The Sun.
London, England, 1833-11-01 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a Court was held for the despatch of
much business of public interest.

LIBEL UPON TILE LORD MAYOR'S COMMITTEE.

Mr. Deputy WOOD rose to call the attention of

the Court to a paragraph in the Morning Chronicle
newspaper, which he said was a most gross libel
upon several of the members of the Court, and in
every point destitute of truth. It alluded to the
conduct of the 'Committee of the late Mayoralty,
and accused them with having sanctioned an unne-
cessary and enormous expense, so that the enter-
tainment of the 9th of November, which used to be
limited to the sum of 1,8001., extended, under their
superintendence, to 3,0001. This was one of the
charges. Now the cause of the increase was, that
a ball was added to the customary feast, amounting
in charge to 996/., and additional gas embellish-
ments had been made, and additional musicians had
been engaged at the desire of those who were prin-
cipally interested. The consequence was that the
dinner cost 2,2421. The Committee were also
charged with having appropriated 24 tickets each
to themselves. This was false. The customary
number was six each, which upon the motion of
Mr. Ledger was increased to eight, so that the
exaggeration was just triple the actual number which
had been voted. The Committee were also charged
with having, during their authority, expended the
sum of 6001. in dinners. The falsehood of this state-
ment was as palpable as that of the rest with which
the paragraph abounded. The fact was, the din-
ners of the Committee, which were four in number,
for sixteen people, did not exceed the sum of
of which the wine after all this accusation of guttling
and guzzlng, cost no more than 71. 4s. In fact; the
Committee, instead of meeting to dine together,
used after their labours to take nothing but tea—a
very proper sort of tipple, which in a course of 40
meetings reached the price of 71. as., so that the
guzzling and guttling and expenditure did not excet d
301.—(Cheers.) Mr. Wood then alluded to the
alleged expense of the ornamental tickets issued on
the 9th November, and declared the cost in that in-
stance had been in a corresponding manner exagge-
rated. The next item referred to in the lit el was the
charge for a barber.—(A laugh.) No such charge
had been made. This item he noticed to show that
the calumnritor ventured upon statements for which
lie had not the shadow of a foundation. The Se-
cretary was present to prove, by written documents,
that the contradictions thus given were accurate.
Thus were sixteen gentlemen,
who had the con-
fidence of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, most vilely
traduced to gratify the spleen of a wretch who
screened himself in impenetrable darkness; and the

organ Which had given dissemination to the slander
refused to give up its authority. He trusted that
the Press would give this plump and positive denial
of the truth of the accusation brought forward un-
der such circumstances. The newspapers owed it
to themselves to assist in the refutation of such as-
sertions.—(Cheers.)
Mr. LEGG (the Chairman of the Lord Mayor's
Committee) said that the only injunction laid by his
Lordship upon his Committee was, that the enter-
tainment should be conducted in the most splendid

manner.
The LORD MAYOR said that he had never been
with his Committee but once, and upon that occa-
sion he had stated what Mr. Legg had just men-
tioned. As for the accounts of the expenditure of
his Mayoralty, he had, he must say, never yet seen
them, and he was rather astonished at the amount.
.—(A laugh.) He had consented to give the ball,
which increased the expenses of the Guildhall en-
tertainment, in consequence of the representations
made to him that it would relieve the Mansion-
house, then under repair, and that in Alderman
Thompson's Mayoralty a similar ball did not cost
more than between 5001. and 6001. The ball which
he was thus recommended to entertain his fellow-
citizens with, however, cost him 9001. It was re-
ported that the Cocket Office produced 1,4001. an-
nually. Now all he received in his year from that
source of emolument amounted to no more than
8351., so that the whole of his income from the
city was 7,5501., while his expenditure was about
11,500/., being about 4,0001. above the allowance
for supporting the dignity of his office. He had
not asked the price of the wines or the liveries, or
any other of the necessary appendages to the situ.
ation • but he wished, at the same time that he
sought not to surpass any man, not to be surpassed.
—(Hear, hear.)
Alderman HARMER said that the paragraph
alluded to was certainly a great misstatement of
facts. The arrangements made by the Lord Mayor
elect and the Sheriffs were not made with any view
to the abatement of expense. To save expense was
not their object by any means. In limiting the
number of tickets to the Guildhall, they were wily
anxious that all the guests should be provided with
seats. They had so arranged the business of the
entertainment, that all the Common Councilmen
and their ladies should have adequate accommoda-
tion. Upon the last occasion, so many tickets had
been issued by the Committee, that the friends of
the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs were left to shift
in many instances for themselves. The fact was,
that he saw many highly respectable merchants and
barristers and their ladies without seats, until the
waiters had concluded their labours, and then badly
accommodated. It was desirable that such a scene
should not again occur; but he (Alderman Harmer)
disclaimed all idea of having no confidence in the
Committee.
Alderman WILSON regretted that the paragraph
had appeared, and disclaimed all knowledge of it.
Mr. DIXON said, it was notorious that for many
years the general cry at the Guildhall entertainment
was, that there were no seats to be had.
Mr. FIGGINS said that it was only necessary to
look into the books to be convinced that very
great meannesses were practised by Lord Mayors'
Committees.—(Murmurs, and cries of "Name,
name.")

Mr. R. TAYLOR said that the question before
his Court related to the Committee of last year,
and not to any other.
The LORD MAYOR thought that it would be
better not to stifle the subject by any forms.
Mr. LAURENCE said it appeared that there was a
disinclination amongst certain gentlemen to hear
this interesting subject discussed.
Alderman HARMER said that several gentlemen
on the Committee had declared that reform was ne-
cessary in Committees of the kind.
Mr. WOOD—Ths Committee of the Lord Mayor
and Sheriffs retired because they were distrusted.
Alderman HARMER—They were not distrusted;
but the Hon. Gentleman who says so admitted to
me that he could not control the Committee.
Mr. FIGGINS begged the attention of the Court
to the years 1825 and 1822, in both of which the
Committees had acted with the meanness of which
he had spoken. In one of them they had charged
for a barber, and a glover, and a cutler; and in both
they had accumulated upon the three individuals
who had to bear the brunt a series of the most use-
less and ridiculous expenses. It was notorious, too,
that if the Lord Mayor happened to want a ticket
after the Committee had made their arrangements
to oblige a friend, he was compelled to appeal to
his Committee, who, upon acceding to his request,
took two for each of themsslves.—(Laughter, and
cries of " No, no !")
Mr. TICKNER declared that the libel alluded to
contained a tissue of falsehoods. He ridiculed the
objections made by Mr. Figgins, and he expressed
his satisfaction at hearing the Sheriffs disclaim all
knowledge of the paragraph alluded to. He hoped
the Lord Mayor elect would make a similar disclaim.
Alderman HARMER said, that the Lord Mayor
elect had already publicly stated, that he knew no-
thing of the paragraph, and altogether disapproved it.
Mr. WILLIAMS said, that the citizens should
know that the expenses of the Mansion-House, with
the exception of the eating and drinking, were all
paid by the citizens. Not a lock was picked, nor a
pane put into a window that was not paid for by
the citizens. The Lord Mayor too, it would, he
believed; be found, was in possession of a great
many freedoms—six, eight, or ten, which added to
his income considerably.
The LORD MAYOR—If the accounts were in-
spected, the gentleman would find himself much
mistaken. Everything except the furniture is paid
for by the Lord Mayor.
Mr. WILLIAMS said, he hoped this discussion
would lead to such a reformation in the eating and
drinking department as would place the corporation
on a respectable footing.—(A laugh.) Is would be
most desirable indeed if the system of eating and
drinking were done away with entirely in the city.
—(Loud laughter.) He meant at the expense of
the citizens. He liked a good dinner himself as
well as anybody, but he paid for his dinner himself,
and never putt his fellow-citizens to expense in the
performance of his duties.
Mr. R. TAYLOR said that the paragraph which
Mr. Wood had quoted was certainly in every re-
spect incorrect, according to the statement which
had been made in refutation. It had been stated
that the editor of the .Morning Chronicle had re-
fused to give up his authority. He was convinced
that when the editor was informed of what took
place in that Court, he would no longer allow the
calumniator to remain in the dark. If the allega•
tions were true, there was nothing to be afraid of;
and if they were false, the stigma of inserting a
falsehood should not rest upon the shoulders of a
respectable conductor of a journal.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Taylor then quoted an article from the Morn-
ing Chronicle in reprobation of the dissemination of
falsehoods—a charge which, as it was made against
Tories, could not be for a moment supposed to be
participated in by Whigs.—(Laughter.)
Mr. GALLOWAY said lie was convinced the editor
would give his authority for the calumny.
Mr. PRIOR stated that tie was one of the Com-
mittee, but he denied that he had derived the least
advantage from the distinction.
The Court then proceeded to the orders of the
day, after having been iu a state of great excitement
for an hour arid a half.
THE NEW STREET NEAR THE MANSION-HOUSE.
Alderman WILSON preseated a petition from
Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith, the bankers, of
Lombard-street, praying the corporation would not
interfere with their property in forming the new
street from London-bridge, as any diminution of
their premises would seriously inconvenience the
establishment, and as the Committee had already
made arrangements with them, which were cot.-
sidered binding.
It was moved that the petition be referred to the
London-bridge Committee.
Mr, SLADE seconded the motion, and stated tbat

he ps titioners had already made a. great saerifies
property for the benefit of their fellow-citizens.,
Mr. COPE said, it appeared that the PI
et
referred to another petition to an opposite coi
which had not yet been presented, and Wl'. idl
that Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith's Pent zi,
should lie on the table until the other should 7
brought forward.
d sill
Mr. WIRE seconded this amendment, and
why
the as the petitions referred to a document of oPre,
the Court were ignorant, if they decided not Woo
ject it altogether, it would be advisable to poP
its reference to the Committee. • ritis
This suggestion was adopted by a large Mar
THE PAVEMENT OF FLEET-STREET. tbel
Mr. R. TAYLOR requested to be informed by I,e.
Commissioners of Sewers whether the new Polo'
ment in Fleet. street had been yet paid for, or 00
ther any arrangements had been made to itePtob
its present condition, which appeared to be °bed
worse than it had been before the alterations
been made ? bot%
Mr. DAW said that the New River Compaq rest
by their pipes, which certainly would be of got
future service, caused the evils of which con 10(
was made. The Commissioners had no control
that Company. It was impossible to make love
foundation for the pavement until it was welled
over. No blame whatever was to be ett.„4l"-ei
to the party who had contracted. He had coot iii
to do the work well, and until that was effected')
bill would remain unpaid. He (Mr. Daw) reg fel
that everything done by the Commissioners of Seacod
was represented as wrong and a job, but he oil)
any one to prove that they had anything to u°
jobbing to the value of sixpence.—(Hear, beg
NEW STREET THROUGH MOORGATE. Igil
Mr. JONES (the Chairman of the London Oa
Committee), in bringing up the report of the
fe
don Bridge Committee, stated that it was. ior
that sufficient funds, were left to extend the cit)
provements, after Princes-street should be oPePot
right through to Moorgate, by a street fifiCpor
wide.—(Cheers.) This improvements the v it,
mittee calculated, would greatly contribute I°oo
crease the traffic of London. In consequence 114,
innumerable stoppages in the streets in that 110
bourhood, people were reluctant to venture int°„o
heart of the city. The formation of another t'ile
in the line he described would be of immengy
vice to trade in every respect; and he begged'oo
to introduce another topic of improvementqo
was on that important subject. The city or
,/
don was greately overburdened with ehurchetyt
(Laughter and cheers.) It occurred to him' cti
fi
the citisens of London, as well as the beer,"
clergy, would derive considerable advantages l'i/
the removal of some of those churches-01°1.0
which were comparatively deserted. Now.de
plan he had to propose was the appointment' 64
Committee to inquire into the propriety of on;clit
some of the parish churches with others. ,411
churches which it might be expedient to take u;rer
would, by their removal, supply room for the_Ali
tion of residences for the clergy. The public lore
be saved the enormous expense of keeping them Ito
pair ; and as they belonged, almost without excel), 0
to public bodies, the injury to individuals won't:di
nothing. He believed that the heads of the eh pi,
would throw no obstacle in the way of thelie
which he had every reason to suppose won't' 01
mensely improve the city of London.—(Chee '
He then moved that the report be agreed te.
Mr. SLADE seconded the motion. • lei
Mr. COPE wished that the improvements iel.oo
diately in the neighbourhood of London Or/ r 49
should be completed before any others were '''
menced.
Mr. PEWTRESS spoke to the same effect. .
The LORD MAYOR said that nothing was 10 tie
3- tbs
portant to the city as a free communication 10,400'
streets through any part of the metropolis.---Cuty
hear.) The new improvements would have A ,
effect of producing that of which this want 5
daily seen in the condition of the populatiooa
(Hear, hear.) He trusted that the suggested r I
would be adopted.
theACtoeur
mously agreed to. f $
rstomine ofabvsoeurrvaotfiuntshefrormeposertv,eriati mwaesmboeuvrf,
Mr. JONES then moved for the appointment °.116
Committee to consider the propriety of reit°
some of the churches, &c. &c.

Unanimously agreed to. tbl
After the transaction of some other business,
Court adjourned.

DIED.11:00
On the 29th ult., at the house of her son-in.lavt•
Harrison, Esq., of Fullwell-grange, near Sunderland,
Hall, relict of Thomas Hall, Esq., of Park-street, Grog
square, and Grove.cottage, North.end, aged 92.
On the 29th ult., Dorothy, wife of William Bell,
tP4
Well-street, Hackney.
ASS'
On the 29th ult., in Upper Harley-street, Margaret
A
infant daughter of Le Marchant Thomas, Esq. 1"
On the 30th ult., at Trowbridge, Wilts, Lieut. Tl'°
thorne, R.N.
.lobritlo'
On the 28th ult., at Mortimer Vicarage, 8erk5,,,004,
Merchant, only son of the Rev. J. J. Vaughan, aged iLr
On the 30th ult., at her house at Stratford-green, t
widow of the late Mr. Thomas Long, late of Penton-orteep
tonville.
On the 31st ult., at Walthamstow, in his 31st Year'
oteg
Christopher Starkey.
On the 30th ult., at Gittisham, Devonshire, Lydia' vett
daughter of the late Mr. John Guy, of London.
ttl°
On the 29th ult., Mr. Robert Howard, of FenchU e 1
aged 60.
04"

On the 29th ult. at her residence, Albany-street,
~ of
Park, Miss Butler.
60131‘" ,
On the 28th ult., Mary Sophia, wife of Mr. Robert jor
Ludgate-hill, in her 62d year.
.c..a Of 7
On the 28th ult., at Bath, D. 0. Parry Okeden,,'''' ‘ylie
(
Crichell, in the county of Dorset.
„ge,..,tir
On the 23d ult., in Montagu-street, Portman-A" fi'
Ellen, eldest daughter of the late Rev. R. Meshalletil'oin
of Ripple, Kent, and Vicar of Bromham cum Oakley'fot '
On the 29th ult., at Swedinore House, Dorset, 10 ,op
year, Mrs. M. S. Richards. o
JO
On the 17th ult., at his house in Castlemarthyr, prt,
Esq., a
gedthe. lace, 0(0
On 20th ult., in Douglas Bourn, Market-Po DO
Henry Spencer, aged 26. His widow was brought t tpe
fine boy on the evening of the same day.
E 54 ,10 ft
00
On the 15th ult., at Dartmouth, George Porter, „lot°
89th year of his age, tormerly Comptroller of the u ~0
that port. a Inif
On the 19th ult., at his residence, Grafton gan-rbelu t
Worcestershire, John Harriott Rowe, Esq., Iloilo „ef i
office of Recorder of Macclesfield for nearly thirty Yof tjek
On the 19th ult., Jonathan Pendlebury, Esq"' of
,„ 0 cp.
near Chorley.
Elizahew'lll°
On the 16th ult., at Winster, Derbyshire, ,„..11,
the late Thomas Carill Worsley, Esq., of Platt :::....7
shire, aged 67.
lilli
- o I
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY MURDO Y•••-•

Seat OFFICE, 112, STRANPf