The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-26 00:00:00

MAJORITY-AYES, 146.

MINOUITY—NO ES, 21.
Barron, Sir H. Meach..r, Thomas Power, Dr.
Butler, P. S. Mahon, O'Uorman Roche, E. B.
Crawford, W. S. O'Brien, J. Sadleir, John
Devereux, J. T. O'Arien Sir Lucius Somers, J. P.
Dickson, Samuel O'Connell, John Sullivan, Michael
Fagan, William O'Connell, M. J. TELLES)).
Greene, John O'Connor. Feargus Anstey, Thomas C.
Magan, W. S. 0 Connor, Feargus Lawless, Cecil

ELECTION OF SHERIFFS.
Yesterday the Livery assembled in the Guildhall for
the purpose of elf cting Sheriffs for London and Middle-
sex for the ensuing year. A great number of the con-
stituency attended in consequence of a report that there
was likelihood of a contest. The proceedings were
rather remarkable..
The RECORDER, having addressed the Hall upon the
subject of the great privilege they, were called upon to
exercise, and informed them that it was their right to
put in nomination any gentleman whose name might
not he uon the list,
The Common Crier read over that document.
Mr. W. S. HALE came forward upon the hustings, and
said that, in addition to the names upon the paper of
gentlemen eligible to the office of Sheriff he had to pro-
pose that of one who was strongly entitled to their ap-
probation—a gentleman who, though young in years,
had been a considerable time in business, in which he
had distinguished himself by real and successful activity
—he meant Mr. Donald Nicoll.—(Cheers.) He had
known Mr. Nicoll's father for many years as a
most indefatigable and honourable tradesman,
and he had observed the son treading in the
footsteps of the parent, possessed of independentl
property, and as willing as able to support the great
charities of the city, which had claims upon the liberality
of those who were placed in so creditable an elevation.—
(Cheers.) Merchants and bankers were not the only
persons qualified to fill the office. Manufacturers and
tradesmen were equally competent when they were urged
on by a laudable zeal, and supported by the never-failing
recemmendation of a good character.—(Cheers.) Mr.
Hale then proposed Mr. Nicoll.
Mr. GULL seconded the nomination of Mr. Nicoll, and
bore testimony to the excellent qualifiations of that gen-
tleman.
Alderman LAWRENCE addressed the Livery. He found
that he was one of those whose names had been placed
on the Shrievalty list. It never entered into his mind
to interfere with the privileges of the Livery, who always
appointed whom they pleased to appoint, and never had
reason to regret their choice. But he had been elected
to the gown no more than a year and a few days, and he
trusted that his fellow-citizens would allow him to con-
tinue in the performance of the duties of Alderman ano-
ther year before they selected him for the office of
sheriff. He had never known them to refuse that very,
reasonable indulgence.—(Cheers, and cries of " No,
no. You must serve.") lie knew there was
a certain movement in the ball, and how that
movement was concocted ; but the mass of those
he addressed were not aware of its nature. He would
give them a hint of it. There were signalmen
stationed in the hall, who were prepared to obey their
leader, and to hold up their hands at his command.—
(Laughter.) But he would ask the Livery whether they
would submit to such degrading dictation? (Loud
cheers, and cries of " No, no.") He who led was he
who bribed, and ho who bribed did dirty work. It
would be seen on the show of hands how many dirty
hands were engaged in the day's business.—(Cheers.)
The names of several gentlemen were then put up,
and the required indulgence was at once granted to
Alderman Lawrence, and as a matter of course to Alder-
man Carden, the alderman last elected.
The COMMON-SERGEANT stated to the Hall that the
Sheriffs were of opinion that the show of hands was in
favour of Mr. Peto and Mr. Nicoll.—(Cheers.) The
Learned Gentleman then asked whether a poll was de-
manded for any other person nominated.
Mr. G. BRACHER, one of the governors of Christ's
Hospital, and a member of the Court of Common
Council, immediately handed in a paper to the Sheriffs,
expressing his demand of a poll on the part of Alderman
Lawrence. The document was, however, signed only by
Mr. Bracher, and it was necessary that the signatures
of two Liverymen should be attached in order to make it
an available instrument. The Sheriffs waited for some
minutes while Mr. Bracher applied, as we were given
to understand, to several gentlem' n on the hustings to
second him in demanding a poll; but finding that the
customary forms were net complied with, they proceeded
to the Court of Aldermen for the purpose of making
their report.
Upwards of an hour elapsed before the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Sheriffs returned to the hall in order to
announce the result of the election.
The moment the Lord Mayor took his seat on the
hustings, Alderman Sidney appeared before the Li-
very and demanded a poll on the part of Alderman
Lawrence.
Mr. DAVID WIRE—I protest against it.—(Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR refused to receive the paper which
Alderman Sidney held, containing the demand of a poll.
Alderman SIDNEY persevered, and
The Lord Melton informed the Hon. Member that he
was out of order, and regretted to be obliged to repeat
the observation immediately afterwards.
Aldermen SIDNEY was only desirous to give an ex-
planation which he had no doubt would prove satisfac-
tory to the Livery. His wish was to see them exercise
their privileges, but he was anxious to show them that
they might at that very moment be acting unfairly
to one of the individuals who had the greatest show
of bends.
The Livery, however, would not hear him.
The RECORDER then stooped forward and informed
the livery that the Sheriffs had made their report to the
Court of Aldermen, and he was directed by that Court
to announce that the elt ction for the shrievalty had
fallen on Mr. Samuel Moreton Puto, citizen and Lo-
rimer,up and Mr. D mald Nicoll, citizen and Spectacle
Maker.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. Pete and Mr. Nicoll were then called by the Com-
mon Crier to declare their consent to serve the office.
Mr. Nicola, appeared before the Livery, and assured
them that he felt particularly grateful for the honour
just conferred upon him. He hoped that at the end of
iiis3ege ear
rt haotfot eyffitheethe c"stituency would have no cause
had appoints himevents,
it va
tvottsie his h
of Sheriff of London. At all
to r
nation to do all he could to merit their approval.
Mr. WIRE said, that with the permission of the Lord
determi-
nation office
he came forward to request that the Livery
would hear the explanation of Alde man Sidney. As
the election was over the meeting c uld afford to listen
to him.