The Express. — London, England, 1852-02-26 00:00:00

wigs above 10,000 electors, Hwy would only "MG um so rsetaben to parliammt. DM be elm knew ebb s AM Vitas pro ,,,, ttos it a ) obtained • ity twice es ma es L. did boors, and which r ape the ant laws, OM um lenty would he iespoteM if the people of the nsaidlisslllß asiets are prepared es my to my Lard Derby, u g e ar th e goniition of the agriculturists if you can—do whet viten s o improve their condition, so that it is not at oat game— kat the monwat you put one penny of dot up& ri i is dea broad ▪ O n poor min, look to P yourself, Lord Tsar eider —ad cheirs)—for this question Ites sitUrd ▪ 50 4 beware how you and your order passim Ss dis sepiol2 of a question again which will involve in itself the di s peeition of many things not to the interest of either or sour order." (Great cheering.) He wished to ha y • that i n ...ailing this meeting they (the executive) had no .a„„ . not. ...lotions, to lay before it ; they rather sought the "numl of (be meeting, and hoped Ho ry f Z at e moii ...old express Dimwit' freely, maw *at they o b i ,s, rutin.) might feel it desirable le Mims any "ouru. i . Liiiire, they might know what were the soil spF sural• Awl unguents of their constituency in this Mem piny, reel act accordingly. (Hear, hear.) Mir. USER had warned gentlemen when It ass pr laced to lay on what was once termed • low fixed duty of les. per qa it r, that it was not • question of lbs., 10s., or even ,hatofehether the British people could any longer afford to '• .y for high rents in dear bread ; and he said now Mutt the British people were too much enlightened to bear the r.-iinposition (such a tax. lie thought then that free trade principles were secure—secure from the conviction of the feeiple that they were the beet for all classes, even for t h e .04,10 do themselves who stood up for protection. (Rae. heir.) Ile recollected that the noble earl, now the bead of tee adminietration, was the great obetructur of all w o rm, even under Lord Beep's administration, of which be was a ober. 1k (Mr. Dyer) had then the power to do some sees ice, End he headed a subscription with 300 or 400 pines., which was followed by others in the same spirit, for earbasoctitary reform. W. were somewhat in a better pesii Lon by that measure, bat we had the old hydra, the old 1 1(4 ,1.01the fo mer system of ol igarehiral sorer nme nt rearing Itself in spite of the public will, and he trusted they should be able to slow them that it was not an easy task to go back. (H ear , heir.) lie was willing to Ro with caution ; he was milling to make some stile if they could not make bold psi.; but let teem not go beck int • a state of barbarism. (Hear, 11...ur.) He could not subscribe as he did before ; but what h, could do, even at • greater sacrifice, he was prepared to do to come forward and sustain their old prin ciples. It would re-unite those who split upon smaller matters, for toryism and protectionist principles, his took It, were but short-lived among us an these districts. (Applause.) Mr. IL ASHWORTH thought they little expected to be Called together again un a subject which so ementially con cerned to e titan of the Anti-corn-law League as this did, hat the cv. tits of the last few days had brought the question Cf protectiou before them, and on that quietism they could Cat afford to stand still. (Hear, hear.) If the party Miming into power were to be taken at their word, the 'Wet they meant was the tarty restoration of the corn laws, in the .hole of a fixed duty, and they had before been given to understand that • fixiai duty was " a Hoed injus tice." IV, r.• they now prepared to have restored that which they bad bestowed so math patience, so much labour, energy, time, and mode such great pecuniary sacri fices to overthrow ? (Cheers.) Those with whom he had convened had expressed their willingness, one and all, to make as large, or indeed larger, sacrifices both of time and money, than they ever did before, rather than allow our vestige, one rag or tatter of protection to be re- Imposed upon us. (Loud cheers.) like was to believe the spirit betrayed to-day, he hail not the least doubt, if we were called upon to undo stake the question again, we she have more support than we hod before, and that the should not run short of those means which were called the sinews of war. (Hear, bear.) Ile bib- veil it would be but • short battle, though it miglit he • warm one. Opplausel If they understood Lord Di illy, it was his intention to put a cloak over the de aims as well as he could, by pretending that the duty on corn would not be on. of prediction but of revenue, bat the people w vie It+. much awake to be drawn into that trap. (" Hear. hear," and laughter.) It was pretended to sweeten the measure by taking ief the income tax. The cleaning, of that was, to take the tax off the mercantile, agniultur il, and middle classes. to put it upon the shoulders of the ts ork iw c:asseS. Were they prepared to suffer that ? (('ties of " No.") It was mid that it would be enough for present to interchange sentiments, without coming to a resolutiun, and in this lie egret di but he thought they Should bold themselves in readiness to see what the coming events were, and to meet them promptly. (" Hear, hear," and cheer.) Other gentlemen having spoken, it was stated that • letter had been received at Bury, from Lord Derby, saying a shesolution would take place almost immediately, and that Alf. Fox had written to say parliament would not meet Vein. Mr. A. WATKIN (who was called for) said he did not come prepared to speak, but merely to listen. He hoped their measures would he worthy of former days, do what they might, and that they would be prompt, energetic, and, of course successful. (Applause.) Mr. PETRIE, of Rochdale, said he believed the people titre were ready to make any sacrifice if this qneetion was to be brought forward again ; but they did not think it a "maim. A 0 . AA . We shall never be elan of this clues lion till we have %MOM in parliarneut. (Cheers.) Mr. W. EVANS said, to bring the matter to a point at Gnu, he would move the adjournment till Tuesday. lie Nought it hardly compatible with the dignity of • body like the league, that they should tale any further step_ till they had the of announcement as to what would be Lord Derby's policy on the question. Mr. I'. AItIIOWSMITH, of Bolton, believed with thou who thought the tonics might as will attempt to restore the beptarchy; but if this battle was to be fought again, he was ready to take part in it, knowing that thaw who paid their hundreds before would be ready now to pay their thousaaus. and willingly do so in such a Cause. (Cheers.) He quite sgetvd thin they should fight under the old title of the " Leagoe," believing that, like the old lronsides of Cromwell, it was • arm which would win, and that under it the? should se W virasn. _ _ Mr. J. KNIGHT confessed that he was rather glad than otherwise that Lewd Derby wee in otSee, for he wee not in power—(A Imagh)—becoose he believed by hie amnion to elks we should get rid of the stumbling block no•v in the way of political anima, by mew who were too easy or too timid to 1101 , 11 unless t►ey were (Weed on by • powerful motive such as the attempted restoratioo of the bread tax would be. (lieu.) Mr. SIMPSON suggested that Mr. Evans should put his motion in. the following form " Resolved, that the gentlemen who formed the executive council of the late Anti-Cora-law Leagns be requested to watch the proceed ings of the new adninistranos ; sad, should the necessity anw, to all together the parties who formed the general council of the teem ; sod that this meeting stands ad journed to Tuesday neat." Mr. EVANS mid be would most willingly adopt and move this reselotion; sod Yr. Puna AIIOWSIIITH OS. goaded it. The motion was tweed ominously. and the proceed ings stood adiounied, with the understanding that the exe cutive should have power to call the meeting together again at an mallet period than Tuesday if neeeseary. REPRESENTATION or SOUTHAMPTON.—II is noW stated that Mr. Willcox and Sir A. Cockburn, the present meathero for /Southampton, will come forward ..in aa cosididotte for the repreetatatios of that town, in ease of an election. It is /apposed that the conservatives of that town will bring forward a candidate to oppose Mu present members. THE SPIPSOTOD MURDER Of AN ENGINICIL— Yesterday inneming Mr. W. Carter raNISISII ad sasrlmimd the inquiry tweehiss the death of Aiteed Jetta. SA engineer, who Well Mad coke the isstioesd of the Surrey Camel waist eirmemslemssa eddii doe — S the suspicion that hie death wawa iessk of issi U s .i s Mr Jenkins." solicitor, appeared, es beim. bodes of deceased; and if,. Prendergast, Q.O vereemelsil the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.—M aii i is sMlPolle_ stated that he had made a post mortem ISM body, and found the heart and langppeellsmiybegliby. the bone of the head was quite math*, and tire vas ss meek if violence whatever. Ile had as doubt Iles desseesi bed died from suffocation by drowning.—Ann Jewell, the wife of deceased,was led into the room almost in a fainting state, sod said that on the Friday morning, whoa the doISSOSI left hese to pr ceed to his work he was is pub* Wilt sad spirit.. He had not been at work ia ereesienee stele dispute between the masters and worbsies if ghost Ilsts weeks. She was certain that he hail net ertsepol lie sus raisteuet, as he valued life too highly and wee happy. He had no motive whatever to fie tg l i: g = of the canal. Thomas Poulter, 36.5 l', and dm ouustablos proved that they were on duty on the Friday morning, and that they heard no noire or cries of distromMent the spit whi re deceased was found. Mr. K. fe ss z lid ingst to Mears. Futon and Amos, the employers of angsmed that he was a young man of particularly semi mei of the most cheerful disposition. Several remasks were Rawls, tending to show that threats had been used teem& dm duo sewed, but the COMMIT refused to receive them as whinge. After some remarks from wand of the jury, Mr. Kay stated that the deceased had told him that soma after he hos: signed the masters' declaration he was met by several mem, who asked him if he had gone back to work, and, open replying in the affirmative, they said " Any min that has done so ought to have his head cut off." Evidence having been given to show that the deceased hail no occasion what• ever to go on the bank of the renal, the Coroner summed up, and the jury, after about half an hour's consultation, returned a verdict " That the deceased was found drowned, but how or by what means he came into the water there was no evidence to show." The Coratier remarked that, although they had recorded a verdict of found drowned, he was certain that it would not at all interfere with the in quiries of the police, or defeat the ends of justice in this moot extranrdinery cam. 'rug STRIIIII.—LIVERPOOL.—Tho dinpute here h!twein the masters and men may be said to have ended of itself neither of the parties having made any enneessioa to the other, and the men having ceased to expect an sewn mutating. Of the thirty-five members of the Amalgamated &ui-ty dismissed by Messrs. Forrester and Meters. Few-' sett sod Co., only eleven now remain out of work, twenty one having engaged in other shops in the town, and three is the Country. Of the former, three ere shortly to sail in the City of l)ublia screersteamer Emerald, bawd on a enable to the West Coast of Africa. Five of the remaining sk ten have been engaged on board the Sesellias deems; reoestly built is Liverpool, to pressed* Nis Jambs. The general position of the trade is theosibrie Was iiiihrest whet it is in ordinary periods of depmseiem TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE. Toisrday evening the animal meeting of the RUMfiaties foe Promoting the Repeal of the Taxes on Know ledge was bald St St. Martin'toball, Long-acre. The large rum was greatly crowded ea the occasion, and several per saws were iseethdrid from want of spice. Mr. M. OitYloo. M.P., Mr. Cobden, M.P., Mr. Seholefield, M.P. and Mr. Hume, M.P. were loudly cheered on making their appear saws is the platform. Mr. GIBSON, who wu voted to the chair, said it devolved upon him as chairman of the meeting to explain why it had been called. They were anembled in exercise of the right which, as Englishmen, they possessed to deli berate upon and pronounce an opinion in reference to the policy and laws of the country ; to express their views upon • part of the national policy known wader the came of the system of taxing knowledge. (Hear, hest.) The meeting was conbued to that one oli ject only, and although it was not intended to preclude the great possible expression of opinion, whether Vin support of or against the taxes on knowledge, as they at present exist, it should be understood that all observations that might he made should be confined to that one subject. Therefore, if there was any gentleuisn present who wished to point out to them the benefit of the impost on the data ! sion of knowledge, he should have the utmost liberty of speech. (Laughter.) He should have been proud ou anv occasion to bare been asked to assist in promoting the object of the association connected with the repeal of the I newspaper stamp, end other taxes un knowledge, and • to co-operate with any individual in pursuing so laud able an object. On an occasion like the present, i however, he would have been glad to have seen in the chair come distinguished a literary gentle man, for he thought that this eubji et was eminently not one of a party nature, nor was it one of mere polities, hut it was one which men of all political views or iutereste and most especially literary gentlemen, might join in ad. vacating. But although they were not favoured, from an unfortunate accidevit, by the presidency of some distin guished litteruteur, yet he had the e oisfaction of being able to read to them one or two letters from gentlemen who hal been requested to preside on that occasion. The first he would read to them was from Mr. Leigh Hunt, which was as follows : " Kensington, Feb. 2-1, " Sir,—l regret extremely, sometimes, that the state of my health prevents my attending public meetings, espe cially on such an occasion as yours. Taxes on Knowledge appear to me very like tun for the prevention of finger posts, or for the better encouragement of " erring and straying like lost sheep." Miedirections may be set up here and there, but how could it he anybody s intent in the long run to give wrong information, when everybodv was concerned in going right ? Partial knowledge, indeed, is foolish enough to do so ; hut that is the very reason why partial knowledge should be displaced by knowledge, alistompluting and universal.—l am, S.r, your faithful WI , lea .• I,IIIIOH " ti ro J. D. Collett, Esq., Seceders of Association for the Se lof all 'races on Knowledge!' ad next to lay before them the following communi cation, received from Mr. Douglas Jerrold : " West Lodge, Putney Lower Common, February •25tli, "Dear Sir,—Disabled by an accident from personal attendance at your meeting, I trust I may herein be per mitted to eviller , my heartiest sympathy with its great social purpose. That the fabric paper, newspapen and ad. vertisements, should be' taxed by any government professing paternal yearnings for the education of a people, defies the argument of reason. Why not, to help the lame, and to aid the short-sighted, lay • tax upon crutches, and enforce a duty upon spectacles? lam not aware of the number of professional writers—of men who live from pen to mouth— flourishing this clay in merry England; hut it appears to me, and the notion to a new Chancellor of the Exchequer— (l am happy to nay one of 'my order ;' of the goose-quill, not of the heron's plume)—may have some significance ; why not enforce a duty upon the very source and origin of letters? Why not hove a literals pull-tax—a duty upon books and " articles" in their rawest material ? Let every mother pay for his license, poetic or otherwise. his would give a wholeness of contradktion to • professed desire for knowledge, when existing with taxation of its material elements. Thus the exciseman, beginning with authors brains, would descend through rags, and duly end with paper. The profeseed tax upon news is captious and arlii trau ; arbitrary, I say, for . what is not news ? A noble lord makes a speech: h i s rays of intelligence com pressed like Milton's fallen angels, die in a few black rows of thin type • and this is news. And is not a new book news ? Let Ovid first tell us how Midas laid himself down, and—private and confidential—whispered to the reeds, ' I have gars ;' and is not that news ? Do many noble lords, even in parliament, tell us anything newer ? The too on advertisements is—it is patent—a tax even apes the industry of the vera hardest workers. Why should the Exchequer waylay the errand-boy, and op press the maid-of-all-work ? Wherefore should Mary- Anne he made to disburse her eighteen-peace at the Stamp Office ere she can show her face in print, wanting a place, although to the discomfiture of those first-created Chancellors of the Exchequer—the spiders ? In con clesion, I must congratulate the meeting on the advent of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right lion. Benjamin Disraeli, who is the successful man of letters. He has ink in his veins. The gornequill —let gold and silventicks twinkle as they may—Lads the House of Com mas'. Thus, I feel confident that the literary instincts of , the right honourable gentleman will give uew animation to the coldness of statesmanship, apt to be numbed by tight nese of red tape. We are, I learn, early taught to despair of the right honourable gentleman, because he is allowed to be that smallest of thing., ' a wit.' Is arithmetic for ever to he the monopoly of substantial respectable dulness ? Must it be that • Chancellor of the Exchequer, like fentio's portrait, is only to be found in lead? sir; I have • cheerful faith that our new fiscal minister will, to the confusion of obese dulness, show his potency over pounds, shillings, and pence. The Exchequer £ a. d. that have hitherto been as the three witches—the Weird Sisters—stopping us will turned, the right honottrabde gentleman will at the least transform into the three Graces, making them, in all their salutations at home and abroad, welcome and turnable. Hat with respect to the £ a. d. upon knowledge, he will, I feel confident, cause at once the weird sisterh ood to melt tato thin air; and thus—let the meeting take heart with the iresurance—thus will fade and be dissolved the penny news tax—the emw‘beys' and maid-of-all-works' tax— sad the to on that lamemat white thing, the tax on paper. With this begs. I 'main yozin faithfully: " °LAI .111.11,0LD. "Alfred Koval* Sq., Qa6Ttwurer to the Association for the Rawl et all Tease spas Knowledge. Ito 1111•11 now powel to asks a few thervations on the Millipities of the Yea Mhos Oben. Sometimes ime ill IV SMII Mkt Woe was maintained he OS - - sewage, WinaWon they were told =LZ Oopesount no sissehlts of cheap newspapers, wpm if riarallilleg the diffusion of social swam no webby elms of the country. to al" mos she original intention Metneset Of des Monr. With regard to oerr ilhe duties sal lie advertisement duties, there was mere weal m for sal sag that those im mere origin*, tolled In /scream ssoose. ;Mr woes horned M slim whom It was to ratio dory wend Illosay ilit dr mho pos . Probably they vise Imposed is dee thee notenee wooky for revenue • bat be bed a strew Ono met the sl ima sty and wewortisoust duty be ben ann. IS • part of oak wink havisS hr its obleat the tof the ebent of cheap noOvre cede eelespapers. (Hear, bees) For that rows he bad aware Ihoght it wise to ask be Ike repeal of Ore tams, and in ISMS pond he saw a principle-that principle being, Is it is be the beet social interest of the country lls Sete *old be se obstacles in the way of lb. levee olhossdasties of howledge - (hear, hear)-ber , , hot by the Malin ef social informatics mom I : Ihe pin bod of the a moioad im m eiall as roolaty by gine. ion Ink osi hot y , end icol s.d a other mottors, a be pada moan be puma beet mieshied Is =:lso swan a s Zid laws, awl wand an no of the te antigen ma a Moines the meet .did -thus as esdrhmosi ea adoesesi wen. (Boer, bear.) Then" inns the Iris sod owner ground al revenue, M oessesded dust it woe so loredsse pithy, sod on did ought sot to Mt monniool. It woo ost emoosh to rag a n y ho scary was woad, IP Litiwas, was that so age salesol es a earn to be ? e l li ll eto doubt that that whoonsing air Sediont of military I. gnaw sirr ill s??ottever popsy dig odd moot with, if tool a mod, of raisins may was mmillised of, would =ewer that be could set apse the imE Bat they migie reply to him that woo soots r or mesa of rellth_wersay. And so they wry of Issas os -ialso-Pat it wee an wrowess Psis d WO/ p Alb many, mil that it was isenolimmt wish dm poodnine non Its favour of general edasollea to be. pow &est ling obsesalea is the way of the diembnehot of hosidedge. Inn be wean to know we Ob it roe iowirePor limn woo blemed, es tier hod his. iii it was Be no pawn of revenue, war no all Sir Mated in the pesamW of the act of pedleoset. W dew% they tall vs Am that it is for this moms they loonsma all newsmen e Moo of Id. He went beg 1 bison bey behuo noon, tonal words whin an used bin ponablo at 1110 NOW aet,-not thus poi he the ' bli el, be... Is set merely seatordand sod mousiest *son son 2 . right hon. gelation= wed M prerabie, silk ins Is affect that the tax as swappers was im plodes assesat of observations tending le excite hatred sad sorosopt of the government and eftetitution, and to vilify ' our holy religion.") lie might be permitted, there fore, to claim fur their side of the questing that the news- 1 paper stamp wee imposed for the mews of restraining cheap literature, and to prevent Gm circulation of sheep newspapers. (Hear, hear.) Pat what a stupid, it had es becomecarried out in these days, Mew permitted persons to observe and remark upon of church and state ; they might write and publish la • drop form, but if they gave the facts, the news, or if litegialieesepanied the diseminoa of theories with the narra tion current events, then they became liable under the of the Newspaper Stamp Act. (Hear, hear.) Lela m p„..,i,,,e to conceive a non stupid policy than that they should permit the diffusion of all kinds of speculative Iliseries, and he alarmed at the diffusion of the truth and bermiedge of facts, which we the only true antidote for alMaasous opinions and erroneous view. founded on opecu lades theories. (Ilear, hear.) Nothing could be more striking than the fact that at the present moment there was a large demand for cheap publications. (Hear, hoar.) An immense sale of penny literature of one kind Of another found its circulation amongst the educated por ticos of the industrious classes. Why, then, should they day to this class the benefit of having also t ot cheap news- THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 26, 1852. paper? Why were the Asap publications to be precluded from #ving as fresh and as assly intelligence if all awe resting meta of the day as wore now circulated amongst the wesithisr portions of the community ? (Hear, hear.) Ibough Ws remarks had chiefly relation to the newspaper stamp, he wished to be understood as willing to co-operate with others in lighting as determined a battle as they could for the repeal of the paper and advertisement duties. (Dear, hear.) The paper duty fell heavily on those publi catious which were published at a low rate, and depended for their returns on an extended circulation. (Herr) And the advertisement duty was a tax which prevented cumiounications of every kind ;,it we, anti-commercial, un just, and injurious, not only to the educational, but to the commercial iutereets of the people ; and the three taxes together formed, if considered as a whole, the heaviest impersitioa on the press, in the shape of a fiscal burden, that existed in any country in the world. (Hear, hear.) He therefore called on the meeting to give their dispassionate consideration to the resolutions submitted to them, and if they felt it consistent with their convictions so to du, to stamp their condemnation upon that most odious system of taxation. (Cheers.) Mr. EDWARDS moved the following resolution : , "That the duties en paper. advertisements, and newspapers curtail the) liberty of the press, obstruct the diffusion of knowledge, and aro inconsistent with the professions of the legislature in favour of popular education." With regard to the paper duly, he believed it could he easily shown that the duty was in reality threepence, in- stead of three halfpence, as was pretended. (Hear, hear.) Ile behoved with Cromwell, that if a government was not able to withstand paper bullets, it could not stand at all. (Loud cheers.) Mr. SCHOL ELD, M.P., in seconding the resolution, said he did not mean to address to the meting more than one or two oloervations. Ile did not attend the meeting because of his being rominently connected with the move ment, but because he represented a constituency which deeply felt the injustice of the tax on knowledge. • It was a great hypocrisy to pretend to be in favour of the di ff usion of knowledge and at the same time to maintains tax on the ere ry eh ments of that knowledge. (Hear.) They had a change of ministers, and whether that change was for the worse or the better time would tell. But in reference to this question, no Chancellor of the Exchequer could be more hostile than the laat, one of whose last school was to declare that, although the judges had decided against the government in the ea-e of the "Monthly Narrative," a prosecution would be instituted against any others who dill what Mr. Dickens had done. (tleer.) Ile did not know whether Mr. Disraeli would take the same view of the question, but if the new government devoted some attention to social questions, and none pleased so etronoly for consi deration as the present one, ho would give them all the aid in his power. (Hear, hear.) Mr. COBDEN then rose, amidst the most enthusiastic (heeling, to address the meeting. The hon. gentleman said :—When he saw the great interest taken in the pre sent question by the meeting, and by the crowd of person' who could nut enter that room, he could not help coacludin that it had at length taken a due hold of the public mind in the metropolis—(hear, hear)—and he would venture to affirm, that in attending thst meeting, thee did something more than listen to speeches; they will so far co-operate iu promoting the prosperity of their association, that their next anniv, nary meeting might be held in Drury-lane Theatre, where their accommodation would be more suited to the number of their friends; and his experience as an anti-torn-law agitator had taught him that when they got installed in a metropolitan patent thNitre, their triumph would he soon at hand, and that not long alter the Chancellor of the Exchequer would put the tax into the budget fur abolition. The main question before them was the question of the penny stamp on newsy,: pers. It was not a fiscal question at all ; it was not a question of 2.50,0001. a year, which was all it netted fur the revenue, after making the necessary deduc tions on account of the transmission of newspapers through the Puet.ollice Ire. 01 charge. Wed, it would be fully . to supposethat there coal I be any great resistance to the sm• portunities of the public for the abolition of this tax, on the ground that it was essential fur revenue purpose's. No, the removal of these imposts was resisted on totally dif ferent grouuds : it was resisted on a principle; because they wanted, aa far as pouible, to exclude the great mass of the people from the discussion of political questions. (Hear, hear.) The preamble of the act of parliament framed in 1819 had let the cat out of the bug ; it had avowed that it was carried in order to prevent the dissemination of cheap literature among the mass of the people. Now, looking at the question me rely as a matter of interest to the govern ment, he would ask was it beneficial in that point of view that the people should be kept in darkness regarding po litical questions? Could they prevent the l pimp e from cussing political events? Why, then, would they nut give them the opportunity of discussing them in the best possible manner? Why not have facts and arguments thrust under their noses? (Hear, hear.) And was it not a monstrous inconsistency to find one great party of the aristocracy advocating the extension of the franchise to 61. rated householders, and at the same time to have the same persons excluded from the perusal of the daily papers, whereby they might inform themselves of the current events of the day, which they ought to do if they were to exercise the functions of electors. (Hear hesr.) Es would a ffi rm that persona would be ever found di scussing public events whether you afforded them the means of doing so properly or not. They had seen on the continent of Europe questions raised, and which had received a conside rable amount of popular support—questions which in this country • (mid not be regarded as capable for a moment of bearing the light of intelligence and argument. (Hear.) And how had such questions been met there? Why, there had been attempts, and succeseful ones too, he was sorry to say, to put them doss at by force, and by calling in the aid of horse, feat, and artillery. (Hear, hear.) 110 proclaimed that that was not the way to settle any question. (Cheers.) Ideas were nut to. be destroyed by musketry. (Hear.) Now he maintained that in every country of the Continent where a fancied peace and order had been established by meats of brute force and violence, these same ideas, which were 'opposed to lie buried in the dust, and the blood of their profe-sors, would be proclaimed again in spite of the brute farce which had put them down— (cheers)—and all he would say was. that if such opinions could only be put down by brutal violence, they deserved to triumph. (War, hear.) Lord Derby had come into power, and he had no doubt he had tome into power to carry out his opinions, and what those opinions were he told them some three weeks ago. He came into power to restore the corn laws. (Loud groans.) Now, if Lord Derby had been in the balsa of seeing daily at his club penny newspapers, which circulated by hundreds of thou sands amongst the people, be would be able to see what the public opinion was upon that subject, and it would not be necessary for him (Mr. Cobden) to go down to Manchester to-morrow,and to the West Biding, to address meetings of his fellow countrymen on this subject—(loud cheering)—and to tell Lord Deroy that he should not put another farthing of taxation on corn. (Loud and vehement cheering.) All literary men had a deep interest in this question, sod he told many of them that he was surprised at their apparent indifference on this subject. Gentlemen of the highest education, many of them having received probably univer sity education, seeking, as short hand writers, employ ment from proprietors of newspapers, cap in hand, and with an assiduity half of which would procure situations in the police or on railways. And why was this? It wan caused by the monopoly of the present system, which restricted the field of employment. (Hear.) But let them once abolish that monopoly, and he would guarantee four times the number of papers they had now, and four times the demand for literary talent. (Hear, hear.) He would call on all those then present, as well as on these who lived by the cultivation of literature, to join in that move ment, the object of which was to put an end to the restric tions on their industry. (The hon. gentleman sat down amidst load cheers.) Mr. HUME said that he was pleased to see so large a meeting, which was so crowded that many persons at the door could not find admittance. This showed that great interest began to be excited on the subject. (Hear.) He was one of those who 22 years ago struggled for the aboli tion of the 4)d. duty, and after 16 years of contest, they partially succeeded, for in 1836 a reduction of the tax too place. (Hear.) In 183.5, the year before the reduction took place, the newspapers published in this country amounted to 34,000,000; n 1837, the year after the reduc tion, they increased to 47,000,0 00; and in 1848, they amounted to 48,000,000. (Hear.) It was true that the population had in the meantime increased, but not in anything like the proportion of newspapers. (Hear, hear.) It was absurd far men to say that they wished to see education diffused and schools established, when they at the same time continued the tax on the news paper, which was the great instructor of the people in these .days. (Hear, hear.) He moat cordially joined in the resolution, and he hoped that before another year the pub& shad would be so prepared and resolved on this quails of the taxes ma knowledge, that no government would dare to refuse flak repeal. (Cheers.) Xi. EGGERS iris in favour of the resolution, which was weird uoanicseady. pre. COLLET prolong the next resolution : " That the bilpilleasee of the MOW of revenueyielded by the = sr oaa i i la tork lho ehuua tbiltimlt is mew 1, ou of dookarytag aswas the lads ' potoisto et the graft est teevestieg the elreslatica et arm Neturepers." Ur. Traiteox acesedled the plesintioo, which was sup ported by Mr. O'Buaaae, and orris& unanimously. Mr maim then separated. DEPUTATION TO THE BOARD OF TRADE.—On Tues day a deputation of shipownen connected with Great Yar mouth, accompanied by Messrs. Rumbold and J. l3andars, the representative.' of the borough, had an interview with the Right Hon. 11. Labouchers. at the Board, for the pur pose of presenting a memorial from that port, soliciting the rescinding of so much of the Steam Navigation Act of last year as required that sailing vessels under 140 tons, and not carrying passengers, should have two boats. The memorial ists stated that such vesses were obliged to carry their boats upon deck, and being employed chiefly in tho tout ing trade, the number of the crew was never larger then could be accommodated in one boat, such as was now carried, they being usually of from 16 to 17 feet in length, and always in an efficient and serviceable condition. They added that vessels under 150 tons could only carry two boots by putting one inside the other, which would necessitate the removal from the larger boat of oars and thwarts, so that on an emergency the time that would be lost in getting out and refitting the brats would, in souse CAWS, be inevitably destructive of human life, while one boat only, being on the deck, might in the most sudden emergency be put afloat slid be saved. Mr. Laboucliere, after hearing these statements, promised to grant the relief solicited, lid sent an order to the Custom-house for that purpose. MAXIM OF NAPOLEON (THE LITTLE).-111 political discussions there is nothing like coming to the (bayonet's) point.—Piume, PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. MEETING IN LAMBETH. ' A meeting of the inhabitants of the borough of Lambeth took place last evening, at the Horns, Kenning ton for the pme of conaidering the measure of reform lately submitted to parliament. There was • crowded at tendance. Upon the platform were Mr. Tennyson d'Eyn court, H.P., Mr. W. Williams, M.P., Mr. Locke King, M.P., Mr. lcock, M.P., Mr. Trelawny, M.P., and a num ber of influential gentlemen connected with the borough. Mr. W. A. WILKINSON, being unanimously called to the chair, said they Imo been called together to consider the Reform Bill of Lotd J. Hassell. One great defect in that measure was the absence of the ballot. A man could not he sincere in proposing an extension of the franchise without he gave the ballot along with it. (Hear.) That bill was now defunct, and no doubt it would Indecently in , wired. (Cheers.) The whip themselves were gone, at least, as ministers, and he hoped they would prove better friends to the people in oppo s iti on . (Hear, hear.) Mr. THOMAS HARVEY moved "That the sudden and abrupt termination of Lord John Russell's ministry shall in no degree deter the inhabitants of Lambeth from pressing forward their well-matured demands for a thorough reform of the House of Commons ; this meeting being fully convinced that if ever there was a time when interer as well as duty called for unanimity to prevail among all classes of reformers, it is the present. This meeting therefore calls upon every liberal consti tuency throughout the country, at once to pledge their representatives to demand of the government such a change in our representative system an shall embrace the important principles of residential suffrage, vote by ballot, triennial parliaments, equal electoral di,tricts, and the abolition of the property qualification for members." Mr. J. P. MURROUOII seconded the resolution. He observed that they were met to celebrate the obsequies of whiggery and finality, and he hoped they hail seen the ' last of Lord John Revert!. (Cheers ) Mr. T. D'EYNCOURT, M.P., was received with much applause. Ile said he would appeal to the whole course of his public life in proof of his being a thorough reformer. (Cheers.) During 20 years he had never flinched from supporting the liberties of the people, though lie lout never given any pledge when elected ; and he was certain the electors would not disgrace him by asking him fur a pledge to do that which he was mast disposed to do. (Hear.) He went the full length of this resolution. (Cheers.) The crowded state of the meeting proved the sincerity of the desire for reform in that borough. (Cheers.) It had been said the people were indifferent about Lord J. Russell's bill; the tact was, they never anticipated from him any valuable measure of reform. (Hear.) Besides, the best clauses of his measure might have been nullified by his colleagues in the cabinet, and they ought not to dismiss him front the public service with contempt, for he had been the author of good measures ; he had been the author of the first Reform Bill and of the repeal of the 'feet and Corporation Acts. (" hear," and some disapprobation.) Ile (Mr. D'Eyncourt) so entirely disapproved of the late Reform Bill, that he should have voted against it had nut the pro posal for enlarging the 67 small boroughs been withdrawn. Mr. W. WILLIAMS, M.P., was loudly cheered on rising. Ho said, that for more than thirty years he had taken an active part in carrying out the principles of the resolution proposed. For fourteen years lie had not only voted for, but spoken in the house of Commons in favour of those principles, and, in some respects, had gone beyond them. (Cheers.) The great advantage of the Reform Bill of Lord John Russell was, that through it, the Whigs had admitted the necessity of reform. (Hear, hear,) The small portion of good in the Lill was nullified by the pro metal for enlarging and resuscitating the rotten boroughs. Mr. J. THWA (TES congratulated the meeting on the presence of so many members of parliament on the plat term, and observed that when an election appeared pro bable they generally "real up" for the oeension. Let the people beware of accepting any instalment of reform, which would defer the great consummation they so earnestly desired. (Cheers.) Mr. BRYSON said the motion was very good, but it did not go far enough. He moved an amendment in favour of unisersal suffrage, annual parliaments, and payment of members. . . Mr. MANCE seconded the amendment, and charged Mr. D'Eyncourt with neglecting his duty to the electors, because he had refused to support certain points of the charter. I•he amendment wu then put, hut not above a score of hands were held up in its flavour. The original motion was then put and carried amidst loud cheering. Mr. WEIIIIER moved—" That this meeting, viewing with deep regret the sudden advent to power of a party who have hitherto been the avowed enemies of progress, and the advocates of the unrighteous tax upon food, calls upon the friends of humanity in a determined manner to resist, by every constitutional means, any attempt to reim pose a bread tax." Mr. TOWNSEND seconded the resolution. • Mr. LOCKS 'LINO. M.P., said he had not attended the meeting under the idea of a dissolution being at hand, for he knew better than to cringe in that way, but to learn the sentiments of the people on the subject of reform, (Hear.) It should be remembered that the liberal meat bon scarcely mustered 100 in parliament. Surrey, with its half-a-million of inhabitants, had only seven members ; and of those, six (the member for Reigate only being the exception) invariably voted for liberal measures. (Cheers.) The counties of Wilts and Dorset, with a much smaller population, each returned a larger number of members. Ile thought the liberal members had good ground to com- ' plain of the people not supporting theta ; it was hard work for them to be constantly twitted with being in advance of the country, and being told that the people did not case about reform, their bellies being very well filled. (Hear. hear.) As long as he was iu parliament, he should do all in his power to obtain reform on all essential points at a time of comparative quiet, when there was no very strong agitation. Mr. ALCOCK, M P., said the question of the bread tax was the one now immediately before them. Years ago he had advocated a total free trade in corn, and he had tamer *hanged his mind. (Cheers.) A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. RAILWAY MEETINGS. MIDLAND RAILWAY. Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of this com pany was held at the Railway Station at Derby, Mr. Joan ELIA*, M.P., in the chair. The following is the report of the directors; the state ment of accounts has already appeared in the Daily NM!. The total receipts from traffic fur the half-year ending the 31st of December last, have been 631,982!., showing an lacrosse of 9,9111., as compared with the receipts of the eartveganding period. A comparison with similar items in the half-year ending December, 1850, shows a decrease in n during the lest half-year of 5,7211. ; in parcels, .17,21; in horses, carriages, &c., of 1,0311. ; in cattle, of 2411.; and in the Ashby Canal, of 8191., making a total decrees. of 10,296/. It is gratifying, however, to your, directors to find, that there has been an increase in the re ecipts from merchandise during the same period of 14,232!., and from minerals of 5,974/., making the total increase in these items 20,206!. the proportion which the working .:passe have borne to the traffic receipts during the half year has been 391. ss. per cent., exclusive of rates, taxes, govaraning duty, end the provision for renewal of permanent way, and increase of rolling ,took. The balance available for dividend is 174,1071. The directors recom mend that a dividend (subject to income tax) be declared payable on the Gth of March next, of 1!. 7s. Bd. upon each 100!. Midland consolidated stock ; 135., lad upon each 1001. Birmingham and Derby consolidated stock; 3/. upon each 1001. consolidated preferential stock ; 11. 10s. upon each Erewash Valley share ; lc 6d. upon each share of 16!. 13a. 4d. (late 501. shares) being 6 months' dividend upon U. 13s. 4d., and 3 months' upon 31.63.8 d. at 41 per cent, per annum, leaving a balance of 30,9531. to be carried to the account of the next half-year. The continued decrease in the coaching traffic of the company is cause of much con cern to your directors. They alluded to the subject in their last report, and the reason there assigned, viz: the cow petition of the Great Northern and other comrades, and the diversion of traffic from its usual channels diming the time the Great Exhibition was open, remained in loess the former during the whole, nod the latter daring a greater part of the last half-year. The Meow in the expenditure will attract the notice of the shareholders. The iocresacd traffic in goods and minerals during the half-year has required additional accommoda tion and considerable altcrauona at stations and sidings, a large portion of the cost of which has been placed to re venue, and has, therefore, materially augmented the amount of the last, as compared with the preceding half-year, wider the head of alterations andeepairs of stations. The iacrease of expenditure in the locomotive, coaching, and merchan dise departments has arisen chiefly from the great number of excursion trains which it was necessary to run during the time the Great Exhibition was open, and from the addi- Wesel mileage of trains consequent upon your largely aug 'wanted and increasing traffic in goods and minerals. The Nem of compensation for sceidrnta and losses is also un wally large, being nearly 6,0001. in excess of the corre- now:ling ball-year. Mr. Barlow reports that, with the ex ception of the portions about to be relaid, tho railway and works are in good condition. The directors continue to give their attention to the improvements front time to time brought forward in the construction of permanent way. Nine miles of the railway have been relaid upon cast iron sleepers, and two miles with wrought iron rails of Barlow's patent. The cast iron way continues to stand well, and is cheaper to maintain than the ordinary permanent way. The wrought iron, however, is of greater strength, is morn simple in its construction, and considerably cheaper in first cost than either the cast iron or that is ordinary use. Your directors entertain a favourable opinion of this mode of construction, but await the result of further experience before adopting exclusively either this or any other form of permanent way. Mr. Kirticy reports that, during the six months ending December last, the rolling stock of the company has been maintained in good working order, and that in addition to the ordinary repaire and re newels, four new engines, seven break vans, one hone-box, , and sixty waggon*, have been made at the coat of revenue, to replace old and worn-out stock; and that thirteen new engines and tenders, thirteen break vans, and 175 waggons, have been received in respect of the reeolution sanc tioned by the proprietors in February last, which directed one-half to be charged to revenue, and one-half to capital. The mileage of trains during the half year has been 2,660,412 miles as compared with 2,359,9. W for the cor. responding period, being an increase of 300,186 miles ; the coat per mile has been 8.39 as against 9.06 for the same pe riod ; and the weight of goods and minerals carried has been 1,824,858 tons, es against 1,374,018, showing an hi m*** upon the half year of 260,610 tons. klotwithstand lag the additions which have from time to time been made to the rolling stock, the supply of waggons is still unequal to the demand ; and your general manager has been obliged to reftise traffic from not having adequate wane at kisdisposal for its conveyance. Your directors, therefore, have thought it their duty to order the construc tion of 615 additional waggons at • cost of 31,956/. Mr. Kirtle, states that the number of passengers and goods en gines is not sufficient for the mileage run ; this, with the greatly extended traffic in goods sad minerals, has caused the engines to be overworked, and that it is impossible to maintain economy and efficiency with an overworked stock. The directors have also entered into further large contra. ts for the conveyance of coal for London and its neighbeur hood , so that notwithstanding seven of the engines ordered in 1650 have yet to be delivered, an addition of 20goods engines and 10 passenger engines, of large dimensions, are still necessary for the economical and efficient working of the traffic. The cost of the goods engines and tenders will be 45,6001., and the cost of the passenger engines about 22,0001.—t0ta1, 67,4001. The payment for the waggons and goods engines clearly belongs to capital, being required in consequence of the large increase in goods and mineral traffic; but as the coaching traffic pimiento no inert. ise, although the number of mile, run has largely increased, the directors recommend that the cost of the passenger engines he charged to revenue; and, to provide for the payment of them, they propose to continue the amount of 12,5001. per annum now set aside from revenue fur the in crease of rolling stock to Midsummer, 1/456, by which time the payment for the engines formerly ordered, and those now to be ordered, will have been liquidated. A reference to the first page of the printed statement of accounts, will show the progress which has been made, in closing the capital account, 95,0111. having been paid during the half year, leaving the eatim deal liabilities end further outlay as sanctioned by the proprietors, at 205,951/. The directors bad hoped to have proceeded more rapidly with the closing of this account, but they have felt it their duty in the protection of your inte-rests, to resist many of the claims brought against the company, and the result of the arbitrations hitherto completed, has fully justified them in the Course which they have adopted. In reference to the competition of the Great Northeast Railway Company with the London end North Western And Midland Commode., the shareholders arc aware that the division of traffic lie tween six towns—viz., York, Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, Doncaster, and Lincoln, with London, was left, by coneent of all the partici interested, to the arbitration of Mr. Glad stone. Though this reference was not upon such an ex tended basis as originally proposed, and though the award does not provide for many cases of competition, the directors are desirous of carrying it bete effect; the solicitors have accordingly been instructed to put the same into a legal and binding shape. Negotiations arc still pending with the Great Northern Company, and the direc tors hope for a settlement of the remaining points in dis pute. The position of the Midland Railway Company with regard to surrounding railways, has had the anxious attention of the directors during the half-year. It ap peared to them, and their opinion remains unchanged, that it is essential for your interests, that this company should be permanently identified with some company having a line to and terminus in London. Impressed with this view, they have had repeated meetings with the directors of the London and North Western Company to endeavour to agree upon terms for an anWeamation of the two under takings; this, however, has nut been found practicable, the terms proposed being ouch as your direet.rs could not re commend the shareholders to accept ; a proposition, how ever, has been received from the directors of the London and North Western Company, for the improvement of the existing traffic agreement, and fur the permanent use of the railway between Rugby and London, and of a portion of the offices in London. The proposition is now under consideration, and a committee of directors has been ap pointed by each company, to discuss the subject. The di rectors, in conjunction with those of the London and North Western Compauy, have negotiated with the directors of the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland Junction Company,for the working of that line and the Cross ford Canal. The proposed agreement is for 19 years, and the rent to be seam equal to 24 per cent. upon their called up capital of 421,3901., and the interest upon the capital of the canal, not exceeding 110,0001. Your director, have also negotiated an arrangement with the directors of the North Western Com pany for working that line hetaeen Skipton, Lancaster, and Poulton. A reference to the map will show that it is • legitimate extension of the Midland Railway to the Coast of Morecambe Bay. The arrangement will give great facili ties for your traffic to the Lakes of Cumberland end West moreland, and the west of Scotland, by a junction with the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway, at Lancaster ; and by means of the steamboats plying In tween Poulton and Belfast, a large and increasing traffic may be obtained from the north of Ire land, and carried over a considerable portion of the Midland railway. The term proposed is for 21 years, commencing upon the sth of April next, and the rent to be one-half of the gross receipts, until the same shall exceed 52,0001. per annum, in which case two-thirds of the excess beyond that amount is to be handed over to the North Western Com pany. A meeting of the shareholders of the North West ern Company is convened for the 26th instant, for the con sideration and, if approved, the adoption of this arrange ment. Your directors are agreed as to the advantages which will accrue to both companies from its adoption, and they hope the agreement will be approved unanimously. In confermity with the resolution aseed at the last half. yearly meeting, the land required for the construction of the Gloucester and Stonehouse branch has been purchase( d, and the directors have now to ask you fur authority to con struct it, anti to complete the narrow gauge to Bristol. 'The inconvenience, delay, and loss by the break of gauge at Gloucester, is so great that the directors have no hesitation in recommending you to proceed with the construction of the line, anti completion of the narrow gauge to Bristol. The branch is about 7 miles in length, and the estimated cost, including the laying of the narrow gauge between Standish and Bristol, is 130,000/. The company has not any bill before parliament this session, but hills are pro moted by other companies, which will require great vigi lance on the part of the directors, for the protection of your interest." The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said it would have been much more gratifying to himself and his fellow-directors as a board if they had been able to lay before the meeting a more flourishing balance sheet, but if the proprietors would take into consideration that at the last half-yearly meeting they had to report a deticieucy of compared with the corresponding half in the previous year; whereas: this half-year they hail an excess of 10,0001. over its predecessor, they hail, at least he thought so, more for congratulation than at first appeared. (Hear.) His predic tions at the last meeting relative to the result of the Great Exhibition had been fully . verified; he admitted that he had in the first instance been mistaken as to what might be expected fella that source ; but the result was that the low fares at which they had to carry passen gers, together with the comparatively small space of ground travelled over the Midland lines, made the Exhibition any thing but profitable to this company. (Hear.) Moreover, it had destroyed their ordinary excursion traffic, which when they had full trains was very profitable. Moreover, their reeler internal traffic wasinjured during the time the Exhibition was open, for, by one sort of scheming or another, people went about their ordinary business by the cheap trains—stopping any where and at any station—so that the loss to the Midland Company was very considerable. (Hear.) Still they had something substantial now for con gratulation • their traffic for the current hall-year was already 5,6001. a head of that of 18.11 ; and he was happy to say that having just seen the returns for the last week, it was Ufa. more than was received last year. (Ap plause.) At the last hallyearly meeting he had felt it his duty to tell the proprietary how much the Midland Railway had been robbed of its traffic ; in fact, it had been despoiled of its passenger traffic to an enormous extent, but he be lieved the worst was over, and that in future their revenue would gradually increase. (Hear.) With reference to the negotiations which had been going on with the London and North Western Company, lie had no objection to state the terms proposed. (Hear.) There was an offer on both sides: that board asked sixty-hundredths—that was 31. for every 61. paid by the London and North Western Company; that company offered the Midland 675. Gd for may hun dredth, so that there was only half-a crown difference be -1 tween them. Still this board could not recommend the shareholders to accept that offer; they believed that the competition of this line was over, whilst that of the London and North Western was to come. (Hear.) Therefore they had parted good friends. He, for one, believed that the true policy of the Midland company was to remain quiet for a while, take care of themselves, and before very long they would fiud themselves in a safe position. (Wear, hear.) Nego tiations were still going on, by which it was proposed that this company should run through to London on certain terms : indeed in every respect they were on an amicable footing with the North Western Company. (Applause.) After referring to one or two unimportant matters, the hiss, gentleman said that to make the line from Gloucester to Stonehouve branch, and lay down the narrow gauge within the broad, for 7 miles, to Bristol, was of the utmost import ance—to that propo-al the directors now asked the sanctioner the proprietary. It wu proposed to raisq the money for the purpose by the sale of certain shares in the hands of the company, which they could now do at a profit. (Hear.) Mr. Ellis concluded by formally submitting his motion for the adoption of the r. port. Mr. BEALE, the deputy-chairman, seconded it. Mr. CARBULT, of Leeds, a director, explained that the I new alliance which had been entered into between the little North Western and the Midland, would be found to be advantageous to both companies ; the term was for nine teen yean, and a faiier arrangement never bad been made. The nature of it was simply this. Tho receipts of the North Western amounted to about 31,0001. annually; the interest on their bonded debt and preference shares was about 16,0001. Now, the Midland Company hail agreed to work the line sod keep the permanent way, giving the North Western Company .50 per cent. upon the receipts up to 62,0001. ; thereafter tho last-named company are to receive two-thirds of the receipts beyond, and the Midland Com pany the remaining one third. Mr. IRONSIDE, of Sheffield, put various questions to the chairman on the subject of the accounte, which having been satisfactorily answered, the hon. proprietor next referred to the state of the engines; he said that it year end a half IV they were declared to be in an effective working ante; they hail hail some thirty new engines since, and now it was notorious that the Midland engines were the wor-t in the kingdom ; it was a common thing with the porters, if a North Staffordshire train started after the Midland, to caution the guard not to tun over the Mid land trains. (Roars of laughter.) Mr. PAGET, a director, entered into statisticai capitula tions on this subject in reply : these were apparently to the satisfaction of the ptoprietary. The report was then put and adopted unanimoubly, am were the usual attendant resolutions relating to the diti dends. The directors wore also, by another rote, empowelod to construct the Stonehouse branch, and to carry the narrow gauge down to Bristol. The retiring directors were re-elected: Mr. E,lward Baku was cominsted by Mr. bonside, in the place of Mr. Holdsworth, but Mr. Bains declined to serve; the motion was accordingly withdrawn. Mr. Cripps, of Manchester, was re-elected auditor of the company, ou the nomination of the audit committee. The proceedings soon after terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman and board of directors, moved by Mr. S. W. Lucas, of Birmingham, and carried by ac clamation. lIANCHESTEIt,SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLN- 611 IRE RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the Exchange, Manchester, yesterday. The Earl if YAUBOI4OIIOII presided. The CHAIRMAN remarked that his anticipation of an increase of traffic up to 7,0001. a week, during the half year, had been verified by the result. There was an in crease in the receipts of 20,5171. over the corresponding period of last year, and at an expenditure of only 6,757/. Taking the year, as compared with the year in which the committee of investigation reported, the receipts showed an inereaee of 78,619/. This was very g as showing a progressive increase in the traffic, notwithstanding the deficiency in carrying stock. They were particularly short of coal waggons, and waggons fur the hi elder mer chandise. In his own neighbourhood, the farmers had been obliged to 'tend their corn by water, havin e been unable to get waggons to carry it. The directors were afraid this might hapeen, but they had not felt themselves justified in increasing the rolling stock until they were thoroughly convinced that the intt rests of the shareholders would be suffering in consequence of being obliged to refuses traffic. As he hat anticipated, the Great Exhibition had had the effect of diminishing the pleasure traffic over the line during the lust half-year. The continued distress iu the agricultural districts would at once account fur the reenters and their families not travelling to the some extent as might otherwise have been the cow. 'the works of the Altrineham and Warrington line had been commenced, and he had no doubt when it was completed there would be a considerable increase in the traffic at this company from that district. The working expenses of this company com pared favourably with those of other lines, haling amounted, during the last half-year, on 1,119,196 miles travelled, to 6id. per mile; whilst on the York and North Midland they had been 7111., and on the Great Northern 6.681. Owing to their deficiency of carrying stuck the cnmpany had iwen put to greater working expo floe than would otherwise have been the case. The directors had found great difficulty in dealing with the coal traffic. The company had leen short of waggons, but they hod also often been short of coals. The directors hod been hoping for some time past that the coalownery in the neigh bourhood of the lime would see the advantages resulting from the opening of new markets, and would have made branches from their cilieries to establish a communication with those districts which would then lie open to them. But this had not been done, and the directors had come to the conclusion that, to get a really remunerative traffic in coall, they must apply to parliament fur power to reeks those coal branches, which, however, should nut be cons strneted before satisfactory arrangements had been ell'ected with the enalowuers, eo as to ensure to the company a sup ply of coals at a remunerative price. 'the traffic on this lino hawing now reached definer. per neck, a larger rolling stuck would be necessary, and the directors had been obliged to order it. They could not possibly anti cipate the increase of traffic which this line ought to ex perience when the Grimsby docks were opened, unless they had more power to carry traffic over the line. The melting of the Barnsley branch the directors had decide.' to let by contract, instead of proceeding with it themselves. The additional rolling stuck that would be required would pro bably involve an expenditure of 115,061. The expense of extending the Glossop station would amount to 3,500/. , the Barnsley brenelt was tstintati d to cast 63,0e01. • and the other coal branches would probably cost 63,0601. Tho director, felt that it would he very desirable for the com pany's interest that they should treat with the crown fur the purchase of the Crown Reserve at Grimsby, which would probably be required fur warehouses and other works con nected with the docks. 'there was an amount mentioned in the report of 29.1,000/. expended at the Oriineby docks, of which 75,0001. had been left. The directors did not feel that they should be taking a wise course if 'they did not calculate for contineenries, and they had put down 34,000!. for additional works that might be required at Grimsby. Deducting 233,34 et. already accounted for, that left a deficier.cy of 10.1 9271. There was an excess is law bills of and an excess in land expences of 27,00014 besides additional laud ex , penees at Grimsby, amounting to 15,0001., in convequenea of the company haring had to defend itself against toe Ile ' sign of the Great Northern Company to purchase a piece of land in the centre of the works at Great Grimsby. The interest on unproductive capital amounted to 248,0001., and 80,500 r. would have to he expended fur additional works to complete stations, which were rendered necessary by the extension of the traffic. Tho total of these sums amounted to 657,361'. The permanent way and the rolling stock of the company were in excellent order. The second tunnel at Woodbead had beer, completed. There were some large accounts duo to this company front the Great Northern com pany, the Midland company, and the Post-office, which were still unsettled. Ile telly expected that before the next half yearly meeting the auditors would have no reason to refer to the accounts being in armee. Ile concluded by moving the adoption of the report. After some discussion, in which Mr. Peto strongly condemned the continuance of the Chancery proceedings for the recovery of the Humber Ferry purchase -meaty, commenced at the directon of the shareholders, the repert was submitted and carried with only five dissentients. The CHAIRMAN moved a dividend after the rate of 6 pm cent. on the 61. preference shares, puyahle on the Ist of ,larch; 76 per cent. on the No. 1 Quarter shares; and 21. 61. per share on the 101. preference shares. Mr. TURNER seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. . . . . The CHAIRMAN moved that the retiring directors — Mr. Chapman Mr. Charles Turner, Mr. tieach, and Mr. Yeto—be re-e lected to the board. Some personal attacks were made upon the gentlemen named by Mr. Bradshaw and other shareholders, but they were met by a perfect storm of hisses. Mr. PEJO, without replying to the attacks further than to say that he had become a director at their own invitation, reiterated the opinion he had formerly given, that when the Grimsby Docks were open the traffic of the line would be equal to 10,000 f., and their dividend 3 per cent. • but it must be by placing in the hands of the directors the means of developieg the traffic of the lino and of the ducks. As chairman of tho Norfolk line, ha could speak of what it was possible to effect in this way. When that company took Lowestoft Harbour the tonnage amounted to only 26,000 toes. Last year it had amounted to 137,900 tons, and the amount of traffic brought on the line from it was 32,700'. How had that been done. It had been, and could only have been, done through great exertion on the part of the directors, and if this company was to de rive any benefit from the Grimsby Docks, it must be done by similar means. They mud not expect that, directly the dock gates were opened, vessels would begin to come in, and traffic to flow in, of themselves ; but, if proper exertions were made, his conviction was as strong as ever that the docks would become of great advantage, and that a reason able dividend might be secured upon their property. (Ap plause. The motion was carried. if; L. S impson Ij;;;;elected auditor of the company. The meeting was then resolved into a special meeting to sanction a bill to increase, the borrowing powers of the com pany, and albo to authorise the making of certain coal branches. Mr. TURNER moved that the sanction of the proprie tors be given to the bill, and, after some eaplanation, the motion was agreed to. SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. Yesterday the meeting, adjourned from the previ ous Wednesday, for the purpose of receiving Mr. Lloyd's decision u to the election of directors, took place at the Nine Elms station. . . • Mr. SMITH, on taking the chair, was proceeding to declare the result of the poll, when a proprietor objected that the proceedings were illegal, on the ground that the chairman had not presided at the polling, as required by the act of parliament. The chairman, however, declared the board had acted under legal advice, and crnitinued his statement from the assessor's report. The result would be the same as had been stated on the previous Wednesday, though there was tome difference in the numbers. The use,- war had decided that the objections ou both aides were well founded. The number of votes struck off at the instance of Mr. Serjeant Oaselee's party was 370, and at the instance of the other side 14. So reduced, the numbers stood :—For Mr. Reed, 14,303; Mr. Scott, 14,227, Mr. Lacy, 13,730; Mr. Mortimer, 13,472; Mr. Serjeant Gamier, 13,414; Mr. Helps, 1',985. lie therefore declared the first threenamed gentlemen (the old directors) duly elected. (Hear, hear.) The number of persons who toted for Messrs. Help, Game lee, and Mortimer, was 58: the number represented by prolies, 889; or 947 in all, representing 2,195,0001. stock. (Hear, hear.) For the old directors, Messrs. Scott, Lacy, and Reed, the number who voted, either in proxy or in person, was 63. M, representing 3,112,4911. stock ; the majo rity of stock being 916,67 W. in favour of Messrs. Scott, Lary, and Reed ; end of persons, 1116 in favour of Messrs. Gimlet., Helps, and Mortimer. (Hear.) He wished further to say that the directors regarded this result as an indication that from some cause or other there was a desire on the part of a largo majority of the proprietary that there should be what was called an infusion of new blood in the direction. (Hear, hear.) It might on the either hand be urged, that if the same activity had been shown by the directors to secure votes as hail bnm exhibited on the other side, the result might have been different ; but be that as it might, the hoard were willing to recognise the opinion of the pro prietary ns indicated by their votes, and to meet their wishes frankly and fairly, as far as they could do an without inconvenience and with a due regard to the interests of the company. (hear, hear.) With this view, it was their in tention to give notice, not later shag June neat, that then would be two vacancies made in .„'rie board, to be filled up by the proprietors at the in.st general meeting, the two retiring direetorr not be ins eligible. for re-election. Mr. Lover thought it, siould be left to the proprietors to say who were to go eat. The re-elected directors and the unsuccessful candidates having addressed the meeting, the proceedings terminated. COMPLETION OF TUE ELECTRIC TELF.ORAPII TO rlATlL—Yesterday, the telegraph between Paddington and Bath having been completed, communications were inter changed between Lothbury and " the fair sity" for the first time. , ( • k N ~ rr. `,. wi 1~ ~ I