The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-31 00:00:00

CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION
COMMISSION.-(THIS DAY.)

The Commissioners nsumed their adjourned investiga-
tions this morning at ten o'clock. Sir F. PALO RAVE in the
chair.
Mr. Woodtborp, the town clerk, proceeded to give hi-
evidence relative to the election of Aldermen, and the
time of their meetings.
The City Chamberlain is annually elected on Mid-
aummer-day by the liverymen of the several wards, in
Common Hall assembled. Any two liverymen could
propose a candidate in writing. The only qualification
was that of being a freeman of the city. The election
proceeded by a show of hands, and if a poll was demanded
it was regulated under the 11 George I. chap 18,
in the same way as in the case of "the Lord Mayor
and Sheriffs. Altho &h annna elected,- it bad
been the praciice cfAlitsrivinaless- lity
objection was - ereiltrOlirl instances in
Which eletiksillrfl tins determined at the end of a year,
such as those of Hvrison and Wilkes in 1714 and 1756.
When a vacancy oarred, the office was the subject of
canvass and competition. There was no provision in the
Act for vacating the office in case of insolvency, bank-
ruptcy, or non-residence; but the Chamberlain had to
give security to the amount of 40,0001. on bond, with
five securities, 25,000/. for the city funds, and 15,0001.
as Treasurer of the Orphan's Fund. He was ad-
mitted and sworn in before the Court of Aldermen.
Nor to the passing of the statute 2 George 1., chap. 18,
the-Common Council were joint electors with the livery.
men, both in the case of the. Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Bridge
Master, and Chandaerlain.•
The auditors of the Chamberlain's accounts were elected
on the same day, and in the same manner. The only
other officers which came under the general designation
in the statute of " all and other officers chosen by the
liverymen," were the " ale connere," but how their elec-
tion came to be in the livery he did not know. Politics
did not appear to have any influence in the election
of the Chamberlain. Official fitness seemed to he the
only consideration. Imthe case of John Wilkes, politics
had no doubt some innate ; but now, as far as his (Mr.
Woodthorp's) experience went, he could say that except
in the case of Members -of Parliament, political feeling
did not prevail in any ..of the City elections. Bridge-
masters gave security, on, their election, to the extent of
1,5001., in three sureties. The usual practice was to
fill up, as soon as akyr, vacancy occurred, through death,
or otherwise, prerkibs to the annual election.
There was rur iratl: fitness required beyond being a
freeman. 'the 'as usually filled up by some re•
spectable old decayed citizen. It was a matter more of
benevolent than political feeling, and never led to any
higher civic office. It was a responsible office, though not
at the present' lithe. It was quite open to the whole
Livery, and its patronage was not in any particular part
of the Corporation. They are admitted and sworn before
the Aldermen.

The four auditors of the bridge-master's accounts were
elected from among the freemen, under the statute of
George the First. These offices were not usually
contested. They were elected for two years, two retiring
each year. Auditors appear to have been as soon as
Edward the First ; their appointment then was in the
hands of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty ; but
afterwards they appeared to have been elected by the Li-
verymen. They were generally take❑ from respectable
tradesmen, who were conversant with accounts. They
were admitted and sworn in by no particular body of the
Corporation.
The Ale Conners were elected by the Liverymen ; they
were formerly called surveyors of ale breweries. The
origin of the office was in the 34th of Henry VI.,
and power was given to them peaceably to enter
in the day-time into all ale and beer breweries,
to see the proportion and quality of corn and other
ingredients made use of in the making of beer, with
power to punish and commit, according to their discre-
tion. They were elected annually, but usually re-elected ;
their only qualification was being freemen. Their office
was very much contested by decayed tradesmen and pub-
licans. One of the largest contractors, formerly in Lon-
don, of butcher meat, was now one of them. The aboli-
tion of the office was contemplated. The canvassing that
was necessary was exceedingly expensive to the candidates.
Last Midsummer there was a vacancy. They were ad-
mitted and sworn in by the Town-Clei k, or his deputy.
in the outer chamber, commonly called the Lord Mayor's
Court. On being sworn, the Lord Mayor granted them
his warrant.
• The four district surveyors were elected by the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen, under the 14th Geo. 111. Their
election took place in the month of May ; their appoint-
ment arose under one of the oldest by-laws of the City of
London, so far hack as the time of Richard I. The office was
generally eanteetivir the candidates were required to produce
testimonials of their professional qualifications and skill
in building. They were appointed over respective ohs-
tricts. They did not usually exchange their districts.
They were generally continued in office, and took the oath
prescribed by the statute. There was no rule or order that
obliged the candidates to be freemen, but such were gene-
rally elected. it did not lead to any higher office. There
were no instances of removal.
The Keeper of Newgate was appointed by the Court of
Aldermen. The office is held for life. In some instances
the nomination of the Sheriff was accepted by the Court,
but such has not been the general rule. The Sheriffs,
however, have claimed it. At the recent election in
November last, the Sheriffs did not nominate. They
could not agree. If the office was thrown open there
was a contest. There was a formal admission, but no
appointment under seal. He received a formal deputation
on the annual appointment of the new Sheriffs, on which
occasion he tendered security. It is not usual to fill up
the office from other offices, although in the two last elec-
tions it was given to the two City Marshals. It was a
very ancient office, and existed so far back as the time of
Edward 111.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.-(THIS DAY.)

(Before B. ROTCH, Esq., M.P., and a Bench of Ma

grs.rates.)
John Cranston was indicted for stealing, on the 4th
instant, 70 lbs. of lead, and four iron frames, the pro-
perty of Mr. Hawkins, of Goodman's-fields.
Joseph Floodpage deposed, that be was agent t) the
prosecutor, who was owner of the houses 71, 72, and 73,
in Lambeth-street, all of which had iron window frames,
and lead pipes all round.
John Savage, a carpenter, was employed on the house
in question. On the day named in the indictment he
went into No. 73, where he found the prisoner engaged
in cutting away the lead pipes. The frames and pipes
Lad been taken from the others previously.
Police constable 178 H, took the prisoner into custody
on the charge made by last witness. He found the lead
and frames ready to be taken away.
The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, and he was sen-
tenced to he transported for seven years.
John Brown, a youth, was found Guilty of stealing a
piece of mutton from the shop of Sarah Prime, and was
sentenced to seven years' transportation.
The prisoner, in his defence, said it was not from the
... prosecutor's shop he stole the meat but from another.
Michael Hanogan was indicted for stealing a packet
handkerchief from the person of Slater Geogehan in
Drury-lane, on the 12th of the present month. He was
found guilty, and being an old offender, received sentence
of transportation for seven years.
Mary Ann Granger was also sentenced to be trans-
ported for seven years, for stealing a cloak on the 7th inst.
Thomas Head, a child of only nine years of age, was
found Guilty of stealing a pair of shoes from the shop of
John Feetal. He was caught in the act.
He was recommended to mercy on account of his youth.

The policeman said the father of the prisoner was a
very respectable man, but he refused to come forward,
because the boy bad been so frequently guilty of the same
kind of offence. _ .

The CHAIRMAN in sentencing the prisoner told him
that if he ever appeared there again upon a charge of
felony he would most certainly he transported. The sen-
tence then was that he be confined in the House of Cor-
rection for the term of two months, to have two whip-
pings, and to be confined in a solitary place two weeks of
the time.

ECCENTRICITIES OF THE MIDDLE RANKS.
--Nothing escapes the notice of our comic novelist, Hook,
if it ever had existence within the bills of mortolity. The
metropolis is a mine of gold to him ; and he finds some-
thing worth the search where few but himself would think
of looking at all. London is his proper home, his lawful
right, and he may justly lay cl lint to he considered as its
-literary Lord Mayor. fiery person " about town" is his
property, and he
Paints and publishes him as he pleases;
be regards whole families, nay, whole classes of men, as
so much raw material to be manufactured into mirth. He
~. is equally happy in a couinting.tiowe in the East, or at a
ball in the West, or at a dinner party midway between the
two. His story of " Maxwell" fully verities these
• remarks. It overflows with wit and humour, and is
judiciously selected to follow the celebrated story of
" Eugene Aram," by Mr. Bulwer, the best production of
this eminent novelist, in the Standard Novels and Ro-
mances, decidedly the cheapest publication of the day.