The Sun.
London, England, 1831-05-02 00:00:00

NORWICH ELECTION, MAY 1.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
It is impossible to conceive any attempt more despicable
or more infamous than the opposition now going on here,
the only object being to pick the pokicets of the Reform candi-
dates. The principals in this precious attempt are Mr. Alterman
Steward, a very young man, Mr. J. W. Utten Browne, also a
young man now upon the point of being called to the Bar, and
Mr. J. Culley, a wine-merchant in the city, and they are deter-
mined, it is understood, to keep the poll open to the very last
moment, by voting just so many electors as is necessas y to satisfy
the law. A few, and a very few, of the heads of the party have
really discountenanced the proceedings of these leaders, but very
many of the elders of the Corporation, their near relatives, have
voted in favour of Wetherell and Sadler, thus lending their
most efficient support to a line of conduct they outwardly pre-
tend to decry. But there is one fortunate circumstance attend.
ing all this—it has done infinite good to the cause of Reform
here ; it will show to the nation at large the paltry tricks the Ant-
i will descend to, and will excite everywhere, if pos-
sible, a still stronger feeling in favour of the measure. The scorn
and contempt of upright-minded men will fall upon these
Charles-street hirelings, who will hereafter bitterly repent, both
in purse and person, this opposition. But now to a much more
pleasurable duty—the cause of Reform. Nothing could exceed
the enthusiasm of the voting yesterday morning. Even we, who
are allowed to poll with more rapidity than any other place in the
kingdom, were astonished at the extraordinary quickness with
which the votes were yesterday recorded. In little snore than
three hours upwards of one thousand had voted in favour of
Gurney and Grant. This rapidity continued for some time longer,
and at seven o'clock the books were closed until Monday morn-
ing. The numbers were then issued by Gurney and Grant's
Committee, and were as follows :
Grant 2,028 •
Gurney 2,024
Wetherell 849
Sadler 847

Mr. Grant was chaired twice during the day, as is here cus-
tomary. Each time the scene was most animating, and to him
the feeling of the moment must have been most enviable. The
windows of the houses in our vast market-place, which is, per-
haps, nearly the largest in the kingdom, were filled with females
up to the very top, almost all decorated with the colours (blue
and white) of Gurney and Grant, while the market-place itself
was crowded by thousands, a large portion of whom wore simi.
lar colours. At both periods of chairing Mr.. Grant was hailed
by an enthusiasm almost unparalleled. Never was there a more
animated scene--numberless flags, banners, placards, with va-
rious inscriptions, were borne before and around the chair;
bands playing and the people singing in one universal chorus
" God ►ave the King." In the evening, at the close of the poll,
Mr. Grant addressed the electors in a most vigorous speech, in
which he was followed by other gentlemen. At night there was
a bonfire. _

......
SUNDAY.—This morning came on the election for Mayor,
Mr. Alderman Stevenson, the next gentleman below the chair,
was proposed. by the Anti-Reform party, Aldermen Leman and
Yallup by the Reformers. The freemen were determined in this
opposition by the opposition made to Gurney and Grant. The
result was, that Mr. Stevenson declined the contest, and the two
latter gentlemen were returned to the Court of Mayoralty for
their choice.