The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-10-18 00:00:00

THE ' STATESMAN.

RIGHTS OF THE PRESS.
-•m--

(PROM THE TYNE MERCURY.)
NEWCASTLE POLICE.—Seven weeks have now elapsed,
since the writer of this Mr. 11. A. Mitchell, attended the.
Mayor's Chamber, for the purpose of reporting the pro-
ceedings. For that attendance he had the full sanction of
Robert BELL, El., our late excellent Chief Magistrate,)
and he continued to take notes without interruption till the
present Mayor, Wm. WRIGHT, Esq. came into office. The
very day after his election, on Tuesday the 7th of October,
Mr. H. Mitchell was called upon by Mr. John Brown,
clerk to the Magistrates, who stated, that the Mayor had
seat his compliments, and requested Mr. H. A. M. would
desist, for the present, from attending at the Mayor's
Chamber to report the proceedings, as his brother Magis.
trates were net agreed to approve of it.—Mr. H. A.
Mitchell immediately afterwards waited on the Mayor at
the Mansion House. His Worship repeated the observation
of Mr. Brown, and courteously declined sanctioning his
attendance on his own authority, in consequence of what
had occurred at a previous meeting of his Brother Magis-
trates. Mr. Mitchell expressed regret that his sense of
duty to the public would not allow him to absent himself,
and that he was therefore determined to appear as usual
in the Mayor's Chamber, whatever might be the result.
The day following, Wednesday, the Sth Oct. being then
the first Court day, Mr. H. A. Mitchell,_ as heretofore,
entered the Mayor's Chamber at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
About a quarter of an hour after. Mr. Alderman Sr:ousts
came in and took his seat as Sitting Magistrate, in the
absence of Mr. %Yam ur, when the following conversation
took place .
Mr. Ald. SORSBIE-1S your name Mitchell, Sir?
Mr. H. A. Mitchell—lt is, Sir.
Mr. Ald. SORSDIE—I understand, Sir, you had yesterday
some conversation with the Mayor relative to your attend-
ing here for the purpose of reporting the proceedings.
Mr. H. A. Mitchell—l had, Sir.
Mr. Ald. Souffle-1 regret, Sir, that when he intimated
to you that his brother Magistrates were not agreed to
approve of it, delicacy did not induce you to absent
yoarself.
Mr. H. A. Mitchell—l regret, Sir, that my sense of duty
would not permit me to accede to his request.
Mr. Ald. SORSEIS—Then you claim to attend here as a
matter of right?
Mr. H. A. Mitchell—l do, Sir.
Mr. Ald. Soesatx—eThen 1 order you to quit the room,
Sir.
Mr. 11. A. Mitchell—l must decline complying with that
request, Sir, till it is supported by the application of
force.
Mr. Alderman SORSBlL.—Forsytb, take Mr. Mitchell out.
Thomas Forsyth, the police officer, then laid hold of Mr.
H. A. Mitchell by the arm, and conducted him out.
Mr. M. considers this expulsion from the Mayor's Cham-
ber as ae outrageous infringement of one of the most im
portant rights a subject of (treat Britain can enjoy, the
right to attend a Court of Justice. He might urge the
expediency of reporters having the sanction of magistrates
to attend to taksnotes of the proceedings—he might dilate
on the advantages the public derive from such a measere—
he might remark on the imputation the magistrates cast
on themselves by attempting to minds thee, but be for-
bears. He considers it the right of every anus in this
country to attend in a Court of Justice, as long u he
conducts himself with decorum, and be conceives the only
limitation to be, the want of room. Mr. H. A. Mitchell,
is determined, therefore, conditionally to try the question,
and for this purpose no opportunity could have occurred
more favourable. He will being an action for assault
against Mr. SoRSBIII, provided he receives from the public
that support he is entitled to expect; and the only defence
that can be set op will be, that the magistrates have an
exclusive privilege to attend in the Mayor's Chamber.
Towards Mr. Aldermen SORSEIS. be thinks it his duty to
observe that lie entertains no feeling of hostility ; that la.
dividual's character,as a gentleman of distinguished worth,
integrity and honour, deservedly stands too high fir him
to throw out any aspersions against him if he bad the in-
clination, which he has not. It is not his private conduct,
but his behaviour as u magistrate to which he objects : it
Is not against the person, but against the principle he
contends.

WESTMINSTER SESSIONS.
Yesterday a Mr. (Hover, a publican at the corner of Lisle
Street, Soho, appealed against a conviction of the Magis-
trates for keeping his house open at improper times, and on
the convicti being read it turned out that Mr. Glower's
house was uescribed as situated in the wrong parish. The
conviction was therefore quashed on this, ground ; but
singular enough, the parisk of St. Anne's, mentioned in the
document, actually reaches to within two yards and a hay'
of the appellant's house.
REFUTED THIEF.
John Tennis was indicted for stealing, on the 17th of
September last, a handkerchief, the property of Robert
Scandler, from his person.
The prosecutor stated that on the night of the 17:h Sept.
he caught the prisoner with his hand in his pocket, and
taking out the handkerchief, which lie handed to one of his .
companions, who made off. A constable who was near the
spot (Covent Garden Theatre) saw the robbery committed
by the prisoner.
The Prisoner denied all knowledge of the robbery : he
was the chief support of his mother.
The Jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of—
Guilty.
The COURT said, that owing to the prevalence of this
species of crime, it must be prevented as much as possible,
and ordered the Prisoner to he transported for seven years.
The Prisoner was a well-known character, and has been
repeatedly in custody.
LICENSING OF SAVILLE HOUSE.
This case having been specially set down for hearing at
two o'clock, there was an extremely full bench of Al sgis-
trates.—Mr. ALLEY was engaged for the Petitioner, Mr.
George Harris, of Saville House, Leicester-field:, and stated
that the present application was made for a license ti have
concerts and musical parties in the upper rooms of thaL tx-
tensive establishment. It would be recollected, he observed,
that various exhibitions had been allowed in them, and the
present Petition was founded under the 25th of George 11.,
allowing such assemblies.
CHAIRMAN—That is an Act for granting a license for
musical parties, dancing, and such like amusements and
entertainments. It is not for a debating society that you
apply for a license ?
Mr. A Luty answered in the negative; and after some
further observations,
Mr. Harris said, the desk ail. object he hail in view has
to open the Grand Room f.ir Concert:. i t was but right
that he should sta'e, that the Rooms in qiie•timi had been
unoccupied for wee years ((string u ILO time lie hail
paid the rates and Low), outwitlis,andinz lie would
willingly, and, in to t. bad endeavoured to IA them fur the
purposes of trade, but nes unsafe t.I do so. The reason for
the present application was, that it.bad been intimated to
hint (tir. Harris), that if be Isere to have a piano-forte, or
any piece of music, his weal& without a license. be infring-
jug on the law, aaa this be could Dot for a moment entertain
an idea ot•.
IC II A 1131 A N r yOU Mesa only to open it for a concert,.
;win I do not see &nye:ls:lsle to granting the timer, hut
'rs must be understood that the license is nut to be granted
in tetinitely.
Sir IticiiAßD BIBS'S spoke in high terms of the diaries
ter of Mr. Harris.
The license, which granted to Mr. Harris the poweP of
opening the rooms in question fur twelve tai mills for public
dancing. music, and stoma lik adtaseine.,:s, •vas n rut
n and tits!.

*. Harris having renewed his license, begged to thank
the Court, and retired.
Another application was made by a foreigner, to open a
mem, in Marquis•court. Drury Lane, as a " Conversing
ROOM" The subjects to be discussed were Theology, the
Sciences. Appullonins, Lavater, &c. The Court refused
the application on the ground that the documents pre•
tented were not so specific as to authorise the Court in
granting the petition, particularly es it came unauthorised
by the signatures of the clergymen of the parish, or any
of the inhabitants. The CHAIRMAN at the fame time in-
formed the applicant that he had the power of applying to
two Magistrates, who could call a Special Session, when
the merits of the case would be investigated.