The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-12 00:00:00

TOWN COUkCIL PROCEEI3II•4Oi

On :Friday, the adjourned First Quarterly Meeting' (for
the yew) of the Council was held in the ennui! Chamber,
for the..consitleration of the mutters not disposed of on Wed,
nesday last,-•-the principal of which were the appointment
of Governor and Chaplain to the Borough Goal ; the ap-
.

pomtment of a committee (on the notice orMr. H.'flornby)
to consider the defective tnd unsatisfactory state of the law
relating to the revision of the burgess lists ; and the referring
of the Dock bill, as relates to the warehouse question, to a
committee,—on the motion of Mr. Earle.
There was a full attendance of the council soon after the
opening of the chamber, there being on the first voting forty-
nine members present.
APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNOR AND OF CHAPLAIN OF

BOROUGH GAOL

The MAYOR introduced the subject by stating that the
subject of the appointment of a successor to Mr. Batcheldor,
as keeper of the gaol, and of the Rev. Dr. Buck, as chap-
lain, had been reported on by the general committee to whom
it was referred, and that the report should now be read.
The TOWN-CLERK accordingly read the'report, which
stated what steps the magistrates had taken to give the mat-
ter publicity, and to bring the names and claims of the can-
didates before the council. The gaol committee resolved
that-1. All applications and testimonials should be laid
before the council. 2. That lists of all applicants should be
laid in alphabetical order. 3. That ont of this list the gaol
committee should select four candidates for each office, and
recommend them to the council as best qualified for it. 4.
That out of each the committee recommend one as best
qualified.
For the office of gaoler there were 36 candidates, of whom
the committee named—Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Highton, Mr.
Paige, and Mr. Parkinson.
For the office of chaplain there were 17 candidates, of
whom the committee named—Rev. Mr. Cameron, Rev. Mr.
Carter, Rev. Mr. Jones, and Rev. Mr. Picton. Of those
the committee specially recommended Mr. Highton as
governor and Mr. Carter as chaplain. •
The names of the whole of the candidates were not read,—
the council requiring the names of those only who had been
selected by the committee as the most eligible.
The MAYOR proposed that the report should be received,
which did not bind any member to its adoption, and that the
testimonials of the eight candidates should first be read, and
afterwards those of any others who might be proposed arid
seconded by any member of the council.

Mr. DAVID HODGSON moved that no testimonials should
be read unless the parties were first proposed and seconded
as candidates.

After some discussion it was determined by a majority of
32 to 23, that the testimonials of those only should be read
who had been proposed and seconded.
The TOWN-CLERK again, read the names of the candidates
for the governorship.
Mr, JOHN HOLMES moved that Mr. Highton be
dates for the situation.

a candi-

Mr. RICHARD HOUGHTON seconded the motion,

Mr. Edward Highton's testimonials were read by the
Town-clerk. They were of considerable length, and of a
most favourable character, and from parties of the first re-
spectability. Mr. H., it appears from them, is 30 years of
age, and has a wife and two children. -In very early life,
(when, indeed, a mere boy,) he entered the army, and such
was his good education, intelligence, and sobriety, that he
was taken immediate notice of by his superiors, and was soon
raised from the ranks, and placed in the regimental office.
He soon became pay-serjeant, and continued to gain increased
confidence. Of these facts highly commendatory letters were
read from Col. G. D. Pitt, of the 87th Regiment; from officers
of the 80th Regt. and others. He had bought his discharge
when at the rank of pay-serjeant. Of his many very active
and efficient services in the police of this town, for some
years, very strong testimonials were also read from the Watch
Committee, (under whom he has long been as clerk,) from
Mr. Whitty, chief constable, from the Town-clerk, and many
others of the local authority of this town. Mr. Whitty, in
his letter, stated that Mr. H. had been most efficient and
confidential, and that the statistical accounts of the business
connected with the police, (which have given so much satis-
faction,) were drawn up solely on his (Mr. Highton's) con-
trivance. In his application Mr. Highton referred for his
bondsman, for the security required, to his two uncles, one
a member of the common council, in Shrewsbury, and the
other an Esquire, residing in the same neighbourhood.
After some conversation respecting Mr. Page and his tes-
timonials,

Mr. JOSEPH HORNBY proposed that Mr. Griffiths be a
candidate.

Mr. FREME seconded the motion

The testimonials of Mr. Griffiths were then read, and all of
them were strongly favourable to him. One, from the Mayor
of Shrewsbury, stated that he had been 17 years Governor of
the county prison of Salop, and that his gaol discipline and
management was such, that he had even anticipated the views
of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the
improvement of gaols. Letters of high recommendation
were also read from the Earl of Liverpool, from several of the
magistrates of the county, from clergymen of high station,
and other respectable persons.
The MAYOR said, that other testimonials from Mr. Grif-
fiths had been given to him since the first were received.
Mr. EARLE said, that the testimonials were required to be
sent in by a certain day, and if those were not so, they were
not available.

The Mayor said, it was due to the council that he should
state, that he had just received a Shrewsbury paper, in which
there was a report of the magistrates of that towns which he
believed had reference to Mr. Griffiths. It referred to the
reason of his dismissal from the governorship of the gaol of
that county.

After some conversation, the proceedings detailed 'in the
Shrewsbury newspaper, was then read. The report was one
of the proceedings at an adjourned meeting of the quarter
sessions, and embodied the report of a committee appointed
to inquire into the conduct of Mr. Griffiths, with reference
to his connexion with trade and his becoming a bankrupt,
and how far the same affected him as a proper person to re-
main a governor of that gaol. These details were read at
considerable length, and had the effect of turning the tables
against the candidate, many of the members of the council
on both sides expressing impatience before the close, with
an expression that they had heard enough. The report set
forth that the investigation had resulted in the discovery
that Mr. Griffiths, contrary to the regulations of the magis-
trates, had continued to trade privately after his denial of
doing so ; that he had borrowed money which he had with-
held the payment of in a dishonourable manner ; that he had
sunk his own capital in this manner, and most seriously in-
jured.many others ; that he had stated untruths to the ma-
gistrateS relative to his estates ; that he had supplied the
gaol with coals from his estates ; and had stated that he had
sold his shares in a coal concern, when the fact turned out to
be otherwise; that he had reported having visited from time
to time all parts of the gaol, when in fact he had visited but
a part ; that be had not paid the turnkeys regularly ; apd, in
fine, that the committee of magistrates to whom the case was
referred, with a view to discover any plea of extenuation in
his behalf, as an old servant, came to the resolution that they
would not be doing their duty in not deciding for his dis-
missal. A letter of Mr. Griffiths, in reply, and printed in
the same paper, was also read, ascribing his pecuniary diffi-
culties, and his remaining in business, to circumstances which
he could not control, and complaining of the magistrates' re-
port, and soliciting them to withdraw the harsh expression it
contained. Another document was also read from some of
his creditors, in which they stated that they considered he
had been unfortunate in his speculations, and was not mo-
rally delinquent. The reading of these papers produced no
counteracting effect on the minds of the members of the
council.

Mr. HORNBY and Mr. FREMB disclaimed all knowledge
of the facts which had just reached them. Mr. F. said that,
on seeing the signatures of the Earl of Liverpool and the
Rev. Mr. Lister to the recommendations, he had (particularly
froth his knowledge of the latter,) been induced to think most
favourably of the candidate. The exposition made gave the
matter a very different complexion.
The TOWN-CLERK said he had heard some more reports
affecting the candidate, and had yesterday, with a member
of the council, read over his testimonials, in consequence,
and these bad removed the impressions from his mind which
those reports had made. He had not before read the news-
paper.

- The MAYOR stated that he had not read the report in the
newspaper or knew its contents until it was read in that
chamber.

The council evinced their decided disinclination to retain
the name of Mr. Griffiths as a candidate,; and
Mr. JOHN HOLMES rose and proposed that Mr. Edward
R. Highton he Governor of the Borough Gaol.
Mr. RICHARD HOUGHTON seconded the motion; which
was carried unanimously.
ELECTION OF CHAPLAIN TO THE BOROUGH GAOL.
The TOWN-CLERK read the names of the parties proposed
by the committee, Mr. Carter having the preponderance in
their estimation.

Mr. HUGH HORNBY begged leave to propose to the office
Mr. Carter, who had been especially recommended by the
magistrates.

Alr. HOLMES seconded the motion. He knew the great
zeal and attenticn of the candidate proposed, and from his
charitable and kind feelings to all, a guarantee was afforded
that he would discharge the duties of his office without any
sectarian feelings.
Mr. COOPER proposed Mr. Picton, who, he had no doubt,
would give the utmost satisfaction.—This was seconded by a
MEMBER whose name we did not catch.
Mr. PLATT proposed Mr. Jones, as a young man who
would fill the situation with credit to himself and satisfaction
to those who employed him. He warmly recommended him.
Mr. M` KEE seconded the motion.
Mr. Amu.; proposed that Mr. Carter's testimonials be
first read.

The testimonials of the three candidates were respectively
read. The votes were taken, and there appeared
For Mr. Carter 39
" Mr. Picton
" Mr. Jones
The MAYOR declared Mr. Carter duly elected.
The following is a list of the gentlemen who voted in the
division :

For the Rev. Mr. Carter.—Messrs. J. Holmes, Quayle,
Houghton. Thornhill, Case, Sandbach, H. Holmes, Mellor,
Walmsley,,Aikin, Woollright, H. llornby, Yates, Toulmin,
J. Lawrence, Robinson, Morecroft, Coglarr, Slater, G. H.
Lawrence, M`Kee, Jordan, Mather, A. Smith, jun., Sheil,
Booth, J. Hornby, Roskell, G. Holt, C. H. Jones, Benn,
Earle, Moon, Evans, Barclay, T. Holt, Freme, Harvey, and
the Mayor.

For the Rev. Mr. Picton.—Messrs. Hodgson, I. Holmes,
Copeland, Wright, Barton, Blundell, Sands, Cooper, Wood,
Birkett, Gladstone, Procter, Rigby, Kilshaw, R. Jones, jun.,
Leigh, J. Smith, and Harbord.

For the Rev. Mr. Jones.—Messrs. Priestley and Platt

STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL.
Several amendments to the standing orders were agreed
to, the details of which would not interest the general public.

THE MUNICIPAL REFORM BILL.
Mr. H. HORNBY then rose for the purpose of introducing
a motion, of which he had given notice, and which was to
the following effect:—" For the appointment of a committee,
to take into consideration the present unsatisfactory and de-
fective state of the law relating to the revision of the muni-
cipal burgess lists, with power to prepare petitions to both
houses of parliament; to memorialise government; to cor-
respond, through the mayor, with the Home-office ; and to
take any other measures which they may deem expedient for
obtaining the amendment thereof ; reporting their proceed-
ings, from time to time, for the approbation of this Council ;
and that the mayor be authorised to affix the seal to any such
petitions." He said it could not be necessary that he should
adduce any argument in support of the propriety of the course
which he had thought it his duty to take in bringing forward
the present motion. It was not only their legitimate pro-
vince, but it 'was their imperative duty also. to protect the
inhabitants in the free exercise of their civil rights, and espe-
cially of those rights to which they were entitled under the
municipal corporations act. He thought that if they became
cognizant of any defect in the law, or any abuses by which
the rights of the inhabitants were prejudiced or compromis-
ed, they should be very culpable if they neglected to bring
them under the consideration of parliament ; and he had the
less reluctance in performing his share of the duty, because
he could not be suspected of supporting any party object, in-
asmuch as all•parties must feel alike interested in removing
the present abuses. These abuses had now accumulated to
such a degree as not only to be harrassing to the burgesses
themselves, but they threatened to place in abeyance the
rights and franchises of a considerable portion of the inhabi-
tants for an indefinite period. If, then, he succeeded in con-
vincing the Council that evils of the nature he alluded to
existed, he thought it must be their unanimous feeling to
adopt his proposition. It was known that the act of parlia-
ment required that a list of burgessesin all boroughs should
be revised within the space of 15 days. Now, at the com-
mencement of the Court of Revision for this town, in October
last, there was a list of 14,417 names, besides some thousands