The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-02 00:00:00

SIR RICHARD BRTHELL AND HIS

CONSTITUENTS..

Sir Richard Bethell addressed his constituents at the
County Hall at Aylesbury, on Saturday, in anticipation
of his reelection consequent on the vacancy occasioned
in the representation of the borough by his recent ap-
pointment as her Majesty's Attorney-General. After
alluding to the honour which he bad received at the
hands of his Sovereign, he congratulated the electors
upon the termination of the war and the prosperous
state of the country, expressing also his opinion that the
peace would be permanent, and in every way
.satisfac
tory. He alluded to the great increase of crime, and
observed that the only way to protect the commercial
interests of the nation from such frauds as had recently
attracted attention was to award such punishments as
would deter men from acting dishonestly. In his own
department, charge! as he was to examine the adminis-
tration of the criminal law, and charged as he was te
observe how that law might be amended, it would
become with him a matter of the most anxious conside-
ration to determine what measures could he introduced
in order to restore a greater amoun t of confidence amongst
all classes, and of checking by the terrors of the law
those gigantic frauds and impositions which had
lately come under their knoeledge. These were most
serious matters, but there was another of vast im-
portance, by which the root of those evils could
be removed, which was a greater enlargement and
improvement of the education of the people. If the
people of this country were ant only educated in-
tellectually, but had a moral and religious education,
crime would not he so rife in the land, and a greater
amount of industry, intel igeoce, and prudence would
prevail amonst the lower classes of society, and there
would be less' necessity for the application of the criminal
law. All men would, be hoped, in the coming seseion,
apply their minds to that great and important snbj'ct,
the education of the people. (Hear, hear.) There was
another important question which would engage the at-
tention of those who were interested in the administra-
tion of affairs. He referred to the removal of those
obstacles which were a restraint on the c immercial and
manufacturing interests of thin country—namely, the
state of harbour and shipping dues, which required to
be considered in order that the restrictions and i peee
meats which etill existed might be removed. Now that
they were relieved from the din of arms, the Legislature
could accomplish nothing more useful than to apply
itself to do all that could be done for tee improvement of
the moral condition of the people. Forunately political
quarrels an dissensions had lost the greater portion of
their bitterness. Men had learned to look on one another
with greater confidence, and it was not necessary that
the government of the country should he carried on by
men divided into two parties, one of one way of thinking,
one of another, differing for the sake of difference. In this
state of things he trusted there would he found a greater
anxiety for all parties to co-operate in great domestic
measures for the improvement, the happiness, and the
comfort of the people. There were but few things to
which he need allude in reference to the past, but there
were one or two which he regretted remained subjects
of controversy. If they were agitated again—and one
would be agitated—he would adhere to the same course
of conduct which he had pledge d himself to at the com-
mencement of his Parliamentary career. The questions
to which he referred were vote by ballot and the abolition
of Church rates. On neither of these points had he seen
reason to change his opinion. On the Sunday Trading
Bill he held a strong opinion ; but he had pursued the
same course on that bill being brought forward as he
had on other occasions. He had yielded to the views cf
his constituents, and had not voted at all. There was
no doubt that great diver,ity of opinion existed on that
measure. Some, who felt most deeply,' thought that
the Sabbath should be kept strictly holy ; but there were
those, like himself, who could judge of the vice and im
morality which existed in the metropolis by reason of
all innocent recreation being denied to the poor, and who
believed that the Sabbath might still be kept holy if the
lower classes had an opportunity of enjoying thereselyee
and improving their minds by emancipation from low
and sensual indulgences, and by a less spiritual applica-
tion of their time. In conformity with the pledge he
bad given he had voted fer the ballot at a time when
every member of the Cabinet, except one, was opposed to
him, and voted against it. He had honestly redeemed
his promise. He had too much respect for himself and
their opinions to palter with them.
A vote of confidence in Sir Richard Bethell was carried
unanimously.

SIR BIOEURD BETHELL ON LAW REFORM.—The new
Attorney-General, in his address to his constituents at
AyleSbury, soliciting re-election, enters at some length
on the programme of legal reform to be brought for-
ward by the Government during the next session. He
says :—" Among measures of internal improvement you
will, I trust, agree with me if I rank in a prominent
place those which are introduced for the amendment of
our laws and judicial institutions ; and I may assure
you that in the more influential office which I have now
the honour to hold no exertions on my part shall be
spared to remove the mischievous technicalities and that
cumbrous and expensive machinery which still diefigure
many portions of English iuriseruclence. The important
subject 9f the transfer of land hag long engaged my at-
tention, and I am happy to inform you that a plan is in
preparation which I believe will greatly facilitate the
sale and conveyance of real property. The relief which
such a measure will afford to landowners and farmers,
by giving perfect security of title and increased freedom
of trait() in an article of such permanent value and im-
portance, can hardly be overstated. lam much gratified
to continue-associated with an admini-tration which bas
carried this country successfully through the difficulties
and pressure of a great and distant war ; and I am
happy to believe that the sacrifices so nobly endured by
the people of this country during the last two years will
entail upon them no lasting burdens. I may, therefore,
venture to assure you that the same vigour and abi-
lity which were displayed by Lord Palmerston in the
prosecution of the war will be exerted by 'him for the
purpose of achieving the victories of peace. In that
department to which my own individual attention will
be more especially directed—namely, the improvement
of our laws and judicial institutions—l may venture to
assure you, in addition to what I have already stated.
that in the coming session measures .for rendering
simple and expeditious the title and transfer
of laded .property, for the abolition of the eccle,i-
aqieal courts, for the amendment of the law relating to
marriage and divorce, for the consolidation of the Sta..
tote law, and for rendering criminal those gross breaches
of trnet which have of late been a scandal to the country,
will be immediately introduced, and prosecuted wiih
energy and despatch."

APPREHENSION OF A LEITff MER-
CHANT ON CHARGES OF FORGERY.

Joseph Mending Wilson, recently a well-known core
merchant and ship-broker in Leith has knit bean
apprehended (says the Siotsman) on charges of for
b.
bills of exchange to the amount of between
2,0001. and 3,0001. It may be recollected that,
in the month of May last, 'Jacob Christiansen
who was also a ship-broker in Leith, was con-
victed before the High Court of Justiciary of forging 7
bills of exchange fer the snm of 3,7751., and heating to
be accepted by parties in Dundee, Montrose, Newcastle,
Hull, Stockton, and Hartlepool ; and at the same time
Wileon was i,utlawed for not appearing to answer to
similar charges. In the course of the investigation into
C ristiansen's ease, it apptar • ed that Wilson was ieop!i-
-_
csited in the matter, • but before this came out he bail ab-
sconded, indeed it would app ear that he bad left Leith
immediately after the apprehension of Christiansen It
e
was not till two or three weeks afterwards that. Mr.
Grant, superintendent of the Leith police, received in-
formation of Wilson's staernon, ed Where he had reason to
in the forgeries. He imme-
diately proceeded to
believe that Wilson had gone,e
and succeeded in tracing
him to the Lonlon Coff-h1
01.sie, Ludgete.hill, and then
to the Bridge Hotel, where-e ascertained that Wilson
had taken his passage on boardb
the Cyclone for Sydo, y,
that ho had. gone on board the at Gravesend, and
was then far beyond the reach
of the police. Mr. Grant,
however determined to nee e,
Tans likely to rotors
Wilson's apprehension and he accrony:rh.mgly took measures
to have his movements watched
receivedr intimation fro
A few days ago, accordingly, be iFearrival in Sydney.
Australia that Wilson was about tpiet:turn to this coun-
try, and that he had taken his
London on
z:c'eegpeut.tohimself into
board .the Adele. Mr. Grant at
communication with the London
getting immediate information by telegraphw4th the view
of the vessel off Deal. On Monday last,of the'al'.674
arrangement, Mr. Grant received ate gPruar,:hu f
this
sage from Superintendent Hodgson, of the TL,Zee•
police, to the effect' that the Adele bad posed
Deal thaten
afternoon. Mr. Grant immediately started for London,
expecting to reach Gravesend in time to await her
aril.-
val. He was, however, too late ; but he had arrange,
that two London efeteretives should be there in tsar ht,
should not have arrived, and they informed hinx that
Wilson was not on hoetel,, but that he bad loft the ehip
the morning in the TAr.glieh Channel icenewhero between
Mr. . Grant proceeded to
Beier and Duugfiies.-4.
Dover, and then to Folkestone. where, in conjiinctien
with Superintenikeit Steer, of the Folkestone police,
succeeded in appeehending.the man of whom he was' in
search. 'Ha bronght him down to Edinburgh on Thur. -
day night, and. -yesterday the prisoner was brought before
Bailie Wisha.e„ and remitted to the Sheriff. on varion,
charges of ft- rgery. It seems he had, not intended t'
"eme to Scot land, brit was about to proceed to Germany.
mey ale°, be stated that he cheated the captain of the
Adntg out. of his passage ineney, home. having given ben
a ,ob;11 en.•the.Baok of Scotland", payable at Cootti and
`e • 0, in, :London, which was dishonoured on being pro•
,rented,