The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-20 00:00:00

THE Ki PRESENTATION OF KIDDERMINSTER. I NATIONAL REFORM CONFERENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

The representation of Kidderminster in parlia-
ment has become vacant, in consequence of Yr. A. R.
Bristow, the borough member, having accepted the solici-
torship to the Admiralty. This was made generally known
In Kidderminster yesterday afternoon by the issuing of the
following address :
"Having been offered an appointment the acceptano•
which renders it neoessary for me to give up all political
action, and thus sever the connexion of representative and
constituent which boa existed between us, I came down to !
your borough in order to inform you of the fact, and thank !
you most heartily and sincerely for the many kindnesses I
have experienced at your hands. Finding that lam unable
to call personally on all the electors, I take this means of .
conveying my acknowledgments and farewell. If I had
felt that I could have continued to serve you in parliament !
ea I have hitherto done no inducement should have caused '
me to resign the trust which you so generously confided to
me ; but I found during the latter part of last session and
the whole of this, that the nightly attendance in the House I
of Commons, coupled with my professional avocations du-
ring the day, was too hamming for my mind end body, and
I was distinctly informed by my medical attendant that the
overwork consequent upon one or other duty must be relin-
quished. It is my pride that I may assert with truth
that during the period I have had the honour to
represent your borough, I have never, by vote,
act, or speech deviated from those politiaa princi-
ples which I professed to you, and which gained me your
support ; and I appeal with eonfidepoe to each section of
the constituency, that I have ever been alive to and careful
of your local interests, and anxious in all ways to serve
and assist every inhabitant of Kidderminster. The latter
portion of my acquaintance with your borough nothing will
alter. The many friendships I have formed will. I trait,
endure. The desire to serve you, one and all, will remain
an active principle till the latest moment of my life."
Colonel White, who contested Longford recently, is to be
brought forward by the liberals. Ile was expected in Kid-
derminster yeste y evening, and a meeting of else:tom was
called for 8.40. Mr. Huddleaton' there is every reason to
believe, will be the conservative candidate.

(Br nuterino TRLIGILLPH.
Colonel White arrived at Kidderminster at 9 o'clock,
and addressed a hip meeting in front of the Lion Inn.
He stated the cause of his soliciting their support, and
said he was defeated at Longford by intimidation and
various other illegal means. As a member of the present
government hie principles were thoroughly liberal. Lord
Palmerston's policy of non-intervention in Italy had his
cordial approbation. He was for the abolition of church
rates ; and supported every meuure tending to promote
civil and ecclesiastical liberty. Three cheer ware gives
for the candidate.
Hr. Huddleaton arrived last night at ten o'clock.

MR MIDDLE LEVEL INUNDATIONS.

LYNN, UoJDLY Arrzurooi..

- - - .
Wider and wider grows the origins/ breach in
the banks of the middle level, letting in daily an increased
quantity of water to the Fen land', and in addition to this
another hole has been burst on the opposite bank, and the
result is that about MO acres of Ban:1010 Fen are now
wider water. Yesterday, being Sunday, thousands of per-
sons visited the rains of She sluice, and also the scene of
the dreadful inundations from all the surrounding districts*
and several eminent engineers paid a visit of observation
and inspection, and various speculations were indulged in
as to the ultimate result of this Ten flood, and more than
one plan we heard dimmed as to a better way of averting
the overwhelming series of catastrophes which must inevi-
tably follow, if the tidal waters are not stopped during the
present week, after which they will gradually
increase. The scour is so strong both when the
tide is ebbing and flowing, and the channel so deep
(about 20 feet on the low ebb), that tingles the
plans of the superintending engineers are very compre-
hensive, and the efforts put forth on a gigantic scale, the
next spring tides will find few obstacles to prevent their
diffusion of that powerful leveller—water—all over the
200,000 acres of Middle Level cultivated land. We saw yes-
terday a number of pleasure boats on the water in the Fens,
evidently making an excursion of the Marshland Merea.
One man we saw fishing directly over a field of wheat, and
I saw him take a pike—a large fish about 18 inches long. Of
*sures the statemeate as to the number of acres of land
under water differ • some state that there are 60,000 scree
this, probably, is exaggerated, but dill it ie impmsible to
accurately tell. Though the tides have been gradually fall-
lag for tour days, when we left this morning there was
nothing actually done, but preparation was being made for
omistruoting anotherdim. The old practice a throwing
bags of earth continues, and not less then 40,000 of these
must have been sacrificed, as the chief of them are washed
cat to sea. The scour is making a considerable difference
to Lynn Harbour, which ia being deepened by it. The
boundaries of the inundation are East Marshland and
Bardolph Fen, Wed Walton, West Taney, Fen End,
North St. Mary's, and South Outwell. This applies to the
large body of water, but not to the portion said to be under
water in the neighbourhood of March, Chetterie, and
Whittles's.
LATEST PARTICULARS.
LYNN, MONDAY Emma.
A meeting has been held to-day (since the above was
written), at the Guildhall, comprising representative* of the
sewers end the various commissions, through which the
Middle Level passes. The press were not admitted, but I
have just been informed by one of the gentlemen who were
present that the meeting bad resolved at once to
apply to the Horne Secretary, for the interference
of government with the Middle Level Commis-
sioners. The Mayor of Lynn (L. W. Jarvis, Esq.) has
made a similar application to government in his corporate
capacity. The greatest inactivity, we are informed, has been
manifested on the works since we left this morning, =tithe
principal engineer, Mr. Hawkeshaw, in said to have left for
town, leaving all the responsibility to the junior engineer,
Mr. Smith. The greatest alarm is spin ,in conse-
quence of the repeated delays which occurspre the in-
efficiency or disinclination of the Middle Commis-
sioners, or their agents. It is said that Mr. B. Fellows,
M.P., the chairman of the Middle Level Conimissimers, has
given Mr. Hawkerikaw full authority to nes all the means
which human foresight me suggest.

This morning, at 10 o'clock, a conference of
delegates representing various towns and political associa-
tions in England and Scotland, assembled at the Whitting-
ton Club, Arundeletreet, Strand, for the transaction of
general business, and to consider, among other things, " the
formation of such local and general organisation as may be
most affective in promoting parliamentary reform."
The following delegates were in attendance, or were
expected when the proceedings commenced :—Bradford :
Alderman Brown, J. Clarkson, Wm. Lobley. Birmingham:
Alderman Baldwin, James Taylor, jun., J. 8. Wright.
0. Baker, E. Derry. Blackburn : U. Barker. Bury :D.
Thomas. Bolton : P. Orrel, Thomas Grimshsw. Belfast
John Soot& Bridal :G. B. Gawber. The Ballot Society,
E. C. Whitebnret, J. F. Bontoma, E. IL Elt,
Node". Carlisle: J. Wsrgreavee. Edinburgh : J. Dunlop,
J. Fraser. Glasgow: M. Lawrence. G. Newton.
Halifax: J. Bowden, G. P. Browne, J. D. Dicken-
son. Huddersfield : J. Janina. Hull Blackburn,
G. Mallinson, jam. Leerier :W. Boehm, Thos. Emery.
Leeds W. Hicks, J. Gives, R. Adams. Councillor
Naylor, E. nude, F. Seam, J. Armitage, E. Rawlinaon.
Liverpool : E. T. Hicks, Jeffries. London (Political
Mem) : B. Moore, Harper Twelvetrees, Washington
Wllks, H. T. Wiltshire. East London (Political Union) :
C. L Gammon, T. Buffhant, J. A. Honer, J. W.
Gregor, J. Noble. (Reform League) : Rev. W.
Sooner, J. enroll, Babb. (St. George's Hall) :
W. Knighton, W. Day. (Church-lane, Islington) :
Joiner, Lucraft ; (Dunn's Lecture Hall, Borough) :
F. F. Le Maitre, W. Black ; (Sussex Hotel, Fleetetreet)
W. T. Mansion, W. P. Wallarge (Northern Branch) :
T. IW. Bolton ; (North London) : Mr. R. Perry, P. Hen-
rietta. Manchester Reformer" Union : G. Wilson, Pre-
sident; T. Barley, M.P., B. M. Philips, J. T. Hibbert,
M.P., W. Morris, Alderman Heywood, Alderman W.
Turner, W. Stokes, B. Armitage, J. Gamey, J. Howarth,
J. Andrew, S. Pope. City Registration Society :
T. B. Bolter. City Working Men's Association :
R. Cooper, T. Bruce, J. R. Cooper, F. Clayton.
Newcastle : Lord Teynham, Jas. Cowan, jam., J. Watson.
Newark : Thos. Fem. Oldham : Counrillor Mills. Nor-
, wich : Thee. Jerrold. Northampton T. B. Gurney, J.
Heiman. Rochdale : Aid. Limey. Shields (North) :Y.
Lllley, 8. Latinga. Sheffield: G. Hadfield, M.P., W.
Ingram. Stroud: J. E. Barnard. Warrington: T. Ashcroft,
J. Monks. Wakefield: J. Rhodes. Wortley : L,
Walker. York : W. H. Porter, AL Calloch..
Salford Reform and Ballot Society : Councillor Williams,
B. Armitage, Alderman Turner, W. H. Bailey, W. Tits, J.
Barlow. Mr. E. Baines, M.P., Mr. Crossley, LP., Mr.
Pease, ALP., Mr. Lawson, M.P., sad Mr. Cox, M.P., were
also present.
G. Wrinent, Esq. Glenchester), was called to the Mir ;
Mean. Hicks, Gem, Wilke, and Wiltshire being appointed
secretaries.
The Cearanan, in opening the active hairiness of the day,
meld the conference had been convened at the instance of the
Leeds executive, to discuss the question of reform fully sad
without any meetsl reservation whatever, with the view at
finding some common ground of working which would en-
able than to extend the franchise to many who
did not now enjoy it. (Hear, hear.) There was
a sort of West end feeling existing among certain reformers,
which did not recognise the propriety of any demand for a
measure at reform originating from the working clam.
But, looking at the character of our institutions, bow could
working men avoid being politicians. (Hoar, hoar.) With
parlisment and the pros active as they were and sprealing
Zrizt knowledge in all directions, it was the
honour of the working clams that they
desired to be recopied se constituent parte of the
constitution. (Hear, hear.) It was a fundamental
theory of oar oonstierison that no man had a right to be
taxed without he had a voice in the imposition of taxation
and yet 254 millions, out of the 29,000,000 of our popula-
tion, had no voice in the election of members of parliament.
(Hear, hear.) As to the Reform Bill of 1832, it could
in so way be regarded as • final measure, as had, in fact,
been admitted by Lord Brougham, himselfi am of the
authors of the WI, only five years after it was passed.
(Hear, bear.) And there had been many set/lions which
wag to show conclusively that there were large clones of
the people who were dissatisfied with the results of the
reform act, and who required something
.more—the last
the agitation at Leeds, which had origi-
asted present movement. Successive admi-
nistrations, too, had admitted the necessity of
an extension of the franchise, in speeches from the throne
at the commencement of parliamentary sessions. Led
Derby and Lord Palmerton had both agreed in this, when
in power ; but after the withdrawal of the bill introduced
bylerd J. Rumen in 1860, nothing had been introduced
to further a real settlement of the question, ex-
cept the resolution premed by Mr. E. Baines.
(unrolls Inn times the Queen had expressed
her to the House of Commons that reform was ne.
emery ; but she had not yet been able to find men of 'dß-
tient energy or courage to carry out bee wishes. (Hear,
beer.) He did not, on their gerenl policy, complain of the
present ministry, whose French commercial treaty had his
full approval. What he complained of was that the present
Howe of Commons, or a majority of it was, returned by
170,000 electors ; that Thetford, wills 200 or 300 electors, re-
tained as many members as the Tower Hamlets with 25,000
eleckes ; that there were pocket boroughs now returning
morn members than all the mindituemisa of the metropolis
put together • that our taxes were sow increased to such
an extent that our army and any met 96 per cent., and our
civil service 78 per mot, more than formerly ; that until an
'iteration was made,aceordingto Mr. Gladstone'. suggestions,
in his speech at kanchestar, and until • radical change was
made, there could be no security that we should not continue
to go on as we were going ea sow. (Herr, hmr.) The
*WM of the present movement was to co-operate with
lemod men, in and out of parliament, to produce such a
=and be had no doubt the men would be found forth-
whenever the exigencies of the question demanded
ihsk action. (Mem) In conclusion, the chairman ex-
pensed his regret that PAL Barley, who was desirous of ad•
dendsig the ooderence, had been compelled to leave with-
est doing so—although be hoped to return shortly for that
'WA 000P11 said he had been deputed by the working
MOB of Manchester to express their decided conviction as to
the neeemity of an extension of parliamentary reform, and
their willingness to co-operate with other political bodies
for the purpose of attaining that end. They did not wish
to lay down any exclusive line of action, but were willing to
ad with all who would take the following as their basis
el action, viz., to give the franchise to all males
in boroughs who were rated or rateable to the
mild of the poor, and to all male" in counties occupying
bed or houses of the annual value of 101. ; together with a
seiheributios of seats, the ballot, and a shortened duration
si mammal& (Hear, bear.)
Mr. Imams (of the Liverpool Financial Reform League)
spoke generally in favour of parliamentary mfg sad
more pointedly to the necessity of a change (MI
system, by the abolition of the tax on tea, sugar, and ooffee.
as wall as of the shilling duty on corn—a change which he
soatended would be an immense benefit to the working
deans.
Mr. SxRxLL (London Reform League), while he
with very much that bad been said by previous
entirely rePudiated the compromise of the claims of thi.
working dame as proposed by Mr. Cooper. The whip
had always deceivedthe working claim and always would
de so. The only platform of beneficial action must be re-
manhood suffrage, without which the ballot would
Vild useless.i Unless they decided in favour of registered
manhood suffrage, giving the franchise as • right to every
man uncoavicted of crime, and not being a pauper, the con-
ference would have met in vain.
Mr. Hires (acting semetary) read letters from the fol.
lowing writers (among others) unable to attend, but who
expressed sympathy with the object of the oedemas,
namely, Lord Loodesborough (who sent 51. se. towards ex-
penses), Sir C. Donee", Mr. Robertson Gladstone (who en-
closed 21. Mr. Golden (who said his vote would in
future, as it had always been, be in favour of a liberal ex.
tension of the franchise), Mr. Thomas Berm (enclostog
Si.),. E. Kill (21.2 e.), Edward Potter, M.P.
The CIIAZIYAS then invited every delegate to express his
opinions freely as if there were no prepared plan of opera-
tions, so that there might be material from which a com-
mittee, to be appointed later in the day, or tomorrow,might
extract wine proposition of reform to be dimmed by the
conference in a definite shape. (Hear, bear.)
Mr. FaszEti (Edinburgh) expressed his opinion that the
apathy generally supposed to exist on the question of re-
form was more apparent than real. At the same time
he admitted that a strenuous effort must be made
before the country could be aroused to the full importance
of the question. Pmeasolly be went farther than the Man-
chester proposition submitted by Mr. Cooper, but he thought
that propmitioo, neverthabes, a my fair basis of action.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Beasts, M.P., from personal knowledge of
many of those in Leeds who had originated
the present movement, testified to their hooesty.
The principle adopted at Leeds was to lay down.
as a general principle of scrim, the necessity of an extensioe
el the franchise, leads( details out of the question, since it
was almost impossible that • perfect unanimity of opinion
could exist on matters of detail. (Rear, hear.) He recom-
mended the couferentegnow to adopt a similar course, not
attempting to prescribe the particular kind d reform to be
asked for, but leaving the various petitioning bodies to ask
parliament for whatever they might deem best—every
honest proposal, and every wise measure of reform.
having their general supped. (Hear, bear.) A greet
week remained to be done. What be heard en the Houma
of Commons was that the eountry did not demand reform.
It was for the conference to show that the country diet de-
mand it; for, as soon as the coastituencies Make
plainly as to; what they wanted, they would find
that there was still • vast bo4. of repreree.
elitism la the House of Commons who would vote for ane
honest measure of reform. (Hear, beer.) He (Mr. Baines)
did not wish to make • speech ; bet he felt the warmed
sympathy with the object of the meeting, and wished from