The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-17 00:00:00

PRESIDENT, STEAM-SHIP,

On board the steam-ship President, from Liverpool,
17th Oct., 1840.
SIR,—In taking leave of you. on our arrival at our port of
destination, we feel bound to express to you our sense of your
uniform courtesy of deportment and attention to the impor-
tant duties devolving upon you, as the commander of a valu-
able ship, freighted with so large a number of passengers.
These responsibilities have been much increased, and their
discharge rendered infinitely more delicate, by the peculiar
circumstances under which the command was transferred to
you. It is, therefore due to the late commander and yourself
to state, that, if, at any time, this noble ship should disap-
point the expectations of her friends as to rapidity of voyage,
there are obstacles against her entering into a successful com-
petition, as to speed, with vessels, whose form of structure,
and superior comparative power, give them advantages, in
that respect, in ordinary passages across the Atlantic ; but
we do not hesitate to express our conviction, that the excel-
lent qualities of the President, as a safe and easy sea-boat,
will secure the entire confidence of those who duly appreciate
those properties in traversing the ocean.
That you may long continue in the prosperous prosecution
of your present duties is the sincere wish of your obedient
servants, (Signed)
Jas. B. Murray, Col., John H. Hicks, Francis Marsh,
R. Watson, Chas. Braham, Edward Menlove, Wm.
Mure, Marquis du Caceres, &c.
To Captain M. M. Keane, commander.

MEETING OF THE CONSERVATIVE ELECTORS
OF NORTH TOXTETH WARD.

A numerous and highly-respectable meeting of the con-
servative electors of North Toxteth Ward was held at Mrs.
Powell's large room, Jackson-street, on Friday evening, for
the purpose of meeting Alexander Smith, jun., Esq., who, in
obedience to the wishes of a numerously and most respecta-
bly-signed requisition, consented to put himself in nomina-
tion as a candidate for the ward in the town-council, a va-
cancy having occurred in the representation by the sudden
and lamented death of William Wallace Currie, Esq. Shortly
after seven o'clock the chair was taken by Duncan Gibb,
Esq., on the motion of Mr. James Hall, seconded by Mr.
Thomas Harbridge.

The CIiAIRMAN opened the proceedings by stating that
he believed they were all well aware of the tnelancholy cir-
cumstance which was the cause of bringing them together on
that occasion. God had been pleased to call from among
them Mr. William 'Wallace Currie, and, on that account,
they were now assembled for the purpose of naming another
gentleman in his place, as the candidate for the representa-
tion of the ward in the municipal body of their town. He
knew the gentleman who had been solicited to become their
candidate by a requisition numerously signed, and he had now
the pleasure of informing them that that gentleman had con-
sented to stand upon obtaining the positive assurance, from
many of the electors, that their utmost exertions would be
used to carry him successfully. It therefore became his (the
chairman's) duty to suggest to them, as he had often done
before, the necessity of their having a respect not only for
themselves, but far their families. They had an awful lesson
placed before them in the late visitation of Providence, suffi-
cient to make them reflect that whatever their hand findeth
to do, they should do it with all their might, as the day was
theirs, but not to-morrow. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Smith was
long known to himself, and, lie believed he might add, to the
electors generally. In consenting to contest the representa-
tion of the ward, that gentleman would suffer considerable
sacrifice in the way of his own business ; but, for his (the
chairman's) part, he would do all in his power to assist the
electors in returning him successfully to the council, and he
sincerely hoped that the electors would use their utmost en-
deavours, not only among themselves, but amongst their ac-
quaintances also, to accomplish the same desirable end.
(Hear, hear.) He had to inform them that the greatest ex-
ertions were being made by their opponents, from the far-
thest to the nearest corner of the town, not only by the mer-
chant and the master-tradesman, but by every other class of
persons, to turn the votes in their own favour, and, by every
means in their power, to seduce men belonging to the con-
servative party from voting at all ; but he hoped they would
not disappoint Mr. Smith's expectations, nor the expecta-
tions of the town, by neglecting the interests of North Tox-
teth Ward on this important occasion. (Hear, hear, and
cheers.) He could assure them that he knew many eminent
merchants belonging to the opposite party, as well as many
influential tradesmen, who were sedulously endeavouring at
that moment to influence the votes of the electors against
Mr. Smith, and in favour of Mr. Rathbone. It was the more
incumbent upon them, under those circumstances, to be on
the alert, in order to have proper subordination and content-
ment established by a fair and upright representation in the
town-council; and as he hoped the canvassers would offer
themselves voluntarily, he had nothing further to do than to
introduce Mr. Smith to their notice. (Cheers.)
Mr. ALEXANDER SMITH, Jun., then rose, and was re-
ceived with a loud burst of applause. When silence was
restored, he spoke nearly as follows :—Mr. Chairman and
Gentlemen, there is no individual in the town of Liverpool
who can more deeply deplore than I do the occasion which
calls us together this evening. (Hear, hear ) It is, as you
are all aware, in consequence of the lamented death of Mr.
William Wallace Currie that it becomes necessary for us to
elect another representative for North Toxteth Ward in his
place. That gentleman has unfortunately been removed
from us in a most melancholy and awful manner, and we can
ill spare him at this present time, when party politics are
running so high, and when persons of both political parties
are brought to indulge in acrimony, which it would be well,
perhaps, that they would avoid. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Currie
did his duty in a most eminent manner in assuaging the
strifes and squabbles which unfortunately exist in the town-
council of Liverpool. There was no man of a kinder dispo-
tion than Mr. Currie, nor was there one more anxious to
assuage animosities than that gentleman. I regret exceed-
ingly that he was removed from among us, and I could wish,
setting apart his politics, to follow in his Ateps. (Cheers.)
I could desire to act the same kind and considerate part lie
invariably acted, to say what I have to say with moderation
and temper, and to endeavour on all occasions to persevere
in prosecuting my own views and sentiments without harass-
ing or annoying those opposed to me. (Continued cheers.)
His sudden and unexpected demise is an awful lesson to us
all, and I trust it will not be lost upon us ; we see the uncer-
tainty of life, and I hope all here, as well as those through-
out the town generally, will seriously consider this momen-
tons subject. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, in consequence of
the decease of Mr. Currie we are called on—we, who are the
electors of North Toxteth Ward, are called on—to choose a
representative for that ward, and I have been solicited to
stand forward as the candidate on the conservative interest.
I have put forth an address to you who are electors of the
ward. You have probably seen that address this day, and I
should be glad to find that the sentiments I have therein
expressed are in unison with those in your own bosoms.
(Loud cheers, and cries of " They are.") Gentlemen, I
have not considered it necessary to enter, in that address, on
some of those subjects that are entered on by our opponents
in other wards. I have not, for instance, written to you
about corn-laws, or vote by ballot, or universal suffrage-
-(hear, and a laugh)—but I have confined myself to sub-
jects more immediately connected with ourselves—subjects
which, I think, each of you will consider as prominent in this
community to those general views of politics which, in my
opinion, ought not to be discussed, and ought not to enter
into consideration in the choice of a member for a town-
council. (Hear, hear.) There are many duties which de-
volve on a member of "a town-council, but they are duties
which affect our own interests and the town in which we re-
side; and there are many points which will be brought under
the consideration of the town-council in the ensuing year—
many in which every elector here is deeply interested. The
question of the extension of the docks is one which will come
under their notice ; and it appears to me that owing to some
interest or some predilection in the town-council, the nature
of which I do not exactly comprehend, a set has been made
against this part of the river Mersey. We find them disposed
to uphold the extension of docks in every direction rather
than in this ; and why, I am at a loss to know; for I believe
the evidence given before the House of Lords and the House
of Commons went to prove that there was no locality on
the shores of the Mersey better suited for the erection of
docks than the part immediately in this ward. But there are
one or two persons who are members of the town-council not
chosen by the votes of the people—rejected by the people,
and afterwards chosen by the town-council as aldermen—
(hear, hear, and laughter)—and these men, having no common
interest with ourselves, have a most fanciful notion with re-
gard to the building of docks and the erection of warehouses,
and it is thus that they have acquired an influence over the
other members of the town-council, for they seem to dictate
to them what is to be done ; and then the others, forsooth,
carry out the views those persons take. (Hear, hear.) You
are aware that a scheme was propounded for erecting ware-
houses around the docks ; but if this system be pursued, we
all know it must throw out of employment a vast number of
the tradesmen of the town ; such, for instance, as the carters,
porters, coopers, and others, who will lose their employment
thereby. And what is the object of this plan ? I believe,
and I avow it publicly in your presence—it will go forth to
the public, and I would not state it if 1 did not believe it to
be true—l assert that, in my opinion, they care not one
single straw, for the town of Liverpool, and that all they are
doing is being done for the purpose of exercising political
power. (Great applause.) I firmly believe it ; and I have
heard it stated that the arguMent is used by some of this
party to those politically disposed to support them, but who,
having warehouse property in the town, feel that that ware-
house interest they possess militates against their political
interest—for they have an interest which affects their pockets,
and which they conceive to be more important than politics—
but the argument made use of to them is this—" Why, don't
you see that if we carry this point we shall bring nine hun-
dred persons under our controul who dare not vote in any
other way than as we please." I ask, should this be ? (Cries
of " No, no.") Should such a state of things exist ? (Re-
newed cries of " No, no.") I say no also. We are living in
a free land, and we ought to be a free people. (Cheers.) I
conceive that it is an infamous attempt at despotism ; but
from whom does it come ? It comes from what we term
" the liberals." (Hear, and laughter.) This is an attempt
to bring the whole town in subjection to the dock estate, and
my ideas are that such a state of things should not exist, and
I, for one, will not support such views. (Cheers.) Gentle-
men, the municipal reform bill has produced another species
of monopoly, and that is a monopoly of the magistracy.
(Hear, hear.) I contend that Mr. Bushell, whom I yet hope
to see here this evening, has entitled himself to the gratitude
of the whole community, and that the whole community are
indebted to him for the able manner in which he brought
forward his statement with regard to the sums subscribed,
and I doubt not they were subscribed, by the parties whose
names lie read over in that town-council. (Hear, hear.) I
acknowledge he made his statement on the strength of a news-
paper report, but I contend that the report must
(Mr. Rath-
bone), b.e true,abe:
cause those parties, with one single exception
bone), were present, and had they had it in their power to
deny that they subscribed their money, is there a man here,
I ask, who will tell me they would not have denied it ? (Re-
newed cheers.) Here, then, this municipal bill created a
monopoly of magistrates, and these magistrates have been
prostituted, for they have been granting licenses to the detri-
ment of the publican, for nothing else than to uphold the po-
litical power of the town-council. (Hear, hear.) Had such
a circumstance occured in olden times, hoviwould it have
been reprobated ; but now it seems to be considered as only
a proper course by these " liberal" gentlemen. ( Hear, hear.)
I repeat that we have licenses now granted to this, that, and
the other man, not because his neighbourhood requires that a
licensed house should be there, but, forsooth, because the
man has exerted himself in behalf of the political party who
have now the power of acting in this way. I say that I con-
ceive this to be a most gross and barefaced injustice, a
shameful usurpation of power, and one I should desire to see
checked. (Hear, hear.) In the address I published I have
alluded to the system of education pursued in the corpora-
tion schools. I do not know that it is necessary for me to
enlarge upon that subject, as, I think, I have entered so fully
into it in my address as to render it unnecessary. (Hear.) I
trust my views, therein expressed, will meet your approba-
tion. (Cheers.) I am opposed, I may say, to no class. I
am the supporter of my own conscientious opinions-1 ever
will be—l ever have been. I wish not to crush any person—
I would be the last man to do any thing of the kind. I would
be glad to see very member of the community educated—l
think it a most a desirable thing that such should be the
case—and, if both sides would give in a little, this would be
accomplished in a most excellent and admirable manner.
There is another point to which I would allude—it is this :
It appears that all the improvements of the town are apart
from fact we seem to be excluded at this end altoge-
ther. (Hear.) All the public offices have been erected
where the Old Dock stood—l mean the Post-office, the Cus-
tom-house, and all the other offices. The town-council have
taken pains to make an admirable approach to those offices ;
they have opened various streets, such as South Castle-
street and South John-street ; but while all those improve-
ments have been going on in approaches and streets else-
where, we have here to wade through Park-lane, a narrow,
inconvenient, and disagreeable road, and, in short, nothing
is done for us at all. It appears to me that no pains have
been taken to improve the approaches to this end of the
town. (Hear, hear.) I should be desirous of seeing some-
thing done in this ward, for lam so intimately connected in
this part of the twirl, by having resided many, many years
among you—l believe 25 years in the Park, and for the last
eight years in this North Ward—(hear)—where I know a
vast number of indiyiduals, many of whom 1 have the hap-
piness of calling friends. My interests are, therefore, so
much identified with your own that perhaps I cannot take
any credit to myself for wishing to improve. this part of the
i
town ; but, growing as it s in importance, in wealth, and in
consequence, it is forcing itself onwards, in opposition, as I
have reason to think, to the wishes of the majority of the
town-council.' Our population has increased most rapidly—
our houses have increased most rapidly—propeFty is be-
coming more valuable among us, and all we want is that le-
gitimate assistance from the town-council to which we are
entitled. (Hear, hear.) I know not that there is any other
subject on which it is necessary for me to dilate, but should
there be anything that I have omitted, I shall be most happy
either now or in private, to give an answer to those who may
think proper to address a question to me. (Hear.) If, as I
have stated in my address, you are satisfied with the sen-
timents I have propounded, 1 most seriously and earnestly
entreat of you to come forward and support me in the ensu-
ing contest. Believe me, it is one of no ordinary character.
I have pitted against me the pet-man of the town.council,
(hear, and laughter) whether he is the pet of the town, or of
this ward, remains to be proved. (Vehement cries of "We'll

not have him.") He is very well known. His sentiments
are equally well known, and, therefore, it is for you to de-
cide whether you will support him or whether you will sup-
port me. (Cries of " You, you.") I can only assure you,
that from the influence now being exerted on his behalf—for,
I believe, the whole radical population of Liverpool will be
turned into North Toxteth Ward—you must not consider
that this, that, or the other man's vote is secure ; and that,
until you have brought your men up to the booth to poll,
you must not conceive you have done all you ought to do,
for I can assure von that the most extraordinary exertions
are being made on the other side. (Hear, hear.) If I were
to enumerate the several persons who are coming forward to
the aid of our opponents you would be surprised. There
are town-councillors and magistrates. and from magistrates
down to milk-men (hear, and great laughter), who are going
the round of the ward, and doing all they can either to in-
duce the parties to vote for Mr. Rathbone or to pledge them-
selves not to vote at all. (A cry of " They did the same in
Pitt-street.") I can tell you that even the market-lookers
are at work. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I found that to he
the case this very morning, so that we must not consider,
however earnestly and strenuously you are disposed to sup-
port me, that the work will be easy, for the influence of the
Dock Committee, of the town-council, of the police, and of
the magistracy are opposed to us, but I trust, such will not be
the case another year. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I think,
in the course of another twelve months, that the boot will
be on the other leg (hear, hear, and great laughter), but, in
the mean time, it behoves us, one and all, to work with all
our heart and soul. I need not tell you how grateful and
how gratified I shall be if returned, and how much obliged I
shall be for the support you will be enabled to give me ; but,
as I believe it is much better to work than to talk at the
present moment, I shall not detain you any longer. Mr.
Smith here resumed his seat amid loud and enthusiastic
plaudits.

Mr. JONES, an elector for the ward, here inquired whether
a paragraph which appeared in the Mercury was correct,
stating that Mr. Smith's canvassers were at work until one
o'clock that morning? For his own part, he believed it to
be a gross falsehood.

MI: SMITH stated, in reply, that nothing was done by the
conservatives until they had seen the opposite party at work.
Mr. HARBORD said that he was the first individual that
went out to canvass for Mr. Smith, and that the reason he
did so was because he had seen Mr. Eccles previously can-
vassing for Mr. Rathbone. (Loud cries of " Hear."
Mr. SHEPPARD said that the walls were placarded with
bills, calling a meeting for the purpose of nominating a ster-
ling radical, before the conservatives moved an inch ; but.
when the radicals started, he was glad to find that the con-
servatives were not so thin-skinued as to stand aloof.
Mr. SMITH felt exceedingly obliged to Mr. Jones for
putting this question. The fact was, that the conservatives
had followed their opponents on the present occasion, for the
former did nothing until they found the latter in the field.
(Hear, hear.) He abstained from publishing an address, or
taking any steps whatever, out of respect to his departed
friend, Mr. Currie, and he believed he had actually lost some
votes in consequence of not having come forward at an earlier
period, but, feeling as he did a sincere regard for Mr. Currie,
he would never regard the step he had taken even if it cost
him the election. (Cheers.)
Mr. HARBORD then addressed the electors in a short but
apposite speech, thanking them for their strenuous exertions
on his behalf during the late election ; commenting on the
exhibitions in the Town council during the first two days of
the present week, and concluding by calling on them for sug-
gestions as to any local disabilities under which they laboured.

Mr. SHEPPARD, after alluding in forcible terms to the ex
cellent public and private conduct of Mr. Smith, proposed a
vote of thanks to Mr. Gibb for his excellent conduct in the
chair.

Mr. DAWSON seconded the proposition, which was carried
byaccla [nation.

Mr. Gina returned thanks in suitable terms, and again
entreated the electors to be up and doing, after which, the
meeting gave three cheers for the Queen, three for Mr.
Smith, three for Mr. Gibb, and three for Sir Robeet Peel,
and then separated in the most peaceable and orderly manner.
We have been informed that the election will take place on
Thursday next.