Star.
London, England, 1827-10-05 00:00:00

THE CITY POLICE.

Yesterday a Court was held ioriiiepurpose of consi-
daring the Report of the Committee upon the nightly
watch, !dative to the necessary changes in the present
system of police. The Council Chamber was greatly
crowded, and below the bar a great number of the os-
tensive warehousemen, who are deeply interested in the
question, assembled. After some routine business was
dispatched, Alderman VILWASLES moved that the Report
be taken into consideration.
Mr. Ratters rose to make some observations upon
the proposed plan of improvement. He did aot rise to
say that there was no necessity for an improved system
of police, but he could not help declaring that he could
not see howthe good to be derived from the project
could be commensurate with the expense which must
be inevitably incurred. As to the reduction of the
number of watchmen, he could answer for his own dis-
trict, that it was impossible to spare one. All through
tl e city be had observed, that whenever the expenses of
a ward happened to be within a moderate compass, the
watchmen were Most shabbily remunerated for their
labour. "1-he wards were general; regulated as to the
payment of the watch, by the state of the land males
we understood the Gentleman), and if the plan of pay-
ing the watchman 2bd. an hour were adopted as a ge-
neral principle, many of the wards must suffer greatly
by the additional expense. In many of these wards no
more than 10s. or 10..6d. were Paid to each individual
for the performance of his duty, and it was necessary to
employ a great number of watchmen, so that the ex•
pease arising from the plan recommended in the Report
would be very considerable; but at the same time the
expense would be a circumstance not comparatively
i;Litortant, if the advantages were likely to be great.
In tact, the projected change could nut be made without
an increase of expense of nearly .50 per cent.
Alderman VSNAILYS did not at all anticipate such
objections as had been mentioned. Of the good which
would result from the proposed plan, the Committee,
after a long and serious consideration, entertained no
doubt. It would be found that the evidence bore out
every alteration that had been proposed. It had been
proved that during the hours at which the watchmen
were not engaged on duty, most of the robberies were
committed. The subject of the protection of property
was one of paramount importance. The question for
them to consider was, whether the city of London was
to be protected from thieves or not—whether their
houses were to be broken open and plundered? The
expenses of affording that protection was a matter of
no consideration. The different wards would willingly
pay the charges—(Hear, hear.) It had been said that
acme wards could not bear any reduction of the number
of watchmen. Now he knew, and the Committee were
convinced, that the watchmen through the city might
be reduced one-fourth with great advantage—(Hear.)
Mr. Deputy OLDHAM approved of the Report, and
thought that security would be completely effected by
the adoption of the Resolutions.
Mr. Flowers said, that he had not opposed the Re-
solutions. He conceived that a great additional expense
would be indicted upon the City, and that no commen-
surate advantage would be derived from the adoption
of the principle.
Mr. Gat.t.ow.ti stated, that the City of London was
greatly indebted to the Committee for their exertions
upon this important occasion. The Committee had
bestowed great labour upon the subject, and the pro-
duce of that labour was of the greatest utility. There
was one thing, of which too much could not be said.
The City war now without protection for a great num•
b:r of hours in the day and night--(Hear, hear). The
frequent robberies which took place were committed
when the accustomed securities retired. This plan
would effectually remedy that defect. There would be
a perpetual succession of watchmen. Uniformity was,
as far as it could be adopted, extremely desirable; but
he was aware, that there were wards in which it might
be necessary to vary from the general principle set
down for the guidency of all. It was most necessary
that the watchmen should. be paid well for the perform-
ance of their iuties—(Cheers). How could it be expected'
that men would act honestly if they did not receive as
much pay as would enable them to live without having
recourse to the base methods of making a livelihood toi
which they sometimes bad recourse. At the samettinee,
there were some pans of the Resolutione to which be
did not give his approbation ; but he should not oppose
tie plan, as he was convinced that great benefit must
arise from the adoption of it.
Alderman Awns wished to see a regular incor-
potation of the daily and nightly watch. There should
be no cessation ot vigilance, but one should follow ano.

PrIT .).
bad thought it oecessa oMry,in his liusindss. Whited as it *as,
to pay a watchman a large salary fot.paying particular
attention to his premises. In fact. 'submit temtsnerat-
big a man well for his pains, it was in vain to etpect
that he would keep a vigilant eye upon the property of
his master, or care whether it was exposed to depreda-
tion or not It was only necessary to look at tkie nu-
macros robberies that had been committed Wise cop-.
winced that every serious alteration indeed in the system
must be accomplished before the commditity would be
benefited.—(Hear. bear). The Alderman concluded by
impressing upon the Court the necessity that existed
for the partiCipation of every man in the efforts for the
protection of his property, and by reprobating the
practice so prevalent amongst wholesale dealers of leav-
ing their premises merely under lock and key, and
destitute of guard or security of any kind.—(Clieers).
Mr. SAIMIL Dixon thought that it had become a
thing of paramount necessity to have a complete altera-
tion of system. In the course of the proceedings for
effecting the desired improvement, he had opportunities'
of admiring the liberality of the worthy Gentlemen
who were tillthe head of this proj cr. He could not
but athviifilidikilberality of nd. an hmir for watching,
the Picot* or:other's all tight, winter as well as
suaniser—a(Latughter). He believed that watchmen,
would, if they were allowed half a guitua a day, be
even worse than they were; that they would spend,
it in may instances in drunkenness and other de.
bauchery ; but be also believed that a narrow, se-
stricted pay, had attached to it evils totally insur-
mountable, depravation of moral's altogether incorri-1
Bible—(Cheers). So low was the calling of watchmen.
so infinitely below the scale of other men who lived by
labour, that in fact when any poor old man happened
so be troublesome in a parish on account of his infirmi-
ties, it immediately occurred to those who knew him is
better days, in order to keep the decent man from a
workhouse to make a watchman of him—(Laughter).
IWith respect to the burglaries which so frequently oc.
cuired, the proprietors of the plundered houses were
generally to be blamed for the success of the deprodas
tors, because they left their property at the mercy of
conspiring thieves, whose plans were most ingeniously
contrived, and executed with wooderful dispatch.
Alderman GARRATT concurred in the Resolutions.
The Loan Maion Elect said that he save his hearty
concurrence to the Report. lie conceived that there
would be great efficacy in constant patrolling. The
thieves could not carry on their operations undiscovered
if the watchmen were in constant motion round each
ward. At was a lamentable thing to find the persons
intrusted with the case of such enormous property con-
'tilting of the refuse of society. In general the watch-
men were old and exceedingly feeble. Indeed, he
knew some of them to whom it was hard workto carry
their great coats and staves.—(Laughter). Much had
been said about depredations in the City of London ,1
but he was far from attributing this state of things to
the indolence or vice of the police. Many of them
lad acted with zeal and ability. Those persons who
complained loudest were theenselves highly censurable
for (inertias their property. Days and weeks together
Were premises abandoned to the ingenuity of the,
perieweed- thieves, who always had half a dozen'
houses in their list. If there happened to be some ob-
stacle to the commission of a robbery in one house,
why the thence was, that in another of the half.dozeo,
there would be hope of success. The public had, in
t to contend against the systematic efforts of
robbers who laid their schemes after a long
ation,—after reasoning upon the probabilities
a a long haul and impunity, and the certainty of
uninhabited house—(Hear, hear). He was well
acquainted with the secure nature of the feelings of
the thieves when they entered houses in which they
knew the proprietors did not reside. In one-instance
the thieves, atter having packed up every thing va-
luable, opened half. a .dozen bottles of champagne, and
no doubt they drank the healths ig those who had so
kindly left behind them the means of remuneration
and comfort,-(A laugh). He concurred in the report.
and was convinced that it would be attended with great
benefit if acted upon vigorously—(Cheers).
Mr. FIOGINGS objected to the Resolution relating to
etch boxes. He did not wish that they should be
discontinued, for if a watchman happened to fall asleep
in his box. the inhabitants would at all events know
where to find him—(Loud laughter). He did not see
any particular harm in the practice of watchmen of
shutting up shops; but if it interfered with their duty,
it certainly ought to be discontinued, as ought the prac-
tice of calling up people in the morning. He condemned
the abandonmenkof their premises by men in large
concerns, who retreated in order to avoid a few liabili-
ties—(Hear, hear). As for the general conduct of
watchmen. he never recollected an instance of the par-
ticipation of one of them in a robbery ; and if they were
to be corrupted by thieves, they could as easily be cor-
rupted in their walking or patrolling state as in their
standing or prostrate condition—(Laughter). If a
watchman was bent upon having plunder, it mattered
little whether be walked or stood still:-(Hear, hear).
For his part, he.would never leave his property except
the watchman, he knew for a lung time was in the
neighbourhood, for then he knew that he was protected ;
a sort of attachment was established, %%bleb promoted
instead of destroying security. He concluded by express-
ing a wish that the subject of changing places amongst
the watchmen be referred to the local authorities.
Mr. PRACOCE sincerely wished otherwise. (A laugh.)
At was well known that the .watchmen were paid as
regularly by private individuals as by the corporation.
(Hear, hear.) In fact, the abuses that existed were dread-
la and laughable at the same time. He knew an in-
stance of a watchmao being absent from his own Ind,
in the morning, and upon beingasked the reason, saying
that he went round to Broad Street ward to wake the
watchmen. (Loud laughter.)
A I know an instance still more extra-
ordinary. A watchman of that very ward of load
threet was straying about the neighbouring ward, and
upon being accused of leaving his beat, he replied, ' I
me here for fear I should wake the other watchmen
ia the ward.' (Roars of laughter.) In fact, sleep is the
inseparable companion of the guardians of the night—
' " Sleep, that knits up the ravelled sleeve of eare."—Laughter.
Mr. PRACOGI thought the plan an admirable one. It
was impossible. if the watchmen were obliged to patrol,l
that their assistance could be available to the thief.

After some observations from Mr. 87svarts, Mr.
HARMia, and Others, in favour of the resolution,
Alderman VorenLie said that be saw 130 grounds for
altering his plan.—The resolutions were then agreed
'Cot with some %Hump:cam alteration.
•

WPM er,
if canes
were six othei enlists titbit% the first of which **s
immediately called otit apideamd, howeveti.that the
parties bad cakulated on the certainty of the case of
fn.. eon. coming on,. and were not repined. the
put-was then called, but no Solicitors were in attend-
ance, and so it doniintledthroughout the whole list.
• The Loeb CHM/ JUSTICE animadverted in tett
Warm terms on this palpable neglect of the Attornies, asa
Boring them that this should be the last time fie would
over grant them any indu.gence. If they were not pre-
pored, he would mike their causes out of the paper:
His Lordship, for this time only, consented to wait t
short time, to fee if any of the parties would he in at-
tendance. Shortly after ten o'clock the Cowls I were
prepared in if Folks v. Scudder," and the business of the
Court was proceeded with. .
TOLES V SCUDDER AND ANOTHER.
. Mr. Mittel' opened the pleadings. The action was
one of trespass.
Mr. Sergeant 'ADAM stated that the object of the ac.
Oon was to determine witether a commission of bank=
Istaptcy which had been issued agaiast the plaintiff were
solid or not The first question for the decision of the
Court would.heovhdther an aheration bad not been
remade ip the:bond since the petitioning creditot had
eiptied It ?
The Loeb CHIMP' JUSTICE here itireienpted the
',earned Sergeant, and said that was a question which
he nru:t decline to decide. It appeared to him to be
one proper for the consideration of the Chancellor. •
Mr. Sergeant ADAM then proceeded to the next toes:
doe. The plaintiff's attorney admitted not having
erred the defendant's attornies with the notice to dis-
pate the commission within the time requited by the
hat of Parliament; but the Jury would have to deter-
amine whether the defendant's attornies bad not agreed
It accept that notice, although irregular. The plains
ilff insisted that they had, and he shoidd call a witness
on prove it.
• . Mr. Smith, the attorney, was then placed in the box;
mid his examination partially gone into; but
• The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE would not allow it to bid
'proceeded with, as it could be of no avail to the plain-
tiff, even if it were proved that the defesdaßt's attornies
had accepted the notice. It was admitted to have beet
issued irregularly, not being within the time prescribed
by the Act. He had, therefore, only one course to pur-
ow' which was to consult the plaintiff. As the plain.'
tiff's
attorney, however, stated that the attornies on the
other side had agreed to accept the notices he would
allow him so stake an application to the Court, wha
would be enabled to ascertain which party was really it
fault.—lhe plaintiff was accordingly nonsuited.
ADMIRALTY COURT, Ocr. t.

THE EXMOUTH. ,
Dr. J. ADAMS moved the Court to orcier a sum td

the paid out of the proceeds of this vessel, an East
man, sold under a decree of this Court, on account of
pilotage. The facts of the case have been already re•
ported. The motion was not opposed, and was granted of
course. This was the last default day after Trinity Tsrin.

MIDDLESEX ADJOURNED SESSIONS, Oce. 4.
Williest,Grace was indicted for assaulting J. Moore►
one of the crew bf the Favou►ite steam packet.
It appeareil thatapoo the arrival of the Favourite off
the Tower stairs, from Margate, the 2.1 of August, the
defendant, who is a wnte►man, fattened his boat to boy
by a rope, which she-Captain dinettd him to let go.—
The defendant refused, upon which the Captain ordered
the• prosecutor to cur the rope, which he did with some
d fficulty ; and on the next day, the defendant meeting
him on the Tower stairs, struck him two violent blows
on the face, and cut. him near the eye. The Captain
stated that the conduct of the watermen at the Towet
stairs was generally such as to render it not only diffi-
cult but dangerous for passengers to come ashore there.
The defendant was found Guilty, and sentenced to
pay a fine of 51.
Williar►s Eves, one of those persons who hang about
this Court, under the denomination of 4, agents," was

convicted of obtaining money under false pretences
from a Mrs. Ansel, who, it appeared, baying come to
the Court on the day in question for the purpose of
having her recognizance', in a prosecution for assaiilt,
discharged, was making inquiries as to what she was
do. when the defendant came up to her and under-
tussk to have what she wanted done. She advanfed
him half•a•crown, and on the following Sunday be
came to her house, represented that he had paid Bs. 6d.
fees, and received the balance of that sum from•her:--
She was subsequently applied to from. Aire office, and
was obliged to pay the tees over agpia, the defendant
not having paid any part of them,. but converted the
money he had received of• her to his own use.
Mr. BARRY appeared on behalf of the defendant, and
called witnesses, who swore that he had formerly been
a respectable schoalmmter, but that difliculties and
misfortunes had :educed him to beggary, and latterly
affected the state of his mind. -
The CLIAIRIAAN could not; reconcile this latter fact
with the systematic mode pursued by the defendant of
obtaining money from the publ.c. Really the frauds
to which people had been exposed, on the part of per-
sons hanging about the Court in this way, had increased
to such an extent that it was high time they should be
checked ; otherwiamthey would shortly bring the admi-
nistration of justice here into disrepute, cad put an end
to all respectable• practice. It was right it should be
known that the offence of which this person had been
convicted had rendered him liable, under a recent Act
of Parliament, to seven years' transportation. The Court,
however, were.in doubt at present as to what they ought
to do with this defendantoand.therefore ordered him to
be brought up for judipmeat toloorrow.

thet at tinted periods-qttrai-, hear): tf the systtlin LAW rirrEttiOtt(tli
,1110Poeed., were generally agreed to, OAT, could eater coUit dF Cdateibig .fatile*lNkBei.b
anent/arcs into the main; specilcallvana adept mac (Adjetroed attli,gs bears • Tem berets nisi Awed
difference of courskaciording to the nature and keel cap! Panics Al teatime Jades.)
circumstances of pasticular ararde-411ear, bear}.—He Cohsiderable interest was etched • in .this cobte this
could not help atteetitiog to the extreme and ea morning, iteconsequeace of the appointment of atalli•
neglect of many of. the *Cadet. witelsosiemes, who tf • cna.swbieh was expected to have occupied the
complained' of insecurity, add who bad less cause to xUroutt for tb greater pan Of the day: Znatalt7 td
complain than any other persons, as they, in a manner, general ttiePlotss6B, hfisMtri the record Ems „whit'.
abandoned their property to depredation—(Hear). He drawn, and die case, of coarse, not entered into. ?het*