The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-27 00:00:00

MEETING AT ROCHDALE.

On Thursday evening a public meeting was held in
the Public Hall, Rochdale, for the purpose of considering
what measures to adopt with nip:et to obtaining a reduc-
tion in the national expenditure. Mr. T. Liv,sey, the chief
constable, was appointed chairman.
The CHAIRMAN opened the business of the meeting by
reading the placard convening it. He said he quite agreed
with the purport of the placard, as to the propriety of ex-
tending the suffrage, as the time had arrived when a further
reform in the representation should be made. The suf-
frage of past years had been all on one aide. Lnrd John
Russell had said that the people did not want it; but it
was not so. He was one who wished to see the
social and moral elevation of the people, and the suf-
frage was part and parcel of the education of man. The
distress that existed was in some measure owing to the fran-
chise being unequal, and if the people were fairly repre-
sented nine-tenths of the evils that were complained of would
be removed. The present reform movement was for house-
hold suffrage, but he wasdecidedly in favour of universal
suffrage. (Cheers.) If the national expenditure was
guarded more by the people, there would not be so much
money squandered away as at the present time. Though he
was for universal suffrage, he would, under existing circum-
stances, go with the present new reform party in obtaining
an extension of the franchise.
Mr. 0. 011111 ROD moved the first resolution, to the
effect :
That as the public expenditure of the country is increasing, there
is no hope of any good being &me so long as a great many of the tax.
payers are not fairly represented.
It was high time to begin arid look after the government of
the country, when it was a fact that in England every man,
woman, and chin was taxed 21. 12.. 6d. per head per an-
num- The amount in the United States of America was
only 9s. 7d., and in France 11. 4s. It was high time to agi-
tate until government brought better measures forward, or
allowed others to do so for them. Lord J. Russell had said
government could not be carried on at a lees expenditure,
but the bulk of the people knew better. So long as certain
laws exist the aristocracy would continue to sponge upon the
people. It was poverty that caused agitation. Some had
said the distress now so prevalent was owing to a repeal of
the corn laws and free trade measures, but he (Mr. Ormerod)
attributed the distress to a failure in the crops, and to bad

legislation.
Mr. JOHN PETRIE, sen., seconded the resolution. He
said country could not expect a better government until
the middle and working dames are united.
Mr. T. Linsey, a chartist, was called upon to move the
next resolution. He hoped that the chartists of Rochdale
would not be divided, but would support the new reform
movement, or throw no obstacle' in their way. The whiffs
of the present day could not stop the people from advocating
their political rights ; nearly every body had had sufficient
of whiggery. (Cheers.) The people would admit of some
good things and acts of Sir R. Peel, but scarcely any person
believed there was any good whatever in Lord J. Ruasell.
He concluded by moving the following resolution :
That this meeting pledges itself, in order to bring the House c
Commons more in harmony with the opinion and interests of the
nation, to take all constitutional measures to have the elective trona
chum extended to all householders : that the electors should have the
ballot, and that no property qualification should be required from
persons elected to aft us parliament; that the duration of parliaments
should be limited to a period not exceeding three years; and that the
electoral power should be rendered more equal by means of electoral
districts.
Mr. JACOB BRIGHT then came forward and seconded the
resolution, which was then put and carried.
Mr. T. BOOTH moved, and Mr. W. HOLLAND seconded,
that a petition to the House of Commons, founded on the
resolutions be adopted, which was carried unanimonsly.—A.
vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting,
which consisted of about 1,200 persons, broke up.

IRELAND.
DUBLIN, MAT 25.
The excitement to-day created by the trial of Mr
Mitchel is very great. Business appears to be almost
suspended, and nothing is heard of save anxious in-
quiries as to the progress of affairs in the Commission
Court.
The followin! placard, headed " Jurv-Packing by
the Base, 81... y, and Brutal Whigs," was posted
I through the city last night, but before breakfast-hoar
this morning the police had removed nearly every
cop :
People of Ireland,—Mark these facts, end learn the value
of that liberty which you enjoy under the British constitu-
tion There is a certain book called the Jurors' Book,
which contains the names of all the citizens of Dublin
qualified to serve as common jurors. Out of all the names
in this book the sheriff is supposed to select, " indiffer-
ently," a sufficient number to act as jurors at each commis-
sion. At present the book contains, altogether, 4,661 names,
of which 3,426 are Catholics, and 1,235 are Protestants, in-
cluding Presbyterians. Observe, there are nearly three
Catholics for one Protestant. Out of those 4,661 names the
sheriff has chosen 150 to act as jurors at the present commis-
sion. Amongst these there are only 28 Catholics. On the
Jurors' Book the Catholics are to the Protestants nearly as 9
to 1. On the panel selected "indifferently "from that book
the Catholics are to the Protestants as Ito 5. There are not
three Presbyterians returned on the panel. Shame on the
miscreant who would strike down a brave and au open
enemy by such treacherous devices. Catholics of Ireland,—
Let not these facts create in your minds any hostility against
your Protestant fellow-countrymen. Be not afraid to in-
trust your liberties into their hands. In two recent instances
they have proved that patriotism is taking the place of
, bigotry in their breasts, and that they can no longer be re-
, lied on u the garrison of England. Cultivate this improved
spirit, and let all your hostility be reserved for the pestilent
tyranny which lives by our divisions, and whoseyoke presses
equally upon all.

TRIAL OF MR. MITCHEL
The interior of the court was fall of bustle, and in-
deed, confusion, from as early hour, and every ITLlabie seat
on the floor of the court was filled with geitlegagy. Mee
bar. The following gentlemen ationdod for the aygoe Tb' • , ".*
et. •
71.
,
41,7 • •
,c
str