The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-02 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. —(This Day.)

MANSION-HOUSE.

THE ALLEGED LIBEL ON THE LORD MAYOR ELECT (SIB
R. W. CARDIN). —Mr. Thomas Plant Rose, deputy
bridgemaster, and connected with the Fellowship of
Porters, 102, Cox's-terrace, Lower-road, Bermondsey,
appeared in answer to a summons obtained by Alderman
Sir R. W. Carden, M.P. (Lord Mayor elect), charging
him with having attempted to extort money from him
by threatening to print and publish, or offering to abstain
from printing and publishing a certain libel affecting the
said Sir R. W. Carden. The cage arose out of the late
proceedings connected with the election of Lord Mayor,
the money being claimed to abstain from issuing placards
to incite the livery against the return of Alderman Car-
den as Lord Mayor.
Mr. Humphreys appeared for the complainant, and
Mr. Lewis (Ely-place), for the defendant.
Mr. Humphreys said that Sir R. Carden appeared be-
fore his lordship to complain of the defendant's conduct
relative to the late election of Lord Mayor, under a sta-
tute that made it an offence for any one to (directly or
indirectly) attempt what was charged against the defen-
dant. The learned gentleman having detailed the facts
he should prove, said that no other construction could
be put upon the defendant's conduct than that stated in
the summons, because no opposition was offered by the
Livery to the election of the alderman. He then called
the following witnesses, and said that if he proved hie
case he should ask the prisoner to be held to bail to
answer any further charge that mightbe brought against
him.

Mr. Secondary Potter deposed that in the early part
of last week (Wednesday or Thurday) the defendant
called on him. Witness, knowing him, askel him if
there was to be any opposition to Sir R. Carden. He
replied, certainly, that he had been appointed agent by
the publicans or victuallers for that purpose. 4,000/,
or 5,0001. was subscribed, and he was certain that a poll
would be demanded and Sir R. Carden rejected. Wit-
ness said he was sorry to hear it; that was all that
passed between them. Sir R. Carden afterwards called
on witness, and he communicated what had passed
between them to Sir R. Carden.
By Mr. Lewis—The conversation on the subject arose
from his asking Mr. Rose if there was to be an opposi-
tion. Witness bad previously heard a rumour (as was
the usual case) that there was to by an oppooitioa_
Mr. Thorpe, King-street, Cheapside, chairman of the
Navigation Committee—Some days before the election
he saw the defendant in the lobby of the Guildhall, and
had a conversation with him relative to the then pend-
ing election of Lord Mayor. He asked the defendant
if it was probable that Sir Robert would he opposed.
Defendant replied he thought so, as 1,500/. had been
subscribed by the publicans or licensed victuallers, and
that it would take 1,6001. to beat it, but Sir Robert did
not feel disposed to meet it. Defendant expressed
sorrow at such being the case, because Sir Robert was
a very good man, and ought to come in. He after-
wards communicated the conversation to Sir R.
Carden.

By Mr. Lewis—Most likely he commenced the con-
versation, and, in consequence, what followed took place.
He bad had conversations with others as to the sup-
posed opposition to Sr Robert ; be heard it frequently
mentioned, but he did not think he heard that as Sir
Robert was a rich man he ought to spend a little
money.

Alderman Hale deposed that previous to the election
—about a fortnight—he had a conversation with the
defendant about the election ; seeing Mr. Rose at the
Guildhall and knowing he took an interest in the
elections of Lord Mayor he asked him if there was to be
any opposition at the ensuing election, and he replied
there was, because Sir Robert was very obstinate.
Mr. Lewis submitted that the defendant should only
be called on to meet the charge specified in the summons
committed on the 27th September, and not a variety of
charges such as that now deposed to.
The Lord Mayor said he must have the whole of the
evidence first, and decide the case after.
Alderman Hales continued—Rose said there would be
an opposition unless an arrangement was made with him.
He said 2,6001. had been subscribed, and alluded to
the licensed victuallers, who he said were very angry at
Sir Robert's conduct. Witness afterwards communi-
cated the conversation to Sir Robert.
By Mr. Lewis---He had no previous communication
with Alderman Carden before he saw Mr. Rose. Wit-
ness commenced the conversation partly from inqusi-
five motives and partly from a desire not to see a con•
test. Herwas not on that occasion professing to act as
a friend of Sir Robert's. He saw Sir R. Carlon about
three or four days after the conversation. He didn't
think that he asked others about any opposition. He
asked Mr. Rose because he was the person who-generally
conducted the oppositions.
Mr. Deputy Kebble deposed that he saw the defend.
ant previously to the 21st September. Defendant called
on him and said that he had come to know if anything
was likely to be done, and that ho supposed witness
knew the object of his visit. Witness suspected what it
was, and replied that he had nothing to say to him,
because he had not seen Sir R. Carden, but that he was
to see him at half•paet 10 o'clock that day,
and if he would call on him (witness) at 12 o'clock he
aught have something to say to him. Defendant called
at that time, and witness told him he had nothing t 3
say to him then, but that he should see Sir R. Carden
again, and he had better call the next day. Defendant
did not on either occasion say anything about his being
employed in reference to the election. Defendant called
the next day, the 22d, when witness told him he was not
in a position to say anything to him, but that be might be.
At the first interview defendant produced a MS. paper,
which he stated had been sent to a printer by a publican
of high standing. He had called on the printer and
asked to see it. He at first refused, but as it happened
to be a printer who had printed for him for 20 years, he
said to him, "if you don't show it to me you shall never
print another line for me." Upon that the printer pro-
duced the MS , and be snatched it out of his hand and
placed it in his pocket, at which the printer was very
angry. He read the paper.
Mr. Humphreys asked the defendant to produce the
paper. _ _

- Mr. Lewis said he had not got it.
Mr. Humpreys handed the witness a printed placard,
headed, " Who are we to have for Lord Mayor I"
Mr. Deputy Kebble said the MS. he had read was
similar to the first part of the placard produced, but
stopped at that part which stated that Alderman Car-
den's evidence " was offensive to ourselves as men, aid
disgustingly so at regarded our wives and daughters."
The placard has been already published. At the
third and last interview with the defendant,
witness informed him that Sir Robert Carden
would do nothing ;" on that defendant pulled out a
paper, but whether it was the one witness saw before or
not, he could not say, and replied, " this shall be posted
to-night, and Sir Robert is out and no mistake." He
communicated the conversation to Sir Robert.

By Mr. Lewis—No sums of money were men-
tiened—except some reduced sums that were scat-
tered in the hands of licensed victuallers, who
bad subscribed towards an opposition. One he said
resided at Islington, and another elsewhere, but
witness did not recollect them, because he paid no atten-
tion to it, considering it a little bombast on the defen-
dant's part. He was the deputy of Sir Robert's ward
and his friend. Witness bad a conversation with Mr.

Millard, senior Under Sheriff, with reference to the de-
fendant. Before he saw him defendant said to witness

at the first interview that he had been seat to him by
Mr. Millard. He had a conversation with Sir

R. Carden relative to the engagement of Mr.
Rose as an election agent before he had an interview
with him ; Mr. Millard was present with witness and
Sir R. Carden, and they urged on Sir Robert that be
should be employed, to prevent trouble and expense.
Mr. Lewis—What was lie to be employed to do ?
Witness—to pack the hall.
Mr. Lewis—With what ?
Witness—With long-shore men.
Mr. Lewis—What were they to be paid, and was he
to have any remuneration for his services?
Witness—Our proposition went to that extent, but I
believe no sum was named.

Mr. Lewis—May I takeit that Sirß. Cardedconeurrecl
with you and Mr. Millard on the propriety of packing
the hall with long shore-men
Witness—Quite the revere. It was not afterwards
arranged by him and Mr. Millard, in the presence of Sir
R. Carden, to send for Mr. Rose. Witness had only
one interview with Mr. Millard on this subject. After
the first interview with the defendant witness appointed
the subsequent ones. Witness never saw Mr. Millard
afterwards on the matter. Re did not see what was ort
the paper Rose produced at the last interview.
Mr. Lewis—Why did you tell Mr. Rose to come to
you on three successive occasions ?
Witness—That I might in the meantime communicate
with Sir R. Carden.

Mr. Lewis—Did you not state to the defendant that
you had the whole management of the election I
Witness—l can't recollect if I went so far as that.
Mr. Lewis—Had you the management of the elec-
tion ?

Witness—l thought so, but it afterwards turned
out I had not.

Mr. Lewis—When did you discover that ?
Witness—When I thought myself and Mr. Millard
had wrung from Sir Robert a reluctant compliance with
what we wished to carry out. On Monday, 21st Sept.,
witness called on Sir R. Carden, by appointment, when
he repudiated the idea that he had given witness any
authority to enter into an arrangement with Mr. Rose.
In my first interview with the defendant he told himthat;
he thought he had a awl blanche from Sir R. Carden,
but that he then found he was mistaken.
Mr. Lewis—Now, from the first to the last, did yo u
not seek the interview with Mr. Rose
Witness—No, he sought me.
Mr. Lewis—Was it your proposition, as deputy of
the ward, that the hall should be packed
Witness—Yes ; because Sir Robert Carden was
threatened with an opposition.

Mr. Lewis—Then the object was to fill the ball with
men to keep out the voters ?
Witness—No ; because they are voters, and are pi►id
for voting.
Mr. Lewis—Then to have the voters all on one side I
Witness—Yes.

Mr. Lewis at this stage (three o'clock) asked for an
adjournment, on account of his being compelled to leave
the court.

Mr. Humphreys resisted the application.
Mr. Lewis said such a course was usual, and he .tp-
pealed to Sir It. Ca► den not to proceed with the case in
his abseece.

Sir R. Carden—l have nothing to do with the Ca' le.
I leave it in the hands of my solicitor.
Mr. Humphreys—l shall not allow you to interfore
with me in conducting the case. If any odium arises
from this proceeding let it rest entirely on me.
Inspector Mitchell WAS then called, and proved ihe