The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-11-05 00:00:00

3342 3148

Total

.. .. 9406

* Omitting the second Candidate for South Toxteth.

The total number of electors polled may thus be
assumed to be 6490. The gross majority of the Conser-
vatives, according to the preceding statement, which
we have deduced from the official declaration, is 194.
The Conservatives have now a clear majority among
the household constituency. This is a very important
fact, as at no previous election were they able to
muster an equal number of votes with their opponents.
At the last general election the Radicals contrived to
muster a majority of about 500 in favour of Ewart and
Elphinstone, taking the householders alone into consi-
deration—a majority which was more than neutralised
by the free burgesses. But where are the Radicals
now, and what has become of their numerical majority
among the household constituency ? That majority
' has been completely annihilated. We may, therefore,
confidently predict that at the next election their oppo-
sition to the return of two Conservative members for
the borough will be more hopeless than ever.
It is remarkable, and not less anomalous .than re-
markable, that the Radicals owe the return of no less
a number than three of the CounCillors whom they
have carried this year to the casting vote of the Mayor.
That functionary, in addition to the vote which he no
doubt gave on Friday, contributed to the return of
Mr. Mellor for Exchange Ward, Mr. M'Kee for South
Toxteth Ward, and Mr. Quayle for Everton Ward.
We say nothing about the impartial conduct of the
Mayor in this delicate matter; no doubt he can easily
reconcile his decisions with his conscious sense of
duty ;—but we must say that it is a sorry triumph to
the Radical faction, to have to boast that the Conser-
vatives have not succeeded in returning twelve mem-
bers to the Town Council 'merely owing to the accident
of there being in office a Mayor of Liberal principles.
Looking at the very large majorities which the Con-
servatives obtained in several of the wards, there can
be no doubt whatever that thirteen might have been
returned by them if their forces had been a little more
judiciously disposed. In addition to the three wards
which we have mentioned above, Castle-street might
have been saved most effectually, and the Socinian
Bolton turned adrift.

But we have no reason to complain. The Conser•
vatives have done their duty nobly and energetically

The strongholds of Radicalism have been wrested from

the faction. Lime-street and St. Anne's Wards have
already done honour to themselves by the election of
Conservatives. Castle-street we consider as virtually
handed over to the Conservatives, as it has been proved
to demonstration that they have an absolute majority
of voters in the ward. We always thought so, and
we are glad that our opinion has been put to the test.
For the future we have the most sanguine hopes. The
day cannot now be distant when Radicalism shall no
longer be in the ascendant in the Town Council. Next
year there will be twelve Radicals going out by rota-
tion, and only four Conservatives. With this prospect
before them, we trust that our Conservative friends
will be on the alert to make the most of such a golden
chance of ousting their opponents. Ward Committees
must be immediately organised. The Peel Club must
be strengthened and reinforced. The next registry
must be diligently looked after. The Popish Protector
Society must be foiled with their own weapons. If
proper vigilance be exercised during the ensuing year,
the Town Council will comprise a majority of Conser-
vatives in 1841, when, it should be remembered, eight
of the Aldermen go out by rotation.
Other considerations connected with the triumph of
Friday last must be deferred to our next publication.

The electors of Wigan have redeemed their charac-
ters most nobly. They have, by their votes on Friday
last, wiped off the disgrace of having returned Mr.
Ewart, as their representative in Parliament, by giving
him a significant and timely notice that his future ap -
peals to them for their suffrages may be entirely dispen-
sed with. There were ten Councillors to be elected on
Friday to fill up the vacancies caused by the periodical
retirement of so many members from the Council. Ten
on each side contested the honour, and in spite of the
" bottling system," added to gross intimidation on the
part of the Radicals, ten Conservatives were returned.
Here is another example to stimulate the Conservatives
of Liverpool and other places to renewed and perse-
vering exertions. The good cause is triumphant in
every direction.

This day is the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.
We trust that the solemn service, set apart by the
Church, in commemoration of the remarkable inter-
ference of Providence, in averting the atrocious Po-
pish treason, which aimed at the simultaneous destruc-
tion of the Royal Family and both Houses of Parlia-
liament, will be celebrated with ,that seriousness which

the occasion demands. We know of no act of divine
interposition with the ordinary affairs of men, which
more loudly calls for an expression of national thanks-
giving. In this town, we rejoice to find, the event
will be celebrated in several churches. This obedience
to the law of the land is as praiseworthy in itself, as it
is significant in its object—the keeping alive of a feeling
of salutary dread of the horrible machinations of
Popery.

THE MAYOR'S CASTING VOTE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Sin,—l believe it is the general impression that in this
borough, in case of an equality in the number of votes for any
candidates for the office of town-councillor, the mayor has the
casting vote. That this impression is erroneous, there can
be no doubt, as will appear on reference to the statute under
which the elections are held. By the 43rd sec. of the sth and
6th William IV., c. 76, (the municipal corporation act.) It
is enacted, " that in every case in which there shall be a di-
vision into wards of any borough," the election of councillors
for such ward " shall be held before the alderman whom the
councillors chosen in such ward shall-yearly appoint in that
behalf, and before the two assessors of such ward ; and the
votings and other proceedings, IN AI,L OTHER RESPECTS, at
such ward elections, shall be conducted in the same manner
as at the elections of councillors or assessors respectively, by
the burgesses of the whole borough : and the alderman and
assessors of each ward shall have the SAME POWERS in re-
gard to elections in their ward, as the mayor and assessors
for the whole borough if not divided into wards." Now, by
the 35th section of the same act, the power of giving the cast-
ing vote in a borough NOT divided into wards is delegated to
the mayor and assessors, or any two of them ; therefore, the
alderman and assessors of the particular ward, or any two of
them ALONE, have the power to name from amongst those
persons for whom the number of votes shall be equal, so
many as shall be necessary to complete the requisite number
of persons to be chosen."—Yours, &c.,
RIGHT NOT WRONG.
Liverpool, 2d Nov., 1839.

THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER.

" He is our strong rock, and tower of defence."

How deadly the rancorous hate which inspired,
In hearts seared with hot iron, the Gunpowder Plot ;
And how loud was the praise which our fathers' breasts fired,
When our God, in his mercy, averted their lot !
Then may we, their grateful sons, remember
Their great deliv'rance, wrought on fifth November.

Let us enter God's house with hearts filled with praise,
And attest that His goodness shall ne'er be forgot :
With united acclaims, come, our voices we'll raise,
And sing the defeat of the Gunpowder Plot.
Popery mild !we tremblingly remember •
Your mercies tender, meant for fifth November.
Beware I—for, e'en now, the Popish mind, prolific
In dark, fell designs—(but skilled to seem them not)—
Some dire blow concocts, to Heretics* terrific,
More sure and as deadly as the Gunpowder Plot !
May Heaven arouse our unsuspecting Queen,
And teach her to know what is from what has been
Britons, awake I—see traitorous hands raspg power—
Papists our children teach what in God's word is not !
See Popish influence about our Court lour 1—
Arouse you I—contemplate some bloody, treas'nous plot !
Rescue your youthful Queen, and suffer not a member
Of Rome to shade her throne.—Oh, think on fifth November.
Liverpool, November, 1839. W. A. H.
* Protestants.