The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-17 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

Lord Stanhope has made the following protest ' 1
spinet the second reading of the bill for repealing the nevi-
ption laws:
" Dissentient.
"I. Because the navigation laws are founded in justice
and sound policy, have been proved by long experienos to
be eminently beneficial, and are essential to the maritime su-
periority of this country, and, therefore, to its Insular de-
fence.
2. Because the national defence, which is admitted to be
imperfect, and which excites so much attendees sad anxiety,
could not be effectually secured wiliest essourigiag the
fatiorving
employment and protecting the rights of Width seancesnt
,
and, consequently, without in their fall exte
the principles of the navi laws.
"3. Because asthma' adepeadmee is of paramount is:
portant*, and ought not to be endangered from any consi-
derations of pecuniary advantage which might be expected
to arise from the peopated alteratios of those laws.
" 4. Bac sum any pecuniary advantage which might accrueasuree
to tome cisme" of the community from the propo m
would be attended with groat loss to many other closes, with
manifest iniu.tiee to them, and with incalculable injury to
the sonata welfare.
"6. Because the 'hippies interest, In all the various
classes which are dependent upon it for support, would be
prievouely injured by the proposed measure, by which •
loge and most valuable portion of the British trade would
he trans& reed to foreigners, whose ships are built, rap/a:eel,
1111.na0.1, and victualled at 6 much smaller 611,6466 than
Brinell ',well.
. " A ihuvrtiee the proposed measure would else transfer to
ineelemers tb• employment which British workman have
i hitherto Mewl in shipbuilding, aad would drive into e err-
.lee tat toestoccese many Uritish
I seamen, who by theirs kill
mod 1146141 hive ways conferred ioestimahle basilic' ea this
socustey, salways
ace essisestly entitled to its gratitude.
..
"Itratinorn.-

MEETING IN SOUTHWARK.
Te eterlay morning a public meeting of the
inbabi-
teate of the borough of Sauthweirk was held in the Town-
hell, in parsaanas of a requisition addressed to William
Pritchard, Esq., the high bailiff, and signed by upwards of
110 fleeter', for the peruse of considering the best mode et
gowsperating with, and furthering the vie as of, the Keesegas
Ulan Financial and Patlismentary Reform Assosielism,l
new fairly established, ander the presideacy of Sir Joshua'
Wahnsley.
Precisely at one o'clock the chair was taken by the High
Bailiff, who, having mad the moieties ravening
meetings Proceeded to observe, that from it they would
parser' that he bad celled them together for the pewee of
iserielering matters of general Importance to the rib-
lie Menet. The question of Ararat and
to parka-
marry reform, from the importances attached it
wee naturally occupying a very large share of pub-
lie attention. (Hear, hear.) He used not remind
nestle men se frontier with their public tights as the electors
M Soathwark that the constitution of the country wisely
= ][carat
the direction of the Commons House of Par-
which was peculiarly the representative of the opi.
MMUS the people, the question of the disposition of
the inseam of the state, so that no set could take offset
reitig the revenues of the country unless It first mistimes&
iadraasZlimsof Commons. *that was a very wise sed
regulation; because it must be obvious that the
rut burdens of the state tell with peculiar severity upon
dm industrial portion of the community. (Cheers.) In
times of great public pressure, when called open to sappen
our institutions, and to look with a jealous eye to ear no-
tional defences, there might be a difficulty in keeling that
effectual check and control over the funds of the ematey
which was arosmary foe their due administration. Happily,
however, we had now had 35 years of pear. The time I
which had elep.ed since the last war had afforded ,
a opportunity of considering what our real position wee, '
sad it was not unnatural, there ore, that the people, looking
b.ck on the put, should estimate, u they rightly had, the
very large sacrifices they had made, and should endeavour
to direct their 'realities during years of peace to advancing
the prosprity of the country, in enter to meet the very 1 roe
demands which had bean suds upon them, and to enable
them to restore ,their neuron in seek a way as to become
available in case of other and similar crises occurring. (Hear,
near.) Teat had given rise on the part of the people t i a
else attention, not only to the expenditure of the country,
hat to the body who had the control of that expenditure—
the Commons' house of parliament—and it was very soon
I seen that that body did not fairly represent the opinions
of the people,-(cheers); that, In fact, in consequence
of the cornipion of parliament, the people did not
posers that element of popular power which the
constitution conferred upon them. With these remarks he
begged to introduce the subject to their consideration, and
would only add, that he should be happy to receive any pro-
position from any gentleman who might be ready to offer
one. (Cheers.)
The firmware then read letters from the members for
the borough, excusing their non-attendance.
Mr. ELKINOTON rose to propose the first resolution,
which was as follows:
" Resolved—That it is the opinion of this meeting that
the present system of taxation is based upon erroneous and
unjust principles •, for while on the one hand it presses un-
duly upon the labouring and middle classes by the large
emeent of customs and excise duties levied upon articles of
emesmption, so on the other hand it exempt. parties from
legation who as owners of real property, arc exempted from
probate and legacy duty without any t guitable claim to be
se relieved ; and they are also of opinion that the expendi-
ture o' the public monies is wasteful and Lavish, and ought to
be greatly reduced."
The first axiom laid down in the resolution was, that the
present system of taxation was founded upon erroneous and
unjust principles; and this, he thought, was undeniable;
for when they found that any party in the state was exempt
1 from a tax to which other climes were subjected, the 1-gisla-
tion, from which such consumer:es sprung, might fairly be
termed "class legislation." (Hear, hear.) The us lutioe
west on to affirm that this was evidenced by the exemption
of real property from the payment of probate and legacy
duties—an exemption amounting at a low estimate to at least
14 millions anc.ically. If it were just that the trader leaving
personal property to his descendants should pay a per
rootage to the government, it was equally just that the
landowner of the covivry, with -heir enormous revenue',
should be called upon to contribute is the same propor-
tion. (Hear.) He asked them to affirm the statement con-
tained in the resolution, that the tax cation of the country was
enormous end uajuat in principle, and called fur the applicae
don of some effectual remedy. (Cheers.)
Mr. BLAKE seconded the resolution, fully concurring in
every word that it set forth.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
THWAITES proposed the nest resolution :
" That it is the opinion of this meeting that at pretest
gross inequalities of taxation exist, which are caused by the
imperfect representation of the people in the Commons House
of Parliament; and, therefore, that the first and most im-
portant step is to endeavour to amend the representation,
widening the electoral basis, and causing to be represents
persons rather than property, and thus make the House of
Commons what the constitution designed it to be, • truer
reflex of the minds of the people."
He could have no hesitation in proposing that resolution,
convinced as he was that the only hope for the people of this
country was not in agitation in the abstract, not
in party discussions, but in their obtaining, by some
means or other, a much better House of Commons
than ankieunately they had at present. (Cheers.) This
was a time when everytbir g was moving—kings and king-
doms were moving—popes even were not safe—and it was
high time that England should be moving too. All parties
that were really conservators of their country ought to speak
out in unmistakeable terms, and demand that the great
body of the people should have conceded to them their just
political right., in order to prevent those scenes of confusion
and revolution which had taken place elsewhere, and Irons
which he feared, notwithstanding all the patience and en-
dartwirinciples that characterised Englishmen, they could
wise hope to be exempted. (Cheers.) He, for one,
had long b. en convinced that there could be no settlement
of that much agitated and knotty point, the franchise, until
man, as man, should be recognised as having • right to a
veal ia sending men to parliament who were to make
lawn whin they were to obey, and under which they
were to live. (Loud cheers.) He heartily rejoiced
at the formation of the Metropolitan Financial and
Parliamentary Reform Association. It was just what they
wanted ; for it was just that kind of association which would
mart under its banner the honest and right-thinking of all
slams.
Mr. DEYKES seconded the resolution. There could be
me doubt but that the persons entitled to the franchise bore a
frightful disproportion to those who actually powered it.
Certainly it was a difficult question to determine to what ex-
tent the bus on which the franchise rested should be
widened ; but be bad no hesitation in expressing his own
opinion, that every man who lived under the law bad a right
le a voice in the making of that law. (Cheers.) And when
they had so many generals and admirals in parliament as
represeotatres, he saw no reason why they should not have
soldiers end sailors out of doors, as conuituents. Ho did net
say that he went that length—that was only by a parity of
reasoning ; but he was prepared to maintain that,
upon principle, even that might be defended. Addison had
said, sod O'Connell had often repeated—
Mho would be free, themselves mast strike the blow.
He called upon them then to aid in this cause, and he
believed that they could not do se more effectually than by
joining the Metropolitan Financial and Parliamentary Re-
form Ansociatioa. (Cheers)
Kr. APEILEY PELLATT supported the resolution. Who
would not look with emotions of regret upon the fact that
with a very few honourable eseepuosa, all the constituencies
of the country bowed themselves down before the gross
practice of bribery? (Cheers.) Whether they considered
the constituencies who stood with hands to receive the
bribes, or the persona W.WII . themselves gentlemen, who
degraded the name by consenting to bribe, who would not
regret that sue& a fad stain blotted the name of England ?
(Cheers.) In the Daily Nees they bad histories of
emetitsencles, detailing such circumstances, in con-
nexion with elution', as they might believe, in
annexion with tyranny and dishonesty, but not with
hammy and Ragland. (Cheers.)
Mr. B. O'BRIEN, r the representative of a large portion of
the working ale, expressed his entire maceurrence in all that
he had heard emendated at that meeting. He entirely agreed
with all that had been said upon the probate and legacy du-
ties, end, though so great friend to Mr. Cobden's party, he
must espies hie high admiration of the badge' which that
gentleman had put forth, as evidencing mom tact and ability
thee any budget he had ever seen. Mr C.,l>clen proposed to re.
' move the tax upon paper, which was a tribute due to the know-
ledge of the sge, end the fedi/dice:Oahe duty antes also from
lb. M. to is he looked upon as calculated to add much to
Me comforts of the 'population. Indeed, of Mr. Cobden's
budget generally, and of the propositions of the Liverpool
)gym Aseoeistioe, he highly approved.
TM resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. WALKER proposed the pest resolution:
That this meeting cordially approving and earnestly de.
co operate with the Metropolitan Financial and
Parliamentary Reform Association, established to secure re-
imilissat is the national expenditure and extension of the
ilemeidea, do solemnly call upon the electors sad inhabitants
adds borough to join the district association ; and also to
adapt the eminently practical suggestion of making se nam
of the inhabitants of this borough freeholders and 'OM IS
passible : it being chiefly by such means that the mate*
now beginning with the privileged clause will be brought to
a triumphant Irene.
They had now approved two great fate, first, that the taxa-
tion ef the country was unequal and that fisaneial reform,'
was neoemary, and, secondly, that to elLetthatreform a great
catenates of the suffrage most be adopted. The resolution
which he now proposed pointed out a further method by
which they might endeavour conscientiously to obtain their
objects. His political and religious creed was a very simple
me—that no person should be satisfied, either in politics es
religiose, who had not every weight removed from his toss.
seams. (Cheers.)
Mr. MATTHEWS seconded eretion, and expressed
his firm belief that by a hearty union of the mile& and
lower classes alone could they hope to accomplish their
tightens purpose. It was very true that they must have a I
reform in the Commas house of parliament; but in his
opinion the House of Lords required reformation even mere
strongly this the Home of Cosiness. He disapproved alto-
gether of the system of hereditary logillatiose and asserted
that la the House of Lords, after all, rested the baneful in-
fluence which they had most to fear. (Haar, hear.)
Mr. PELLA.TT wished to make one observation upon the
subject of the hansiese in the borough of &athwart'. lie

could anent for a fact that in that borough, by the aystom of
compounding the rates, at least 2,000 persons were deprived
of their constitutional right of voting. He called upon all
present to exert themselves individually in their parochial
capacities to put en end to that system. (IL ar, hear.)
The resolution wan then canted unaniunotey, and with
acclamation.
lir. HOWARD proposed the next revolt' ion :
That a petition founded on the a`orseaid resolutions b •
prepared and signed by the high bailiff on behalf of the
meeting; that Mr. Alderman Humphery be requested to
present such petition to the House of Commons; and that
Sir Wm. liolesworth do support the gams es the expression
of the opinion of the electors in public meeting ennobled.
He was much gratified at the aspect of that meeting. As
a moat ardent reformer for the last 25 yews, he declared that
the present prospect of union with the labouring classes
afforded hint more happiness than anything that had occurred
for a long period, foe he now indeed believed that the gnu of
political freedom was rising. (Loud cheers.) He confessed
that he had entered that meeting with considerable foreboding,
because be knew that upon its result would depend, in a
great degree, the future progress of the greatest political
agitation that was ever set on foot. (Cheers.) The chartists,
however, had come funned so manfully, and had spoken out
so ably, that he no longer despaired of the future soccer,
aye, and the early success too, of their great movement.
(Cheers.)
Hr. SATTERLY seconded the resolution without verbal

comment.
Some discustioa then ensued upon the conouct of the
borough members in absenting themselves from the meeting,
and Mr. LAWLIT inegested that the feeling of the meeting
should be conveyed to them in WIT plain and unmistakable
terms. Everoially, however, Mr. HOWARD (who had been
one of the foremost in convening the present meeting) ex-
plained the great importance of the measure (Mr. P. Wood's
Affirmation Bill), which required their attendance in the
House of Commons, and the resolution was agreed to, but
not until the chairman promised to inform the two hon.
gentlemen of the opinion of their constituents upon the
subject.
A vote of thanks to the chairman was then carried with ac-
climation. The compliment was acknowledged in a suitable
response, and the meeting separated.

SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY.

REPORT OF TRE COMMITTEE OF
INVESTIGATION.
We conticue our abstract of this report, premish
that the committee declare emphatically their " firth '
conviction that the position of the company is sound
and its prospects favourable," and that their
firm conviction is that, notwithstanding errors of
judgment and an undue assumption of individual
responsibility, the conduct of Mr. M‘Gregor' the
chairman of the board, has been honourable through-
out, and marked by a sincere, unflinching, and—
excepting in his character of a very large proprietor
—a disinterested devotion to the interests of the
South-Eastern Company.
The conclusions arrived at by the investigators in
reference to the management of the company are thus
set forth :
After adverting to the disunion at the board of
directors, the committee recommend-
1. The formation of an efficient board of directors, and
that the system of dividing the board into committees to
undertake the more immediate superintendence of the seve-
ral branehn of maaagement be adopted ; such division may,
in the opinion of your committee, be conveniently made for
the purpose of
Accounts and Finance,
limed and Traffic.
Locomotion and Stores.
Such committees to be sublet to the control of the general
board, to whom regular reports of their proceediogs should
be made.
" 2. That the number of directors be not lam thanlo.
"3. That tte directors be fairly remunerated for their
services. While giving this recommendation, your commit
tee express their opin,on that the most awful principle on
which to spporti.n the directors' fund is to second to each
member a in Aerate fixed sum by way of a retaining fee,
b•yond which he should be enei,led only in proportion to
his attention to the business of the company ; the airectors'
to be the subject of an annual vote of the

proprietors.
" 4. That an efficient audit of the company's accounts be
established.
" Your committee recoer mend that three auditors be ap-
pointed—namely, two proprietors, and one professional ac-
countant.
" With respect to the appointment of a law clerk at a
salary, instead of the employment and payment of solicitors
in the ordinary way, your committee are of opinion that that
course cannot be adopted in the present state of the cow
patty's works and affairs with safety or advantage ; how far
it may become desirable, on the completion of all the come
pany's works, when its business will be solely that of traffic,
is a question which your committee would leave to the con-
side ration of a future period.
" Whilst your committee thus discharge their duty in
commenting on the past management of ths company, and in
freely offering their suggestions for the future conduct of its
effete*, they caroms too etroogly inealeete upon the /aerie.
toes the absolute, the vital importance to their own interests,
of a termination, speedy aad final, of the injurious dispute+,
which, originating in the board-room, have extended to the
court of proprietors, and divided it into parties.
" In the opinion of your committee, the minority in the
direction are bound to retire as a first step towards the re-
iteration of harmony and confidence.
Your committee are anxious that all party feeling should
subside, and peat events be only remembered as a beacon in
the tater' progress of the company's affairs. With that end
eisumplished, and an efficient directory, supported by the
eonfidence of the proprietors, your committee are led to the
oosclusion that on the opeeing of the North Kent line, and
the completion of the other lines and works of the company,
I which are events near at hand, your property will justly
stand high in the public estimation."
The report is signed by Lewin Morley (chairman),
G. F. Dickson, F. C. Smith, S. 0. Walker, and Mat-
thew Lyon.
Details of the various matters reported on are
given in appendices. The statement of the accountant
shows, that the total gross traffic receipts during the
past three years amounted to 1,356,448!.; the working
I expenses to 682,3551. • and the interest on loans to
143,2481., leaving a be:lance of 528,8451. To this must
I be added the balance to the credit of revenue on the
31st of January, 1846, amounting to 11,9571., and
I 8'2691. placed to the credit of profit and loss in July,
1847, making the total amount available for dividends
1549,0711. The amount remaining undivided on the
31st of January last was 2,9121., showing a total of
dividends declared during the three years of 516,1591.
It was found that if a fund had been set apart for the
renewal of the permanent way at the rate of 1091. per
mile, it would have amounted during the three years
to 42,6001.; items, due by the company chargeable
against revenue not brought to account, 21,0081.;
stores, short debited to capital, 6,947/. ; traffic
balances, not realisable, 5,8871. ; and 8,2691. carried to
revenue, which properly belonged to capital, should,
in the opinion of the accountants, be added to the
107,9331. before stated, making in the whole 150,044/.
charged to capital instead of against revenue during
the above-mentioned period.

UMBERLAND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

The centenary anniversary a this excellent charity
was celebrated yesterday at the London Tavern. The chair
was filled by Kr.
Previously to the proceedings of the evening seven pen-
sioner wore elected to enjoy tue annual stipend of 121.
After the ecith was removed the Cliainnon gave the Cul-
lom:Lary loyal and patriotic touts—that of the army and navy
being responded to in very handsome terms by Capt. IL
Lowther, M.P.
The nest toast was the health of the Earl of Lonsdale, the
Lord Lieutenant of the County Inn the President of the
Institution.
The Earl of LONSDALE, in returning thanks, expressed
the extreme grenficalian which he experienced from the
flattering manner in which his health had been drunk. The
present occasion formed a most remarkable epoch in the
history of the society, which had now existed for one hundred

years.
Several other toasts, including the hmlths of the county
and borough member., the treasurer and stewards, ant
prosperity to the Cumberland Benevolent Institution, were
then proposed, and readily responded to.
Mr. H. A. AGLIONBY, M.P., read the treasurer's
report, from which it appeared that the funded in-
come of the society is 1321., whilst the annual sub.
sariptions amounted to 1171., making • total in-
come of 2491. The annual expenditure for 1848 9
was estimated at 5281. for 44 pensioners now receiving relief
from the society, leaving a deficit of 2791. The subscriptions
and donations announced by Mr. Aglionby as having been
received during the progress of the evening's enterteinmenm
and speeches, exceeded 3001. in amount, leaving the society
a balance in hand over and above the estimated expenditure
of the year. The announcement was res. ived amidst loud
applause, and the amembly broke up a little after 10 o'clock,
highly gratified by the results of the festival.

A LARGE CAPTURE OP CONTRABAND SPIRITS was
made on Tuesday might, at Portsmouth, under the followieg
circumstances. A steam tug I.ft the hvbour at 10 p.m.
without the anal lights, a fast which attracted the attention
of the Coat Guard of 8 mthsea Castle station. The steamer
returned towards Portsmouth about midnight with a boat in
tow, end when challenged by the preventive boat's crew she
put on more power and entered the harbour, although
several shots were fired after her. Other preventive boats
joined in chase, and the result was the capture of the
Royal Charter (a steam tug, emplqyed by Peter itolt, ,
the government eoutrentor) a large boat, 150 kegs containing
nearly 700 gallons of proof brandy, and 13 men, all o!whort
were taken, under en armed escort of preventive men, before
the magistrates, end remanded for seven days. Mr. Roll's
representatives have obtained the liberty of using the steamer,
having entered into • bond of 6001. to abide the result.