The Express.
London, England, 1852-07-14 00:00:00

NORTH LANCASHIRE.

The nomination for the northern division of Lan-
cashire took place in the Shire Hall, at the Castle of Lan-
caster, yesterday morning.
T. B. CROSSE, BSCI., proposed, as aSt and proper person,
John Wilson Patten, Esq., the late senior member for
North Lancashire, and congratulated the freeholders of the
county that there was no longer a prospect of a contest.
(A faint and very partial cheer.)
Wm. OARNZTT, Esq., of Quernmere Park, seconded the
nomination. . .

Tuos. Dam Annisote, E.g., of Preston, nominated
James Heywood, En., the other late member.
RICHARD FORS, Esq., of Read-hall, one of the late Can-
didates, seconded the nomination.
The 1110 H SRI/RIFF declared the two gentlemen duly
elected.
Idt. W. PATTEN said : It was true he might not have
voted for many of those liberal proposals in the House of
Commons on which many had fixed their attention, and
made their object ; but if they would look to the votes he
had given in the House of Commons they would find that
he Lad not directed his attention merely ta maintain the
interests of one clam or one body of people in this country ;
he believed they would find that he considered himself as
the representative of all ; and that whether it was for the
electors or non-electors he had to the best of his ability
I endeavoured to promote their interests. With reoard
11 the general tuition of the country, the reduc-
tions which had taken place during the last ten yews
had had • moot beneficial result to the general com-
munity of this country—ho did not say to all. Ile
was bound to say that he did not think it had been
beneficial to all classes, because lie (lid not believe the agri-
cultural interests had benefited to the same extent as the
commercial, manufacturing, and labouring chime lead done.
(Cheers and hisses.) He only adduced this to prove to the
Operative classes of this country that their interests were not
neglected. In his printed address to the electon he had
stated that he believed there had been more done within
the last few years for the relief of the agricultural body by
the endeavours of the agriculturists themselves thau at any
former period. He believed they were aware that they
must take advantage of science, as other classes did, for
the promotion of their own interests. If it should
be found that the agricultural interest were labouring under
• more oppressive burthen of taxation than say other great
interest in this country he should direct his attention con-
stantly to relieve them, and have equal justice done to all
her Majesty's subjects. (Cheers.) The honourable gen-
tleman concluded by justifying himself in the course be had
taken during the canvass, in having kept filth with the
liberal party, by many of whom he was supported, observ-
ing that he had net coalesced with Colonel Yorke Scarlett
(the other conservative) further than to enter into an agree-
ment to join at the expense of bringing up voters, had the
contest come to the issue of a poll. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. HEY WOOD believed that if they had gone to the
poll in this division the result would have been in favour of
free trade. (Cheers.) As far as he could see, the feeling of the
county was in that direction. From the changes of this
legislative measure there were several instances of suffering
on the part of individuals. Landowners had, in some
degree, loot their rents ; and tenant farmers had sometimes
suffered from the fall in the price of produce ; but, looking
at the great mass of the community, there had been a de
Bided gain; as they might perceive from the happy
faces which surrounded them when they were canvassing.
The subject of education was growing more prominent, and
in the city of Manchester some gentlemen had gone so far
as to propose a bill, sad send it up to parliament, where,
after great objections and discussion, it was ultimately re-
ferred to a select committee. They examined witnesses
with respect to secular e iucation, voluntary education, and
other systems ; and he believed they would be re-appointed
in the ensuing session. Ile should look with great interest
on the report of that committee, for he believed a plan
might be devised for improving the national eduestion of
this country. He wee in favour of the adoption of some
system which should offend the religious convictions
of no denomination, and yet confer education on the
whole community. A project was brought forward
in the last parliament for a new reform hill.
It was thought that after a period of twenty years it was
right to revise and improve the representative system of this
*Gentry. He should fully expect that some such plan we old
be under discussion in the ensuing parliament. He had
already voted for a franchise extending to ten-pouad house-
holders in counties, and he thought that in boroughs it
might be extended to five pounds. There had never been
• contest for North Lancashire for a long time, and as
county electors they were not exactly aware of the intimi-
dation and coercion which occasionally occurred, but as
borough voters it must be familiar to them. He did not
think any reform bill would be perfect without some such
system as the ballot. (A voice: " Would pots be in favour of
vote by ballot in the House of Commons i") He should never
be in favour of a vote by ballot in the House of Commove,
but because he considered that a member of parliament
held a trust for the benefit of the people, and it was his duty
to register his vote in an open and public manner ; but he
knew that in many instances they, the electors, were not
able to carry out that principle without suffering
from it. He was one of those who thought the
taxes of this country ought to be reduced, and
especially some of those which pressed upon the industry
of the people. One of these was the tea duty. (Hear,
hear.) Tea was • most extensive article of consumotion
among the people,tlind while he was anxious to see the relief
which it would afford, if reduced, to the consumer, he
thought it would be • most important advantage to the
country in • commercial point of view. He was also
anxious to ee• the daties on soap and paper reduced, the
Wt of which operated as a tax on knowledge. He was one
of those who thought that the county of Lancaster
ought to have a better representation in parlia-
ment—a representation more proportioned to its population,
its intelligence and property. He had voted against Mr.
Disrseli's plan for giving two other members to South Lan-
cashire, and for dividing that portion of the county and of the
West Riding of Yorkshire into two, because he thought the
principle was wrong of allowing minority government to
legislate upon such an important measure. He did not
object to two extra members being given to the county, but
he thought if we created new members, we ought to have
the claims of Burnley, Accrington, Colne, and such towns,
acknowledged—placeswhich were much better entitled to
representation than many of the towns in other parts of
England which now sent two members to the House of
Commons. (Hear, hear.)
A vote of thanks was given to the High Sheriff, and the
proceedings concluded.