The Sun. — 1847-07-22 (London, England)

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. WATERFORD, JULY 16.—Two men named Liddy and Keefe were indicted for a conspiracy to murder Arthur Usher, Esq., a magistrate and landowner. One of the prisoners, Liddy, bad a difference with Mr. Usher, and was evicted from his holding. The Sheriff had evicted some of the tenantry upon haberes, and subsequently Mr. Usher was fired at. The jury returned a verdict of guilty against both prisoners ; but Baron Pennefather postponed the sentence. Five other persons are to be tried on the same charge. Roscolemose July 16.—Baron Richards opened the Commission, and the grand Jury being re-sworn, his Lordship delivered the following eharge : " Mr. French, and Gentlemen of the Grand Jury—lt is now something more than twelve months since I have had the honour of presiding in this court-house; and since that time your county, as well as almost every county in Ireland, has passed through a frightful ordeal; but I trust that we have nearly arrived at the termination of that state. The destitution prevailing through the country, by the benevolent assistance of the Government, and the liberal grants from the public funds, has to a great degree been alleviated; and although the people were not, perhaps, rendered as comfortable as they heretofore were, still they have been relieved from actual starvatio . How tar, gputlemen, these funds have been applied) heelieving th estitute—and the destitute alone—it is not personslp whom they were entrusted in :r 114 std for me to y; but I have read reports professing to be authentic, as all of you, no doubt, have done, con4ining unquestionably grave andekerioute,chargeuilith reference to the •illspoassl of the public money. Prom these charges, so serious in their character, it unquestionably behoves every county and e‘ery local columntee, as Tar as it possibly can, to clear itself, and show tLe 'public at large that they are, as applicable to them, groundless, in case they can establish their innocence. Nothing can possibly be mere shocking—and 1 am fully justified in using that strong term—than to devote the public money, intended for the relief of the destitute, to any other purpose. Gentlemen, in making these observations, lot me not be understood to 'mike any particular insinuation to this county. We see some of as high .minded men in this county as in any part of Ireland ; but., at the same time, I dare say, that here, as well as in other counties, there are other persons not influenced by such high motives or high-minded feelings. We are about to enter upon the administration of a law which will require the exacting from the inhabitants of the whole land large sums of money, and it behoves us all to see that the really destitute alone are relieved, and that no person, by any influence whatever, can apply to his own use the public money. I have heard you have come to a resolution or passing as few presentments as possible at the present assizes. In that view I entirely agree, and think you are quite right at present not to burden the country with more expense than is absolutely necessary. The gaol is in a very crowded state, and although the sessions have but lately terminated, and the assistant barrister (Mr. Finlay) used his best exertions, and devoted himself to the discharge of his duties in the best possible manner he could, which lie always does, still there remains a vast deal more of prisoners than the gaol is competent to contain, consequently fever and dysentery are found to prevail amongst the unfortunate inmates. There are now not less than 207 prisoners confined, and at this time, when it is so necessary the gaol should be properly ventilated, these 227 persons are confined in a gaol only competent to accommodate 240. Of this number there are 34 sick in fever, 13 in dysentery, and 45 who are nearly convalescent, but have been sick." The court is kept free from the concourse of persons that usually thronged it during an assize. It is kept well ventilated, and chlorid of lime is profusely scattered over it. A medical gentleman is also in attendance 10 inspect the country people coming into court—a very wise regulation, as already several have been stopped who are in the incipient stage of fever. The prisoners are only brought from the gaol to court in batches, according to the number in each case as it is called on.