The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-31 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, MAY

1 ment under his care, and I am perfectly aware that it has
been to him a matter of very anxious consideration. A Museum
of Raw Products was commenced several years since by Mr.
• Howson, and Las made considerable progress, and I have
been employed to give my humble assistance in lecturing upon
Economic Botany—so that it is no new matter at the Collegiate
any more than it is at the Mechanics' Schools. The fact of its
being thought worthy of consideration by both these educa-
tional establishments, is only a natural consequence of the
importance of the subject ; and it will be a gratification to
those who seek the benefits of such institutions, that the
Principals so fully appreciate the necessities of the times.—
Begging the favour of your inserting this letter, I am, Sir,
faithfully yours, THOS. C. ARCHER.

ELECTION OF BIRKENHEAD
COMMISSIONER.S.

To the EDITOR of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

SlR,—May I be alllwed to occupy a space in your columns
with a few comments on the affairs now transpiring at Birken-
head. Amongst your numerous readers there are, doubtless,
some who feel a lively interest in the selection of commis-
sioners soon to take place in that township. The few com-
ments now offered are with a sincere desire to benefit all

parties interested ; and, having watched the progress of affairs
in that locality for the last 25 years, I am desirous to point out
to the ratepayers the most judicious course to be adopted in
the forthcoming election.

The great scheme for forming docks of Wallasey :Pool has
been bisected with the formation of a Land and Warehouse
Company, and it appears that the supposed interests of that
body clash with the duty of the Dock Trustees. As it may be
taken for granted that a body of men, who have no individual
interest to serve, would not move in any way unless with an
intention to protect the public rights, the Dock Trustees have
a fair claim to be considered disinterested. The Land and
Warehouse Company having fixed itself as a parasite on the
original scheme, seems determined to prosecute its own pe.
culiar interest ; and, even admitting for arguments' sake that
the present antagonistic aspect be justifiable, yet the public
are morally bound to support their own representatives.

As Messrs. Laird, Carmichael, and others associated with
them, make no secret of their desire for office to shelter their
property, the ratepayers of 13irkenhead will only be guarding
their own interests by declining to elect them. The tedious
statistical defence offered by Mr. Laird to the public on Satur-
day night last, is a clear proof of the improper position of
parties, or such an explanation would not have been needed ;
and the perversion of details then presented is patent to all
who are acquainted with the facts of the matter.
The fears felt by some of the voters that a considerable ma-
nufacturing interest may be jeopardised by the proceedings of
the Dock Trustees, are quite unfounded ; for gentlemen en-
gaged in business will always remain where their interests are
best and cheapest served, whether they be elected commis-
sioners or not.

If an importer of mahogany can save Is. per balk by car-
rying on business in Liverpool, there, you may depend upon it,
he «•ill go ; but, if he can effect such a saving in Birkenhead,
then lie will remain : and in every other trade the same.

The continued feeling of hostility that appears to actuate
parties in these affairs, should be as much as possible put an
end to, by the voters electing disinterested men as commis-
sioners who have no particular interest to serve, or adverse
claims to protect.—Yours respectfully, ITEM.
Birkenhead, 30th May, 1653.