The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-01-11 00:00:00

MR. CARDWELL AT OXFORD.

Mr. Cardwell's return for Oxford has been quite in
keeping with the character of the Coalition Ministry to
which he belongs. The political principles he had hitherto
avowed were Conservative. He is a member, too, of a
Government, the head of which declared that, the ques-
tion of Protection alone excepted, he agreed in principle
with the late Conservative Administration of Lord Derby.
Yet, in order to gain a seat in Parliament, Mr. Cardwell
has not scrupled to throw himself into the arms of Whigs,
Radicals, and Chartists—fraternizing with them severally
—flattering each in turn—becoming, for the nonce, all
things to all men—and promising them a course of par-

liamentary conduct which no man of any fixed principles
, or any integrity of purpose, can ever pretend to pursue.
It is only necessary to look at his proposer and seconder
on the hustings, to see practically and personally illus-
trated the unprincipled character of this coalition. He
selects for his proposer an elector who is, to say the least,
an anti• Conservative Whig—an ardent advocate of the
ballot, and a warm sympathizer in that " liberal
spirit of progressive reform" which, in the minds and
mouths of Whigs and Radicals, has no limit short of what
even Liberal Conservatives can possibly regard as anything
else but of a revolutionary and republican tendency. In
his seconder, he finds not merely a Radical Whig, but a
Chartist Radical. The Mr. Grubb who did that duty for
Mr. Cardwell, on our city hustings, on Tuesday, has
always hitherto been associated with the pro-Chartist fac-
tion of the place,—those who are not Reformers merely,
but Revolutionizers. We say this, not simply from his
political associations, but his political aspirations also, as
openly displayed to his gaping fellow-citizens on seve-
ral public occasions. He was content, it is true, to take
Mr. Joseph Hume's " three points," on one occasion, we
remember, in lieu of Mr. Feargus O'Connor's " five," of
the Charter ; but " only as an instalment." Whether or
not the liberal and comprehensive measure of Parliamen-
tary Reform, with the promise of which Mr. Cardwell
has beguiled the mass of democracy among us, is to con-
tain all the five points, or only the three, we of course do
not know ; for the right hon. gentleman would not pledge
himself to any actual details, not even the ballot, highly
favourable through he expressed himself to that most de-
mocratic nostrum. But he had evidently satisfied his
pro-Chartist seconder, who did not hesitate to declare
"his firm conviction that within a few months the Govern-
ment would introduce a comprehensive measure of Par-
liamentary Reform."
__ _

If, theti, Mr. Cardwell is to be judged of by his com-
panions and supporters, we can only arrive at one of two
conclusions,—either that he is not really even a Liberal
Conservative—or, if he is, that he has been playing false
with his friends the Radicals. In spite of all the indis-
criminate Liberalism and Latitudinarianism that prevails,
there are fundamental principles of policy that cannot for
ever be confounded. He who really wishes to preserve,
cannot long act in concert with him who seeks to root up.
Not only are their objects opposite, but their principles
must be antagonistic. And if, for a temporary advantage,
Mr. Cardwell has persuaded them that he is promoting
their cause, they will be sure to detect him in the end. It
is in such allings-out that, as the proverb has it, "honest
men come by their own." And the time cannot be far
distant when that "unprincipled combination," of which
this in Oxford is but a ramification, will assuredly ex-
plode; and our only hope is, that its fragments may not
fall on any but the devoted heads of those who formed
it.—Oxford Herald.

BURNING OF A LIVERPOOL EMIGRANT SHIP,

AND LOSS OF FIFTY-ONE LIVES

We deeply regret to have to announce to our readers
the loss by fire (together with fifty-one lives) of the emi-
grant ship St. George, which left this port for New York
on the 24th of November last, having on board 127 pas-
sengers, chiefly Irish, and 25 crew. The voyage was
favourable enough up to the 24th of December, when in
46 deg. 12 min. latitude, and 25 deg. 30 min. longitude,
the hold of the ship was discovered to be on fire. The
captain caused one of the hatchways to be opened, and
set the fire engine to play. But the smoke was so thick
between decks that the passengers were obliged to leave.
The flames spread to the part of the vessel between the
main and the mizen masts, and were accompanied by
such thick smoke that seven or eight persons were suffo-
cated. It was now found that it was impossible to check
the progress of the flames, and the captain assembled all
the passengers on deck. Rain was falling, and the hori-
zon was overhung with clouds ; but, fortunately, a vessel
passed sufficiently near to perceive the signals of distress.
This vessel turned out to be the Orlando, and she ap-
proached as near the St. George as it was safe to do.
Unfortunately she had lost her sails and boats in a violent
gale. The captain of the St. George caused his two boats
to be let down, and they conveyed as many passengers as
they could hold to the Orlando ; but the violence of the
sea was such that one of them was knocked to pieces
against that vessel. The life-boat only remained to
remove 150 persons, but it could nat take more than four
or five at a time. Meantime the flames continued to pro-
gress, and the wind blew furiously. The sea, too, became
so violent that the only means the passengers had of en-
tering the boat was to leap into the sea, and let them-
selves be picked up. At length, after 64 times passing to
and fro, the boat succeeded in placing 76 of the passen-
gers in safety on board the Orlando. Of the remaining 51,
15 were drowned, 8, as already stated, were suffocated
between decks, and 28', principally women and children,
fearing to throw themselves into the sea, refused to leave
the burning vessel. All the crew were rescued

Everi-

tually the Orlando, fearing for its own safety from the
progress of the flames and the violence of the sea and
wind, was obliged to sheer off, leaving the 28 unfortunate
creatures to their wretched fate. The rescued persons
host without clothing, but the captain and crew of

the Orlando did everything they possibly could to provide
for their comfort. It was feared that a famine would
arise in the ship, from the unexpected delnand on her
stores ; and as the Orlando had lost her sails, there was
small hope of reaching land in time. But fortunately the
wind was in her favour, and after eleven days' voyage she
arrived safe at Havre on Monday last. Her provisions,
by that time. were completely exhausted, and she had
only a few gallons of water. Food was immediately pro-
cured for the passengers and crew, who had already begun
to feel the pangs of hunger; and they were afterwards
sent to different lodging-houses, where they would be
taken care of.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The monthly meeting of the Colin(
Wednesday, the Mayor presiding.
The proceedings of the finance committee comprised
a recommendation to appoint a clerk in the magistrate's
clerk's-office, in the room of Mr. Sigston, resigned, at
the same salary of £75 per annum, the consideration of
which was postponed at the last monthly Council, pur-
suant to standing orders ; recommendation to adopt the
following resolution :—" That all weights and measures
which have been once stamped within the borough of
Liverpool, shall not at any future period be charged for
adjusting, where adjusting is required, any price exceed-
ing the fees charged for stamping, as set forth in schedule
appended to the act of parliament, sth and 6th William
IV., cap. 63, provided that if materials exceeding half-a-
pound in weight are required for the correct adjustment
of any weight, the charge at present made shall continue
as to any such weight ;" report of the probable income
and expenditure of the Corporation for the year com-
mencing the Ist Septembeglast, and ending 31st August
next ; recommendation t rant a sum to each of the
townships within the borough, equal to the amount of
watch rate, payable by such townships respectively ; and
the recommendation for payment of the usual gratui-
ties to public charities.
The appointment of clerk in the magistrate's-clerk's-
office, and the resolution relating to weights and measures,
were confirmed.

vas held on

The probable income and expenditure of the corporation
for the year commencing Ist September last, and ending
31st of August next, formed the subject of a brief report of
the sub-committee. The nett income of the Corporate
Estate from all sources could not be estimated at more
than £158,690 ; amount of obligatory expenditure,
£127,160 ; leaving a surplus of £31,800. The branches
of discretionary expenditure on schools, public charities,
observatory, &c., were stated at £3,547; improvements
postponed, £757 e£71357;
vinioßusooytelaer-lbayneth ihrkcdomaleniirtteecr
bmutepnodsetdp
improvements in Mount-pleasant, Brow nlow - hill , and
Upper Parliament-street, £1,280 ; being a total of
£5,584, which, if deducted from the above, would leave
an available surplus of £26,316.
aenhdeaft
Mr. HORNBY, in moving the resolution of this com-
mittee, observed that the balance at the disposal of the
council for any purpose which they might deem fit to use it,
for the promotion of the general benefit of the inhabitants,
and the improvement of the borough, was £14,773, in the
event of the council agreeing to the annual vote which,
for several years past, had been made for the parish and
out-townships, in lieu of a watch-rate. This being the
case, he had great pleasure in moving that £11,442,
chargeable on the townships as watch-rate, be remitted
to each of the townships in their respective proportion.
The resolution was adopted.
The following payments were made last year under the
head of gratuities to the charities :—The Dispensaries,
£157 10. ; Northern Hospital, £lOO ; Southern Ditto,
Infirmary, £lO5 ; Ophthalmic Institution, £lOO ;
Refuge'loo; forthe Destitute, £25; Ladies' Charity, £3O;
Lying-in-Hospital, £3O 3s. ; District Provident Society,
£lOO ; Royal Institution, £lOO.
Mr. HORNBY formally moved the continuance of the
grants.

After some discussion, an amendment, by Mr. Ferni-
hough, for the discontinuance of the grant to the ReY.!.
Institution, was carried by 33 to 7. The confirmation Of
the remainder of the proceedings was then moved by Mr.
HORNIIY, and carried. _ _

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the watch,
lighting, fire-police, and fire-prevention committee, com-
prised a recommendation to increase the salary of Mr.
James Cooper, surgeon to the police-force, from £llO to
£l3O per annum.
Mr. J. A. Tontx moved the adoption of the proceed-
ings, acknowledging that since their last meeting two
officers had been dismissed, for gross misconduct, but
deprecating, and particularly by the press, a censure of the
whole force for the faults of a few.

Some discussion took place, relative to an alleged out-
rage committed by policeman 607 on Mr. Durandu, pro-
prietor of the Zoological Gardens, on the morning of the
7th of December ; and also respecting another instance of
violence on the part of the police upon a man named
Charles Smith.
Mr. TOBIN admitted that in the case of Mr. Durandu
the officer had exceeded his duty, but it was not so with
regard to Smith, whose conduct, as well as that of his son
had been outrageous ; the son, indeed, threatened to strike
the police with a hatchet. _

The proceedings were confirmed.
A motion by Mr. Alderman PARKER to rescind a reso-
lution of the Council of the 6th of October, recommending
the erection of four additional bridewells, was lost by
25 to 32. _

A long and animated discussion took place upon certain
correspondence between Messrs. George Baker and Son.
Standgate, Lambeth, who complained of the injustice of
the Dock Committee in advertising for tenders for the
construction of the Wapping Dock, and then afterwards
adopting the tender of their own surveyor.
Mr. JAMES HOLME, Mr. BIGHAM, and Mr. FERNS..
BOUGH denounced the conduct of the committee in this
matter ; whereas Mr.TURNER, the chairman, defended the
course pursued as quite in accordance with the terms of the
advertisements issued, and with the general opinion of the
committee at the time the advertisements were sanctioned•
Mr. BIGHAM animadverted strongly upon the conduct
of the committee in not laying before the body the final
letter from the Messrs. Baker ; but the Chairman
defended the position which the committee took in this
matter, the question having been already settled by 14 to 5.
On the question being put to the vote, the resolution of
the committee was vetoed by 42 to 11.
Mr. Gladstone was then appointed, by a majority of five
over Mr. Anderson: a member of the Dock Committee, in
place of Mr. Dover.
The Council adjourned until tomorrow (Wednesday)•