The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-12 00:00:00

F V fl'vli OCTO ITE R 12. 1857

M fo II A

' present position involve nothing very Lualltival or
' extraordinary.
The capabilities of various regions in various
quarters of the world for the production of cotton
have been placed by these inquiries beyond any
doubt. There are territories without end from
which cotton might be exported, but when it comes
to the point in any particular case it is found that
something or other is wanting to secure a good
and regular amount of production. To understand
this we have only to look to America and observe
the combination of means by which a large expor-
tation of cotton is permanently sustained. The
Southern States possess not merely a favourable
climate—that advantage is shared by many other
regions—but capital, labour, skill, and, above all,
a comprehensive organization of resources re,ult-
ing from years of commercial experience and suc-
cess. The Americans know how to grow cotton, how
to pick it, how to dress it, and how to pack it. Ships
in abundance are ready to carry it from Charleston
to Liverpool, and the whole trade from first to
last has been brought into the best operation by
long practice and good returns. The case is some-
thing like that of the wino trade at Bordeaux or
Dijon. It is possible that other countries may be
capable of producing excellent grapes and excellent
wine—indeed, we frequently observe assertions to
that effect, accompanied by samples of South
African, Australian, or other produce of certified
superiority. But Claret and Burgundy have got
possession of the market ; they are uncommonly
good, the trade is actually established, and if we
went any further it is by no means unlikely that
we should fare rather worse. Just so is it with
the American cotton trade. The cotton coming
from Charleston every year 19 as good as we should
ever get from any place—probably better ; nor is
it at all probable that capital, climate, labour, ex-
perience, and all the ingredients which go to first-
rate production, will ever be much more success-
fully combined than in the Southern States. If, in
short, the supply from these quarters answerel the
demands of our manufacturers as liberally as Claret
and Burgundy answer the inquiries for French
wines, we should be under no necessity—saving
our opinions about slavery—of looking for any now
colt in fields. Here, howeves, ends the analogy
between the two cases. The supply is not equal
to the demand, and is likely to bee )me less equal
than it So the question of the Manchester
people recurs with as much force as ever—What is
to be done ?

It appears to us that if one America is not suffi-
cient, and we want a second, we can hardly do
better than take the first for our model. We know
of scores of spots where the soil and the climate are
as good as in Georgia, and though, perhaps, cotton
of the very best quality is not to be raised every
where, or upon the instant, we have great faith in
the powers of cultivation. But soil and climate
are not enough. Capital, energy, and organization
will be called for still, or we shall gat no cotton to
speak of, and it happens that in none of the coun-
tries otherwise fitted for the purpose in question
are these requisites to be found among the native
possessions. The qualities which enable Ameri-
' cans to send out millions of bales every year are
not discoverable in Hindoos or Borneans, and as
they are not indigenous they must needs be im-
ported. England, in short, must find money, m.-
chinery, and wits, and if these are carried to some
well-selected territory,
where there is good land
and abundant labour, we may soon be able to dis-
miss our alarms about the production of cotton.—
Times.

al.:r.ui„2s9feet ~kizare. The works are to be
pleted in four montis.
The following appointments have been made at
the Admiralty
:
Lieutenants C. E. K. Brett and E. F. Lodder
(additional) to the Vesuvius, fx disposal ; J. B.
Rogers, Second Master, to the Wellington.

YEAI4II7L ACCIDEVT ON THE SOUTH-

WESTERN _RAILWAY.

BASINGSTOKE, SATURDAY.
This morning au accident occurred by the burst-
ing of an engine boiler at the Basingstoke station on
the South-Western Railway, by which two lives
were unfortunately lost.

The up goods train left Southampton station on
Friday night at 9 o'clock, being a quarter of an hour
late. Having a very heavy load, and the wind being
also strong, considerable time was lost, and it did
not arrive at the Basingstoke station until 10 mi-
nutes past 1 o'clock this morning, upwards of an
hour behind its usual time. The engine driver, after
stopping at the first bridge, proceeded on to the
water-tank for the purposa of taking in a fresh sup-
ply of water. The stoker was at the front of the en-
gine, oiling it, and the driver was attending at the
fire. At this moment the internal cylinder of the
boiler burst, and the door of the engine striking
against the poor stoker, he was forced a distance of
40 or 50 3 ards up the line, while the driver was
blown in a contrary direction, and must have gone
a considerable height into the air, inasmuch as ho
was found at the top of the refreshment room, evi-
dently having been caught in the stomach by the
explosion. The poor fellow was discovered in a
frightfully mutilated condition, lying with his face
on the ground, his skull completely clown off, toge-
ther with part of his face. His cap was found some
50 yards further off. The cause of the accident is
perfectly inexplicable. Both the unfortunate men
were exceedingly steady and sober, and had a
thorough knowledge of their business. The engine
was ne trly a new one, and considered perfect in its
construction. Mr. Beattie, the superintendent of
the locomotive department of the line, was tele-
graphed for, and he arrived on the spot two or three
hours afterwards. The names of the deceased are
Reuben Thoroughgood and Henry Farrell. Both
were married men, and the former leaves two chil-
dren.

At 11 o'clock in the morning an inquest was held
at the Queen's Arms public-house, close to the sta-
tion, before Mr. Shebheare, the district coroner.
Mr. Beattie and Mr. Williams, the station-master,
were present, and desirous of affording every infor-
mation to the jury. The proceedings were rendered
much more satisfactory by the fact of one of the
jurymen—Mr. Soper, of Basingstoke—being a
practical engineer.
John Hodgkinson said—l am the foreman of the
locomotive department on the South-Western Rail-
way at Southampton. I see to the repairs of the
engines, and that they are in a fit state to go at the
proper time. The engine which left Nine-elms at
6.15 yesterday morning is numbered 139, and is the
same engine which took up the goods train at 8.45
last night. On the arrival of the train at South-
ampton, as was my duty, I examined the engine
and its machinery, when I found that everything
was right. The engine and machinery were made
by the company's servants, and had been used from
that time to the present day. It was almost a new
engine. Thoroughgood has been in the service of
the company three years ; he was a sober and at-
tentive man. The deceased Farrell has been in the
company's service about the same time as fireman,
and was also a sober, steady man. He has been
employed on the engine that has exploded ever
since it was made, and accompanied Thoroughgood
with the up goods train last night. He had never
made any complaint as to the engine being a bad
one, or that the machinery was in an inefficient
state. I considered that there was a sufficient sup-
ply of water from the appearance of the fusible
plugs that are inserted at the top of the fire-box.
if the boiler had been short of water these plugs
must have given way, as they would have got hot
and melted.

Mr. Soper—ls there not a possibility of those
plugs becoming incandescent ?

Witness—l never knew one. There was no in-
dication of the boiler plates being overheated. I
have known the fireman fur more than 10 years.
Be was a steady, clever man, and capable of work-
ing an engine himself. The proper time for the
train to start is 8.45, but it started some 15 er 16
minutes late. I cannot say exactly what is the
evaporative power of the engine.
Charles Binfield said—l am night porter at the
Basingstoke station. I got upon the van next to the
engine of the up goods train at the arch, and rode
with it down to the station. I asked the driver if he
could take any goods on, and he said he could hardly
get along with what he had got. I then told him to
drive on to the water stand. Thatwasall that passed
between him and me. On reaching the station I got
down. Both Thorougbgood and Farrell were on the
engine together. They made no remark as to
there not being a proper supply of water. They ar-
rived here at ten minutes past 1 o'clock in the
morning. Their proper time was five minutes to
12 o'clock. The explosion took place about ten
minutes after the engine stopped. Both men ap-
peared perfectly sober. I heard no reason what-
ever for their more than usual delay. I did not
hear them blow off at the safety valve. I heard
the explosion. It was just like a sharp clap of
thunder, and fire flew in every direction. Every-
thing was' covered with smoke. I wonder I escaped
as I did. I weld to Mr. Williams, the station-
master. When I came back some one sail, "Here's
oue of the poor men." The body had been blown
a distance of 45 yards from the engine. The train
was about the same as usual ; there were 34 trucks.
They said they were so heavy they could not take
any more on.
Edward Deane, another porter, said—l was at
the station when the up goods train arrived this
morning. I saw Thoroughgood and-Farrell ou the
engine when they came in. They made no remark
about the engine being out of order, nor did they
give any reason for being late. They stopped at
the water column. I heard steam blowing off, but
not so much as I have heard it. Within 10 minutes
I heard the explosion. I heard one of the deceased
call out just before to the guard, "Are you almost
ready, John ? That was all I heard. In company
with the policeman I found the body of the driver..
We searched for the bodies for some time. We had
found one, and at length we thought it was just
possible that the other body might have blown ou
the top of the refreshment room. That was where
we found it. I was putting in a cask and had
placed my lamp on the top of Suddenly it was
blown off ; there was a tremendous explosion, and
the next thing I know about I found myself in the
doorway of the refreshment room. How I came
there Ido not know. It was then we heard the
noise of something falling on the top of the roof,
but we thought it might be bricks.
James Tandy said—l live at Lambeth, and am
foreman of the boiler-makers in the service of the
South-Western Railway Company. I have seen
the engine 139. I superintended the making of
the boiler for that engine. I watch the making of
boilers through all their processes. I tested the
one in question by steam and water pressure. We
turned this boiler out about four or five mouths
ago. She has never been in dock since. I have
examined the plate ; I perceived a rent, but I can-
not say how it came there. I cannot give any ac-
count of the rent. I never saw anything like it
before in the whole course of my life. When I
examined the plate I found it cimpressed and
rented, but I cannot account in any way-for the
compression. The boiler is constructed of the very
best Yorkshire iron, allowed by all engineers to be
the best. My instructions from the company are
to carefully examine every plate that is supplied
to the company, and in order to do that more
effectually I am furnished with a ruaguifying glass.
If I detest the slightest flaw before or after it is
operated upon I am to return it to the makers.
Mr. Soper.—What is the proportion of defective
plates you find out of a quantity ?
Witness—Very few ; indeed in there Yorkshire
plates not more than 3 or 4 per cent.
Mr. Soper—Have you over had occasion to take
out a defective plate.

Witness—Never.
Mr. Soper—When was the last time you saw this
engine ?
Witness—The engines scarcely over came under
my notice except they require repairs, and this one
has never been under my repair. Some boilers
will last from 12 to 15 years.
Mr. Soper—What power do you:suppose this
engine was ?
Witness—l don't know how to calculate the
power of a locomotive engine ; but I should say
about 120-horse power.

Mr. Soper—Have you CDMO to any ccncluition
in your osn mind as to this accident ?
Witness—lu all my experience I never knew
before such an accident. I put the very best ma-
terial into every boiler.

The Coroner—lt seems a mystery.
Mr. Soper—Yes; beciuse more than six inches
of this plate is torn away from the solid material,
Witness—The usual test i 3 1801 b steam on
the square inch, and 300 hydraulic pressure. We
have never had but one boiler burst before on this
I ine while I have been in the company's service, now
,
ten years, and that was not made by the mPany d
Eervahts.

- -
John Smalley said—l was guard of the up goods
SoutLa•npton train last night. We arrived at Ba-
singstoke five minutes after one o'clock. I knew
Thorougligood. and Fatrall well. I have known
them ever since they have been in the company's
.saivice. They both were sober, steady men. I
never saw them drink a glass of ale on the line.
They both seemed perfectly satisfied with the en-
gine. I have been with the former driver of this
engine, and he liked it very much. We were an
hour late. We were 15 minutes behind our time
in starting, and I consider that we lost 'the other
time on the road. It is mostly up hill, and there
was a very strong wind. On arriving at Basing-

stoke T got out of my van and put out ,„,07,-.0
oysters. Thorougligood called out to me, "Is
there anything else, father ?" and I re-
plied, " No, my son." At this moment there was
a terrific noise, like a great cannon going off, and
some+ hing came by me like lightning. I supposed
afterwards it was the body of the driver. The
other poor fellow we found up the line, lying face
downwardq, with his skull blown off, which we
have not b-en able to find. They were both per-
ferfectly sober. The reason, I suppose, why they
refused to take any more tucks was becatFe we
were late, and had to get out of the way of the mail
train.

Mr Beattie, the superintendent of the locomo-
tive department, here intimated that ho should be
happy as far as he was able to give any information
ou the subject.
The jury expressed themselves perfectly satisfied
and said it was clear there could be no blame at-
tachable to the company, and that the deaths of
the unfortunate men must have been caused by
E,.c 3ident.

The inquiry was then terminated by the jury re.
turning a verdict of "Accidentally killed."

PERJURY AND THE 'SCOTCH- PUBLIC:

.HOUSE ACT.

Numerous cases of perjury, committed to conce.'
offeuces, have been brought under public notice
since the passing of the Forbes Mackenzie Act re-
stricting the sale of liquor in Scotland. On Thurs,
d-ty last an extraordinary case of the same crime
being committed, but for a different purpose, viz.,
to procure conviction, was brought before Sheriff
Gordon and a jury at Edinburgh. Two police con-
stables doing duty in plain clothes, named Patrick
Niven and Niel Stewart, who had been for some
time employed in watching houses suspected to sell
liquor without license, and particularly at night
and morning and Sundays, when the licensed houses
were closed, had, instead of merely watching for in-
fractions of the act, entered into a sch,ine with the
wife and sister of Niven to entrap a vegetable dealer
into a sale of spirits, and then, by the women giv-
ing false names in court, and appearing to be un.
connected with the officers, to procure a conviction I
in the police court. It did not appear whether the
constables had any personal motive to gratify or
wished merely to show their vigilance ; nor did it
appear whether they had habitually acted on the
entrapping system. The two constables were charged
with subornation of perjury and the two women
with perjury. Niven and his wife failing to appear
warrants were issued for their apprehension, and
their bail bonds for 601. each were forfeited. Niel
Stewart and Rose Ann Niven pleaded Not Guilty.
It was then proved in evidence that on the night
of Saturday, the 27th of June, the girl Rose had
beeu sent by the constables to the shop of Robert •
Ferguson, vegetable dealer, to ask for whisky (the
evidence was contradictory on the point as to whe-
ther she received it) ; the constables gave informa-
tion to the effect that Ferguson had made an illicit
sale of spirits ; that a charge was issued against
him ; and that on the 7th of July he was con-
victed before Bailie Blackadder in the police
court on the testimony of Rose Ann Niven,
who falsely gave her name as Mary Harrison, and
gave a false address, and who deponed that she had
beer. sent for the whisky by Mrs. Harrison, under
which false name Niven 's wife appeared and corro-
borated her evidence. The officers also supported
this false testimony, and Ferguson was ordained
t o pay a fine of 11. 15s. (the minimum penalty), or
go to prison for four days. The superintendent of
police deponed that his instructions to the consta-
bles employed under the Act were only that they
should watch suspected houses, and that the penalty
of entrapping or getting up cases was instant dis-
missal. The magistrate who tried the case deponed
that but for believing that the women were uncon-
nected with the officers and gave true names he
would not have pronounced for conviction. Mrs.
Ferguson deponed that a few days after the trial
witness went through the whole of the neighbour-
hood to see where the people lived who swore
against her husband, but though she knocked at
every door, she found no persons of the name of
Harrison. Some c'ays later, happening to come
up the Fishmarket-close, in another quarter of the"
Harrison sittii,g at a stair-foot, and the agent she
she saw the girl who had called herself Mary
te 0m71,0
yed discovered what her real name was, and
obtained such information in the case as had led to
the present trial. The jury unanimously found
Neil Stewart "guilty" of subornation of
perjury,
Rose Ann Niven of perjury ; but a large majority
I recommended the latter to the leniency of the
Court, in respect of her youth and the influence
brought to bear upon her. The Sheriff sentenced
Stewart to 18 and Rose Ann Niven to six months'
imprisonment. He at the same time expressed his
perfect satisfaction that the system of entrapping
was one to which the superintendent gave no coun-
tenance whatever.