The Press.
London, England, 1858-12-11 00:00:00

OF DIRMINOHAM TO THE REFORMERS OF

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
Fellow Countrymen,—We invite you to co-operate with
us in an attempt to obtain, by legitimate and peace ble
mewls, an efficient reform in the representation of the
people in the House of Commons.
The association we have formed embraces men of all
shades of liberal opinion, enfranchised middle classes,
and non electors. We have agreed to sink all minor
differences, and to work together to obtain these reforms,

viz :-

1. A large extension of the suffrage.
2. Vote by ballot.
3. A mora equal apportionment of members to popu-
lation.
These reforms we believe lie at the root of all others
about which Liberals have hitherto been unhappily divided.
They otter a broad and well-defined common bond of
union, for they lie in the direction in which tho most
decided Liberal is advancing.
. _

We are no theorists. We do not wish to impair insti-
tutions bequeathed by our forefathers, and which, on
the whole, have proved suitable to the wants of the
country : our object is to expand, consolidate, and
strengthen them. We are loyal subjects of the Crown,
and venerate the illustrious lady who fills the throne.
We have no desire to interfere with the fair and legiti-
mate action of the House of Peers in the government of
the country, nor with the just influence of the aris•
tocracy. We have no intention to set class against
class. We believe all to be so intermingled that the
permanent interests of the peer and the peasant, the
manufacturer and the artizan, are identical and inse-
pars ble.
But we claim for the House of Commons that it shall
represent the opinions and interests not of a class but of
the great body of the people.
It is notorious that with the present restricted
franchise, with the hindrances to its honest exercise
which the plan of open voting interposes, and with the
system of counterpoise by which small constituencies
neutralise the opinions of vast bodies of electors, the
House of Commons does not truly represent the national
will.

Reformers are accused of seeking reform for the mere
sake of change. We deny the charge. We desire a change
because we want good government.
Under the present system, with the influence of tha
aristocracy predominant in both houses, ministries are
confined to two parties ; and a few families have generally
monopolized the government of the country. The admi-
nistration is the ministry of a party ; its energies are
wasted in the endeavour to maintain place and power, and,
however patriotic, it is rarely able to grapple with any
subject which might affect the interests of its supporters.
Hence the constant changes in the administration ; hence
the personal unfitness of many of those who direct the
great departments of the State, the consequent detriment
to the public service and the scandal to political morality.
There is no national administration. The business of the
Legislature is neglected; measure after measure is intro-
duced and abandoned; commissions issue without result,
and the real work of legislation is made subordinate to the
possession of office.
Although these facts are obvious enough, it may be well
to notice a few of the subjects that have long required the
attention of successive Governments, but have been
neglected.
Administrative reform is required in almost every de-
partment of the State.
We nquire immediate attention to our financial con-
dition. With a debt constantly increasing, the budget
constructed on no fixed principle, merely titling over the
difficulty, and attempting to show a favourable balance on
the year's account, no provision is made for extraordinary
emergencies, or any suggestion even of diminishing the
debt.

We require a readjustment of the property and income
tax, en that the tax on income derived from realized pro-
perty end the income tax upon industry shall not remain
the same. On no grounds of equity can it be maintained
that the man who gains 1001. per annum by his profession