The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-23 00:00:00

THE COURT.

Her Royal I lightsess the Duchess of Kent visited her
Majery the Queen DAragcr yeettrday at Marlborough
Hauer.

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Hie Royal Highneca Prince Henry of the Nether-
land, paid a visit to her Ulm' Highness the Duchess of Kent
yesterday. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
also visited her royal highness yesterday et Clarence House,
St. James's.

Diem Royal Highnesses the Doehees of Cambridge
and the Princeu Mary, eat, her linallitalinere thelleredttat y
(Juni Ducnera of hlreklenbure Strehtz, arendetl by Mr.
Edmond Mildakey, honoured her Male.%) 'a Theatre with
their presence yosterdsy evening.

FINANCIAL AND
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL AND PARMA-

MENTARY ASSOCIATION.

Yesterday the fire, !Nubile mt din: of th, ittplibere
of thi: ;rowing, and already num. roes association, was held
in the spacious, hall of the L ndon Tavern.
Sir J. WALMSLEY, having taken the chair,
Gentlemen, this meeting is convened, in order—l am
rearing the placard convening the meeting—in ord. r to give
extended publicity to the principles and obj. et, of she Imo.
elation, and to promote an effectual reform of our represen-
tative system; that reform to consist of—l. Such an tete n.
lion of the suffrage as will confer the rieht to be register d
as an • lector upon every man of full age, not subject to see
legal disability, whr for twelve months shall have oecupie d
any tenement or portion of a tenement for which he shall he
rated, or shall have claimed to be rated, to the relief of the
poor. 2. The adoption of the system of voting by ball it. 3.
The limitation of the duration of parliaments to three years.
And. 4. Such a change in the arrangement of the electoral
districts as shall produce a more equal apportionment of re
preseutatives to constituents. G. ntlemen, in taking the
chair on this occasion on behalf of the aesocia.inn, I have to
so quest a fair and impartial hearing for e very man who may
choose to address you on the subject which we aro met here
together to c insider.
Mr. 1. ATKINSON, the honorary secretary, then read
the report as follows :
't The council have the gratification to state that the
steps taken to establish a metropolitan financial and par-
liamentary reform association upon a firm, endurir g, and
comprehensive brie, have been attended by staking, un-
equivocal, and continuous success. The council be lieve that
success to he mainly owing to the conviction which is betide
forcing limit upon even re lucent sled unwilling mind% that
the present undue prenuic upon the industry and cepitel of
the country has its origin in the evis which spring out of
elan I.gielatinn. The council are strengthened in that be-
lief by the fact that the aneciation, in existence so tretely
three months, is daily receiving large accersions to its num-
bers, and a!ready comprises the names of many of the oldest,
ablest, and ny et distinguished advocates of the extension of
civil rights. Funds have been contributed amply sufficient
to meet the demands of the present. Numerous di.trict
societies, springing out of the central association, are in
active and vigorous operation in different parts of the metro-
eomprisieg al thousands of zealous and ardent
reformer', all engaged in aid of the c moron object. And
London, which, in the early part of the year, was 'rebind
the provinces in the growing agitation for financial and plr-
liamentary reform, now occupies that leading position to
which it is entitled, not more from its population and its
wealth Akan from its publicspirit and its peeved ie. g intelligence.
Deeply impressed with the conviction that no effectual nor
lasting relief from the present unequally imposed and heavy
burden of taxation can or will take place until the taxpayers
I have a mere direct influence in the election of the represen-
tatives who have to deal with the na.ional resources, the
council, after much anxious solicitude and careful delibera
tics, came to the conclusion that the agitation for parliamen-
tary reform should precede that for financial ameliorations.
(Much cheering.) In re opting this policy, the council were
folly aware that the great difficulty to be met and overcome
lay in the difference of opieion which prevailed among their
fellow-reformers upon the subject of widening the suffrage.
The council, upon mature consideration, have decided upon
advocating such an extension of the franchise as will give to
every male occupier of a tenement, or any portion of a tene-
ment, the right to he registered as an elector—the only con-
dition coupled with that right being, not the payment of rates,
but the fact of being rate I, or having claimed to be rated, for
the relief of the poor in respect of the qualifying premises.
The effect of such a measure in strengthening the popular
voice In the Reuse of Commons may be inferred (rem the fact
that the present constituency of the United Kiegdom would
be increased by the &Mei= of upwards of 3,500.000
voters. (Cheers.) The council seek to invest thin
extended right of voting with the shelter of
the ballot ; and, in order to keep actively alive that sense of
responsibility which, in the public business of the nation as
in the private affairs of life, secures the faithful exercise of a
power held in trust, they advocate the return to the old con-
stitutional system of triennial parliaments; while another
and not less urportant change sought for in cur representa-
tive system will be that which will give a more equal appet-
tionment of members to constituent". The council believe
that such an extension of cavil privileges is due not more to
the increased intelligence of the people than it is called for
by the peculiar exigencies of the times ; they believe that
that legislation is fraught with wisdom which concedes
during a period of comparative trinouillity rights which
have been too long withheld ; and that no policy is more
pregnant with danger than that which yields only to force
what is stubbornly denied to a sense of justice. (Renewed
cheering.) Looking to the history of the past, the council
believe that neither of the two great parties in the state will
concede to the popular voice the reforms dem.nded, until
the appeal acquires consistency and force through the
medium of a powe:ful and numerous combination
of all classes of reformers. Under this impression
the council enter into a well-considered system of
vigorous, extensive, but strictly legal agitation. They will
endeavour to enlist 4 the cause they have embraced all the
available elements of moral power. District and periodical
aggregate public meetings will be held, tract. will be dis-
tributed, aid will be imparted to the various metropolitan
registration societies now iii existence for watching over the
interests of liberal voters, and important facilities will be
offered for the acquisition of freehold qualifications in the
surrounding counties. The council have now briefly stated
some of the mere important objects to be accomplished, and
the means by which it is proposed to attain them. They ap •
peal, in conclusion, to the two great bodies of the commu-
nity, the middle and productive classes, for zealot.. cc-
operation and active and energetic support. They appeal