The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-10 00:00:00

The Wife Murder at Derby.

At the Derbyshire Spring Assizes yesterdayJamos Potter,
aged 55, a bailiff, who lived in Traffic-street, Derby, was ar-
raigned for the murder of his wife,Sarah Potter, on the 23d
December last. The following is a summary of the evidence
which was adduced. The prisoner and his wife lived to-
gether in Traffic-street, Derby, and a lodger named Stone
slept in the same house. Potter, who was subject to fits of
strangeness or savageness, was in the habit of abusing and
ill-treating his wife, and at such times ho coarsely expressed
his jealousy of Stone. On the 22d December the prisoner's
married daughter, Mrs. Clements, went from her own
house to that of her parents, and found them about to go to
supper. The mother, having prepared the meal, left the
house to get the prisoner half a pint of beer. Just then the
lodger Stone, who had partaken of his supper, also rose,
and went out to get some beer. Potter rushed to follow,
and the daughter, knowing from past experience his con-
duct to her mother, interposed to stop him, but, unable to
do so, she ran before him to the publichouse to which she
knew her mother had gone. Potter followed, and caught
hold of his wife, telling her to go home, when she replied,
"Not to be ill-used." The daughter separated them as
well as she could, and the mother ran away and hid herself
from his violence up the street in an entry. The prisoner,
violently abusing her in opprobrious language, sought for
her some time, and ultimately locked up his house, so that
his wife and daughter should not enter, and went to a
neighbouring publichouse. Then Mrs. Clements went and
I fetched her mother, and after a time endeavoured to get the
key, but the prisoner was abusive and refused it. She then
ndnerencademae-
gvoout rea dP°tliocgemetatnhet
the mother was
out with him and unlocked the door,
ko
egyofinrotmo
htehre
fapthuberli.chTohuseeim,so
fetched from the hiding-place, and they all went in. He
seemed at this time more calm and quiet, and spoke civilly
but when she left their room she heard her father lock the
• de
to his daughter, who soon after saw her parents up to bed,
door on the . Not long after this a man living in the
next house heard through the wall three faint cries of
murder," and afterwards steps retreating after a door was
slammed. A policeman saw the prisoner standing by him-
self in the street, and asked him why he did not go home.
He made reply that his wife had locked him out, and that
ho would not go unless the policeman went.with him. The
policeman went, and got into the house with Potter ; they
went from room to room until in the bed-room they found
the woman dead, witha wound in her breast, She had been
stabbed with a sword-stick belonging to the prisoner. Ho
was arrested and charged with tho murder. He only made
some trivial excuse. The jury found a verdict of guilty,
and the prisoner was condemned to death in the usual form.

JOE MILLER.—Joe Miller made his first appear-
ance, on the stage in 1715, in Drury Lane, in Far-
quhar's comedy of "A Trip to the Jubilee." He alsoplayed
Clodpole in Betterton's " Amorous Widow," Sir H. Gubbin.
in " Steele's " Tender Husband," La Foole in Ben Jonson's
"Epiccene," and abpve all Sir Joseph Whittol in Congreve s
" Old Bachelor," Hogarth designed a benefit ticket for
this play. As Ben in "Love for Love," Cibber cut out Joe
Miller. In 1721 Joe opened a booth at Bartholomew Fair
with Pinkethman. His last great success was as the Mil-
ler in Dodsley's farce of " The King and the Miller of
Mansfield." Stephen Duck, the Wiltshire thresher,
afterwards a popular preacher,
bitry's Hataitcd London, wrote his epitapth.—Thors-

LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1865.

The resumption of the debate on the Navy Esti-
mates did not prove much more satisfactory to the
Government than the opening discussion. Lord C.
PAGET'S defence, as it may be styled, was doubtless
very convincing to the noble lord himself, and to
the rest of the Admiralty officials ; other members,
however, were not very well satisfied with the best
that could.be said for our navy, and in spite of the
tone of injured innocence in which, as Sir J.
PAKINGTON justly remarked, the Secretary to the
Admiralty addressed the House, the public do not
feel very well satisfied with the result of their out-
lay of fifty-seven millions. A new antagonist ap-
peared upon the field in the person of Sir MORTON
PETO, who spoke in a courteous and moderate man-
ner, and who fully endorsed all that Sir JOHN
PAKINGTON had said on the previous occasion, and
said that, so far from overcolouring his picture, the
right hon. baronet might have said much more:
Sir MORTON PETO himself spoke strongly on seve-
ral points which Sir JOHN PAKINGTON had brought
up. He said very truly that the condition of our
navy had never been of more importance, and he
announced his intention of moving for a return
allowing the exact state of her MAJESTY'S fleet at
the present time, and how long it would take to
send to sea the ships that were now in ordinary
when they were required to act. He had been told,
he said, though he could not vouch for the accu-
racy of the information, that it would take four
years to put engines into the vessels now lying in
Portsmouth harbour. The fact is that, after all
this immense outlay, the English navy will not bear
the criticism of our own Parliament ; how, then,
will it stand the searching test of practical service?
The members who were most severe in their stric-
tures on the Admiralty proceedings were those who
were best qualified to judge—Sir J. PAKINGTON,
Sir JOHN HAY, Admiral WALcorr ; and no one
can suppose that all these gentlemen would be in-
spired by prejudice or actuated by political feeling.
They belong, as it happens, to different parts of the
house, and Sir M. PETO, himself a Liberal, bore wit-
ness to the total absence of party feeling which distin-
guished Sir JOHN PAKDTGTON'S speech. But when
argue ents are unanswerable it is easy to take re-
fuge in virtuous indignation. Lord C. PAGET is
te4€l, y with his assurances that the Government
nave no desire to conceal anything ; they are anxious
to give the fullest possible information on every
point—only, unfortunately, it is just the report that
is asked for that is always most inexpedient to pro-
duce. This, of course, is a misfortune, not a fault,
and it is of course a misfortune that the Royal
Sovereign after having proved, on the admission of
Lord C. PAGET himself, " a great success," has dis-
appeared from active life, and that since it is
difficult to combine the advantages of great speed
and great tonnage, the ships we send to catch
slavers go on the average eight knots an hour, and
our armour-plated vessels are advised to get into
the nearest port in a storm.

As for the cupola ships, we have some important
revelations. In the first place, as we have said,
Lord C. PAGET admits the Royal Sovereign to be
" a great success," though if any one takes the
trouble to refer to former opinions of the noble lord
he will find it more than implied that the success
was a very partial one. In answer to the universal
demand of the best judges of naval matters, Lord
C. PAGET declares that the Admiralty is most anxious

to build turret ships. But his explanation is not
quite so plausible as usual. The Admiralty, we are
told, consulted as to the best way of producing a
turret ship in the greatest possible haste, and as
they had a very fine vessel, the Royal Sovereign,
they decided on converting her into a turret ship.
But there the history, as Lord C. PAGET calls it, of
the Royal Sovereign stops, and he ingeniously
diverges into a discussion of the difficulties attend-
ing the construction of turret ships generally.
Why, if there were such haste or anxiety to test the
turret principle, was not the Royal Sovereign sent
to sea ? Why is she "soon again to be sent into
Channel to go on with her trial" instead of the
trial having been completed long ago ? Why
were the men allowed to volunteer into
the Victoria, and why are we not told the exact
number of men now on board ? and why, if the
Admiralty " are delighted at the success of the
turret principle," are not other ships being built on
the same plan? If we can see our navy, says Lord
C. PAGET, as if " the vastness of the machinery,
the enormous armour-plating, and the labour
ne-
cessary to perform these things," which he speaks
of as hopeless obstacles were not indispens-
able parts of every iron ship. All these things are
necessary for building Mr. REED'S ships, and as that
gentleman has now been allowed to make several
costly experiments, the Admiralty resources
might as well be employed in a direction
which the Admiralty officials admit to be
so important. If the safety of the country
depended on the production of turret ships we
should find them built a little more quickly,
but so long as there is no immediate call for action
every improvement is postponed. Why, Messrs.
LAIRD of Birkenhead, or the Thames Ship-building
Company, would soon show the Government how
quickly and efficiently such ships could be built if
they were allowed to make the trial. In a country
with such enormous resources of money, of skill,
of material, it is quite preposterous for a Govern-
ment official to rise in his place in Parliament
and say such a ship would be most useful to
the country if he could see his way to getting it
built ! The turret principle may be good or may be
bad, but no one can tell its real value until it has
had a fair sea trial, and that is just what the Ad-
miralty, on one pretence or another, refuse to give
it. We all know what an official " very shortly"
means ; but we trust that hon. members will keep
the Government up to the mark, and not allow so
vital a question as the efficiency of our fleet to be
further trifled with. Admiral WALcoTr, in a
brief but sensible speech, spoke a word of
warning. He recollected, he said, that before the
Crimean war there was a little cloud gathering in
the East, but we disregarded it until the tempest
broke over our heads. The consequence was that
we lost a large number of men, and a hundred mil-
lions of money. At the present moment another
storm is gathering in the West, let us then be pre-
pared for it. If it should happily pass over our
prudence will have done us no harm ; if it should
break over our heads it will be too late to build
ships, to train men, and to order guns. No wonder
the Whigs shrink from the possibility of a war, and
proclaim loudly to the world that nothing will in-
duce England to fight, since none can know better
than themselves what inefficient guardians they have
proved of the defences of the country.

The Lord Chancellor last night laid upon the
table of the House of Lords a bill which, as he
truly observed, was one of great importance. It
has for object to abolish imprisonment for debt,
so far as it remains in operation. In many respects
it is satisfactory that this bill should have been
read a first time. His lordship was enabled to ex-
press a most favourable opinion of the manner in
which the Act for the Amendment of the Law of
Bankruptcy had worked. The result of this mea-
sure has been that the Queen's Bench Prison is
closed ; and in the workings of this Act it has not
been found that the bona fide creditors have suffered
as some expected they would have done. All these
things being taken into consideration, it must
appear that there is every justification for the intro-
duction of the further change which this measure
will effect ; and, indeed, it may be considered
that it is the finishing stroke put to the work before
commenced, and the completion of a much-needed
legal reform. It is absurd to continue a system
which has no object to attain, and which the general
verdict of enlightened persons condemns both in
theory and practice. The Lord Chancellor ob-
served that it was " the general opinion throughout
Europe that the old practice of imprisoning a debtor
merely on account of a debt not being paid was
neither quite just nor expedient." In explanation
of his purpose in thus bringing forward a partial
measure as it were, his lordship explained that it
would be probably some time before it would be
practicable to introduce a Bill founded upon the
Report of the Committee now sitting to inquire
into the whole of the bankrupt law. It will there-
fore be seen that the changes therefrom ensuing will
necessarily be delayed some time ; and it may be
considered that great credit is due to the Lord
Chancellor for endeavouring to meet the require-
ments of the case, and suit the convenience of those
who will come under the operation of the Act before
the general measure can become law. It seems
singular indeed that long before this some remedial
enactment of this kind should not have been intro-
duced, but it is a melancholy reflection that those
engaged in legal pursuits think more of retaining
abuses than of rectifying them, and are always up
' in arms directly any impartial observer ventures to
express an opinion contrary to their customs, while
they show no desire whatever to improve matters
by the exercise of their own judgment or the result
of their own investigations. Lord WESTBURY has
displayed some boldness in coming forward to de-
nounce the errors of the system of the Bankruptcy
Laws, and the evils that they work in many
instances.

It is to be hoped that the influence of his
lordship will prevail to such an extent that this mea-
sure will become law, and that the benefits of its
introduction may amply realise the expectations of
those who have framed it. There are ample grounds
for believing that this bill will not interfere with
the views of the committee who are now considering
the subject of the Bankruptcy Laws, and therefore
one objection of a very important nature will be
removed from the arguments of those who may ob-
ject to its passing. It will be a satisfaction if the
present Parliament, which has been so notorious for
its do-nothing qualities, should, in the last year of
its existence, distinguish itself by the introduction of
reforms which have been long wi3hed for, and yet
hardly expected, in consequence of the antipathy
too well known to exist in the matter of these
changes. It is too bad that year after year should
go by and no progress be made in the rectification
of abuses.

Lord PALMERSTON, who has not yet displayed
his usual readiness to enter upon the discussion of
affairs this session, last night spoke pith some
energy and decision in connection with
our diplo-
matic relations with Brazil. Mr. WHITE,, having
asked if the Government intended to bring in a Bill
for the repeal of the Aberdeen Act, the noble lord
replied that it was certainly no their intention to

do so, and for that refusal gave a very satisfactory
reason :—" If the Act were repealed the slave trade
between the Coast of Africa and Brazil would be
resumed to any, even the most unlimited, extent."
Such a statement is, indeed, conclusive, for it would
be a deplorable calamity if, after all the sacrifices
and exertions made by this country for the purpose
of putting down the slave trade, it should
be suffered again to resume its dread pro-
portions and .flourish in its infamous traffic.
Lord PALMERSTON further explained that the Bra-
zilian Government would not be able to prevent the
recurrence of the slave trade, no matter how good
their intentions or strenuous their efforts, because
circumstances would be too strong for them to con-
tend against. This is proved by the instance of
Cuba, where the Captain-General is known to be
much against the practice, and has displayed his
sincere wishes to put a stop to it, but is constantly
thwarted in his praiseworthy attempts by the con-
duct of his subordinate officers. It is difficult to
realise all at once the whole bearing of a case, and
one is often led to expect and desire this or that
change or alteration without perceiving the conse-
quences that may ensue therefrom, doubtless with
the best intentions. Mr. WHITE has asked if the
repeal of the Aberdeen Act was to take
place, so that friendly relations with Brazil may
be established ; but it has been shown on compe-
tent authority that such a thing cannot be done
without producing great evils, and defeating the
very object which has been a cherished one by the
people of this country for years. It is easier to
make an alteration than to do away with the in-
jurious effects that it may produce, and it is wise
of her Majesty's Minister's to hold fast by pre-
vious arrangements, and abide stedfastly to their
present treaties, unless they see good and sufficient
grounds for altering them. In questions of this
kind Lord PALMERSTON may be considered a very
good authority, and perhaps in some respects the
best guide in the house, for he has had large expe-
rience, and his connection with the Foreign-office has.
naturally familiarised him in all the various details
that relate to foreign countries. We may there-
fore rest assured that this difficult matter will be
in safe hands, and that he will not be led away
by the appearance of expediency to grasp the
shadow for the substance, but weigh well all the
different and conflicting claims. At the same
time, it is very satisfactory to find that the noble
lord has informed the house that negotiations are
going on through the intervention of the Portu-
guese Government, " with a view to the re-esta-
blishment of friendly relations between Great
Britain and Brazil." Such an announcement can-
not but be acceptable in every respect, and we
may be justified in the expectation that a favour-
able issue will attend the good offices of the me-
diators. ,