The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-03 00:00:00

ST. PAUL'S WARD

Mr. R. B. Hollinshead, the conservative candidate, took
the lead of his opponent, Mr. J. R. M`Guffie, in the first
instance, was never headed, and finally won by a majority of
ten, the numbers at the close being—
For Mr. Hollinshead
Mr. M'Guffie

Majority for Mr. Hollinshead

EXCHANGE WARD

Mr. Thomas Sands, the retiring councillor, and Mr.
William Wood, were the candidates for this ward. The
issue of the contest was never for a moment doubtful, and
we should imagine that the remembrance of it next year,
whilst it inflicts fresh pangs. of mortification upon the radi-
cals, must, if they are willing to take a broad hint, deter them
from again entering on the lists. The ward, as is every other
where intelligence and property are most to be found, is
invulnerably conservative. That is abundantly demonstrated.
At eleven o clock Mr. Sands headed his opponent by 40, at
twelve by 37, at. one by 43, at three by 37, and at four by 31,
the numbers

For Mr. Sands
Mr. Wood

Majority for Mr. Sands
The radicals themselves have been most reluctantly obliged
to confess a majority against them of 30.
On the state of the poll being announced from the commit-
tee-room, in Chapel-street, the intelligence was received with
shouts of applause, until Mr. Sands made his appearance at
the window. He then said—

Gentlemen, having heard the demonstration of your es-
teem, allow me to congratulate you on your success, and to
thank you for the strenuous exertions yon have this day made
in the cause to which we are mutually attached. The shop-
keepers of the ward have nobly shown that they are thorough
conservatives, and I trust they will ever remain so. (Cheers)
Gentlemen, some parties have objected to my making a per-
sonal canvass on this occasion,—(From the crowd, " It was
that that secured your election.")—and in answer to these
parties allow me to offer this reply. When the gentlemen of
my committee, and my friends generally, were exerting
themselves in my behalf, and in behalf of our good cause,—
when they were zealous}, engaged in securing my election,
and promoting your principles, should I not have culpably
neglected my duty if I had not come forward and given my
best endeavours in the promotion of our common cause ?
(Loud cheers.) The victory of to-day has more than re-
warded me for all that it has been in my power to do ; it has
proved the strength of conservatism in this ward. (Cheers.)
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to assure you that I
shall at all times lend my interest and my individual exertions
to gratify the wishes and promote the best interests of the
electors. (Immense cheering.) Mr. Sands then retired.

CASTLE-STREET WARD.
The retiring member for this ward was Mr. Pilcher, who
declined standing again. The new candidates were Mr.
Peter Hope, on the conservative interest, and Mr. James

Aikin, on the radical infant.
part of_the day was by no mee

The palling in the earlier
a brisk. Mr. Aikin took

the lead from the first hour, and maintained bis position
until the last. Mr. Hope's committee exerted themselves
to the utmost ; but it was evident that the time had not yet
arrived when the ward should be rescued from radical domi-
nation. The radicals also made the greatest possible exer-
tions, and were far from feeling confident of success. His
worship the mayor, Sir Joshua Walmsley, voted for Mr.
Aikin, at three o'clock. Next year we feel confident that
the conservatives will muster a majority in Castle-street
Ward. They have hitherto paid too little attention to the
registry in this ward. We trust that this will not prove the
ease in future. On the result of this contest being made
known, from the committee-room,
Mr. HorE remarked, in a tone of gentlemanly mildness,
that they had done their best in the noble cause, and be
could congratulate them on having at least gained consider-
ably on their opponents in the ward, as compared with last
year. Some of the radicals had had the impudence that
morning to tell him, that if they had a man like him, they
would return him without a single dissenting voice ; but
there was within him that conservative principle which he
would never forsake, which they were in common attached
to, and which he trusted would yet be spread far and wide,
for the preservation and happiness of the country. (Loud
cheers.)

It is remarkable, with respect to this ward, that only owl
vote was given within the last half-hour before the close.

ST. PETER'S WARD

The Candidates were Mr. Ebenezer Rae, Merchant, (Con-
servative,) and Mr. John Priestley, Broker, (Radical.)
Matters also went on smoothly in this ward, Mr. Rae tak-
ing the lead. Nothing worthy of remark took place, if we
except the fact that the polling was kept up with considerable
spirit by both parties throughout the day.

CLOSE OF THE POLL

Mr. Rae (c.) ....
Mr. Priestley (it.)

Majoritty for Mr. Priestley

PITT-STREET WARD.
The candidates for this ward were Thomas Toulmin, so-
licitor,—conservative ; William Rathbone. merchant,—radi-
cal. This was the most strongly contested ward in the town,
and one the result of which was looked forward to with
perhaps greater interest than any other, by both parties.
The preparations made by the committees of both candidates
were proportionately strenuous, and so far as regarded phy-
sical efforts, the " tug of war" was fully exemplified. Hap-
pily, however, in this as in the gteat majority of the wards,
the sound principles of protestantism obtained a signal tri-
umph, over those of pretended liberalism, although it may
please the defeated to snarl at the result.

The poll opened with much spirit and activity,—Mr. Toul-
min early taking the lead. During the first hour no fewer
than 129 votes were given in, the numbers being at 10 o'clock,
Toulmin 82, Rathbone 47. The streets in the immediate
neighbourhood of the polling place in Park-lane were densely
crowded throughout the day, and the spectators were more
concentrated than they would otherwise have been by the
respective committee rooms being contiguous to each other,
that of Mr. Rathbone being at the corner of Dickinson street,
and that of Mr. Toulmin in Park-lane, immediately opposite
—both in locality and politics.
At 11 o'clock the numbers were—Toulmin 155, Rathbone
115. From this time up to the close of the poll the radicals
contrived to rally a little, but could not overtake the oppo-
nents. The following were the numbers at various periods
of the day :-
1 o'clock, Toulmin 146 Rathbone... 136
past 1 156 ... . 139
past 2
The struggle now became severe, the voters being reduced
in numbers to a comparatively few. The anxiety of both
parties being intense,—the run being evidently neck and neck.
The crowd became immense, and the comingled shouts,
cheers, hisses, and occasional laughter of the parties on
either side who were brought into unavoidable contact, rent
the air. Some few skirmishes, took place occasionally in the
outskirts of the multitude, amongst the more pugnacious ;
but as a vigorous police was on the ground, these, which
were little more than momentary ebulitions of feeling were
speedily suppressed. It might be said, indeed, that the
general demonstration was that of good humour.

- It a quarter past three, the numbers being then, for Mr.
Toulmin, 201, and for Mr. Rathbone, 195, Mr. athbone
(as was the case with several other radical candidates) voted
for himself ; and some of his friends having been ferretted
out by the incessant activity of the reform agents, be went a
head, as the republicans would say. In half an hour, how-
ever, his majority was reduced to a mere tie. Then, indeed,
was a time of anxiety and excitement. No efforts were
spared on either side to effect the mastery. A few minutes
before four o'clock, Mr. Ryland and Mr. Alexander Maken-
zie, (of the Caledonia Hotel) went up to poll for Mr. Toul-
min, the former being first and the latter obstructed by the
partizans of Mr. Rathbone. Three minutes were then want-
ing to four. Mr. Rathbone insisted that the hour of four
had arrived, but Mr. Assessor Booth, and the poll clerk de-
clared it had not, and the vote was received. This was the
last given, and as it was thought likely to decide the contest,
the liberals strenuously disputed it before the Mayor. The
case was argued at length, but the decision was adjourned till
ten o'clock this morning. The radicals say that, leaving
this vote out, the contest ended in a tie. The Conservative
committtee, on the other hand, reports the result to be :
Toulmin
Rathbone.. 195

Majority for Toulmin

GREAT GEORGE WARD

The candidates for this ward were Mr. Joseph Cooper,
iron-merchant, conservative ; and Mr. Thomas Taylor,
bookseller, radical. The contest was well maintained
throughout, and the candidates kept pretty well together
during the greater part of the day. The following were the
closing numbers :
_ ___

Cooper
Taylor

Majority 2
Not the slightest disturbance took place. The result was
hailed. with loud and repeated cheers.

RODNEY-STREET WARD

The candidates were Mr. William Birkett, warehouse-
owner, (conservative,) and Mr. Charles Holland, merchant,
(radical.)

The former gentleman obtained a conniiaisrable mni.rifr Qt
an early period of the contest, and maintained his ground to
the last. In this ward thei e was not the slightest breach of
the peace,—the proceedings being conducted throughout with
the greatest good humour. The following was the result :
Mr. Birkett. .
Mr. Holland

Majority for Mr. Birkett

ABERCROMBY WARD

In this ward the radicals were more than usually confident
of success, and the floating ideas of a reaction in favour of
destructive principles appeared to inspire their advocates
with the brightest anticipations. The result, however, has
proved that that their expectations have had no foundation,
as the Conservative Candidate appeared at the head of the
poll at the first announcement of the voting, and every hour
served only to increase his marjority.
The three contests, in this ward, immediately subsequent
to the alteration in the municipal elections were unfortunate-
ly unsuccessful for the constitutional party, but the majorities
were such as to leave no doubt that the minds of the people
would soon settle down into a more favourable state, and the
progress of the elections from that time has served to evince
the sure foundation on which this prospect was grounded.
In 1837, the majority against the Conservative candidate was
five, which was a considerable reduction of that of former
years, and in 1838, Mr. Gladstone, one of the present repre-
sentatives of the ward, was elected by a majority of 23, de-
feating his opponent, Mr. Earle, who had the good fortune
of obtaining Aldermanic honours—receiving the usual reward
of the rejected of the people. Last year, Mr. Bushell
was returned by a majority almost equal to that of
the year preceding, but it was reserved for the elec-
tion of 1840 to prove the glorious condition of the
minds of the people. The most sanguine of the
Conservative party never calculated upon a majority
so gratifying as we have the pleasure to make public, and the
result has struck the greatest dismay and confusion into the
ranks of our opponents, and we shall be surprised if they
have the effrontery again to insult the electors by the turmoil
and inconvenience of another election. The appearance of
the polling booth of Mr. Todd presented the most ridiculous
aspect, especially at the close, even his own party seemed
ashamed of the cause they had endeavoured to make popu-
lar. At the close of the poll the cheers were loud and long-
continued, and the whole of the party around the booth
retired to join the immense throng congregated around Mr.
Procter's committee-room, where they were addressed by
that gentleman, who congratulated the ward on now being
completely freed from liberal oppression and radical tyranny.
He stated that one member of the body corporate bad lent
his time, and used his influence, in order to advance the
interests of his (Mr. Procter's) opponent, and that influence
had been actually carried so far as that one individual who
had signed his requisition, had been induced to act contrary
to that request. After some further remarks, Mr. Procter
thanked the electors for the noble exertions they had made
in his behalf, and retired. There were then loud cries for
Mr. Gladstone, who immediately appeared at the window,
and was received in the most enthusiastic manner. His ad-
dress was extremely pithy and appropriate ; and, at the con-
clusion, the third conservative councillor of the ward (Mr.
Bushell) answered-the loud calls which proceeded from the
crowd, and gave expression to several sentiments which met
with a hearty response from his respectable audikuss.
The final result of the poll was as follows :
For Mr. Procter
Mr. Todd

LIME-STREET WARD.
The retiring member for this ward was Mr. Thos. Blackr.
burn, who came forward again on the radical interest. The
contest in this ward was looked upon as one of the most im-
portant of the whole sixteen, Mr. Blackburn being a man of
high standing in town, and one of the leaders of the liberal
party. He has, as is well known to the generality of onr
readers, made himself conspicuous for his prominent advo-
cacy of the anti-scriptural system of education adopted in
the corporation schools. In fact, he has been on all occo,
sions, the apologist-general for that system, whenever it has
been attacked. In apposition to this gentleman, the con-
servatives nominated Mr. John Kilshaw, a highly respectable
inhabitant of the ward, and who has filled, with honour to
himself, and credit to the town, the important situation or
chief parochial officer of this parish. We believe that Mr.
Kilshaw has resided for upwards of thirty years in the ward,
and we know that he is universally respected, even by his
political adversaries. The contest was looked to with the,
highest degree of interest, and the excitement that prevaileo
in the neighbourhood of the booth was only equalled 13/
that which was witnessed in Pitt-street ward. The polling
during the first two hours was in favour of Mr. Blackburn.
After that time Mr. Kilshaw continued to gain rapidly on his
opponent, and frequently headed him. At the conclusion of
the poll the clerks in Mr. Kilshaw's committee-room pro-
ceeded to add up the lists, and it was found that that gentle-
man was in a majority of four. Mr. Blackburn's committee,
in the mean time had given out that they had obtained a ma'jority of two, and Mr. Blackburn addressed the audience 1.0
front of his committee-room, congratulating them on their
success. Soon after this the crowd moved in the direction of
Mr. Kilshaw's committee-room, and formed a compact boa,'
at the corner of London-road and St. Vincent-street. Ito"
mediately afterwards Mr. Stubbs's band came down the latter
street playing the air of '• See the conquering hero comes.
At the call of several members of the committee who Were
present,
Mr. LLOYD came forward to announce to the waiting
crowd the final close of the poll. He said that according to
the returns with which the committee had been furnisheol
and which had been carefully examined, Mr. Kilshaw had
obtained a majority of four over his opponent—(cheers)—the
number being for Mr. Kilshaw 391, and for Mr. Blackburn
387. (Renewed cheers.) He congratulated the electors UPI.
the noble manner in which they had vindicated the indepeou-
ence of the ward, the character of the town of Liver-
pool, and the sacred cause of scriptural education. (LOU
and prolonged cheers.) He also congratulated the electors 0'
Liverpool on the rejection of Mr. Rathbone from the repro
..;
sentation of Pitt-street ward—(cheers)—and upon the sitar
victory they had that day achieved in several other wards'
He believed that eleven out of sixteen conservatives had been
returned ;—(great cheering)—and concluded by informing tn.
audience that the accounts from Macclesfield, Wigan, Pres"
ton, and other places was of an equally cheering character.

yr. JAMES OwEx, the chairman of Mr. Xilahaw's com-
mittee, also came forward to thank the electors for the noble
and manly way in which they had asserted the independence
of the ward. (Cheers.)
Mr. KILSRAW then briefly returned thanks in a neat and
appropriate speech, in the course of which he expressed a
hope that his committee were correct in their calculations.
He trusted that they would come forward next year, and se-
cure a much larger 'majority for the conservative candidate.
(Cheers.)

The following explanatory observations, in reference to the
majority which is claimed by Mr. Kilshaw's committee, may
be here necessary :
The conservatives claim a majority of 4, giving their oppo-
nents 387 votes, they having 391. The manner in which this
is accounted for is thus explained by the clerks on the conser-
vative aide :—Two clerks were appointed for each side, one
to take the names from A to L, the other those from L to Z.
One of the clerks on the radical side, who should have noted
the names from A to L exclusively, it is known went on for
some time taking the names of the whole alphabet ; so that
all beyond L were duplicated. When he discovered his
error, he proceeded to erase the names beginning with letters
beyond L in the alphabet ; but it is believed that he omitted
some of them, so as to make up the apparent difference. So
confident were Mr. Kilshaw's clerks of this fact last night
that they fully anticipate the official return of this day will
place that gentleman in the majority stated—namely, four.
They have summed up their books repeatedly, and can arrive
at no other conclusion.