The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-27 00:00:00

CITY ELECTION. ,
(THIS DAY.) I

TRIUMPHANT ELECTION OF TNE LORD
MAYOR, SIR JAMES DUKE.
The doors of Guildhall were again thrown open this
morning, after so brief a while, for the purpose of
affording the citizens of London an opportunity of elect •
ing a " discreet and proper citizen " to represent the
ancient City in Parliament, in the room of the late
James Pattison, Esq.
The space immediately outside the hall bore unmis
takeable evidence that something of import-
ance to the City's liberties, and worthy of
record in its glorious annals, was on the eve of enaction;
but the business on foot appeared to be anything but
an election, such was the peace that reigned around ;
nor did the interior of the hall present any appearance
indicative of such a proceeding, fer at 12 o'clock the hall
was but partially filled, the citizens appearing to give a
tacit and unanimous assent the the proposition that the
Lord Mayor was a fit and proper person to represent
them in Parliament.
The Lady Mayoress arrived at the hall shortly before
12 o'clock, and the Lord Mayor not long after, and was
much cheered on alighting.
At twelve precisely the Sheriffs, Mr. Secondary Potter,
and the other officers of the Corporation came upon the
platform. The Lord Mayor was loudly cheered. Among
those who came on the hustings with the Hon. Gentle-
man, we noticed the following:—
Richard Cobden, Esq, M.P.; J. Macgregor, Esq.,
M.P.; Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P.; Sir Joshua Walmsley,
M.P„. William Williams' Esq. ; Thomson Hankey,
jun., Esq.; Mr. Alderman Wilson, Mr. Alderman Law-
rence, Mr. Alderman aed Sheriff Finnis, Mr. Sheriff
Goodhart, Mr. Secondary Potter, Charles Pearson, Esq.,
M.P. ; Sir Peter Laurie, Mr. Alderman Humphery,
M.P. ; Mr. Nicoll (Sheriff Elect), Mr. Alderman
Thompson, M.P. ; Sir E. N. Buxton, Bart., M.P.;
Rear-Admiral Dundas, M.P.; Mr. Boldero, M.P ; Mr.
Forster, M.P.; Mr. John Dillon, Mr. M. de Rothschild,
Mr. W. J. Hall, Mr. E. Pontefix, Mr. R. Taylor, Mr. C.
Gilpin, Mr. Cory, Mr. William White, Alderman Moon,
Alderman W. Hunter, Mr. Anderton, Mr. Deputy
Obbard, Mr. John Wood, and many other members of
the Common Council.
In the gallery we observed the Lady Mayoress and
Mrs. Cattley.
Mr. HARKER, the Common Crier, then came forward,
and, having proclaimed silence, read the writ and the
Act against bribery and corruption. This being done,
Mr. THOMSON HANKEY then came forward and was
received with loud cheers. When silence was obtained,
he said—Gentlemen, we are met here to-day, as you
have already been informed, to discharge a most impor-
tant public duty, but before we proceed to the immediate
subject on which we are met to-day I am sure I shall
be excused if I recur for a few moments to the
melancholy event which has caused the vacancy which
we are now called upon to fill up.—(Hear, hear.) Gen-
tlemen, it is now, I believe, nearly fifteen years since in
this hall your late representative, Mr. James Pattison,
was proposed as a fit and proper person to represent
this great constituency in Parliament. Ile was proposed
and seconded in this hall by two men well known for
their steady adherence to liberal principles; he was pro-
posed to you as a man eminently qualified to carry out
to their full development principles of commercial free-
dom, and to secure the abolition of all religious
distinction between one citizen and another,
principles which at that time were not then
so highly thought of, and not so fully appre
ciated by the citizens of London, as they are at
this moment.—(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, how faith-
fully he fulfilled his duties as your representative, I
need hardly say; but I think, gentlemen, it is impos-
sible for any one to deny that Mr. Pattison was, during
the whole time of his Parliamentary career, the un-
flinching advocate of every principle which he thought
calculated to extend civil and religious liberty to every
one, not only of his fellow-citizens, but of his country-
men at large.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I think he ful-
filled those duties and those professions which he
enunciated at his election, and he will always be
remembered by the citizens of London with
feelings of esteem and respect. (Hear, hear.)
Gentleman, it was my happiness to be on intimate terms
with Mr. Pattison during the whole time and a still
longer time than his political career extends to. He was
well known to many gentlemen whom I see around me,
and if there is anything which we feel in common, it is
the sentiment which we must all echo—that in Mr.
Pattison's death wo have lost a faithful and zealous re-
presentative.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, having thus briefly
recurred to the past, during which I have had
your sympathies, I will now, with your per-
mission, approach the subject which is more imme-
diately connected with our meeting to day.—(Hear.)
Gentlemen, the first question which every citizen and
every man asks, when he has lost a faithful and zealous
representative, is—" How shall I repair that loss? How
and where shall I go to seek a man who is fully qualified
to discharge those duties which have been so ably ful-
filled by him who is no more?"—(llear' hear.) Now,
gentlemen, it is my proud task, it is my high privilege,
to announce that we have a candidate who is eminently
qualified to represent us in Parliament, in the Lord
Mayor of the city of London.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen,
the Lord Mayor, in enjoying the great privileges which
are attached to the high office, and in administering the
functions of the distinguished situation which has been
conferred upon him by the unanimous voice of his fellow-
citizens, is in a position which any citizen might justly feel
proud of; and I am rejoiced to know that his merits, and
the mode in which he has discharged the duties of his
position, are acknowledged and approved of by every
class of society connected with the city of London.—
(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) If, therefore, he only
came forward in the capacity of Lord Mayor, I think
be would be entitled to your suffrages; but there
is a nobler distinction, a stronger ground, and a more
urgent claim, which he can bring forward to justify him
in aspiring to be your representative.—(Hear, hear.)
Gentlemen, Sir James Duke has been for many years in
Parliament, and during his career in Parliament he has
shown by his votes, and by his constant attend-
ance to the duties of a representative, that
he is a zealous advocate for the abolition of
all those civil and religious distinctions which have been
so eagerly sought after by the citizens of London.—
(Cheers.) His votes, as recorded in Parliament, convince
me that we may safely depend upon him for the fulfil-
ment of his pledges, and that he will carry still
further those principles which he has already professed,
and which, I am sure, you will consider sufficient to
justify me in proposing him to-day.—(llear, hear.)
Gentlemen, you are aware that the Lord Mayor has
taken not only an active but a zealous part in carrying
out those very principles which induced us on
a late occasion to return Baron Rothschild to
Parliament. (Cheers.) These, then, are the
views, and these are the principles which
he has ever advocated, and these are views and prin-
ciples which, I have no doubt, he will still continue to
advocate.—(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I think it is a
fortunate thing that we have a man ready at our hands
willing to take the place which is now vacant, without
having to go beyond the City walls to seek for a candi-
date. It has not been necessary for us to migrate
to the West End of the town to find a more lordly
candidate—(Hear and a laugh)—who cannot, according
to my opinion, be so well versed in the actual wants,
and wishes, and desires of the citisens of London as a
man who has—l might almost say—been bred and
reared amongst us.—(Hear, hear.) No, we have the
privilege of this day electing a man who, with a lordly
name, is still one of our owe order. And, gentlemen,
I think his conduct in Parliament, together with his re-
corded votes, is a sufficient guarantee that he will faith-
fully discharge the duties of our representative—(Hear,
hear)—and it is principally on that account that I think
I am fully justified in recommending him for your
choice.—(Hear, hear.) It has been said it
is of little importance at the present moment
what are the real principles of one of our Members. It
has been said that the principles of freedom of trade
and of civil and religious liberty have taken such a deep
root in the general feeling of the country, that
it is of little importance what are the actual
views and principles of a single Member.
I differ entirely from ,any such opinion as that, and I
think you will each agree with me that it is absurd. I
admit that a great deal has been done not only in im-
proving our civil institutions, but also in freeing the
trade of this great commercial country from so many
shackles which impeded it. I admit that a great deal
has been done, and that we have now a surer foundation
for the wellbeing of this kingdom than that which we
had many years ago. But, gentlemen, will you trust
the raising up of the superstructure upon the foundation
to men who have always, and I admit consistently, taken
an entirely different view of the policy of the country,
and of what is best for our interests 7—(Cheers.) It
would not be safe, I am sure, to trust the further ma-
nagement of affairs to men who twenty years ago op-
posed in every possible way they could the Reform Bill.
—(Hear, hear.) It was that Bill, gentlemen, which
laid the foundation of a great change in this coun-
try. We have gone forward since then in making
further changes, and great changes are still being made,
and I have no doubt myself but that by consistent and
steady conduct in following out those great principles
which were the leading principles of the present Govern-
ment when they came into power, we shall be able to
carry them still further than we have already done, be-
cause I consider such a doctrine as the doctrine of
finality to be an absurdity.—(Loud cheers.) It may be
necessary to enforce greater principles of economy
throughout the management of the Government and of
the country, and to carry out to perfection many mea-
sures which have only just been brought into existence,
in order to ensure greater benefits, greater security, and
greater comforts, to the majority of the working classes
of this country.—(Cheers.) It is because I attach so
much importance to these principles—it is because I be-
lieve that similar opinions to those I have expressed are
entertained by the majority of the voters of this great
constituency—(Cheers)—it is because I believe we shall
find in Sir James Duke a steady advocate of those prin-
ciples—(Cheers)—and it is because I believe he has ever
been found voting on the same side of politics which was
supported by my excellent friend who is now no more—
(Cheers)—it is on these grouuds, gentlemen, that I think
Sir James Duke is a fit and proper man to send as your
representative to Parliament.—(Cheers.) Reverting
once more to what has passed—reverting to our late
representative, I cannot but think that there will be
one common feeling of regret when it is remembered
that we shall hear no more on these hustings that
manly voice which has so often addressed us in support
of the cause of the people.--(Cheers.) With these feel-
ings, and thinking that the present Lord Mayor will
follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, and faithfully

and honestly discharge his duty as one of your repre•
watives, and that he will carry out those principa
which he has heretofore advocated in Parliament, again,
I say, that I am justified in proposing to you Sir James
Duke, your worthy and excellent Lord Mayor, as a fit
and proper representative of the city of London.
Mr. Alderman LA WRENCH then came forward and was
received with loud cheers. He said he had great pleasure in
seconding the proposition made by the Hon. Gentleman
who had just addressed them.—(Cheers.) He did so
for many reasons—first, because he had had the pleasure
and honour of knowing the Lord Mayor for a great
many years, and that during that time he
had not only known him to be a steady,
consistent, and wise man, but that he had known him to
discharge his duty with satisfaction to every one, not only
as a citizen of London, but as a Member of Parliament.
—(Cheers.) It must be remembered that a person who
took upon himself the office of representative for the city
of London ought to be in constant communication with his
fellow-citizens on a variety of subjects, and ought to en-
deavour to carry out those views as far as he could.
They bad been rather unfortunate in having performed
efficiently the duties which they required as a repre-
sentative, but this arose partly from a circum-
stance which pet haps they could not, and would not,
desire to avoid—he alluded to one of the Members being
the Plinio Minister of the country, and who could not
be expected to support the views of the citizens in respect
to those measures which had been introduced by
the Crown. It was, however, a great honour
to the city cf London that one of their
representatives had lately taken upon himself the duty
of fighting the battle of religious liberty.—(Loud cheers.)
They had, therefore, been deprived of the services of one
of their Members, but he, tor one, was quite willing
to keep him in that position.—(Cheers.) But it was
now necessary that they should elect a gentleman who
had sufficient time and leisure at his disposal to serve
the citizens of London, and knowing that his Right
Honourable Friend the Lord Mayor had retired
from business, and was ready to devote the whole of his
time to the office, and knowing also his zeal and energy,
and his desire in all positions to faithfully discharge the
duties which were entrusted to him, he sincerely believed
that they could select no better representative.—
(Cheers.) He was not aware that they could find a man
who was ready to give so much time and so much at-
tention to their interests as his Right Hon. Friend.
He would take the liberty of reading the following ex-
tract from the Lincolnshire Herald, to show how much
he was appreciated Two events of great importance
to the Parliamentary prospects of this borough
have occurred since our last, consequent on the
death of Mr. Pattison namely, the acceptance
of a requisition by Sir James Duke to offer
himself for the vacant seat, and his resignation
of his political connexion with Boston. We believe we
are speaking advisedly when we say that Sir James
Dake leaves his Boston constituency with the unani-
mous regard and good Wishes of political friends and
political opponents. Politics apart, upon which we
are diametrically opposed to the Lord Mayor, it is
scarcely possible for any constituency to be repre-
sented by a gentleman of more thorough practical
knowledge and business habits, or one more approach-
able and more courteous in his general demeanour than
Sir James Duke has been throughout his long connec-
tion with this borough. With him party feeling com-
menced and terminated at the hustings ; once elected,
he was the representative of the whole constituency, and
(in political matters alone excepted) the ready and atten-
tive executant of the wishes of all."—(Loud Cheers.)
The Lion. Gentleman concluded by making an eulogistic
reference to the services of Mr. Masterman in Parlia-
ment, and expressing the most confident hope, that the
Lord Mayor would be found to be a most efficient
coadjutor of Mr. Masterman in representing
the city of London in Parliament ; and be
(Mr. Alderman Lawrence) had the greatest possible
pleasure in seconding the nomination of the Lord Mayor
as a fit and proper person to represent this great city in
Parliament.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Sheriff FIWNIS then asked if any elector had any
other candidate to propose?
No response being made,
The Loan MAYOR stood forward to address the
citizens, and in doing so was welcomed by the most en-
thusiastic plaudits. As he was about to speak,
Mr. MORRIS, an elector, stood forward to ask a few
questions of the Lord Mayor. He wished to ask a ques-
tion with reference to a subject that must come before
the consideration of Parliament ere long. He had to ask
whether it was proper that a man's business should be
taxed at all? He therefore wished to know whether the
Lord Mayor would think it expedient to tax a man's
energies employed in matters of business? And, he
would ask, whether if he thought professional income
was to be taxed at all, it should be taxed in the same
proportion as real property. He wished also to ask
whether, all things being considered, the Lord
Mayor did not think the standard of taxation was
not too low? He thought the man with only
an income of 1501. a year was the hardest taxed man in
the community. Such a man was one of the shabby
genteel—(Laughter)—and was often obliged to bring up
a large family on that small income. He would, there-
fore, ask his Lordship whether or not he thought the tax
ought to be a graduated one?
The LORD MAYOR said—Gentlemen of the Livery
and citizens of London, I shall at the present
moment confine myself to giving an explicit
answer to the questions that have been asked me
by the very respectable gentleman who is an elector of
this city. I refrain from offering you any general ob-
servations about my past conduct, or future views, until
after the sheriffs have declared on whom the election
had fallen. If the gentleman who has asked me
those questions had taken the trouble to have
referred to my votes in the House of Commons, he
would have found an answer in those votes to his inter-
rogation.—(Hear.) I can only say I heartily coincide
with the sentiments he has given utterance to with re-
spect to the unequal pressure of the income-tax.
His Lordship then retired for a moment, and
Mr. Sheriff FINNIS stood forward, and announced that
the election had fallen on the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor
of the city of London, and be had to declare that gentle-
man to be duly elected to serve the city of London in
Parliament.—(Enthusiastic cheering.)
The LORD MAYOR then ascended the platform amid
much cheering, and spoke as follows :—Gentlemen of the
Livery, and Electors of the city of London.—You will
readily conceive that I appear before you, on this mete-
skin, with no ordinary feelings of gratitude for the
proud distinction which you have just conferred upon
me ; and if I am unable to express to you, as I am
anxious to do, my grateful acknowledgments, I am sure
you will not think it is because I less sensibly feel
and appreciate the high honour you have bestowed
upon me.—(Great cheering.) It is right that I should
state to you that I had no idea of coming forward
to solicit the high honour of representing this great city
in Parliament, until several of my influential friends and
fellow-citizens had been kind enough to wait upon me
and solicit me to take that responsibility. I waited
for three or four days to know whether any other gen-
tleman was anxious to receive the suffrages of the citi-
zens of London before I gave an answer to the requisition
which I had the honour to receive; and I remained three
or four days longer before I vacated the seat which I
have filled for an important borough for the last twelve
years. In justice to the electors of that borough, which
I have had the honour of serving with the greatest pos-
sible happiness for so long a period, I may say I believe
the same sentiments which have been read in my favour
from a local newspaper by Mr. Alderman Lawrence, will
be echoed by every man in the borough of Boston.
Gentlemen, it is not necessary, I hope, that I should
detain you with any history of my past conduct. I came
to the city of London almost an entire stranger, having
been previously brought up in the public service of the
country—(Cheers)--which did not give me many op.
portunities of becoming acquainted with the commerce
of the city of London. But if I have, not by undue spe-
culation, but by a long course of honourable industry
and integrity—(Cheers)—reached the high station
which I now hold by the favour of my fellow-
citizens, I trust you will find that I shall no less justify
the increased confidence which you have manifi,sted to-
wards me to•day.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, my friend
Mr. Thomson Mulkey has assured you that I am actu-
ated by an anxious desire to avail myself of every oppor-
tunity to promote civil and religious liberty—(Loud
cheers) and I am glad my friend has referred to
this circumstance. Some parties have considered that I
did not show that alacrity and zeal in expressing my
opinion with respect to the recent election which, occu-
pying the position I do, I should have done.—(Hear,
hear.) Now I differ with those who entertain these sen-
timents. Filling the office of Lord Mayor, I thought,
when a candidate was soliciting your suffrages,
that it would not have been proper for me to have said
what you should do.—(Hear, hear.) But with
respect to my opinions, I may say that if you will
do me the favour to refer back to my votes in the House
of Commons, for I am not gifted with eloquence, you
will find that of the very few times I opened my mouth in
the House of Commons, one occasion was in 1838, when
the question of the removal of Jewish disabilities came
before the House— (Hear, hear) --and I have given
my constant support to their removal ever since, and I in-
tend to continue to do so. Therefore, I hope that that pub-
lie declaration of my sentiments will set at rest all doubts
that may be entertained as to my opinions on the sub-
ject.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I have always given by
far the greater number of my votes in the House of
Commons to promote the commerce of this great
country, for, as the citizens of London are deeply en-
gaged in commerce, I feel that this great city ought, as
destined by its position and by many other favourable
circumstances, to become the commercial emporium o.
the whole world.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, with re.

spect to questions of taxation referred to by a gentleman
who just now addressed a few questions to me, I beg
to assure you that it will be my anxious desire
at all times to take care that property bears it fair share

of taxation of the country, and that taxation upon com-
merce, and the industry of the lower classes, shall be
lessened as much as possible.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I
am glad on this occasion to have been accompanied here
by one whom I am proud to call my early and valued
triend—l mean that honest and consistent reformer,
Joseph Hume—(Loud cheering)— the great ad-
vocAte of ec,nomical reform, the extension of the
franchise, aid those other great reforms, which it is
thought will materially increase the labour and the
rights of the people ; and the last vote which I bad the
honour to give in the House of Commons was in favour
of the motion for triennial Parliaments.—(Cheers.)
These, gentlemen, are the leading questions upon which
you are doubtless anxious to know the sentiments of
those who alpine to the high position of rcpt.( sentingyou in
Parliament. They are those which refer to the politi
cal position of a member for the city of London, and

MARINE SOClETY.—Yesterday a meeting of the
above excellent institution was holden at their offices iu
Bishopsgate.s!reet-without. The report for the Ps'
quarter stated that 98 poor boys had been admitted,
whilst 90 had been sent to sea with a complete outfit.
Eleven boys, who had served upwards of twelve month°
of their apprenticeship with satisfaction to their ear
tains were rewarded with each a new suit of clothing;
and eleven young men, who had completed their apPreir,
ticeship, were also each rewarded with a medal. Tbelr
present state of the finances are satisfactory. • 10
FOREIGN VEGETABLES.—A vessel has arrive
the river from Dunkiik, having on board the exceed-
ingly large quantity of 708 bundles of cauliflowers,
besides a large quantity of new potatoes, the produce
°of,
Normandy. We believe that so large an importation 01
ihis description of vegetable from abroad on one au'
sion is entirely without precedent.
city'
The rectory of Allhallows- the-Great, in the w
of Locdon, has become vacant by the death of the
,
Canterbury.
W. S. Sr. Vincent, B.D. The benefice, which is worth
4581. per annum,
is in the gift of the Archbish 4:1op I