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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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MEDICAL TREATMENT OF THE POOR IN THE SOUTH AYLESFORD UNION . On Wedncs&yMvcak a oricfanaker , of . the . name of John Tuckwcll , died atXortlifleet , in the parish of Xorthflett , andit having been allegid by the overseers of tlie ¦ pzaiih as vre ! I = s slia iubalriJaute , that his death was occasioned Iff ncslsct on the part of tile medical and relieving oSccr 5 , " a : i inquest was held on Uia requisition of tlie overseers to Mr . Carttar , Coroner fur West Kent , on Friday . The cafe t-xcited great interest in the district , as it was 5 aid tliat many siinUar instances ol neglect bv the proper officers liad occurred nithin the last two or three years in the parish . The inquest was htldsit the Qaeca ' s Head jmblic-liur . se , before Mr . CarJtar , and a Tiighly resptctalile jarr , of winch Mr . G . Martyr of Xorih-Scet , was fun-man .
After the jury was sworn , and had viewed the body , the Coroner jirorttiled to state , that he knew nothing whatever of the crcamstaacis of the case which would be brought before t ! icm * further than Hiat , as he was informed , the deceased did not come by a violent death ; and , therefore , he did not think it necessary that there should be a ~ poit mortem , examination . A charge of luglcct was made agaiust the medical officer of the union , and it -rconld be for the jury to decide whether such charge was we ll founded , or otherwise . Sarah Tuckwell , the mother of the deceased , identified the body as that of her son , John Tuckwell , who had a few wevks before left her house in London to seek fur work as a brickmaker . He was , she added , not quite twenty-dghtyears of age , aad was of a healthy and robust constitution , and not at all addicted to drink .
2 Ir . Philip nliitconibc , surgeon ( examined by the coroner ) , d posed that he was medical officer of the union of North Avlesford , which included the parish of Xorthllest , having b ? en appointed to such office in November , 1843 ; that oa the forcnonn of the Cth inst . he received a note , signed bj John Uig ^ us , assistant overseer of N ' orthflees parish , requesting him to attend a man at Mrs . Gay ' s lodging-house , ia Bow-street , Xorthfleet , and that at four o ' clock in the afternoon of the same day he attended the deceased , whom he found in bed , and covered with an eru-ition , which he ( Mr . Whitcombe ) at once pronounced to be small-pox . The man told him that he had been ill on the Monday and Tuesday , but that on the pre-• vious Friday he had betn at work , and that when at work lie could cam five shillings a day . "I then , " continued
tue witness , " told the womau , Mrs . Gay , that the man had small-pox , and to jrfve him arrowroot and gruel ; but that , as he earned five shillings a day , I did not consider him a paupsr , and would not attend him without an order from the relieving officer of the union . I sent him a powder to hi administered , and that was the only medicine 1 sent him . 'When leaving , I told Mrs . Gay , the woman of the house , I would not coutiuue to attend the roan unless she got an order for me to do so from Mr . Siddell , the relieving oJBcer . wiio lived at Sliorne . That was six miles off . I am compelled by my instructions to attend to an over , seer ' s order only in cases of urgency , but in this case I considered that there was no urgency ; in fact , it was one that did not come under tlie rule . It was a case neither of urgency nor danger , in my opinion . I stayed with the
man but a short time , and I thought he would go through the disease well , as it appeared to be in a mild form . 1 left Mrs . Gay instructions to give him arrowroot and gruel , and I have since found that she followed those instructions . I did not consider him a proper object for such relief . I ordered him no reliefiu the way of nourishment at the expense of the parish . I told the wrom-. tn to supplj 3 iim with the necessary nourishment . Had he been a private patient of mine instead of a parish patient , I should have thought it necessary to visit him again the following day , or the day after that , although the disease exhibited itself in a mild form . I considered him in no danger . I reported his case in my report of that night to the board of guardians at Roches ' ter , as I made a report every Wednesday night for the
board , which meets on the Thursday . In that report I entered the case and the nature of the disease ; but that it was not a case of urgency . I paid no further attention to the case until the following Tuesday , when I learned , oa returning home , that Mr . Iliggins had called on me , to request me to attend a man l ying at a lodging-house in JTorthflcet . Iobejeu Mr . IKggins ' sorder . andwentahcut half-past four o ' clock in the afternoon to visit the man . I am positive that Mr . Higgins left no message to the effect that the man was dying . I found the man suffering from snaU-pos , and thought it my duty to administer stimulants . I found , on inquiry from Mrs . Gay , that the man , in the interval of my first and second visit , had gone on as -well asb . 3 conW do ; but he now , in the crisis of the disease , required stimulants . I went to Mr . lietts , the
overseer , and asked him to give an order for some wine , but he replied that the case was taken out of his hands by the Poor Law guardians , who intimated to him that he had no -potter to order anything for the man . I then administered to him some wine mixed with water , and sent some medicine . There was then no immediate danger of the man ' s dying , lie was in the crisis of the disease , but I could not then undertake to say whether that crisis - ¦ would bs favourable or otherwise . I visited him again at ten o ' clock the fullotring morning , and thought he was going on favouwHy , and told the nurse so . 1 administered some brandy , still finding that stimulants were necessary for him , and directed the nurse to gire him the medicine occasionally . Late in the afternoon of that day
( Wednesday ) I met Jlr . Iliggiusin Gravesend , and learned from him that the man was dead . I was not surprised to hear he was dead ; but I cannot say that I expected it . A Tery few hours decides in that stage of the disease . I saw him at the critical time on the Tuesday , that was on my second visit . In the interval of six days bet ween my vist and second visit , I do not think I could give him anything to alleviate his disease . Had the case been brought uader my notice through the proper channel that is . by an order of the relieving officer—I certainly should have felt it my dnty to see the man on the day follomngmv first visit I have no doubt whatever that the man died from the effects of the disease . I am not compellcd to visit any patient more than once in a case of cmergencv , on the overseer ' s order .
3 Ir . John Higgins , assistant-overseer of 2 fcrthfleet parish , deposed , that on Wednesday , theCth inst ., he was directed fcyMr . Bctts , the overseer , to inquire into the condition of tlie deceased , for whom application had been made to him for an order for medical relief , and that if he ( Iliggins ) found the man a fit object for such relief he should give an order for the attendance of Mr . Whitcombe , die medical officer of the union . Witness made the inquiry , and was told by Mrs . Gay , and other people in the house where the man lodged , that he was very bad and speechless , and he ( witness ) gave the order as di-TCCteAby Mr . Betts . He heard no more of the matter until the following Friday , when he was told by Mr . "Wood , Poor Law guardian , and Mr . Siddell , relieving offi--cer , thatli = had no right to give the order , ana that he must pay the medical officer for his visit to the man . Until then he concluded that the medical officer
was in attendance on the man . On the morning of the following Tuesday Gay , the keeper of the lodging-house , called upon him , and told him the man was dying , upon which he went to Mr . Belts who directed aim , as his order was repudiated , to call on Mr . Wood , the guardian , and apprise him that the man was dying ; ¦ which he dil , and Mr . Wood told him to call on Mr . Whitcombs , and send him to see the dying man . Witness called , and not seeing Mr . Whitcombe , left the message . On the following day heard that the man was dead , and , meeting Mr . WhitcomT > 2 in Gravcsccd in the evening , he apprised him of it Considered the man to be a . fit object for parochial relief at the tinis the order was given . Had Mmseltno authority , except by the overseer ^ direction , to g ive an order . Felt himself bound to obey the overseer ' s order , particularly when he was himself a witness of the urgency of the case .
John Hemmings , coosin and fellow-lod ger of the deceased , deposed that he went on Wednesday , the Cth , with an order for the doctor ( Mr . Whitcombe } , who first told him that he would not attend to it , but who subsequently , in the evening , caiae to see deceased . The doctor cam e no more to see him until the Tuesday followiug , although he ( witness ) went on the Saturday and Sunday for him , and each time left word for him that the man-was Tery bad , and on the last day he left word he was dying . Mr . W . Betts , overseer of Nortfleat parish , corroborated the evidence of Mr . Uiggtns , and said that he did not know , until the following Friday , but that the doctor was in attendance on the man . 0 a that day Mr . Wood and Mr . SiddeU came to the leather Bottle , and hff and Mr . Higgln 5 meen . ns themxhcre , Trerctoldthattheyhail acted improperly i u g iving an otdcr for medical relief , and that they would be held responsible for the expenses . Mr .
Wood told bun ( Mr . Kettsl that nc had no right to interfere as overseer , and threatened him , if he attempted to gire another order , -with , serious consequences . On the following Tuesday morning was told that the man was dying , went to see him , and found him in that condition , and directed Mr . Iliggins to call on Mr . Wood and app rise him oE it . Sent also for Mr . Whitcombe , « ho did not attend to his order , but about four o clock met Mr- Whitcombe , and told him ihat if he did not attend to the poor man , he ( witness ) would send another medical man to see him . 3 Ir . WhUco » Y \ be sttbsei > iently came to witness and asked Mm for an order to get some Arine for the man , intimating as much as ih the was dying , but witness declined giving an order , i rving , that the medical officer had the power to o--ler temporary relief in ac . issof emergenev , and that h - ( Mr . Betts ' s ) order in the case had been already repudiated , both by the medical officer and the guardians .
Mrs . Gay deposed that she kept the lodging-house where deceased sickened and died ; that he had been about sis weeks in the house , and was a stranger in the parish , and was occasionally employed in the brickfield dose by . On Sunday fortnight lie was taken ill , and on Tuesday ha was insensible . In the afternoon of Wednesday , about half-past four o ' clock , the doctor ( Mr . Whitcombe ) came to see Irim , and on her asking him what was the matter wtththc man , he said it was small-pox . Th = doctor said lie asked him what he earned a day when at work , and he said he conld earn 5 s ., upon which t .. e doctor told her that was as much as he could earn
himself and that he would not attend the man any more . The doctor then went away , after telling witness to send for some medicine , which was done , and when brought in the evening , givcu to thc TOan The doctor said notlli about an order from Mr . SiddeU , oraboutwhatl was to attend ™ ' Kc KaTe no reason for discontinuing his a ^ ndance exceptJtattue man could earn as much as S = # HSS tor , but the messenger , not seeing him , left word that flu man was dyuvr . Ste did not s ^ a to Mr . Bctts or Mr
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Higgins on that day . The man was in no want of nourishment , as she got him what was wanted . He had but 2 s . when he was taken ill , aiw only noised occasional days in the week . Jane Goodman , a lodger in the house , corroborated the eviiieuce of tha last witness , and deposed that She went on Friday for the doctor , but he would not come ; that messengers were sent again on Saturday and Sunday for him with an account that the man was dying . Tlie deceased was insensible on Friday Avhen slie went for the doctor , and he continued so except at intervals , when he was lightheaded . Attended him night and day . By a Juror . —I attended him because I could not see a fellow-creature perish without anv relief .
Kiilmrd Thomas ATood . —Is a Poor Law guardian for the parish of Korthflei-t . Kesided in the parish . First heard of this case on Friday week from Mr . Higgins , the assistant-overseer , who told linn that the man was -verv ill with smali-pox . Recollects now that it inuht be Tuesday last that Iliggins told him of it . Directed Higgins to call on Mr . Whitcombe , and send him to attend thc man . Thinks on consideration that it was hist Tuesday . Coroner . —Surely , your memory cannot be so bad as that you cannot recollect an important fact occurring within a week ? Witness . —I do not consider the thing important at all . Coroner . —Itccollcct yourself , Mr . Wood , and reply to me distinctly . Do you mean to swear that you first heard of this case on the Tuesday from Mr . Biggins «
Witness ( with much hesitation ) . — -It was brought under my notice at the board on Thursday , that is yesterday week . Heard what Mr . Bctts stated in evidence , anil there was not a word of truthinit . ( Great sensation . ) A Juror . —Do you mean to swear that you had no conversation , or that there were no observations made at the Leather Bottle on that Friday , in respect to this man ' s ease ! Witness . —The case was certainly not officially brought under my notice . I do not recollect if the case was mentioned at all on Friday . The case ivas brought b y Mr . Whitcomte ' s report before the board on that Thursday . Does not recollect that the caso was mentioned at the Leather Bottle . Knew there was no application made for an order to the relieving officer . The duty of the parties was to make application to the relieving officer , and not to thc overseer . " -.- ¦ ¦
Coroner . —How do you know that no application was made to the relieving officer ? Such axiplicatiou might be made without his knowledge ? Thc iritnessswcarstoit oecauscheknowstliGre wasnot By a Juror . —Mr . Siddell , tli e relieving officer , received no directions from the board to inquire into the case . It was reported as a case of small-pox . I did not consider the case an urgent one . Cannot say whether the relieving officer received orders iu writing from the board . George SiddeU . —Is relieving officer of North Aylesford Union , in which is the parish of Xorthfleet Lives at Shorne , about five and a half miles from Xorthfleet . Had no book of instructions respecting his duties from the board . There were printed orders as to the line of duty , but he had not got them then . Knew of this case about a week this day—that is , Friday last—at the-Leather
Bottle , Xorthfleet . Received no application for an order for relief for thc man . Was at the board of guardians on the day previous to that Friday . The medical officer reportedthccaseasoneofsmall . pos . Had no conversation with the medical man on the subject on that day , but knew that he ( witness ) gave no order for relief . Did not know what took place on Friday last at the Leather Bottls between Mr . Betts and Mr . Wood ; but knew that he ( witness ) did his duty . It was mentioned at the Leather Bottle , on Friday , that the man was in a bad way , but he paid no particular attention to what was said . Xo application for relief was made to him . It is not imperative on him to go and make inquiry when the medical man reports a case . Had no right to go and investigate into the existence of any case , unless application was made to him for an order i or relief .
To the Foreman . —It is a week this day since I learned that an order was made by the overseer in this case , but I fouud no fault with that order . I did my own duty . Coroner . —Sir , I must insist upon you to be straightforward in your answers . This is a most important case , and I am determined to thoroughly sift it . Was there on the Friday at the Leather Bottle any conversation respecting the deceased between Mr . Wood and Mr . Butts ? Witness — -Yes , there was a good deal of talk between them , but I took it to be joke . A Juror . —A jokel About a man dying for want of medical aid and nourishment .
Coroner . —Did you hear on that day that the man was dangerously i l l ! Witness . —I did ; but I was not applied to for an order . Coroner .- —Here it is clear that the relieving officer was made aware of the case and thenecessity for relief ; and it cannot be doubted that it was his duty to afford that relief . It had , as he admits , come to his knowledge on the Friday that the overseers of the parish , finding the case one of emergency , had . as they were bound to do , given an order for medical relief . The medical officer also , as the relieving officer admits , reported thc case to the board ; and now , sir ( addressing the witness ) , you must be aware , from the nature of your instructions , that thc case was neglected by you . Witness . —There was no notice given to me by the overseers that they had given an order .
The Foreman . —And here , on the day after the medical man ' s report to the board , is the relieving officer within a stone ' s throw of the dying man , whose state is actually the subject of conversation on the spot between him , Mr . Wood , a guardian , and thc overseers , and the relieving officer makes no iuquiry about the matter ? .. ¦ . ' . The Coroner ( to Mr . Betts ) . —What did Mr . Wood say to you on the Friday respecting your order for medical relief ? Mr . Betts . —Mr . Wood and Mr . SiddeU distinctly told me that I acted improperly in giving the order , and threatened me and Mr . Higgins for our interference in the case . Mr . AYbod . —I deny it . ( Confusion . ) It is untrue .
The Coroner . —This quarrelling between the officers for administering the Poor Law in this union , and parti , cularly in this parish , is disgraceful . This case is not the first instance of it that , by the death of poor people , has been brought before me . Whilst you are quarrelling the unfortunate paupers die without relief . I repeat , these quarrels amongst the officials are a disgrace to the place . In this instance the overseers had a clear right to give the order , and which order should have been properly attended to . It is my opinion that you will be sent to Maidstone gaol one of these days on a verdict of manslaughter . Several of the jurors expressed their full concurrence in the observations of the coroner ; and Mr . Ashdowiie , one of them , added , that when he was overseer of the parish he had to complain of similar conduct to thc board of guardians and of the relieving and medical officers to himself in similar cases .
The room was then cleared of all but the coroner and jury ; and on its being re-opened to the public , the coroner recalled Mr . Wood for further examination . The Coroner ( to Mr . Wood ) . —You stated that when first you heard of tins case it was by chance , at the Leather Bottle , on the Friday , and you subsequently stated that the report of the medical man was made to the board of guardians at which you attended on the day previous ! Mr . Wood . —1 think I stated everything as accurately as I recollected ; but I now think that the report was not made by the medical man to the board until Thursday last Coroner . —What , not till yesterday ? You heard the medical officer state in evidence that he sent in a report on thc day after he first visited the deceased , If therepor t was not sent in till yesterday the doctor must have sworn falsely . Had you any conversation with the doctor ( Mr . Whitcombe ) on the subject ?
Witness . —Yes , on Tuesday last , I think itwas , he told me the man was dying . Coroner . —Now recollect yourself , sir . Did you see Mr . Whitcombe yestevday , that is Thursday , w eek 1 Witness ( after a long pause ) . —Yes , I think I did , but I have no recollection of what was said . Caroner . —Did you tell hira ^ that he need not go to the board of guardians that day , and that you would yourself bring the case of the deceased man before the hoard ? Witness . — -I did not I have no recollection whatever of saying so to Mm . Does Hot recollect having told any person that he had met Mr . Whitcombe on that day , and offered to save him the trouble of attending the board . Attached no importance whatever to the matter . The Foreman . —I am sorry to hear you say so . The question of saving the life of a fellow-creature is or importance , and this is a most important inquiry .
« ltness . —I did not think it of any importance at all . ( Sensation . ) I do not recollect that the case was at all brought under the notice of the board on yesterday week . Coroner . —What ! no mention of it in the report from the medical man to the board ? Witness ( who appeared greatly excited ) . —I do not recollect . Coroner . —Xow , sir , rccoilect whether you did or did not say to any person that you had met on Thursday ( yesterday ) week Sir . Whitcombe , at the Crown , at SUorne , on his way to attend the board of . guardians at Rochester , and that you told him you would save him the trouble of going , as you wculd yourself bring the case of the sick man at Xorthfleet before the board ? Witness . —I do not recollect . It was not at the Crown I met him . Coroner . —Surely you can recollect whether you said so or not to any person ?
Witness ( after a long pause ) . —I may have said so ; but I conceive that what I said to Mr . Whitcombe has nothing to do with this inquiry . Coroner . —It has a great deal to do with it , and the jury must hear it . The room was again cleared , and , after the lapse of a few minutes , on its re-opening , The Coroner recalled Mr . Siddell and Mr . Wood , and said to them , —This inquiry has assumed a character of so much public importance that the jury concur with me in the propriety of adjourning it until Tuesday next , at half-past three o ' clock , when we shall require your attendance . You , Mr . Siddell , will be required to produce the printed orders or instructions for the relieving officer , to which you referred in your evidence ; and you , Mr . Wood , are required to produce the book of the board in which entries are made of the medical officer ' s reports . Mr . Wood . —But suppose the board do not allow me to have it ? . .. ¦¦" ' ¦ ' '¦¦ -. "¦ ; . - --A .
Coroner . —Then I shall again adjourn the inquest , and summon every number of the board of guardians before we . I must have the reports which Mr . Whitcombe swore t « having made to the board both on yesterday
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week and again on yesterday , respecting the case of the deceased . Mr . Wood . —I think I may undertake to say , on the part of the board , that they will be produced . Coroner . —It is esseutial that they should . I repeat , if they are not , I will adjourn the inquest again on Tuesday , and summon the guardians before me . The inquest was then adjourned to halt-past three on Tuesday , having continued from half-past one to near 6 ix o ' clock . The most respectable inhabitants of the parish were present during the proceedings , which appeared to have excited a deep interest amongst all classes in the neighbourhood It is understood , that one -of the assistant Poor Law commissioners will attend to watch the
proceedings on Tuesday . CONTINUATION AND TERMINATION OF TUB INQUEST . At half-past three o ' clock on Tuesday the inquest on the body of John Tuckwell , at KoriMeet , which had been adjourned on Friday last , was resumed . Long before the arrival of the coroner the village of Nonhileet was thronged with gentlemen from the neighbourhood ; aad thc large room in which the inquest was held was densely crowded i he moment the coroner arrived . There were present the authorities of the surrounding parishes , and some of the union
guardians , with several medical practitioners , and all parties appeared to be intensely interested in the proceedings . It having been intimated to thc coroner on the previous day , by the foreman and other members ot the jury , that they had heard that the board of guardians of the union would not allow the documents required by the jury to be produced , or their clerk to attenii the inquest , as directed by tlie coroner , the latter gentleman immediately - issued his summons for the clerk , with an order to produce those documents on the adjourned inquest .
1 ' revious to the examination of the clerk of the board of guardians , The Coroner directed Mr . Wood , the Poor Law guardian of Northfleet parish , to withdraw from the room , until his presence for re-examination should be required . , The reports of the medical ofilcer ( Mr . Vi'hitcombc ) for the two weeks previous to the'd eath < if John Tuckwell , and the printed instructions of the board to the relieving officer , were handed iu by John Simpson Bullard , of Strood , Rochester , who deposed that he was ' clerk to the board of guardians of the North Aylesford Union ; that ho was present at thc meeting of the board on Thursday , the fth ot this month , when the report of the medical officer now produced was laid before it . In that report thc
last case on the list was that of John Uemmings , tor small-pox . The deceased was reported by that name , but it has siuce appeared that his real name was John Tuckwell . The report indicated that he was visited by the medical officer on the 6 th , but nothing in thc shape of relief was ordered for him . No minute was made of the case in thc books of thc board . No such case would be thc subject of a minute or a resolution of the board . The regular course of proceeding was to leave the casein the hands of the medical officer , who was left a discretionary power by the board to attend cases as long as he deemed it neces ary . The medical officer had printed instructions to guide him in the performance of his duty . The document he now produced was the copy of those instructions ,
printed by order of the board on the 12 th oi March , 1812 . Had the doctor applied for advice to the board as to how he should act in this case he would have received it , but no order was made . or directions given to the doctor ; therefore , he ( witness ) inferred that it was not applied for . It was very unusual for the board to give any Buch orders at all . Had no recollection that the special notice of the board was directed to the case of the deceasedon the 7 th . There was some discussion on it , and something said about thc liability of the overseers of Northfleet as to giving the order for medical relief , as it was stated that the man was in circumstances which placed him in a position far above that of a pauper . Mr . Whitcombe was not then present . Could not undertake to say
which member of the board brought the conduct of the overseers in this case under its consideration . It was a subject ef discussion whether the man ought or jught not to be attended by the medical officer , nad no doubt that the case was laid before the board by the relieving officer , Mr . Siddell ; bub the board , as witness supposed , left it to the discretion of the medical officer , to continue or discontinue his attendance . The medical officer is bound to attend on the order of the overseers in cases of emergency , and continue his attendance whilst necessary . In this case the board certainly did not restrict him from attending . The medical officer has no right to decide whether a patient he is so ordered to attend is a pauper or not , or entitled to relief or not . Had
no doubt that the medical officer ought in this case to have continued the relief . It was the duty of the board to stop it if the patient was in circumstances above a pauper . Mr . Wood was certainly present at the board and at the discussion on this case on the 7 th . Does not recollect whether Mr . Wood took a particular part iu it , or brought it under the notice of the board . Reference was made to Mr . Higgins giving orders for medical relief , and it was observed that in this caso the man earned 5 s . a-day . Cannot recollect whether Mr . Wood was the person who mentioned it . The relieving officer biiing in the parish where the sick man was on the day after the discussion upon his case ought to have inquired into it . There were no directions civen to anv nerson bv
the board to inform the overseers of Northfleet that they had acted improperly in giving thc order for relief in this case , and that they should pay the expenses . ^ No individual guardian has , as guardian , a right to interfere with the medical or relievingofficers or the overseers' duties , and in this particular case theie certainly was no order given by the board to any individual member of it to interfere with the overseers , or the medical or relieving officers , or to tell thc overseers that they had acted improperly in giving thc order for relief . Coroner . —Then you are positive that no direction was given to any person by the board to toll Mr . Betts and Mr . Higgins that they had acted improperly ? Witness . —There certainly was not , that I recollect . - '<¦;¦ ¦
Mr . Whitcombe , the medical officer , was next called , and , after repeating what lie stated in evidence on Tuesday , respecting the instructions he left the woman , Mrs . Gay , as to the treatment ) of the man , he iurther deposed that he had made thc second report on the day the man died . That on the 7 th he was at Shorne , and met Mr . Wood , to whom he mentioned the case . Mr . Wood was then going to attend the board . Said to Mr . Wood that the overseers of Northfleet had called on him ( witness ) to attend a man who was not a pauper , and whom he was not justified in attending . Does not recollect what Mr . Wood said in reply . Cannot undertake to swear that Mr . Wood told him he ( Mr . Wood ) would bring the
case that day before the boavd , and that he would take good care to put a stop to the overseers giving orders for relief . Cannot distinctly swear that Mr . Wood did not say so . Does not perfectly recollect the conversation between him and Mr . Wood on that day , but can with certainty say it was about this case . Small-pox is undoubtedly a malignant and contagious disease , and requires close attention , but this case was one of a mild form . Discovered it to be so again on his second visit . If he thought it a dangerous case on the first visit would have attended on the overseer ' s order . Did not think the case one of urgency , nor the man a fit object for parish relief , ihinks that he has as medical officer a right to decide as to the question of who is or is not a fit object for such relief .
Coroner . —You have no right to decide on that question . Thatisthe duty of the boardof guardians . You obeyed thc overseer ' s order to -visit the man , thinking the case one of emergency . It ivas your duty to have continued your attendance until directed by the board to discontinue it . The board had to decide as to thc question of pauperism , and not you . Witness . —I differ with you on that point . It is my duty to ascertain if the person I am ordered bythe overseers to visit is a proper object for parochial relief . Coroner . —You have a discretionary power to judge as to the urgency of the case , but not as to the poverty of the patient . Witness . —I differ altogether from you . I found m this case that the man was not destitute , and that there was neither urgency nor emergency in the case . *
Mr . Betts re-examined . —Before directing Higgins to give the order , he ( witness ) investigated the case , and found that the man was destitute and very unwell . After giving the order , lie again inquired into the man ' s condition and circumstances , and found them to be 33 represented to him at first ; and since then he ( Mr . Betts ) found on further inquiry that the poor man had only an occasional days work , and that out of the few shillings he earned in the week he sent a portion to his a ^ ed mother [ or her support . Witness only regretted now that he had not known in the first instance the great destitution and dangerous disease of the unfortunate young man , that he might have given an order for proper medical attendance and nourishment . ( A burst of cheering in the court . ) Mr . Whitcombe ( to Mr . Betts ) . —If the man was destitute , as you say , why did you not give an order tor relief ? The order you gave would not fill his sto-:
mach . ( Hisses . ) / rhe Foreman ( indignantly ) . —No , it would not fill Ins stomach , but it ought to have procured him proper medical relief , and if you knew your duty you ought to know that you had it in your power to order the necessary nourishment , and you should have done so . ( Another burst of cheers , which , however , the coroner repressed . ) Mr . Siddell , the rclieving-officer , re-examined — Admitted that , from what he had learned since his inst examination , he had not done his duty in this ease ; that he was bound to inquire into it after it was brought under his notice on the 7 th ; but that he waited as he did in all cases , for an application ; that on the 7 th he heard of the case first at the board of guardians . Was not present at the discussion upon it . Sat in an outer room , and waited till called m by a ring of the bell when wanted . Mr . Smith was chairman of tlm board that day . Mr . Wood wa present , ' .-The ' chairman told witness to tell Mr .
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Higgins to bo careful not to give any more orders for relief ; but gave him ( witness ) no instructions to inquire into the case ; neither was he told not to attend to it . Heard the conversation which , as stated by Mr . Betts in evidence , took place at the Luiither Bottle betw- en that gentleman and- Mr . Wood in respect to this ease . The chairman ' s message was then delivered to Mr . Higgins . Did not in his former evidence mention what passed on that day , because he thought it was all humbug between Mr . Betts and Mr . Wood . A Juror . —Pretty humbug , indeed , over an unfortunato man dying for want of medical relief and nourishment !
Mr . Betts recalled . —Mr . Wood distinctly told Mr . Higgins and him at tho Leather Bottle on Friday , the 8 th , that they had acted improperly in giving the order for medical relief , and dared them to attempt giving another order , Mr . Wood added , that he ( Betts ) wanted to get at the top of tho cliimnuy , but he would be kept ( town in his attempt to climb . Mr . Wood was next called , but he did not answer to the call . The constable was directed to find him , and , after the lapse of a quarter of an hour , the constable returned , and stated that Mr . Wood could be nowhere found . A messenger was then despatched to Mr . Wood ' s house , and in about another quarter of an hour the messenger returned , and stated that Mr . Wood had notgonchome . After some further inquiry for him , itwas stated by the constable that he was seen abeut an hour before going towards Swanscome-wood . '
The Forciiun said , that the conduct of Mr . Wood was very contemptuous towards the court . The Coroner assured the jury , that , whatever evidence Mr . Wood chose to give it' now Before them , it could assist them but little , if at all , in coining to a verdict . He had called on Mr . Wood for the purpose of giving that gentleman an opportunity of making an explanation , which might perhaps prevent the odium which his keeping out of the way must now heap " upon him . As he did not think proper to take . advantage of that opportunity , the consequences must rest with himself . If , however , the jury thought it necessary to have Mr . Wood before them , he would adjourn for a time .
ihe room was then cleared of all but the coroner and jury , and , on its re-opening , Everett , the constable , was directed to again call Mr . Wood ; which ceremony having been performed , The Coroner proceeded to sum up the evidence , commenting on it with great minuteness of detail as he proceeded . It was , he said , with the deepest anxiety he addressed the observations which he found it to be his duty to make to them upon the evidence brought before them . This investigation was called for in a way different from others , —being held at the request of the properly constituted authorities of the parish , who appeared to think that the deceased had not had the proper medical relief ordered for him , or proper nourishment . The poor man died from a virulent attack of small-pox , —a disease , in itself , of a
malignant character , and which required to be carefully watched from its commencement . Now , it was to be extremely regretted that the medical gentleman , notwithstanding his notion that the eaBe was not one of danger , had not continued his attendance , knowing , as he must have known , that such complaint required careful medical attendance . Even though he were not strictly bound to continue his attendance on the order of the overseer , humanity ought to have induced him to do so . This was a case which came home to the feelings of every man . The deceased was destituteanddangerously illof amalignant disease ; he was ordered by the proper authority the necessary relief , and the caso having fatally terminated after that relief was withheld , the supposition naturally arose that if the relief had been
continued the man would not have died , lie ( the coroner ) regretted that any ground for a charge of neglect should have been given by the medical olKcev of the union , - but the case was one which demanded strict investigation . It appeared in evidence that the deceased when at work earned 5 s . a-day , but that his work was only occasional ; that out of his earnings he supported his mother , and that he had no more than two shillings in his possession when forced into the bed . of sickness by a malignant disease . In this state application was made to the overseer residing close by , who very properly directed that upon due inquiry into the condition and circumstances of the man , by thc assistantoverseer , an order lor medical reljet should be given . That order , much to the credit of the medical officer ,
was attended to by him ; and he , learning that the man could earn 5 s . a-i'ay , and finding , as he stated in evidence , that the case was not dangerous or one of emergency , discontinued his attendance , giving , however , as he further stated , instructions to the woman of the house how to treat the man . Now , Ive ( the coroner ) must say that he believed that such instructions were given , because it was the practice of all medical men to direct how a case should be treated . The medical officer then made a report to the board of guardians on the very day he visited the man on the overseer ' s order , but that report was certainly imperfect , as it did not particularly draw the attention of the board to this case , as it ought to have done . Such attention was , however , directed
towards it by some other party , and Mr . Siddell , the rclieving-officer , candidly admitted to the jury that day that he had not performed his duty by inquiring , as he ought to have * done , into the case . The evidence of the officers examined was altogether denied by Mr . Wood , who thought proper to absent himself , and who must take thc responsibility of so doing . Mr . Wood particularly denied having met Mr . Whitcombe on Thursday , the 7 th , but Mr . Whitcombe not only confirmed the fact of having met him , but stated thc conversation , in as far as he could recollect it , that passed between him and Mr . Wood in respect to this case , and there could be no doubt but that it was Mr . Wood who communicated that day to the board the circumstances of the case as mentioned
to him by Mr . Whitcombe . It was really discreditable and disgraceful to the parish authorities to squabble as they did , and in their petty quarrelling to neglect , as they had done , the relief of the poor . This unfortunate man might be now living if he had been duly attended to , and had had medical relief in thc early stage of his disease . It appeared that he was unattended to by the medical officer from Wednesday , the Cth , to tho following Tuesday , leaving an interval of six days without any medical or other parish aid , and such neglect , from whatever cause it might arise , was greatly to be deplored . Such cases threw odium upon the Poor Law , thc principle of which was good , but the administration of which was too often improperly conducted . ( Cries of "Hear , hear , " from all parts of the room . ) Although the
medical officer in tins case unadvisedly discontinued his attendance , he ( the coroner ) considered the relieving officer more blameable , and Mr . Wood the most blameable of all : for it appeared , from what transpired in evidence , that he had , as local guardiiin , improperly interfered with the medical and relieving officers' duties , when it was clear he had no power or right to interfere at all with or exercise any authority over any officer of tho union in his individual capacity as guardian . In this case , it was evident that Mr . Wood did interfere and exercise an improper or illegal authority ( loud cries of " hear , hear" ) , and that such interference , in a case terminating fatally , as this poor man ' s did , subjected the party so interfmns : to a verdict of" Manslaughter . " ( Cheers . )
The coroner concluded a long and able address to the iury , by a recommendation to them to give such a verdict in the case as would satisfy the public mind that strict justice should be done ; and expressed a hope that they would never again lie called together upon an occasion so peculiarly painful . He also made some strong observations upon the necessity and propriety of printing :, for the information of the parochial authorities of the union , and for the satisfaction of the payers of poor-rates therein , as well as of the poor themselves , the rules and regulations of the board . The jury having deliberated about half an hour , returned thc following verdict at a quarter to eight o'clock : — " Our verdict is that John Tuckwell died
from natural causes , viz ., the small-pox ; and we much regret that so little attention has been paid to the patient in the early part of the disease , apparcntly in consequence of the undue interference of the local guardian with the overseers and relieving officer . " Throughout the proceedings this day the room continued to be crowded with the resident gentry of the neighbourhood , who manifested an extraordinary interest in them . It may not be irrelevant to remark , that the poor-rates collected in tlie parish of Northfleet amount to over £ 1 , 500 a-ycar , and that it is publicly reported , not " officially" reported , that £ 200 of that sum is the whole amount of annual expenditure for the relief , medical and otherwise , of thc poor of the parish .
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MIDDLETON . Glorious Revival op Chartism ix Lancashire . The following is the speech of William Dixon , delivered upon this auspicious occasion , referred to in Mr . O'Connor ' s letter : — Mr . Dixon on coming forward to move the first resolution , said it was unnecessary for him to tell them that he perfectly coincided with every principle enunciated in the resolution they had just heard read . lie was a Chartist , because he was convinced that justice would never be dealt out to the working man until he was in possession of his full and eoual share of
political power . Therefore was he a Chartist . But when he looked at fie vast assembl y before him , he felt persuaded that , like all other public meetings it was composed of persons holding different opinions on different subjects , and likewise that they had been drawn together by various motives ; some , no doubt , had come from curiosity to see what sort of thin" a Chartist - camp - meeting was / others had perhaps come for the purpose of ridicule , and others for the more Englishman-like purpose of hearing for them selves , and judging accordingly , and there might b " some who had gome iov the base purpose of clutchin ,, ¦ ¦¦ . :--. it
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a warm expression uttered in the heat and excitement of the moment , in order to report tho same to the " powers that be , " to see if they could take any hold of it . However , they were there ; and lie cared not what had prompted them to come . Tiiey wuuld now hear what Chartism really was . They would now be convinced that it was not the "bugaboo " which the press , the pulpit , and the bar had represented it . For those parties had painted Chartism in such horrid colours , that weak-minded old men , who had not heard for themselves , tremMed . and old women tainted at the very name of it . What is Chartism ? It is thc cause of the oppressed against the oppressors . Whatis . Chartism ?—it is the cause of the many against the tyrannical few . -What is
Uhartism ?—it is the cause of r ^ lit against might : in fact , to sum up the whole in a word , Chartism was the cause of labour , or he would never have lilted his tongue in its defence . But he was thoroughly convinced that nothing short of the People ' s Charter becoming the law of the land would rescue him and his class from that awful state of dependence ; poverty , and destitution , to which the present system had reduced them . Believing this , he felt called upon at all times to do all that lay iu his power for the advancement of that cause . It was said by some , " \ V hy . what ' s the use ? We have done all we can do , and we are no nearer than we were . " This was a fallacy . Fur his part , he saw no reason to despair , but every reason to go on with renewed energy and
increased exertion ; for Chartism was in a prouder position this day than ever it was since the commencement of the agitation . Now , was it true that they had done all they could do ? In fact , comparatively speaking , they had done nothing . It was true they had attended meetings . It was true that they had held up their hands for resolutions . It was true that some of them had paid their pence , and they had also sent men to Conferences . This they had done ; but they had neither acted up to the resolutions they had agreed to , nor adopted the plans laid down by their representatives in the various Conferences that had assembled to legislate for them , until now ; and , thank God , the time hud come when they were beginning to work for themselves . He , therefore , saw
no reason that they should faint by the way . In fact , those who counted the cast at the commencement of the agitation were not deceived . They knew that in the struggle they would have much to contend with , many obstacles to overcome , amongst which were those gigantic evils , a corrupt press and an erroneous education . Had we not been taught in the nursery and the school , that it was our place to bow with serf-like submission to our superiors ?" And thepaivon , too , had done their share in the work of stultifying and hedarkening the intellect of mankind , and making them thc easy prey of despots . The parsons endeavoured to cram it down their throats , that it was essentially necessary that the working classes should nine , and starve , here below .
in order to tit them for bliss hereafter . Is it to be wondered at then , with such a combined phalanx of evils to contend with , that we have mado no more progress than we have ? But , thank God , the day of delusion has gone by ! Aristocratic and priestly influence is on the wane . This is a sure and certain si » n that thejday of liberty is dawning . Let us , then , take advantage of the improved circumstances by which we are surrounded , and this day renew our fealty to each other ; and under the broad canopy of heaven register our vows never to cease agitating until the sons of toil have their fair share of that which their labour produced . He might be asked what was their " fair share . " He had formed his own opinion on this matter ; and although he was
not much of a theologian , his theology told him that " they who would not work should not eat . " Alas those who worked the most under the present system eat the least ; whilst those who toiled not , were surrounded with plenty . Tho parsons had endeavoured to impress on their minds that they were made for toil alone—mere drudges to minister to the wants of the idlers : and in order to induce them to submit to this , they said it was "the will of God . " What blasphemy ! It was not the will of Heaven that one part of mankind should ride rough-shod over the other , but that all should enjoy the fruits of the earth anu be happy . " But then , " say they , " don ' t you know the curse , which says , ' By the ^ sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat bread V " Yes , the y knew
that ; and knew also that that curse includes all men . It does not say that one portion shall sweat , and another enjoy the produce of that sweat . It is no curse to labour , but it is a grievous curse that so many should live without sweat , and , by so doing , rob the toiler of that which the curse itself promised him—bread in return for his sweat . He ( Mr . Dixon ) , however , believed man to have a higher destiny than that of a mere drudge . This was evident from his very formation , in which was combined physical energy and mental capability , by the exercise of which he was enabled , by the smallest amount of physical exertion , to get a fit supply of those things which his physical wants required , or , in plain terms , " a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , "
which , in Ins opinion , could not be calculated by a pounds , shillings , and pence standard . If it meant anything , it meant that a "fair day ' s wage" was plenty of beef , mutton , pork , butter , cheese , milk , eggs , bread , and every other article of food and clothing that was conducive to health and long life ; and a ' fair day ' s work" meant that he should labour f r these things in such a way as to be enabled to have time fov the cultivation of those great intellectual powers which God had given him , in order that he might be enabled to fulfil his duties to society as a citizen , afr ? eman , and a human being . Itwas for such wages and for such work that he was a Chartist . He knew that this was not the parsons' version of the subject . No ; they , and the upholders of the mesent
system , wished to inculcate the idea that the workman ' s lot was to labour , and labour only ; and to impress this more powerfully on the mind when young , knowing that impressions made on the tender mind of youth arc not easy to erase in after-life , they have told us to emulate thc ant and the bee in their industry , but forget to tell their pupils to emulate those insects in protecting the fruits of labour . This would not have answered their purpose . It was right that they should emulate the ant and the bee in their industry , and likewise take a lesson from them of the manner in which they dispose of the produce of their labour . They toil , it is . true , during the summer , and lay by a store for their winter ' s use . This is an important lesson for «» . It tells us that we too ,
in tlie ttays ot our youth and the vigour of our manhood , ought to be enabled to make a provision for the winter of our days , and not to be left , when traveling the downhill of life , to the tender mercies of the New Poor Law bastile . This we can never do unless we have a voice in the distribution of the wealth which our labour produces , and this can only be accomplished by the Charter becoming a legislative enactment . With these obstacles , in conjunction with the man-degrading doctrine of non-resistance to wrong , is it to be wondered at that the people have been a little backward in learning their duty ? To tell him that it was tho " will of Heaven" that he was to suffer patiently under the manifold aggressions made upon his rights and perogatives by his fellow man .
was to libel the Deity . All nature told him that such was a false doctrine . He envied not the man who had got it into his head that it was necessary for him to be reduced to a crust , in order to make him fit for future happiness . He was rather of the opinion that a plentiful supply of roajt beef and plum pudding was better calculated to enable a man to fulfil his duties to God and his neighbour than starvation . Was it not moastrous to imagine that human nature could be deprived of its feelings , and that a man could go to his knees m&pray , whilst the convulsive sob ' of a broken-hearted wife issued from one corner and tho cry of starving children for bread came from another ? How could such a man thank God for the comforts which he had received ?—when he had
received nothing but insult and starvation , and that not through the " will of Heaven ; " for his Maker had given him an undoubted right to exist , and the means of existence from the soil of his fatherland . It was man alone who had deprived him of thoso rights . To . be patient under such circumstances was indeed criminal . He might be asked from whence he got this doctrine ? He told them , from the works of nature , which pointed up to nature ' s God . He found throughout the universe ot animated matter one universal law , namely that of self-preservation , which compelled the inferior animals to protect themselves from aggression and if need be , to punish the aggressor . The ant was but a small insect , yet there was implanted within it
a law which prompted it to protect its labour . Look at the hen surrounded with her brood , how she caters for their food ; and when she has found the grain of corn , she calls them around her to partake of tlie fruits of her toil . But should an intruder infringe on the rights of that domestic circle , she will defend it with all the energy of which her little system is possessed . This surely is a lesson for the fathers and husbands of England , who have allowed their domestic hearth to be robbed of its sweetest ornament , the cheering smiles of a happy and contented wife , surrounded by her cleanl y and healthy children . Wo have stood coldly and apathetically by , whilst the ruthless hand of the oppressor has dragged our wives and little ones into the factory or the loathsome mine , completely reversing the order
of nature , making the wives and children toil , whilst the father and the husband is an unwilling idler and a pauper , living upon the blood and vitals of those he loves . It is time that this system of wron » should have an end ; and he hoped that that day was the commencement of England ' s determination to be free . In order to do this , it was necessary for each and all to do their shave of the work . It was in vain for them to think that those gentlemen by whom he was surrounded , those who had stood the leat of the battle , could of themselves accomplish liberty . No . The people must do it themselves if ever it was done . Those gentlemen had come to tell them what was necessary for them to do , but if thev neglected to do it , it would be themselves that would be to blame , and not those who had faithfully pointed out their duty to them . ¦¦
GLASGOW . The LASD .-The weekly meeting , of the memhevs and friends of the Chartist Co-operative Land Apsociation was held in Nelson-street Chapel , on Monday
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evening . The meetings continue well attended , and numbers are added to the roll weekly . Fifty-eight members have now joined , and paid their instalment ; among whom are several aged veterans in the good cause , who arc still sanguine that they may yet live to enjoy the gratification of spending the remainder ot their days in peace and comparative comfort in their own cottage and on their own little field , without the lear ot being dismissed , when from old age thev should be considered as of no further use to those who had been raised by their industry from the rank of Pettv clerks to the possession of princely fortunes . Mr . 0 Connor ' s lettergiving an account of his tour .
, was read , and gave great satisfaction . A stronif desire | was expressed to get Mr . O'Connor , or Mr M'brath , to visit Scotland . The secretary stated that there was every probability of Mr . M'Grath naving a visit m the course of a few weeks . On the motion of Mr . Docherty a small committee was appointed for tlie purpose of corresponding with the various districts throughout Scotland , and making all necessary arrangements for Mr . M'Grath ' s touit Lt is to bo hoped that all districts wishing a visit Irom Mr . M'Grath , will lose no time in corresponding with Wp . Smith , No . 59 , Rutten-row ; as it is of importance that the whole tour should be arranged prior to Mr . M'Grath ' s arrival .
¦¦ ' ¦ , OLDI 1 AM . On Sunday last Mr . M'Grath delivered a very energetic lecture on the " Land Co Operative Allotment System , " in the Working Man ' s Hall . The meeting was thinly attended , in consequence of tho camp meetin-, ' at Middleton . Thc lecturer treated the subject in a very lucid and argumentative manner , ami was listened to with great attention . BARNSLEY . At the weekly meeting of thc Bamsley branch of « , ?„ . , tlst U ° -o-penitrve-La ! id Association , Mr . William Pearson , president , in the chair , the following resolution was passed :- " That it is the opinion ot this branch that it would be good policy on the part of the directors to publish Mr . O'Connor ' s able letter on the Land , of the 26 th ot July , in a cheap form , as its circulation must have a beneficial tendency , inasmuch as it contains the whole science of the Land plan . "
LONDON . Cm Localitt . —Mr . Cooper ' s second lecture was numerously attended , last Sunday evening . Mr . " n i ^?™ called to the chair ; and after J » , , ¦ Fla of freedom now waves in the wind had been sung b y the choir and audience , the chairman introduced the lecture by some eloquent observations on the democratic importance of such a subject as Ancient Greece . Mr . C . ' s lecture again , occupied two hours and a half in delivery , and it wi , therefore , be readily understood that our limits will not permit us to do justice to his address ; suffice it is to say that the magnificent themes of the Athenian democracy , the struggles of Marathon , Thermopvlse , Salanus , and PlaUca ; thc elevated characters ot . Pericles , Demosthenes , and Socrates , and a hundred other splendid subjects connected with Greek history were dealt with in such a mode as to excite
deep and heart-stirring interest . We anticipate great and lasting good as the fruit of thc delivery of these instructive addresses . Democratic Movement . —At a meeting of democrats of several nations , held at the An « el , Webberstreet , Blackfriararoad , Mr . Charles Keen hi the chair , it was moved by Mr . Cooper , and seconded by Citizen Engels , " That a public meeting of the democrats ot all nations , residing in London , be called to consider the propriety of forming an Association for the purpose of meeting each other at certain times and getting by this means a better knowledge of the movements for the common cause go Eg on in their respective countries ; " which resolution was carried unanimously . The meeting to bu held at the South . London Chartist Hall , Webber-street , Blackfriararoad , on Monday evening , September 1 st , at eight o clock .
Metropolitan District Council . —On Sunday afternoon last this Council met in thc Hall , Turn again-lane . Mr . Perry was called to the chair . The delegates having given in their reports , it was agreed that the general meeting of the Chartists of London should be postponed . On the motion of Messrs . Mills and Simpson , itwas resolved "That this Council recommend that no one be recognised as a Chartist lecturer unless he is a paying member of thc association . Mr . John Arnott moved , seconded by Mr John Simpson , " That this Council hold their meetings monthly . " Messrs . Wheeler , Mills , and others having expressed their opinions , it was ultimately arranged that the question be referred to the forthcoming general meeting . It was likewise resolved lhat Mr . John Frederick Linden be presented with credentials as a lecturer . " The Council then adjourned .
Brighton Railway Tkii \ — The committee for managing thc excursion met on Wednesday evenin j 'or a final settlement of the account , when , all demands being discharged , it was unanimously agreed that the Mtnce . in hand should be retained tor tho purpose of getting up an entertainment to commemorate the event of thc full establishment of the Land Society , by the electing of permanent directors , &c . Due notice will be given of the time and place . A vete of thanks was unanimously given to the Brighton friends for the hospitality evinced by them on the occasion of the tri p : and the committee adjourned tor a fortnight .
IIUDDERSFIELD . The Co-operative Land Society now numbers fifty-nine members , holding sixty-nine shai \ s . The committee meet every Tuesday evening , at 'lurner ' s Temperance Hotel , at eight o ' clock , for the purpose ot receiving the subscriptions and enrolling membcra . The members have resolved to pay one halfpenny , with each shilling of their contributions , to defray the local expenses of the society . ' The whole of the members are requested to attend on Tuesday evening , Sept . 2 nd , to elect two auditors to examine the accounts for the quarter , according to the rules of the society .
PRESTON . Mr . O'Connor ' s Visit . —A glorious meeting of the working classes was held on Wednesday night in Lord Derby ' s cock-pit , which was crowded in every part to suffocation , to hear an address from Mr . O'Connor upon the Land and its capabilities ; a subject which he handled for more than two hours iu the most masterly and convincing manner . Since the days when O'Connor used to rouse us before , we never had so spirited a meeting ; and nothing could equal the delight with which the lecture was received throughout . The cheering was deafening , when , in speaking on the Ten Hours' Bill , Mr . O'Coniwv recommended the electors ef Preston to wait oil ill , Gardner the experimentalist of the practice , to solicit him to stand for Preston at the next ejection , when he ( Mr . O'Connor ) , regardless as to whether lie
was vying or lory , would come and struggle for him night and day , if the people could not secure this election of a Chartist . He looked upon the Ten Hours' Bill as one of the essential rudiments of Chartism . We understand that a deputation is to wait immediately upon Mr . Gardner to ascertain his view , to pledge him support , and to occupy the ground for him at once . We have no doubt that O'Couuor s indefatigable mode of rousing such a constituency as that of Preston , and Mr . Gardner ' s " good works , " would render opposition to him very purlieus , or at least very ridiculous . A number ofnew members enrolled at the close of thc lecture . Ail the Land rules were disposed of , and nearly £ i collected lor the Executive . Three roaring cheers were given ' « ™ ^ Williams , Jones , and the People ' s Char ter . Mr . O Connor expressed himself highly delighttd and With , the whole proceedings .
DODWORTH . Tnu Land . —We are getting on gloriously here . The Land question is the all-engrossing topic . We increase our members every week . Though hut a small village , we have sent £ C 12 s . 4 d . to tlie Land tund . one member paid last meeting £ 2 Zs . ^ meet every Sunday evening , between the hairs ol five and eight o ' clock . Suicide . —On Monday Mr . Bedford held an inquest at the White Horse , Rupcrt-strect , Haymarket , on the body of Emma Whale , aged twentytive , wifeof a bootmaker in Upper Rupert-sti ^ t . On Sunday forenoon , between ten and eleven o clock , deceased swallowed an ounce and a half of oxalic acid , and she died about noon on the same day . Uer husband had left her on the 28 th of May with her friends at Winchester , and , "having obtained worlc aim
in London , he sent for her about six weeks ago , she came to him . Four days after it was provcu that she had been faithless to him during his absence . She acknowledged it , and said she had been inveig le to Portsmouth from Winchester by a woman namw Lynch ; that , on arriving at Portsmouth , Lynch tooK her to a public-house near the ramparts , kept by a woman named Day ; that after tea they ha " soiae wine , when they were joined by a half-pay' ^ navy captain , who induced her to drink more wine , «"'«} overpowered her ; that she and Lynch retire d to a bedroom , which , after a few minutes , was entciw stealthily by the soi-disant captain , upon ffuw » Lynch ran away , and the captain looked her in w room , and slept with her . She scarcely knew , s » told her husband , what she was about , for she cou « do nothing but cry . The captain , who said his nan W . OK lilrinrnpil Rt-Rwnrf nvnaonrl / loi . nnsPlI tO f ! ° ' ..
live with him , and said he would take her to W « wj He offered her money and bijouterie , she saiu , - « , told her to write to him , " Miss Louisa Mwa , r ' Post-office , Hull . " Thc husband told the JUO ^ believed her story , and promised to forg ive lier . ^ disgrace , however , weighed too heavily on her Verdict , " Temporary derangement . " _
Printed By Dougal M'Gowan, Of 17, 6r«At Wind ™ Tllb ' Street, Haymarket, In The City Of Westminster. "
Printed by DOUGAL M'GOWAN , of 17 , 6 r « at Wind ™ tllB ' street , Haymarket , in the City of Westminster . "
Office in the same Street and Parish , tor ' jby prietor , FE ARGUS O'CONNOR , Esi ^ and puW " Wiliiam Hewitt , of No . 18 , Charles-street , » r ^ 8 treet , \ Yalwerth , in the Pariah of St . Mary , * ^ tor in the . County of Surrey , at the Office , ^ ^ Strand , in the Parish o St . Mur y . lt > &W » ^ City "f Westminster- , oir llfiatunlay , August 23 , 18 « . .. -- * - —"
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Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR . ¦ . ' . ¦ . /" . ... ¦¦ . ¦ ¦ : - : ¦¦¦ -: ., " v ... ; ., ;> . . August 23 ; 1845 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 23, 1845, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1329/page/8/
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