The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-22 00:00:00

PORTSMOUTH.

A meeting of the members who enrolled their
names for the formation of a rifle corps for the
borough of Portsmouth at a public meeting held
for that purpose in June last was convened at the
Guildhall on Thursday evening for the purpose of
taking such further steps as might seem desirable
for the organising of the corps in pursuance of the
resolutions passed at that meeting.
Mr. H. Ford, Mayor, as win the chair.
The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, observed
that it had now become necessary to take some
more active proceedings in the formation of the
corps, as they had received a communication from
the Secretary of War, through the Lord Lieutenant
of the county, stating " that, as there was no pro-
bability of the formation of an artillery corps in
Hampshire, her Majesty's Government were pre•
pared to accept the services of a volunteer rifle corps."
His worship said that strong objections had been felt
by many to join the corps for two reasons—the first
of which was the uncertainty which prevailed at the
time of their last meeting as to whether they
would ultimately become an artillery or infan-
try corps. The communication from the Govern-
ment to which he had just referred set that ques-
tion at rest, and he hoped would largely increase
their numbers. The other reason to which he refer-
red was the future officering of the corps ; this with
them as with many others had proved a great dif-
ficulty, but, as all the members at the time of entry
would be on a perfect equality, and could elect their
own officers, the remedy lay in their own hands. It
was necessary that they should have some gentle-
man of expee•ience at their head to undertake their
organisation, and he would strongly advise the
members to solicit some gentleman of position and
expeHence to undertake that.duty. He ha i had an
interview with Major-Gen. Sir J. Scarlett, who had
offered his assistance and support ; and he had also
had an interview with Sir D. Cunynghame, who
had served with the 13th Light Dragoons in India,
and was an officer of experience in his profession.
Sir David had stated that he was about to become
a resident among them, and that as a military man
he took great interest in their proceedings, and
should beat up for recruits for them. It was his
(the mayor's) opinion that they should solicit Sir
David to accept the organisation and command of
the corps. He would also urge upon the meeting the
desirability of forming as large a committee as pos-
sible for the purpose of soliciting the subscriptions
and support of the neighbouring gentry, and in-
creasing the numbers on the muster-roll of the
corps. A communication- had been received from
Gosport, and a suggestion thrown out that both the
corps should be under one head, and which, as the
rifle range is on the Gosport side of the harbour,
appeared to be very desirable.
Mr. R. W. FonD had been informed that Mr.
Tennyson, at present residing near Freshwater, had
sent a donation of ,E5O to the rifle corps formino. in
the Isle of Wight, and he trusted the example of
England's Poet Laureate would be followed by
those interested in the formation of the corps, the
gentry residing in the neighbourhood, and all who
were connected with Portsmouth.
Mr. J. J. aster would propose that any smalt
young fellow, with a recommendation from his em-
ployer, should be enrolled a member, and his outfit
paid for out of the funds ; by these means 300 or 400
names at least would be added to their muster roll,
and the intentions of the Government carried out.
It would he a perfect fierce for a town like Portse
mouth, with its 80,000 inhabitants, to muster but
one cumpany strong, and he would urge the neces-
sity of all classes joining the force.
Several other speakers addressed the meeting,
and the following resolutions were passed unani-
mously :
"That Sir David Cunyngliame be solicited to take the
command and organisation of the corps, and that Major-
General Sir James Yorke Scarlett,lk.C.Ba.s,stihstae Lncieeuantendant
Governor, be also solicited to give his
co-
operation.
" That in order to provide the equipment of such as may
wish to join the cores but may be unable to provide th_em-
selves with an outfit, a subscription be set on foot, and an

earnest appeal made to the gentry and inhabitants to raise
a fund for that purpose."
" That the members shall be composed of three classes."
" 1. A donation of £lO, or an annual subscription of £2
shall constitute an honorary member."
" 2.-!An annual subscription of £1 shall constitute an
effective member of the corps, and shall comprise those
members who provide their own outfit."
"3. Shall consist of those members who may join the
corps and receive their outfit out of its funds."
A sub-committee of five members was then ap-
pointed to determine the uniform for the corps, and
its probable cost.
A vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated the
proceedings.

WAKEFIELD ELECTION COMMISSION.

WAKEFIELD, FRIDAY.
The Commissioners resumed their inquiry at 11
o'clock this morning.
Mr. J. Balmforth said—l was engaged in the
election of 1857. I canvassed the town with Mr.
Charlesworth and Mr. George Moore. I never heard
any offer made to a voter. During that election I
did not hear of any voter threatened with such a
thing as loss of custom. There were no corrupt in-
ducements held out. Mr. Charlesworth was one of
the most independent canvassers I ever saw. When
employed I was told by Mr. Charlesworth and the
committee there was to be no bribery. Mr. Charles-
worth said he would not go into the house if there
was to be any bribery. I cannot tell you any mem-
bers of the committee who talked about bribery.
Mr. Charlesworth thought Wood, of Eastmoor, was
going to ask an improper question, and he would
not listen to him. I know Dyson was canvassing in
that election. I swear I have not said that Dyson
did that in 1857 which would have unseated Mr.
Charlesworth if there had been a contest. I believe
the committee told Charlesworth that Dyson was
dangerous, and he was ordered not to canvass.
Mr. Robinson was examined by Mr. Willes. He
said,—Soon after the election of 1857 I and Mr.
Balmforth sat as assessors in Northgate-ward. In
conversation about the election I mentioned that
Dyson, Mr. Charlesworth's agent, and Mr. Brear
had called upon Mr. Senior, the iron-merchant, to
canvass him for his vote ; and that Dyson had of-
fered him an order for iron if he would pledge his
vote for Mr. Charlesworth. When I told Balmforth
of this he replied that the committee had found he
was a dangerous man to canvass, and that he had
done that which would have endangered Mr. Charles-
worth's seat.

Mr. Sergeant Pigott—Now, Mr. Balmforth, is
the evidence you have heard from Mr. Robinson
true ?

Mr. Balmforth—l remember it was something to
the same effect, but the fact is Mr. Robinson's and
not mine. _ _ _

Mr. Willes—Did you say that Dyson had done
something to endanger Mr. Charlesworth's seat ?
Mr. Balmforth—Never ; nothing to that effect.
I concluded that if what Mr. Robinson had told me
were true Dyson would have endangered the seat,
and I might have said so. I thought him a dan-
gerous canvasser. I was aware when the conversa-
tion took place that he had been told not to canvass.
I believe the committee thought he had better not
canvass, as he was an agent of Mr. Charlesworth's,
and I heard that he had treated a voter while can-
vassing him, to a glass of ale. Had taken an active
part in several elections, but had never been party
to any act of bribery in his life.
William Dyson, one of Mr. Charlesworth's agents,
said he had canvassed a little for Mr. Charlesworth
in 1857. Was told by Mr. Charlesworth to desist,
but had no idea for what reason. Had never offered
an order for iron to Mr. Senior, the iron merchant,
toinduce him to vote for Charles worth ; nor had he
said to any voters that if they would vote for Charks-
worth he would bring all Mr. Charlesworth's trade
and custom into Wakefield. To the best of his re-
collection had never treated any voters while can-
vassing in 1857. Took little part in the election of
1859, and was positive he had not offered a farthing
to any elector.
Mr. Dann, corn merchant, once a partner of Mr.
Sandars, the former member, was called and exa-
mined with reference to the elections of 1857 and
1852. He expressed his belief that there was no
bribery at either election. In 1852 a sum of £1,500
or £1,600 was expended by a clerk of his on behalf
of Mr. Sandars, which was afterwards repaid to
the firm ; but he believed the greater part of it went
Ito the lawyers. (Laughter.)
John Wainwright voted for Charlesworth, and re-
ceived £4O for it from Archie Crowther. Was can-
vassed for Leatham by Sharpley, who offered him
£3O for a piece of bacon, but he refused it.
William Fawcett Dodgson, sheriff's officer, said
that after the election he went about with a stranger
to pay bills in the town. The stranger came to wit-
ness's house, and said he understood that he knew
all the public houses in the town. Witness said he
did pretty nearly, whereupon the stranger showed
him a list of about 20 public houses. Witness went
about with him and showed him these public houses,
and received Ll 153. for his services. The stranger
appeared to be a Scotchman, and he paid away
about £5O or £6O.
Joseph Oates, publican, had 49 of Mr. Charles-
worth's colliers billetted on him on the nomination

day. His bill came to bet ween £7 and £B, and it was
paid by two strangers whom he had never seen be-
fore or since. The beef for the men's dinners was
furnished " free gratis" by a neighbouring butcher,
as was supposed, at Mr. Charlesworth's expense.
Thomas Hunter, publican, entertained 100 colliers
on the same occasion. His bill came to £27, which
was paid by two strangers.
John Burnell voted for Leatham, and after the
election Amos Saxon gave his wife £3O. Was can-
vassed by George Moore for Charlesworth, who
brought him a piece of paper, and told him to put
down on it what price he would take ; but hewould
have nothing to say to him. Archie Crowther offered
his wife £BO for his vote.

J. T. Stephenson, a non-elector, said—l canvassed
Tower, the hair-dresser, for Mr. Charlesworth.
Tower gave me to understand that he wanted
money. He quoted the advice of the Quaker to his
son, " Get money, honestly if thou can, but get it."
(Laughter.) He said he had no particular partiality
for either candidate ; but if he went out fishing
and came to two ponds, one with a big fish in it
and the other with a little one, he should tackle
the big one. (Laughter.) I told this to Shaw,
the spirit merchant, who called Tower " a
thief"—(laughter)—but asked me how much he
would take without committing myself. I went
back to Tower and wrote down £lO on a piece
of paper. Tower laughed at me. I wrote
down £2O, he shook his head; I wrote down £3O
and £4O; he said that was no use at all. I asked
him then to write down his own price and he put
it at £6O, when I left him without any further
conversation. (Tower is the man who sold the
hair-brush to Sharpley for £4O, and voted for
Leatham.)
James Tate was bribed to vote for Leatham by
James Scott with £2O. Refused an offer of £4O to
vote for Charlesworth, and an offer of £2O to be
neutral. Was canvassed by Mr. Charlesworth and
Mr. Walker, and the latter said to him, " We have
the power now, and we intend to put the double
screw on ;" by which witness understood that he
would either be ejected from his house or have his
rent doubled if he didn't vote for Charlesworth.
His house was the property of the Wakefield Chari-
ties—of which Mr. Charlesworth was a governor,
and Mr. Walker the agent.
Mr. Richard Smith said—My part in the, last
election was paying Mr. Charlesworth's " roughs."
I paid between £5OO and £6OO for that purpose.
I brought four prizefighters from Manchester. I
didn't hire them as prize-fighters exactly, but as
men who could fight a little. (Laughter.) There
were some hundreds of the " roughs.
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—What was the business of
these gentlemen ?
Mr. Smith—To keep the peace. (Laughter.)
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—Had the peace been broken
much before ?
Mr. Smith—Not that I am aware of.
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—There was no peace after-
wards, I suppose ?
Mr. Smith—Not much. (Laughter.) The prize-
fighters cost me £l2 altogether, and the "roughs"
got about ss. a-day a-piece. I am not a voter for
Wakefield ; but I took a great interest in Mr.
Charlesworth's return, as he was a right good Tory.
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—And you think the Tories
require the support of the " roughs ?"
Mr. Smith—Any candidate who stands for
Wakefield must have such support. The other
side had more " roughs" than we had, though ours
were the batter behaved of the two. (Laughter.)
It was " diamond cut diamond," in fact. I noticed
two strangers about the town during the election
—and very smart strangers they were—but I have
no idea where they came from. I saw them about
wthiethbsf;-eisrtaelr, persons
amongof the committee—Me. Serle,
others. They had evidently
come for business, and no doubt they did it.
(Laughter.) I remember Mr. Sanders declining to
stand for Wakefield, but it was. entirely on account
of ill health. I never heard him say that it was be-
cause Wakefield had cost him £30,000 in ten years.
That was an expression of my own. I know enough
of Mr. Sandars's business to know that if he had
not represented Wakefield he would have made
£2,000 a year more and spent £l,OOO less. That
was what I meant when I spoke so. It was my
doing that Mr. Serle was engaged on our side. I
went to the Leathamites and told them as he was
disengaged they had better engage him, as, of
course, for a good fee he would take either ide,
like all barristers. (Laughter.) I then went back
to our side, and told them that the Leathamites
were thinking of engaging Serle, and that they had
better snap him up at once, as he was a smart,