The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-20 00:00:00

THE 31AI OR TO THE CITIZENS.

(From the Norfolk News.)
Fellow-citizens,—l cannot retire from the prominent
position to which I was called nearly twelve months allt
without discharging a duty which circumstances seem t°
force on me, and which my convictions will .not permit 10
to leave unperformed.

One evil afflicts our city, which almost all deplore, bill
which hitherto has defied every effort to put it down. Nor
wich, with so many historical claims to respect, and
many present means of earning distinction amongst the
cities of England, is famous above them all for party bit'
terness and party corruption. Every good citizen confessd
this with shame, and sighs for a change.
In Parliamentary matters, it is obvious that there
great principles at issue, concerning the government t)
the country and its foreign policy. In that arena it is the
duty of every man to avow his distinctive political prie'
ciples, and to defend them, by fair means, to the uttermost'
But in municipal affairs there are no such questions 0
issue—the functions there are not legislative, but pureli
administrative.

Consider for a moment. The Corporation has to appoirii
and regulate the police ; to superintend sanitary measures;
to maintain, and keep in a proper state, the gaol, the cid
halls, and the public cemeteries ; to repair, light, and air
derdrain the streets ; to protect the navigation ; to manse
the Corporate estates, and maintain the Corporate rights
in regard to markets, tolls, and dues. With which ono of
these have political or party considerations the smallest cost'
nection? The judgment of every one of you answers nil"
hesitatingly, that these all are matters with which polities
have nothing to do, and with which "party" cannot inter'
meddle without causing damage to the city and injustice to
individuals.

An experience of nearly 20 years in these matters enable
me to affirm that the spirit of party in our municipal affairo
is an unnatural intrusion, and an endless source of mischief'
The city's interests sustain damage from this is three most
noticeable forms :

Ist. There is an annual demoralisation of the Ward con'
stituencies, to keep or gain the ascendancy ; and the result
deponds entirely on the purchase of venal voters.
2d. Costly and disgraceful contests deter the most re-
spected citizens from interfering in Corporation affairs, drive
the best men out of the Council, and bring in others not to
be for a moment compared with them.
Fd. The keeping alive of the struggle for ascendancy en'
courages distrust and jealousy, and prevents that hearty
and harmonious co-working which would tend so much to
the general advantage.
I propose, then, that you, the citizens at large, should
insist that the Corporation shall be henceforth non-political?
and that each party shall abandon its pretensions to all
ascendancy. If this principle once receive your sanctioot
it can easily be realised in practice. Your representative°
will gladly carry out your wishes, and the evil which had
, distressed us so long will die without a struggle.
The best men amongst us, whatever their politics, Will
then bee the foremost in our local government, and our
influential men will unite in every effort to raise and OP'
prove the city. Who can estimate the good which would
result ? We have seen in our Volunteer Rifle movemeritt
in our Musical Festival, in many of our noble charitieh
what Norwich can do when her sons join hand in hand?
and all their hearts are Its one. Greater results, and mote
glorious by far, are in store for us, if we extend this spirit
of fraternity to all our city's affairs. It can be done. Prof
let it be done I Prouder than of any other thing should f
be, to have the honour of its initiative.
The richest vines are, it is said, produced on the site of
exhausted volcanoes. So would it be with us. Party fireo
having burnt themselves out, there would arise from our
native soil results in which we should all rejoice. A kindlf
spirit would pervade the city, the turmoils of faction would
cease, our municipal affairs would be much better inandred,
and none could complain of injustice. In such a state of
things how much greater would be our satisfaction than in
miserable triumphs won by corruption, or in a party ascell"
dancy Lased on the denial of our brotherhood

Fellow-citizens I if you respond to this appeal, as I Oa
sure you will, you may rely upon it that the cheering
prospect to which I have pointed may be realised, and all
that you wish can be done. lam ready to obey your calif
whether it be to lead the way or to follow.

Your obedient servant,
J. HENRY TILLETT, Mayor.
• Guildhall, Oct. lith, 1860.

Complaints have been made that, on account of
the usual order from the Lord Chancellornot having reacbt
the office of the Accountant-General, holders of Bank Stool
whose dividends are paid through the Court of Chancery
f
have not been able to rectivo them at the ordinary time P.,
payment, and will have to wait until the Court meets 14'
'1
November.