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-mentainmTehi
important'
hOrintit
no
history,
for the ensuing year.
had
for met
thleasst
second
dr
.hadevent you ad sincet
ken t he y
place ,•
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 the
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 be
made in the mode of electing aldermen, but he (the Lord
Mayor) should certainly object to any alteration
which would prevent the election of aldermen. The
city had from time immemorial elected its own magis-
trates, but, if they permitted an alteration in the
mode of electing aldermen, they would then place their
magistrates on a different 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 large, it 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 LORD MAYOR declared the following gentlemen
duly elected :—Messrs. B. Bower, J. Knill, J. Roberts,
R. -M. Phillips, W. Williams, W. G. Barnes, J. Can-
ston, and G. C. Graves.

The LORD MAYOR then appointed Mr. Bower his
deputy for the ward.

11f. T. KEELING then moved a resolution to the
effect that the 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 was carried unanimously.

BISHOPSGATE.

Mr. Alderman Copeland, M,P., presided.
The following gentlemen were elected Common
Councilmen for the 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. It. Ashby, Mr. E. Taylor, Mr. C. Gilpin, and
Mr. T. S. Owden.

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