The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-12-17 00:00:00

WAR AMONG THE RADICALS.

Stephen Odom, Susan his wife, and Rebecca his daughter,
were indicted for assaulting William Beubow, of radical no-
toriety. The case excited great mirth in court.
Mr. Prendergast conducted the prosecution, and Mr. C.
Phillips the defence.
Mr. Phillips, observing that the officer of the court was about
to swear the prosecutor, requested that might not be done at
present.
Mr. Prendergast.—For what reason ?
Mr. Phillips.—That you will know presently.
Mr. Prendergast.—lt is a very improper course. The learn-
ed counsel having stated the case, called the prosecutor.
Mr. Phillips.—Upon what book are Tou about to be sworn ?
Benbow.—l presume it is the New 'I estament.
Mr. Phillips.—Do you believe in the doctrines of that
book?

Benbow.—Yes, sir, perfectly; as much as you do, I believe.
Mr. Phillips.—And in a future state?
Benbow.-1 do, most decidedly.
Mr. Prendergast.—And always did ?
Benbow.—Yes, always did.
The prosecutor Benbow having detailed the particulars, was
then cross-examined by Mr. Phillips.—What are you?—Wit-
ness : Do you want a particular and full account of me 3—What
is your business ?—I am a bookseller. I have often sold the
Loves Celestial and St. Rubin.—Have you ever been in prison?
—Yes, I _was confined by the Constitutional Association, and
never brought to trial. I was tried in this court, and employed
you to defend me.—Were you ever imprisoned on any other
occasion ?—I think not.—Never?—Oh, I beg pardon; I was
confined under the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, in
1817. I was once brought up for judgment, when I employed
vou.—Was it not for selling an indecent publication ?—Why,
the Society for the Suppression of Vice called it so, but the
jury acquitted me ; I was found guilty in the Court of King's
Bench. The building in Theobald's-road was used as a lecture-
rooom. I have lectured in it many times, and so has Robert
Owen and Robert Taylor. I agreed with Mr. Hinton to take
the premises, but I did not sign the agreement, because I had
not £2O to pay as a deposit. I did not lodge a complaint before
a magistrate until a week after the affair. I applied for a war-
rant for three parties, •but made no charge against the females,
as my solicitor told me they must come to the court, and then it
would be time enough to put them into the dock.—Did you not
purposely keep back any charge against the women ?—No, no,
no. I told Mr. Laing and Sergeant Sellon what the women
dill.—l shall make you recollect what you swore.—Make haste,
then, you are a long time about it. (Laughing.)—This is no
laughing matter, Mr. Benbow. Did not you swear your attor-
ney advised you not to make a charge against the women ?—lf
I sc.id so, I did not mean to say so. (Laughter.) I did not ask
for a warrant against the women.—Did that " material" you
had in your hand happen to be a piece of wood studded with
tenpenny nails?—No.—What did you take it up for ?—Upon
my word I don't know ; for self defence, I suppose. I did not
wave it over my head. I did not twist the daughter's hair
round my arm. I did not take a broker to the premises • but I
took a painter, named White, to be witness whether the'defen-
dents would be as violent with my person as they had been with
my goods. I will not swear that White did not break a lock.
I did not see him measure, but he took his painter's rule out of
his pocket. He went for a broker, who did not remain. When
the defendants came into the room, I did not say " Come on, I
am ready for you."—Will you swear you did not ?—I should
rather say no than yes.—Mind what you say, or we may indict
you.—Oh, you indict, ha ! ha! Mrs. Hutson and two other
persons remained with me in the room until ten o'clock. We
had a pot or two of porter together.
Jane Hutson, a gigantic woman, secretary of the " Female
Radical Society," and an occasional orator at the building in
question, was the next witness examined. She stated that she
was a married woman, and that her husband was a coachmaker
in Longacre. She saw the three defendants push the com-
plainant out with great force, so that it was a miracle he did not
fall down. Odom thrust him out with his hand and foot.
Cross-examined.—l was in the room with Mr. Benbow from
four until ten o'clock.—What business had you there ?—Every
business, if Mr. Benbow thought proper. (Laughter.) lam
frequently absent from my home. We only had a pot of por-
ter. I was before the magistrate, but I cannot say whether he
charged the females with assaulting him.
The jury acquitted the defendants.