3-021-720 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Trial of the Bradford Election Petition at the Borough Courthouse, 1869. View of the '...court of inquiry held by Mr. Baron Martin to try the alleged malpractices at the late election of two members for the borough of Bradford...The Judge, in black gown and small wig, sat upon the bench; Mr. Avery, Clerk of the Central Criminal Court, sat beneath him in the clerk's place; the counsel sat at the table, with attorneys behind them; the witness stood in the witness-box; and the jury-boxes, as well as the galleries, were filled with an attentive general audience. On each hand of the Judge were the Mayor, High Sheriff, magistrates, and other civic dignitaries, with a few of the neighbouring gentry. The petition against Mr. Henry Ripley, one of the members returned at the late election, was first tried, and resulted...in a decision that he was guilty of treating, and that his election was therefore void. The petition against the Right Hon. W. E. Forster was examined into on Saturday and Monday; and on Tuesday Mr. Baron Martin pronounced his judgment, which was that Mr. Forster had not been guilty of treating, and that his election was good and valid. Mr. and Mrs. Forster were heartily cheered by the crowd in the streets when they left the court'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.