South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 13 July 1854, page 3


WEST TORRENS ELECTION:

Meeting of Mr. Bartley's Friends. — A public meeting of the electors of West Tor rens was held on Wednesday evening at the Hilton Hotel. Cowandilla. for the purpose of

hearing Mr. Bartley express his political senti-ments. About 50 persons were present. Shortly after 7 o'clock the candidate arrived; and Mr. Hunt having been elected Chairman, stated the object of the meeting, and after request ing a fair and impartial hearing for Mr. Bartley, or for any other gentleman who might think fit to address them, introduced Mr. Bartley, who was received with great cheers. He said he thought his sentiments were so fully before them, that it was unnecessary for him to recapitulate them. He, would, however, be most happy to answer any questions put to. him. There were one or two points he was desirous of having settled with the public. It had been circulated that he considered the ballot un-English. Now, so far from that, he had never uttered siich an expression ; on the contrary, he was prepared to support the ballot. On the subject of the State grant, his opinion was unchanged. He candidly acknow-ledged himself a staunch supporter of it, be- lieving it to be the most beneficial for the community generally. He contended that the country districts ought to have the support of the State, and that was one of the reasons why the question bad taken such a strong hold upon him. He was a true South Australian, and had been one long enough, he might say, to bury four generations ; but it was enough to say that he felt deeply for the future welfare of the colonists. He would not longer detain them, but simply say that he preferred one Chamber to two, as he considered the second Chamber unnecessary, at all events for the present. On the subject of com-pensation to the Government officers for the risk of removal from office, he might say that he would have voted against it, although quite inclined to support any measure ensuring liberal salaries during the term of office. The speaker, who was several times cheered during his address, then resumed his seat. Mr. Whitford, in a speech of considerable length, repudiated the idea that the State grant was required in this colony. He con-tended that the voluntary principle was the best, and that a ministration founded upon that principle would meet with the most success. In answer to a question from Mr. Pearson, addressed to Mr. Bartley, that gen-tleman said he would support a measure confirmatory of the District Councils, and of a system for the general repairs of the roads. He would be a faithful and diligent repre-sentative, but would give no pledges. He was in favour of universal suffrage, aud would grant to every man the right of voting in respect of property within the district, whether he was a resident or not. In the case of a non-resident, however, he considered that the qualification should be at least £100. In answer to other electors, Mr. Bartley said, that if anti grant men were returned to the Council, and the Home Government thought fit to establish State grant, in his private opinion they would do go without asking either his sanction or that of the colonists generally. Mr. Jenkins asked him if in the event of a Militia Bill being brought forward, would he give it his support? Mr. Bartley thought, that if such an Act were necessary, it would re-ceive no opposition ; in fact, on the contrary, they would all be volunteers. Mr. Wheeler then proposed William Bartley, Esq , as a fit and proper person to represent the District of West Torrens in the Legislative Council, which was seconded by Mr. Alfred R. Bell, who, during a long speech, in the delivery of which he experienced much interruption, took occasion to comment rather severely on the unsatisfactory manner in which Mr. Reynolds had answered his questions. At previous meetings, when questioned on the subject of State aid for secular education, that gentleman had on one occasion given his opinion in favour of it, and on the next, di-rectly contrary. The speaker concluded his remarks by saying, that if they wanted truth, candour and straightforwardness, they must vote for Mr Bartley, as no dependence was to be placed on the political opinions of the opposing candidate. (Great uproar.) Mr. G. W. Cole moved as an amendment that Mr. Thomas Reynolds is a fit and proper person to represent the district, and took occasion to explain the principles of that gentleman. The speaker, however, was prevented by loud uproar from speaking so fully as he appeared to bo desirous of doing. Certain personal attacks increased the general confusion, but at length some person whose name was not clearly announced seconded the amendment. It was then put by the Chairman and declared to be lost. A vote of thanks having been given for the Chairman, three cheers for Mr. Bartley, and three groans for Mr. Reynolds, the meeting separated. MEETING OF MR REYNOLD'S FRIENDS. — A mseting was held on Wednesday evening at the Maid of Auckland, Edward's Town; Mr. Murray in the chair. The weather was very unfavourable, being both dark and rainy ; it waa also the Oddfellows' lodge-night at the Hand and Heart. Nevertheless the large room was well filled, from forty to fifty per-

sons being present. Mr. Reynolds having been called on by the Chairman, entered into a detailed explanation of his political views, which are already before the public, and assured the electors of his best attention to their interests in the event of his being re-turned as their representative. He depre-cated personalities, and expressed his regret that they should have been employed by his opponents, observing, at the same time, that he could, if necessary, retaliate. He had been sneered at as a grocer. He found, however, that the lawyers were represented— the mer-chants and the sheepholders were represented — in fact the so-called higher classes were generally represented. Why then should not the shopkeepers and labourers have equal justice ? He was a tradesman, and was proud to declare it ; and he believed he could better appreciate and sympathise with the wants of what were called the lower classes — though here in many cases they were the best off, and among the most intelligent— than those who deemed themselves higher in position were likely to do. The contest was not, however, personal ; it was a battle of principle. He went on to speak of nomineeism, and the grant in aid of religion. Mr. Bartley had said in his ad-dress tiiat he feared the time for the grant was not at present; but in answer to Mr. Cole at Thebarton he declared that he would introduce it " to-morrow" if he saw a chance of success, he would bring it forward at once if he could carry it even by a casting vote, consequently if they returned him they might immediately have the colony embroiled again by the agita-tion of the question. At the meeting held the previous evening, he said he did not wish to bring State aid and nomineeism prominently forward. That was because he knew they would not be tolerated in West Torrens; and it was only when he was questioned on the subject that he avowed bis desire to introduce the former immediately. He' spoke of that measure as one which would support good government ; and it had been said that where there was no State aid to religion, infidelity prevailed. In answer to this, he (Mr. R.) would -cite a passage from Michelet with re-ference to the French clergy, who had, before the Revolution, been so far supported as to have monopolized one-fifth part of the entire land of France, estimated at £160,000,000. He then read as follows : — " What bears," says Michelet, " an overwhelming testimony against tbe church in 1789, is the state of utter neglect in which she had left the people. For 2,000 years she alone had the duty of in-structing them ; and how had she performed it ? What was the end and aim of the pious foundations in the middle ages? What duties did they impose on the. clergy? The salvation of souls, their religious improvement, the softening of manners, the humanising of the people. They were your disciples, and given

to you alone. Masters, what have you taught them ? Ever since the -twelfth, century you have continued to speak to them a language no longer theirs, and the form of worship has ceased to be a mode of instructing them. The deficiency was supplied by preaching ; but gradually it became silent, or spoke for this rich alone. You have neglected the poor — disclaimed the coarse mob. Coarse? Yes, through you. Through you two people exist : the upper, civilized and refined to excess; the lower, rude and savage, much further removed from the other than in the beginning. It was your duty to fill up the interval, to be ever raising the lowly, and of the two to make one people. Now the crisis has come, and I see no cultivation acquired ; no softening of man-ners amoug the classes of which you made yourselves the masters. What they possess they have naturally from the instinct of Nature — from the sap that she implants in us. The good is innate ; and to whom must I at- tribute the evil, the anarchy, but to those who are answerable for their souls, and yet -aban--doned them! "— " In '89 what are your famous monasteries, your antique schools ? The abode of idleness and silence. Grass grows there, and the spider spins her web. And your pulpits ? Mute. And your banks ? Empty." — " Depart from the temple ; you were there for the people to give them light Go ! — your lamp is extinct. They who built those churches, and lent them to you, now demand them. Who were they ? The France of those times ; restore them to the France of to-day. To-day (August '89), France takes back the tithes, and to-morrow (November 2nd) she will take back the estates." That was the state of France prior to the Revolution, therefore it could not be said that the revolu- tion and the accompanying prevalence of in-fidelity were occasioned by the clergy not having been supported, when they were in possession of so large a portion of the property of the country. He repeated his challenge to Mr. Bartley to show which were the districts in the colony so remote that voluntary aid could not reach them. Mosquito Plains had been referred to the night bil.iie as being very destitute of religious instruction. He had never heard of it before; but let it be known, and he was sure that those who were accus-tomed to put their hands in their pocket tor tbe support of religion would subscribe for the supply of its wants. He would be one. (cheers.) There were some things govern- ments ought not to interfere with, and religion was one — because it was byond their sphere. There must be some line drawn beyond which Government should not go ; and, perhaps, if State aid were given to the clergy, the doctors would next put in their claim ; and he was not quite sure that the grocers might not think it worth their while to ask for something too. (A laugh) Mr. Bartley had alluded to the result of the Thebarton meeting as having been in his favour, though, by the way, he (Mr. R ) believed that 43 hands were held up for him, and only 41 for his opponent. Mr. Bartley called it a glorious day — glorious because it happened to be the 4th of July — the day on which America broke off her connexion with England. He had really imagined till then that Mr. Bartley was a loyal man. If he (Mr. R.) had said so much, his opponents would h:ive raised the cry that he was a republican. But he had no such feeling. He should be very sorry to see the connection of the colony with England severed. (Cheers.) On one point be (Mr. R.) had been grossly misrepresented— that of edu-cation. He had never said he would oppose a grant for secular education, though he had avowed his preference for people educating their own - children. To a subsequent ques-tion he had answered that he would not vote for State aid to religious education. At the Thebarton meeting the questions as to secular education were not put in so direct a manner as to admit of a clear answer, but as soon as they were put clearly he had distinctly said he would support a grant in aid of secular education. He proceeded to establish his position by refe- rence to the reports in the papers. Mr. Bart-ley had had credit given him for candour and straightforwardness, as if he were the only person who had distinctly stated his views. If he (Mr. R.) had not done so, let them tell him of it. He believed he had spoken clearly, and had certainly wished to make himself understood. Mr. Bartley had spoken of his independent circumstances. He (Mr. R.) could only say for himself that he was a plain tradesman — he had a good business, and he was not likely to sell them for any Govern-ment situation. (Loud and continued cheers.) Mr. Wailes proposed Mr. Reynolds as a fit and proper person to represent, the district in Council. This was seconded by Mr. Herman Brice. Mr. Briggs moved an amendment in favour of Mr. Bartley, which was seconded by some gentleman whose name we did not hear. Mr. Townsend spoke in favour of the resolu-tion, and took occasion to complain of his having been called a paid orator. This was a falsehood, as those who stated it must have been aware; for it was well known that he gained his livelihood in Adelaide by close attention to his business from nine in the morning till six

in the evening. He went on to argue that the best and most faithful representatives would be found among tradesmen, and among those who had sprung from the ranks. There seemed to be a feeling of pride among some men ; they thought only lawyers aud others of a particular standing fit to go into Council — yet some of those very men had worked their way up. Yes, even Mr. Paxton, who did not think Mr. Reynolds a man of sufficient stand-ing, because he might buy a thousand chests of tea and sell them out by the single chest — if he were not misinformed, that identical Mr. Paxton had at one time made his living by standing behind a counter, serving out pounds of whiting and pounds of putty. Why, he could recollect when he first came into the colony seeing a posting bill remaining on a wall at the Port, "Vote for Paxton, who has worked his way up in the colony" (Laughter.) He then turned to grants in aid of religion, and argued that if the principle were once admitted, they would 'ere long have all the machinery of the English Church establish-ment introduced amongst them. So also, if the nominee element were tolerated, the voice of the people would be stifled. It had been said that nominees might be independent; but let them look at the system as it had hitherto worked. Had tho nominees generally voted with the Government or thu people ? If they wanted to be ruled by a Government party, let them vote for Mr. Bartley ; but if they wished for self government let them support Mr. Reynolds (Loud cheers.) Mr. Walker, barrister, followed on the same side. He was glad to see such

a meeting, and he was sure that unless the people were Mr. Reynolds's friends, they would not have come there on such a wet night. ('"Shut up." " That'll do,") They should fancy themselves a jury, and consider Mr. Bartley and Mr. Reynolds on their trial, charged with some offence. Was not Mr. Reynolds guilty man, and therefore ought he not to come in ? if they thought so they could not refuse to give him their votes. The amendment was then put and lost, only two hands being held up in its favour. The original motion was, with those exceptions, carried unanimously. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting, which was perfectly orderly, closed with three cheers for Mr. Reynolds, and as many groans for his opponent. THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE SOUTH AUS TRALIAN.— -since mentioning the arrival of this horse w,' have met with the following notice of his shipment in Bell's Life in London of April 9 : — ' Horses for Adelaide, .South Australia.- — I he Cambilu, which left the docks oa Tue-day last, his taken out a very fine cart stallion of the Lincoln breed, and also a thoroughbred sta'liou, which latter had been narajd South Australian. They are bq;h sent out to the order qf Me. C. B. Fisher, of Adelaide, Tnese horses will, no doubt, be a great acquisition to the c^lonv. The thoroughbred horse is from the best blood in Englan I, and we subjoin his pedigrej : South Australian, by Cotherstone, dam Joannina, by l'ria n out of. Joanna, by Sultan; Cotherstone, by Touchstone 'oat. of Emma, by Whisker.' The horse was named South Australian by Mr. Ja:nes Fisher, who, we understand, is returning homu from. England ' in the June steamer, and may therefore be expected here aboat the middle of next month. TnE Expected Paddle Steamboats. — An advertisement in our first page notifies the anticipated early arrival, per Ann Forster, of two iron steamsrs, suitable for the Murray or the Gulf. Such a notification a year or. two ago would have produced, perhaps, a more marked st-nsatio.i ; but it is probable that the practical effect will be greater now than at any former period. , The 'eminence of the hutlder Mr. Baird of Blrkenhead, will be a sufficient guarantee as to the excellence of the vessels, the power of the machinery, and the acyuMcy of the description ; including marvellously small draughts of water (laden and li^ht); and the wise provision made for ulterior completion iu the c dony, will bo a great inducement with intanding pq-chisprs. Accidrnt to a Cuild. — On Tuesday last a very fine little boy, about two years and ahalf old, son of Mr. Pitman, Builder, Rundlestreet, was accidentally let fall by his sister, a child of seven, and his right arm was broken just below the elbow. He had immediate professional attention, and with the care of an affectionate mother is likely soon to recover.

' The -New- Chorch: — The members of the' Adeliide Society of the New Church celebrated their tenth anniversary on Tuesday evening, at the chapel in Carrington-street The plenishings of the tea-table were supplied by the ladies connected with the Society. A bout 80 persons were present.. After tea, Mr. J. Pitman was called to preside, who opened the more serious business of the evening by reading an historical sketch of the origin and progress of the Society. He stated that the first occasion on which Divine worship was celebrated in the colony, in accordance with the d-»ct -ines of the New Church, was on the 7th July, 1844. Only four adults were then present, but the services were continued reguliry from that time forward. The average average attendance during the present year was stated to ba from 45 to 50. The Society was fresh organized as such in 1846, in accordance with theadv^cs and directions of Dr. Barn-, of Bath, who had been prsviously written to upon the subject. The numb.;i- of baptisms was sLitcd to have been 70, including 25 adults and 42 infants. In 1845 a building fund was opened wiiLh enabled the Society, in 1852 to build the chapel in which they were assembled. It was propossd to ruse a further sum, towards enclosing the ground, lirec'in^ a shed for horses, &«., toward- which £16 w.ui subscribed tit the nieeiin.r Dunns; t!ie evening, several pieces of s icied music were performed by the choir, which was led by the harmonium, at which one of the members presided. The pieces included 'an original composition, consist'ng of a trio, duet, and chorus commencing with the words — ' Lo, Jesus is our God, Wo bow before his throne ; Lift, up our eyes to his abode, And none beside him own.' The 'proceedings were closed shortly before 11 o'clock, a resolution luring beo'n previously adopted lor holding sLnilir meetings quarterly. Concert. — a very full attendance is expected at the Choral Society's Concert to-morrow evening. It will be seen by reference to the mlvertissnifiiit that the programme includes several musical compositions of great celebrity. The Society having had heavy liabilities to meet, are unable at present to engage the services of professional musicians, unconnected with the Society, but there is every reason to believe that the frequent rehearsals have enabled the members to acquire a high degree of proficiency in their respective parts. Irish Evening — We trust nar raiders will not I'urj^et Mr. O'Reilly's entertainment at the Pantheon t is evening. In addition to the lecturer's efforts, which will embrace everything Irish, 'fr»m grave to. jray, from lively to severe,' a musical trear. of rare excellenc* may bo expected. Mr. P. l.ec, the veteran violinist, and several other gentlemen atna . teurs, have kindly volunteered their services in aid of Mr. O'Reilly's essay to do 'justice to Ireland ;' and tun melodies to be sung by Miss Pettm.in will certainly not bj tha least attractive part of the ample varied programme. Singing Class. — Oa Tuesday evening last, Mr. Lilly white commenced another singing cla33 on the celebrated Hullah system, at his risidenx. ;\'orfch Adelaide. The attendance of pupils was wry considerable, including nut only children, but aduns of both sexes. Returned Goods. — At the Adelaide Local Court, on Wednesday, Messrs. Smith and Ingleby were engaged respectively for plain tiff and defendant in the case of ' Irvine v. McNicol.' The firmer examined two young gentlemen, Clarence and Robert Hamilton Irvine, who proved that their ' mamma' purchased some trousers for them on the 27th May, the shopman agreeing, if they did not fit, to take them back and return the money. On the following Monday they took back the trousers to the shop, but the money was re fused. Their ' mamma' afterwards called and endeavoured to suit herself with other goods, hut was unable to do so. The next witness examined was Mr. Pennington, who deposed that he demanded £2 7s 6d on Mrs. Irvine's account, but was told at the shop that they ' never returned money.' The shopman who served Mrs. Irvine was examined for the defendant ; he denied that he had promised to give back the money having only said that if the clothes did not fit he would change them. When the young gentlemen brought them back they said their mamma, had bought others for them from Mr. Pearce's. The defendant had a large stock of such goods, and could beyond question have fitted them. It was contrary to the rule of the trade to return money, as such a practice would lead to confusion and waste of time. Another shopman gave similar evidence as to the custom of the trade His Worship said the promise to give back the money had been spoken to by two witnesses .It was proved that the goods were returned, and it was admitted that no others were furnished in their stead, therefore the amount must be repaid. Preparing for Victory. — Within the past week the dies for throe modals have been sunk in London (and by an English artist), intended as decor.itions for the Kussiau army of the Ease, aud proof medals have been, we ard informed, struck in coppt-.r. The largest of these inedal.s, which is to bo of srold, is t) have

a circle oi uianvnias; there is a group ot figures in the foreground, with a view of the '? Holy ' Piaciis iu the background, and a ditnond inserted in tho sky, valued at £40, to represent the ' Star in the East,' which, it is conjectured, is to be the name of a new order. In the larger and most valuable medal, the part representing the sky is to be firmed of turquoise stones, and in the two smaller ones of a blue eua nel ; the design is the same for all three. In the model we understand the turquoise stones were so beautifully set a3 to appmr all one stone, and altogether so superbly executed as to produce a must exquisite effjet. The dies are now in the hands of the Kussian agents in London. The order, we are told, came through the territory of our good ally, Prussia. Tue reverse of the medal is, of course, left blank till the victories have been achieved. — United -iervvie Gazette. Toe K.vout.— The f.»l owing is the way of administering tiie knout Conceive, reader, a robust man, fuil of life and health. This man is condemned to receive fif:y or a hundred blows of tha ktiout. He is conducted, half-nnked, to the place chosen f r this kind of execution ; and all that he has on is a pair of simple linen drawers round his extremities; his hands are bound together with the -alnn 1 iid flit against one another ; the cords are breaking his wrists, but no one piys the slightest attend m to that. He is laid fiat upon his b;lly, on a frame inclined diag-mxlly, and at the extremities of which are fixed iron rings; his hands are fastened t- one end of the frame, and his feet to the other : he is

then stretched in such a manner that he can- ! not make a single movement, just as an eel's ? skin is stretched in order to dry. This act of -stretching the victim causes his bones to crack, and dislocates them — what does that matter ! In a lit le time bis bones will crack, and bo dislocated in a very different manner. At a distance of five-an-1-iwenty paces stands -another man : it is the pubiic executioner. He is dressed in black velvet, trousers stuffed into his boo;.s, and a coloured cotton shirt, buttoning at the side. His sleeves are tucked up so that nothing may thwart or etnbirrass him in his movements. With both hands he grasps the -instrument of punishment— a knout. This knout consists i.f a thong of thick, leather, cut in a triangular form, from four to five yards long, and an inch wide, tapering off atoae end, and broad at the other j tlie small end is fastened to a little wooden handle, about two feet long. The signal is given ; no one ever tikes tne trouble to read the sentence. The executioner advances a few steps, with his b)dy bentj holding the knout in bqih han Is, while tin; long thong drags along the ground between his^gs. On coming to about three or four paces from the prisoner, he raises, by a vigorous movement, the knout towards the top of his he*i, and then instantly draws it down with rapidity towards his knees. The in ing flies an t whistles through the air, and descending on the body of the victim, twines round it like a hoop of iron. In spite of his state of tension, the poor wretch bm.ids as if he were sujmitted to tho powerful grasp of iralvanism. The executioner retraces his steps^and repeats the sa, no operation as in.ai\y times, as theiii are blows to hi inflicted. When the thong envelopes the body with its edges, the flesh an I muscles are literally cue into stripes as if with a razor, but when it falls flat, then the bpne.s crack ; the flesh, in that case, is not cut; but, crushed and ground, and the blood spurts out in all diructi ins. The fuTerer becomes graau and blu', like a body iu a state of decomposition He is now removed to ihe hospital, where eyjry care is takeu of him, and is afterwards sent to Siberia, where he disappaais f »r ever in the bowels of ih : eartii. The kuout is fatal, if the justice ofthe Czar or of the executiouer desires it to be so. If the Autocrat's intention is to aff-rd his people a sight worthy of thoir eyes and their intelligence; if sums powerful lord, or some great la.ly, wishes to iudu'ga m the pleasure of viewing the sanguimry speeticle ;' if they wish ti behold the yiutim, with his mouth' covered witli foam a,id blood, writhe about qnd expire in frightful atony, the fatal blow is given tho very ia^t. The executioner sills his .companion and pity for hard gold, when the fa/nily of the miserable sufferer desire to purchase the fatal blow. In. this case, he inflicts death. .at the very first strike, as aurelj as if it was art axe that he held in his hand.