The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-20
THIc CRY or LONDON.


population Of entire London-hGs u govern
mcnt no less singular and remarkable than the
city itself. Resting upon charters whose
language is often archaic. and whose meaning
is as vague IA the uttcranccs Of the ancient
Delphic oracle, the corporate government,
nevertheless. claims and exercises powers and
privileges which stamp II as one of the most
gigantic Of monopolics. Not ono Of its many
charters han tn" form of n statutory enactment
and hence their provisions have never had
definite explanation: yet they are held TO have
the force Of an net of Parliament. for. in the
reign of William and Mary n case of quo tcdr-
rdn'o came before Parliament. and the rights
charters. and privileges OF the city Of London
were regrantcd. What those rights and privi-
lcgrs were the act did not attempt to specify or
define. To simply rcaffrm was less trouble
than to explain.
The first charter was granted Ivy William the
Conqucror in these words " William the
King grects William the Bishop. and Godfrey
the Portreeve CMuyor) and all the burghers
within London. French and English. friendly;
and make known TO you that will that yc be
lnw-worthy az W were In the days Of King
Edward. And | will that each child be his
fathers heir after his fathers days. And will
not suffer that any man command you any
wrong God keep you. Subsequent charters were
received substantial fayors from the wealthy
city; and the privileges so granted were often
gross injustice to the ctizens of the rest of the
kingdom. In the latter part of the seventeenth
century. the city WIS granted the right to levy "a
duty Of fourpeDce per chaldron on all coal inn
ported, for ever. That duty Is still faithfully
collected. and yields n very snug sum. grain
duty of three siNtccnths Of Il penny per cwt. is
also levied on all grain brought into the port Of
London. 1t seems strange that such monsrosi-
tics should be allowed to continue: but the
English are very conservative and It takes u
force somewhat like that Of an earthquake or
revolution to make them perceive that somc-
thing is wrong. The various city charters COM
prise some 100 documents
The corporate Government Is a very close
monopoly. The Lord Mayor is selected from
among the Aldermen. and serves one year
Immediate reflections are rare. though they do
sometimes occur The celebrated Wilmington
was Mayor four tcrms-not successive ones
however. The frccmcn Of the city-that is the
members of the various city livcrcs-nominate
two Aldermen for the oflice OF Lord Mayor. and
the Aldermen then make choice between those
two. The candidates may vote for themselves
il they please. The Aldermen are 90 in num-
Der. and are elected for life. A Common
CouLcl of 232 members il also elected and
constitutes n court inferior 10 that Of the Alder
men. Other city officers are appointed by the
Aldermen and Common Council. and hold OIL
during the pleasure Of the appointing power.
The corporate Government seems TO be respon-
siblc to no one in particular. except itself. That
ought TO be n very happy condition Of life
There is no awkward public at their back 10
chcckmate their little games. or refuse them
supplies. II is sort of ofllccholders paradise
and our public ridden American officials may
Ice pleased to hear OF il.
A very interesting contest has been in prog.
rcss for some time past for a vacant place in the
Court Of Aldermen. When the vacancy oc-
CURED an clc ton was ordered. and Sir John
Bennett was elected by a handsome majority
The Court OF Aldermen. for some occult reason
that no one else seems abb, t. Understand re-
fused 90 admit him. and another election was
ordered. Sir John was elected again 10y "A vote
81 2l7 To 90, and the Court Of Aldermen again
rejected him, and ordered Third election.
This morning placards were up. in which Sir
John again places himself before the electors ~
the Ward Of Cheap for election 10 the post Of
Alderman. He will. no doubt. he again chosen
and It is difficult 10 see how the matter il
10 terminate. The Daily Ne'rs speaks OF the
Unrciormcd Corporation Of London and
thus speaks OF its action In the present case.
DO they not see the danger of raising a dis
pute within the walls. which may result in let
ting in the reform which has lou., waited out
side the city z We hope they do not for they
may thus hastcn m inevitable change
The Lord Mayor. in addition TO his salary. has
stan of officers suited to his station. a furnish
ed residence. free Of rcpt and m" use of god
and silver plate 10 the value of 100000. The
running expenses Of the establishment usually
eX ecd his salary. During his year Of oniso he
I