The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1846-11-17 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ROBERT JAMIESON% MEETING OF THE BOROUGH MAGISTRATES.—On Tuesday last, a meeting of the magistrates was held in the Sessions'-house, to receive a copy of the resolutions passed by the Select Vestry at their last meeting, relative to Mr. Rushton's reprimand of the Governor of the Workhouse, and to come to some determination respecting them. The Mayor having opened the business, Mr. Rushton entered into some explanations. He said that, as regarded himself, the meeting was perhaps not necessary, but some of the resolutions that had been sent to the head-constable demanded it. From these it appeared that the magistrates would in future be expected not to give any expression of opinion relative to the conduct of the officers of the Workhouse,—and that such matters should be dealt with by the Vestry alone. He detailed what had taken place at the Police-court, as already published. The Vestry had resolved that he had, in reprimanding the governor, stepped out of his duty as a magistrate, awl that he should have left the case to them, and not have spoken to their officer. He did not claim exemption from animadversion on all that he said, for it was difficult for any public officer so to discharge his duty as to satisfy every one. Mr. Bennett was reported in one of the papers-to have said at the Vestry—" if every harsh expression-of Mr. Rushton had to be accounted for, there would be plenty to do." Now, he had that morning received a polite note from Mr. Bennett, in which that gentleman assured him that he bad never made use of such expression, and that whoever used it, it was perfectly incorrect to say that he was the individual. Mr. Bennett had a right to the benefit of this manly denial. He (Mr. Rushton) regretted that one of his oldest friends, Mr. S. Thorneley, had said that the magistrates gave no support to the parochial authorities, which he emphatically denied. It had been the practice, when a case arose like that of the woman Comerford, who was accused of child murder,  and bad been brought to bed and weak, to send the party to the Workhouse, until sufficiently recovered to go to gaol; but this humane practice the Vestry had resolved should not continue. It was necessary, therefore, that the magistrates should come to a determination on the subject. He also submitted to their consideration whether his conduct under the circumstances, and that of the other magistrates acting at the time, was not consistent with the interests of humanity and justice. Mr. Harvey contended that, as there was a lying-in hospital at the Borough Gaol, parties such as Comerford should be sent there, or that arrangements should be made for them at the Bridewell, or in lodgings ; but this part of the subject was finally referred to the visiting magistrates, with a request that they would report upon it. Mr. Rushton, with allusion to the Select Vestry, having deliberated whether they would allow the Governor of the Workhouse to attend and give evidence in the case of Comerford, said that, where justice was concerned, the magistrates could compel his attendance. Mr. Rushton, after recommending a small increase in the salary of one of his clerks, retired, and in his absence a resolution was unanimously adopted, to the effect that Mr. Rushton's conduct on the bench had always been most satisfactory to his brother magistrates ; that they considered the reference to the Select Vestry required by that body, would be derogatory to the position and character of the magistrates ; and that the language made use of by Mr. Rushton to the governor, was not only fully justified but decidedly called for by the circumstances, as they appeared by the statement of the stipendiary, and the depositions read, and had the entire approbation of the magistrates present. The Mayor was requested to send a copy of the resolution to the Select Vestry, and the meeting dispersed.