The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-07 00:00:00

THE LATE FIRE

Several memorials on the subject of the late fire were then
read.
The first memolial was from Mr. Myers, as Secretary of
the East India and China Association, setting forth the in-
jurious effect of the destructive fires with which Liverpool
has been visited to the commerce of the port, in consequence
of the increased risk and high premiums of insurance. The
memorial contained various suggestions touching the supplies
of water, the increase of powerful engines, and the removal
of warehouses from their contiguity to dwellings.
Letters were read from the Stipendary Magistrate and from
Mr. E. G, Deane, clerk to the paving Board, enclosing reso-
lutions of the Justices and the Paving Board. The resolu-
tion of the last-named body was to the effcet that Mr, Ashlin
had submitted a plan of which they approved. A memorial
was read from Mr. G. Duncan, secretary to the American
Chamber of Commerce, and also a memorial from Mr. Ad-
cock' who set forth that he was acquainted with a method
by which fires could be easily extinguished, which he had
submitted to Mr. Isaac Holmes.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said, he believed the plan which Mr.
Adcock intended to submit, would be completely effectual.
Mr. Adcock said, he would not care if he were in the middle
of the Atlantic, and a fire in the hold of the vessel in which
he was—he could extinguish it in ten minutes. Mr. Holmes
wished a special committee of four to be appointed to hear
Mr. Adcock's communication, signifying that he would not
I communicate with a greater number, and that he had expec-
tations of being remunerated. Mr. Holmes named Mr.
Evans and the Chairmen of the Finance, Dock, and Watch
Committees, as proper persons to form the Committee.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE asked Mr. Holmes if he had seen
any experiment tried, whereby he could judge of the utility
of the plan.
Mr. IsAAc HOLMES said, he was so bound down, that he
could not enter on the subject ; but no such experiment was
necessary to ensure conviction.
Mr. SANDS said he had seen the plan of Mr. Adcock.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES.—No, indeed, you have not.—(A
laugh.)
Mr. Sands had certainly seen a plan submitted to him by
Mr. Adcock, and he thought it very ingenious.

Mr. ISAAC HOLMES.—No, no, it is not the same.
Mr. Holmes's motion was not seconded.
Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE asked if the chairman were in
possession of a memorial from Mr. Capes Ashlin.
Mr. THOMAS BRANCKER having replied in the negative.
Mr. PROCTER. said he could furnish one, for as the subject
was mentioned in the report of the Watch Committee, it was
proper that it should come before the council.
A copy of the memorial was put in, and taken as read, and
it was to be embodied in the minutes of the Council.
Mr. Alderman Turner was called upon for the following
motion, of which he had given notice :
" To call the attention of the Council to the late calamitous
fire, and the necessity of constructing, with as little delay as
possible, large tanks or reservoirs of water, in different parts
of the town • also, to have plans of all the mains, with parti-
culars of the various plugs attached thereto, drawn out and
deposited at all the police stations ; and where mains are
found deficient, particularly in the neighbourhood of ware-
houses, to have new ones laid down (if necessary) at the ex-
pense of the Corporation : also, to have the exact position of
each plug painted in a conspicuous situation at the corner of
every street, so that in case of a fire breaking out, there need
be no delay in procuring an immediate supply of water.”—
Mr. Turner said it was impossible for any one who visited
the fire not to be struck with the inadequacy of water, and
of the superhuman energies displayed by Mr. Whitty and
Mr. Maxwell, during that calamitous occurrence, and also
the noble daring of the men under Mr. Whitty's command.
He also passed high encomiums on the chairman of the Watch
Committee, for his energetic exertions. After many re-
marks on the ill-construction of the warehouses destroyed,
their contiguity to wooden sheds of Mr. Ashlis. Mr. Turner
said he was willing that his motion should merge in that of
Mr. Nicol.
The motion, of which notice had been given by Mr. Nicol,
ran at follows :
" That a committee of seven be appointed to inquire into
and take into consideration the present state of warehouses
in Liverpool ; all practicable improvements in their construc-
tion, seperation, and arrangement, with reference to the better
protection of life and property from fire ; and any necessary
applications to Government and the Legislature for the better
effecting such improvements; and to report thereon at an
early Council,"
Mr. Nicol said his object was to have a committee to take
into consideration the present state of warehouses in this
town. He spoke of the contiguity of the warehouses
destroyed to oil stores, bone-grinding works, cooperages,
blacksmith's shops, and dwellings all of wood, and also the
narrowness of the avenues in which a mass of valuable pro-
perty was stowed.
Mr. BIRKETT seconded the motion, and said that the ware-
house owners of Liverpool were ready to do anything in
reason, and something out of reason too. He thought much
of the destruction had ensued in consequence of warehhouses
having been erected for temporary purposes, so that they
would hardly bear their own weight, while they fell to pieces
the moment they were subjected to the influence of the fire.
Mr. EVANS thought Mr. Nicol's motion was much too
limited, and he hoped the Council would consider this ques-
tion with reference to the future. He thought that as a num-
ber of warehouses had been removed by this calamity, the
Council ought now to look to having them re-built in the
right place. He moved that the word " location" should be
inserted in the motion, so that the whole subject might be
considered at once.
Mr. PARKER spoke strongly of the badness of the build-
ings which were destroyed. The mortar, he said, used in
their construction was little better than sand.
Mr. HODGSON objected to the combined motion of Mr.

Nicol and Mr. Turner, as it did not leave room for the core
mittee to consider the whole question. He would move that
a committee of seven be appointed to enquire into the most
efficacious preventive measures against fire, and also the best
means of arresting the progress of any fire which might
hereafter unfortunately break out.
Mr. FREME seconded the motion.
After much conversation, Mr. Aikin said, the amendment
of Mr. Hodgson did not include the desirable inquiry into
the warehousing system.
The Council divided, when the amendment was carried by
a majority of 18 against 15. _ _ _

_
Mr. ALEXANDER SMITH, seconded by Mr. TURNER,
moved another amendment, which was similar to that of Mr.
Nicol, with the following addition :—" To report thereon
generally, as to the most efficacious preventive measures
against fire, as to any des notion of property, and the best
means of arresting the progress of any fire that may hereafter
unfortunately break out, comprising supply of water, as well
as any other measure."

This amendment was carried by a majority of 18 against 13

Mr. AIKIN then moved another amendment, which was
precisely that of Mr. David Hodgson, with the addition of
the words. " and particularly with reference to warehouse
property."

The Council voted on this amendment by standing up, and
it was carried.

The following gentlemen were appointed to constitute the
committee :—Sir Thomas Branclier, Messrs. Eyre Evans,
J. H. Turner, W. Birliett, David Hodgson, James Lawrence,
and Mr. Nicol.

All the memorials on the subject of the fire which were
presented to the Council, are to be referred to the above
committee.

The Council broke up at half-past four o'clock

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held yes-
terday, when the following members were present :—Messrs.
Sands (chairman), Horsfall, Holt, Holmes, Middleton,
Aikin, Smith, Mellor, Evans, Tobin, Shand, Bold, Moon,
and Bulley.

THE NEW WAREHOUSES.—INSURANCE.
Mr. BOLD begged to mention, with regard to the new ware

houses, that aCa'inee-tingof—tbe Insurance Companies held
in London, when they heard what the plan was for erecting
the new warehouses, he had been informed that they dis-
tinctly stated they would not insure property in them at any
rate, in consequence of their being built at the edge of the
water. The Insurance Companies had also seen the plan of
another dock company, the Herculaneum he believed, and
they highly approved of that. Now, for the committee to
build warehouses which nobody would insure, when it had

been held out, as thg;e;iitdiieement to build them, that the

property in them would be insured so much cheaper, would
be to commit an error,_ and make the warehouses of no use.
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Bold whether he had heard

that statement on good authority ?
Mr. BOLD replied that he had heard it on very good
authority, for it was from a gentleman who was present. The
committee must further bear in mind, that the shipping in
the dock would follow the same rule; indeed, the premium
had already been raised from 2s. 6d. to is. upon the shipping

in the docks ; 3s. was the regular rate, but 2s. 6d. was taken;
the companies, however, had now raised it to 7s. 6d., and
what would it be when the dock was full of shipping ? This
was a very serious point. Sir John Dail (Mr. Bold was
understood to say) objected to warehouses being constructed
on the edge of the dock, and considered a space to be neces-
sary between the dock and the warehouses. Added to this,
the insurance companies were rejecting insurances upon pro-
perty in the St. Catherine's Docks. He deemed this matter
of great importance, and therefore had felt it his duty to

mention it to the committee.
The CHAIRMAN had been told some days ago that the in-

surance offices in London were objecting to insure property
in the St. Catherine's warehouses. He thought this was a

strange proceeding, and, therefore, he made enquiry from a
gentleman competent to give information on the subject, who
assured him there was not one word of truth in the state-
ment. Whether it was the fact or not he did not himself

pretend to say.
Mr. BOLD knew they were curtailing their insurances,
—that is, they were taking now small sums only where
they used to take double or treble the amount ; and at the
same time they had raised the rates from ls. 6d. to 2s. 6d.
This was in consequence of the warehouses in the St. Cathe-
rine's Dock-yards. If this were so, the dock warehouses

here would be an injury rather than a benefit.
Mr. EVANS was understood to attribute all these state-

merits to some excitement upon the warehousequestion

Their warehouses had nothing to do with the warehouses in
St. Catherine Docks ; and it was now too late in the day to

object to them. Their plans had received the sanction of par-
liament ; the foundations were laid, and if they were to make
alterations they would have to alter the whole arrangement
of the quay and the area of the warehouses, which would
lessen them in a great degree, and defeat the very object
which the committee had in view. Mr. Bold, who was
a new member of the committee, was not aware how many
discussions they had bad upon the plans. Nothing for
years had been better or more maturely considered than that ;
they had examined nautical and commercial men, and it was
only after the most patient research, and the greatest inves-
tigation for years, that they had arrived at the present plan.
It could not therefore be altered without disadvantage.
Mr. AIKIN was surprised to hear any person in Mr. Bold's
situation state it was Sir John Hall's opinion that it would
have been better the warehouses should be put back.
Mr. BoLn.—l said he stated that if he had to reconstruct
their own warehouses he would put them back.
Mr. AIKIN said that surprised him more than a little,
because he had himself put a question to Sir John Hall
whether he thought warehouses over-hanging the quay or
placed upon the west side the dock the better. Sir John
Hall said he thought the plan of having warehouses upon the
quay decidedly the best, but that if he had to reconstruct
them he certainly would make various alterations. This was
what he understood from Sir John Hall himself. He doubted
very much whether Sir John Hall held any such opinion as
that stated, because he had professed to give every informa-
tion and advice upon the subject to the committee. The late
chairman and several other members of the committee had
seen Sir John Hall with regard to the construction of the
new dock and the whole of the warehouses. He (Mr. Aikin)
was very much surprised to hear that the insurance com-
panies in London were beginning to refuse to take vessels in
the St. Catherine's Docks.
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Aikin whether be had heard
of any such intention?
Mr. AIKIN said he had heard of it. He had had to pay
insurance in London occasionally, bnt he had never • yet
heard an instance of goods being in the St. Catherine's Docks
affecting the insurance to any amount, though the rate was
one fourth less there than they might be effected at here.
The CHAIRMAN said, that when he was in London some-
time back, he called upon Sir John Hall, to have a conver-
sation with him upon these warehouses. Being much occu-
pied Sir John referred him to his factotum, Mr. -, from
whom he enquired whether he could make any material
alteration in Them. He (the chairman) did not know whether
he had asked him with regard to the warehouses being on the
edge of the quay ; but be seemed to be satisfied with the
plans upon the whole. Now, if the Insurance Offices had
made any objection to insure because the warehouses were
upon the margin of the dock, he thought it was only probable
Mr. would have suggested such an improvement as
'would obviate that.
Mr. AIKIN supposed that Mr. Bold was also aware that
the committee not only acted upon their own opinion, but
they sent up to London for the evidence of men who were
capable of advising them in the construction of the ware-
houses so as to make them superior in every respect to all
others. Had they done this the committee could not act
upon the casual, and very often the interested, observations
of others. _

Mr. Born had no objection to mention the name of the
gentleman who had mentioned this matter to him; it was
Mr. Holmes.

Mr. HORSFALL said this subject had had all the conside-
ration which the committee could possibly give to it. But
beyond that, if the opinion of the committee had had weight,
surely that of the House of Commons also had, because
all these objections were then urged by counsel, and the de-
cisions of the committee of the house then shewed that the
plan was right. That decision was supported of course by
the evidence.
The Cu AIRMAN doubted whether the committee had the
power of making any alterations.
Mr. HORSFALL did not think they had. The committee
must recollect that fires were allowed in the St. Catherine's
Docks, but no such thing wasintended here; and indeed he
had no doubt that the precautions against fire here were
much more complete than in St. the Catherine's Docks.
Mr. EVANS intimated his opinion that this was a Kind of
intrigue against the warehouses ; but unless it was founded
upon good facts it could not be supported. The committee
offered the insurance offices, and the world at large, all the
security they could ; they offered them facts as giving an al-
most unlimited security. They gave them, in the whole of the
front of the warehouses to the docks, iron instead of
wood ; all the walls were divided into sections, and they went
high enough to prevent connection of the roofs. The walls
were so strong that if the interior of the warehouses were
burned no doubt the walls would remain erect; there were
neither capstans nor shutters, nor any thing else of wood,
opposite to the docks, so that there could be no danger what-
ever with regard to the shipping. But as to shipping, ex-
cept from the action of gunpowder, he defied any one to point
out an instance of any ship afloat being burnt, either in a
river or in dock. There was no instance of the kind ; it was
indeed almost impossible they should be burnt afloat from
external causes.
The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Evans might have gone on to
state that the whole of the shutters on both sides the ware-
houses would be of iron. Both the doors and shutters would

be of iron. - ---
Mr. MELLOR said it had occurred to him whether it would
not be practicable to have the warehouses built fireproof.
He believed there was some doubt whether what were called
fireproof buildings would be able to bear the great weight
that would be placed upon these warehouses ; but if it were
possible he should, regardless ofexpense, give his support to
their being so built.
The CHAIRMAN thought the suggestion a very good one ;
and Mr. Hartley would have a plan to suggest to the com-
mittee in a few days, which he considered to be perfectly
fireproof.
Mr. MELLOR repeated that if it could be done without
material inconvenience he would, regardless of expense, have
the warehouses fireproof.
Mr. EVANS said expense must enter into the considera-
tion of the subject.
Mr. BOLD begged to repeat what he had said, namely,
that at a meeting held in London the fire companies there
stated that they would not take the risk in these new ware-
houses, if they were built at the edge of the dock. That was
what he had heard ; and without being a party to any in-
trigue, as be had been accused, he begged to say that he was
there as a member of that committee, and so long as he was
he would open his mouth, regardless of abuse, to make any
useful improvement.
The CHAIRMAN said that what other members of the
committee bad heard, justified Mr. Bold in introducing the '
subject.
Mr. MELLOR said, a friend of his, Mr. Garnett of Clithero,
a large manufacturer, was in Liverpool a few days ago, and
he spoke to him on this subject. Mr. Garnett told him that
his factory had been on fire two or three times, and that if it
had not been built on fire-proof principles nothing in the
world could have prevented it being burnt down.
Mr.EvANs said the warehouses would be built in sections,
which was a security.
Mr. MELLOR had no doubt it was very possible to make the
warehouses strong enough for the purpose required, and at
the same time fire proof.
The CHAIRMAN said, still it was important to the corn..
mittee if all the insurance offices in London proscribed these
warehouses in Liverpool.
Mr. HousvALL considered it preposterous to suppose
they were proscribed so long as the offices insured those
warehouses in the St. Catherine's Docks.
Mr. MELLOR. said that although it might cost considerably
more money to build warehouses fire-proof than otherwise,
it was a fact that the rate of insurance upon warehouses so
built, was unquestionably less than on others.
The conversation on this subject then dropped.
CLARENCE SOUT H GRAVING DOCK.
The SECRETARY produced the plans of the Clarence
South Graving Dock, as approved by the Ship-carpenters'
Association, and also Mr. Hartley's estimate of the cost for
lengthening
the graving dock 90 feet as proposed. It ap-
peared that the additional expense would be £2,200, which
with £3,380, the original estimate would make the cost
£10,580. It appeared that Mr. Askew, the South Harbou
Master, and Mr•X`Bride, were opposed to the alteration;
and after a short conversation between Mr. Tobin, Mr.
Horsfall, and others, it was resolved that the opinion of
those officers, as well as of the ship-carpenters, should be
taken on the subject on Thursday next.
The committee then separated.

WARD MEETINGS

ST. PETER'S WARD

A crowded and enthusiastic meeting of the burgesses of
St. Peter's Ward was held in the Music-hall, Bold-street,
on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of receiving from
Samuel Holme, Esq., who had accepted a requisition inviting
him to become a candidate for the representation of the ward
at the ensuing municipal eleetion, an exposition of his senti-
ments. The place was completely thronged. On the plat-
form we observed a numerous body of members of the
council, including Mr. E. Rae, Mr. Birkett, Mr. Bramley-
Moore, Mr. sands, Mr. J. B. Lloyd, Mr. Bushell, Mr
Parker, and Mr. Isaac Holmes. We also observed Mr. E
G. Dente, Mr. I. 0. Bold, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Dove
Frodsham, Mr. Matthews,
servatives

, r.
many other influential con-

On the motion of Mr. IlonsoN, Ebenezer Rae, Esq.,
one of the representatives of St. Peter's Ward, was unani-
mously called upon to take the chair.

The CHAIRMAN, after a few appropriate introductory of

servations, said, that the object of the meeting was to intro-
duce to the conservative electors of the ward, as a candidate
for their suffrages, that highly talented and popular indivi-
dual, Samuel llolme, Esq.,—(cheers,)—who had accepted a
requisition inviting him to come forward ; and they had
assembled with a determination to adopt ample and honour-
able means of returning him as one of their representatives
to the council. (Cheers.) Mr. Holtne's qualifications for
a seat in the Town Council were of the highest order ; but
this was a subject which he would leave in the hands of those
gentlemen who were about to take part in the business of the
evening, and who would do more ample justice to his merits
than he (the chairman) was able. He would therefore con-
clude by calling upon those who had votes to go early to 'the
poll on the day of election, and tender their votes freely and
without solicitation. (Hear.) Those who had no votes he
should be happy to see assisting in the election ; so that in
case of an opposition, the conservative candidate might be
returned by a triumphant majority. (Cheers.) At the last
election they fought a noble battle, and gained a glorious
conquest (hear, hear); they then beat their opponents upon
their own ground ; they took from them their boasted " rock
of Gibraltar ;" which, continued the Chairman, we intend to
keep. (Great applause.) Gentlemen, should they again
venture to give us battle, upon the Ist of next mouth, I will
venture to predict they will receive such a beating as they
are ill prepared to expect. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. B!RKETT then came forward amidst great cheering.
He said he considered it a very high honour to have been

- -
selected, by his brother burgesses of this ward, to propose
the first resolution, a resolution which embraced two distinct
propositions, to both of which he could give, and he trusted
the meeting would give, his most cordial approbation.
(Hear, hear.) The resolution said, "That this meeting con-
siders it to be the bounden duty of the electors to return to
the council men whose loyalty and attachment to the institu-
tions of the country are unquestionable, and whose local
knowledge will prove useful in the management of our muni-
cipal affairs." (Cheers.) The first part of this proposition
was the most important; and if ever there was a time when
parties were required to come forward and express their
opinions, now was that time ; for although we had been for
the last few years fighting to put in a conservative govern-
ment, he was extremely sorry to say they had not, in the
matter of education, done that which as guardians of a
Christian land they ought to have done. (Cheers.) It was
monstrous and lamentable to think how the last generation
had neglected their duty, alike to their maker, themselves,
and their children. (Hear, hear.). The population had been
largely increased, especially in the manufacturing towns;
whilst little or no provision was made by them for the reli-
gious instruction of the rising generation. (Hear, hear.)
Within the last few years, this state of things had been en-
deavoured to be remedied ; but the evil had got too great a
head to be suddenly put a check to; and it was his deliberate
opinion, that the great fault of the age was this—not pro-
viding churches and schools in which children of the poor
might be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. This was one reason why they were called upon, as
they had that day been in the Town-council, for the erection
of another gaol here, and also why a large number of gaols
were in course of erection throughout the land. (Hear.)
He thought, then, they would agree with the former part of
the resolution, that it was their unden duty to return to the
council, at this crisis, men whose loyalty and attachment to
the institutions of the country was unquestionable, and men
who not only feared God, but honoured the Queen. (Cheers.)
Having disposed of this, the weightier matter, he came to
the lesser, in which, as far as regarded the interests of the
town, they were very much concerned. In this, they should
also support the principle, that it was their bounden duty to
select a man to represent them in the Town-council whose
local knowledge might prove useful in the management of
the municipal affairs of this great town. He need say no
more than this. These two propositions were self-evident ;
and knowing their devoted loyalty, from the result of the
last election, he was quite certain that " every man would
do his duty." (Loud cheers.)
Mr. JAMES IVlArruEws, in seconding the resolution,
thought it right to say that he cordially concurred in the ob-
servations which had fallen from the mover, with regard to
the important subject of education. (Cheers.) The Town-
council had done themselves exceeding honour by boldly re-
turning to Protestant principles, and by turning the national
system out of doors. (Hear.) The times in which we lived
were times in which there should be no turning, no vascilla•
tion whatever, but a bold uncompromising declaration of
principle, and a practical carrying out of the same—(cheers)
—and having said this much with reference to the subject of
education, he would advert to the general nature of the reso-
lution in his hand. He took it to be a natural consequence,
that if they were to return men of unquestionable loyalty and
attachment to the institutions of the country, the institutions
of the country were institutions of value, that we possessed
a constitution unrivalled in the world, a constitution which
had been the glory of our own beloved land, the envy and
admiration of the nations—a constitution not of the mere
mushroom growth of yesterday, but rather the gathered wis-
dom of a thousand years—(cheers)—a constitution under
which every man in the country sat as under his own vine
and his own fig tree, none making him afraid—a constitution
under whose protecting power a man in the humblest station
might rise to the highest office in the state—a constitution
which had done itself redoubled honour in casting the sEsis
of its protection round the acknowledgment of religious
principle, and had been found standing boldly forward to
uphold our beloved church, a church which had been instru-
mental in preserving the liberties of the subject, and at the
same time extending a peaceful toleration to all those who
can not in conscience conform to her outward discipline. If
this were the constitution of the land, it was right that we
should have proper guardians of that constitution, and not
send in false friends, or men who under the garb of liberal-
ism were doing all in their power to overturn her. (Cheers.)
It was then a matter of deep moment to be found ready to
do their duty ; and as communities made up a nation, it was
right that the constituent parts of those communities should
be of the right sort. If we had soundness of limb, we ran a
fair chance of having a sound body. (Hear.) Let them then
show that they had a sound body by doing their duty in the
same way as they did it in the last election of 1811, when by
untiring energy, by patriotic zeal, and by a firm determina-
tion not to be defeated in their purpose, they overthrew the
enemy in what they considered their strong-hold, forcing them
from the Gibraltar of pseudo liberalism. (Hear.) Under the
conviction that it was their bounden duty thus to come for-
ward in the spirit of men ready to do their duty, he, humble
as he was, had responded 'to the call made upon him to
second the resolution. (Hear.) He called npon them to be
firm, determined, and united among themselves. Let not
petty differences or bickerings disturb the harmony of their
purpose ; let them agree to differ in minor points only, re-
membering that when had men combined, good men
must unite in order to keep the enemy from them. Let
them go forward upon the broad principle of Protestantism,
not being ashamed to confess their faith in this respect, and
not minding the canting liberalism of the day which talked
so much about " bigotry." The only construction he could
put upon statements of that sort was, that the men who talked
so much about liberalism knew nothing about it. (Cheers.)
He need hardly add that it was also important to have in the
council a man acquainted with the local circumstances of the
place he was called upon to represent. Mr. Matthews then
briefly noticed the superior claims in this respect of Mr.
Mime, and concluded by seconding the motion, which was
unanimously carried.
Mr. THOMPSON moved the next resolution, which stated,
that Mr. Holme, from his long connection with this, his
native ward, his well-known conservative opinions, an' his
extensive local knowledge, was a fit and proper person to
represent St. Peter's ward in the Town Council. After a
short eulogium upon the eminent merits of Mr. Holme, Mr.
Thompson stated, that with the assistance of the gallant
troops which not only assaulted but took Gibraltar last year,
their present candidate would be returned by a triumphant
majority. (Cheers.)
Mr. A. SMITH, jun., seconded the resolution. Having
paid some compliments to the private character and public
conduct of the chairman, Mr. Smith said, that as an elector
of the ward, he should have the greatest pleasure in voting
for the election of his excellent friend Mr. Holme, whom he
had long known and respected as a man and a citizen. He
did not know any person in Liverpool better calculated to
fill the situation of a member of the council than Mr. Holme.
His great ability, his vast knowledge of every thing con-
nected with the interests of the town, and his practical ex-
perience would be invaluable in the council; and he (Mr.
Smith) should be astonished indeed if any opposition were
offered to him. (Cheers.) He wondered who in the world
would dare to face him ! The resolution was unanimously
adopted.
A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Clarke, Leatberbar-
row, and Clapham was then appointed to communicate the
resolutions to Mr. Holme, and to introduce him to the meet-
ing. The appearance of Mr. Holme, with the deputation,
was the signal for a most enthusiastic burst of cheers.
Mr. HOLMES proceeded to the front of the platform, and
spoke as follows :—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I can
assure you that had I consulted my own feelings and inclina-
tions I should have stood before you to-night rather as the
proposer or seconder of some fit and proper person to re-
present this ward in our municipal council, than in the
onerous and somewhat responsible situation of being myself
a candidate for your suffrages. I have resisted various soli-
citations from influential persons in this and other wards to
permit my humble name to be put in nomination, and I have
been charged with dereliction of duty in consequence of my
repeated refusals ; but the time has at length arrived when I
can state the reasons for having declined the kind invitations
which have been forwarded to me ; and I am convinced that
when you hear my reasons you will give me credit for since-
rity in acting as I have hitherto done. (Loud cheers.) Many
who hear me are aware that my avocations have been nume-
rous, compelling me to rise early and late take rest ; and that
I have had few opportunities either for mental improvement
or for the enjoyment of that social and domestic comfort,
which was otherwise within my reach. My physical exer-
tion has been for years as much as my frame could bear ;
and a regard for those who are dear to me has been ona
reason why I did not feel justified in adding to my life con-
suming exertions. In addition to this, you my fellow-
tradesmen, did me the honour of placing me in the respon-
sible position of Chairman of your Conservative Association,
which, at one period, occupied much of my time, and in-
volved me in an extended correspondence; and that I might
stand in an independent position, identified as I was with
an association which commanded considerable moral as well
as political influence, it became me to take care that no man
should be able to charge me with sinister or ambitious
motives in occupying that chair—(hear, hear) ; and J felt
desirous of holding in stern defiance any opinion, by whom-
soever formed, that I was actuated by any other motive
than love for our common country and her admirable insti-
tutions, while I was the organ of that association, which I
would fain persuade myself was of some service. (Loud
cheers.) But, gentlemen, I am no longer its chairman ;
and the repugnance I then felt at holding any other office
in cornmendam, no longer exists ; and as I have often avow-
ed the opinion, that no man ought to enjoy the blessings of
civil liberty without devoting some portion of his time to
the good of others, both as a public duty and in token of his
gratitude for the personal benefits which he enjoys under the
protecting wing of the British constitution : so, in accord-
ance with my often expressed sentiments, and now feeling
myself unfettered, I have considered it to be my duty to
accede to the requisition which has been presented to me,
and to the opinions of many friends to whose judgment I am
bound to defer, and I now place myself entirely and unre-
servedly in your hands.. It has been often asserted that
mere political associations are abstractedly speaking, an
evil ; that they are justified only by stern necessity ; and
they can only flourish in periods of excitement and of danger.

Be it so. But no man will surely say that at the period
when conservative associations- spread throughout the land
there was not cause of fear for the permanence and stability
of those national institutions which we have learned to
venerate. At that period it required no little nerve for a
man to avow in public that he was a conservative, for
conservatism was neither as popular nor as fashion-
able as it has since become. (A laugh and cheers,)
When our association struck its tender roots in th e
soil, the whirlwind of popular violence threatened to hurl i
to the ground ; but soon the tempest ceased its violence, and
the tree flourished, budded, blossomed, and bore fruit. Two
conservative representatives in parliament reposed under its
branches ; and radicalism, then apparently so firmly seated
in the Town-hall, has been since at a woful discount, and
the object of the association was nobly attained. (Cries of
"True !") It now slumbers; but at the slightest alarm it
will awake, and put forth all its energy. (Cheers.) It will

. . _ . ,
again send forth its active and well-informed canvassers to
explain—to expostulate—to ir:ge ; and, mighty in its word
strength, it will concentrate its forces, and set at defiance any
p the parliamentary re-

attempt of the radical party to g

, uiunieipai government of our " good old
town of Liverpool." (Hear, and loud cheers.) And yet,
gentlemen, I have often regretted that political opinions
should have been the sole test of any man's fitness for occu-
pying a seat in the Council Chamber ; but, while human na-
ture remains what it. is,. I fear, it must always be the case.
(Hear.) Our opponents at one time had the opportunity of
acting nohly.—Forty-five out of forty-eight at ou

first popu-

-
lar municipal election was surely majority enough. Did
they, when flushed with victory, exhibit their magnanimity
by electing one solitary alderman of opposite opinions to their
own ? (No, no.) Did they not eject some of the old offi-
cers of the corporation to provide for men who were thrown
on the surface, by the boiling agitation of the Reform Club?
(Cheers.) And did not one portion of their press vociferate
loudly against any tradesman, who held conservative senti-
ments, being permitted to participate in any portion of the
corporate work, no matter what his character might be—no
matter how competent he might be to fulfil his duty. (Loud
cheers.) What, then, is left for conservatives to do ? To
retaliate ? No ! But to set them an example of noble and
disinterested moderation ; to let every competent and re-
spectable tradesman have his fair share of public employment,
although he may differ from us in political opinion. But at
the same time, let us keep the party who acted thus incon-
sistently with their own professions out of the Town-hall—
(hear)—for by so doing, we shall keep them out of the way
of temptation—(laughter)—and they will learn, in seclusion,
that " sweet are the uses of adversity." (Loud laughter.)
Let conservatives teach them the lesson, that a man may be
liberal in practice without assuming that specious name,
under which too many men cloak their real intentions and
throw dust in the eyes of the multitude. (Cheering.) If,
therefore, any man now present wishes to know what my
political creed is, I will tell him. I would separate liberty
from republican violence ; I would encourage freedom, but

discourage licentiousness ; I would recognise popular inde-
pendence, but not at the risk of superinducing revolution.

(Loud and longcheering.) 1 would have conservative prin-
ciples tried by the test of reason ; and, if we are convinced
of the truth, I would have all our energy exerted for their

propagation. I believe the struggle in the present day is for
all we love and venerate. We, of this generation, are the
guardians of that limited and chastened liberty, purchased
by the blood of our forefathers—(cheers)—and we hold these
blessings in trust for the benefit of unborn generations.

(Hear, hear.} We must struggle to maintain the British
constitution, unimpared and inviolate, with all the moral and
intellectual energy of which we are capable; and we must
consider our responsibility increased in a tenfold d

,gree in

Periods of national danger'. We must use all the influence
of our station in life, however humble that station may be
in which it has pleased Divine Providence to place us, to
preserve and perpetuate that constitution which recognises
the rights and gives protection to the lowliest as well as to
loftiest—(loud cheers)—which holds as sacred the cottage of
the peasant as the paiace of the noble—(cheers)—which en-
courages industry, which gives security to property, and
which affords, as it ought to do, the most ample toleration
to all who conscientiously differ from our national establish-
ment, on points of religious faith. In the present day we
hear much about expediency and compromise. To me, such
words always convey the imputation of something dishonour-

able it' not absolutely dishonest. and the sooner such terms
are expunged from our political dictionary the better for the
country. (Hear, hear.) They remind me of O'Connell's in-
stalments, and are always slices cut out of principle. An
opinion may change, but principle is immutable and eternal;
and if our government, conservative though it be, ventures.
to act on the shrinking and wretched system of expediency,
a downward course they will inevitably mark out for them-
selves. (Hear.) What is honest and right to-day will be so
a thousand years hence. What is wrong to-day cannot, by
any logical reasoning, be right to-morrow ; and he who acts
on expediency to-day will sink into compromise to-morrow,
and his next step will be inevitable and irretrievable ruin.
As it is with individuals so it is with nations ; and if you ask
me what I consider the most important duty of a conserva-
tive at the present time, 1 reply, a simple and straightforward
adherence to the principles of our limited and fenced mo-
narchial institutions, and a fixed, unswerving determination
to support that balance of power which preserves to each of
the three estates of the realm its just prerogative, not per-
mitting to any one of the three such a preponderance that
the equilibrium of the whole may be endangered. (Cheers.)
Am 1 told that in holding these antiquated opinions I am
behind the spirit of the age? Be it so. But what is the
spirit of the age ? Is it the opinion that all creeds are alike ?
Is it such liberality in political and religious matters that
I am to yield to what is termed the tender conscience of
every man with whom I have the misfortune to differ, and
not vindicate and defend the suggestions and convictions
of my own conscience? Is it to render science paramount,
and divine revelation secondary and unimportant in the
vital question of national education ? Is it to sacrifice
the best customers of our looms I mean the agricul-
turists—to benefit those nations who will not reciprocate
with us? (Hear, hear, hear.) Is it tamely to permit any
men to govern this mighty empire, if I conscientiously be-
lieve their acts to be dangerous and inimical to the public
welfare? Is it to stifle my own conscience in mistaken ten-
derness for theirs? Is it to agree in such absurdities as
chartism, which would be rediculous if recent events had not
proved that it can be dangerous ? Then am I content to be
behind the spirit of the age, and to be assailed, in the main-
tenance of my own opinions, with what I have been long
used to—vulgar invective. (Cheers.) Let me not, however,

I.will r

consent to the

chairmar

humiliation of enteiing the council chamber fettered by
pledges; but I will promise you this, that I will not go there
with the union jack nailed to the mast-head, and then hoist
a single stripe of any other banner when I am, for a time at
least, beyond your reach. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) I
will, if need arise, support the Protestant institutions of the
land in the council, as I have ever done zealously and fear-
lessly out of it. I will defend the Church of England, with
all her rights and privileges, endeavouring to make her more
usefnl•to her growing population, and extending the benefits
of her communion as widely as I can. (Cheers.) I will not
enter the chamber fettered by clap-trap pledges of economy
which I do not mean to carry out when they militate against
public improvement on a comprehensive scale, and when petty
economy would prove detrimental to the exercise of public
taste. I love my native town, and lam anxious to see her
increase in works of public utility and elegance, in edifices
raised for the purposes of benevolence, and in all those
attainments which throw a charm around any people, and
which can stamp the every ;day pursuits of life with moral
grandeur. I have a presentiment of the future greatness of
this commercial metropolis of the north. If it is too mag-
nificent for you, then do not, I beseech you, intrust to me
the disbursement of any portion of your public funds. (Hear,
bear, and loud cheers.) But consider for a moment what
our town is, and what her prospects really are. Carry in
your mind's eye the map of Great Britain, and you will find
her seated on a noble river, commanding two entrances into
the Atlantic through the great basin of the Irish sea. She
has no harbour or port to compete with her between the
Clyde, 200 miles to the north, and the Bristol Channel, 180
miles to the south of her. She possesses railways and
canals which connect her with every part of England. She
is the seaport for a home population of four-and.a-half mil-
lions of inhabitants, nearly all of whom receive their foreign
supplies, and export the surplus productions of their industry
through her portals. (Loud and protracted cheering.) The
hardware of Birmingham, the cutlery of Sheffield, the pro-
ductions of our Potteries, the produce of the cotton mills of
Manchester, and the wool manufacture of Leeds—all these
are identified, more or less, with the commerce of Liverpool.
She is encircled by coal-fields, proximate and exhaustless,
which give faciiities to our steam navigation, and life and
motion to our mills. She exports nearly all the salt which
the country produces for foreign supply. Ireland pours into
her lap about one-third of its surplus produce. She pays one-
sixth of the customs' revenues of the empire. She has an
income exceeding £300,000 a year applicable for her local
government and her general government. (Cheers.) Sheneeds
not to levy a rate on her inhabitants, as other and less fortu-
nate towns are obliged to do—and with these, and a hundred
other advantages, who will say that paltry and niggardly
measures are wise for Liverpool? 'Who that reflects will not
cheerfully admit that a capacious mind in her Council, and a
sagacious forethought in her local rules, are absolutely neces-
sary to provide for her future wants and her future greatness.
(Cheers.) When I reflect on these things, lam often grieved
to read the petty bickerings by which the attention of the
Council is diverted from nobler and more important matters ,•
and with a heart as desirous as any man's to witness the good
government of our town in an enlarged and comprehensive
spirit, if you think fit to elect me one of your representatives.
I will do my best to carry out the views I have so feebly and
imperfectly expressed ; and I shall aim at returning into your
hands, when the time for doing so arrives, as pure and un-
sullied as you will confer it, the honourable trust which you
may be pleased to repose in me.
At the close of his able and eloquent address, Mr. Holme
was very warmly congratulated by his friends on the plat-
form. Mr. Wilkinson called for three times three cheers,
which were heartily given, followed by the Kentish fire.
Mr. SANDS said, that after the admirable speech which
they had just beard, he was not at all surprised that the
meeting should feel pride and exultation at the position in
which they were placed. If he felt any regret at all, it was
that he could not pledge himself to join them in the effort
they were about to make. inasmuch as he was not an elector
of the ward ; hut he should take the warmest interest in the
success of his friend Mr. Holme. (Cheers.) He moved a
resolution to the effect that the meeting, having heard the
sentiments of Mr. Holme, pledged themselves to use all
legal means to secure his return to the Town Council at the
next municipal election. (Cheers.)
Mr. BUSHELL felt infinite pleasure in seconding the reso-
lution just moved by his friend Mr. Sands. First and fore-
most, looking at the private character of Mr. Holme, be
would ask the meeting whether they had not in that a security
for his public character with regard to the future ? And con-
necting his private character with his public life for the past,
he (Mr. Bushell) would contend that they had an ample
warrant for his public life hereafter. (Hear.) It had been
too much the fashion to disunite the public from the private
character of a man. He (Mr. Bushell) bad never done this
in his life, nor did he think he should ever change his opinion
so as to do it in future. (Hear.) If a rnan.was honest and
upright in his dealings; if he was as a father And husband at
home, depend upon it the same principle would continue to
govern him in the execution of any trust that might be pub-
licly imposed upon him. (Elear.) He conceived it was un-
necessary for him to say any thing in favour of Mr. Holme,
seeing that they all knew him ; but he felt it his duty to say
this much, because in reference to public and private cha-
racter they should never be disunited. He agreed with Mr.
Holme in his view of the magnitude of the trust delegated to
a councillor, and should be glad to see his ideas realized
selative to the improvement of the town ; but uufortunatel
whether owing to whig or to tory mismanagement the meeting'
might say, the corporation was at this time, as it were, almost
bankrupt. That very day the chairman of the Finance
Committee had stated that they had not money enough to
provide for the security of the town from fire, and they must
wait for this till good government placed a fund at their dis-
posal. He referred to the obstructions offered to business
in the council by certain factious individuals, and to the
transactions of that day, in order that te people might see
who most deserved the name of reformers, and concluded by
reading the following letter from the Rev. Rector Campbell:—
" Duke-street, October 1, 1842.
"Mr DEAR SIR,—I greatly regret that the state of my
health precludes the possibility of my proposing Mr. Holme
for St. Peter's Ward. Approving, however, most highly of
his principles and conduct in every way, I shall be most
happy to vote for him ; and there is no man whom I am
more desirous of seeing in council than Mr. Holme, and
where, I have no doubt, he will shortly be.—Your very faith-
"
ful servant, ABB. CAMPBELL.
' E. Rae, Esq

Mr. WILKINSON called for three cheers for the rector,
which were given.
Mr. SAMUEL HOLME, in moving a vote of thanks to the

general of " Gibraltar," aid he (Mr. Elohne) should be
happy to be appointed his lieutenant.
Mr. J. B. LLOYD seconded the motion, calling attention
to the proceedings of the council, and particularly to the able
report of the Paid Officers' Committee, which will be found
in our other columns to-day.
The motion was carried, and the meeting separated.