The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-10-27 00:00:00

, District Netts.
..__:—....--
THE REPRESENTATION OF
DORCHESTER.

have already espladead is established on • different
foniadetion from the Church of Nogissdri
. o
ch
lbs
the
ea it le not the Chum* ti I 1:d
people- in order to effect • true u s nit
of
and Ireland. I say that surifice, though
someus may regret it, Moot the less neceseary end desirable
_(shmael). Bet no man has • right to say, becalms
slaps foto. wootheta
vuhpnlicym,ooutaidmer?:.otoheorr;:buoure oofbLtdoeforeemin-
•coieowroft.. therefore foooire"wrfeedblayvooe
todsdoiLneo,
aela the Wat
ohtbutoo• Hagmlst
'net the Liberal party in that raspy* lam told by
• great many people that the Liberal party WO desirous
of re-eitehlishing the Pope--(lsughter and cheers)—
that Mr. Gladstone wishes to bring back the Pope and
Cardinals I But, really, geutlensen, I feel that it is
beneath us seriously to treat such statements—
(applause). The best answer I can give to the allega-
tion is that he Liberal party numbers in its ranks those
who, while they do not belong to the established church,
are most worthy and excellent Protestants ; for
Instance, I don't suppose that you believe that my friend
Mr. Vernon hue secret and guilty intention of bringing
hack the Pope amongst you—(cries of "No, no.
laughter, and cheers). All loan say is, that! hope the
Pope hu s iste better prospect than that, or he will be
very badly off —(cheers). I will not go much further
into this matter, for the difficulty I feel is to under-
stand the cause of the alarm which is certainly enter-
tained by some persons in this town. It is an sham I
was rather surprised on visiting some of my
friends in I)ere-hester to hem expressed at al. I can
only repeat that I believe the propmition which has
been made by the Lahore] patty, and which I have no
manner of doubt will be law before next year is over
(cheers, cries of "no, no," "yes, yes" and uproar) is an
honest policy, and is, I firmly believe, better calculated
to effect the object we all have in view—to regain
the effectien of oar Irish fellow subjects—than
any other policy which can be brought forward
(mies of "no no," cheers, and hisses). A gentleman
says 'no ;" but I should like to ask him what other
policy woukl answer the purpose equally will ? (cheers
and laughler)—and I her to remark that the present
Ministry, who have proposed • great many things
which they have afterwards abandoned or
altogether altered (laughter and applause, ant
"They will change again yet")—have not proposed
any alternative to that suggested by Mr. Gist-
stone and adopted by the Liberal party—(appleuse).
Now mane ol you have • greet idea that the frith Church
may be reformed, and it. abuses got rid of —(hear, bear).
I am glad to find somebody is of that opinion. Let
no go into that question for • minute, because it Is
very easy to deg with it. The gentlemen wishes to
see the Irish church reformed; what is the position
of the Irish church! Ido not wish to speak at all
disrespeetfully of it, because its members taken indi-
viduallyare just as much to be revealed and revered se the
members of our own charch—(applausa)—but in what
I am going to say I speak of them u constituting an
establishment. Without wishin; to be disrkspectful, I
must say that the Irish clergy are in the position of being
• great many cats with • very few mice—(laughter).
The established church population in Ireland, which I
repeat, includes all the nondescripts, or those who do
not belong to anything in particular, amounts only to
700,000 ; and, if we take the poorer classes, for whom •
state church is more particularly intended, as they are
supposed lobe unable to pay for • church and its minis.
trations, the poor members of the established chureh in
Ireland only form one in thirty of the populetion--IIP•
plume and uproar). I think, therefore, we are warranted
In asking those who my they want to reform the Irish
Church, " What do you mean! and what do you
propose? You have got more clergymen than you
require for the work they have to do—that is
the English of the matter —and they ore paid much
higher on the average than the clergy in England: what
,do you intend to do with them? Unless you psi more
mice, you csnnet employ the cats—you have gola buil
I nanabet of clergy with literally nothing to do—l 11•111
speaking of them as a body—)applause). How can you
reform tic Irish Church, unless you dissielsh
their numVer!" But, if you do redeem them, you
well bays a Mill miller dime), and what I. lobe dom
with the money obtained by such reduction? You
, eerily don't propose to increase their already overlarge
seleriee. l'he =titer is brought to this—to reform the
church youlwould reduce the number' of the clergy,
sad it would have to go on to such an extent that the
Irish church to be talked of as • national church would
be an absurdity—(cheers). Besides, there would be no
end of diffioulties of detail, with which I need not
trouble you. Men who have most closely studied the
matter, and who have no desire to injure the church of
this country, have come to the conclusion that the only
practical and equitable mode of dealing with the matter
Is to dispense with the establishment altogether as •
state church, and carry out the policy which I have
Indicated to you, with • view to conciliating and bring-
ing beck the affections of our Irish fellow subjrate--
(applause, cries of "No, no," "Shove it into 'em," "Let tan have it, "Turn 'em out, sir"). In my address I
say "1 am of opinion that the whole expenditure of
of the country requires careful revision, with a view to
wholeeome economy arid consequent reduction of tax-
ation." I don't suppose there is any great difference of
opinion amongst us on that point. There is no doubt
whatever, that the expenditure of the country has sie•y
much increased daring the last two or three years, sod
has no increased for • very intelligible reason, viz., the
Conservative Ministers has been ii. power, and has had
so weak a following in Parliament that it has been quite
incapable of resisting the pressure of local application—
(uproar, cheers, and eounter cheers). We know perfectly
well that • Ministry in office on sufferance, has not the
firmness and power to resist what may appear et first
sight, a feasible proposal, as a strong Government has—
(applause). Thera are always members desirous of
haviug It certain expenditere made. Mr. Brown, who
represersta • borough in the South of England, is atrongly
of epirtion that it is very desirable • good deal of money
should be laid wet in that particular locality; and some-
body else thinks it is equally desirable that his particular
neighbourhood should be advantaged; sail, where every
vote is of coneemenee to a Ministry, it is very difficult
for them to Mr DO to snob proposals. The result has
been, as was very clearly shown the other day by
Mr. Gledst. nr —whose familiarity with matters of
finance I don't think any gentleman will dispute, what.
ever he may th.nk uf the right hon. gentlemau's politics,
for he is unquestionably the first financier of the day—
(cheers)—this locreased expenditure. Mr. Gladstone,
who, before Christians, will be as certainly Prime
inbter as that the stand hers—(sr es of" No no," hisses,
and cheer.) • has, therefore, the lull and heavy respond.
hilities of Wilte before him, and will be very careful not
lightly to toake promises which it is gait certain be
will immediately be called on to fiulfil—(tha lame). He
tells us clearly and d stinct!ythit he is prepared to tarry
oat the economy wiich he sees to be necessary and
practicable, and welch all the Liberals desire to see
effected ; and I believe that there is no man so capable
of effecting that economy as Mr. Gladstone, or so
thoroughly to be trusted on such • subject.—(oheers and
hieses). Those who ere of my opinion, that the ex peoili-
tare of the country is much higher than it ousht lobe,
can look for no finer prospect for • redaction of the
expenditure than In the advent of Mr. Gladstone to
office—(applause)—an dfair, which I must, I consider
quite oert sin—(chet rs). The next topic in my address
is one upon which I cannot imagine there will be any
difference of opinion amorgat us, although it is a subject
particularly belonging to the Liberal party, I meth the
advancement of education among the poorer people—
(applause). I can only say this, that where • man who
can neither read nor write is no• worth 12s. • week,
when he is educated he will be worth 20e.—(applause).
I can hardly imagine any one would oppose • policy
which has for its object to enable every poor man to
have his children educated at snob • charge as is
completely within his means—(applause and • voice
"Hear, hear, I hove got • large family)." The
encouragement of kindly and tolerant relations between
all classes of Protestants has long been an ertiele in the
creed of the Liberal party. As a member of the
established church of England I have the greatest respect
for our fellow Protestants of every demonimiation. and
we may differ on ' ' '

SWUM, and
'-wr. there lON

For some weeks past there have been rumours of a
Liberal candidate for Dorchester, and on Friday morning
an address was issued to the "free and independent"
electors, by Mr. Francis Somerville Head, solicit-
ng their suffrages. Mr. Head is the eldest son of
the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bond Head,
Baronet, K.C.11. (who took part in the battle
of Waterloo, when he had his horse twice shot under
him, was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada from
1235 to 183$, and is a Knight of the Guelphio and the
Prussian Order of Merit). The hon. candidate was in
the East India Company's Service from 1835 to 1813,
and is • magistrate for Surrey. The Hon. Lady
Head's aster was married to the late most Rev. Canon
Di:by, and was the mother of Charles Wriotbesley
Digby, EN., of /Reale/id, in this county, to whom
therefore Mr. Head is first eosin. Ile isommeeemli his
geneses on Friday morning, accompanied by Mr. M. f"
Weston, Mr. W. Vernon, Mr. Toose, act A handbill
issue..l at mid-day stating that Mr. Head would be
glad to meet any of the electors at the Corn Exchange
In the evening, and the Merl-Woe was very numerously
ded to for shortly after the meeting commenced
rho. n
large room. was thronged, and contained Probable
newly a thousand persons. There was a good deal of
excitement manifested during the meeting, the Liberals
(Mooring vociferously the new candidate, and the friends
of Colonel Start being very demonstrative in his
Savour. Mr. F. S. Heed appeared in the trailer/
with Mr. W. Vernon, Mr. M. laevenish, Mr.
Weston, Mr. Grows, Mr. F. Bennett, li., and was
greeted with much cheering.
Mr. Heart addressed the meeting as follows: Gentle-
men,-1 feel that the )first words I ought to 'adroit!' to
you are to thank you for coming here this evening, in
spite of the efin and other disadvantages, to give me an
opportunity ildaddliasing , I have to-dar made the
acquaintance jot good many of yea, bat there
are many others I have yet to we, and whose support I
ant 111/1101111 to obtain- (applause). I hope that most of
you have reed the address I took the liberty of Issuing
this morninr. That will have acquainted you generally
with the principles I come here to advocate, and for
which I hope to obtain your support—(applause). Those
principles belong to that party which for the last
"I years has ruled the destinies of this great country,
and to whom may be attributed most of those Improve-
ments—l may say. indeed, all of them—in the legis-
lation affecting commerce, the removal of restrictions
of various kinds upon interests which were confined
and injured by them, and that general policy
which has received the support of the country,
and which has mainly brought us to our
present prosperous condition (sheers). In my
address I have alluded to • few of the
subjects which in the present day are engrossing
public attention. Upon them I have endeavoured
bobs as esplicit as I cao, hut I am glad to have the
opportunity to-night of saying a little more in
detail. The first topic to which I refer
is the retirement of your esteemed member, Mr.
Sheridan ; I am quite certain that most of you,
U not all, regret his retirement; and I need
not tell youl that if he bail not retired I
should not stand here. As he is no longer a candidate
I offer myself to supply his plae•—(applettse)—and to
represent those Liberal opinions which I know exist
so largely in this borough —(cheers). The next
point is one upon which I am rather euprised
to find—so far as my limited canvau today has
extended—a good deal of misapprehension : I
refer to the proposal regarding the disestablishusent of
the Irish church. I was rather amused I must confess
fe.elo see repo the walls of this town the other day
postures representing the qjo,t complex machinery
winked by Catholic Priests to split up and destroy an
effigy of the English church as part of the con-
sequences of Mr. Gladstone's proposal. I can only any,
that if I thought Mr. Gladstone's proposal wasintended,
or calculated, to injure, or destroy, the English church
I should not be bete to recommend its adoption—
(applause). lam myself a member of the established
church, and I yield to no man in my wish to support it.
I consider the established church in England is • church
whieh is well suited to us in y respects
we have got used to it, we have grown up
In it, and although it is by no means perfect—we ell
know nothing in this world is perfect—with all its faults
—many of which I hope to see before long amended—
on the whole It is a sound Protestant Church, and was
originally formed and intended to represent the general
Protestant feeling of this kingdom—(applause). This
Is a Protestant country; the people got tired of
the Church of Rome, and determined, as many other
countries have done, to get rid of it. It was felt necessary
to have tome other State church, quite as much for
the sake of poor as the rich, and the present church,
as representing the relijous feelings of the general
body of the people, was constructed to take its place
—(applanse). There are many advantages in having an
established church. It rives a tone, gstanding, if I
may so say without offence • respectability to religion
which is desirable and I should be wiry sorry indeed to
emit abolished. desirable,
the first essential of an established
°burgh is that it should be supported by the majority of
the paople of the country .(teer, hear). We
keine that In Englaed there ere me iy other
section. of Protestants for whom I entertain
the profoundest respect—but the English estab-
lished church has • greater number of followers
than any other section of Protestants, and it you desire
—ea I desire—there shall be one church supported by
the State for poor as well as rich to represent
tho religious opinions generally held by the people,
there can be no doubt th at the English Church doe* hold
that position and is entitled to that distinction. I Lave
taken tho opportunity of drawing your attention to this
view of the umtter because you must recollect that in
other coo tries equally Protestant with Euglaud the
Sanaa conditions do not etist. in Scotland many years
ego on attempt was mule to establish the Episcopal
church in that country, but it did not suit the Scotch
people, and they would not have it —(laughter and
applause)—they don't like the particular form of
worship and its accompaniments which characterise the
English church. Consequently, after a considerable
struggle and a good deal of fighting, it was
supplanted by the Presbyterian church which
now exists throughout the greater portion,
Indeed, I may my, the whole of North Britain. The
Presbyterian church was established and is maintained
In accordance with the will of the bulk of the people;
But now let us go to Ireland—what do we find there?
The Irish people have had forced upon them—as all will
admit—contrary to the wishes of the majority of the
people, the Churoh of England; awl [big SOY to remark
that the recommendation and plea for the established
church here, vie, that It is a church coinciding with
the religious opinion of the majority, is altogether
wanting in Ireland—(applause). 'The Episcopal
church is a very good church for England—and
1 again say that I wish to maintain it hire
in all its integrity—but it is my humble
belief, long entertained, and it would be difficult for
anybody to go to Ireland without concuring in nay
opinion, that the English church having been forced upon
the Irish people against their will —(appleuse)
is not only disliked, but is hated, by the maj,rity of
the people in that country—(applause). That being so,
I think the continued maintenance of that church by
the State is a quotion we are fairly entitled to
consider. It is always odious' to attempt forcing
on any body of people a religion with which they
do not agrees—they may be wrone, i.e., wrong according
to your views or mine—bet, still, I think we havens
right to dictate to another or body of people,
what

although we may differ on some minor
awl— points, Ilnow
religior. or what church they shall prefer-- of nothing to prevent the maintenance of tolerant and
(applause), Now I aiu not going to bore you with many kindly feelings between us all. I aui in favour of
figures about Ireland, but, according to the last minus such a pail, and I hope that any little bitterness
00 there are about 7,000 persona who belong to the op a friendly eeling which the remnants of antiquated
Eetabliahed Church in the sister Isle,about 600,000 other legislation hare still allowed to linger may soon be
Protestant., and about 4,500,000 Roman Catholics. It Thwnoeed—(applause). I think that some of the dimen•
must be remembered too that the 700,000 attached to Dona in our own church—which lam sorry to say have
the Episcopal church includes all those who did not become only too notorious'—arise from the want of a
return themselves as belonging to one of the 'dissenting tolerant footing ; and if those gentlemen, who are so
bodies or to the Roman Catholice (laughter). sery anxious to establish what may be called bard and
Therefore, the 700,000 consists of not only those who arbitrary rule" within our own church would look
are actually members of the church, but many others, around them, and recollect that every Masa of Protest.
who may Wellies' nondescript.—(laughter and applause) ants is after all an offshoot of the same faith, that they
This shows that the church of England established in alike believe in the Bible, and lo not believe in the
Ireland is the church of a small minority, and, cones- Pore. I think we should all get on street deal pleasanter
quietly, as a matter of principle, it has not the recoup and better together—(applause). A policy, having that
emendation which our church in this country has, as object in view, will receive my support—(applause).
being the church of the majority —(hear, hear). I now
come to the main point—the reason why the question Tbe direct ratepaying claims in the Reform Act were
saddled upon us by the present Ministry, and I have not
boa been brought forward by the Liberal party at the much doubt they will noon be removed by the Incoming
present moment. The feet of the matter is, and you all men. If you send me to Parliament I shall support
know lt,lreland is in such a condition that we cannot rely the eradication of those clauses from the Reform Bill—
upon it for three months; if we went to war at I (eppleuse). They were insisted upon simply that there
this moment with any nation in the world, I believe,
might be some one thing that the Conservatives had
and it is the general opinion, we should have an out. I
I
not surrendered: they had given way on this point and
break directly in Ireland—(hear, hear). What is the on that, had changed their policy from one thing to
result of that? Ireland instead of being a atrength to another, till, at last, they found very little left of the
us, indeed of being a credit to us, is positively a weak- Bill they had Introduced, but the ratepaying clauses—
"le and • repro —(cheers, and cries of" Who made (laughter and applause)—and more as a point of honour
It nor '• Don't believe it." "Turn him out," and than anything else, the party made • stand for those
Uproar). I merely wish to lay my views before you clauses, and sooner than jeapordise a Reform Bill which
such as they are, and you will have an opportunity at had been "licked" into pretty good shape by the
the poll—(applause)—of showing whether you agree with Liberal party, they were allowed to pass, for it was
me 0, not —lapelatute and dMe pprobation ). I am felt that the Act would require some revision, and that
ender...nudes: to explain and defend the action of the in a Parliament elected by the new constituencies. the
Liberal party on this question, and which seems need- ratepaying clauses would be readily struck end—
lessly to have alarmed many goo., churchmen for whom (apple...), such a proposal would, I feel sum, meet
I have great reapect_iepowa.,_
j and I want to. show
you that in the Present state of Ireland, that country ' your approval—(applainie). In the next plum I say
instead of being ' that every elector is entitled to give his vote without
•u assiatance to us, is a danger. Now, fou• of consequences —(applause). I am sorry to say
you don't like being eased I dare my MOTs than you can that the fear.' have expressed in my address of hostile
sip: lain sure I don't —(elseere and laughter)—but let ' influence has been rather strengthened by the
sae tell you that the present eendition of Ireland obliges ; eperk.ee of my ranvass to-day—(hear, hear). I
us to keep in that countryuncountrya ve.r7
much larger military tolaintain that not only has every 'nen a right to
Lome than we Aoala other se Lave to do. (Et- give a vote, but • right to give it without fear of the
BergeantsMajor Collins said "it was no such thing," consequences; and, if the present law is not sufficient
and kept up a continual "t4nuPti" to the ',Peeler, to protect him we must have some arrangement that
provoking cries of "Turn him out,' Lime. sheer. and wilt—(applause and "we want the ballot.") If you do
oosentereheers). If the policy advocated by e,he uharai
me the honour to give me your support, and place me,
party has the effect which we all hope and feel eonfident where Iho I shall be, at the head of the poll—
lt will have, via., laying the foundation for the per.
(cheers, and cries riese of "head," "tail," kn.) I can only
remnant tranquility an of Ireland, dof teaching the Irish
say I shall make it my busineu to ascertain your views
people that we feel they are not our slaves, Let are our on the subject of voting, and I should be guided very
f elle+ subjects, equally interested with ourselves In
much if not entirely, by your wishes on the subject, for
maintaining Um integrity of Great Britain as an empire
~.„ I think that the man who has a vote to give is the beat
against all ehe world—lf We see get them to join nv-"" lodge of the way In which it will snit him beet to give
us as they ought to do, and as I see no reason why they
it— (applause)—ad now as to the position in which you
should not do, I think it must be palpable to every and I stand here to-day. lam before you ass stranger.
man, that not only would the country be stronger but We are all strangers till we become acquainted, and
that its defence would be less coldly than it is at the
. most of _us when first born are hailed an "little
present time--(applause). I appeal to any waits*, straugerc —(laughtery—but we sons become friends
man or any man conversant with military *Haire, when we desire to be such, and when our habits and
wbeiber, if Ireland was tranquil at this nioniene, an inclinations tend to throw us together. This I must
immadiaee reduction of the army would not be povible, say, that the kind reeeption you have given me to-night
and the expenses of the name, which some out of your I attribute entirely not to any merits of my own, but
pockets, be so much tho hos ?—(applause). It is in- that the principle. I stand here to advocate—(theers
eumbent uPtut us to make every effort for the Dun* and noiee)—and now lam going to speak very plainly
quiliging of Ireland, for it is • discredit and indeed to you: it is quite in your power to put me
•shame that a taunts, so closely allied to our down by noise, but, notwithetandlng, I mean to gay
own, • people speaking the same language, and , what I have got to say —(applsoaa). You knew we
ahnoet belonging to the same family, should bate bees have lately bad • Reform Bill, and we have had cerium,
go long disaffected towards England • and if the policy I amid! boroughs disfranchised and some disfranchisedwe new edema's* produces good-will: peace, 'be hiker- ' for bribery and corruption. lam very glad indeed to
fleas in Ireland, it will be a great auccem. It is • policy I, say that I honestly believe Dorchester to be entiiely
worth trying—f•Plthul"). We have tried aimed ' free from be briry and eorruption—(applause), But
...oythinu elee, yet anyone who knows Ireland is aware 1 Dorchester, though no fault of its own, Is, certainly
that disaffection has existed there for the last 300 yearn, clamed amongst the small boroughs, and there is a large
and, lam writs say, does exist there at the present day. party acting on behalf of the greet mendsoturing town
It It is neerasary to remove the Web Ohereh-whialt

of England, having at present no 7e p r e • e ntative a. who
ye casting the eye of tiovetousnese upon those seats
at present belonging to the small towns, When the
Reform Ad is brought forward for revision—as it will
be to strike out the ratepaying clauses and other
absurdities introduoed by the Conservatives—there will
Without doubt be an effort made to disfranchise farther
• certain number of small boroughs to get their
seats for the larger towns, now unrepresented. '
It is only right I should tell you this, and that you
should thoroughly understand she position of affairs.
Rat there is • considerable party in the Rouse of
Commons, soil will be in the new Parliament, who are
disposed to think that thero are many edvantages
attributable to small boroughs, and that it le sot desir-
able to disfranthisi them. That party will no doubt
make • ileoid d stand against any attempt to disfranchise
these small boroughs, but the real point unon which
the question will turn will be the evidence afforded by
the result of the elections nest month. If it can be
shown that the electors in the small boroughs have not
returned representatives in accordanse with their own

opinions, but have returned members simply under the
pressure of one or two local magnates who can bring
influence to bear upon the constitueneyHeriee of oh I
oh !' "That's it," cheers and disapprobation)-it will
be impossible long to maintain the present privileges of
such boroughs; if, on the oontrary, it appears that the
small boroughs do return real and fitting representatives,
I think they will still retain the power they now possess
Happlense). On the present election, therefore, a
great deal depends as to the future of this borough.
If you oons‘der the matter for a moment you will see
that it is so. Assume that the case of Dorchester is
brought forward in Parliament, all it is very likely it
may be. Now it must be understood that in discussing
this matter I desire to speak of my opponent with that
perfect and sinters respect which I entertain for him as
• private gentleman. Assume that Colonel Blurt is
your representative in the next ParliamentHeries of
"We won't have him." "Sure to be," ' no, no,"
de.) -and suppose that the party representing the
Interests of the laryge manufacturing towns who covet
your member raise the question of the merits of smell
borough.. They would say, look at Dorchester, one of
the small boroughs: what is its history? Why, that
a pertain property in its neighbourhood has for many
years returned one or both of the members; and now
that Dorchester can send but one member to Parliament
that member still happens to represent that property
as wallas the whole political vie ers of Dorchester --(cheers).
Now let us take the other aide of the ease. Suppose
that, instead of Colonel Start, you return me as your
roldteeentative-(much obeering)-and suppose that any
gentleman in the HOCIlle of Commons ventured to make
such a statement, not against Dorchester, for be would
be unable to do that, but meant the small boroughs
generally, what would it be in my power to say? Why,
I could say this, and I think I could say it with some
effect-I stand here a living oontradiction to the asser-
tion that the small boroughs are under local influence
-(applause)' I came down to Dorchester • personal
stranger, with nothing to recommend me in the way of
local property. I came to represent those Liberal
opinions which I wu told prevailed in the borough and
deserved representation, and it was as the champion of
thou opinions only that I was returned to Parliament,
and here! lam a living and striking example of the in-
dependence of small boroughs - (cheers). I think It
must be plain to common sense that on • debate involv-
ing such • question, the difference between returning
Colorist Start or myself would furnish very strong
evidence as to the merits cc demerits of small boroughs;
and! venture to say that on the action taken at this
coming election in such owe will bang the fate of the
small boroughs- (applause). It there can be shown
glaring instauces of local influence rough-riding voters,
It will be very difficult to resist the pressure which will
be put upon the Government and the Hogue by the
representatives of large populous districts o take away
members from the small boroughs-(applause). I have
ventured to bring this matter to your serious considera-
tion ; I will not go further into it, although there are
other obvious considerations which bear upou the choice
between Colonel Stud and myself. If it is your
pleasure to retells me to Parliemeut, I will not only
do my best in that matter, but in many others con-
nected with the local interests of this borough
(applause). I have had • god deal to do with
Industrial undertakings in this country, and am fully
aware of the benefits localities may derive from such
enterprise. I have not seen • great deal of Dorchester,
but I am inclined to think that there may be something
practicable in this way if it becomes my duty to consider
the matter tiered ter-(appluse and laughter). All I
mean is that a person, who, like myself, has been
connected with industriel undertakings, may possibly
see ways in which improvements may be made that
usenet likely's° occur toe gentleman whose life is passed
in dtibroot pursuit., anti who is not convereant with
such matters- (applaud). I will only thank you
exceedingly for so patiently and courteously listening
to ice, and if any gentleman ham any question to ask I
shall be happy to auswer it; but I wish you to under.
stand that I cannot tell thelpreeise course I should take
on every minor question which may or may not mime
before Parliament, and I should not be disposed to go
to the House of Commons simply as a delegate upon
such matters. I have intimated my general principles
as clearly as lean, and to them! shall certainly adhere
-(cheers).
Mr. VIIHNON now came forward, amid much applause.
He said:- Brother Electors,-Now comes the rub-
(laughter and applause). Before I propose to you this
resolution I congratulate you, and I oongratulate the
honourable gentleman with us, that there are many of
our opponents present -(cheers and laughter). I know
many of you are looking through the mids of prejudice
and misapprehension, but, I feel sure, that if you would
go home end read Mr. Gladstone's speeches, before to-
morrow morning you would be all on our side-(renewed
laughter and applause). Working men, to whom do
you owe everything you possess?-(cries of "
stone"). Have you ever got anything from the Tories?
-(cries of "No, no"). Who was it celled you the scum
of the earth and unfit to exercise the fianchise?-(eries
of "Bobby Lowe"). And who was it loudly cheered
him '-(cries of "The Tories"). Are the working men
of Dorchester going to vote for a supporter of rush a
party ?-(cries of" No, no," "Yea, yes," and applause).
What I say to the working men ris bate got votes is
this-help your fellow meu to get the franchise-
(oheerd. Vote for Mr. Heed, and we will put him at
the head of the poll-(cheers and , hisses). I have
. . .

r , -
nothing more to say to you to night; I may perhaps
speak a word or t on smother occasion- -(applause,
and a voice "Shot up"). I am not easily shut up—
(sppLsuse and laughter). The resolution I have to
propose is this, and I hope you will all hear it, "That
In the opinion of this meeting, Mr. Francis Somerville
Head is • fit luid proper person to represent this borough
in Perliament—(cries of " Yes, yes," "No, no," cheers,
and uproar)—and this meeting pledges itself to use its
utmost endeavours to ensure his election"—(cheers and
disapprobation), I will conclude with an old Highland
sentiment: working man of Dorehester, and working
men of Fordington, "Shoulder to shoulder and heel to
heel r'—cheers).
Mr. U. DEVZNISH, who was warmly greeted, said:
Hy fellow townsmen,—l rise to second that proposition
—(cheers, mingled with hisses). Allow me to make a
remark on Mr. Head's appearing before you to-night se
a stranger. He appears before you as an English
geutlemen—(applause)—and an English gentleman is
received well wherever he Appears— (cheers). But for him
the Liberals of this town would not have so opportunity
of being represented in the next Parliament, and we
have to thank him for giving us so mush credit, for he
appears before us believing that we have faith in our
principles and are willing to stand by them—(cheers).
He comes here simply as an English gentleman, and
says this is the issue and these are my political opinions;
If you agree with me I shall be happy to represent you
In Perliament—(applause). The opinions he bee en.
pressed on the handbill are worthy of an Englishman—
(applanse)—and I hope that the Liberals of Dorchester
will show their due appreciation of them, and will not
only appear at the poll and vote for Mr. Head, but will
do their best to show their friends and neighbours that
he is the true friend of liberty ended' England—(laned&
and applause).
Mr. Velum( submitted the resolution to the meeting
and there was a great show of hands Le its (avow,
followed by three cheers for Mr. Head.
Mr. HUD returned thanks not for himself, but for
the principles he stood there to advocate, which their
verdict had so unequivocally endorsed. He hoped they
would not only carry out the resolution themselves,
hut would do their best to bring as many of their friends
I to the poll as they weld. If they did that and would
exert themselves', determining they would not be
dictated to or influenced, but would carry out their own
real principles, theyl would find that an apparent
danger boldly faced often ceases to be one, and would
show the country that they deserved to retain the
privileges they now possessed, of sending a member to
Pediment—(ohs). If they put their shoulder to
the wheel and pushed toother, success was in their
power—(applause). He had addressed them at great
length, and he warn reminded of the remark of a very
shrewd gentleman from the other side of the Atlantic,
otter hearing • rather long speech which somebody
objected to. He said " Wel, I guess if a speaker can't
strike ile in halletn-hour he's got the wrong gimlet
(laughter and applanse)—or else be don't know how to
use it"(renewed laughter). He was afraid that he
had exceeded the :30 minutes, and that if he had not suc-
ceeded in striking oil be had got the wrong gimlet—
' (applause).
Mr. EDWARDS inquired if the hon. gentleman was
elected, and afterwards changed his opinions, would he
resign his seat? He said they bad been "sucked in" by
I Mr. Sheridan changing his principles, and he thought
It right to ea that question.
Mr. HUD expressed some surprise at the question,
and said his opinions had not been hastily formed, and
he was not in the habit of changing them, but he should
' be unfit to sit in Pediment if be were not allowed to
give full weight to fresh light thrown upon the subjects
' her:might before the jiouse—(applam). He repeated,
however, that be had no present Intention, and did not
think it likely, that he should change any opinion he
had to-eighl expressed—(cheers).
The meeting closed with three cheers for Mr. Head,
and three for Mr. Gladstone.