The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-26 00:00:00

RADNOR ELECTION.

CLoiE or TILE POLL.

Marquis of Harlington .
Mr. Phillips

J 1)
-

THE CONVENT CASE.

This was the twentieth and last day of the hearing of
this extraordinary case. The interest to-day was intense.
Tho Lord Chief Justice, in commencing his summing
up, congratulated the jury most heartily on their
having arrived at the closing day of this inonstre case.
To assist them in coming to a final conclusion, it would
be his;business to give them a hisory of the case, which
extended over a period of fifteen years.
The summing up will last the whole of the day, and
the verdict is not expected to be given much before cix or
seven o'clock this evening.

PZILIfISSIVE BILL BREAKFAST AT THE
FREEMASOA"S HALL.

teiterday tnormng a breakfast was given by the eoni-
mittee of the North Wales Temperance Electarel Associa-
tion in the Preemasons'-hall, London, with the view of
bringing before persons of influence connected with the
Principality of Wales, and others, the Permissive Bill of Sir
Wilfrid Lawson, Bart., read a first time in the House of
Commons on Monday last. After the removal of the viands
Sir John Hamer, Bart., M.P., was called to the chair, and
among the other visitors present were Sir Wilfrid Lawson,
M.P., Mr. G. 0. Morgan, M.P., Alderman diii-ter, M.P., Mr.
Dalway, M.P., Mr. Whalley, M.P., &c., &c.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening tho proceedings, referred to
the difficulties with which the legislation on the liquor traffic
was besot, though the evil against which it was directed was
universally deplored. He himself looked at the question
from the point of view occupied by a non-abstainer, and he
must confess that he could see no substantial objection to
the bill introduced by his hon. friend, Sir Wilfrid Lawson,
and which he intended to support as he had done before.
The question to be submitted by that measure was one with
which he believed the people wore fully competent and en-
titled to deal, and if he resided in any district coming under
its operation he should feel bound to submit cheerfully to its
provisions.

Mr. C. Motor, in moving a resOlution'expressive
of satisfaction with efforts to promote a restriction of the
sal° of strong drink, and in particular with kr.,,,Wilfrid
..a.vreon's present Permissive Bill, said that the evil against
which the Permissive Bill was directed, wili% great fa
Wales, as welt as in England, that after the fullest consi-
deration of the subject he had come to the resolution to
support the bill of his hon. friend.

Alderman CARTER, M.P., in seconding the resolution, re-
ferred to the opposition which be bad encountered from the
publicans and baersellers as one of the Liberal candidates
for Leeds, and stated that he hoped the time would come
when men of all parties would consider the opposition of such
persons one of the highest honours they could receive.
The resolution having been put from the chair and unani-
mously carried. _ _ _

Sir WILFRID LewsoN responded in a lucid and mas-
terly speech, explaining the principles embodying his
measure. touching upon its principal provisions, and
answering some of the objections which are urged
against it. He showed that the right of popular interference
with the drink traffic was already conceded, by the supposi-
tion that the good of the neighbourhood was assailed by the
licenses granted; and he argued for the application of per-
missive legislation to various questions of great social im-
portance ; that the same method of dealing with the evil of
intemperance was justified by precedent, and -would be
practically justified by its beneficent results..,
A second resolution, calling upon the people of Wales and
other parts of the country to petition on behalf of Sir Wil-
frid's measure, was moved by Mr. 'WHALLEY and seconded
by Mr. DALWA.Y, M.P., and unanimously earried.T.; • '4;
A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceed-
ings to a close, after Sir J. HA:OMB:9 acknowledgments, and
an expression of his hope that, while striving for the Per-
missive Bill, something might be done in the meantime to
check the adulterations of drink now so prevalent and inju-
rious to the consumers of intoxicating liquors.

A deputation from Belfast has waited upon the
American Minister, Mr. Roverdy Johnson, for the purpose
of inviting him to a public dinner in Belfast. Mr. R. John-
son expressed great satisfaction at this mark of attention,
and accepted the invitation for a day during the Whitsuntide
holidays.

A Birmingham contemporary understands that a
Committee has been formed in London—the chairman of
Which is Mr. Charles Reed, M.P.—for the purpose of taking
immediate action for the exemption of Sunday and Ragged
Schools from the poor rates. The draft of a bill to be
brought into Parliament has been prepared, and steps
,are
being taken to scat Petitions ready for amoral signature.