The Express.
London, England, 1849-10-19 00:00:00

MEETING AT DENBIGH.

On Wednesday evening en exceedingly numerous
ineeil.te was held In the Assembly H-ow, Denbigh, for the
purpoes of reeeiving • deputation from the National Finan-
cial and Perliamentay Reform Amnesties, and hearing
from it pa:tithing relative en the two great questions which
are now agitaiing and causing so mutt:: interest theme/hod
the country. The deputateti aneounced was to hen* cone
slated of George Thompson, El., M.P., J..hn Will' me
E5q.,111.P., and H. T. Atkinsor, Eq. The two first tilted
g, ntlemen were, however, unavoidable .beat. Mr. Thomp-
son in corstquence of not being able to reach Denbigh in
time, having been agitating the question at Aberdeen; and
Mr. Williams having been called upon by his constituents
et Macclesfield to preside at a public meatier. Mr. Atkin-
sou, however, was present. Many of the most iefisential
g. stamen of the locality were present.
Mr. SHEPHERD, the senior churchwarden, was called
upon to preside, and shortly introduced Mr. Atkinson to the
audience.
Mr. ATKINSON said he felt, although called upon to ado
dress an audience differing in many respects from the gene-
rality of those which he had addressed in the south, that a
pleasing duty had devolved upon him, in having to address
the men of a country whose historical associations, at all
events' were connected with freedom, and with the rruggles
made for freedom's caller. (Cheers) The duty which he
had to discharge was one of a most important character, bat
one which would be easily performed if he had thee which
he was sure he should have, the patient attention of those
to whom he had the honour then to speak. It
became his duty, as honorary street ry of the• National
Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association, shortly
and simply to tell them the origin, mouvoe, and policy of
the body with which he had the honour to be connected, IA
order that they might be satisfied that the reforms sought to
be effected were, in the tint Ore, useful, and next, that
they were practicable. Mr. Atkinson then gave a detailed
history of the society. After which he went on to say that
with respect to the representation, from a parliamentary
return they found that most absurd and unjust state of thiep
existing. Thetford, in Norfolk, a place which bore the Wi-
rers of etageatitto and ruin upon its tacv,with 214 voters, re-
turned two members to the House of Cummous, and to re-
turn these there was a population, teking men, women and
children together, of but 3,844. Now, by the same return,
Denbigh, with its three contributory berourbs, had 862
voters ; so that, while Thetford, with 214 voten and 3,844
inhabitants, returned two members, Denbigh, and the bo-
roughs associated with it, r rah:acing 862 voters sni a popu-
lation of 15,388, returned but one mem'ser. (Owen, and
cries of " shame!") And would pat the injariousaess
of this state of things to them in this way : suppos-
ing some great (pantile arose out of which
the county of Denbigh might have to be
taxed, here would be there on' m' miser with that Inge con-
stituency to be over-vata d by Taethrd, with its insignificant
p potation. (Cheers.) This was an illiveration of the
principle, but there were hundreds of cases that remained
behind. The last and more difficult question with which
they had to deal was the abolitim of the qualification douse
for members of parliament. On cetning the house, after
his return, each member had to prove his qualifimion at the
bar, 6001, or lawd to that value, being the qualification for
a county, and 3001 , or persons! property to that amount, for
a borough member. Now the matter woe messaged in this
way. Suppose he should have the honour to be returned
for Denbigh, and had not • shilling in the world ; he
would go to some friend more fortunately 'fluent
then himself, and say, " Have the goodness to fur-
nish me with exchtquer bills though for the amount, for
about an hour ;" he then walked up to the table of the
house, put down the qualification ; no questions were asked ;
he returned the bills to his friend, and he was then hold to
have fulfilled the property qualification clam*. (Loud and
prolonged cheering.) This was done repeatedly. Now, if
the property qualification was good as applied to England,
why was it not so in Scotland ? And why, he should like
to ask, should not Wales—Wales, proverbial for her honesty
—(loud cheers)—be exempted? Why should it be said of
her—" We cannot boot you, because you Welshmen would
set up some man of straw, some moral ruffian, and put him
in the House of Commons " (Prolonged cheers.) Was it
true, eithtr, as regarded Englaud 1 (Hear.) Wee there
a man amongst them WhO belonged to a benefit
society who would like to elect a ruffian to the
managenseit of its funds? (Cheers.) The thing was absurd.
(Applause.) He had told them the parliament, by the new
association, was to be used as a means to an end. There
was one great euhject which touched eve ry man with regard
to the reform of the House of Co omens, the breeches-packet
question. A man might be as cold as a aortic statue to any-
Haug like an appeal to liberty, but tell him that out of his
earnings he was pitting 90 per cent. more than he ought to
do, and he directly wanted to know how that abuse was to
be remedied. (Cheers and laughter.) Our system of teza-
tion was a very curious, and, at the some time, a very in-
structive system. if they would only let an abuse alone, it
was like some of those small insect. which they saw—it im-
mediately began to swum—(laughter)—but if they troubled
the ahuse, if they made the part uneasy and caused irrita-
tion, the abuse might be dispersed ; but the history of the
abuses of this country had been one of continual increase in
' the sums leviable from the people. Let them next
glance at the snidest increase of xpenditure which
had been going on for a eerie* of years, and it was
always best in such cases to give figurer, rather
than deal in declamation, In the reign of George the
First the expenditure was 2,583,0001. ;in the ign of George
the &coed, 2,766,0001. • George the Third, 7,676,1001.;
Gorse the Fourth, 21,650,7901.' In the reign of Willieln
the Fourth, a time of re reachment and economy, it had de-
creased from 21,000,0001. odd to 15,908,1121. ; but in the
present reign of Victoria—and of the Queen there was
only one feeling of respect and admiratiun towards her
who poesessed the virtues of • wile, the affections of a
mother, and who discharged her high duties in a manner to
generally satisfactory—(applause, and boisterous cheers for
the Queen)—these were the reasons which made it more
necessary that they should lop off those 'bust s which tended
to weaken or remove the respect and affections of her people—
and yet, from the 15,000,0001. of taxation in the prec ding
reign, we had got it up at the present time to 26,361.4171.
(Cheers, and cries of " Shame. ') Now, the expenses of col-
lecting these taxes were 4,727,4551., an amount, within a few
thousand pounds. of the cost fur the government of America.
(Lous! cheers.) In addition to that, from the labour of this
country—for it could be from no other source-70,000,0001.
were raised annually; and it was a singular fact that, locking
at the twelve years' proreiqd peace, the expenditure of the
country had increased ten millions of pounds. (Applause.)
What were the items of this increase ? Pensions, 5,0001. a
year—not a very great sum certainly, when it was consi-
dered that they had been bestowed principal!! upon decayed
artists and men ofd merit ; salaries, 93,0001.; courts of jus-
, time, 616,0001. ; the Irish distress—and who so generous as
an Englishman, who se lavish, if you once touched the spring
of his sympathy, and lifted him a little in his own opinion—
the amount of this item was 1,500,0001., out of the labour of
Englishmen. He did not grudge Ireland one farthing of
this; but if they were lavish to Ireland, let them he just to
England. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) Give to the stal-
wart independent labourer of England theta. ante by which he
could exert himself; give him the liberty to use his right arm,
and be would tell them • tale that should astonish them.
(Chews.) The last ad most formidable item was the army,
navy, and ordnance; and here there was an increase of no
less than the enormous sum of six million pounds.
Mr. Atkinson concluded by an appeal to the working and
middle classes for support.
Mr. 0. OftIFFITHB, an extionive landowner, asked in
what way it was contemplated to apply the surplus which
might result from the reductions pointed out; was it to be
in a way beneficial to the rural districts? because upon this,
and this alone,depcnded their (the rural districts') coopera-
tion. (Applause.)
Mr. ATKINSON, at some length, replied, to the effect
that the detailed workings relative to suck matters as those
alluded to would be disposed of as the wisdom of such a
House of Commons as their plan would have the effect of
securing for them should advise best.
Mr. DARBY, of Brombrough Hall, the employer of a
gnat number of workmen, came forward to propose a reso-
lution, and delivered a speech of considerable length.. The
resolution pledged the meeting to use its best exertions to
obtain a reform in the abuses which bad been so powerfully
pointed out by Mr. Atkinson.
Mr. R. C. RAWLINS, of Wrexham, seconded the reso-
lution ; and instanced the reckless and ruinous expenditure
in our army navy, and ordnance departments.
Mr. GRIFFITHS then, at very considerable length, at-
tempted to show that if the association carried into effect the
objects which it aimed at, it would be the manufactusing
end trading interests which would be benefit. d, to the dis-
paragement of the rural and agricultural districts.
The audience for a full hour (says the reporter) listened
quietly and respectfully; but at length the statements
made, and false deducuons drawn from facto, booms so
ar°B'l7 •hih local i which the
respect n w
tehittlasnatdinagll
the was exhausted. and the
'll7l"athwblie great influents he Pinwale in the Mamie.
Mr. ATKINSON shortly replied. and refuted his owpo•
nest's arguments. The audience became much excited,
hooted down.
iaPawP•aknashtlethaldbs'ser'olresoutellynticn was carried by deafening acclamations,
there being but two diesentients—Mr. Griffiths and his
friend.
Mr. SMITH (editor of the Cameroon Hens/d) wished
the people to hear in mind one fact—namely, the cause of
their having assembled that evening. The circumstances
wnich called them together had not invited them to
form themselves into a legidative assembly, to deliberate
how, if there should be a surplus in consequence of taxes
repealed, such surplus was to be disposed of—then were
circumstances which Ms. Atkinson, no doubt, had pur-
posely refrained teem enterieg into; and very properly
so too; foe the effect of it would have been to have
split them up into mere segments. Let them have
e
• reformed parliament first, and all things needful w
follow. (Cheers.)
for the cause, separated
T . met .ing, after hearty shears 'tand-
be
in —g the near approach of the Ist of November, the day of the at very MM hoar—
MUNICIPAL ELECTION AT LEEDS,—Notwiths
municipal elections, scarcely the least interest seems to exist
ihnourLeeoduslywainthe raped to up; towhtilhee
ipnreasoemnet
ge,T.;seirseor
anCierd
ciloLempacTONy-064f ltßauWk AofflEtugHignol.ldBßBha.,—• Teohne.
uttiel
former years by this time the nominations have been tom. a:Atoned • further sum of 1001. (making in 13001.) in aid
of
plated, the canvass forward, and all the weapons of party the funds of the committee for promoting the establishment
warfare in readiness for action. Probably, however Ora
present lukewarm's"' may, in • gnat measure, arise ,ft.,e2 the completion of the model establishment, Goulston-square,
there being really no question of etirricg local interest that W_lsisteaariel•
of bathe and wash.housee for the labouring classes, towards
cf draining Leeds, Holeeck, mid Hunan, ata cost of 80,0001., DEATH PROM WANT OP VENTU.ATION.—At Glen-
having at the last meeting of the body corporate bees virtu- w, on Wednesday night, two lads, who slept in • room in
ally settled. Speculation regarding the new mayor confers which • fire had been left burning to dry the new plastered
the dignity of chief magistrate on Mr. Aldermuie Ranson. walls, were suffocated by the noxious fumes of
sheds. A
Toe name of Mr. Alderman Birchall (one of the Society of lark, whose cage P
been placed in the toms, their
Friends) has also been mentioned, fate. • • • -

—Th. Foreman—Well, Dotter, I do not mean to argue
chemistry with you.
Dr. Ure—As much as you like. (A laugh.)
Foreman—No ; I wish to ask merely a few mechanical
questions. How near were you to the hole when you picked
up the lime ? Quite close—you did not want me to go bdown
into the hole. (A laugh.)
The Foreman was proceeding to put other questions when
the coroner interfered and put an end to this hue of examina-
tion as irrelevant. A most desultory conversation ensue',
the foreman wishing to continue hie questions, while the
other members of the jury expressed themselves satisfied with
Dr. tire's statement. The coroner at last proposed that they
should hear Dr. Um out, and then have another analysis
made if they were not satisfied. The witness expressed him-
self ready to answer any questions, and proceeded to explain
in detail the statement he bad made in his report. Sever .1
out stions were inked by the foreman of the jury and others,
but nothing important or in any degree varying from the
report which was elicited. In &name •to one of the nuestioos
he stated that he did not think the lime water would stain
the mortar through which it percolated.
Croorelamined by Mr. Hopwood—What is your opinion
as to the eons* of the death of these pool men ?
Dr. Ure—l think they died from inhaling sulphuretted
hydrogen ; but I think there was also prussic acid present.
Mr. Hopwood—Do you think prussic acid was one of the
causes? Both were present, and no man could tell which
win the more potent egent in producing death.
Mr. Hopwood —When you state that this sulphuretted
hydrogen was so powerful, have you any doubt as to its
having killed these men ? I think that in combination with
prattle acid it produced death.
Mr. Hopwood—ls not sulphuretted hydrogen a common
product of sewers ?
Dr. Ure—Them is always a little which comes from animal
exuvia, but there was, singularly, little of th it in the sewage
matter sent to me for analysis. There was some odour of
urine, but none of feculent matter.
Mr. Hopwood—You attribute these deaths, then, to
sulphuretted hydrogen, and consider that it was present in
the sewer In extra intensi, y, in consequence of the super
Incumbency of lime waste ?—Certainly.
Some time was occupied in a further examination by Mr.
Hopwood, for the purpose of ascertaining the chemical
corponents of lime waste. but it dldsnot app ar to add much
to the information of the jury. We understood the drift V
the examiner to be an attempt to elicit the fact that waste Inn,
in the position described was not likely to have emitted out-
phonated hydrogen downwards into the sewer, but •hat the
latter must ham been generated into the sewer itself from the
ordinary accumulations. The witness's answers were deci-
dedly oppose 1 to this hypothesis.
SJOIO questions were also asked respecting the potency of
prussic acid, which the witness offered to prove by holding
a phial of it to the nose of any juryman, promising him that
he would faint immediately end drop down. The experi-
ment was universally declined.
Oa the conclus'on of Dr. tire's examination, Mr. Hopwood
stated that the 'twee* matter had been that day analysed
by Dr. Miller and Professor Graham, and that they had
found in it nothing of the kind described by Dr. Ure.
Dr. Um stated that matter taken from the sewer on Fri
day would not exhibit the same phenomena as that taken
out at first.
A Juror—Do you think that if these sewers had been
ventilated, such concentrations of gas could take place 1—
, Certainly not. I have suggested a most simple plan by
which complete ventilation might be effected. I propose to
do it by means of taus similar to those used in blast fur-
naces.
At the close of this witness's evidence the ioquiry was ad.
journed to 11 on Monday next, an examination of the locality
to be made in the meantime to ascertain the exact mot in
which the bodies were found, and whether it was identical
with that from which the experimental matter had been
atm.

MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.-FUNGUS AND