The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-22 00:00:00

WU NEMBER.S FOR READING AND THEIR
CONSTITUENTS

On Tuesday evening the members for Reading,
Br F. H. tloldemid, Bart., and Mr. G. Shew Lefeyre, ad-
dressed their conatitneuts at the Town-hell. The chair
was occupied by Mr. J. B. 3fonca, President of the Libe-
ral Electors' Association, who was supported on the plat-
form by a number of the leading liberals of the borough.
The CHAIRMAN briefly sekkemed the meeting, end Mt:o-
uch

Sir F. GOLhemin, Bart., MP., who delivered a speech of
sonsiderable leogto. He first said he bad fulfilled the pro-
mise he mede when elected by giving her Majesty's
government a general support, but that had not pre-
vented him a:pregame, ou occasions when he thought
it fit, either in debate or by vote, his commen-
tate dimeot. The hoe. member then proceeded to speak
spots some of the meet important sad interesting matters
which tad occupied the attention of parliament during the
period he had represeuted the borough, and first alluded to
the commercial treaty with Frauce, which promised such
great advantages ; next to the repeal of the paper duty,
sad also to the reduction of the insurance duty which
was a most unjust tea. (Hear, hear.) Among other
questions coached on was Italy, and the hon. member ex-
pressed himself thankful and gratified at the change effected
there. He then passed co to the wrongs of Poland, and
the proposal made by France to England to combine
is defending the oppressed people. He did not say our
government should have led England into war, but
3$ should have known its own mind a little earlier
—(hear, bear)—and both Francs and Poland bad
• right to complain that we did not inform
than at an earlier period that we would not
moist France in rescuing Poland. (Cheers.) With regard to
Denmark, he said he did not by any means intend to wart
that the ministers ought to have led England to war ; but
they should have known their minds a little wooer, and that
if they had not intended to do more they should have said
/am. (Hear, hear.) in observing a strict neutrality in
the struggle going on in America our government, aided
by most able law odious, had steered through the shoals
end quicksands of international law with courage, with
ability, and mama (('heers.) The worthy baronet next
adverted to the question of reform in the representation
if the people, and said he considered the principal
cause of the subject being delayed was the attention ex-
cited by the state of affairs abroad, and not because the
Mouse of Commons hail lost its interest in it. Lord Palmer-
ston was not likely to undertake a measure of reform no.
less forced upon Dam by public opinion, but he (Sir F. Gold-
mid) felt the prime minister would undertake it whenever
public opinion woe strong in its favour. There was a lull,
bathe believed the lull would not bed long duration, and
that at no very distant period the question of reform
would be revived, and when it was revived he should be
prepared to set upon his opinion as to the desirability of th
exteosiou of the franchise. He reviewed the change
which had taken place in the corking classes as the result
at emended education. and instance( the conduct of the
lancsehire operatives in distress with the conduct of the
machine breakers and bread rioters, and *eked
whether they ought not to anticipate with confidence
tfes eitensiou of the suffrage. (Cheers.) Another question,
the abolition of church rates, had not made much progress
lately, sod those who did not desire the abohtion had not
sonteoted themselves to steed still, but the great tory leader
Lad indicated some measures of a different character for tie
lisasfit of religion and the church ; but he thought the
neesenres proposed by Mr. Disraeli would find little accep-
tance with the liberals of Reding; not because they were
enemies if this church, but because that wae not their way
et benetitiog it. (A voice " How about the ballot!") Sir
Prancis said he should be prepared to vote, as they would
sea he had voted if they consulted the division lista, in favour
Mike ballot. (Loud cheers.) After some remarks on •
few other tomes, the hon, member resuwedilus seatibmidst
each applause.

ilr. LEFEVRE, M.l'., then rose. and said that during the
union there had been few opportunities for a liberal to show
bin qualities. Ile proceeded to speak oa American &Haire,
and said it was a matter of great satisfaction that during
the American conflict the conservative party had not been in
power, as their speeches bad indicated a policy es regards
our neutrality which would have been of the greatest in-
eoovenienee to this country, and probably brought no into
a war with the United states. He admired the pluck of
the South. but his sympathy had always beeu with the
North. (Cheers.) lie believed the North to be earnest in its
wish to suppreee slavery, while the feeling was thereverse of
that 10 the South, to illustrate which he quoted from the
speeches of some of the Southern members. In alluding
to President Liocolo's election, he said he looked upon the
fact that 4,(0000 of persons voted without disturbance u
the greattat argument yet adduced in favour of the ballct.
(Cheers). The hon. member seat referred to the expeudi.
true of the country, and expressed his opinion, looking at
the general up fct of affairs that they might reduce the
amy and navy to the strength of thou services in 1852.
Alluding to Mr. Disraeli's proposed measures for usetting
the nationality of the church, Mr. Leone said he hoped
they would all be opposed and rejected by the liberal party.
He agreed with his hon colleague on the question of reform,
sad expressed his general approval of the great liberal prin.
depisa of the day, (Cheers.)

A vote of co;:kfide‘eoe 111 tile members and cheers for the
boa. gentlemen, with a vote of cheeks to the chairman,
amid the proceediege.

THE CITY WARDMOTES.

ALDGATI.

By the retirement orirT.i.7 Broodwater a vacancy in
Ss representation of this ward was occesioeed. Wall which
them were two sew easdidates, viz.. Mawr.. E. D. Roger*,
end J. Hudsoe. Upon the show of hands, the following
were returned :—Meenra H. L. Isaacs R. B. Whiteside,
J. C. Davis, E. D. Rogers, W. H. Teuton. R. C. Sachsen,
B. Burnley, J. Turoley. A poll was demanded on behalf
of Ir. J. nucleon.