On Wednesday a singular application was made to Mr. Partridge,
the sitting magistrate at Westminster. The appli- cant said that on Friday, be, with others, acted as a deputation to a Member of the late Government, to complain of the Closure, and was then engaged by some agent to attend a meeting at the Westminster Palace Hotel, to condemn the " gagging" resolution. He was promised eighteenpeuce for each man he brought. He did attend, and brought eight men, whom he paid, but instead of receiving 12s., he only received a message saying there was no money for him. He wanted the Magistrate's advice. Mr. Partridge told him that hie remedy, if he had one, would lie in the County Court ; and he departed, having uncon- sciously performed a considerable public service. He has re- vealed very clearly the amount of confidence which Conservative "agents " entertain in working-men's devotion to the cause. If the Closure were really unpopular, meetings against it could be filled without . hiring loafers at eighteenpence the job. We imagine that man, who evidently knew his business, will get paid.
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