The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-01-05 00:00:00

WATCH COMMITTEE.

must know that two lanips would not cost £25, or halfthat stun;
and he would also state that two streets which were lighted by
these two lamps paid more rate than would cover the cost of them
to the community. (Hear.)
Mr. Councillor ConeEtt, in explanation, begged to state that
he had not 'been in Dingle-lane, but
,made his statement from
report.. 'I-Laughter:4 .
Mr. Alderman SHIEL. said it would be' perhaps' necessary for.
the public not to he led away, always to consider that lighting
was a police arrangement entirely, and that lights were not put
up for the accommodation of the parties who resided in the out-
townships, but to be a protection to the police, and to prevent
persons making their escape fi om the police under the cover of
darkness. That appeared to be the view which was taken by
the legislature when in the municipal act they had empowered
the lighting only of the-out-townships. As to Mr. Caoper say-
ing that the people in the town were taxed for those out of the
town, that was not the case ; the people in the town were taxed
fur the protection of their own persons and property.
The M Avon wished to make one remark. He did not wish
to stop the observations of any gentleman, but be thought Mr.
Cooper should have made inquiries of the watch committee
be-
fore he had taken the course he had.
The proceedings were then confirmed.
MARKET COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee were confirmed.
TOWN-HALL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE.
Resolved, that Mr. Case's picture be allowed to he removed
from the council-room up stairs, in,the Town-hall, at the request
of his relatives, to be copied.
M r. Councillor HENRY LAWRENCE wished to know if a similar
application hail been male by Sir Thomas Brancker's relatives,
as he did not see his picture in the room. (A lauiih.)
The NIkYOR said his picture was to be put up that day, and
it would be in the pttoisure of the council at which end of the
room it was to he put, for the best light.
Proceedings confirmed.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee, together with that of the
Custom-house committee, and the committee for superintending
the pecuiary affairs of the corporation churches, were confirmed.

"lOWN'S DUES uoMMITTEE.

The TOWN-CLERK read the following report:—
That it be recommended to the council to authorise this com-
mittee to allow to steam•packet companies, and agents for, and
masters of coasting vessels, being regular traders, from and
after the sth instant, a commission, not exceeding
.five pounds
Per centum, on the amount of town dues duly declared accounted
fur, and paid over to the receiver, under regulations to be pre-
scribed by the committee.
And the receiver having drawn the attention of the committee
to the orders of the late council of the sth January, 1825, 2d
December, 1829, and 3d December, 1831, relating to town
dnes on various articles of merchandize, and the power of re-
sumption of the former amount of dues, reserved to the council
by the said orders, the committee, with the advice of the Town-
clerk, recommend, that it is expedient for the council to make
any order, and report that no order having been made, thedues
upon the said articles will continue collectable, under the said
bt ders of the late council, according to the rates thereby allowed,
the power of the council still continuing reserved as therein ex-
pt•essed,
The ieport.was confirmed.
COURT oF REQUESTS COMMITTEE.

The TOWN-CLERK read the following report, which was con,
firmed-- _ _

It w-is to the effect, that on Thursday, the 19th December
last, William Lowndes, Esq., the stipendiary commissioner of
the Court of Requests, while acting in the correct discharge of
his duty, upon the occasion of giving judgment in the open
court between two parties who were before him, received flew'
the chief clerk of the court, Mr. William- Statham, an unpro-
voked insult, in language reflecting on the justice of the deci-
sion given by the commissioner: that tyn the next day hut one,
Mr. Statham made an apology in open court. which satisfied
the commissioner so far that he was content to leave the subject
without any personal feeling to the consideration of the coin-
matee. The latter recommended to the council the lenient
course-of passing the offence, only so far as to make. Mr. Sta-
tham's continuation in his office dependent on his future con-
duct and demeanour being such as the commissioner, the coun-
cil, and the public have a right to expect from him in his im-
portant office of chief clerk of the Court of Requests.
In•case of any further misbehaviour, then tha:offence and the
present one to be taken into consideration by. the committee as
to the proper punishment deserved.

Among the. proceedings and resolutions of this committee
there was an order, that the 'officers of police were to do their
utmost to enforce the provision of the by-laws relative to stunk-'
ing on the dock quay's, and going into warehouses with mien-
closed lamps. There was a further resolution on the dirty state
of the footwalks in the town. [The Mayor said, an order_ had
been issued, that the inhabitanis should sweep before their
doori in compliance with the by-law.] It was further ordered,
that the names of the several streets in the town should be
placed upon the gas lamps in such streets, in the same manner
as in Lord-street. _

It was,resolved, that any policeman or member of the,consta,
bulary force. asking or receiving any gratuity or christiui.is-box:
horn any person should be dismissed the service.
The lighting of a part of the um-townships was deferred till
next September.
Mr. Councillor Swart wished to know why the lighting of
Edge-lane had been deferred? The inhabitants had a right to
complain that they were rated for ligh#ing, and had no light
within a quarter of a mile Irma their residences. He thought
\Valu►sley would recollect, that this was contrary to au
agreement entered into in 1836.
Mr. Councillor-WminsLEY said, it had been arranged, and

the arrangement had been made known, that there would be an
inspector to each ward in the town, and that if any of the inha-
bitants complained of want of light, when they applied to the
watch committee, their complaint was referred to two inspectors
of the district to report on ; if they reported favoui ably, a light
was placed ; and if nut, the parties were informed, that their re-
quest could nut be complied with. The watch committee, after
the suburbs were supplied with light, thought it was :meets iry
to appoint a special committee for the purpose of seeing whe-
ther the lighting.could.not be carried to the extent of the boii-
dories. That committee had taken considerable pains, and had
reported to the committee, that he whole of the boundaries
should be lighted, specifying the streets, and in most places.
where the lights should be placed. The report had again been
referred to them to state those parts which should be first light
ed, which would be most useful for the inhabitants of the bo-
rough; and that report had been read to tnem. fie could .not
immediately refer to the part of which Mr. Smith spoke, as. it
could not be supposed that the chairman of the committee could
have a knowledwe of every lamp; but had Mr. Smith informed
him of this before, he should have been very happy to have
given him every information The lighting of Vauxhall-road,.
Smitbdown-lane, &c., was first ordered, and the remainder of
the boundaries to be finished by next September. if they at-
tempted to light the whole now it would be impossible to do so
before the lights would be unnecessary. They had, therefore,
thought it best to get on with those lights which were Most
needed. In the meantime all the pipes would be laid down,
Mr. Councillor Satmi said, he was not asking any particular
favour for
_his constituents; all they required was to be placed
on the same footing as their neighbours. They rated them but
they would not light them.
Mr. Councillor G. H. LAWRENCE would ask if inhabitants
residing a quarter of a utile from any light were obliged to pay

a rale ?
Mr. Councillor WacsisLEY said, it was for the watch com-
mittee to say whether certain places should be absolved from
pas ing rates. Formerly parties had been ai•solved 00 being at
some particular distance (twit any light, as fifty yards for in-
stance. But that would be alone in the sub-committee of the
watch committee whether certain places should nOot pay those
rates. They were compelled to. lay' the rate in the first instance;
still it would be in the diseretion of the committee to say, whe-
ther it would be right for certain parties to pay that rate.
Mr. Councillor JoEIN Ssitrir read part of a resolution on the
subject—" Resolved, that the tales shall only extend to those
parts actually lighted." Ells constituents complained, that they
were not lighted, and yet they paid the rates.
Mr. Councillor JontraN said, if the parties had applied to the
watch committee, they would have immediately inspected the
complaint.; -• •
Mr. Councillor Watmst.KY said, this was an arrangement
which had been made the previous year, and the arrangement
applied to the whole borough. A sub-committee would be ap-
pointed for the purpose of inquiring whether any persons cOuld.
be absolved from the rate. , , • .
Mr. Councillor JOHN Slkwas perfectly satisfied. n,
Mr. Councillor GoGLAN I ought it important al future, that
when any gentlemen felt agrieved, and felt it necessary to make
statements, that he would previously inquire of the watch com-
mittee, and receive from them the reasons which appeared to
them sufficient to justify their refusal for not carrying into effect.
that which was complained of. If the answer appeared not
satisfactory, it was then quite competent and the duty of any
member to bring it before the council. Such a line of conduct
would save time and prevent improper feeling from getting
abroad. He would-suggest' that that was the proper course.
Mr. Councillor HENRY LAwesNCC did not think any gen-
tleman should be debarred from makino any observations.
Mr. Councillor CoonEn said, it was rather strange to c.tll on
the poor inhabitants of some of the streets which were nut light-
ed to contribute to light the outer townships, which paid no
portion of the rate. Dingle-lane was ordered to be lighted, and
only one or two houses were there, and that lane would cost at
least £25. It was, therefore, very hard on those parties who, in•
the town, had whole streets unlighted, to be called on to contri-
bute to the rate for the benefit of the out-townships. Mr. Cooper
was proceeding to enumerate various places in the town which
were not lighted, when .
The M A volt said it would take up much time to go round the
the town; he had better make those statements to the watch
committee.
Mr. Councillor CoorEe thought he was quite in order.
Mr. Councillor BRIGHT wished to ask the Town-clerk whether
the watch committee hail not a sovereign poster on these ques-
tions, and whether they ought to come before the council at all ?
The TowN•CLERK said this qUestion came before the watch
committee not in their capacity of watch committee but as a
lighting committee.
Mr. Councillor CooeErt thought he was-quite in order, inas-
much as he had not a seat in any of those committees. He
thought he hail a right, for the benefit of the public, to object to
this mode of lighting. The fact had been stated. that Liverpool
was one of the worst lighted towns in all England. (Cries of
" No," " No." " No.") The lamps were also placed at much
too great a distance -in the town. (A cry of •` Name.") He
would name Gower-street, which was•whollv built up, and there
was not a lamp in it. He merely named these things to draw
the attention of the lighting committee to them.
Mt, Councillor Wstmst.Ev said Mr. Cooper hod made one
complaint to which he should allude. • So far as the charges
against the watch committee Went,, he hopedthe paving beard
was equally well attended to. Mr. Cooper had referred to Din-
gle-lane, raid had stated that it would cost £25, and that there
weie (HAY One or two houses in There were Duly two lamps,
tit eat the utmdst three therei.and.Mio Cooper from big experience

Mr. Councillor EARLE only wished to correct a statement of
Mr. Birch ; he was not going to justify the appointment, but
there was a material difference between this appointment and
the one to which Mr. Birch had alluded, made by the old cor-
poration. ..
The MAYOR wished to be in order. Would Mr. Earle move
that the resolutions be confirmed ?
Mr. Councillor Blecti understood that there was a motion to
that.effect,-or he would not have spoken.
l'he MAYOR begged pardon. . .
Mr. Cotunrillor EARLE merely wished to correct Mr. Birch in
one par neuter, as to what had been done on the last apeointtnent
of the old corporation. In that appointment; the choice was
made from two gentlemen of the same political principles, one
a very old and skilful man, and the other a very young one,
who had been his apprentice; but, notwatistanding, they chose.
the young man, though of the same political opinions.
Mr. Cotinciilor BIRCI-I.—l believe there were two or three
candidates of the same politics on this occasion, and I believe
nt being
paying the committee chose the youngest. (A laugh.)
Mr. Councillor EARI.E.—I was only
.going to put the council
in possession of the difference. (Continued laughter.)
Mr. Councillor HENRY LAWRENCE said, if he understood
right,
n t
tnt
aftrtoemAlt a
t,
r .the
time it
Harvey's l iit ter,
was
fur he
reading, was
un e
the importance of it, the ground of his resignation was, that he
i eagW ea r parti-
cularof
did not choose to submit his opinion to that of any other person,
or consent to act under any other solicitor?
Mr. Alderman Le sTtiosi.—That is the substance.
Mr. Councillor H. LAWRENCE continued.—Because, so far
as his knowledge went, he could not conceive that any respect-
able solicitor could so place himself. If he were not fit to act
on hie own opinion he ought not to have been appointed. He
had always considered Mr. Harvey as a. must respectable
gentleman in the profession, and whose talents did him very
great credit; and he therefore could not see how he could place
himself in the situation which th; Dock Committee would place
him in, more especially as the veto was in the council. If he
was to consult the Town-clerk, for whom he (Mr. Lawrence)
hail the highest respect, he was still placing himself more under
the council ; and he did not think that any independent person
owlet have acted otherwise than he had done; and he there-
fore regretted that the resienation had taken place. Concurring
in the sentiments of Mr. Birch—sentiments which did trim the
highest credit, he 'felt called upon to speak his concurrence in
them, and to express hie high opinion of the justice which Mr.
Harvey had done to his own character.
The MAYOR said the only mistake was, that the solicitor of
the dock estate was never asked to submit his opinion. Re
was simply asked to confer with the Town-clerk, tube put in
possession of opinians upon which he was to act. It was a
course uniformly adopted in the • House of Lords and in the
House of Commons, to the great convenience of the public;
but no man was made superior to anether by that proceeding.
Therefore the whole argument of Mr. Hariey *fell to the ground.
Mr. Councillor JOSEPH HORNEY said, in the committee, on
former occasions, he had certainly voted for Mr. North, when a
candidate, as he considered him a far more eligible man ; but
he had not considered that on that account he should in future
vote for Mr. North it' he found an equally eligible men brought
forward at the same time. At the time when Mr. Harvey was
elected, he had voted for him as an equally eligible man with
Mr. North. He was sorry that Mr. Birch should have made
the remamks that he had done, and thrown out that they had
voted on other censiderations,, on aeisount of his poitta'calprins'
ciples, for Mr. Vandenhoff. (Hear.) He disavoweot that en-
tirely; he believed the gentlemen themselves took all the
measures they possibly could to satisfy themselves that he was
perfectly fitted for the situation. The result of their inquiries
was, that he had gone through a regular education, that he was
proper rrtohptes r
in to
eligible
itn stateni
i order
man of very rising talents, and they were all convinced, from
their personal intercourse with him, that he was in every respect
rte r tila
fill
s 'er
st
ii
tin o ds
istsit t b f:
s ofi dockr considered slieit'srlie
wished athat
they rested with the imputation of merely appointing a man for
his political principles. (•' Hear" from) the Whigs, answered
ironically by the tories.) If he had not thought him as fit as
any other candidate he would not have voted for him. .
Mr. Councillor WALMSLEY was merely going to observe that
he thought before Mr. Birch had brought such imputations
against the Dock committee, he should have given them some
grounds—he should at least have shown to the council that Mr.
Vandenhoff was not capable of filline, the office, or he should
-have shown that any one of the candidates was better qualified
than Mr. Vandentua for the office He (Mr. Birch), he thought
had failed, or not attempted to prove any of these things; and,
perhaps, before bringing this imputation against the cduncil, it
would have been his duty outof doors to have ascertained this.
In reference to what had fallen from the member for Rodney-
street ward, 'Mr. Harvey was not requested. as had very pro-
perly been said, to see the Town-clerk at all; but the Dock so-
licitor found from the act of parliament relative to the docks,
that he hail not the power of making, bye-laW•e relative to fires
close to the Dock quays, the council only having the power of
making those laws. He 'believed that a sub-committee of the
council, on the bye-laws, did propose certain bye-taws for the
better government of the Dock quays to prevent fires ,thereon;
But though these laws were desirable to be held in abeyance for
a certain time, until arrangements could be made with the Dock
committee for jointly carrying them into effect, it was with
the view that the Towit-clerk and- Dock solicitorshould consult;
or. if beneath the dignity and professional character of Mr.
Harvey. toconsult with the Town-clerk on such an important
consideration. to consult smile of the conned. The result had been
that the bye-laws which had at first been proposed, hail been
'totally altered; and, though the bye-laws brought before the
Dock committee had been so altered, he was prepared to say,
that even as they now stood, if brought before the council, the
council would pause on them; and he did not know whether
they would not go further and put a veto on them. Counsel's
opinion had been orderel to be taken, whether these bye-laws
could be passed erne!, and the result of that would show whe-
thernot, as respected the professional capability of Mr. Vandenhoff
the members of that committee had acted a proper part or
for the office of Dock solicitor; he, fur one, believed that he
was fully capable—that he was a young mall Of great talents,
and rising rapidly in his profeesisti ; that he had served a re-
gular apprenticeship to his profession, with credit to himself, and
he believed he held the good opinion of a great portion of that
council, not only as a professional Man, but as a private cha-
racter; and his appointment was worthy of the Duck-trust, and
he firmly believed lie would be an honour and a credit to it.
Mr. Alderman LEATki A m said, he regretted extremely on his
return from London, to find that Mr. Harvey had determined
to give in his resignation. He was not aware that he was la-
bouring under such gm eat dissatisfaction; but it appeared that
his mind was made up unalterably. He ( Mr. Harvey ) had
called on him, and told hint that the committee were to tneet,
and that no consideration whatever should induce him to with-
draw his letter. It was what he regretted exceedingly, because,
after an experience of P 2 months, Mr. Harvey hail shown the
greatest talents, and that he possessed great diligence and
assiduity; and he believed that he had shown the result of con-
siderable experience in his profession. They were consequently
brought to the election of another solicitor, and five presented
themselves. Two of these withdrew their pretensions on the
morning of the election. and three consequently remained, Mr.
North, Mr. Vandenhoff, and Mr. Robinson. No person pro-
posed Mr. Robinson, and consequently they went to the vote
tehhelasrat tdhweroe.wf refrained
He wished
reflected efcriledi 'h, ": no. kf:i,pnregvaoakti
iatnshge" ;o newspapers,
Ais ol.own
'Ni v,,0r1
North. It
foru i
It -t.
had been. stated that no person was so well qualified as Mr.
Vandenhoff. Mr. North having had considerable experience
—an experience of twenty years, and having acted for a large
rril.'ise) ror
stsshtgieritseolhi
body of merchants in protecting their powers, he had made him-
self very fully arepus'rted with the bearings of the Dock Acts ;
and from Mr. North also being the solicitor to the Harrington
Doork Company, which had given him a further insight into the
dock question's he therefore did think, independently of a pri-
vate friendship for Mr. North, that he was the fittest man for
the purpose. tie looked to no distant period to their being com-
pelled to go into parliament; and he thereto •e reflected in him-
" THOMAS HARVEY." self in the choice of a solicitor, who would be the most fit and
jiiroper person to accompany a deputation to London for their
t
Note.—Alderman Leathom, the chairman, was at 'this time ef enee and advice there. From what he, had learnt of Mr
absent from) Liverpool. Vandenhoff, he was a very young man • d one who had little
It was resolved that Mr. Hai vey's resignation he accepted. "or no expereince in ptrlitt.inent *an
dry practise;. and any person
liesolved,,that Air. G. Vandeehoff be appointed in the room must know that ' -
much experience was required in traesacting
of Mr. Harvey. Proceedings confirmed. .
that description of businees • he therefore gave his conscientious
Mr. Councillor Blecir (who spoke so very low that at first vote for Mr. North, and if 'requiredwould '.
on the
we heard hint very imperfectly,) said it was not then his Mien-of vote
psonactaLinlwa
and
ground that he had a greater know!
lion to oppose the confirmation of that report, because he con- of parliamentary business. B thisei
rte • 1 '
Bur stria ect of bye-laws was
sidered that the veto) possessed by the council ought never to ' '
not the whole ground of A. r. Marvel's discontent • he had had
he exercised except very strongly culled for;
but he eould not long conversations with the Town-Clerk and had 'beet led ohs-
help expressing his regret at that part of the proceedings tinctly to understand that he was tsubmit himself. Is Town
which referred to the recent appointment of a solicitor to the nu.")
Eie°
Aito re
Clerk.(cries of ." no," ‘•
Dock estate. It was quite natural for Mr. Vandenhoff to wishHe( Mr.
nrd. Ihseeilt hotn J believed t
i, thatt
that was his perfect understanding;
to promote his own interests in the world in every honourable belief by the Toe n Clerk baying' was borne_ out. h its
said to him (Air. Lest out)
way . and although he could nut admit his fitness 'for the offire that he should' •
investigate the powers of thectouticil in the . ovens-
to wt'lich he had been appointed, he was very willing to bear ment of the Dock Estate; that he should -the -‘'
his testimony in favour of his character. But he did thick it,
to, on
ands tr v r
expressedeigt t y
of the council in the management of Docksi"ailil
of very deep concern. a concerti which he was sure was partaken his town desire to tie the mover and projector Of th'in as conected
in by a very large body of intelligent individuals in the town, with the estate. He (Mr. Leto hons)theief r s ter he was not
that the character of the council should be in the slightest sufficiently conversant with the Dock Laeisreto' know how the
dearee injured in the estimation of the public by the adoption question hung and desired Mr. Harvey t • see.. him. tie (Mr
of the principle in filling offitial vacancies, of looking to po- Lest him)) therefore from that circumstance ° id' Mr. Harvey's
at
Wired oopintous as the exclusive qualifications for office, and
declaration to hit it front theeat *he hadrt-
which thereby made the interests or a large and veluable trust circumstancesrt.
t, that,
in a
re
great
fated, iniaosined thrsasst°lllr. Harve
snliservient to the objects and views merely of a party (Hear.) measure not"
minis been the result 3;tf'whsaligh°,ll lfloe'sen• stated by Mr
Fie was sure they must all of them very' well remember the Walinsley, but that he had felt that he !oust be on all occasiens
odium, he (night, perhaps, call it the disgrace which bad been
❑subservient to and dictated to by the opinion of the Town Clerk
cast upon the old corporation by their appointment to this for whew, he (Mr. Leathe)t) said with • reat sint•erlt so, he had
very offiice of a young man, respectable every way in himself
, a great respect both personally and fur g his legal ability. He
and his connexions, yet wanting in the requisite of professional did think that Mr. Harvey was borne out in the tenor of his ,
. .
qualificatious for the office. Now he would ask, was it right, lif he (Mr. I" ' had
and
was it proper, nay, was it decent that they who had merely Estate he would have acted precisely as Mr. Harvey had done.
changed places with the old corporation, should, at that mo- ( Hear.) He was exceedingly sorry f what might be the re-
tnent, pursue the very souse which they hail been the first and suit if Mr. Vaudenhuff d or
' •
was tuun not to possess sufficient expe-
foremost to denounce ? t Hear.) He could not pretend to be rience. '
indifferent to the advantage of party combinetions; he knew Mr. Alderman Everts said they heard •
had a great deal about
they were necessary fur cat rying out great principles and tither IMr. Harvey ; he entertained a great respect fog hula and all his
objects; he would not (hotly that his own course of conduct, cotinexions, hut he did assure that council that he (Mr. Harvey)
were the qualifications of the parties equal, would be In favour had met with approvals of his conductanywhere but* •
of a.gentleinan of his own poliitleal opinions; trot he could not ,hatthere
his connexions. M. r Harvey. admittedwas a su-
admit that party combinations ought 'ever to be carried to that remace king hid in.the dockacts, which.S
i• . .
~ •ssave Al ,s4pretn!icy to
pitca, and still less could he admit that mere conformity of 'lO- PT
the
Town-clerk; er ,not k • only did the I owri-clerk offer to waive all
litical opinion should be taken as the rule and measure of I.
1""- that supremacy, but ultimately they (the committee) did toot
fesSional qualifications. (Hear.) If they were to recognize time urge it, but recotnmended a frieudly and free conference with
the
principle that 12 gentlemen, on any other members forming a
view to arrangement, •
an so that whether oppOsed or not,
majority of the committee were to hold preparatory meetings •
the dock committee might not meet with a rebuff from that
in order to fix on the candidate of their choice, with the dis council, which he hoped would never be given in the way of
first agreement that the inferior section of the committee '
annulling, the pi oceedings of the committee. They were con-
should give
up their feelings to the dictation of the others, they tending rather' for the independence of the dock committee and
at once admitted a principle of action which could not fail to • •s• in • ' unbecoming
he solicitor, than endeavouring to put him in an unbecoming
lie itsjitri • ous to the Faille interests, and which must invariably position as an
independent
man. tie wits not asked to do any-
bring on theruin of ,
single person, who happened, perhaps, to have a larger share or sional men might never differ, both standing equally high with
personal energy, sum tim canvass the interests of the separate indi- the public, and nut leave their agreement to chance. Now, so
viduals of his own party as to gain over a majority to his views, far for Mr. Harvey ; he must ascribe his conduct to a morbid
amid those, when it came to the trial, to ride over the judgement, and tnistalsen sensibility, and there he left it. With regard to
perhaps, of their wiser and more considerate colleagues. But the other
appointment, the question narrowed itself to the mere
let them look to the effects of this on the public interests. It capacity of the man ; they were not aware that that could be
amounted to a virtual exclusion of the very best men in the impugned. He contended that that was an improper subject
town from the office altogether, for they might be very sure for the discussion of the council. There was a discretion in the
that gentlemen of high standing in the profession, gentlemen dock committee, and unless the council could show that they
of great legal attainments, and large professional experience. had appointed a man who was not competent to the office, it
would never submit to place their tnerits in competition with was out of the jurisdiction of the council. He said it was a yin-
others if they happened to possess the superior recommendation lation of cool tesv to those who were responsible to the dock
of political devotion and greater attachment to the dominant committee, to bring such charges as that. Now they had heard
party. The consequences would inevitably be, if the proceedings nothing but vague declarations against Mr. Vandenhoff. He
to which tie had alluded were to be brought before the council had made it his business to confer with those who were qualified
as they must he, and if gentlemen who dissented from them to give an opinion—with a very eminent barrister—lie meant
must sustain the frowns of their party, the effect might be ulti-
, locally eminent—(a laugh)—who knew all the professional men
s' mate'. that gentlemen of character and independence weld" in Liverpool, who had said that although, Mr. Worthington was
hardly be found to offer themselves even as candidates for a very clever gentleman, they had named One clever man who
office. These were his opinions on the subject; whether they was every way competent for the office. 'They had all the evi-
were shared in by othergentlemen must remain tq be seen. He Bence on their side, and nothing brought forward to justify that
was contented for himself, that he should be relieved from discussion. It was very easy for gentlemen to lay hold of a fact
being supposed to give a silent acquiescence in a principle of to preach moral sermons on; be could do that directly; he
action which, sooner or later, if persevered in, must bring on could preach moral sermons on general principles. (Laughter.)
the moral decline of that party to which he was by principle But there should he some ground for endeavouring to inflict a
attached, but which he was much more anxious to sustain in stigma upon the gentleman who had been fulfilling the trust.
the respect and yowl (minima of the public, than in the irre- He would go more particularly to the matter; he would too
sponsible possession of patronage (so we understood Mr. have trained Mr. North on any account; he never would have
Birch. who here spoke exceedingly low). Mr. Birch sat down named any man who had made an attempt to keep the docks
amidst partial applause; the out acid out, thick and thin sup- frotn the corporation. He was deputed• as one of thirteen to
porters of whiggistn and jobbery maintaining a profound preserve the corporate influence in the docks. It was their
Silence. . - duty to have set their faces against Mr. North, and if they had
Nits Cotincillor -EARLE wished to correct a mistake in what not acted as they had done they would have betrayed their trust.
Mr. Birch had stated; there was one difference in the parallel He knew not what all this meant about introducing party work
he had drawn— into the council; he would recommend gentlemen not to try
The MA von rose to order. There was no motion before the that subject, for if it was opened on one side it would be on the
council. If any member wished to rise in reply, he thought it other, and the merits of parties would be discussed, and the
ought to be permitted; but not any discussion; danger of appointing then into the bead placei of the country

either of one party or the other, Would also be investigated; anti
he thought that with regard to the present appointment. it they.
narrowed it between the two,. Mr. North and Mr. Vendebhufe•
or in fact any other man who was qualified to undertake the
office, that they of the,corporation count not have acted other.
wise. Mr. North was associated with geptlenien, and he be,:
lieved he was also their agent in endeavouritig to dissever the
corporation and the duck interept:; as he had said before;
it was their bounden duty: as representatives of that council;
not to elect any gentleman of that sort. (Hear.)
The M wolf said, there was nu motion, and he presttmed the-
proceedings were coutiimed. ,
Mr. Councillor Coosa here rose and said, he should move;
that that part of the proceedings be referred back with respect
t. the dock committee appointment. , .
• The MAYOR said, he had sat down. If gentlemen of the couu-
cii
thought he should open the subject he would; but it was
against.all order. .
Mr.. Councillor Eiptn—People should screw up their cour
age at once.