and the Eheagaunt
viaduct; and Mr. Graham, the chief resident engineer,
saw nothing in those works to prevent them being com-
pleted by May next. Upon several other con-
tracts the works were being energetically prosecuted. In
consequence of the Secretary of State for India having de-
termined not to extend the existing system of guarantee, and
the directors feeling that the company's interests required
that measures should forthwith be taken to secure the con-
struction of the branch to connect their line with Indere,
which had been surveyed by the sanction of the Govern-
ment, they formed a separate company in Juno last called
The Great Indian Peninsula Extension Railway Company
(limited)," with the object of making and working the In-
dore line. The project was favourably entertained both by
the Government and the public, but it having been found
necessary to refer the negotiations to India, the directors re-
quested their colleague, Mr.Ayrton, IMP, to proceed to India,
and conclude arrangements with the Government there.
The report of Mr. Graham, the chief resident engineer,
stated that since his last report the section of the Bhore
Ghat incline from Paciusdhurry to Khandalla, a distance of
131 miles, and a section on the north-eastern division from
Julgaum to Mulkapore, a distance of 454 miles, making a
total of 594 miles of new line, had been opened for public
traffic, increasing the total length of the opened line from
4954 to 555 miles. The permanent way and works had been
maintained in good order, with the exception only of some
heavy Blips in the Goolbun embankment. This embank-
ment, which was over 100 ft in height, was completed after
the close of last rains, consequently a considerable portion of
the upper earthwork had not had the full benefit of last
monsoon; some difficulty, therefore, in the maintenance of
this portion of the line during the present rains was to be
expected. The road across the embankment had, notwith.
standing, been maintained throughout with very little in-
terruption to the traffic. The Bhoro Ghat incline was
opened by his Excellency the Governor on the 21st of
April, and on the 14th of the following month goods
trains commenced working over it, and continued work-
ing regularly up to the 16th of June, when after a heavy
and continuous rain the large embankment near the foot of
the Ghat were reported unsafe for the passage of trains.
Since that date no trains had been run, and embankments 6
and 8 had settled to the extent of about Bft. since the be-
ginning of the rains. A slip of 1,500 about cubic yards, and
about 100 ft. in length, had occurred in No. 5 embankment.
The only slip of any importance in the slopes of cuttings
had occurred at the lower end of cutting No. 4, whore about
1,300 cubic yards of the slope came in, filling the railway
for a length of 100 ft, and nearly 12ft, in depth. Some small
slips had occurred on other parts of the line.
The surveys for a line from Sholapore to Ilydrabad and
to Raichore, as originally proposed, were completed, and in
the course of a few days Mr. Graham could submit his re-
port on those extensions.
The capital account (London and Bombay) to the 3th June
last showed that £10,675,054 had been received, and
£10,017,110 expended, leaving a balance of £657,911, The
net revenue account to the 30th of Juno last showed that
£556,249 was the aggregate amount of net
profit from work-
ing the line, of which £508,132 had been paid into the Go-
vernment treasury, leaving £18,117 to be paid.

GREAT WESTERN OP CANADA.
It appears that the directors of this company have been
informed by their financial agent in Canada that the loss on
through traffic collected and converted, ascertained up to
the 3d October, amounted to 30,966 dols 71c (i 6,369 3s 9d),
and that there remained a further sum of American funds
for conversion at that date of 30,080 dols 76c. In addition
to which there were balances in account with connecting
railways still unadjusted.

MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLN-

SIIIRE•

The total expenses of this company's railways, including
rents, toll duty, &c., from July I to Oct. 11, 1863, amounted
to £89,873, as against £89,633 for the corresponding period
of 1862. The proportion of the South Junction receipts ac-
cruing to this company from July 1 to Oct. 11 amounted to
£10,295 as against £9,613 for the corresponding period of
1862, and the expenses to £4,562 as against £4,090.

Why Mr. Sergeant Shee was Passed Over.

(From the Daily Telegraph of this day.)
We must confess that we share the dissatisfac-
tion which has attended the last promotion to the
bench. The general opinion that the right man has
been passed over for the wrong appears to us just,
We mean no disrespect whatever by this distinc•
tion ; the advancement of Judge Pigott to the judi-
cial seat would have been a perfectly acceptable ap-
pointment, if there had been any need to search
after a respectable candidate for the vacancy. But
when there was no such necessity—when every
voice was ready to designate the name that best
deserved the elevation, and the Primo Minister
himself was thoroughly aware of the overwhelm-
ing claims of Mr. Sergeant Shee—it is a matter
of public regret and disappointment that that
gentleman should have been passed over.
There is no need to dwell upon the command-
ing qualifications of the distinguished advocate
we have named for the ermine. No one
stands higher in the profession—none unites more
experience with more legal acumen—and none has
been so unanimously regarded as judge elect by his
learned brothers and the community at large. Mr.
Sergeant Shee, indeed, has constantly discharged
the duties of the bench, and not without confirming
the universal opinion that at the first opportunity he
deserved, and might safely look forward to being
permanently sealed there. When that opportunity
has occurred,therefore,and another selection has be en
made, the public is thoroughly disappointed, and not
a little perplexed. We are constrained to share the
disappointment, though we have little difficulty in
comprehending the feelings which induced the Go
vernment to inflict it. We are quite ready to make
every allowance ior the practical exigencies of admi-
nistration. Ministers cannot count upon Platonic
love in Parliament; their supporters must be en-
couraged from time to time by some of the rewards
of party ; and this distribution must take place by
roles of utility rather than merit. It is a bad sys-
tem, but it is the system of both sides, and one
which can hardly be dropped till all lawyers are
disinterested, and all votes strictly conscientious.
Pending that millenium, a Premier with something
to give away has to discover a recipient useful for
the future, if only by holding out to others an exam-
ple of fidelity rewarded. " A live dog," says the
proverb, " is better than a dead lion ;" and so a sol-
diet, in the political field is better than a discharged
veteran. In Judge Pigott the Cabinet saw the first,
is Sergt. Shee the second ; and the choice fell accord-
alley. We have said that we are willing to admit
all the force of this consideration. It may count
for what it can with practical men, as an explana-
tion; for our own part we must not only reject it
as a sufficient justification, but put it aside as the
true cause of the injustice done to Mr. Sergeant
S bee.

The true cause—and that on account of which
we find grave fault with the appointment—was
that Sergeant Shea is a Roman Catholic.
The learned gentleman has been so true a Liberal,
that his absence from Parliament would have been
overbalanced by his great claims upon the party.
But because he professes the Romish faith, the
ermine which ho has most richly deserved
by his talents, and especially from a Liberal Go-
vernment,is refused. We must speak frankly
this topic—we must not hesitate to disclose
unfortunate arguments that have obviously pre-
vailed. the
The Government has lacked courage in this
matter,ailed.
and
not discrimination ; there was little need
of any assurance that Sergeant Shee was the best
judge Who could be nominated; the thing needed
was the independence to shake off the ear-wigging
remonstrances of Exeter Hall. Yet here again we
are ready to make every possible allowance. The
Protestant party has done good service to the Pal-
merston Ministry, and could not be offended with
the alliance, however, is little better
impunity;
tyranny, if its members are to dictate ap-
poin
than
a tmeuts to the judicial bench as well as to the
bench of bishops, in a manner that makes
a farce of the Emancipation Act. When it is
a question of a vacant mitre, the public—partly
from a languid and hopeless belief that " Caesar and
Pompey are very much alike"---receives the conyi
d elire of Exeter-hall with meekness. But it knows
a great deal more of law than of theology, and is
convinced that Sergeant Shee would do honour to
the ,eeouh, Why, then, is he not elected ? The
reply is, "
He is a Roman Catholic." We answer to
thise h
but we cannot, understand why it
disqualification.
should be a Nobody would like
to see the Cabinet searching for a Papist when an
mt
ndatait we can understand it should be no recom-
mendation ;
appointment is in the wind t but everybody is
indignant that the best man should be passed
over on that score. Have we, or have we
not, finally dune away with
the old intolerance
which taboos a man for his religion ? Is it, or is it
not,
a solemn principle of the constitution that hie
conscience
iseaeilman's own property, not to be
interfered
with directly or indirectly ? Yet here,
after
Emancipation Acts and Acts " for abolishing
certain
disqualifications"—after an epoch of legisla-
tion in the right and reasonable direction—after
admitting Jews to Parliament, and removing in
every theoretical way the rusty fetters of religious
--here we are branding a distinguished
peraecntilect because of his faith. It is a piece
omPfearraseetwcruoitgtih:erinseeigon in practice so startling, that we are
compelled to protest against it. In these days the
countryexpects that Ministers should take coun-
sel of the spirit of English liberty, and not of
the leaders of the Protestant party. We main-
tain, in the inetieereusetrojefe,trauhedLliibfe-erig probityprinciples,aolh have
hthaet
when talent, g
so signalised a man that his promotion has become
rather a consequence than a favour, he should not
be thrown ever because he worships in another
we tell the advisers to whom the
Cabinetndfurther,
on this
liturgy than that of Exeter Hall.
A
occasion has unhappily deferred,
that they
*Oil their own game. If they desire to
see Ireland
Protestant let them not force her to pro-
test
against the bigotry of reformers and the illibe-
rality of Liberals. The contrary policy is not only
the honest policy but the best. Let them give
scope to the spirit of modern legislation ; carry
oatfearlessly ;
theprinciples of freedom and free
declaiming against the intolerance of
not stultify themselves by
being as intolerant. Here is a grievance stupidly
religion
Popery, let them
given to Ireland, which she has the right, and will
not want the inclination to use. The true policy of
those who wish to see Ireland regenerated and con-
tent is to do her justice. It is not justice if, when
we have passed bills to do away with "religious
disabilities," we revive them against her worthiest
children by slights of this kind. If the Evangelical
party really wants to have its will of Erin, we will
tell its chiefs how to go about it. Identify, amal-
gamate, blend the rights and interests of both com-
munities ; ignore the differences, and magnify and
foster the common interests, of both portions of
the united kingdoms; kill enmity with good-
will, and eradicate intolerance with toleration.
There would be no doubt then as to which element
in that true " union' would conquer the other—no
doubt as to the preponderance or the majority thus
brought to bear on the sister island—no doubt as to
the ultimate fate of the priest party. The ultr
Catholics know that truth well ; it was thvehiratcon-
sciousness of it that made them hostile to liy,
whose thorough sincerity of Liberalism
vir
hearty
alarmed
co-operation from Archbishop Murray, an
Cullen and the separatists. At presentry we play
into the hands of the enemy,
if
w:nfotif the dying
cry of " Repeat" with and injustice l
Jikd this. It is
e
a mistake, a blunder, whether we look at it from the
tesmanship, or policy,
point of Protestanistu, eta

DEATH OF MR. 0. W. HOPE, M.P. FOR WIND-
SOL For some time past the health of Mr. G. W.
Hope, who was one of the Conservative members represent-
ing the borough of New Windsor in the House of Commons,
had been in a very delicate condition, indeed, so much so
that at one time it was feared he would have to relinquish
his Parliamentary duties. A short time since he retired to
Scotland for the benefit of his native air. So alarming had
the state of his health become that we understand his sons
were summoned from Eton by a telegraphic message, and
we regret to say that the rumour of the decease of the much
respected member for Windsor has proved but too true, as
he died on Sunday last, at Luftness' N.B.
JUSTICE KEOGH is reported to be engaged upon
a "History of Ireland from the Union"—a perilous under-
taking.