The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-07-11 00:00:00

I am,
Your faithful and obliged Servant,
J. S. W. SAWBRIDGE ERLE DRAM
Charborough Park, June 21st, 1865.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OP

POOLE.

Gsirresserr,
A S a dissolution of Parliament may now be
ca. considered imminent, I lose no time in iiiforming
you that it is my intention again to solicit the honour of
representing you in Parliament.
We have pawed through a most eventful period during
the last six years. Scarcely a country in the civilised
world has been spared the horrors of war, or the severer
trials of internal dissension, while we, by the blessing
of Providence, have enjoyee unvarying prosperity---hav•
largely increased our resources, and have found leisure
for many measures of domestic improvement.
The French treaty, passed at the commencement of
the unhappy war in America, to a great extent neu-
tralized the baneful effects of the latter on our com-
merce, and drew tighter the bends of friendship with
that great people on the other side of the Channel,
whom, from natural enemies, we have converted into
natural allies.
If I mistake not, the full effects of that treaty are
yet undeveloped, and there are few towns better situated
ultiraately to profit by it than your own ancient Port.
The Act for the Improvement of Harbours was in-
tended to assist the numerous small ports on our ;meat,
in introducing the improvements required for protecting
the lives of our brave Seamen, and admitting a larger
ohms of Shipping; and I trust that your own authorities
I, may find this Act useful for carrying out the works so
wisely commenced.
The Companies' Act of 1862, extending the principle
of limited liabilty in commercial enterprixis, is another
most important enactment, fraught I believe with un-
told advantages to those of small capital. By facilitating
the union of persons of moderate menus in commercial
enterprises, it creates an equipoise to the vast 11111,884,8 of
wealth which of late years have been accumulating in a
few hands, and renders more iniependent the position
of the middle and humbler classes.
The Government Annuities Act will likewise have a
most beneficial effect, affording a security for the savings
of the humbler classes of the community.
Lastly, the Union Chargeability Bill, which will
shortly I hope be passed into • law, is of the utmost
Importance to a town like Poole, burdeeed with heavy
rates, and is only an act of justice in compelling those
to support the laborer, vete, prefit by his aervioev.
In the above brief euurneia•ien of a very small
porthin of the hibours of the Parliament now about to
be diss .1v d, I have simply erleotrd such Acts as bear
upon th social well-being of the p ople, because I
believe that the more weals is equally diffused, the
more the glaring inequality between extreme poverty
and extreme wealth is reinediei ; the min.,: all cl it es
will be knit to:Tether, and a ecilmion be found for tho e
difficult political questions which are yet unsettled ; the
greater also will he the strength of Regis:id. And here
let ine remind you, that while six years ago there was a
French panic, and we het barely one email army to
defend our unfortified coast, we have now, in additicn
to a greatly improved regular Army, an auxiliary force
of gallant Volunteers, all supplied with the most
effective weapons, and animated with the most loyal
and enthusiastic spirit. We have also our gallant Naval
reserve ; our Merchant service so far organised sa to fit
it in time of need to afford the most important services;
our Arsenals in course of defence, a fleet of iron-dads
called into existence, and docks making for their use'
jo
while such a series of in-provemente in and smell
arms have been carried out, that if in this respect we
have not arrived at perfection, we are at any rate un-
surpassed by any other Country.
But while I mention what has been done, I must not
omit to notice what has been left undone; many im-
rtant questions remain unsettled which ought not to
be delayed.
I believe that I agree with the great body of my Con-
stituents in wishing to see an extension of the suffrage,
while I yield to none in my high appreciation of the
existing institutions of our Country, and my belief that
we live ander the most successful government that has
ever existed in any age or among any people. I feel,
however, that the greater number of our educated
fellow-countrymen that we can admit to a direct share
of the elective franchise, the surer the basis of our
institutions- and that some means must be found, (as
is admitted by both parties in the state,) to confer upon
an increased number of the working classes the privilege
of the suffrage.
I think this question, of such prenminent importance,
should occupy the early attention of the new Parlia-
ment ; and in this CAW, I should be guided as to the
measure I should think it my duty to support, by the
general views of the liberal party, and the light which
will probably be thrown on a most difficult question by
discussing in Parliament and out of Parliament during
the coming year.
Another question, which I much regret has not been
settled, is that of Church-rates. I have always been
favourable to their abolition, which I believe would be
equally advantageous to the Churchmun and the Dis-
senter.
In conclusion, I beg whilst apologizing for the length
at which I have addressed you, to thank you most Cor-
dially for past confidence, and should you think proper
to renew that confidence by again returning me as your
Representative, your local interests will continue to have
my best attention, and I shall continue to follow the
same political eourse which I have now, for many years,
endeavoured consistently to pursue.
I have the honour hobo,
Glestkuusn,
Your faithful servant,
11E511tY D. WYMOUB...
Tram, Jane 22nd, 1865.