The Sun.
London, England, 1818-07-30 00:00:00

NoN-ATTENDANCE OF ALDERMEN.

Mr. Ot.onaat said, he had a motion of consider-
able importance on this subject to bring forward,
and in doing so he begged it to he understood,
that he intended no mark of disrespect whatever
to the Bench of Aldermen, but was wholly
actuated by a sanse of public -duty. At the same
time it could ,not be concealed, that Gentlemen
.when first elected Aldermen were fond of their
.dignity, and of the duties attached to it, and con-
sequently roost 'constant in their attendance.—
After having served the office of Sheriff, and
passed through the arduous duties of the Civic
Chair, the duties became irksome, and it was
seldom they were seen amongst them. This
feeling had operated so as to cause considerable
inconvenience and delay, on more than one occa-
sion lately, to take place in the administration of
justice, both at r!,e Sessions House and in the
Justice Room. Now, it was well known, that
nothing could operate so forcibly to bring the Ma- •
gistracy intodisrepute, as the appearance of a laxity
or tardiness in the administration of josrice.—
lie had heard complaints of this sort from 'callous
quarters, and theretore it was lie had brought this
turrion forward. He was aware there was an,.
other course which Might be adopted, namely, all
application to Parliament ; but he was persuaded
that. which he was about to propose would prove
less offensive to the feelings of inditiduals, amid
was one to which he trusted no opposition would
he made. lie concinded by moving that it he re-
ferred to. a -Committee, to-consider anti report to
the Court the steps necessary to he adopted to
prevent the recurrence-of a circumstance which
occurred at the last London Session, when an ad-
jourmeent took place in consequence of the non-
attendance of a sufficient number of Magistrates.
Mr. Alderman Wool) had no objection to in-
quiry in any shape, as he could always answer
for his own conauct, though not for the conduct
of others. In an inquiry of this description,
however, lie thought every step should be regu-
lar. The fact was, that the Court of Aldermen
had doac all in their power to correct.the evil
complained of ; they had directed the Sheriffs to
report such Aldermen as did not attend regular-
ly, and such hat' been summoned to spew cause
for their non-attendance, but there the:power of
the Court of Aldermen ceased : they could not
enforce attendance. There was one
,way of pro-
ceeding which .the Honourable Mover had not
mentioned, and that was to apply for a cri-
minai information to the Court of Kings's
Bench, against such Magistrates as neglected
their ditty. •
Mr. DIXON' thought the most delicate way of
-proceeding would he, to move, for a conference-
with the Court of Aldermen, when it aright be re-
commended to time Court to adopt some measure
'on the subject in future. • _
After a few words from Mr. Oldham in reply,.
the motion, as origifially put, was agreed to.
Upon the Report from the Committee for Gene-
ral Purposes, the Court voted tine som of 501. to
Jabey Mythileton, time descendant of Sir Hugh
Myddlet on, Bart. who brought the New River
to London, time same being in consideration of
his distressed situation..—Adjourned.

Yesterday, Mr. JonNsos, of St. Catherine's,
accompanied by his ►vife, were driving in a one
horse chaise along the Commercial Road, when,
by some utgemetlt they came in contact
With a coal waggon►, :he only carriage besides
their own upon the road, a:id were thrown out,
by which Mr, J. had hip !eg broken.