rbe Cauntrtn The Tories of the West Riding of Yorkshire,
in anticipation of another dissolution, have formed an association for the avowed object of securing, by every means in their power, the return of Conservative candidates. Their activity is worthy a better cause; and the Re- formers would do well to imitate them by forming an association to defeat their manoeuvres. , The Leeds Mercury says that they have a permanent central committee, and a district committee at every district in the riding, and sub-committees at every town and village. Let the Reformers take the hint.
The Reformers of North Durham have bad a meeting to form a central committee in furtherance of the general objects of the Reform Associations in the division, consisting of the chairmen and secretaries of the several local committees. To show the object of their labours we transcribe one of their resolutions— "That it he an instruction to the Central Committee to procure for, and communi- cate to the several Local Committees, all the information likely to remove the present imperfections in the registra. ion of electors of the division, anti to smtire the reelection of two gentlemen of Liberal principles to represent the Ilimision in Parliament." Colonel Jolliffe has been turning some of his Petersfield tenants out of their houses and shops, as a punishment for voting at the last elec• tion for his successful opponent Mr. Hector. The persecuted parties should represent their case to the Intimidation Committee.
There was a highly influential meeting of the leading friends of Re- form in East Kent on Saturday last, at the Lion Hotel in Canterbury; Sir John Maxwell Tylden in the chair. It was determined to form an association for the protection of the Liberal interest in East Kent, particularly with respect to the registration. Reform candidates, in opposition to Mr. Plumptre and Sir E. Knatchbtill, will be started. 'I he Honourable Richard Watson (brother of Lord Sondes) has been invited to come forward ; and we understand his acceptance of the in- vitation is confidently expected. Sir Edward Knatelibull has lost some of his popularity among the Tory farmers by his conduct on the Malt- tax question. Mr. Plumptre is at a discount with all parties. An attach(i of the late Alinistry is on a provincial tour for the pur- pose of getting up Political Unions, under the name of " Liberal Associations."—Birmingham Advertiser.
It will be recollected that some actions were commenced at Norwich against certain parties charged with having employed bribery to pro- cure the return of Lord Abinger (then Sir James Scarlett) and Lord Stormont, in 1832; and it will be also remembered that Lord Abin- ger himself was summoned as a witness for the plaintiff in these ac- tions. The trials in question ought to have been proceeded with on Thursday week, at Norwich, before Mr. Baron Vaughan ; but, as appears from the following statement in the Norwich Mercury, the ac- tions were compromised, under very suspicious circumstances. " Mr. Cozens, a citizen of Liberal principles, and of fair and good character, was the reputed maintain several actions against individuals for bribery; by which proceeding he took the same, and we must add, in justice to Professor tlenslorr, the exalted place which that firm and consistent gentleman has earned in the estimation of all his count:yawn. The consequence of these actions was, that certain perties, after interviews obtained with Mr. Cozens 111111 his solictor, so entangled them in negotiation, that an action was in turn set up against Mr. U. and his agent for a conspiracy to obtain owney under ftlse pretences. Within twenty-four hours of the case coming into Omit, thus it stood. " And how has it ended ? Why Mr. Coccus has obtained money—not indeed upon filse pretences, because it is a legitimate presumption that no one (espe- cially lawyers), would may money so extorted. Yet money has been paid—the actions are satisfied ; but the cause of the public, the party most deeply in- terested, in n hose behalf the actions if begun at ail, ought to have been begun solely cud entirely upon high and solemn motives alone—and in whose behalf the actions when once begun ought to have been, without fear or favour, brought to issue—the cause of the public has been—has been—has been—what shall tie say ?—we nicest e'en borrow a word and write—COMPROMISED. " That such a course must be unsatisfactory to theist of the parties as well as to the public, will pet haps be the universal opinion. But above all, it must be SO to the baton of Abinger and Norwich."
When such actions as these are compromised for mosey, the public cannot doubt respecting the innocence or delinquency of the defendants. The Lord Chief Baron has come outof this affair very creditably.
The Tory Magistrates of Whalley, John Tay:or, Esq., and the Reverend Richard Noble, who have made themselves so conspicuous in the elections for the borough of Clithero, 'have sustained another mortifying defeat, in the acquittal of Mr. Burrell. the proprietor of the Blactburn Gazette, against whotn they bad instituted a con- temptible prosecution for libel, at the Lancaster Assizes. The in- dictment was founded upon an account which had appeared in the Gee, tic, of certain la gal proceedings against Mr. Fort, the Member for Clithero, in which Toylor and Mr. Noble' had :meted as magistrates, and which proccedines we shall not characterize further than by saying, that they reflected jest as much credit upon the honour and gentlemanly feeling of the Magistrates as upon their knowledge of that law which they were sworn to ndmieister. For publishing this account, they thought proper to indict Mr. Burrell ; and the result is that the Judge almost tells them to their faces that it is a trumpery prosecution ; and the Jury, with very little hesitation, acquit the defendant.-21fanchestee Guardian.
Previous page
