The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-29 00:00:00

MURDERS AT ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.-COMBI.

NATION OF TRADES.

ASHTON, THURSDAY.—This day the coroner and jury,
pursuant to adjournment from last Thursday, re-assembled
at the Swan Inn, in this town, for the purpose of pursuing
the investigation into the circumstances attending the dia-
bolical murder of Benjamin Cooper, the sawyer, on the even-
ing of the 11th inst. The five men in the custody of the ma-
gistrates, charged with conspiracy and suspicion of the mur-
der, (alluded to in the Times of Wednesday,) were not brought
before the inquest, but remain in prison, previous to their
final committal to the assizes on the former charge, which
will take place on Saturday next. The Coroner, having called
over the names of the jury, requested to know frothi Newton,
the deputy constable of Ashton, whether he had been enabled
to procure any further evidence respecting the murder that
was likely to criminate any person or persons. Newton re-
plied that he had received no clue whatever to the discovery
of the murderer since the last investigation ; neither was he
in any hopes of doing so at present. He had apprehended
another man connected with the union, against whom there
would be similar evidence to that adduced before the magis-
trates in the case of the five already examined.
The coroner in addressing the jury, said that under these
circumstances he did not see the necessity of again adjourn-
ing the inquest, as a verdict of wilful murder against some
person or persons unknown would still leave the shocking
affair open for the inquiries of tha police and the investigation
of the magistrates. The jury concurred in the opinion of the
coroner, and returned a verdict of wilful murder. By the
technical wording of the verdict on the coroner's inquisition,
it appears that the unfortunate man was murdered by four
leaden bullets and four leaden slugs, these having been found
in his body. There were four other slugs found in the saw-
pit, which proves that twelve or more bullets and slugs were
fired at him. Some idea of the extent of the mortal wound
received by the deceased may be imagined, when it is stated
that the wadding with which the balls were fired was found
burning furiously on a piece of mahogany. It was composed
of the course wrapper of cotton bales, and was as much in
quantity as a man could hold in both hands. Up to this pe-
riod it seems that the government reward of £lOO for the
discovery of the atrocious murder had not been effective,
neither do the police appear over sagacious in the matter.
The district is almost inundated with policemen. The govern-
ment rural police have a station in the town, and there is the
Ashton, the Stayleybridge, and the Manchester police, all
engaged in the inquiry, but with very few exceptions (and
these are the men employed under the old system) their intel-
lects in all probability would never have raised them higher
in station than that of ploughmen if government had not
deemed it necessary to have an army of policemen. The
business of the rural police officers seems to be chiefly con-
fined to the laying of informations against beer-houses and
publicans for keeping late hours, &c.
Since the last investigation before the magistrates there
have been two other unionists apprehended, one in Manches-,
ter, by Newton, the constable of Ashton, and the other by
Alcock,: an active superintendant of the Manchester police.
The former prisoner's name is Butterfield, and can be iden-
tified, it is supposed, as being one of the party who attacked
and brutally murdered Thomas Garland on the Manchester-
road, on the 31st of October last. The other man was appre-
hended in Liverpool by Alcock and Green, of Manchester.
His name is William Shaw. He was known to belong to the
union, and absconded the day after the murder of Cooper, on
the 11th instant, and Mr. Whitfield, the master sawyer and
builder, whose house was attempted to be blown up by gun-
powder on the 20th of October last, states, that lie answers
the description of a man whom he had frequently seen sur-
veying his premises previous to the attempt being made.
Both the new prisoners will be brought before the magistrates
on Saturday next, by which time, it is to be hoped, that
others will be in custody, as some of the most intelligent of
the Manchester and Liverpool police are now in active search
at Liverpool. It is said that when the unionists determine
upon the committal of any diabolical act they generally ob-
tain a villain from some other union at a distance : and from
the evidence already given it appears that the party, Peter
Thompson, against whom a great suspicion of the murder of
Cooper lies, comes from Hull. It is evident, however, that
the implement of destruction used against the unfortunate
man was made in a manufacturing district, or carried from a
manufacturing district, as it was formed out of a piece of
steam piping used in factories. From its appearance it would
lead to the supposition that it was made by more than one
individual.

There are now seven men in custody on the charge of con-
spiracy and suspicion of murder, and it is not yet certain
whether unionists in other towns who have corresponded
with the Ashton club will be proceeded against. It is thought
they will, if the government are inclined to protect the mas-
ters and the men against this nefarious combination and
conspiracy:

In. addition to the very liberal offer of £lOO reward for the,
detection of the perpetrators of this cruel murder by the go-
vernment, the master sawyers and builders of Ashton offer
£100; and the following proclamation appears upon the
walls :—" Murder.—£2oo reward.—Whereas, on the evening
of the 11th day of December inst., Benjamin Cooper, a saw-
yer, in the employ of Mr. Richard Whitfield, of Ashton,
timber-merchant, whilein the act of sawing timber in a saw-
pit, was, by some evil-disposed person or persons, most atro-
ciously murdered, by means of an iron pipe converted into
a cannon, and loaded with slugs, having been discharged at
him ; and the circumstances of such murder having been
represented to the Marquis of Normanby, the Secretary of
State for the home department, his lordship has intimated
that a reward of £lOO will be paid by the government to any
person who shall give such information and evidence as shall
lead to the discovery and conviction of the murderer or mur-
derers ; and his lordship has further intimated, that he will
advise the grant of her Majesty's gracious pardon to any ac-
complice (not being the person who actually fired the shot)
who will give such evidence as shall lead to the same result.
And, as a further encouragement for bringing the offender or
offenders to justice, the sum of £lOO (in addition to the re-
ward offered by her Majesty's government) will be paid by
the timber merchants of Ashton-under-Lyne aforesaid, to
whoever will discover the offender or offenders, so that he or
they may be apprehended and convicted of the murder. Ar-
rangements will be made for affording protection to any per-
son or persons who shall give such information as aforesaid
from personal risk or violence."
No reward has been offered for the apprehension of the
murderers of Thomas Garland, and as he was murdered
nearly two months ago it is not. supposed there will be. Had
the government and the authorities acted promptly in endea-
vouring to discover the perpetrator of the first murder, the
second might not have been committed.—London Times.

REPRESENTATION OF WALSALL.

(From the Staffordshire Gazette)
RETIREMENT OF MR. FINCH.

The sudden, although long-expected resignation of F.
Finch, Esq., the member of this borough, has created.no
little bustle amongst the electors, as all parties are using
their best exertions to secure the return of a candidate whose
principles accord with their own. Perhaps, therefore, it
would be well were we to give a short history of the proceed-
ings of the past week. It appears that the Radical party
have been canvassing for some time, and, according to their
usual practice in such cases, very. secretly. On Friday
evening, however, official information was received by the
conservative party that Mr. Finch had accepted the Children
Hundreds: A deputation accordingly waited upon Viscount
Newport, the talented and amiable son of Lord Bradford, to
solicit his lordship to offer himself as a candidate. His lord-
ship very respectfully declined coming forward on this occa-
sion, urging as a reason, his youth ; although by-the•bye he
is we believe quite as old as Mr. Spencer Lyttelton who is
now in the field on the liberal interest. The circumstance of
Viscount Newport declining to be nominated, clearly and
plainly gives the lie to the mendacious assertions of an infa-
mous print published at Wolverhampton, which has fre-
quently endeavoured to make it appear, that Earl Bradford's
aim and intention was, to make Walsall a close borough !
In consequence of the decision, perhaps wisely, come to by
Lord Newport, intelligence of the vacancy was immediately
dispatched to John N. Gladstone, Esq., who unfortunately
happened to be in Ireland at the time. The radicals being
aware no doubt, of the delay'that would be thus occasioned
to their opponents, immediately began a canvass ; and the
Honorable Spencer Lyttelton issued an address full of
" liberal" professions on Monday morning. Toe hon. gen-
tleman at once commenced a personal canvass of the elec-
tors, but we think with but little success ; as the conserva-
tives being confident that Mr. Gladstone would suffer him-
self to be put in nomination, also actively canvassed the elec-'
tors, requesting them to remain unpledged till Mr. Gladstone
should arrive. It is needless to 'go through the various
schemes adopted by the radical party to carry their ends;
but one or two, we think, ought to be noticed ' • the one was,
they endeavoured to persuade the electors that Mr. Lyttelton
was a son of Lord Hatherton, by which means several un-
wary voters promised their votes to him, but they are now
undeceived by a handbill, correcting the false impression
thus 'conveyed to them, and the scheme at least, has done
the radicals no small damage. Reports were put in circula-
tion by them to the effect that no conservative candidate was
coming forward, and thus they attempted to practise another
fraud upon the voters. This specimen of enormous lying
has been contradicted by the appearance of Mr. Gladstone
himself, who arrived from Belfast, after a very tedious jour-
ney, on Wednesday evening, at about half-past eight o'clock,
and a handbill was issued announcing the fact.
Mr:Gladstone met the electors at half-past two o'clock on
Thursday afternoon, and explained to them his principles.
To show the doubts and misgivings entertained by the radi-
cal party we need only refer to a handbill published, in which
an appeal couched in very genteel terms, is addressed to the
electors to be "up and at 'em." Some doubts are also en-
tertained as to whether Mr. Lyttleton will stand a contest;
he left for London on Wednesday, and some persons are un-
charitable enough to say he will not return •, he has not yet
completed his canvass which is not very exhiliratiug to him,
and he had considerable difficulty in forming a committee;
three notes were sent to one individual requesting him to
become a member of the committee ; but all of which he re-
spectfully declined.
The following is an outline of the proceedings of the meet-
ing, on Thursday, when Mr. Gladstone was introduced to
the electors

Shortly after three o'clock, C. S. Forster, Esq. accom-
panied- by Messrs: J. N. Gladstone, Esq r.- W. E. Gladstone,
Esq. M.P., and others, proceeded to the Operative Conser-
vative News arid Reading Rooms, where a large and influen-
tial party of gentlemen and members of the association were
waiting to receive them. Immediately on entering the rooms
three hearty rounds of applause were given, which having in
some degree subsided, C. S. Foster, Esq. said he felt ex-
treme pleasure in introducing to the notice of the meeting a
gentleman of sound conservative principles, as a candidate
well worthy of their support, and in every way fitting to be-
come their representative in the Commons' House of Par-
liament. His name was dear to many, and he had descended
from a family ever remarkable for their attachment to the
tried and ancient constitution, both politically and religiously;
he was a gentleman that he could with confidence recommend
to them, and he should have much pleasure in giving him his
support.

J. N. GLADSTONE, Esq. then came forward, and stated
that he came forward to solicit their support as a candidate
to represent them in Parliament. He came forward to so-
licit their votes as a conservative candidate ; by which he
meant to support the noble constitution in Church and State ;
and as he should have other opportunities of explaining his
principles, he would not therefore detain them, but if any
gentlemen wished to ask any questions, he should feel much
pleasure in giving any answer ; but to be candid he would tell
them that be was connected with the navy, and might not
have that practical experience in the mercantile department
that could be wished for in a representative for that borough,
still he must have lived but to very little purpose if from his
family connexions he had not acquired a knowledge of a mer-
cantile life sufficient to enable him to understand their wants
as a trading borough. He wished any gentlemen present
would ask him any question •they thought proper.
A gentleman in the room said he was of opinion that the
candidate in going to parliament ought to go unpledged.
This sentiment was responded to by the whole body present.
W E. GLADSTONE, Esq., M.P., was then introduced us
the member for Newark, and he said he thought there was
but little time to be spent in speeches, but that the wisest
course to be pursued would be to proceed to business imme-
diately,—all he had to say he would say in one sentence, that
was, that if his brother should succeed to the high honour to
which he had aspired, that he would be found a straightfor-
ward honest supporter of the institutions of the country, and
at all times alive to- their local interests as a borough. He
would advise them to proceed to business (a voice—delays
are dangerous.)
H. C. WINDLE, Esq., then proposed that J. N. Glad-
stone, Esq., be considered as -a fit and-proper person to re-
present their interests in the Commons' House of Parlia-
ment. This proposition was seconded by Samuel Perks,
Esq., and was received with tremendous applause.
Mr. Gladstone and a large party then left the room, and
commenced a canvass, which was highly satisfactory.