The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-15 00:00:00

COURT OF ALDERMEN.
(THIS DAY.)
A special Court of Aldermen was held this day in
be Guildhall, for the purpose of receiving the return
from the ward of Portsoken, and tendering the oaths to
Mr. David Salomons, the recently-elected Alderman for
that ward. The hour fixed for opening the Court was
twelve for one, but long before that hour the avenues
and approaches to the Court were crowded to excess by
respectably-dressed persons, the majority of whom ap-
peared to be of the Hebrew descent. The proceedings
appeared to excite the greatest interest in the City. At
one o'clock precisely the Lord Mayor took the chair, and
the names of the Aldermen having been called over, the
minutes of the former Court were read.
THE ADDRESS TO THE RING OF THE FRENCH.
On that portion of the minutes being read which re-
lated to the presentation of the address of the Court to
the King of the French,
Mr. Alderman Wlesost asked the Sheriffs if the ad-
dress had been presented ?
Mr. Sheriff SYDNEY replied that the address had been
presented.
Mr. Alderman WILSON asked why the Court bad not
been summoned to present the address ? Not only had
the Court not been summoned, but one of thu members
of the Court, who was then present, had been positively
told that if he attempted to attend with the deputation,
he should be given into custody.—(Hear, and a laugh.)
It was time that the rights of the Court should be ascer-
tained, and that it should be known whether it was an
independent Court, having a right to present an address,
or whether it was a mere appendage to the Court of Com-
mon Council.
The LORD MAYoR denied that there was any desire to
encroach on the privileges of the Court, but the stay of
the King of the French was so short, that it was thought
better to present the address of the two Courts by a de-
putation
Mr. Alderman HUGHES had assisted in drawing up
the address. He had been excluded from seconding the
motion for the address by Sir Peter Laurie, and on that
occasion he bad expressed his regret. He lived at
Windsor, and certainly he had felt great surprise that he
had not been asked to assist in the presentation of the
address. A Noble Lord about the Castle had asked him
if he was not to be present at the presentation? and he
had replied that, strange to say, he had been excluded.—
(A laugh.) He had written to the Remembrancer,
stating that his equipage should accompany the deputa-
tian, and the Remembrancer had replied that he was ex-
cluded from attendance, and Sir Chapman Marshall had
told him that if he or any other person attempted to
accompany the deputation, he should be taken into
custody.
After a few words from Sir CLAUDIUS HUNTER,
The LORD MAYOR explained that the address was pre-
sented by a deputation composed of those members of
the Court of Alderman who were in a position to attend.
Now the proper place for Mr. Alderman Hughes on Sa-
turday was not at Windsor, but at the Guildhall. He was
the Alderman upon the rota, and it was his duty to have
been there to pass home 400 Irish paupers.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES said that Mr. Alderman
Wilson had attended for him at the Guildhall, and had
discharged the duty for him. He thought the observa-
tions of the Lord Mayor totally uncalled for.—(Hear.)
The conversation then dropped.
The return of the prisoners in the various metropolitan
gaols was then read.
Several persons appeared to be admitted as brokers,
and, on the report of the proper authorities, were ad-
mitted accordingly.
MR. SALOMON'S CASE.
It was then ordered that Mr. D. Salornons might be
called in.
Mr. Salomons having come into Court,
Mr. SAMUEL HALL read the return of the ward of
Portsoken, and in presenting Mr. Salomons to the Court,
said that Mr. Salomons had been elected as Alderman of
the wardmote of Portsoken. He was glad that he
was introducing a person who was already known
to them, for he had filled the office of Sheriff
for the City, the duties of which he discharged
with the greatest credit. He was brought up
in the City of London, and had obtained the highest
character at the Royal Exchange, which entitled him to
be placed in the foremost ranks f the merchants of the
City. He was, moreover, a magistrate of two counties,
and had now for several years discharged the duties of a
magistrate to the entire satisfaction of his brother ma-
gistrates. It was moreover the pleasure of her Majesty
in council to place Mr. Salmons in one of the most hn-
portant trusts that could be held by a subject,that of High
Sheriff for the county of Kent, the duties of which office
he also discharged with entire satisfaction. These cir-
cumstances influenced the electors of the ward of Port-
soken, but they were also further influenced by the high
and unimpeachable private character which Mr. Salo-
mons was well known to possess. It only remained to
submit the choice made by the ward of Portsoken,
which presented to this Court Mr. D. Salomons, to fill
the office of Alderman for that ward.
Mr. DAVID SALOMONS said he had reason to
believe that there might be some technical objec-
tion to him which would require legal infor-
mation to guide both the Court and him in the
position in which they now stood. He had obtained
legal information, but not of that high legal character
by which the Court would probably be influenced. He
intended to have the opinions of men of such high legal
standing as Sir Thomas Wilde, Mr. Kelly, or Mr. Erle,
but he was unable to procure them in consequence of
their absence from town. He therefore begged the
Court to grant him a fortnight to obtain such legal ad-
vice. He would, if the Court desired, read the opinion
of two excellent lawyers whom he consulted.
The Court would not hear the opinions.
Mr. Salomons was then asked if he had signed the
declaration required by the statute of George IV. within
the previous month?
Mr. SALOMONS asked if he was to understand that his
application was denied?
Mr. Alderman WOOD said he thought before that
question was put the request of Mr. Salomons ought to
be considered and discussed.
The RECORDER said that the proper course to be pur-
sued was to tender the declaration in the first place.
Mr. Alderman WOOD thought that the discussion upon
the request of Mr. Salomons ought to take place first.
Alderman LUCAS said he understood that Mr. Salo-
mons asked for time in consequence of being asked to
sign the declaration.
Mr. Salomons was then asked whether he was pre-
pared to sign the declaration ?
Mr. SALOMONS said he made the application he put
forward in the best faith, and he begged of the Court to
give him the time he asked to consult counsel as to the
course he ought to pursue in circumstances altogether
new. He asked it as a personal favour to himself.
Mr. Alderman FAREBROTHER said he thought the
Court ought to be cleared before they discussed the sub-
ject.
Sir PETER LAURIE said, if the declaration was not
taken, he would move that the election be void.
Mr. Alderman HUMPHERY did not see why they
should discuss the subject with closed doors.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES hoped the Court would not be
cleared.
Mr. Alderman WOOD hoped that Mr. Salomons would
be allowed the time he asked for.
The RECORDER advised the Court to pursue the usual
course pursued on occasions like the present, which was
to tender the declaration in the first instance.
Mr. Alderman FAREBROTHER said it was competent
for any person to have the court cleared.
Mr. Salomons was again asked whether he would take
the declaration.
Mr. Sawarosts begged for time till this day fortnight.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES wished to know the grounds
on which
uAbaLjtnlis ap
oei
subject.
Np
sAt lrittcupat
said
opportunity
iin w
etohsyee
umot
of
juoennest made.
uhbleut
toon I%r
thihae; have
tna
jpgupnl
Queen'sii caor t
cioonu ni
counsel
orderuwnesre
were
in town. He bad sought fur Sir T. Wilde, Mr. Kelly,
and Mr. Erle, but in vain. He had obtained the
opinions of Mr. James and and Mr. Welsh, and they had
advised him to ask for time, as they wished to consult
their seniors.
The RECORDER asked if their opinions went to the fact
of his liability to be required by the Court to sign the
declaration.
Mr. SALOMONS—Yes, as to the mode in which the
qualification was to be taken, and as to the modifications
made in it by a recent Act of Parliament.
The RECORDER wished to know whether Mr. Salo-
mons asked the Court not to tender the declaration ?
Mr. SaLoarosts—No; I only ask for a delay of a fort.
night.
Sir J. KEY thought the request a reasonable one, and
would move that the delay of a fortnight be granted.
Mr. Alderman HUMPHERY seconded the motion.
The worthy Alderman was about to enter into a dis-
cussion on the merits of the case, when he was called to
order, on the ground that the question of delay was the
only question before the Court.
Sir PETER LAURIE was quite prepared to argue the
question. He opposed the application for delay. They
were there not to alter or modify the law, but to see the
law obeyed. They were acting ministerially, not judi-
cially, and they could not grant the request for delay.
He entertained a high respect for Mr. Salomons per-
sonally, but he should vote against delay.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES opposed the motion. It was
not as if the case had been new to Mr. Salomons. This
declaration had been before tendered to that gentleman,
and refused. It was therefore impossible to say that he
had not an opportunity of well considering the subject.
It was not as if he had come before the Court for the
first time, and he could not believe that the delay of
a fortnight was necessary, in order to enable Mr. Salo-
mons to ascertain his position. It was out of the power
of any Court except the High Court of Parliament to
modify or alter the declaration.
Mr. Alderman CHALLIS reminded the Court that
since Mr. Salomons' last election the law had been modi-
fied, and whatever might be his opinion on the matter in
question, he should certainly vote for giving Mr. Salo-
mons all possible time to consult legal authorities. As he
understood the question, Mr. Salomons contended that
the qualifications had been so modified by a recent Act
of Parliament as to enable him to take it, and he cer •
tainly should have ample time allowed him to consider
the subject.
Mr. Alderman WOOD believed, as a lawyer, that the
case was one in which grave doubts might be en-
tertained, whilst the decision of the courts of law,
which had been alluded to, bad not been modified by a
recent Act of Parliament ; and surely every opportunity
ought to be afforded to Mr. Salomons to get the best ad-
vice on the subject. He should vote for granting his
reasonable request.
Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL would be happy to accede
to the request if he could do so legally. He should
like to know, from the Recorder, whether they could do
so legally.
The RECORDER said they were assembled there to
perform a public duty, which was to tender a declara-
tion to a gentleman who offered to take upon himself
the duty of Alderman of the City. It would be a most
inconvenient course for them to pursue, U' they were to