The Express.
London, England, 1849-06-19 00:00:00

we rite to get fel of so narviahle and disgraceful
• distinction amongst the reformed end wilt reform-
it nations of Europe—Roods only excepted. (Cheers.)
We go this, tint and foremost, for parliamentary re
form; and we are here for the purpose ef Gorden
recruits who ere willing to enter our teaks in this canoe. A
range In the I eprclentative system that shall add 3,400,000
IR 4,000,000 to the Girtonl roll of the Deiced Kingdom,
tonother with the 'airtime of the suffregeto this exert; the
dolts, and safety of the vote by ballot; in addition to thins
• qui. kin reckoning of amounts hernia electors and their
representatives ; • reckoning that shall, at the longest, not
be deferred more then three !tare—a bestrew sip of the closet
and rotten borough nomination system, end the more equal
apportionment of members to soritatnts. I think lam
In my own person an instioce of the necessity of the change
ben sought for ; than are 82 gentlemen in the House of
Commons reprintitig constituencies which, put together,
and every elicitor to the registries counted, do not make up
re rosy es Or to whom I made my appeal in the Tower
Hamlets. Then finally this money pee for the abolition of
the property qualification for • seat in the House of Com-
mons, that thie man who bee intellect, end morel worth, and
political talents, and the confidence of the people, =eyelet be
excluded from the HOlllll of Commons because he does not
derive 3001. or 6001. a-year from real or personal "state, or
because be is not returned for a Sioteh borough, or bemire he
is not the son of • peer, or bec ire his father
his not landed property enough to entitle him
to be • knight of the shire. Such is the
shame of parliamentary reform prapord by this society.
The hon. gentleman concluded, amid loud cheers, by moving
the following resolution
" That the absence of a reilly representative House of
Commons, the preponderance of class legiration, the une-
qual pressure of taxation, the general extravagance of the
public expenditure, and the miasma noes of these evils en-
gendering discontent, end threatening disorders fatal to the
political end to the social prosperity of this empire, render
the combination of the middle and working classes, for the
attainment of the reform advocated by the Metropolitan
Parliamentary sail Financial Reform Association, a matter
of momentous imptirtsre to the state."
Mr. PllRDAYPeconded the resolution, and observed that
he preferred the second part of the title of the awaiation,
for he n yet could undo retard the meaning of parliamen-
tary rronn when standing alone, but when combined with
financial reform it became perfectly intelligible. (Hear,
bear.) Lord Castlereagh had long ego taunted the peo-
ple with an ignorant iropatietce of taxation, but
they had rimier • better schrling since that
period, aid however Impatient they still were on the
subject, the imputation of ignorance could no longer be
fastened on them. (Hear, bear.) In the times of Pitt the
mor ey of the people was sprit for the purp so of subsidising
foreign powers to maintain the balance of power and the
divine right of kings ; but, after all the matey which had
been spent, it turned out now that tie battle reiuld be
fought over again, and that nothing substantial, h fact, had
been achieved. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CARTER, who stated that he was • working car-
penter, attempted to addren the meeting ; but his prelimi-
nary observations being neither pertinent nor coherent, he
re not permitted to proceed.
The CHAIRMAN. in calling upon Mr. Tindall Atkin-
tea to support the resolution, said that he was • gentleman
who had rendered meet efficient service to the association.
They had worked together in another cause ; and he had
ford him then, as now, an active, zeal us, and energetic
arociato.
Mr. ATKINSON then proceeded to give • lucid expni-
don of the objects of the association, and of its origin. The
re of the r ration found that, is 1491, there were
fray of occupied houses in Great Britain and In-
land, and it was conceived by them that if the lodger fron-
tier were brought in aid of the occupancy franchise, there
would not be more than • million of persons left without
votes in the thee • kingdoms. They hoped thus
to gain such an amount of support as would enable
them to return to the house those who make the hour •
fair »lotion of popular opinion. (Hear. hear.) Having
pointed out the anomalous condition of the representative
system, n loch had induced the association to seek foe an
equalisation of representation with population, he explained
that the omission of • declaration against the
property qualification of members was • mere
oversight, which was remedied as eons as pointed
out. He proceeded to show that one of the moat
important tasks which the amonation had to perf on', end
to which all its are end declarations tended, was the
completion of an intimate taloa between the middle and
working clones. He vindicated these classes from the aris-
tocratic sneers which had been uttered 'Greeting their
limited grasp of mind. He expressed his eonvietion that
there was a profound accuracy in the views which a people
farmed of the motives end conduct of their rulers, and which
appeare4 in racy et re of a nation's history—in the dim
twilight of dieeppeoring barbarism, as well as in
that fall blue of latefiectual light which at the present time
Bowled the moral and physical world. (Cheers.) He told
those who awed at the working man that the heart which
throbbed under • (sedan jacket beat with as faithful an in•
Mire foe the ter, the beautiful, and the good, as that which
throbbed proudly under purple and fine linen. (Hear.)
Mr. REYNOLDS also spoke in support of the resolution,
which wee carried unanimously.
Dr. EPPS moved the second resolution, which was es
fellows :
"That n one of the most pretrial war for the peaceful
ammenplishment of the gnat objects now sought to be
offiseted, the Metropolitan and Home Counties Freehold
Lend Society, established in coon-sir with the association,
adapted as it is to the varied positions and circumstances of
all elates o' the poop!', is calculated to walk great results
upon the »presentation of the counties over whir i a opera-
tions will extend, and that this meeting strongly mom-
meads every reform, whatever his means may be, to avail
himself of the great advantages which this society offers."
In referents to what bad been stated respecting the sum
of money received by her Majesty, he (Dr. Epps) felt it was
• duty they owed to the sovereign to observe that although
300,0001 a year was voted to her Majesty, 60,0001. was ell
that the Queen her-elf received. The rest wee enjojed by
the oligarchy of this country ; by people who were forced
upon her by the ministry of the day. Her Majesty was
compelled to take those whom they appointed, whether
they were agreeable to her or not and her sutieets
had • tight to supper that the Queen was oppressed by
them people—that they wero • burden to her—and that
she was glad to buten down to Osborne in order to escape
from company which she did not desire.
Mr. CLARKE, as • chartist, expressed great gratification
in seconding the resolution. The working cluses had for •
loos time fought for the extension o'er franchise unassisted,
but the aristocracy would henceforward have to enemata •
united people and • force whicn they could not long with-
stand. The middl • clams+ had hitherto held aloof from them;
but although a ctartist, and standing firmly by charting es
he did, be should be wanting in generosity sad right feeling
Whet did not accept the hand of friendship which they now
proffered. (Chem.)
Meer. TOWNS AND and MAGRATH, both of whoa
announced themselves to be chartists, supported the resolu-
tion, and amid loud cheering stated that they c rdially
acquiesced in the proposed union of the middle and working
dare.
The resointion was then adopted unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN, in announcing the close of the pro-
ordiags, advised all present who had the means to become
members of the association, and to join the Lend Society
"theme. Although the Land Society was but a few weeks in
existence. 700 shares had been taken already ; but they
would not be satisfied until half a million of shares were
taken, and branch societies spread all over the country.
Mr. SOUTIIZIS proposed and Mr. M•Dotszeau. seconded •
vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by rola-
motion, and toe assemblage separated.

LIGHT DUES ON SHIPPING.—DEPUTATION.
A deputation from the Steam Shipowners' Associa-
tion, consisting of Mr. Anderson, M.P. (Chairman); Mr.
Moffatt, M.P. ; and Mr. Morgan (Secretary); and seem-
panted by Mr. Hume, M.P., and the following members of
the Light Dues Association, forming a deputation from that
body : Mr. Forster, M.P. (chairman); Mr. Duncan, II P. ;
Mr. A. Basle, M.P. ; Mr. °trilby and Mr. Pearson, bad an
interview with the Right Hon. H. Labouehere en Satur-
day, at the Board of Trade. The deputation treat Steam
Shipowners' Association was introduced by
Mr. ANDERSON, who especially noticed the light
house system, in reference to which he stated the
startling fact, that it appeared by parliamentary M.
turas that the revenue for light dues exceeded
400,0001. a year, although not more than about 160,0001
a year had been expended on the maiatenmses of
lighthouses. He then allude i to the compulsory employ-
ment of pilots; to the Admiralty Courts judicature; the
ticket system under the Merchant Seamen'. Act ; the impu-
nity to deserters from merchant vessels if they enter her
Majesty's service; and to the Merchant Seamen's Fund.
Having stated the large sums paid for pilotage by steam.
Teasels, in suet where pilots ars never employed ; ani having
shown how injuriously those several restrictions mewed on
the interests of shipowners, he concluded by urging the
meet laity of government taking immediate stop to relieve
the shipping interest from them.
Mr. HUME called on Mr. Labotchere to bring in without
further delay measures upon the subjects of the Merchant
Seamen's Fund and the Light Dues, urging the necessity of
as Immediate revision of the latter question, more particu-
larly in consequence of the very full information respecting
it of which parliament was in possession, and the pledge
given by the oernment that in connection with the Navi-
gation Bill a Light Dees Bill would be brought forward.
Mr. LABOU HERE replied that, although he did not
admit the necessary connexion between the repeal of :the
navigation laws and the relief to the shipptag interest from
some elthe grievances alluded to ; yet he felt that the sub-
pllad= before him were deserving of the most serious
000 . He admitted the oblestionable nature of the
restelettems alluded to by Mr. Aetiologies, and stated that the
ties.smsat had hoped, when hringieg in the Navigation
Mbe able to lay before pwilement, at an early period
of miss, bile upon the quietism Odle Light Does and
the Kelhant Seamen's Fea. The delay, , which
bed taken place in the
ulag of pregrele a the Neer.however Bin bad
lee& the pa nmeneres davin game ese-
des very doubtful ; smile mid ask these dine. Mae. that
he expeeud to be able t• le also• *snap • bal mem
those subjects. H=sthat the of • 'm-
aiming to obtain igen the gullies ems
vezeteMof molimegien.
mdmatited that thou Mousheat flssttisalt
Vedas" the Unht Theseed ehenbllm Mgt tube lir
Bask and thee the Li& Dui ue BM &odd oesbeeme EMI
igneetion shoe.
gr. FOII4ITER, abehmenef dm Light Dirtassielles,
iselmilled the mselikrmf_governut ,
eemminedetioes Bee Thes Amedellem;ertisk ware,
tilts LW DuelllllWlke to due lethedened last emus
tg tie er mumplistarelle hat len ma immure