The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-03 00:00:00

OXFORDSHIRE.

The election for this county took place yesterday.
There was no opposition, and the former members,
the Right Hon. J. W. Henley, Colonel North, and
Mr. Vernon Harcourt, were re-elected. The pro-
ceedings took place in the Town Hall. The High
Sheriff presided.
Mr. J. H. Ashurst proposed the Right Hon. S.
W. Henley.
Mr. J. Lechmere seconded Mr. Henley's nomina-
tion.
Sir 11. Willoughby, M.P., proposed Mr. G. G.
Vernon Harcourt.
Alderman Sadler seconded the nomination.
Sir Henry Lechmere proposed Colonel North.
Colonel Dawkins seconded Colonel North's
nomination.

No other candidate having been proposed,
The High Sheriff immediately declared Mr.
Henley, Mr. Harcourt, and Colonel North duly
elected.

Mr. HENLEY then came forward amid loud
and prolonged cheering. He said—Mr. High
Sheriff and Gentlemen, I have to thank you for the
great kindness with which you have been pleased
to again return me as your representative. (Cheers.)
It is one of the particular merits of your county,
and also of this city, that when they have once
taken gentlemen as their representatives so long as
they run straight the constituencies stick to them.
(Hear, and laughter.) That is the greatest encou-
ragement that any man can have to run straight,
because under such circumstances his doing so
brings with it its own reward. (Hear, hear.) Any
man in my position would have reason to be grate-
ful, and any man in my position should feel quite
unable to express properly the feelings which ani-
mate him. My position has been, perhaps somewhat
peculiar. Sent originally into Parliament as an
ordinary country gentleman, and a man never
hardly having anything to do with London, it has
twice fallen to my lot to have the honour of being
called to the councils of the Sovereign. Twice have
I come before my constituents after having ac-
cepted office; twice have I been generously returned
again after having accepted office, and with, I be-
lieve, the full assent both of those who agreed with
and those who differed from me in politics. (Cheers.)
I believe one and all gave me credit for taking
office from no unworthy motive, but from a feeling
that it was my duty to do so. (Hear, hear.) And,
gentlemen, it is a rule of my life that whenever I
undertake to perform any duty I endeavour to
perform it well. (Cheers.) In the course of the
autumn of last year, as you are well aware, her
Majesty's Government had to consider a very diffi-
cult question ; and it was my misfortune, in the
early part of the year, to be unable to agree with
the provisions of a measure which they felt it to
be their duty to bring before Parliament. The
question to which that measure bad refer.
ence had:long been before the public mind ; succes-
sive Prime Ministers had had to deal with it; and
I believed, whether mistakenly or not, certainly
honestly, that what the country wanted under the
name of reform was some extension of the fran-
chise—(hear, hear, and cheers)—some extension of
the franchise both in counties and boroughs, not a
creation of new, but an extension of old franchises.
(Cheers.) I believed also that they wanted some
redistribution of seats. (Hear, hear.) Well, with
regard to the first of these questions, when I say I
wish to perform anything which I undertake to do
I wish to convey that I always go as far as I think
it right to go, but further I never shall go at any
time. (Cheers.) Now, I thought that the bill
brought in by the Government did not give any
extension of the franchise in boroughs at all, and
that the extension of the franchise in counties was
coupled, so far as I could judge, with such condi-
tions that not only gave no extension of the fran-
chise in boroughs, but was building a wall—saying,
as plainly as could be, that no extension was at any
one time likely to be given. Now, I could not
agree with that. (Hear) Then the provision for
disfranchising all freeholders who happened to
live in boroughs I eonceiyed to be unjust, and

because I conceived it to be unjust I believed
it to be inexpedient. (Hear, hear.) These are
the reasons which made me dissent from the
Government bill. The natural consequence was
that I was obliged to quit the administration ; and
I have now the honour to stand before you, not as
a member of the Government, but as a man who
was a member of the Government, but who could
not remain in the position he held because he could
not conscientiously assent to a measure proposed
by the Government. (Hear, hear.) Here, again,
I believe I am fortunate enough to have the appro-
bation not only of those who agree with, but also
of those who differ from me in general politics ;
because all are of opinion that I have acted through
a purely conscientious motive. (Hear, hear.) Now,
gentlemen, with regard to the question, which is
of very great interest, and which has given us the
honour and pleasure of being here to-day—the
matter which led to the dissolution of Parliament.
I am one of those who thought that, in what must
be admitted to have been a difficulty, involving, as
it did, a change in the organic laws of the country,
it would be an advantage to let the bill go into
committee ; not because it would pass into law, for,
after the discussion that had taken place in the
House of Commons, I do not suppose anybody
thought that possible ; but in order that the dif-
ferent members of Parliament, representing all
sections in Parliament, and representing all, or
very nearly all, opinions out of Parliament, might
be afforded the advantage of having their views
discussed—that their sentiments might be venti-
lated—and that, after a full discussion of all the
arguments brought forward on every side, the
country might be in a better position to form a
matured opinion on the subject. (Hear, hear.) It
appeared to me that if this course were adopted, we
might come to a new Parliament with a better
chance of settling the question ; and I am one of
those who believe that it is desirable this question
should be settled. (Hear.) Other men took a different
view. Whether they were right or I was right, the
bill is gone. (Laughter.) Parliament is gone too. (Re-
newed laughter.) We shall have to meet again, and
I believe we shall not be much more forward when
we do meet again than when we separated. (Cheers
and laughter.) I never pretended to be what is
called a " constitution monger." (Laughter.) I have
not given much attention to it ; but when I saw
great discrepancies in the views of leaders in Par-
liament, and great discrepancies in the views of
those out of Parliament, I confess I would have
been giad of a discussion which would have enabled
us to come before our constituents when they should
have better material to enable them to form their
opinions on the matter. (Hear, hear.) Since then
a question has come up of fearful import to all—
grave
to this country, and graver still I fear to
others. Fortunately, from our insular position
storms may rage sometimes without immediately
reaching us ; but I own that when I see three great
empires, Austria, Russia, and France, all or some of
them contending together against each other, and
when the question of liberty is raised between three
despots, I think liberty will stand a very ugly
chance. (Hear, and laughter.) Ido not think it
much matters who gets the upper hand. I believe
no country ever wins its liberties by the sword of
other countries. (Hear, hear.) People must get
liberty for themselves. Countries know their own
wants ; they know where the shoe pinches ; and if
other parties go to ease the shoe, they make it
perhaps pinch worse somewhere else. (Laughter,
and cheers.) I confess, when I see that the Emperor
of the French has put down everything like liberty
at home, and when I see him sending French soldiers
to snuff out all the liberties of Rome, I am not very
sanguine—l hope I may be disappointed—of the
liberty which he will set up in Italy. (Hear,
hear.) Under these circumstances it is to be hoped
—and it appears, as far as I can judge from what
has passed at public meetings, that all leading men
of this country, of whatever side they may be,
whatever may be their opinions on other subjects,
are of the same opinion—that this country will, if
possible, keep out of the squabble. Our part is to
look on, and if by friendly offices we can do good to
try and do it, but, as far as possible, not to meddle
in the quarrel. (Hear, hear.) But when I express a
hope that this will be our course I must not be too
sanguine. Englishmen, if they see a fight going on,
are very apt to pull off their gloves, and get into it
one way or another. (Laughter.) If they see one
party weak they are unfortunately apt to say, " You
should not hit that fellow when he is down. (Renewed
langhter.) I hope we shall have discretion enough
to keep out of it ; but I hope also that any Govern-
ment which may be in power will take care to keep
the resources of this country well supplied, and to
keep our forces in hand ready for anything.
(Cheers.) Nevertheless, it occasionally happens
that parties quarrelling hit their neighbour a punch
in the face ; sometimes if he does not interfere, and
at other times if he does. (Cheers and laughter.)
Therefore we should be ready, and while doing all
in our power to keep out of the scrape observe at
the same time a maxim of the olden time, and keep
our powder dry. (Cheers.) When hundreds and
thousands of men are in arms, when great and
powerful fleets are got together, and when they are
acquiring all the skill which practice in war can
give them, it doubly behoves us to take care that
our fleet is in good order, and that we should be
strong enough not merely to meet this country or
that country, but, as we have done before, to meet
them altogether. We have met them altogether,
and we have been successful in the strife. (Cheers.)
If a strife ever should come on—which God forbid
—if we should have to enter into one in a just
cause, I hope the God of Battles will do what He
did before—bring us victorious and triumphant
through our struggle. (Great cheering.) The right
hon. gentleman concluded by again thanking the
electors.

Mr. HARCOURT expressed his gratitude to the
electors for having allowed him to represent them
for so many years, on the principle of liberty, the
principle of exercising his own judgment.
Colonel NORTH then returned thanks.

On the motion of Mr. HENLEY, seconded by Mr.
HARCOURT, a vote of thanks was passed to the
High Sheriff, and the proceedings terminated.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.—May 2.

The May General Sessions of the Peace for the
county of Middlesex commenced this morning at
Clerkenwell, before Mr. Pashley, Q.C., Assistant-
Judge ; Mr. Creasy, deputy, and the following
justices were present :—Dr. B,at3ema.n,ll\vloro.lHseoy,,,a3rtilri.
Mr. Cox, Mr. Gould, Mr. 08. B
Beetham, Mr. A. Ballantine, Sir J. Tyler, Mr. 11.
sHh.eaHda, rAwiro.odivA.lrp..Wßhoitdek,iMr.n, M Pro.
Woodward, wnall, Mrs Kem
, Mr.-
Burslem, Mr. Bashford, &c.
There were 72 prisoners for trial,—viz 64 for
felony and eight for misdemeanour.
The Assistant-Judge briefly charged the grand
jury.
James Kett, 34, was indicted for having stolen
two mares, the property of Alfred Hall.
Mr. Smith appeared for the prosecution ; Mr.
Orridge was for the prisoner.
The theft charged against the prisoner was com-
mitted on the 19th of April, the animals being
stolen from a field near Bow. The evidence proved
that the prisoner was the person who committed
the act, but it appeared from a statement by Mr.
Smiles, of the House of Detention, that when
he was committed to that prison on the charge he
was suffering from delirium tremens, and was not
accountable for his actions, and that at the present
time he was not of sound mind.
The jury found the prisoner Not Guilty on the
ground of insanity, and he was ordered by the Court
to be kept is custody during her Majesty's plea-
sure.
James Graves, 65, pleaded Guilty to two charges
of pocket picking, stealing a gold inkstand from
the person of George King, and a cardcase from the
person of Charles William Hamilton Sotherley,
during the celebration of a marriage at St. James's
Church, Piccadilly.
He was sentenced to hard labour for one year.
Michael Macmanus, 18, was tried and found
guilty on a charge of stealing a gold watch, value
£9, the property of William Carter, from his per-
son,
during
theth eW wrestlingt e
Lion
nn
nod
Grounds, at Hackney Friday.
had Wick,
been previously convicted, and the Court He
sentenced
him to t h
Robinson,re e years
' penall was
servitude.
tdui de
teed for staling a
peso
.
George
gold watch, value £lO, from the e
young
lady named Ellen This Miller. rubrbenryofwanscmu_
mitted upon the pro • secutrix as she was crossing
the Holborn end of Chancery-lane. She detected
the act, seized the • prisoner on the spot, and gave
him in charge.
He passed the watch, and went on
his knees and begged forgiveness.
The jury found him guilty. Nothing of his
previous character was known.
The Assistant-Judge sentenced him to 15 months'
hard labour.
William Clements, 18, George Tester, 20, and
Henry Robinson, 22, were severally convicted of
defrauding recruiting-sergeants of " the shilling,"
after they had been declared unfit for her Majesty's
service on prior enlistment. Clements was sen-
tenced to six, and Tester and Robinson each to four
months' hard labour.
A number of cases of larceny of no interest were
disposed of in the Second Court.

PROPOSED RIFLE CORI'S AT PORTSMOUTIL—At
the quarterly meeting of the Portsmouth Town Council,
held yesterday, the following resolution was proposed and
unanimously agreed to :—" T i hat n the opinion of this
council it is desirable to establish a volunteer rifle corps
within the limits of the borough of Portsmouth, and that
the Town Council be requested to communicate with the
proper authorities, asking for the necessary assistance,"

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-3lay 2.

MANSION-HOUSE.—lsaac Batten, conductor,
and William Woodruffe, driver, of a Bayswater
omnibus belonging to the London Genera) Omni-
bus Company, were summoned for misbehaviour
upon the complaint of Mrs. Emily Tripp.
Mr. Stevens Tripp, solicitor, of 2, Danes-inn,
who appeared to conduct the case, said the com-
plainant was his wife, but nevertheless he had
taken proceedings solely on public grounds, as the
misbehaviour with which the defendants, or, at all
events, one of them, were charged was so gross,
that if it were to be generally permitted it would
be impossible for respectable females to travel in
omnibuses unless they had gentlemen to protect
them. On the Thursday preceding Good Friday
the complainant, with her mother and a little girl,
got into the defendants' omnibus for the purpose of
being conveyed to the London-bridge Railway
Station, but before the omnibus reached London-
bridge the defendants told the complainant, her
mother and child, as well as three other ladies who
were in the vehicle, that they must get out, and
upon their refusing to do so the conductor told
them they must stay there all night, while the
omnibus was drawn into Arthur-street, and it was
only after being surrounded by a mob and being
grossly insulted by the conductor that the defen-
dants, upon the remonstrance of a policeman, at
last proceeded to their destination, where the com-
plainant only arrived just in time to save the train,
and after he (Mr. Tripp) had been waiting for
twenty-five minutes. Since the affair every apology
had been made, and he had been importuned not to
press the case, but he felt bound to do so on public
grounds.
Evidence in corroboration of the above statemen
having been given,
The Lord Mayor said the public must be protected
while travelling in omnibuses, and much praise was
due to the complainant for the manner in which
she had acted in thus bringing the case before the
court. It was his duty to revoke the license of the
conductor and to sentence him to a fine of £3 or
imprisonment for six weeks ; whilst the driver,
whose conduct was only wrong in stopping before
he reached his destination, must pay 20s.
The fines were paid, and the conductor's license
at once revoked.

THE LATE SUSPECTED MURDER AT

BRISTOL.

BRISTOL, MAY 2•

The adjourned inquest on the body of Mr. W.
James Butler, wholesale stationer, which was found
under circumstances leading to the belief that he
had been murdered, was resumed this day at the
Infirmary before the City Coroner, J. B. Grindont
Esq., and excited a great deal of interest.
The girl Harriet Evans, who was found, it will
be remembered, in the act of robbing the corpse,
was again present in custody. The evidence as to
cries of " Murder" having been heard by a custom-
house officer on duty on the quay on Wednesday
night was followed by that of a man named Wm.
Bruton, a waiter at the Swan Inn, Broad-street,
who had waited on the deceased at that inn almost
immediately before his decease. The most impor-
tant part of his evidence was that when the de"
ceased paid him for his luncheon and for some re-
freshments he had had, he observed that he had
gold in his purse. Witness last saw him to notice
him at about half-past 11 o'clock at night, but did
not see him quit the inn, Mr. Cox, of the Union-
cellar, Union-street, deposed that at a quarter past
one o'clock, just before the body was found by the
police, he passed through Hort•street, and of course
was close to Z-alley. He observed one or two per-
sons near the spot, but did not observe anything
particular, or hear any cries or sounds of persons
scuffling. There being no other witness present,
the coroner said he proposed to hear from the girl
Evans any statement which she might wish to make
in explanation of her position. Harriet Evans was
then cautioned in the usual way against saying
anything which might criminate herself, and 5110
made a statement in which she denied all knowledge
of the manner in which the deceased came by big
death. She said she had herself been drinking'
and on going down the steps from Hort-street into
Z-alley she saw a man lying on the ground, as she
supposed, drunk and asleep. She took up his
umbrella, pushed him with it, and tried to arouse,
him ; and as he did not answer her she put her hail"
in his pocket and pulled out his purse and some
halfpence. She had scarcely done so ere the
policeman was upon her.
The Coroner inquired whether the police had dig'
covered any evidence calculated to throw further,
light on this mysterious affair, and being answered
in the negative he proceeded to sum up the 01;
dence, after which the jury found, "That decease"
was found dead in Z-alley, having dislocated the
third vertebra of the spine."
There is a rumour that since the inquest the
police have discovered further evidence, but I can"
not trace it to any authentic source.