The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-01 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF TEE SUN.

Sin,—l have seen considerable talent displayed of
late in your paper, in discussing the question of the
ballot ; and twenty years ago, when I was young in
politics, I was as sincere in recommending the Ballot as
a part of the Reform Bill as any man can be in advo-
cating it at the present time. However, I begin to
think that it would not work well, and I will give you
my reasons as succinctly as possible why I think so; and
I will illustrate my opinion from a town of the middle
size, to wit, Stockport—a town with about 10,000 as-
sersments to the poor rates within the boundary of its
borough, out of which about 1,400 are Parliamentary
electors. At present the 1,400 electors appoint two
persons to make laws for themselves, and likewise for
the 8,600 rate-payers who have no votes. If the 1,400
electors were to obtain the ballot, the 8,600 rate-payers
would have to be governed by laws made by secretly
elected persons, and over the appointment of whom they
have no moral or political control. Now, I contend
that, until the suffrage is extended, it would be morally
and politically wrong to give the 1,400 persons the
Ballot ; for, whatever any person max say to
I
the contrary, feel certain that the non-electors do exer-
cise a great moral influence over the shopkeepers in every
borough election ; and from their number, and their
respective connections, they invariably will do so.
Stockport, JantOLD REFORMER.
ary.

THE STATE OF THE WEATHER.—Last night and this
morning the metropolis was enveloped in one of the
thickest fogs London has been visited with for some time
past. At nine o'clock this morning the Strand, Fleet-
street, Holborn, and all the leading thoroughfares, had
the appearance of evening, the whole of the business
having to be transacted by gas-light. The omnibuses
and cab-drivers had all their caution required to prevent
accidents occurring to foot passengers. Traffic on the
river -was for the most part of the morning suspended,
and the few barges passing down frequently came in
contact with each other or with the piers of the bridges.
In the suburbs north of London the fog prevailed to the
same extent, and the danger was greatly increased by a
thick coat of ice covering the roads and footpaths.
NEW APPOINTMENTS AT THE MINT.—It is understood
that the Treasury has determined to increase the num-
ber of employes at the Mint, with the view of qualifying
the newly-appointed parties for employment on a new
mint establishment, which the Government contemplates
forming in Australia. The proposal is to remove cer-
tain clerks from the various Government offices to the
Mint, and place them on probationary duties, in order
that they may be qualified for the service of the Govern-
ment in the Royal Mint of Australia. A few selections
have already been made from the Census-office and the
Register-General's department at Somerset-house. There
is an excess of some sixty extra, or supernumerary
clerks, in these departments, whose term of service will
expire with the close of the present year, consequently
the applications to the Treasury from this class, for em-
ployment in the proposed new mint establishment, are
numerous. A small staff of mint employes for Australia.
however, is all that seems to be at present contemplated.
THE RECENT CASE OF STABBING IN ANGEL-COURT,
STRAND.—yesterday, in consequence of a representation
made by the medical officers of Ring's College Hostal,
Mr. Jardine, police magistrate of Bow-street, attenpided
at the above institution, for the purpose of taking the
dying depositions of Mrs. Sarah Fitzgerald, who was
seriously stabbed in the breast on Sunday morning by
her husband, with a large ginablet, at her residence,
No. 7, Angel-court, Strand. John Fitzgerald, the
husband, was brought forward in the custody of police-
constable Butcher, 308 A. Mrs. Fitzgerald, on being
tendered the book, refused to be sworn, nor would she
say a single word that might tend to implicate her hus-
band (the prisoner), and when asked how the occurrence
took place, answered in an evasive manner, and then
added that they (the prisoner) and herself had been
drinking on Saturday evening, and had some words on
their return home, but by whom, or by what instrument
the wound was inflicted, she would not say. When
shown the gimblet, and asked if it was done with that
instrument, she would not answer. Mr. Jardine de-
termined to remand the prisoner until the fate of the
unfortunate woman was known, as her case has been
pronounced hopeless by the medical officers. On inquiry
at a late hour, it was stated that the wounded woman
was sinking rapidly.
STATE OF WESTMEATH.—Another murder was com-
mittedmasa manne in the employmentarKilbeggan,onof an En
Thursday nighgtlshinn
.iThaev,
whoictim
Mg
gentleman,
a nO,nwthh
oe
previous night a hßom
occupied a farmsccoletscetolhane t
Catholic
lately purchased the demesne of Castle Daly in the
Encumbered Estates Court, was fired at in his own
h
house but fortunately escaped with a slight wound in
tithigh, a quantity of slugs being lodged in the wall
beside him.