The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-22 00:00:00

BILLINGSGATE.

In this ward the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor pre-
sided.

The first business transacted was the election of in-
quest-men for the ensuing year.
The LORD MAYOR said, since they had met last year
an important event had taken place ; for the second
time in history, a commission had been appointed to
inquire into the affairs of the corporation of London.
The city did not object to that inquiry, although it had
taken a character that the city did not expect. A great
number of persons had rushed forward and volunteered
statements and evidence upon a subject of which they
knew nothing whatever. At present the, city had not
been heard, and it was very gratifying, notwithstanding
all that had been stated, that.no case of individual cor-
ruption had been proved. The only thing which had
been stated against them was that they were too lavish
in their expenditure ; but he thought that if any person
had a right to complain it.was the citizens themselves,
for to them belonged the funds of the city. The effect
of this commission would, no doubt, be to cause altera-
tions in the corporation ; indeed, they had been told
that it would be entirely swept away ; but, unless they
opinions of the citizens had very much changed from
those of their ancestors, he did not think that they would
quietly submit to have their ancient rights and privileges
entirely abolished. Some alterations would no doubt bet
made in the mode of electing aldermen, but he (the Lord,
Mayor) should certainly object to any alteration;
which
timepre immemorialventthe
election
elected its ownaldermen.ofma
Thegis
tri city
y..
I but, fromdif
they permitted an alteration in the
modec
oa
fdwe°eucl
th 2 g
aldermen, they would then place their
,magistrates on a,diffeient footing from that of any other'
'country. -There never had been any complaint against
the manner in which justice was administered in the city;
'and while they had that fact before them, and if it could
be proved that they had for so long a period of time ad-
ministered justice so well for the--benefit of the public
at largefiit-would be ,unfair to sweep away such an
old institution ; and before that was attempted to be
done evidence should be produced to prove that it was
bad. (Hear;)-
The election of Common Councilmen then took place.
The Loan MAYOR declared the following gentlemen
duly elected :—Messrs. B. Bower, J. Knill, J. Roberts,
A. M. Phillips W. Williams, .G. Barnes, J. Cau-
sten, and G. Phillips, W.

The LORD MAYOR then appointed Mr. Bower his
deputy for the ward.
Mr. T:. KEELING then moved a resolution to the
effect thatqhe Aldermen and Common Councilmen be
requested to urge upon the Commissioners the necessity
that, while they suggested reform in the corporation,
its ancient right should be retained.
The motion Wfs carried unanimously.
+4 •
BISHOWATE.

Mr. Alderma.U:Copeland,o,i)., presided.
The following!, gentlemen were elected Common
Councilmen for*.khe ensuing year :.—Mr. Deputy W.
Stevens, Mr. Deputy W. A. Peacock, Mr. R. C.
Lambe, Mr. J. C. Edmiston, Mr. H. Patten, Mr. W.
Jones, Mr. W. Warren, Mr. Metcalf Hopgood, Mr.
W. H. Pilcher, Mr. J. R. Pilcher, Mr. J. R. Carr,
Mr. R. Ashby, Mr. E. Taylor, Mr. C. Gilpin, and
Mr. T. S. Owden.

After the election of inquestmen, the presentation of
accounts, and other busine.s,
Mr. Deputy STEVENS, in a highly eulogistic speech,
proposed a vote thanks to Mr. Alderman Copeland.