Northern Times. — 1857-09-01 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

BLAGG. From all that we have read of the case, and the conduct and demeanour of the culprit from the day of the trial until CALCR4FT put an end to his earthly existence, we believe him to be innocent of the actual murder, and that although he may have been an accessory before the fact, the execution was a stern and unmerciful vindication of the requirements of the law. But what makes this case the more painful is the fact that the murder was committed in consequence of the enforcement and maintenance of those barbarous relics of the feudal times—the Game Laws. The injustice oC these laws, their indefensible character, and the feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction which they engender in the minds of the lower orders should long ere this have caused their complete abrogation. The fate of BEBBINGTON, and the execution of BLAGG, should teach the Government of the day that such enactments should not disgrace the Statute Book of England. To maintain, by Act of Parliament, that that portion of the feathered and piscatorial tribes; as well as all the fourfooted anicnals called " game," and which are produced and supported without cost to those who arrogantly claim them as their property, is what GOD and nature never intended. The ennobled Peer or the wealthy 'Squire has no more right to claim the pheasant, the partridge, or the hare than the humblest agriculturist in the land. The farmer's fields, and the cottager's garden, for which each pays rent, supports this species of game. Had there been no Game Laws, BEBBINGTON would not have been murderel, nor BLAGG executed; and it may be, had there been less desire on the part of Judge and jury to uphold this nefarious enactment, the people of Chester, and the public at large, would have been spared the painful reflection that another legal murder was committed, and, to all appearance, an innocent man hurried into eternity, so that as example might be made of any who question the wisdom or the equity of the Game Law enactments.  On Wednesday next the Water Committee stand pledged to the Council and the town at large to give a definite reply to the Memorial presented by the ratepayers mouths ago, pray lug that their old supply of Pure Water might be restored to them, until such time as arrangements could be made for supplying the Pike bog wash for such purposes, and such only, as it is adapted for. So far the Committee have had recourse to every artifice by which they could succeed in staving off the question, in the expectation, doubtless, that some improvement might possibly take place in the quality of the Water ; or, that the inhabitants wearied with what has hitherto proved to be an unsuccessful agitation, would become quiescent, and, ultimately yielding to the force of circumstances, submit to the use of the obnoxious compound, seeing that further remonstrance was hopeless. Procrastination has been the order of the day with the Water Committee, or rather with their masters—the engineers, geologists, and chemists, who have succeeded in mesmerising the Committee, although they have hitherto ?ailed in purifying the bog-wash at Rivington by their galvanism or magnetism. But the Water Conimittee and their professional 4 may rest assured that their game is at