The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-08 00:00:00

was embodied in the

_ The report
,overnor was not entitled to any
mance ; nevertheless, the committee recommend-
£3oo per annum should be continued

•oceedings

lary of

throughout the current year, he attending the committees
when summoned, and communicating with them when re-
quired. The claim of the' governor to repayment for money
expended in making certain► alterations for the convenience
of the visiting justices, was to be inquired into. The com-
mittee recommended that the chaplain be allowed X-10 a-year
for life.

Mr. JOHN SMITH was sorry to offer any obstacle to any
public servant receiving a reward for his past services, but
he roust object to granting any retiring allowance to Dr,
Buck under present circumstances. There was a cloud of
mystery hanging over the matter, which must be 'dispelled
ere be would agree to give one farthing of the public money
for such a purpose. Various charges they understood had
been made, and it was proper that they should know accu-
rately what those charges were ere they voted one shilling of
recompense to the men over whom they hung. Mr. Smith
concluded by proposing a resolution to this effect, that it
was inexpedient to vote auy retiring allowance to Dr. Buck
till the Council had had an opportunity of knowing the ex-
tent of the charges against him, and of fully hearing the evi-
dence.
Mr. KILSUAW seconded the resolution. _ _ _

Mr. lIORNHILL said, being a member of the Finance
Committee, he had'read the whole of the evidence, and he
declared his opinion that he did not think Dr, Buck entitled
to any allowance whatever. He was of opinion, further, that
the subject ought to stand over, so as to give every member
of the CounCil an opportunity of reading the evidence. He
had voted against this allowance in the Finance Committee,
for he could not see any claim Dr. Buck had to it. If they
went on in this way, and others followed the example of Dr.
Buck, they might in six years have six chaplains on the funds
of the Corporation.
Mr. ROBINSON said, it was understood, 'that Dr. Buck
was labouring under some infirmity of mind. If so, he
thought they ought to have a reservation, that as soon as
Dr. Buck recovered, he should resume the duties of his

Mr. H. Hon.l4DY.said, he was sorry that it became neces-
sary to make any explanation on such a subject. It had ap-
peared to the committee that the infirmities of Mr. Batelle!.
dor were from his own intemperance, while Dr. Buck had

repaired his health by the performance of his public duties
)r. Buck had been indiscreet, but he had done what he be.

lieved to be right, and he had worked very laboriously in the
performance thereof. In the Finance Committee, Mr.

'Thornhill had, as he stated, certainly voted against the al-

HoLams

No; I did too

Mr. HORNBY believed Mi. John Holmes did so also. He

could not see any objection to laying the whole evidence be-
fore the Council. He had as little disposition to vote away
the public money as any one, but he was sure the Council
would see a marked difference between the two cases.

Mr: CASE said, the inquiry had been a very painful one to
the members of the Finance Committee, whp had'been com-
pelled to consult Counsel as to the interpretation of certain
clauses in the Gaol Act. With regard to Mr. Batcheldor,
against him of drunkenness, of

tous charg
_ punished without hea
ted his keys with other people
regard to Dr. Buck he was entitledto_ an al-
_

dence, and of having en-
These charges were ad-

mitted.
lowanc

❑nder the Gaol Act, on account of his infirmity

, -
He appeared to be under a delusion, but there appeared no
reason to doubt that it had been brought on by his avocations.
He certainly had no objection to the whole of the evidence
coming before the Council, and he wished it had been so

from the first.
Mr. EARLE said he
on the table at first. '

believed the whole evidence was laid

The TOWN-CLERK said the evidence was on the table while
the Council sat, but it was referred to the Finance Com-
mittee, and was afterwards, of course submitted to that
committee. It was, therefore, impossible that any person
could, merely during the sitting of the Council, make him-
self master of that voluminous evidence.

Mr. EARLE said, notwithstanding the zeal manifested on
this subject, Mr. Batcheldor had no reason to thank his
friends for bringing it forwari.
Mr.. YATES said it was due to Mr. Batcheldor to state,
that his_infirmity was not altogether owing to intemperance.

Mr. COGLAN, dwelt upon the labours of the Finance Com-
mittee in this investigation, and expressed his opinion that
the Council owed a debt ofgratitude to that body. He thought
the Council ought to have a summary of tilt facts embodied
in the evidence laid before them.

Mr. BUSHELL said, if the course which he had recom-
mended, of referring the suject to a committee chosen from
the general members of tile Council, not magistrates, had
been adopted, there would have been none of this delay and
inconvenience. (Expressions of dissent.) As there were
magistrates in the Finance Committee, discussion had na-
turally arisen. Now he would ask any magistrate of the com-
mittee of inquiry who happened to be present, Sir Joshua
Walmsley for instance, (looking at Sir Joshua,) he would
ask, if it had not been communicated to Dr. Buck that he
should have a retiring allowance if he would resign.
Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY : I will answer the question if it
be thought that I ought to do so.
The MAYOR : The Mayor thought it would be seen that
there was some little delicacy in the point.
Mr. BusnELL said that might answer for the object he had
in view. Then there was no answer—
__

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY : Oh,. I will answer with great
pleasure ; but I must first know the wish of the Council.
Mr. Huom HORNBY could see no impropriety in the ques-
tion ; it was a very proper question, and ought to be answered.
He would say for himself, and for those with whom he had
immediately acted, that no such thing had occurred.
Mr. BUSHELL thanked Mr. Hornbv, and said he was an-
swered so far as he was concerned ; but this was not the full
answer which he required. He now asked if any one had
privately put the matter in that ligh tto Dr. Buck. He would
put,that question to Sir Joshua Walmsley.
Sir 'JOSHUA WALMSLEY : If you put it to rap, I at once
say no.

Mr. AIKIN said they received Dr. Buck's resignation with
the utmost surprise. _ _

Mr. BOOTH confirmed the last assertion. •
Mr. BUSHELL said he could not conceive what occasion
Dr. Buck had to resign. If his resignation was occasioned
by ill health, then the allowance was far too little. Who
would say that £4O a year was sufficient for a clergyman who
had filled suc:i a situation as that in question.
The TOWN-CLERK had modified the terms of Mr. Smith's
motion, so that it stood as confirmatory of the proceedings of
the Finance Committee, with the exception of that part
which related to Dr. Buck's salary.
Mr. HENRY LAWRENCE spoke of Mr. Batcheldor as an
old servant of the corporation, and one who had formerly, in
other situations, been extremely valuable. If the subject
were to be reserved, he said he hoped the committee would
again consider the propriety of granting an allowance to Mr.
Batcheldor.

Mr. AIKIN, in reply to some observations which fell from
Mr. Slater, said not one word had been adduced in the course
of the evidence against the moral character or integrity of
Mr. Batcheldor. He was glad Mr. Lawrence had mentioned
the reservation in favour of Mr. Batcheldor, in which he cor-
dially concurred. He thought a great deal too much stress
had been laid on the evidence said to be adduced about the
drunkenness of the party alluded to. It was not a proper
time, for it implied too much.

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY expressed himself satisfied at the
)ostponement of the subject, and at the prospect of giving
Dr. Buck a greater sum than £lO per annum. It must be
remembered that they had no grounds for dismissing Dr.
Buck, for nothing came out against him of sufficient strength
to enable them to dismiss him. But he was not fit tor the
business with which he was intrusted, for, in truth, he did
not know what he was doing : he was not of sound mind.
He had declared before the committee, that his solicitor had

aid that he was a consummate fool, and had given a very
:xtraordinary version of a letter. It was a subject rather for
:ommiseration than for the exposure that had been called

A long altercation took place as to whether the Town-clerk
should make a summary of the evidence, or whether it should
be open for all the councillors to read. The latter was ulti-

mately decided upon. The resolution proposed by Mr. Smith
then stood as follows ;—" That the proceedings of the Finance
Committee be approved, with the exception of that portion of
them which recommends the grant of a retiring pension to
Dr. Buck, which shall stand over till the whole of the pro-
ceedings and evidence taken before the Gaol Committee be
laid open for the perusal of every member desiring the same ;
and that the same rule be observed with regard to Mr.
Batcheldor's case. '

Sir JOSEIUA. WALMSLEY wished the Town-clerk to be al-
lowed to repeat what had passed at au interview which he
had with Dr. Buck.

Mr. HENRY LAWRENCE and several other gentlemen on
his side of the room objected.
Sir JOSHUA said, after the question which had been put to
him, he would feel particularly obliged if they would permit
the Town-clerk to give the substance of that interview, as he
felt that it might possibly be twisted into some apparent con-
nexion with the subject mentioned by Mr. Bushell. Dr.
Buck might have an interview with him as chairman of the
committee, and he immediately sent for the Town-clerk to
be present at that interview. The Town-clerk would relate
what passed.. _

The TOWN-CLERK said, he was sent for as Sir Joshua had
stated, and he found Dr. Buck with Sir Joshua. Dr. Buck
informed them, very much to their surprise, that he had
come to a determination to resign, but nothing like a desire
'that he would resign was expressed, nothing like a promise
to induce hirit to resign was made. Much commisseration
for him was expressed, both by Sir Joshua and himself (the
Town-clerk), and their advice to him was, to do nothing
rashly.

THE MARKET CONSTABLES

It appeared by the report of the Market Committee, that
the market constables had applied to be furnished with top
coats, which was refused: '
Mr. H. LAWRENCE moved, that the market constables
should have top coats.
It was replied, that the market constables had two shil-
lings per week more pay than the common police constables,
that they were not so hardly worked, and that they were
under cover and protected from the inclemency of the weather.
Mr. CASE wished to know why those men had 2s. per week
more than the men who did more work. He thought these
were ample grounds for referring the subject back to the
committee.

The amendment was put, and lost by a majority 'of 39
against 14.
Mr. JORDAN observed something to the effect, that the
amendment was ridiculous.

Mr. LAWRENCE replied, that it was not half so ridiculous
as amction for restricting the wanderings of cocks and hens.

The MAYOR : Order, Order.
Mr. LAWRENCE : Mr. Jordan observes that my amend-
ment is ridiculous ; I am only telling him that I could name
one much more so.