The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-05 00:00:00

ILECTION COMMITTEE—This Day.

NOT TINGHM.
The committee reassembled thisAmorning, and the evi-
dence against the petitioner was resumed.
The Chairman said that he was desired by the committee
to express a hope that both in examination in chief and in
cross-examination counsel would confine their questions to
What was relevant to the inquiry ; and he stated that on
both sides much that was irrelevant had been introduced.
George Greasley, the first witness called, eaid that he
'was a sheriff's officer, and was at Nottingham on the
nomination day. He knew a man named Houghton, who
had been very active during the day in annoying several
Persons. He saw him speak to Sir Robert Clifton, and he
quoted some poetry and kept annoying him several times.
Atlast he doubled his hand and put it into Sir Robert's face.
Some time afterwards Houghton and others began to shout
When Sir Robert commenced addressingthe people. He also
made violent gestures at Sir Robert, and used the most
offensive language. Some of the mob shouted out to Sir
Robert "Pay your debts," and made other insulting re-
marks. On the day of election he was employed officially
at Nottingham, and saw that in several of the polling-
places the voters of Sir Robert Clifton could n2t get ad-
mission. In one instance he saw a man in the crowd
make a signal to another who was preventing the passage
of the other voters, and heard him cry out "It is all right,"
pointing to some other men, who were immediately ad-
mitted. He had received instructions on the morning of
the polling-day to prevent any obstruction being
thrown in the way of voters. He endeavoured to carry
out his orders, but completely failed. He knew that Sir
Robert had frequently complained during the day that his
voters were prevented from getting into the polling booths.
He saw Sir Robert frequently during the day, but did not
hear him say anything inflammatory.
This witness was cross-examined, but nothing material
Was elicited. He stated, in reply to the chairman, that he
heard Sir Robert Clifton say that " the passage must be
kept," but he used no threat.
Joseph Hidington said that he had been the chief con-
stable of police at Nottingham during the last election.
Previous to the 26th of June he had received information
Which induced him to communicate with the mayor in
order to preserve the peace during the election. He also
communicated with Sir Robert Clifton, and went several
times to his committee room, but without success. The
Witness then proceeded to describe the state of Nottingham
on the days of nomination and election, and corroborated
Portions of the eNidenee of Mr. Robert Clifton and other
Witnesses examined yesterday.
Some further evidence to the same effect was given.
The committee will meet to-morrow.

THE HACKNEY-ROAD OUTRAGE.—Yesterday an
inquiry was held by Mr. Richards, deputy coroner,
at the London Hospital, relative to the death of Mrs.
Elizabeth Moretti, aged 21. Inspector Charles Webster, N
Division, said that the deceased was the wife of an Italian,
Who carried on business as a confectioner at No. 105'
hackney-road. On the morning of the 9th of May last
Witness was called to the house in question, and he en-
tered by the back door. He found traces of blood in the
shop, and went upstairs to the bedroom. He there saw
Francesco Moretti, the husband of the deceased, lying un-
dressed in the bed, with a fearful wound in the throat.
The room showed that a dreadful struggle had taken place;
blood was splashed about in all directions. Under the bed-
clothes, which were on the floor, witness found a razor and
a large table-knife, both covered with blood. He then
went to No. 103, Hackney-road, and there he saw the de-
ceased, wrapped in a blanket, her only covering, and her
throat was cut. She made her escape naked from No. 105,
and streaming with blood, by getting out of a window on a
water-cistern. The witness called in Dr. G. Haycock, who
ordered both husband and wife to be carried to the Lon-
don Hospital. On the 13th of July the husband was
tried at the Central Criminal Court for the attempted
Murder of the deceased, and she then swore, in his
Presence, that he had cut her throat. The jury acquitted
him on the ground of insanity, and he was ordered to be
kept in custody during her Majesty's pleasure. He is now
confined in Broadmoor Asylum, Berkshire. Mary Ana
Smith, 11, Great Cambridge street, Shoreditch, sister of the
deceased, said that Mrs. Moretti left the London Hospital,
and was re-admitted twice since she received her injuries.
She lived for a time on her means, but being unable to do
anything in consequence of the wound in her throat she
was dependent on witness. She lost spirit and did not seem
to care what became of her. On Good Friday her difficulty
of breathing was so great that witness advised her to go into
the hospital again. She was unwilling to go at first, saying
that she wanted to see the summer. In the evening she
was compelled to go to the hospital, and she died there the
next day. Mr. James Rogers, resident medical officer at
the London Hospital, said that deceased was admitted on
Good Friday evening suffering from extreme difficulty of
11
breathing. She died on Saturday. Her death was caused
,Y
heiDncea, resulting from the wound inflicted in her throat.
jury returned a verdict " That Elizabeth Moretti died
fro m aPncoa, arising from a wound inflicted on her throat
on
the
the said Francesco Moretti being at the time in a
state of unsound mind."