The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-10-10 00:00:00

PORTRAIT OF MR. WILLIAM RATABONE

The MAYOR read a letter, signed Thos. Booth, setting
forth that some friends of Mr. William Rathbone had, on
the retirement of that gentleman from the mayoralty, re-
quested him to sit for his portrait. The picture was
finished, and was a fine work of art. The gentlemen who
had subscribed for it had determined to present it to the
council, through the Mayor.
The MAYOR, hiving read the note, during which a few
murmurs were audible, said, perhaps the council would
authorise him to return thanks to the gentlemen.
Mr. HORNBY said he was authorised to offer this pic-
ture to the council, and to say that if the gentlemen who
presented it could have supposed that it would produce
any manifestation of party feeling, they would not have
offered it. There were many present, no doubt, who
were opposed to Mr. Rathbone's principles; but the in-
tegrity of his character, and the disinterestedness with
which he promoted the welfare of his fellow-creatures,
must insure him the respect of all. As a work of art the
picture was of a high class, and the gentlemen who pre.
rented it could conceive no more favourable place for it
than the council chamber. Mr. Hornhy concluded by
saving he hoped it would he received with unanimity.

Mr. GEORGE HALL LAWRENCE said this was certainly
a subject with which politics had nothing to do. He
spoke highly of Mr. Ratbbone's impartiality as Mayor,
and said he was entitled to every mark of respect and es-
teem. The council, however, should be careful how they
opened a door for the acceptance of these offers. They
should recollect that there was only one single place in
the council chamber, where a picture could be now put ;
and that if they accepted this picture they were depriving
themselves of the opportunity of paying a compliment to
some one whom they might desire to accept it. He would
be unwilling to place this portrait in the Mayor's room,
though, if it were the wish of the council to place it there,
he had no objection.
Mr. PARKER said, though he respected Mr. 13 athbone's
private character, he must look upon him as a public raw.
He (Mr. Parker) represented a large constituency. and
what would they say to him if he consented to receive
into the council chamber the portrait of a man who was
opposed to their views?

Mr. BIRKETT said he had been told by a gentleman on
his left (Mr. Ald. Molyneux) of a matter on which he
should like to be informed. This, he agreed, was not a
question of whig and tory. He should like to know whe-
ther Mr. Rathbone was or was not a repealer? He was
informed that Mr. Rathbone had, at a public meeting,
avowed himself a repealer. He should like to know whe-
ther it was true.

Mr. BARCLAY said there was not a syllable of truth in
such a report. He (Mr. Barclay) had been surprised at
what fell from Mr. Lawrence. He was sorry to see that
it had been made a party question, for, such being the
case, there could be but one end to it.

Mr. MOLYNEUX said he had a recollection of having
read in a newspaper that Mr. Rathbone attended a repeal
meeting, and that he made a speech.
Mr. HORNBY said, from what he knew of Mr. Rath-
bone, he could venture to say that he was opposed to
repeal. _ _ _

Mr. BLACKBURN said he could ♦enture to say that Mr.
Rathbone had not attended any repeal meeting, and he
was pretty certain that he was opposed to a repeal of the
union.

Mr. HODGSON, after speaking in the highest terms of
Mr. Rathbone, and testifying the highest respect for him,
though opposed to him in politics and religion, expressed
his opposition to receiving this picture. If the council
intended to pay such a compliment, the proposition should
emanate from their own body. He thought, on the eve
of the municipal election, the application was ill-timed.
The MAYOR said he had only received the note that
morning, and he might have delayed.
Mr. AIKIN said he, for his part, was anxious that the
offer should not be made. The picture was a fine work
of art, and they thought they were doing an act of grace
in presenting it. But there were some little-minded peo-
ple who resolved everything according to their own narrow
prejudices. He was sure Mr. Rathbone was not for re-
peal, and the report of his having attended a repeal meet-
ing was a mere fabrication. After the turn which the
matter had taken, he was compelled to advise Mr. Hornby
to withdraw the motion.
Mr. PARKER.—And very good advice too.
Mr. HORNBY said, after the turn which the matter had
taken, as it was made a party question, be would with-
draw the motion.
The MAYOR asked what reply he was to make to the
note.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said it had better lie on the table.

The MAYOR said it would be necessary to give a re-
spectful answer to such an offer. It appeared that the
only answer which he could make would be that it was
refused. (No, no.)
Much conversation ensued, and the council appeared
not a little puzzled.
Mr. PARSER said, as they had little minds, the best
thing would be for the big minds to get them out of the
dilemma. _ _ .

Mr. HORNISY said they had better go to the vote, as
the Mayor could not otherwise reply.
Mr. HODGSON objected to this.
Mr. AIKIN said the withdrawal took place in conse-
quence of the refusal. It would be necessary to vote in
order to see who were the parties that objected.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE said this was presented as the
portrait of a gentleman who was highly respected, and an
active member of the community. It was, moreover, a
work of art which was offered to the corporation ; and
they ought to receive such productions in all cases, pro-
vided there was no stain on the character of the gentle-
man to whom the compliment was paid.
The MAYOR.—Certainly; of course. The sooner we
get rid of these small feelings the better.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE continued, and spoke in the
warmest terms of Mr. Rathbone's benevolence, charity,
and high principle. Though they might strongly differ
in politics, there was no reason why they should carry
their political feelings into private matters. It might
happen that a portrait of the Mayor might be offered to
the council, and he would venture to say that no gentle-
man present would refuse to accept it. (" Hear, hear,"
from Mr. Hornby and Mr. Blackburn.)
Mr. TURNER spoke of the picture as a valuable work
of art, and thought it improper to reject the offer.
Mr. HODGSON said the subject then ought to be brought
before a full council.

Mr. TURNER moved that the subject stand over till the
next meeting.

Mr. IIoRNBY seconded the motion.
Mr. BIRK ETT said he hoped the subject would be post-
poned till the first meeting after November.

be put in t

,r. H ODG S 0 N hoped it would
order that every member might lino,
Mr. Turner's motion was approved

ELECTION OF AN ALDERMAN

It was stated by the Town-clerk that the election of ar
alderman, in lieu of Mr. Earle, must take place on Situr.
day week at furthest.

It was stated, during the debate on Mr. Itathbone's
portrait, that a staunch conservative had agreed to second
Mr. Hornbv's motion. " But," said Mr. Aikin. he is
non eat." The debate was scarcely ended when Mr. As-
phial' entered. " That is the conservative seconder,"
said one of the members, and Mr. Aspinall's appearance
caused a general laugh.