MUNICIPAL CORRUPTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1567, 12 April 1887, Page 3

MUNICIPAL CORRUPTION.

All England is discussing the issue of the case of municipal bribery at Salford, Lancashire, with special interest because, although it is often charged, that the whole governing system from the War and Navy departments down to the vestry, is honey-combed with fried, this is the first time it baa got into court. Hunter, who is the Gas Engineer of the Corporation, was recently charged by a coal merchant, named Lever, in a letter to the Mayor and Aldermen, with exacting commissions of from 25 to 36 cents a ton on all the great amount of coal he bought, Hnn'er brooght u charge of criminal libel, the effect of which was to prevent Lever from testifying on hie own behalf. The four days’ trial developed the facts that practically all the coal merchants in Lancashire bad known for years that Hunter was thus plundering the. trade, that the Aldermen had seen him spending £SOOO on an income of £BOO, and investing £2OOO in a single enterprise without ever asking a question, and that the practice was a common one among like officials in other corporations. The Judge charged sharply against Hunter, specially blaming him for closing Lever’s mouth by a criminal instead of a civil action. The jury acquitted Lever, amid loud cheers from a crowded Court, which the Judge was powerless to prevent. Lever was followed out and cheered in the streets of Manchester by a great throng. When he reached his home at Bowden he was made the object of a popular demonstration by bands of tradesmen, delegations, etc., although the result of the trial had only been known an hour or so. Numerous trials will follow, and perhaps lead to general inquiry. If they do, the state of things revealed will rival the affuir disclosed in New York.