The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-10 00:00:00

APPOINTMENT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Mr. H. HORNBY, in moving the appointment of thiscom-
mittee, regretted, independently of party considerations,
that the public had been deprived of the services of two of
its most able members, Mr. Blackburn aad Mr. Rathbone.
He was desirous that the committee, as well as other's,
should have a fair number of conservatives upon it, because,
as they said they should have a majority in the council in the
course of another year, they ought to have an opportunity of
seeing the practical working of the system of education
adopted in the schools. There was now no doubt or ques-
tion that it was the duty and the interest of all classes that
the children of the poor should have education, a moral and
religious education also; and be wished that the system now
followed in the corporation schools should be understood
practically as well as theoretically, by those gentlemen. On
this ground he ventured to propose the names of the com-
mittee, amongst which would be found some conservatives.
Mr. ornby then read the following list :—H. Hornby, W.
Earle, C. H. Jones, R. Roskell, R. Sheil, T. Bulley, T. B.
Barclay, J. Priestley, R. V. Yates, W. WlCee, Sir Joshua
Walmsley, G. H. Lawrence, T. Case, H. R. Sandbach, and
T. Sands.

Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE regretted that he should not have
had some notice of the intention to propose him as a mem-
ber. He disliked shrinking from the duties of any com-
mittee ; but this proposition to put him upon the Educatima
Committee placed him in a very serious and difficult posi-
tion. It was not from any apprehension of the toil that he
shrunk from serving, hut because he had a conscientious ob-
jection to being a party to the system of education pursued
in the schools. So long as the Irish extracts were to go a,
a substitute, or as a kind of compromise for the Bible, he
never could sanction it ; and if he should agree to serve, be
must be considered as not sanctioning or patronising the
system. If the Council would let it be understood that he
was as strongly opposed as ever to the system, as far as be
could understand it, he had no objection to join the com-
mittee • but it must be on those terms, and those alone, that
he could consent to attend its meetings.
The MAYOR said there was no test here to administer.
Mr. H. HORNBY said, of course Mr. Lawrence would not
be considered as pledged to the system of instruction.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said there were grounds for his
objection, as this was something more than a mere difference
of opinion, it amounted to conscientious objection.,
Mr. H. HoRNBY did not mean that Mr. Lawrence should
give in his adhesion to the system, but that he might have an
opportunity of seeing the workings of it.
Mr. HoncsoN was particularly glad to hear the exposition
of Mr Lawrence, and he hoped that those gentlemen who were
put on the committee in opposition to the principles they had
espoused, would not consent to act without a similar express
declaration of their sentiments, so that no mistake might go
forth, or any impression, that they were sanctioning an un-
godly and an unchristian mode of education.
Mr. EARLE rose to order, and complained of the terms
" ungodly" and " unchristian."

HODGSON contended that he was in order, but he
would pay honour to the chair.
The MAYOR confessed that the terms " unchristian" and
" ungodly" were unauthorised and improperly used, and he
trusted they would be withdrawn.

Mr. HoriGsoN was ready to pay every deference to the
chairman, but there was a higher chairman whose will he
would obey, whether it pleased or displeased any man living.
lie conceived it quite impossible for any gentleman to go
into those schools, professing the Christian religion in its
purity, and uphold a system directly opposed to it. He was
convinced that, whatever was the mode of conducting them,
the principle was wrong.
Mr. EARLE said that was paying a very high compliment
to the corporation.

. -
Mr. HODGSON continued. He trusted that it would not
be very long—God send that it might be soon—when the
corporation would be in the hands of the conservatives, and
the schools conducted according to the system of the Pro-
testant establishment. There was nothing whatever taught
in those schools which could compensate for the want of sound
religious instruction, which ought to be the basis of all other
instruction.

Mr. EARLE defended the education committee, and said
that he had a lad in his service, who had been educated i❑
the corporation schools, and did honour to the instructions
he had there received, and which Mr. Hodgson might do
well to copy. He said, that although the schools had been
denounced from the pulpit of the church to which he be-
longed, the parties who so denounced them had never ex-
amined them.

Mr. H. HORNBY regretted the turn the discussion had
taken, but said that no member could charge him with hav-
ing commenced it. He then read the names of the proposed
committee over again, when
Mr. CASE said he had peculiar motives for objecting to
serve on that committee. He did not object to the educa-
tion of all classes, or to the corporation dispensing a portion
of its income fur that purpose • but he objected to the educa-
tion of all classes together, because that was virtually the
exclusion of one certain party.
Mr. H. HORNEY said the question now was, not the merits
of the system, but the appointment of the committee.

Mr. CASE insisted on assigning his reasons for declining
to serve. He objected to the present system, because it was
unwise to educate all sects together, inasmuch as, by so
doing, you virtually excluded the ministers of the Established
Church, and many members of the establishment too, and he
believed that many parents would not send their children to
be educated there for that reason.

Mr. EVANS said that, until education had become a party
question, the children were taught by scripture extracts with-
out notice, and that the facts which Mr. Case alleged for not
being on the committee were no facts at all, for the clergy of
the Church of England were not prevented from going to the
schools.

Mr. BIRKETT said that the rectors and the clergy ob-
jected to the schools, because the daily instruction did not
commence with prayer, and because there was therein taught
what one man believed to be idolatry and another blasphemy.
He did not wish to use any language which was too strong ;
but in his opinion, the system was little better than heathen-
ism. How, therefore, could any clergyman sanction such a
system ?
Mr. BUSHELL thought that this discussion was scarcely
warranted, as they were met for a special purpose named in
the paper.
The MAYOR said that the merits of the schools were
hardly in question ; but he thought that some latitude might
be allowed, as the question related to their management.
Did the Council think the reasons stated by Mr. Case, for
wishing not to be on the committee, satisfactory ?
Mr. CURRIE : Certainly not, for the reasons he (Mr. Case)
had given ; but he hoped he would reconsider the matter.
Mr. CASE said he was in the hands of the Council, and if
they would accept him with the reservation of opinion which
he had made, he would be willing to act.
Mr. SANDS said, that he was, on this occasion, placed in
somewhat singular circumstances. He was either in a situa-
tion to thank the committee for having done him the honour
of placing him upon it, or, he had a perfect right to quarrel
with them for having omitted his name on a former occasion.
Not that he felt it as far as he was personally concerned ; but,
because he felt, at the time, that it was an insult to the con-
stituency which he represented—one of the most intelligent,
respectable, and wealthy in the town—not to allow them to
have a fair representation upon the committees. He hoped,
however, that all this sort of conduct was at an end now ;
and he further hoped, that his constituents would resent the
insult, as they had upon a late occasion, whenever they had
an opportunity.
After some further remarks the committee was constituted
according to the list read by Mr. Hornbv.

APPOINTMENT OF MARKETS COMMITTEE.
Mr. H. HOLMES moved the appointment of this com-
mittee, whereon Mr. H. LAWRENCE said he should propose
an amendment to each name, because faith had not been
kept with him on a former occasion.
Several amendments were then proposed, and much con-
fusion took place, in consequence of the efforts of the liberals
to exclude the conservatives; but eventually the committee
was constituted :—H. Holmes, W. Thornhill, E. Evans, F.
Jordan, W. M`Kee, J. Smith, and J. Kilshaw.
Mr. AIKIN rose, amidst loud cries of " adjourn," and
required Mr. Bushell to state openly and fairly the grounds
upon which he had founded his charges against some of the
magistrates. (Great uproar.)
The MAYOR said, that however objectionable the words
might be, the time for taking them had gone past.
Mr. AIKIN attempted to renew the subject ; but the
Mayor declined hearing him.
Mr. SMITH then moved an adjournment till this morning,
at eleven o'clock.
Mr. HODGSON seconded the motion.
A scence of confusion ensued, which it would be difficult
to describe. One party cried out " Adjourn," whilst the
other shouted as loudly, if not louder, " No, no ;" both con-
fident in their numbers united in calling for the votes to be
taken. They were at length gratified when the numbers
were found to be—
For the adjournment, 28 ; Against it, 21. Majority, 7.
The council therefore adjourned till this morning.

CAPTURE OF A GANG OF HOUSEBREAKERS,
AND VIOLENT ASSAULT ON THE POLICE-
OFFICERS.

A company of thieves, who, as appears evident by the
quantity of plunder in their possession, have committed de-
predations to a considerable extent, were, on Friday last,
captured by the police-officers of this town, at a house in
Laurel-street. The case was partially investigated on Satur-
day, before Mr. Rushton. Sufficient evidence was produced
to show with certainty that the prisoners have been con-
cerned in one recent robbery, and that two of the police-officers
who went to apprehend them, had received very serious-in-
juries in the course of the resistance which was made to them.
As these two officers are at present in the Infirmary, the sur-
geon of which has certified that they are in great danger, no
evidence has been produced to show clearly by what hand the
injuries were inflicted. Under these circumstances, the pri-
soners stand remanded for a fortnight.

The prisoners have given their names as Henry Stephen-
son, John Francis, Henry Mitchell, and Louisa Mitchell.
Stephenson is a middle-aged, broad-set, and rather respect-
able-looking man. His real name is Evans, and he has long
been known in Liverpool, as a locksmith and brazier, in which
line of business he once kept a shop in London-road, in this
town. The police have had their regards upon him for up-
wards of ten years, many circumstances havingexcited strong
suspicions that he was connected with thieves. He has been
more than once in custody for having skeleton keys in his
possession; but as he alleged that his business as a locksmith,
rendered it necessary that he should have such implements,
and as nothing decisive could be brought against him, he has
hitherto escaped everything but suspicion. It was, however,
firmly believed, that he had furnished skeleton keys and other
housebreaking implements to depredators both in Liverpool
and elsewhere, and that he was connected with gangs of
thieves in London and Birmingham. The skeleton keys, &c,
used by Simcock, who was transported for life some time
ago, and who afterwards made his escape and was again tran-
sported, were supposed to be of his manufacture. Francis is
a young man, of decent appearance, who looks something
like a workinc,- man dressed in his best apparel. He is son-
in-law to Stephenson. Henry and Louisa Mitchell, who, we
believe, pass for man and wife, were also decently attired,
and a casual spectator would have taken them for quiet re-
spectable peopleof the working class.
The circumstances which directed the police to the disco-
very were as follow :—The prisoners Henry and Louisa Mit-
chell had resided in Laurel-street about six or eight weeks.
Next door to them, at the corner, was a beer-house, kept by
a Mrs. Parkes, who became intimate with Mrs. Mitchell.
A short time since a robbery was committed on the premises
of Mr. Forsyth, who resides in Grove-street, which runs
parallel with Laurel-street. A number of valuable articles
were stolen, amongst which were an Indian camel-hair shawl,
two cloth riding-habits, &c. At the beginning of last week
Mrs. Mitchell made Mrs. Parkes a present of some lace, and
a day or two afterwards she called upon her, and offered for
sale two riding-habits. Mrs. Parkes told her that she had
no use for such articles, and declined to purchase them.
They were, however, left in her possession. Mrs. Parkes
having heard of the robbery at Mr. Forsyth's house, had
some suspicions, which were perhaps not very definite, but
they induced her to go to Mrs. Forsyth, and ask her if she
had lost any property of that description. Mrs. Forsyth
immediately knew that the riding-habits were her's, and she
sent information to the police. Mr. Dowling sent officers
126, 173, and 512 to examine the prisoners. The two former
entered the house with Mrs. Parkes. Kirkhatn, one of the
officers, on entering, said, pointing to Mrs. Mitchell, " Is
that the woman who gave you the things ?" She replied in
the affirmative. There were three men present, but she was
unable to say who they were, as what followed gave her great
alarm. One of the men bearing the question, seized a ham-
mer, and raising it, exclaimed, " Do you mean to say that ?"
He immediately aimed a violent blow ; but whether it was
intended for the woman or the policeman, Mrs. Parkes could
not say. It, however, fell upon the head of the officer, who
was immediately covered with blood. Mrs. Parkes conceiv-
ing that they would murder her if she remained, ran out of
the house and gave the alarm. As the policemen have not
yet been examined, there is, at present, no certainty in the
evidence as to what occurred within the house. A great noise
and scuffle were heard by the persons outside, Francis rush-
ed out, pursued by Kirkham, who was bleeding profusely.
The former was stopped by a labourer and secured. Officer
No. 512, who was stationed at the back, saw Mitchell rush
out through the yard door, and at the same time saw Steven-
son on the wall, with a hammer in his hand. Stevenson was
secured, and Mitchell was subsequently found concealed in a
horse midden. Upon entering the house, it was found that
the other officer, Stevenson, had been beaten severely about
the head : and it appeared that the implements used were a
very heavy instrument, similar to what is denominated a life-
preserver, and the before-mentioned hammer : the latter was
covered with blood. The injured policemen were taken to
the Infirmary, and Dr. Brandreth, after examining their
wounds, certified that they were in considerable danger:
Mr. Dowling, having heard of these transactions, proceeded
to the house for the purpose of examining it. He found an
immense quantity of property, and a number of implements
for housebreaking, some of them of very ingenious construc-
tion. The following is an inventory of the mere articles of
jewellery found in the house :-42 gold brooches, 7 bracelets,
2 gold clasps, 17 links of beads, 46 gold rings, 11 gold pins,
8 gold lockets, 40 seal and brooch stones, 3 silver watches
and 1 gold watch, 1 watch-guard, 2 gold chains, 4 gold seals,
3 gold watch hooks, 7 gold watch keys, 107 silver spoons, 5
silver knives and forks, 57 forks, 3 pencil-cases, 3 vinai-
grettes, 1 silver vase, 1 silver coffee-pot, 2 silver thimbles, 3
gold eyeglasses, 2 snuff-boxes, 26 foreign coins, 3 silver cream
jugs, 2 pairs of silver sugar-tongs, 24 pocket knives, 6 silver
candlesticks, and snuffers and tray.
The implements for the pursuit of business are 107 skeleton
keys, 311 keys of various descriptions, 81 blank keys ready
to be made to fit, 17 latch keys, 41 files, 12 small saws, 25
punches, 2 vices, 7 centre-bits, 10 pick-locks, 3 crucibles for
melting metals, 49 pieces of piano-forte wire, 1 breast-plate
as a rest for a centre-bit, 1 pair of compasses, 1 plate for
cutting screws, and 1 plate for taking impressions of skeleton
keys.
There was also found an ingeniously-constructed machine
for forcing doors. This instrument, which works by a strong
screw, will noiselessly exert a force of several tons, and open
the strongest doors, It has been examined by Mr. Chubb,
of this town, a son and agent to the patentee of the cele-
brated detector-locks, and he states, that it is similar to a
machine called " Jack-in-a-box," formerly taken from a
notorious and successful housebreaker in London. The
machine was submitted to the inspection of Mr. Chubb, sen.,
and he took measures in the safes which he afterwards con-
structed to guard against its effects. The instrument is of
no great size or weight, but it is beautifully fabricated and
strongly put together.
When the prisoners were placed before the Stipendiary
Magistrate, on Saturday, a large chest of goods was produced,
which was stated to contain property stolen from the house
of Mr. Forsyth. Mrs. Forsyth was examined, and she gave
evidence touching the robbery, and afterwards identified the
camel-hair shawl, before-mentioned, and several other ar-
ticles. Mrs. Parkes also gave testimony which substantiated
the circumstances above related, so far as she was concerned
in them. She knew that Mitchell resided in the house, and
she swore that she had repeatedly seen Stevenson go in and
out of it. Evidence was also taken as to the dangerous state
of the two officers. Mr. Rushton asked the prisoners if they
had any questions to put to the witnesses.
Stevenson asked the witnesses generally, if they had seen
him at the house on Friday. Mrs. Parkes made the same
reply as before. She said she did not know that he was one
of the three men whom she saw, but she had frequently seen
him at the house. Poliee-officer 512 stated, he was sure he
saw the prisoner coming over the wall with the hammer. The
other prisoners declined saying any thing, and Mr. Rushton
remanded them all for a fortnight.