The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-20 00:00:00

COt:RT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a Court was held, which was most nurne-
iously attended. The scene was (luring the day one of
great bustle, and there were a fete misunderstandings,
which, although they gave rise to some little confusion,
did not long disturb the general harmony of the body.
CAPTAIN ROSS.
The LORD MAYOR informed the Court that he had re-
ceived a letter of thanks from Captain Ross for the freedom
which bad been presented to him, and also a letter of
thanks from Commodore Ross and the crew who had gone
upon the Northern Expedition, for the vote of that
Court. The letters were ordered to be entered upon the
journals.
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS COMMISSION.
Mr. STEPHENS (of Bishopsgate) rote to present a peti-
tion from Mr. Dillon, a highly respectable citizen of
London, referring to the course pursued by that Court
with regard to his Majesty's Commission to inquire into
the state of the Municipal Corporations of the Kingdom.
The following petition was then read:—
"To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Alder-
men, and Common Councilmen of the City of
London, in Common Council assembled. The
Petition of the undersigned Citizen of London.
" That your Petitioner is a freeman and inhabitant of
the said City of London.
" That as such, he, with his fellow-citizens, is interested
in the preservation of the just rights, privileges, and
franchises of the said City, and in the reform of any
abuses or corruptions which may have been introduced.
" That be respectfully submits that these rights, privi-
leges, and franchises ought to be sustained before his Ma-
jesty's Commissioners for inquiring into the state of the
Municipal Corporations in England, by the evidence of
their own know❑ and recognized officers, and that the
best and fullest evidence which they can supply ought to
be afforded.
" Your Petitioner, therefore, respectfully prays this
Honourable Court to take such measures as may remove
obstacles or difficulties, should such exist, in affording to
his Majesty's Commissioners the fullest information from
the best sources, and particularly that your Honourable
Court will be pleased to authorise and direct the attend-
ance of the officers of this Corporation for this purpose.
And your Petitioner will ever pray.
"JOHN DILLON."
The LORD MAYOR having asked the petitioner whether
he had anything to add ?
Mr. DILLON begged to submit, that in a case like the
present, when his Majesty had been pleased to direct that
an inquiry should be instituted into the nature and conduct
of all corporations, there was but one course to pursue—
namely, to state the truth, and the whole truth.—(Hear.)
He submitted, that if the truth did not come from parties
who were offici el and responsible under such circumstances,
it would lose its authority. It was possible that persons
very highly gifted might be better able to make statements
regarding the Corporation than the officer• of the Corpo-
ration ; but whatever might be the talents and abilities of
these persons, they were not invested with the necessary
responsibility. Under this impression he had presented
the petition to the Court.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. STErnEtis fully agreed in every word of the peti-
tion, which, if it had been banded about a day or two
before, would have received a couple of thousand signa-
tures. He could not but allude to the Chairman of the
Committee on the occasion. He wished to know by what
authority that gentleman had attended to give information
to the Commissioners ? He wished, too, that the answer.
given by the Chairman bad been correct—a compliment
which he could not pay; for they were answers which
made the Corporation appear to be much better than it
really was.—(Hear, anti a laugh.) The object of the
Commission was to inquire for the purpose of effecting a
great public good, and if it seemed from the representations
made that the Corporation was unobjectionable, no im-
provement would be attempted, and it would remain in its
present condition. Mr. Stephens then moved, that some
minutes of the Committee should be read, in order to justify
him in the resolution he intended to propose.
Deputy Woos) assured the Court that lie had not the
least objection to the production of any papers. He was
by no means, in giving evidence before the Commissioners,
a volunteer, but be would ask any of those who bad
attended during the examination, whether he had shown
any disposition to withhold any intelligence.—(Hear.)
The minutes of the Committee were then read. They
clearly proved that a division had taken place amongst the
Members on the question of appointing a deputation to
wait upon the Commissioners and represent the Corpora-
tion ; and also on the subject of directing the officers of
the Corporation to attend and give evidence before the
Commissioners.
Mr. STEPHENS ()untended that the Committee had been
granted a little power, and had usurped a great deal. He
thought it extraordinary that the Chairman of the Com-
mittee should upon some occasions, before lie answered a
question, receive a whisper from the City Solicitor at one
ear, and from a Common Pleader at the other.—
(Laughter.) This was not the manner in which such an

inquiry should be assisted ; the more mystery was cast
over the subject, the more suspicio❑ would be excited in
the public mind. He therefore should move that all in-

formation, both oral and documentary, should be supplied
by the officers of the Corporation at the bead of each
department, and that the officers should be absolved from
the obligation to secrecy in supplying the necessary infor-
mation.
The RECORDER said that it was not, in his opinion, in
the power of the Court to release the officers of the Cor
poration from the obligation of their oath.
➢lr. WESTON thought that the utmost publicity should
be given ; that, in fact, nothing whatever should be
concealed.

Mr. STACEY objected to the proposition of examining
the officers upon oath, but wished that they should be
requested to give all the information they could, without
that ceremony.
Mr. PEACOCK said, that the Commissioners did not
wish to put any questions which it would be unpleasant
to answer.

Mr. BLEADEN said the Commission was working exceed-
ugly well.—(Hear, hear.) The Commission would sit
many weeks, and there was quite time enough to supply
the required intelligence.
Mr. R. TAYLOR said that the Committee had acted
evidently under a misconception of the powers delegated
to them by the Court. He objected that the Chairman
should pretend to be the mouthpiece of the Corporation.
The Commissioners had said that they considered that
gentleman as the mouthpiece, and it was time to tell them
that such was not the case, and that they must get infor-
mation from the officers, the proper source.—(Hear.)
Alderman HARMER wished to know from these gen-
tlemen who supposed that the officers were bound to
secrecy by their oaths, whether the oaths taken by mem-
bers of the Committee were equally binding?
Mr. TICICNER. was sure that the object of the
Commission was not to destroy rights, but to discover
errors.—(Hear, hear.) He was most desirous that the
officers should appear before the Commissioners, and give
all the information in their power. He certainly consi-
dered that there was a scrupulosity amongst the officers on
this occasion, which looked very like affectation.
Mr. PEWTRESS said that one of the city officers had
already given evidence.
Mr. Woon said, that although his conduct was ar-
raigned on the present occasion, he had been complimented
by the Commissioners on the manner in which he had
answered the questions they had put to them. He
altogether repudiated the imputation, that he had made
incorrect representations, and he referred to Mr. Pearson,
who attended, whether he had shown any disposition to
withhold information or to misrepresent?
Mr. C. PEARSON said that Mr. Wood certainly bad
given answers of a more liberal character than he (Mr.
Pearson) should have given.—(A laugh.)
Mr. Woon said that the details in the press were ne-
cessarily incorrect, for the difficulties under which the
reporters labonred at the commission were such that
nothing else could be expected. They were, however,
substantially correct. There was only one exception to
which he should allude—it was she statement that the
Commissioners of Sewers had been abolished two years
ago—(Laughter)—a thing two monstrous to be credited
for a moment.

Mr. PRITCHARD, as one of the Committee, lamented
,hat it had ever been appointed.

Mr. SumsNs did not mean to say a word against
the exertions made by the Committee, and he rejoiced
that they all seemed to b, of one opinion now, that the
most full information should be given.--(A laugh.)
Mr. STEPHENS then moved resolutions to the effect of
giving to the Commissioners the most ample information,
both oral and documentary, through the officers of the
Corporations.
The REcoa.oxit then stated more fully and emphati-
cally, the views he took of the duties of the situation he
tilled, and the oljection he felt to the proposition, that
he should give evidence or information at the same time
that he was under the sacred obligation of an oath to se-
crecy. He referred to his judicial functions in giving his
opinions, and his observations manifestly had a very great
effect upon the Court.
Mr. ASHUILST immediately amended the motion by
excepting the Recorder, the Common Sergeant and the
Judge of the Sheriffs' Court.
Mr. C. PEARSON said, that the Learned Recorder was