The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-29 00:00:00

ELBCTION OF LORD MAYOR.

To-day being Michaelmas-day, the election for Lord
Mayor took place in the Guildhall. According to the ordi-
nary course of events, Mr. Alderman Carter, as the senior
alderman who has not passed the chair, should quietly take
possession of the chief magisterial palace, and exercise the
functions of Lord Mayor; but the City of London, in addi-
tion to its " ancient institutions," founded upon charters
and Acts of Parliament, has also its traditions and its an-
cient usages, not quite so respectable in their origin, and
among these a custom which requires that the " long-
shore men," or city " potwallopers," should be consulted
on such an occasion. These are the men who are open
to arguments of a peculiar nature, and who, like certain
Parliamentary electors, hold back till the last, for the
satisfaction of their " convictions." They have a head,
who knows well how to make the most of his strength,
and who acts as a medium between them and those hap-
less individuals who require the assistance of "their
most sweet voices." At a word from him they pack Guild-
hall, and shout in sweet accord for some favourite candi-
date, or lift up a forest of hands in opposition when the
" show" is taken. Failing their support, the candidate is
sure at the least to be put to considerable inconvenience ;
assured of their support he is sure of success. Seldom,
therefore, has it been that they have not been consulted,
prior to Michaelmas-day. Sir R. Carden, it is true, refused
to treat, and even charged the person who made overtures
to him on their behalf with attempting to extort money,
and that person was committed for trial from the Mansion-
house justice-room upon the charge. But the revelations
which took place during the progress of the case there

pi oyed too plainly that the "custom had existed from time

immemorial," and the grand jury ignored the bill. Since
that day the "long-shore men" have been triumphant;
and (or so rumour says) they have determined that Mr.
Alderman Carter shall not succeed Lord Mayor Wire.
Why they have done so is not palpably apparent, but,
probably, the real reason of their opposition is that Mr.
Alderman Carter has declined to accept their support on
the " usual terms." At all events, their leader openly
boasts that ho shall not bo chosen, and that the choice of
the livery, evidenced by the show of hands, shall fall on
Mr. Alderman Cubitt and Alderman Sir 11. Muggeridge as
the two to be returned to the Court of Aldermen for their
selection. Sir H. Muggeridge is the man whom the "long
shore men" more especially delight to honour, and, antici-
pating the refusal of Mr. Alderman Cubitt to accept the
office, they point confidently to the former as the new Lord
Mayor.

Shortly before twelve o'clock the Lord Mayor and sheriffs,
in full state, left the Mansion-house and proceeded to Guild-
hall, where they were received by the aldermen and officers
in the aldermen's room, the Lord Mayor, aldermen, Re-
corder and sheriffs being in black Court ,uits and scarlet
gowns, the Lord Mayor and aldermen who have passed
the chair also wearing their hoods and chains, the alder-
man next in turn for the chair being in full dress, with
lace frills, and the officers in full dress, with their gowns.
A nosegay having been presented to each, according to
ancient custom, by the usher of the court, a procession was
formed from Guildhall to St. Lawrence Church, conducted
by the junior marshal, in the following order:—

Sheriffs' Chaplains
Under Sheriffs.
High Bailiff of Southwark.
City Solicitor.
Remembrancer.
Controller.
Secondary.
Common Pleaders.
Judges of the Sheriffs' Court.
Common Sergeant.
Town Clerk.
Chamberlain.
Sheriffs.
Aldermen below the Chair.
Recorder.
Aldermen past the Chair..
Senior Marshal.
Lord Mayor's Chaplain.
Common Crier.
Sword Bearer.
Lord Mayor.

At the conclusion of the service the procession left the
church, and returned to Guildhall, whero hustings had been
previously erected at the east end, on which the Lord Mayor
took his station, with the Recorder and aldermen who have
passed the chair en his right, and aldermen who have not
passed the chair on his left.

The CommoN CRIER then desired silence, and formally
declared the Common Hall open for the election of a Lord
Mayor.

The RECORDER, in a few words, exhorted the livery to
do their duty fearlessly and honestly.
The Lord Mayor, attended by the aldermen and Recorder,
then retired to the Council Chamber, preceded by the Mar-
shal and Sword Bearer, leaving the sheriffs, attended by
the Common Sergeant, to proceed to the election.
The names of the aldermen who had not passed the chair
were then read over, and the livery being desired to choose
two out of those aldermen to be returned as their choice to
the Court of Aldermen, a show of hands was taken for
each, separately, and declared to have fallen upon Alderman
Carter and Alderman Cubitt, the next in succession.

The officers then retired to the Court of Aldermen to ac-
quaint that Court with the result of the election.
The Court of Aldermen then " scratched " in the usual
way; the Recorder, Town Clerk, and Common Sergeant
having scrutinised the votes, reported the majority to be in
favour of Alderman Carter, who was thereupon declared to
be duly elected Lord Mayor for the year ensuing, and con-
ducted by the Sword Bearer to the seat on the left of the
Lord Mayor.
The Lord Mayer, with the Lord Mayor elect on his left
hand, accompanied by the aldermen, then returned to the
hustings ; and
The RECORDER declared to the Common Hall that Alder-
►nan Carter had been elected.

The COMMON CRIER then, in the usual form, called upon
Alderman Carter to come forward, and declare his consent
to fill the office.

The LORD MAYOR elect (who was received with ap-
plause) accordingly advanced to the front of the hustings,
and, after being then invested with the chain of office by
the Sword Bearer, briefly stated his willingness to accept
the office, and his determination, by the help of the corpo-
ration and the support of the livery, to support the honour
and dignity of the office, and maintain the rights and pri-
vileges of the city. He then, having thanked the livery
for his election, said he ought not to depart without saying
that it would be his especial duty to take care of their
ancient rights, and to see that in any change that might be
proposed by the Government for the better regulation of
the city the rights of the livery were preserved. (Cheers.)
He concluded with a vote of thanks to the late Lord Mayor.
Tho LORD MAYOR (Alderman Wire), in acknowledging
the vote, said that he had promised when elected to devote
his whole time and energies to the duties of the office, and
he could now assure them that since that time he had not
A vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs closed
the proceedings.

beet absent a single day. (Cheers.)
The Lord Mayor elect then accompanied the Lord Mayor
in his state coach to the Mansion-house, attended by the
aldermen, sheriffs, and officers, whom the Lord Mayor will
this evening entertain at dinner.
Not the slightest opposition was offered to the election of
Alderman Carter.

THIS DAYS MARK.ETS.

CORN EXCRANGE.

IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES. - Wheat, 41s 10d ;
barley, 35s 5d ; oats, 23s 7d ; rye, 30s 6d ; beans, 40s
4d; and peas, 38s sd.
_ _ _

THE Six WEEKS' AVERAGES. Wheat, 433 2d ;
barley, 33s 10d ; oats, 23s 7d ; rye, 31s 2d ; beans, 423 9d ;
peas, 38s 2d.
ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.—Wheat, 131,574;
barley, 27,927 ; oats, 11,026 ; rye, 577 ; beans, 7,287 ; peas,
2,379 quarters.