The Potteries Examiner : — 1875-02-27 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1875.  Mr. Huddlesion's turn has come at last. He has been appointed a Judge of Common Pleas, in the room of Mr. Justice Honyman, resigned. A vacancy is thus occasioned for Norwich, which constituency Mr. Muddlesion has represented just twelve months.  Lord Chief Justice Cockburn was to have delivered judgment, on Tuesday, in the alleged false prospectus case, Charlton v. Hay and others, but was unable to attend in consequence of a severe attack of toothache. The Court was adjourned until Wednesday.  Domestically there is nothing very material to relate. The South Wides strike--or lock-out rather—is going on with fearful moiaotousness, for we cannot help thinking that thousands of families must be suffering very severe hardships and privations. May it soon come to a prosperous close. We are glad to chronicle the triumph of a free press this week, in the verdict given in favour of She Times newspaper, with regard to an alleged libel. We are glad of this, because nothing could be more injurious to the interests of society, socially, intellectually, and morally, than a successful attempt at gagging the press.  According to the opinion of Mr. Butt, Q.C., and, it is alleged, of several eminent English counsel, the resolution of the House of Commons relative to Mr. John Mitchel cannot be sustained in a court of law. Captain Mitchel, son of Mr. John Mitchel, or some friendly Home Ruler, will also be nominated for the purpose of securing the seat. .  We feel glad to say that there are no horrible murders to chronicle this week. Heaven send that they may become things of the past, and that the violent man may cease out of the earth, through the blessing of providence upon education, intelligence, sobriety, thrift, sanitary measures, and other remedial appliances to civilize and benefit mankind.  The past week has not been distinguished by anything peculiar in Parliamentary matters. The most important division was that of Monday evening in connection with the Army Exchanges Bill, of which we shall doubtless hear a good deal again when the bill goes through committee. We trust our Liberal leaders will be lynx-eyed in watching the Tory mancouvres, lest our legislation may be regressive and not progressive. , In the Court of Common Pleas, on Monday, the action, Fowler v. Goodlake, was commenced. Plaintiff, who is a mining engineer, sues the Times fri damages for libel in the city article of the 4th of November, 1872, reflecting on his professional reports in reference to the Phsenix Quicksilver ' Mine, and the Saturn and Mammoth Mines. The , case was adjourned.  The Shakers are again trying to make themselves martyrs by their obstinacy. They had received notice to quit Mr. Auberon Herbert's barn, but yesterday Mr. Herbert told them he did not wish any of them to leave during the present inclement weather. The men were to go away in the morning and not return till evening, hut the women and children might stay where they were. They would not accept this offer, and turned into the lanes once more. The children are sheltered in another barn. In the House of Commons, on Wednesday, the Bills of Sale Act Amendment Bill, the object of which is to prevent evasions of the Act of 1854, was read a second time; as also was the Glebe Land (Ireland) Bill. Mr. Ritchie proposed the second reading of the Bank Holidays Act (1871) Extension and Amendment Bill, by which he sought to extend to persons employed in the Cus, barns House and docks the holidays which bankers' , clerks and others enjoyed under Sir John Lubbock's Act. Mr. C. Wilson moved an amendment , that the bill be read a second time that day six months, pointing out that the bill would be a , serious loss to labourers paid by the day. Mr. Leeman pointed out the injury to trade that would 'be done by the bill, if passed. Mr. Wheelhouse , supported the measure. Sir Wilfrid Lawson slyly suggested that the holidays should be extended to public-houses. After further remarks, the House divided, and there were—for the second reading, 00; against, 64; majority, 26. The House adjourned at five minutes to three o'clock.