The Liberator

BOLTON ELECTION—(ENGLAND.)

The Mayor of Bolton seems to have acted most disgracefully at the nomination of candidates for this borough. He refused to declare the majority of hands to be held up in Dr. Bowring's favor, though this was most plainly the case: The Manchester (England) Examiner says:—'On a very low estimate, we should say that nearly twice as many thousands voted for Dr. Bowring as there voted hundreds for Mr. Bolling. Notwithstanding this, the Mayor, after consulting with a gentleman who stood behind him, declared that the show was in favor of W. Bolling, Esq., and J. Brooks, Esq. This declaration, so outrageously inconsistent with fact, and so totally unexpected by every one, so far as we could judge, was greeted with simultaneous expression of amazement by nearly the whole assemblage, and loud cries of 'Shame, shame,' proceeded from the gentlemen on the hustings. A more infamous and silly piece of partizanship was never, we will venture to say, perpetrated on any hustings.'

The Sun has the following remarks on the subject:—'While the right Hon. baronet is quietly re-installed as the representative of Tamworth, an ugly trick is being performed upon the hustings of Bolton. A word in the ear of the Mayor of Bolton! A word in your ear, Mr. J. Scrowcroft. You have branded yourself on your forehead, and the brand can never be obliterated or forgotten; it was done in the face of the whole land; the people of England will henceforth estimate your character as it deserves to be estimated. What says Dr. Bowring? 'I have seen,' he says, 'many dishonorable and disgraceful nominations, but none equal to this!' The circumstances are simple enough. A forest of hands is held up for Dr. Bowring, a similar number for Mr. John Brooks, and 'a comparative few' (so says the reporter) for Mr. William Bolling. The reporter, indeed, goes further, calculating the number of hands held up in favor of Dr. Bowring and Mr. Brooks as 'not less than ten to one, when compared with the number held up for Mr. Bolling.' Yet, in defiance of this and amidst a storm of indignant disapprobation, the Mayor proclaims Mr. Bolling and Mr. Brooks to be the successful candidates, the former gentleman being a Conservative. The disgrace of this transaction cannot speedily be erased from the character of Mr. J. Scrowcroft, the conscientious Mayor of Bolton.