The Express.
London, England, 1848-06-17 00:00:00

MEETING IN CLERKENWELL.

Yesterday, a crowded meeting of the pari-hioners
of St. James',., Clerkenwell, was bald in the vestry room, for
the purpose of taking into e Insidtration the pripriety of
presenting a petition to the House of Commons, in support
of Mr. Iltwe's motion for reform, Mr. Edmund S holefield,
one of the churchwardens, in the chair.—Mr. flux, in pro-
posing a resolution, said they wanted an impartial distribu-
tion of taxation. Under the present system of the repre-
sentation, the taxes (being imposed by the saisto-
era-y) were made for their OWII benefit, and the
hurthens were to be supported by the iiidustrious
classts. The people cauld expect no change until
there oes a better system of representation ; and be trusted
that in a short lime there would be such en alteration as
would he conducive to the interests of all classes. lie
moved a resolution, pledging the meeting to give their sup-
port to ti e motion of Mr. Hume —Mr. West seconded the
resoluti 41; and directed the attention of the meet gto the
circumstance that the borough of Finsbury, with 226,000
inhabitants, only returned too members to patli.,inent,
while the same number was returned by many b .rou'he,
with a constbueney of trim 400 and 800 electors. (Heor.)—
Mr. Cameron mow d the follt,wing amendment:

That thi. meeting declare their coneietion that the Home of
Coin:noes doe. not represent the people ; that the decoration of
lord Jorm Rumen that the middle and woe king clam, do not
desire any extenaire change ha the ,tote of the representation is a
fallacy, and totally at variance with public opinion ; that further, we
be here that the true interests and proaaerity of the nation will only
be secured by granting the right of voting for members of parliament
to all mule adult penona luring a filed residence fora certain period;
by :in equal system of electoral districts, according to the pa
pulation ; by imving the VOIC6 to be taken by bALt, and by having
parliament limited to a ,hortduration.
Mr. Meoce seconded the amendment, which was unani-
mo•usly agreed to —Mr. Bennet move! the second reso-
lution, to the effect that therm
.eting rejoiced in the
intention of Mr. Hume to introduce the motion in time House
of Commons, with a view to remedy the de.ective state of
the representation, and declare their firm determination to
give him their support, believing there political changes
suitab.e to the purpo‘es of the times, and as the only means
to remove the present discontent.—Mr. Britton a carded the
resolution, which was carried.—A petition, founded upon
the revolutions, was adopted.

FROME. —At a meeting of the electors here a reso-
lution was corns to, agreeing to support Mr. liume's motion
for an extension of the suffraBe; and a petition to that effect
is accordingly being signed.
TATISTOCK.—On Wednesday a meeting of the in-
habitseve of Tavistock was hell in the Buddha 1 of that
town, for the purpose of supporting the measures of reform
about to be brought (Tweed in the House of Commons by
Mr. Hume. A large number of chartists in the hall united
cordially with the middle cl uses generally in giving their
support to the propositions brought forward. A petition la
ar or of Mr. Huine's motion was resolved upon.
DUNFERMLINE. —ln consequence of a requisition,
numi rowdy signed, Bailie Birrel, in the absence u. Provost
Banaldson, called a publio meetirg of the inhabitants,
which was held at the foot of the Nethertown, on Monday
last for the purpose of giving the movement coin nenced by
Messrs. Hume, Cobden, &c., in parliament, their cordial
sup; ort ; between 2,000 to 3,000 persons were assembled.
Jas. Inglis, Esq., manufacturer, was unanimously called to
the chair. Sev.el gentlemen addressed the meeting, and
gave excellent speeches in moving andreconding the follow-
iag motions, which were cordially approved of by the
meeting
Motion let —That this meeting declares its conviction that the House
of Oommtns, as it is presently constructed, does not represent the
people; that, in consequence of the narrow, unequal, and unjust basis
upon which ,he existing instrmot parliamentary repro cotitimi rests,
claw legislation is promoted, many grievous abuses tolerated, and an
extravagant national expenditure is incurred, and that these evils
can only be effectually remedied by the speedy adoption of reform.
Motion 2nl.—That in ord r to obtain fair and impartial legislation,
I:Lsion: reasonable economy in the expenditure, and to a ewe the
y and proeperity of the community, it is absolutely nec,leary
that the franchise be extended to ail householders; that votes be pro.
tected by the ballot ; that Parliament shall not exceed three years in
duration; and that there he • more equal disiaion of doctorial
districts.
Motion 3rd.—That we hail with estislaction the movement want-
tnenced by Menus. Hume, Coition, and others; and, conaidering it ta
be the duty of all reformers to unite in their support, we hereby
agree to 00-operate with, and aid them by our beet efforts.
Motion 4th.—That a petition be presented to the House of Com-
mous founded on these resolutions, and that the Game be forwarded to
J. B. &lath, our worthy representative, for prrsentation.
The proceedings occupied from two to three hour, and,
after a vote of thanks to the chairmin, the meeting dispersed
in comet quiet and orderly manner.
FALKIRK.—On Tuesday a public meeting of the
eh eters of the burgh of Falkirk was called by Printed. Adam,
when resolutiots were moved and seconded, condemning
the pester:it lavish expenditure of the public money, and
consequent increase of taxes; approving of an eatension of
the hanchise, vote by ballot, equal electoral districts, and
ttietiteial parliaamtnta ; and eidoidiug a petition to the Harass