The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-04 00:00:00

GREAT CONFERENCE

OF
REFORMERS AT MANCHESTE

ment, and also that Manchester would be the best meeting
place. (Hear. hear.) We were exceedingly anxious not
to do anything which should tend to take trots other
districts their proper &Mae in this matter; but the gentle-
men were generally willing that the meeting should be
held here. We had recently a meeting of the Parliamentary
and Financial Reform Association, in which it was agreed
that this meeting should be convened ; and we had also a
preliminary meeting, at meta some half-dosen influential
gentlemen from Yorkshire
to this distract: the gm stions were discusad for several
hours, and the general unanimity among the parties as-
sembled was. I assure you, most refreshing. (Cheers.)
Certain resolutions were prepared for that meeting, and
they were, generally speaking, concurred in; the differ-
ences, it any, being in matters of detail. Our object was to
frame resolutions which might form the basis of
our discussion here, and, if agreed to here, might
Ibe proposed in the Fre., Trade Hall, at the great
meeting to-night, and might go forth to the government
as the solemn convictions of Lancashire and of Yorkshire,

and, in so far as the meeting in the Free Trade Hall to.
night may indicate, of Manchester inwlf, un the subject of
parliamentary raorm. Ido not propose now to submit any
set of abstriet propositions, but rathcr, knowing the
great differences of opinion that exist in serious classes
—from the man of wealth and station down to the

cathusimticartiaan who has no stake but his labour,—.

looking ut these things, I 64), we should submit a plan of
reform that would give a large measure of political liberty
to the and also conciliate the largest amount of
public o,onion among the more wealthy and intelligent
chimes of the community. (Hear, hear.)
The following are our
" 1. That this conference has maturely considered the
existing state of the representation of the United Kingdom,
and has deliberated upon the changes which are required
to satisfy the just and moderate expectations of the people,
and to render the House of Commons, in conformity with
the split of the constitution, a fair represeotation of the

property, the industry, and the intelligence of the nation.
2. ihot with regard to the franchise, this conference is
of opinion that the right of voting should be widely et-
tended, and that the franchise should bo made more

simple, with a view to the easy formation of an honest
register of electors ; and it reeommends that the elective fran-
chise be bawd upon occupation and liability to the poor rate,
with such limitation as to period of residence as shall be ne-
cessary to afford a guarantee that the occupation is bonafsde.
In addition, the conference would urge the extension of the

40s. frtnehitie , and its exten,ion to the owners of property
in the United Kingdom of that annual value, whether de-
rived from freehold, copyhold, or leasehold tenure., with
the view to open a way to the right of voting to many,
who, from various causes, would not be in the direct occu-
pation of premises rated for the relief of the poor, but whose
claims to the franchise, from industry, character, and SW
tion, is undoubted. The whole constituency of the United
Kingdom would thus c •usi>t of occupiers rated to the
relief of the poor, and of the owners of property, freehold,
copyhohl, or leamituld, of the annual value of 403.
"3. That this conference is of opinion that no extension
of the franchise :will make the House of Commons

a fair representation of the nation without a very con-
siderable change in the distribution of the electoral power,
and it therefore strongly urges, that, where practicable and
convenient, small and neighbouring boroubhs be united and
form one borough; that where such arrangement is not prac-
ticable, small boroughs cease to return members, and that
their existing constituency form part of that of the county in
which they are situate. that, corresponding to the extent to
which small boroughs shall be united, oration cease to return
members to parliament, new boroughs be created from the
populous towns now unrepreientcd, and that additional
members be conferred on the metro' olitan and other first-
class boroughs in the United Kingdom. A guiding prin-
ciple in the changes here recommended should be, that
hereafter no small constituency should exist, and that au
constituency should consist of fewer than 5,000 electors.
(Cheers
4. " That this conference is of opinion that the adoption
of the ballot is indispensable to on honest representation,
that it would make the convictions of the electors, rather
than his personal interests or fears, the leading motive in
the exercise of the franchise; that it would greatly depress
the demoralising practises so humiliating to candidates and
so degrading to electors, which were almost inseparable
from a canvass and a poll under the existing system; and
that it would aid must effectually in preventing the turbu-
lence and riot with which elections have hitherto been too
often attended.

6. " That this conference is of opinion that the present
legal duration of parliaments is much too extended to se-
cure to constituencies a proper control over their represen-
tatives, and would strongly urge the repeal of the Septen-
nial Act, and the limitation of the duration of parliaments,
in accordance with ancient precedent, to a period not ex•
ceeding three years.
"6. That this conference entirely concurs in the view
expressed by the Prime Minister during the List session of
parliament, that the property qualification for members of
parliament ought to be abolished.
" 7. That in the proposition now agreed to and now sub•
mined to the consideration of the country and the govern-
ment, this conference has been anxious to adhere to the
ancient landmarks of our representative system, and withiu
' their limits to introduce such chances only as experience
has shown to be wise, and, so to widen the basis of the re-
presentation, as to satisfy the best expectations of the people,
improving in industry, in comfort, in education, in morals,
and in the appreciation of their public duties and public
rights."
Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY asked what was meant by
liability to the poor rate.
Mr. BRIGHT said that there had been some difference
of opinion at the preliminary meeting, and it hid been
thought better to leave the matter open fur discussion.
Sir J. WALMSLEY said that the hon. member's answer
was very unsatisfactory. The proposals were very indefi-
nite, and the working classes would not be satisfl,tl if they
did not know how the piymcnt of rates was to he settled.
He could tell them that there was no condition of the
franchise more obnoxious to the great body of the purple.
(Hear.)
Alderman CARBUTT objected to discussion until the
resolutions had been seconded. . . .

Alderman KERSHAW seconded the resolutions.
Mr. CONYNOHAM, of Brighton, objected to any mea-
sure of reform short of the pnnciples adopted by the No-
ticed Parlismentory Reform Association, being placed
babas the country for agitation.
Hi- CAItBC T r, of Leeds, said be had toe pleasure of
being present at a preliminary conference which some gen-
tlemen from York.bire had with the Manchester Reform
Association. They met in a friendly spirit, and, as stated
by Mr. Bright, reduced the points of difference between them
to a very narrow compass, if not to one point. Ho thought
that groat and thorough searching pnaciples were enun-
ciated in the resolutions read by Mr. Bright. (" Hear,
bear," and applause.)
Mr. G. THOMPSON, M.P., said as it was not his inten-
tion to obtrude himself more than once upon the meeting,
he was anxious to take an early opportunity of saying a few
words at this point of the proceedings. Ile was not here to
state his own views so much as the settled views of those
with whom he acted. He attended this meeting because
the committee of management had proposed that they
should consider a scheme of reform which would be satis-
factory to the easatry, and because Mr. Bright had said it
was their intends& these resolutions, however modified,
should be submitted to the country. Now he would do his
friend (Mr. Bright), who drew them up, the justice to say,
that ho be be had been guided by a most
anxious desire to Main the largest possible Ines.
MVO of reform (hear, leer), and if he (Mr. Thompson)
found fault a tittle whit his resolutions, it would not be
because be had any doubt as to his desire to do his best to
Estritessaut ofriblz tittiigt tie meeti
astyttglamng he hcoesurlta
that gonitunia bad said, he objected to any
nissonoesarag lams thin asonby wbleh was not sufficiently
; and be must say he was not quite
IsM eB" tv: t s resolutions. We were now met
here in 1861. Why, before the American wit, we had a more
extrados smosnso than that now submitted to them pro-
pool hi the Hew of Lords by a noble duke ; and he did
think Olaf they bad made but little progress, if, after
all ben Leon, we could not go further than was
now pengweed. He poiated to Jeremy Bentham and
Sir Freida Burdett as having proposed more cam-
preheasive and extensive measures of reform many
years ago. In 1819 a large number of radical members of
the House of Commons met together at the Reform Club to
agree to a motiun to be brought forward by Mr. Joseph
Hume in the House of Commons. There was a motion
agreed upasomi be must expiate his surprise that agentic-
man who wra and who aadsat occasirn enunciated
• easesWNM is seisms Sea be had thought proper
to wpm ts. , simeld bon begotten that he was pre-
en% mil that be then
_ogres" that such a measure should
la bmeibt forward by Mr. Hume, giving to every person a
IPMeados should occupy • house, or any portion of a house,
Iramnrat, rated to the poor ; and that this morn-
kb it *Mai oblivion of that fact, and in oblivion
• 111, hit that the measure of reform then agreed
Is lei bias four times submitted to the House of
olleffinseedl been submitted 'to no less than 540 public
u widows parts of the country,
and approved of ;
br&angnmsbis surprise that, notwithstanding all this,
UMW ant 61111111fd with another measure, large enough
to Nam extendsa support in the country certainly, but
• enough den it should come before the House of
OsielMews to be discussed to be open to misconstruction and
dlamity. Now, he should move that in lieu of the propo-
sition Mak. Bright as toll, suffrage, there should be in-
sisted IS dm xebec the mass words on that point in Mr.
Bum% mods&
Yr. WORT *ogle iHsompson had misrepre-
sented bin. No mid be aid' la mutest with the motion
of Mr. amens, los lined bin (Mr. Bright) with in-
winsisteaar beleges hen won at the Free Trade Club
when al marina it M. Hume was agreed to.
Now, so Om amo be bats shrinking from the terms
of that moth"s that be would at once avow that
he was the pram abs drew up the resolutions
then submitted with his own hand. (Hear, hear.) Us

Yesterday, an exceedingly numerous conference of
the leading reformers, chiefly from Lancashire and York-
shire, but also including gentlemen from various other
counties, was held at the Spread Eagle Inn, Manchester,
to which an adjournment had taken place from the rooms
of the association, in consequence of the largeness of the
attendance, to consider what steps should be taken by the
great ref..rm party, in consequence of the intimation of the
Prime Minister that it was his intention to introduces some
measure of reform during the ensuing session of parlia-
ment. The chair was taken by (isogon Wirmon4l
and there were also present Messrs. Cobden, M.P. t,
M.P., Sir J. Walvailey, Sharman Crawford, P.,
Right lion. T. M. Gibson , M.P., James Kershaw, M.P.,
G. Thompson, M.P., L. He worth, M.P., J. B. Smith,
111. P., John Williams, M.P., and the following spas-
facture» and delegates from the various towns mations&
We were informed that the list comprises many of the
largest employees of labour in Lancashire and Yorkshire ;
Wm. Jerome, Alderman Farrar, John Rawson, Copley,
Joseph Hudson, and David Lighttollers, Bradford; Dr.
Watts and R. W. Smiles, Manchester ; Cunningham,
Brigham; J. L. Quaresby, Knott, J. Platt, Peter Seville,
John Heape, and Wm. Taylor, Oldham; 0. Smith, Saddle-
worth ; Heywood, Bolton ; Win. Gray, tsalford ; Alex. Tay-
lor and Thos. Lees, Oldham; W. F. Hoyland. Manchester;
P. S. Dixon. Carlisle ; Wm. Bytes, Bradford; Josh. Swede,
York; J. Biggar, Blackburn; J. Whyatt, Manchester;
G. Dewhurst and Wm. Fielden, Blackburn ,• Henry Forbes,
Bradford ; John Lawson, Manchester ; G. Foster, London ;
James Kay, Bury; Duncan SPLann, Lord Provost of
Edinburgh; Wm.Bhuttleworth, Manchester; Peter White-
head, David Whitehead, J. B. Whitehead, and Joseph
Whitehead, Rawtenstall; David Green, Edward Baines,
Alderman Carbine, Alderman Richardson, Councillor
Carter, John Wilkinson. Alderman John Wilson, and John
Marshall, Leeds; J. Money, Bradford; 8. Hodgkins,
Samuel Palen, and John Hunter, Manchester; Thos. A.
'leaps and J. Buothroyd, Huddersfield; J. Petrie, Roch-
dale ; J. Edwards, J. Sutton, James Leach, Barrett, J.
Whitehead, and Wm. Bickham, Manchester; James Hyde,
Stalybridge ; Samuel Lees, S. P. Robinson, Win. M'Cart•
ney, Joseph Simpson, Alderman Harvey, and T. Woolley,
Manchester; Rawlins, Wrexham; Benj. Ashton, Hyde;
F. Crossley, Halifax ; John Rushton, Macclesfield; James
Simpson, Foshill.bank ; John Roden, Sale-moor; Charles
Ridings, Ardwick ; W. Johns, Thomas Worthington, Sa-
muel lope, Oahe% W. IL Johnson, W. P. Ellerby,
Edward Shawcross, William Taylor, George Hadfield,
James Watts, Isaac Beardsell, Thomas Toplis, Nicho, and J.
Shimwell, Manchester; Richard Sally, Sheffield ; Joseph
Wool; John Armstrong, Harry Ranson, William Jenlun-
son, and James Moorhousit, Manchester; John Shaw; Wil-
liam Bailey ; 'warmth Davis; William Bradford; James
Simpson ; Joseph Bernsoadi; Thomas Sattertawaits ; James
Taylor, Chorltsa-cm-Msdisek ; Hoary Basler, Manchester;
John Heap, Bores; Frederick Crowe, U. ; A. W.
Paulson, Robert Ramsey, Edward Bennett, and J. R.
Cooper, Manchester; Robert Martin and William Megeon,
Leeds; Michael Stock, Huddersfield.
Mr. BRIGHT said-1 think it desirable that this meet-
ing should know a little of the eimunstances under whisk
they have been convened. We have communicated with
several treat counties, such as Newcastle and Edinburgh,
and we have found a general opinion in favour of this move-

thesight Mr. Thompson did not exaetly know what those
resolutions were when he charged him with inconsistency,
because the measure now before this meeting was actually
more extensive than the terms of the one alluded to.
(" Hear, hear," and applause.) 'Thu words of the resolu-
tions at the Refurra Club, as far as he could recollect
them, were that the elective franchise should be extended
at least to all householders. He spoke from memory; but
lie put it to the meeting whether a resolution like that be-'
fore the meeting, which extended the franchise to all
holders of tenenarnts, whether householders. warehouse-
' holders, stable-holders, and garden-holders, was not quite
as extensive as the other (Ikar, heat.) Ile put it to
his bon. friend if he was not under some mistake, there-
fore, when he charged him with inconsistency in this mat-
ter ? (Hear, hear.)
Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON said he did not refer to
'he resolulions passed at the Free Trade Club, but to the
motion of Mr. Hume, proposing to give the suffrage to
every roan of full age who had occupied a tenement
rated to the poor.
Mr. BRIGHT raid Mr. Thompson certainly referred to
the resolutions agreed to at the Free Trade Club, and the
principles of which Mr. flume's motion embodied.
Mr. J. C. DYER, as au old reformer, approved of the re-
solution.
Mr. DUNCAN M'LAREN, Lord l'rovost of Edinburgh.
said, having heard the resolutions read over he entirely ap-
proved of them, and thought that tit:), would recommend
themselves to the great mass of the community.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD said he should give these resolu-
tions a qualified assent, which would not preclude him
from going beyond, in parliament or elsewhere, the spirit
of these resolutions.
Mr. BANES said he agreed most heartily with the
whole proposition. (Hear, hear.) He was delighted with
the sympathy that had been exhibited for the rights of the
humbler chimes • but It wee a LAture of the titan UPS
such sympathy should bo felt. (Cheers.)
Mr. BRIGHT opposed Mr. Thompson's amendment, es
enforcing this necessi:y of making a claim. His plan
was to have the rate-book the register, and ho had no
objection to insert twelve months' occupation. With
respect to the payment of rates he had thought it better to
leave the question open, but on the witn:e hr thought his
resolutions more liberal than Mr. Thompson's. lie 10-ked
upon the amendment as an evident attempt to induce the
belief that he was deviating from his ancient 'principles.
lie must say that he had listened to the discussion with in-',
tense satisfaction, and especially to the observations of Mr.
Brims. (Hear, hear.) He knew the views taken in past
times by that gentleman, and he was coutident that after a
little further discussion he would agree to a ono year's
rating. ((Hear, hear.)
Mr. THOMPSON.—I totally repudiate Mr. Bright's—
(interruption, noise, " withdraw the amendment ")—Dues
Mr. Bright propose bona fide, household suffrage? (Inter-
ruption.)
Mr. FORBES.—Mr. Thompson mistakes the Bradford
men it lie thinks they will support him. Sir Joshua
Walmslcy's letter did more harm than anything that
had ever come from the association. (" Hear, hear,"
" No, no," and excitement.)
Sir J. %VALMSLEY rows, but was met with loud in-
terruptions.
The CHAIRMAN.—Auother speaker is in possession of •
the chair.
Mr. G. THOMPSON—I rise to order. If Mr. Bright is
to speak in the first instance—if an evident attempt at—
(noiss, and cries of " Sit down")—and if Mr. Forbes is per-
mitted to say that Sir Joshua Waliusley did injury to the
cause in that locality—(" So he did," " No, no ")—if we
arc prepared to debate that question, let us do so, but I am
as honest is Mr. Bright, and will not submit to be ridden
over roughshod. (Great uproar, cant a general endeavour
to drowu the hon. member's voice.) Imu nut a Lancashire
man, but I ant an Englishman, and I ant here, in as far as
I understand them, to represent the wishes of the people of
England. (Cheers and interruption.) I tell Mr. Bright
that neither here nor elsewhere shall he daunt me. (Great
confusion.)
Sir J. WALMSLEY—Ono moment. (Interruption.)
I will be heard. (Laud cheers.)
Mr. HARI:WON—Mr. Forbes has made a charge which
I had meets rather had been left unmade. (Loud cries of
" hear, hear.) But as it hiss beam made, would it not be
much better to allow Sir Joshua Walmsley to explain, and
so end thiaporsonal matter. (Hear, hear.)
Dr. wArrs —Let 31:-. Forbes retract.
Mr. FORBES—I cannot retract, but I will express my
regret for the observation. (liter, hear.)
Sir J. WALMSLEY—One single syllable. I tell Mr.
Forbes that if he will do me the favour to call a public
meeting in Bradford or elsewhere 1 shall be ready to
give the fullest explanation of everything I have done.
(Cheers.)
Mr. RAWLINS (Liverpool) said that, if he understood
the question aright, Mr. Bright wished to take the rate-
book as a copy of the register, sad to leave the occupier's
right an open question. Mr. Thompson whined to define
the right of the occupier. Would Mr. Bright have any üb-
jectiou to introduce Mr. Thoinpson's word* ?
Mr. preferred the resolution as originally
drawn. _

way of the overseers rating him without a claim. This
would then be no self-acting statute, and I put it to the
must conservative gentleman present—(laughter said cries of
" Mr. Baines")—with the recollection he has of the facts,
that even 'Of. householders werefound to be so little zealous

for the franchise that they would not walk across the street
and pay a shilling to ponces it, whether with such a pro-
cess as Mr. Thompson proposes, there is much danger of
• vast kens on the register. (Loud cries of " Hear.")
Well, then, I turn to our friends on the other side, and I
say if this is se important, and will satisfy the people out of
doors, then with all my
heart have your own way, but
ii don't come ere under colors which you arc not entitled
to wear, a with arguments which you are not entitled to
put forth, 3 assume that you exclusively advoc ite the
tights of the universal people. (Cheers.) I have enume-
rated, candidly and fairly, all the differences between us,
that certain parties who ore lodgers and apply to ha rated
shall be entitled to a vote, and to that I ask Mr. Baines to
accede. Another ques'iou is the payment of rates. I
know many gentlemen who think it would be a very con-
servative and moral test that you should require that a
man had paid up his rates. But don't you think there is
great Immorality going on at present., in inducing men to
vote by paying their rates ? (Hear.) I tell you honestly, my
firm belief le, that if ever corruption on a gigantic scale
were to be tried, if ever concentrated wealth were to be
poured ow a multitudinous conetitueuey for purposes of a 6
certain sinister character, the very best field of operations ik.
would be a constituency where the rate-paying clause ex- so
isted, and where, by paying the rates of thousands, thou-
sands of votes might be bought. (Hear, hear.) And I ill
would go so far as to say, that with any very large consti-
tuency the payment of rates is the only corruption I should is,er
fear in this country. I believe that Sir Joshua Walmsley is ik.
induced to press this point from his knowledge of what wu se
done with the not over-pure constituency of Liverpool, and SO
where Repayment of rates is practised on a larger seals 25
than in Pity other part of the United Kbeilleu. (Wee,. ,
bear.) Besides, I do not think we are bound to provide in
an act of parliament for the payment of rates, any more is
than we are bound to provide for the payment of itk.
tradesmen' bills. (Hear, hear.) Let the overseer see to Its
the rates, as the law empowers him to collect them; .6
bat while I say this I admit that many intelligent gentle- ;..;
men take a cliffetent view of the question. lam not sure if
that in countries more democratic than this—in America, for se
instance—that the taxing papers arc not called for when
the elector comes up to vote ; and therefore I bhoula be very st-
lenient with those gentlemen who insist upon rating clauses, lit
although I think the interests of rational liberalism are is
more on the other side. (Hear, hear.) I think my friend t
Mr. Bright must iosert clauses enabling lodgers to claim to IM,
be rated ; but it will never do to put them in the language as
qf Mr. G. Thompson, because he says merely " claimed. ' tt
There can be no question of claiming when the man comes 11
to the poll—the rate-book must he the only register. I pir
hope, gentlemen, that anythiag I have said will not be con- is
sidered offensive. (No, no.) Once for all, I say that Sir J. Se
Walmsley may, like other men, be liable to make mistakes ;if 10
he were an infallible monster, he would do better for a n,
show than for any ordinary puerile. (Laughter and se
cheers.) I may say that I was a subscriber from the first ei,
to the National Reform Association. Ile knows how I have is
sympathised with him, and, at the same time, frankly told I
him that I could not boast of working as he had done. to
(" Hear, hear," and cheers.) I have been delighted to see Ll•
how he laboured, and although he may have made a tins• so
take in the case of Mr. Milligan, he has done good 'precisely o
in the way he has pointed out. By holding public meet- St.
hes in the spirit of Mr. Hunie's motion, he has conciliated 81
large masses of the working classes ; and, after many dia. Lt.
'shies, has enabled us to hold public meetings in the same ri
spirit. (Loud cheers.) I therefore disavow, and lam is
astonished I should be called on to disavow, any estrange- st
sent from the gentlemen who have been working these
questions out of doors. I thank them for what SO
they have done ; and I am sure they have Lt.
done good service by laying the basis of public so
confidence in Mr. Hum's motion. (Hear, hear.) I can et
say, from the fullest kuowledge of all the circumstances, 20
that Mr. Bright has in his resolution amply represented IS
all that Mr. 'fume intended, and therefore there cannot be 12
the slightest ground for even the whisper of a suspicion W.
that Manchester men contemplated going further than Mr. et.
Home. But I wish it to be understood, that in this meet- is
ing there are men employing thousands of the working 131
classes who are willing to give to the unenfranchiscd mil-
lions a share in the representation, such as should satisfy L',
reasonable mea, and place them on the road to success in '
all their Just demands. (Loud cheers.) IM
After a few observations from Mr. Fuses, of Hull, to
Mr. BRIGHT, in reply, said that he hail originally pro- It
posed six months as the period of residence, but the gentle- so
men from Yorkshire wished fur twelve, and now he thought et,
it better, in the present stage, to leave it an open question. se
He would submit it to the gentlemen of the Reform Assn- 20
elation whether it would not be better to withdraw Mr. 13
Thomnson's amendment than have any apparent division of ki
opinion, when there was in reality so little. Se
Mr.'''. THOMPSON declined to withdraw his amend- so
bent. se.
Mr. WILLIAMS, M.P., supported the withdrawal. is
The amendment wu then put, when there were only 9 la,
hands for the amendment. The original motion was then
put, and agreed to unanimously.
Mr. KERSIIAW, M.P., moved the appointment of a on
deputation to Lord John Russell, and the motion was se-
conded by Mr. CAnnurr, of Leeds, and agreed to unani-
WI

Dr. WATTS feared that a two years' occupation clause
would disfranchise a great uum'aer of workmen in the iron
trade who are among the most intelligent or our artisans.
Ile did nut see why the payment of rats should be
mule a eunditien of the franchise, any more than the pay-
ment of tradesmen's hills.
Mr. RICHARDSON (Manchester) said that the rating
franchiee had disqualified upwards of 20,000 people of that
town.
Mr. LIGIITIIOWLER (Bradford), as a workiug man,
was dissatisfied with Mr. Bright's words. Ile believed that
the working classes would nut be satisfied with anything
short of universal suffrage.
Mr. COBDEN aext rose to address the meeting, and was
received with loud cheers. Ile sal l-1 think that if there
were any special representatives of the working classes de-
puted to set a private watch on the progress ,of this discus-
sion, they would came to the conclusion, that although a
large niapirity of those preseut did not belong to their im-
mediate class, they had never been better represented.
(Hear, hear.) I will once for all say, that Ido not think
any one here is entitled to lay claim particulurly to :epee-
sent the working classes, unless and except those speakews
who stated they were working men, and said that they
were generally satisfied with the proceedings of the more-
ing. But we arc all working men, if' we do not work with
our londe we do with our heads--(Cheers)—and I most
s:y, with regard to our friends who have adopted that tone,.
that Iby no means like its revival. (Hear, hear.) What
I mean to impress oa the classes who are excluded from the
franchise is, that they cannot do anything to uhtaiu it with-
out the co-operation of the middle classes, and such bodies
as I now see before me. (Hears) Therefure, any attempt
to separate us must operate against the saulimtion of our
common hopes. (Hear, hear.) Really, I have narrowly
watched the proceedings of this meeting, and I cannot are PARIS, Dec. 4, 9.30 see.
'any ground fur dispute or dissension, and, theretore, the less
reason for the assumption of any arrogant or exclusive , The following decree of the Minister of War has
tone. (Hear, hear.) 1an
we are ell agreed that par- Just been posted up :—" Every person taken in the
liament should be shortened to three years. ((fear.) We are act of erecting or defending a barricade or bearing
all agreed that the ballot should be adopted. (Hear, hear.) arms shall suffer according t the most rigorous
All agreed that there should be a re-distribution of the:lows of war.
franenne. (Hear, hear.) And here allow me to say that i
no one professing to represent the working class has aright Another decree of the Prefect of 'Police prohibits
to require us to be more specific because we adopted Mr. the assembling of groupi. AU seditious cries, all
Hume's motion, and I can say that having s.couded his placards of political import, &c., are also forbidden.
first motion. and voted by his side every time he placed it The groups are to be dispersed by the armed
before the house, that it was just as vague as our present , force, and without previous notice.
mace. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hume said that he wished to go
peathe basis of property and population, and that he had s
..'l:hescirenlation of public vehicles is likewise pro-
ne wish to depart from the ancient landmarks or to parcel mimeo, as well as of waggons loaded with provi-
est the country into fancy parallelograms of his own. , sions and materials.
(aw, hear.) If that be so there remains ouly the fran- M. Baroche has accepted the presidency of the
Wee for discussion, and in that we are situated pretty
on the other points, featly ason new Council of State.
for here again we must refer The news received from the departments is Wis-
es Mr. Hsime's motion, and the resolutions upon which it
teY leeetl, which were agreed to at the Free Trade factory. At Orleans the demagogical party mem-
Ghtla. That motion and those resolutions stated that the bled to invade the Town-hall ; they have been ener-
Iteasbise should he extended to all householders, and getically repulsed by the National Guard and the
I believe if I had the minutes in parliament to troops. Forty-five of the principal promoters have
seer to, I should find two or three motions . been arrested, and amongst others the representatives
ha Imes exact words, " extended to all householden." H
there has been any alteration, it must have been in the last Martin, blichaut Tavernier, and Pereira.
motion; but my belief is, that Mr. Hume's motion stated Paris is perfectly quiet.
all householders. (year, hear.) In his speech he stated
that he wished to give votes to all lodgers who should claim
to be rated. Now, I am quite sure that, as far as Mr.
Bright and myself are concerned, we have nu difference
with those gentlemen who spoke some ti.ne since. The
only difficulty is how we shall give a legal il,linition if the
lodger clause. The last decision by the court of appeal was
that persons occupying rooms to which they had a separate
key, beyona the control of the landlord, were occupiers
entitled to the franchise, provided they paid 10.. a year for
their ledging.But it is rot so clear how a lodger clause will
let in that great Lady whose franchise is considered to be at
issue. Now, the great bin of the people alluded
to by Mr. G. Thompson would not come within
such a clause, because nobody proposes to include'
in it those large classes, clerks, porters, &c., who
lodge and board in houses, and who in andon
number their tens of thousands. Neither would it give
universal suffrage, which Mr. Thompson, by supporting.
this clause, throws over as much as any one. Then as to re-
sideace, Mr. Bright is more liberal than Sir Joshua Walms-
ley, saying six months', while Sir Joshua gives twelve; and
therefore there is no reason why on this point one should
set himself up more than the other as the advocate of demo-
cracy. (Hear, hear.) I candidly confess myself, that, both '1
with reference to 1 rs and to the duration of residence, I,
prefer twelve months to six. lam willing to enfranchise
the lodger, where he eats be enfranchised, but always
bearing in mind that you must make the rate book the re-.
gister, for that is the great advantegc of making this plat I
a rating suffrage. I say then that the rate book mast be there•
gister, and the more you can get on the book the better.'
But how are you to get the lodgers on the rate book Mr.
Thompson throws an impediment iu the way which I am
sure, on reflection, he will not persevere in. lie says",
" tenement or portion of tenement, for which claim.
Now the housekeeper who is rated is registered, but now
the lodger must claim, and there is great difficulty in the

mously.

[BY ELECTRIC TELZORAPIII
Seven thousand people were present at the Free Trade
Hall meeting, which was of a most enthusiastic character;
Mr. Wilson in the chair. Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. Milner 1;4
Gibson, M.P., Sir Joshua Walmnley, M.P., and Mr. Cob-
den, M.P., spoke with great effect, and were loudly ap-
plauded. The resolutions agreed to at the morning conic-
react) were submitted, and carried with great cheering, and
without a single dissentient voice.

LATEST ill
ul
INTELLIGENCE.

THIS DAY'S
NEWS FROM FRANCE.

MINCING LANK-THIS DAY.

SIIGAIL—The market is steady; 1,300 boxes yellow Ila-
vannah sold in public sale at previous rates, 325. to 335. 6d.
Itelined steady, at yesterday's prices.
CorrEz.-130 casks offered, and chiefly bought in; 120
bags good ordinary native bought in at 40s. ; this descrip-
tion quoted 395. 6d. to 40s. 6d.
l'irs.—The public sales are going off heavily, and a large
portion bought in.
Corrox.-1,300 bales Surat offered in public sale, and
nearly all bought in.
RICE continues in good demand.
deters without alteration.
In other articles no material alteration, markets generally
inactive.

TALLOW MARKET.—MIS DAY.
The market is steady, with • fair demand for consump-
tion, at the following prices :—Town Tallow, 365. 6d. nett;
Petersburg, Y. C., on the spot, new, 375. ; old, 365. 3d. ;
last three months, 365. 9d. ; January and March, 37.

THE CONVICT SMITH,—This wretched man, now
lying under sentence of death in Newgate, for the murder
of the infant child of a woman with whom ho cohabited,
was visited yesterday in his cell by the sheriffs, Wears.
Swift and Cotterill, accompanied by the ordinary of the
gaol the Rev. Mr. Davis, and by theunder-eheriffs, Meson.
Hopwood and Millard. The sheriMi havinj intimated to
the convict that the day fixed for his execution was Mon-
day, the 22nd instant, tlie wretched man received the in-
telligence without emotion, and maintained the same in-
difference which has marked his conduct since his cowrie.
lion. It is generally suppored that the convict imagines
that his life will be saved.