The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-28 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

LANCASHIRE.
PARLIAMENTARY R.E.FORM.—A public meeting of
the inhabitants of Bury has been held at the Sessions room.
Mr. John Bentley resided. The ceairman thought they
were all agreed as to the necessity of forming an association
for the purpose of carrying out en agitation for further re-
form. They were of opinion that something ought to be
done, and that it could best be clone by all classes joining
together and obtaining a redress of the grievances this y com-
plained of. Mr. Willett moved the first resolution:
That it is the opinion of this meeting that a openly and thorough
parliamentary reform is necessary to save this country from further
degradation sod ruin, and that this can beet be effected by all claseow
of society, and especially the shopkeepers and electors of every town,
reoilving themvelves into awaie,iti inn for the furtherance of this great
principle by agitation and all constitutional means within their power.
He said the state of the working clam -s called loudly for
their sympathy and aid. During the last twelve months a
million of human beings had perished in the United King-
dom from famine and pestilence, and, besides, there were
thousands now on the verge of starvation. As to what had
been said with regard to the disaffection of the people to-
wards the government, and their attempts at physical force
demonstrations, he would say that no preparations of the
kind had been made. (Applause.) The working classes
had borne their trials with the moat exemplary patience,
and the feeling was general among them that moral
force would carry everything that was needed for them.
(Cheers) He then referred to the disproportionate taxes
levied on the different classes of the community. While the
middle classes complained that the income tax operated on
them at the rate of three and a half, it had been proved that
the working classes were taxed at the rata of 25 per cent. on
their incomes. He concluded by hoping that this state of
things would not last much longer. (Applause.) Mr. George
Dixon seconded the motion, and it was carried. Mr. John
Heap moved the second resolution :
That, In acionhinre with the forezrdog resolution, an arsociation be
formed in Bury, to be called the Bury Parliamentary Reform Moo.
Motion.
Mr. Joseph Pomfret seconded the motion, and adverted to
the fact that the great organs of the press were in favour of
the movement recently begun. The motion was carried una-
nimously. Dr. Fletcher moved the third resolution :
That the object of the association shall be to advocate the principles
of universal suffrage, vote by ballot, annual parliaments, payment of
members, and equal electoral districts.
Mr. !tante seconded tne motion, and, after a few words from
Mr. Roberts and Dr. Fletcher, it was carried. A vote of
thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting broke up.
RATING OF THE LIVERPOOL DOCKS.—An im-
portant subject was brought forward at the annual vestry
meeting at Liverpool, en Tuesday, in the shape of a propo
aition for subjecting the entire of the Liverpool-dock estate
to the payment of parhl rates. It appeared from a report,
drawn up by a committee of the select vestry, that a poor
rate of 2s. on the nct annual income of the dock estate would
yield 20,0001. ; to which add 15,0001. for a highway rate, at
Is. Gd. in the pound, and we have the goodly sum of 35,0001.
per annum. The parishioners of Liverpool, according to
this calculation, are now paying 33,0001. per annum more
than they would have to pay were the dock property put
upon the game footing as other property in the town. The
docks (says the Liropool Courier) are a great means or
attracting the lower class of labourers to the town, large
numbers of whom, and their families, are constantly becom-
ing chargeable to the parish ; and it is tut right that the
docks seould contribute something to those funds, the de-
mands upon which they help so materially to swell. A
resolution was proposed and agreed to that a voluntary rate
of one penny in the pound be laid for the purpose of forming
a fund to meet the expenses of applying to parliament for a
more equitable adjustment of the parish rates, it being stated
in the course of the discussion that the docks of Liverpool
were the only docks in England which were not asserts d for

the relief ofhe poor. -
YORKSHIRE.
HIILL AND 11A3113URG.—In consequence of the
nature of the intelligence received by the Lion eteamer,
Capt. Hunt, on Tuesday morning, at this port from Ham-
burg, the Hanseatic Steam Navigation Company's ship
Leeds, Capt. Mowle, which was to have left this port in the
evening of the same day, was detained, and it is not ex-
pected that either she or the Hamburg will resume their
millings until the intelligence from Hamburg shall be of a
character to inspire more confidence than at present. The
Hamburg was appointed to have left the city whose name
she bean on Tuesday last, and would have been due this
evening or to morrow morning, but her arrival is not ex-
pected, as, owing to the aspect which affairs had taken, it
was not probable that her agents in Homburg would send
her out. The steamers of both Hull companies continue to
run, their days of departure from each port bein Thursday
and Saturday, and of arrival Sunday and Tuesday mornings.
Yesterday, the Salto, Capt. Dawson, of this port, arrived
here from Hamburg in ballast. She left about tne same
hour so the Lion, and brings no later news, but reports
trade as nearly stagnant.—Eastern Counties Herald, 27th

April. - -
WARWICKSHIRE.
THE REFORM MOVEMENT IN RIIIMINGIIAM.—Our
correspondent, writing last evening, says:—The leaden of
the party signing the manifesto in favour of household suf-
frage and other reforms, as detailed in this paper on Monday,
have adopted the title of " The Reform League," and hove
convened a public meeting at the Town. hall, on Wednesday
next, to form rules and prescribe the course of action. The
declaration has received the signatures of between six and
seven thousand persons, all of which are authentic. In addi-
tion to this, Mr. Councillor Baldwin and the leaders of the
more advanced refmmers are not inactive, This morning
they issued the following declaration of principles, to the
gentlemen composing the people's party in the House of
Commons : •
We, the undersigned elector. and non-electors of the borough of
Birmingham, feeling deeply interested in the peace, welfare, and pro-
gress ot our country, arid desiring that the changes in the govern-
ment which are how rendered essential from the evils of the long
misgovernment of this great commercial nation should be effected
upon principles which wi:l fully represent all claws, and thereby
prevent the recurrence of political excitement, which Weyer injurious
to the interest. of trade and industry, and having deliberately
and seriously comelcred the mussed object sought by your honour-
able mid desiererested opposition to the minis, we respecUully
submit for your emisideration that household suffrige, in addition to
the unjust exclusion of large sections of intelligent men of all ranks,
would not in its operation secure no safe or PO efficienti an electoral
body as a suffrage founded upon principle, and guaranteeing to
every male causes of twenty-one year. of age, unstaised
by crime, the right of voting in the election of members to con-
stitute the Commons House of Parliament. Antious to render every
aid to support your eftorts without a compromise of principle we
cannot but express our confident hope that when your honourable
party have maturely Investigated the defective, complicated, and ex-
clusive nature of a household sutfi-age, you will find no many evils and
difficulties acoompanying such a change, that you will at once per-
ceive the policy and jie-rox of demanding an extension of the
weal right foundul upon mature ague ha
and residence. We
would sum urgently impress upon vinr ds, that in openly and un-
reservedly declaring upon principle for the full and complete enfran-
ffilsemeut ot the adult male population, and throwing your influence
span an eniightened public opinion, you will be sustained by a
degree of moral energy and prudence which will enable you to
moomplish this great measure of national justice by :he legitimate
exercise el oonmitutional authority, despite the opposition of corrupt
, sad interested factions. We may observe further in support of the
principle previously tuned, that a urge eectlon of the meet intelligent
and wetheducatail cilium., including a large number engaged se as- •
aistante, Meru, and tracellers in trade, Idiom employmenta render
the occupation of a house inconvenient, and in many cases impassable,
until advanced age, and also a large portion of the most provident of
the working class, who, from the unsettled state of trade, and the
beceurity and want of sufßcient employment, do net essimider
It prudent to incur the respnneibility of a family, must, throughthe ope-
ration of household suffrage, be excluded from the exercise of civil
rights, whilst it would entrant-bile a sect on at least of the most
Ticions and depraved. With sincere uspect for the dignified and ho-
I mineable position you have assumed in the present critical and dle
irmed condition of England, wiring hopes and asnirances to millions
that the destiny of this great empire wid shortly vas into the hands
of men capable by their experience, ability, and patriotism to emu-
anew the social interests of the people, we respectfully submit for
your consideration this COnnientiUtis deClanantrn of our sentiments,
with the sure and certain hope that when looked upon as the utter-
ance of the feelings awl opinions of a great majority of the people
cola Will tee sufficient Mown to render the object of your exeruons
the extension of the stfttrage to every male citizen of twenty-one
years of age.
This party have convened a public meeting of the electors
only at the Town-hall nest Monday, when Mr. Vincent is
to be present, and addreu the meeting on the state of the
country, influence of the continental movementa upon our
political condition, and duties and responsibilities of the
middle classes at this crids. In his circular of i" vitation the
chairman of the committee says :
Anxious above all things for the steady pre",
the country, and for the advancement of
and believing that our me•5...7"

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