The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-04-26 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY

In the House of Lords many petitions were presented.
The Marquis of WESTMEATH gave notice that on Thurs-
day next he would move that the papers ordered relative to
the disturbances at Mullingar should be produced forthwith.
The Bishop of EXETER entered into an explanation of his
conduct relative to the appointment of Dein of Exeter, and,
having minutely stated all the circumstances, declared that
after what had passed on the former night, he felt himself
bound to make this explanation, but should not oppose the
commitment of the bill.

Lord MELBOURNE also defended the course which he
(Lord Melbourne) had pursued, observing that the chapter
had never exercised the right of `free electiOn. •

The Duke of WELLINGTON observed thit the present bill
went farther than was necessary.
After some further conversation,:relating chiefly"to matters
of form and detail, this bill passed the committee.—Ad-
journed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY.
Mr. HARVEY moved a resolution, in lieu of the existing
standing order, to secure that all " enclosure" bills shquld
contain provisions for allotting a portion of the land' for the
recreation and advantage of the humbler classes, the stand-
ing order being found to work inefficiently; the aniended
proposition, with a slight alteration,.was eventually adopted.
An immense number of petitions were presented, many
of them for Mr. ROwland Hill's uniform postage plan; and
the SPEAKER intimated that he would take the chair at
three o'clock the following day, to afford an opportunity of
presenting public petitions.
Lord ELIOT moved the appointment of a select committee
to inquire into the statements contained in the petition of
William Snow Harris, Esq., F.R.S., relating to the protec-
tion of ships from the effects of lightning ; but, at the sug-
gestion of Sir ROBERT PEEL, the motion was withdrawn.
Sir E. CODRINGTON moved a resolution, 'declaratory
" That the system of reducing the crews of her Majesty's
ships, in time of peace, below the number required to make
them efficient in time of war, is injurious to the best interests
of the service ; and that it is the opinion of this house that
all her Majesty's ships, when actively employed or about to
quit the British Channel, should in future have but one com-
plement of men, whether in peace or war." After some
discussion it was negatived by—ayes, 27; noes, 90 ; majority,
against the motion, 63.
Mr. WARD obtained leave to bring in a bill for the better
regulation of the metropolitan sewers.
Colonel DAVIE s obtained leave to bring in a bill to regulate
the expenses to be incurred by persons serving the office. of
high sheriff in England and Wales.

-Sir F. TRENCH- moved two resolutions regarding, %%I-sr
lighting of the house; but at the suggestion of . the CHAN-
trti&Pri
CELLOR of the EXdHEQUER they were withdrawn . "
contemplated experiment bad been tried. 1- k`'nw
The consideration of thOittnaica government bill was then, •.iror
resumed, and Mr:Sergeantivierewether was heard on,buliiiii;ffi 10^t
of the 500 individuals who had petitioned against
Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—WEDNESDAY:
The House of Lords did not meet this day. •

g!litnisq

Agit au

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNEsipymamori
The Commons assembled at three o'clocic7s?p9Aphie 4
opportunity of presenting publie petitions, anFljnl,Rroc&d.
with private business. A great number of petlifoilitruciefe
presented in favour of Rowland Hill's postage plan, against
the grant to Maynooth College, &c. ‘-tv
The Highways Bill was further consideredlon
merit ; but it was again adjourned after much desultory con-
versation, and on a division.
The Drainage of Lands Bill was read the second time,
and ordered to be referred to a select committee.'

The Copyholds Enfranchisement Bill was recommitted
pro forma, and the further consideration of the bill post-
-poned for a week.
The second reading of the Rating of Tenements Bill called
forth a long conversation. There was a division on it. The
numbers were—for the second reading, 32---azuinst it; 28—
majority in its favour, 4. The bill was then read the second
time.

The remaining orders were deferred, ors otherw4e disposed
of, and the house adjourned at a quarter after nine o'clock.

EXTRACTS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY POST-
AGE REPORT.

UNIFORMITY OF. RATE.
The other ground stated by Mr: Ilill, iii,favonr'of an uni-
form rate, in the simplicity • that would 'regialt from it ifi all
the operations of the Post-office. Colonel Maberly states,
" that he is a great friend to a uniform .rate • oft'postage, if it
can be ; but he does not think it. practicable,
reduce the postage as low as.ld., its not, beiug,baccepAte„to 4-
r
the public would render it impracticable. lie Lttcho"ll'
in favour of a uniform charge, when- it can be 4t;ioed,
producing great simplicity in the accounts betweetillielPMAt Nor!
office and:their postmasters.. Any. arrangementalia3A,ititiul9,l9ei
the great details of Post-office matterp, introduCeisivipkiqicyniz
he looks upon as a great improvement." Mi. Lawrence'; The
Assistant Secretary, likes the idea of a unifbem iiite; it has
been adopted in some degree inlbe Post.officeaine.M9 there
cannot be the least question it would very much facilitate all
the operations of the Post,-office. Sir Edward Lem is of the
same opinion with Mr. Lawrence ; and says,' thht I.ll.dre is no
question' it would be .preferable to
Mr. Banning, Postmaster at'Liverpnot, Snyteilt• 5111.1
very great convenience in the operations of thh Past-Am Rwril
department; and Mr. Oodby,--Secretary (OW, 1414loilif H
office, is favourable to it as a principle, and thi4.i.at., wo „ ,
remove many difficulties, and accelerate n .
Mr. Bokenham, Superintending PreAddrit .Of the-trifillbkl"-61;
Inland Office, differs from the -preceding WitriesteN7.4ffitto %-'Bll`%
asserts " that it is quite as easy to 'make -20 tliffeire4tiitaimis -;3i
[of letters] as to make them till;the' same." • , 2.,./9bz"
The precedents for uniform rating
,probably referm ,to by,
Mr. Lawrence, were-Ist, the penny posts in whicli sic fa.
is levied on every letter not exceeding in weight four Biinces, ' ad
without reference to the distance over which it is tonveyed or • • /di
the number of its enclosures; 2dly, the letters to.and from. ;flu
soldiers and sailors, which are charged ld.,pply, ivii(44,l4
ference to country or distance; idly, the ..flipistsfirt.Arcsent
.1
from the interior to any port,: in which case the invaiiable
charge is Is., 4d. being the rate for 'inland piSiitQW gird "Rd.
that for the conveyance by' ship ; and 4thly, nvVipli•si that
is, the penny stamp as a commutation forposilige->i
AVERAGE POSTAGE OF LETTERS PASSIXq, WIMWIIpII TILE

I'OSTOFFICE. ~,....„1,--m-;
~,, .
Your committee estimate that the -aderageffititfillibs.
charged on each letter, including foreign letteltfiffidrrikekon.;rl.
ing doable and triple letters as single, ,is .about --if.,,i-94*th•
That on General Post letters, exclopive of foreign 21.. i,,„,
letters, it is about s': gla.t
That the average postage on all letters, forcign as :ill
well as inland, and including ld., 2d., and 3d:' '";`;''' 10
PoSt letters, is about . . 'ld. t :sld
That the average on all letters, exclusive of foreigtu;,- , ' , . (,Ii
is about::.. - • -414. • {ll4l rri.sli
Which estimates,agree.with those made by Mr...4i11„ L
: ,_.no i,
..,,...ar s:. o
PRESENT REVENUE OF THE POST-OFFICE AS Cumr4B.Ep) ',
WITH ITS REVENUE IN FORMER TF:PiRS: ''' '
1. Objects for which the Post-office was eAtablisheill
The declared. object for. which the Post-office was estai.
Wished, as appears from the Act, .the,l2th year of. Cliarlm„:,,
the Second, was " the advantage of trade and commerce.' r,
~
Lord Lowther, in a report on " prices current,". after ''''
quoting from the said Act the preceding words, adds, '‘‘ Them"
direct revenue to be derived from the Post-office was not the ~if
primary consideration." . • - -,A 3.4oiii,tor
The Commissioners of Post-office Inquiry, now. si4lgt,d. oz
observe in their Tenth Report, that " The safeA. •.:i . • , ,
Dm. i
conveyance of letters for the benefit of trade and :g. .. • le,
was the primary consideration with the Govern T. If the•tillb
first establishment of a General Post-office ;'•thilAtvetuThim zi
which it was expected would arise from the exelusive-'ptivi-ymf
lege conferred on the Postmaster-General, was.4o o b 04133„
minor importance : this principle is recognized,ln • ArA,,,,,,
i
amble of the different postage Acts whiehiwere IA ifedni''„'"`
the time of the Commonwealth down to the :lath': e . .ferrtfiq
Ann, when the English and Scottish officeirwtiramiitetitifittleFluo9
one Postmaster-General." ;:r.irs,.i ‘lria Ifirfi ,mi i3et lirr
Such were the objects for which 4liqfPo4ictlicAlorp.oritior. /21.1
blished, and such are the objects .which,,,qn.A.c.oilinion; ofid.7,„
your Committee, ought to be dept in view" in -tlollll,44a&diP
..t.
went of that department. ' • - 4"44 '47i, ..\ - .t'"liP "- 15a
It appears from the account' of the:feteilltsitmtlitheigt4Willgq
cost of management of the Post-offioe forthe year ending-the,. r 4-,,
sth of January, 1838, that the cost of managetheqt of tirp„:s.)
Post-office department was £698,632 2s 2d. ;. the gms .Eitit 1, A
venue, exclusive of repayments, £2 339,737 18s:3$1. rart4 the ''''''..
net revenue therefore, £1,641,105 I6S-14.; that ii,'- 'ilia'. threriAl-',
price charged amounts to more than three-tiffsei tli@iEtkitrisß
even if the whole expellee be placed to the account Of letters; --/frto
Upon tins showing, it cannot but be adini44 fligh titit.r4l.ari iiim:
tive importance of the objects in view at the.it*AithooP.s444b rmi
,
office was first establiShed, woad uripear- w`rhifisvOycan'irer 01 t
versed ; for, that whieh-was- at first the seeritidsrtibfisidOik: '".
tion, the revenue, can scarcely be regarded in that lightVtif ''' '
longer, _when,!owing_ to the Pressing ;emergencies rcifsibe:aultar. I
a to* is found'to have been imposed-of: At 4 .
.- pAiMentsw_ .
.........,,,„„,....„...,..,-
~?..i oaa ; lov lr
Tiil TEA Thitit Mcirday, April 22:--The 8614416-s4„p BE6.
workl:loreaseld. 0 9,9041,311 a tracle..having,becomaistota-,:hzj
anima* 4ilrk *..tertitinito.oll.9f tha.la_te.:VllltlittlisagrieW

•:rX~'::d~: CC::rir.j..Y

.01

.0 • t

'.*TGAN ELECTION COMMITTEE

. • r • .

. _
MONDAY.
...The vote of Robert Bolton, under the consideration when
the, ictinurnment of Thursday took place, was again brought
..forviard en Friday, as soon as the committee assembled, for
further investigation.
After evidence showing that the voter had lost his qualifi-
cation before the election, the vote was declared to be bad
by the committee, and it was accordingly struck off the poll.
This again placed the sitting member in a majority.
It now became the duty of counsel for the petitioner to as-
sail the votes recorded in favour of Mr. Ewart.
The vote of John Hilton, registered for a house in the
Whelley, was investigated.
A witness named Topping stated that Hilton entered a
house belonging to him on the 19th of December, 1836, at
£ll a year. In January last a storm took off the chimney,
and it became necessary to repair the house. The voter left,
and went to live at another house in the Scholes.
Cross-examined by Mr. Austin.—Did you vote at the last
election ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Austin Why ?
Witness—Because I would not pay the shilling for regis-
tration.
. Mr. Beere—That must have reference to the county.
Mr. Austin—l should like to know why you did not vote?
Witness—l have told you.
Mr. Austin—But you must have heard that it could not be
as you have stated.
Mr. Thesiger—l understand that the shilling was made a
borough rate, and the revising barrister held that if it were
not paid that the party was not entitled to he registered.
The witness, in answer to further questions put by Mr.
Austin, said that he was not registered ; that the storm was
so severe that the chimney broke down the roof ; that the
voter and his family were obliged to quit the house ; that re-
pairs were essential ' • that Hilton and his family went to the
house in the Scholes, because they could not remain in the
other house ; that Mrs. Hilton came several times during
the period that the repairs were going on ; that the repairs
were carried on up to the time of the election ; that she was
in the house on the very day before the election ; that the
fixtures belonged to the voter ; that a chair, a " Speer," a
grate, with three seppty barrels, were left ; that a " speer"
is a fixed seat ; that Mrs. Hilton sometimes spoke to him
about the repairs, inquiring how they were going on; that
she asked him on Friday, the Bth of March, when they would
be done, but she was drunk—(a laugh) ; that she had asked
him when she was sober ; that the grate was taken down
either 4j the f the election or the week after; that the Ose
out the kno ge of the voter, and it was in the house at
present ; that on the 4th of April she came again to the house
respecting obtaining possession, but she did not say in his
hearing, " Neither I nor my master have given up posses-
sion ;" that he did not see Mrs. Hilton at his own house
after the election ; that he saw her with Mr. Marsden in the
Whelley, within a few door of the house, but he did no say,
" Why, Mr. Toping, we never gave up possession ;" nor
did he reply, " No ; ' that he never said he would give her
155., but he had offered that sum for the speer; that he had
never said he would lock up the house, and it should fall to
bits ; that part of the substantial repairs were now done ;
and finally, that Mrs. Hilton and her husband were now
living in the house, having broken open the doors.
Re-examined—On the Bth of March Mrs. Hilton came to
the house intoxicated. We then went to a public-house, and
had two or three quarts of liquor with some workmen, and
she said, "Am I to have the house again ?" I said that
unless she would give £l5 a year, she should not have it.
She offered £9. I told her that she should not have it again
if she gave me a thousand a year.
An Hon. Member—l thought you had offered her the
house at £35 a year; and you said afterwards she should not
have it if she gave a thousand a year. Why ?
Witness—l cannot say.
James Shakleton examined—l am the agent and collector
of rents for Mr. Morris. I never received any rent from
Hilton for the house he occupied. The house was not occu-
pied on account of the storm, from the 7th of January. On
the 9th of April I made an agreement with Hilton to re-let
it. Hilton and his wife were at the time in the house. We
agreed on the 9th for the house, the rent being £lO a year,
which was to commence on the sth of April.
Cross-examined—l did not see the speer nor the grate.
The repairs are not quite finished. The house wants white-
washing. Mr. Morris is the mortgagee of the house. Hilton
is now carrying on the beer business in the house.
The examination having been concludel,
The Chairman said to witness, " You may go."
Witness (with surprise)—Have I done ? (Laughter.)
Mr. Cockburn-1 es, we have done with you.
James Taylor examined—l was employed on Monday week
or fortnight after the election to repair the house in question.
We could not get in until Mr. Topping brought the key.
There was no person inside. There was a speer, an old
chair, and a grate on the premises.
Cross-examined—The house had been rendered uninha-
bitable on account of the fall of the chimney.
Mr. Thesiger then addressed the committee, contending
that the vote was vitiated, and must be struck off the poll.
Mr. Austin, on the other side, argued that the voter had
never given up possession of the house • that his leaving it
was owing to the accident occasioned by the storm in January,
and that the vote ought to be retained.
The room was then cleared, and, on counsel and agents
reappearing, they were informed by the chairman that the
committee had decided that the vote was a good vote, and
consequently it was retained.
This is the first assailed vote which has been retained on
either side since the scrutiny commenced.
It being now nearly four o'clock, the committee adjourned
until eleven on Saturday. It was previously arranged that
the committee should rise at half-past two on Saturday,
instead of the usual hour of four.
The committee met at the usual hour on Saturday, J. W.
Childers, Esq. in the chair.
Upon the previous day the sitting member, at the close of
the proceedings, was in a minority.
Mr. Thesiger commenced the business of the (lay by
objecting to the vote of William Fisherwich, on the ground
of removal.
It was proved that the voter left the Windsor Castle
public-house, Wellgate, out of which he was registered, and
removed to another house in the same street, previous to the
election.
Mr. Cockburn, on the part of the sitting member, con-
tended that as the voter had only removed from one house to
another in the same street, he still retained the qualification
which appeared upon the register, namely, " House, Well-
gate," and that, consequently, he was entitled to vote at the
last election.
The committee thought otherwise, and struck the vote off.
The vote of Mr. Robert M`Loughland was next objected
to by Mr. Thesiger, and evidence having been given that the
voter left his house and removed to Liverpool previous to the
election, the vote was declared to be bad.
This decision placed the petitioner in a majority. '
Mr. Cockburn then objected to the vote of Joseph Swift.
It was proved that he removed from the premises in right
of which he was registered, and that he and his brother,
Richard Swift, lived in it during the time of the election.
It was contended by Mr. Thesiger that there was no sur-
render of the premises by the voter to his brother, and that,
consequently, he was entitled to vote in respect of them.
The committee, however, decided that the vote was bad,
and it was accordingly struck off.
The next vote objected to was that of George Hinton.
The fact of the removal having been proved, the vote was
given up. It was accordingly ordered to be struck ofi.
The sitting member was again in a majority.
Mr. Thesiger then objected to the vote of William Taylor.
The evidence of the removal of the voter from the premises
in the right of which he was registered having been given, the
committee struck off the vote.
The next vote objected to was that of Benjamen Whitley,
who was registered in respect of " a house and shop, Well-
gate."
Daniel Cox examined—Knew the premises which had
been occupied by the voter. Witness now carried on busi-
ness in that house as a beer-seller. The voter, however, re.
tained a shed in the yard, where he carried on his business of
oil-cloth manufacture ; oil-cloth was hung up there to dry.
The shed was an open one. The voter andswitness had mutual
access to the premises.
The witness, who appeared a little excited, was then cross-
examined by Ir. Austin.
Had not Whitley the key of the premises ?
Witness—lf he had not how could he get into his busi-
ness ?—(a laugh.). But I had it as often as Whitley.
Mr. Austin—What sort of a neighbourhood is this ?
Witness—a most respectable neighbourhood—what else
should it be ?—(laughter.)
Mr. Austin—How long did you intend to remain in it?
, Witness—As long as the neighbourhood will let me—
(continued laughter.)
Here the witness turned his back on the committee and
looked full at the council who was examining him.
Mr. Austin (smiling)—l do not want you to turn to me.
It is necessary the committee should hear you—so you must
look on the opposite line—(pointing to the chairman.)
Witness (looking at the bell-pull over the mantel-piece)—
What is the use of looking at that line on the wall—what
dies it know about the matter?—(roars of laughter.)
Mr. Austin—Have you paid your rent ?
Witness—l should think I had, or I would not be here I
suppose—(laughter,) and here is my receipt.
Mr Austin (taking the receipt)—l have now doi e with you.
Chairman—You may go.
Witness—But not without my receipt I hope—( a laugh.)
Chairman (pointing to the council)—lt will be left with
these gentlemen.
Witness.—Oh, I know nothing about any of you, and I
want my receipt—(roars of laughter, in the midst of which
the witness retired.)
Mr. Bere contended that the voter in this case had no
qualification to entitle him to vote.
Mr. Austin urged that as the voter had continued to hold
the keys of the premises, he had not resigned possession of
them, and that he was therefore entitled to vote in respect
to them.
The committee, however, thought the voter was a bad one.
This decision left the petitioners in a majority
The committee then rose at half-past two o'clock.
The first vote investigated yesterday was that of James
Whittle, occupied a considerable time, and was ultimately
decided a bad vote.
The next vote assailed by Mr. AUSTIN was that of John
Taylor, and the voter was himself called, but before he was
examined.
Mr. Bere addressed the committee, requesting that the
chairman would inform the witness that he was not bound
to give evidence to vitiate his own vote unless he pleased.
' Mr. Austin said that the witness himself without any sug-
gestion from the chair might, if he pleased, object to give
evidence.
Mr. Bere said that, in the Hull committee, Sir George
Strickland invariably cautioned the witnesses, when they
came to destroy their own votes, they were not compelled to
give evidence.
The Chairman.—There is no criminal charge likely to
arise out of the answer?
Mr. Austin.—No, sir. _ _ . . .

The Chairman.—the better plan would be to ascertain I
whether the questions were put to him at the poll.
It was ascertained that they were so put, consequently the
Chairman cautioned the witness that, unless he pleased, he
need not answer any question which tended to destroy his
own vote.
John Taylor was then recalled and examined—l remember
the last election at Wigan. I lived there nearly two years.
Mr. Gaskill, the solicitor, is the owner of the house which I
occupied. I took it in December, 1836. I paid £2O a-year
for the premises, and paid my rent quarterly. Within about
a fortnight or three weeks of December last, I lived in the
house. I got an excise officer named Wilson to write me a
notice about the 21st of June, to give up the premises. I
have a duplicate copy in my pocket—(he here produced it.)
Mr. Austin.—Will you. Mr. Bere, produce the notice ?
Mr. Bere.—You must first prove notice.
Wilson was then called. He said that he wrote a notice
to Mr. Gaskill, for Taylor to quit the premises in December,
1838. and served it on a clerk in Mr. Gaskill's office.
John Taylor, in continuation—l have paid no rent since
last June. I now owe half a year's rent. I went out in No-
vember, having had a law suit with a gentleman, which I lost,
and was afraid of an execution. I had sold many of my things.
I took away everything which was left except " a bit of a
table" that was of no value. When I went away I tinned
(closed) the door, and left the key with Varley, a bailiff. Var-
ley returned me the key, and three or four days afterwards I
gave one of Mr. Gaskill's clerks the key. I lived in lodgings
from the middle of December (having been away from Wigan
from the middle of November) to about the middle of January.
On the last day of February I saw Mr. Lambe. 1 had taken
a house in the Market-place, where I now live. I pay my
rent weekly. Mr. Lambe directed me to go to the Eagle and
Child, the principal inn, and from thence I went to Mr.
Gaskill's office. I got the key of the house in which I had

previously lived from a person in Mr. Gaskill's office. I went
into the house. It was not finished. Thereivas no bed, nor
chairs, nor table. I was not in more than five minutes. I
did nothing there.
Mr. Austin—What ! not awaken the echoes of the empty
house? (A laugh.)
Witness—No. (In continuation.) I went back to my
own house. On my way to the house I met Gerrard Duce,
a barber. He was with me when I went in. I have never
been in the house since. I have now the key in my pocket.
I have never been asked for the key. I have never been asked
for the half year's rent. -I went back to the house to enable
me to vote.
Cross-examined-1 asked Varley to write this notice in
June. I never saw Mr. Gaskill, only through a window, after
that. Mr. Lambe is in no way connected with Mr. Gaskill.
I did not see Mr. Gaskill when I got the key again.
Mr. Bere assured the committee that Mr. Gaskill had
never received the notice alluded to.
The vote was declared to be bad, and was accordingly struck
off the poll.
Mr. Austin—That places Mr. Ewart again in a majority.
I think, sir, that this examination of a voter shows the ad-
vantage of having a voter examined, and also the propriety of
not making a mere removal from house to house not a sub-
ject of disqualification.
An Hon. Member—Would you make the registration final?
Mr. Humphery—What Mr. Austin means to say is this,
that the Reform Act ought not to be a finality.
Mr. Austin—l am not here as a politician, lam only de-
sirous of a reform of the Reform Act. (Laughing.)
Mr. Bere then proceeded to investigate the vote of William
Milligan, recorded in favour of Mr. Ewart.
It appeared that the voter left Wigan, and went to Liver-
pool to reside, between the registration and election.
In the cross-examination of the witness it further appeared,
that the landlord still considered the voter liable, and that
the latter had given directions to have the house let.
Mr. Bere declined summing up.
Mr. Austin contended that at this very moment the voter
was in possession, and unless the committee were prepared to
go the length of holding that he must lose his vote because
he did not reside upon the premises, the committee could not
declare the vote to be had. The learned gentleman, at con-
siderable length, maintained that the voter had an undoubted
right to exercise his franchise, for he retained his qualification.
No decision was come to before the hour of adjournment
had arrived.