The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-22 00:00:00

THE StIN, L'ONDON, MONDAY Eir JULY 22, 1861.

farther lines, whose construction will depend on
the success of the parent line, and will gra-
dually lessen the distance between the Mediter-
ranean and the Persian Gulf. Thus be would ex-
tend his works by degrees along the valley of the
river by Phumsah, the ancient Thapsacus, cross
thence into Mesopotamia, working down the valley
by Annah and Hit to the environs of Bagdad, and
thence, by Babylon and Hillab, to the point where
the Tigris and the Euphrates join at Kurnah, and
the united stream becomes deep enough for steamers
of the largest size. Other branches, too, might top
the Persian Gulf at Schenster, or at Bussorah,
where the trade is extensive, and the accommoda.
tion for ships of large tonnage already ample.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH

COAST RAILWAY.

The report of the directors, to be submitted to the
meeting of the proprietors on Friday next, states that
the amount of capital raised to 30th June, 1861, is
£10,069,926, consisting ofordinary stock £4,620,000;
preferential stock and shares, £3,083,577 ; mort-
gage debt, £1,614,715; debenture stock, £751,634;
total, £10,069,926. The amount of capital ex-
pended during the half-year has been £252,110, of
which full particulars appear in the capital account
annexed. The gross revenue for the half-year has
been £421,379, showing an increase of £30,768 over
that of the correspondinghalf-yearoflB6o, in which
last-named period a special credit of £7,901 appeared,
consisting of old balances as explained in the report
of that half-year. Of this increase of £14,674 arises
in the goods and the remainder in the coaching
traffic. The weather during the early portion
of 1861 was most unfavourable ; still the de-
velopment of traffic caused by the opening of
the Victoria station has produced results which
afford satisfactory proof that the large expendi-
ture involved in this new undertaking has already
become remunerative. Distinguishing the ordinary
expenses from the amount expended in renewals,
the general result of the comparison with the cor-
responding half-year of 1860 stands thus :—Ordi-
nary expenses, 1860, £167,699; 1861, £183,108 ;
renewals,lB6o, £16,358; 1861, £16,401 ;'total work-
ing expenses and renewals, 1860, £185,057 ; 1861,
£194,509 ; per train per mile, 1860, 3s. 0 d. ; 1861,
3s. Old.; per cent. on traffic receipts, 1860, 471; 1861,
47. The increase in the ordinary expenditure arises
from the extension of the company's system and the
additional serviee thereby entailed, which has
produced its attendant expenses both in working
and in taxation. The repairs and renewals in the
locomotive department have caused a heavy ex-
penditure during the past half-year. The
period is also approaching when several of
the engines built between 1844 and 1848 will
become unfit for profitable use, in anticipation of
which, thirteen engines, forming at present an ad-
dition to the stock, have, as stated in several pre-
vious reports, been built and paid for out of re-
venue, and will come in aid of the replacements
which will shortly be called for. There has been a
considerable increase in the charge for interest on
preferential capital, arising chiefly from the fact
that interest on the entire outlay in respect of the
Victoria station and its works has become a
debit against revenue for :the whole of the half-
year. Although the traffic resulting from
so important a metropolitan terminus has
only been partially developed, the increase arising
from this source has already produced an adequate
return on the expenditure, while a further augmen-
tation of income may be reasonably expected. The
works of West London Extension Railway 'are in
a forward state, and the contractor promises to com-
plete them by the end of the year.' In any case the
line will be opened in the early part of next year.
affording a ready access, by means of the Kensing-
ton station, for passengers from all parts of this
company's railway to the Great Exhibition of 1862 ;
while the permanent advantages attending a con-
nection with all the northern lines of railway will
be apparent. The board are pressing forward the
works on the Croydon and Balham line, which
they hope to see completed at an early day; by this
route a saving of nearly a quarter of an hour in the
running of all the main line trains to and from the
Victoria station will be effected, and the working
of the constantly increasing local traffic on the West-
end and Crystal Palace line much facilitated. The
attention of the directors is now given to the con-
struction of the line from the Mid-Sussex Railway at
Pulborough to Arundel, Ford, and Littlehampton,
which will soon be in active operation. When com-
pleted; it will, in connection with the Croydon and
Balham line, enable the traffic to Chichester, Ports-
mouth, and the Isle of Wight to be carried on in a
very expeditious manner; as this new route will
effect a saving of nearly 13 miles. The only bill
prosecuted during the present session of Parliament,
which affected the interests of this company, was
ono by which the London, Chatham, and Dover
Railway Company attempted to obtain compulsory
powers, obliging this company to forward their
traffic to and from all parts of this railway, and en-
abling them to form ajunetion with this company's
West-end line at a crowded part, and, as the di-
rectors considered, in a manner calculated to pre-
judice the public safety. The proprietors will be
pleased to learn that the committee of the House of
Commons refused to grant such powers. The net
amount at the eredit of the revenue account is
£116,656, out of which the directors recommend
the payment of a dividend of 21 per cent. for the
half-year amounting to £114,500, leaving a balance
to the credit of the current half-year of £1,156.

11 subsequent elections not more than ten had seen
tidniitted, thotigh the number of applicants on each
occasion averaged 115. On those facts Mr. Moore
argued that there is room for at least another insti-
tution of this kind in the metropolis, and for half
a dozen more in the provinces. He spoke in high
terms of the progressive improvement in the treat-
ment of poor persons afflicted with incurable diseases,
in the City of London 'Union in particular, and
others, and of the aid rendered by the Workhouse
Visiting Society. He expressed his belief that
many of the unfortunate creatures who applied in
vain for admission to the Loyal Hospital had after-
wards been driven to despair, and had died of actual
starvation. A rule obtained at the Royal Hospital
that every applicant for admission was to be visited
at his or her own home before election to the founda-
tion ; and Mr. Moore dwelt with natural pathos
upon the painful and lasting impression which those
visits had left on his mind, revealing as they did
inconceivable scenes and incidents of wretched- •
ness, especially in the cases of persons—and there
were many—who in the ley-day of life had lived in
comfort and even in afiluence. Nothing in the
whole course of his life had affected him more. He
added that it had pleased God to place him in a
position to do good, and he desired to do good.
For those reasons his sympathies would always be
riveted to the Royal Hospital, though, for reasons
which he gave, he had teen constrained to retire
from its board ormanageraent. He spoke at some
further length in favour of the project for establish-
ing another institution of the kind, and then
seconded the motion of Mr. Bevan, which was car-
ried unanimously. Dr. Brady, M.P., also bore
testimony on his experience as a medical man to the
necessity of such an institution, as did also Dr.
Stewart, the latter of whom suggesting at the same
time a name for it less alarming to patients than
the one proposed. On 4Le motion of Colonel Cust,
a series of rules, carefully prepared by a committee
of upwards of 20 gentlemen, for the government of
the Home,'was adopted. The Marquis Townshend
was appointed President; the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, the Lord Mayor, the Bishops of London
and Winchester, the Duke of Buccleuch, and other
noblemen and gentlemen were nominated vice-
presidents; the Lord Mayor and Colonel Cust,
treasurers ; and Messrs. James Peek, George Moore,
Charles Hood, and John Osborne trustees. A care-
fully selected board of management was also ap-
pointed. Donations to the amount of £1,400 and
£575 in annual subscriptions were announced at the
close of the proceedings, and that there was a sum
at the bankers of £1,653 odd. On the motion of
Lord , Raynham, the thanks of the meeting were
voted to the Lord Mayor, for granting the use of
the Mansion-house and presiding on the occasion.

AgSTZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORFOLK ClRCUlT.—CarannimE, JULY 20.

The judges arrited in this town yesterday, and
having opened the commission and attended divine
service, this morning proceeded to dispose of the
business of the assize,

There were six prisoners and three causes for trial.
In the case of Augustus Hilton, the man charged
with the wilful murder of his wife at Parson Drove,
in the Isle of Ely, it will be remembered the trial
was postponed from the last assizes on the applica-
tion of the prisoner's counsel, in order that evidence
might be obtained as to the prisoner's state of mind,
a proceeding desired by his friends, and not at all
by the wish of the unhappy man. The delay being
granted, the prisoner at once expressed his disap-
pointment and regret at the trial not proceeding,
and has since done so repeatedly to the gaol autho-
rities. With regard to any defence he also expressed
his firm and unalterable determination to plead
guilty to the charge. This was communicated to
his counsel, also to the learned Judge, and the pri-
soner was brought into the dock to plead with the
other prisoners. His lordship, however, humanely
ordered that he should be removed till Monday, the
day fixed for trial, in order that he might have fur-
ther time for reflection upon the course he was pur-
suing, feeling, as may be imagined, a strong reluct-
ance to receive a plea of guilty upon such a charge,
for upon the plea being recorded sentence of death
must be passed, and the law take its course.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—YORK, JULY 20.
(Before Mr. Baron Martin and a Special Jury.)

THE QUEEN V. 3. C. D. CHARLESWORTH-THE WAKE-

FIELD BRIBERY PROSECUTIONS.

The Attorney-General (Sir Wm. Atherton), Mr.
Monk, Q.C., Mr. Overend, Q.C., Mr. Cleasby, Q.C.,
and Mr. West, were counsel for the Crown ; Sir F.
Kelly, Q.C., Mr. Mellish, Q,C., and Mr. Maule
were for the defendant.

This was a criminal information filed by the At-
torney-General against J. C. D. Charlesworth, for
certain acts of bribery committed by him at the
Parliamentary election at Wakefield in April, 1859.
To these charges the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The Attorney-General having stated the case for
the prosecution, called the following evidence:—
Mr. J. P. Naylor produced the writ for the elec.
tibn of a member for the borough of Wakefield in
1859. He also produced the poll books.
Mr. James Whithorn, town clerk of Wakefield,
stated that in April, 1859, Mr. S. B. Harrison was
elected auditor for the borough. He spoke of the
writ being received for the election at Wakefield,
and the publishing of the notice for that election.
The candidates were Mr. Charlesworth and Mr.
Leatham. There were 952 electors on the register at
the time. The result of the poll was the election of
Mr. Leatham, the numbers being for him 406, and
for Mr. Charlesworth 403. The election expenses of
Mr. Charlesworth were returned at £634.
Mr. R. V. B. Davison said be was a banker at
Leeds. In April, 1859, Mr. J. B. Charlesworth gave
him a letter, accompanied with a debenture on the
Stockton and Darlington Railway. An account was
then opened with Mr. Charlesworth, and he with-
drew several sums from the bank. On the 16th and
23d April he got out £l,OOO on each occasion. On
the 22d April, £1,500; on the 29th, £500; on the
3d May, £250 ; and on the sth May, £5OO.
Mr. J. B. Charlesworth was the next witness, and
a free pardon having been handed to him from the
Crown, he having received no certificate from the
commissioners, he proceeded to give evidence. He
said that on . the 9th April he had a conversation
with Mr. Fernandez relative to the state of the
election. After that conversation he saw the
defendant, and communicated to him the result.
When he saw Mr. Fernandez he told•
him that there would be preliminary expenses
connected with the election for runners; watchers,
and obtaining the show of hands on the nomination
day. He informed the defendant, who said that
these expenses might be paid. On the 27th April
he paid £1,500 to Mr. Fernandez, not in the com-
mittee room, but in a private room, at the Stratford
Arms, Nobody was present but himself and Mr.
Fernandez. He talked to Mr. Fernandez about the
election, and he informed him that they were paying
large sums for voters on the other side, and that it
must be counteracted. On the 29th of April he
went to the bank for money at the request of Mr.
Fernandez. Did not ask Mr. Fernandez how the
money had been expended. Did not say anything
to him about its being a large sum of money. On
the 3d of May he applied for another sum, no doubt
at the direction of Mr. Fernandez; but on the sth
of May he withdrew money for himself to meet any
expenses that might have been incurred. The total
amount he took out of the bank was £4,754, of
which sum £3,750 was paid over to Mr. Fernandez,
who was not asked to render any account of these
Moneys. The defendant never required an account,
and none was rendered to him. After the election
he told the defendant that a great deal of money
had been expended, when he said that he' did not
' want to talk about it then, but would converse upon
• it at some other time. The petition against the
election was then going on. At a dinner held about
three weeks previous to the election the defendant
said that he would not be one to bribe at the elec-
tion, and he would rather retire from the contest
than be guilty of any corrupt practices.
Cross-examined—With respect to the £1,500, it
was wanted to meet expenses previous to the elec-
tion. There was no idea that a'single farthing of
this money would go to bribing the voters. It was
expected that there was then a majority of 60 in
favour of Mr. Charlesworth, and of course there
was then no idea of bribing. When he gave the
£1,500 to Mr. Fernandez previous to the election
the notion of bribery was not entertained. He was
to go no further than £1,500 in drawing from the
bank, as far as the defendant was concerned. No
portion of the £1,500 was applied, or ever was
intended to be applied, for the purposes of bribery.
Mr. J. L. Fernandez, on being sworn, said he
remembered the election at Wakefield in 1859. At
that time he was residing at Wakefield, and was
carrying on the business of a corn merchant in that
town. He was well acquainted with defendant, who
was a candidate at that election, and had known him
for many years. He had taken an active part in
the parliamentary and municipal elections of the
borough, and took the same side in politics as Mr.
Charlesworth. He took an active part in the election
of 1859, and canvassed for Mr. Charlesworth. He
knew Mr. Charlesworth's cousin well, and some
short time before the election had some communica-
tion with him in reference to money. Mr. Fernan-
Gz here stated that he should like to address a few
remarks to his lordship in reference to the course he
had thought it right to pursue at the last assizes.
He then refused to give evidence, on the ground
that he should be doing that if he consented which
would tend to criminate himself. He still held to
that objection, and thought that he ought not to bo
called upon to state that which might criminate him,
as he had always understood that any and every
witness ought to be protected. He deemed the sen-
tence he had received at the last assizes as one of a
most harsh and severe character. Since that period
he had applied to the superior courts to get the de-
cision of Mr. Justice Hill reversed, but he regretted
to say that in consequence of the form of proceeding
it was impossible that this case could be argued
upon its merits. The law as applied to his case was
not at all in a satisfactory or convenient state, and
he begged now most respectfully to renew the ob-
jection which he made on the last occasion. The
course taken was of a vindictive charecter when he
was examined before the commissioners. He felt
himself in peril at that time and also at the last
assizes; but now he felt himself in greater peril
than ever, notwithstanding the certificate which
had been given to him by the commissioners. That
certificate was impounded at the last assizes, and
was still withheld from him. Should his lord-
ship consider that he was bound to answer he must
bow to that decision, but at the same time he hoped
his lordship would properly protect him in the mat-
ter.

- Mr. Baron Martin said it was his duty, to inform
Mr. Fernandez that what he did at the last assizes
had come before the three courts at Westminster-
hall, and all the judges had decided that he was
bound to answer the questions put to him. He
assured Mr. Fernandez that he was in no peril what-
ever, and was quite free from all penalties.
The certificate which had been impounded was
handed to Mr. Fernandez, when his examination
was continued. He stated that he had had some
conversation with Mr. Charlesworth upon the
subject of money for the election. He told Mr. S.
B. Charlesworth that from £l,OOO to £1,500 would
be required preliminary to the election. Witness
spoke to sums which ho had received and paid for
the purposes of the election.
Cross-examined—Had had no communication
with the defendant as to how the money should be
applied and expended. There was a majority of
60 upon the canvas, and bribery was not thought
of. None of the £1,500 was applied in obtaining
the votes of the electors. No bribery was men-
tioned until Brear came to him three or four days
before the election; £1,200 or £1,500 was for pre-
liminary expenses to gain the majority upon the
show of hands' for watchers and runners who were
non-electors. He believed that the sum 'of £1,035
was paid by him to Holder to meet the expenses of
the watchers and the runners. The defendant was
not aware how the money was expended: .1.-ie•can-
vassed with the defendant, who had no idea of
being guilty of bribery. if he had mentioned the
subject whilst on the canvass, he was sure Mr.
Charlesworth would not have approved of any such
proposition. Mr. Charlesworth was innocent of any
charge of • bribery brought against him. I knew
that we had a majority of 60 on the canvas, and at
A dinner I heard M. Charlesworth say, that he 1111"