The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-04 00:00:00

; with having changed his opinion upon this question.
It wee not hiss, but the circumstances of the
' times that had changed. Circumstances bad induced him to
. adopt the free trade policy, which was the policy of every
sane man in the kingdom. But why had be ever been a
protectionist ? Because he thought that principle was foe
the good of the country. He always looked upon it as a
question affecting the labour interests. (Applause.) He
had ever been the firm friend of the working classes.
(Applause.) It must be remembered, however, that it
, was before he went into parliament, in 1817, that he was
the advocate of a protective policy, at which time he told the
electors he would do nothing to militate against free
trade. Formerly be believed that free trade would send
the land of this country out of cultivation; that they%
should be thrown dependent upon foreigners for a supply ;
that the coffers of the Bank of England would have to be
drained, in order to purchase the people's food from their
continental neighbours. If such should have been the
ease, the country would have been in a state of bank-
ruptcy. But circunistanc. s were now changed. The gold
mines of Australia and California were producing
the golden mineral with marvellous profusion. Be-
sides emigration st fear honed this view of the
case- Tate ;eduction of the number of hands
to labour Auld inevitably produce an increase of
wages. (Applause.) Adverting next to the Ten Hours
11;11, he s.id the whip hang upon the cry of free trade be
cause they thought it was the popular my. But the mill
operatives had been robbed of their Ten Hours Bell by a
base compromise. He (Mr. Edwards) had canvassed this
i borough thoroughly, and he found this was the question
which agitsted men's minds among the working classes,
and nothing would satiety them until justice was
done them upon it. (Applause.) He asked the right
huuourable baronet whether he had yet changed his
views upon that question, and whether he would do the
working men justice if they gave him the opportunity.
(Loud cheers and groans) Several friends of his (Mr.
Edwards) in the Rouse of Commons were the people's
champions in this cause ; end there was one of them, Mr.
Cobbett, whose voice would often be heard in advocacy of
this question. If he (Mr. Edwards) should be returned, he
had no doubt be should have the assistance of that hon.
gentleman in putting the matter right. This question also
vitally affected the tradesmen of the country generally, be-
cause it would have a tendency to increase the amount paid
in wages. If the operatives became impoverished, the shop-
keer era would be banished from the face of the earth.
(Cheers.) Grest concessions had been made to the Homan
catholics, but now was the time to halt. (Cheers.) if any
further political power were given to them, the throne
would assuredly be subverted and the Pope would be prime
minister of England. (Laughter and cheers.) He con-
cluded by saying he bad addressed the electors so recently
on general principles that he would detain them no longer,
but cordially wish earth and all of them a happy new year.
CRADLED BI:CLIZY, a working man, came forward and
said be wished to ask a few questions of the too hon. gra-
duatea who were candidates for the suffrages of the electors.
He would not detain them two minutes. He wished to ask,
would Mr. Edwards, in the event ef his being returned as
member for the borough, support, t ; the best of his ability,
and in the best sense of the word, free-trade measures
emanating from the ministry of Lord Aberdeen ?
Mr. EDWAILDS-1 have acknowledged no party govern-
ment. (Laughter and skouts of disapprobation.) I will
carry out the system of free trade in its integrity, because
I believe it is for the good of the people, come from whom
or from whence it may.
Mr. SIICILLIT—WiII you support a motion for a reduc-
tion in the motive power as applied to machinery in mills,
Bruiting it to ten hours per day ?
E Mr. DWAIWS-1 believe we ought to have a restriction
in the hours of work to ten hours a day, and I will give my
best support to ten hours per day, come from whet party
it may. I did not in the first instance advocate restriction
in the motive power, became I saw that there was a power
in the House of Commons against carrying such a bill. (A
voice," Shuffle," and laughter.) lam almost afraid, with
the present government, you could not carry such a measure.
but if we cannot have a ten hours' bill with it, we must
resort to such a restriction.; and I, for one, doll approve it.
(Cheers arad laughter.)
Mr. BUCILLEY--I will equalise my inquiries; and I now
ask of the right hon. baronet, how tar he will extend the
suffrage ; and whether he will give us, along with that
, equal electoral districts? (Hear, hear, and cheen.)
SIR CHAIMILS WOOD—Gentlemen, you must see that iu
respect to these questions, it is impossible for me to give—
(Grua= sad interruption from Mr. Edwards's party.) It
is impossible for me to give a full answer, because the mea-
sures which must be proposed by the government must be
the measures of that government collectively—(hear, hear)
—and ;t is perfectly impossible for me to pledge those of
my colleagues with whom as yet I have had no opportunity
of communicating on the subject. (Hear, hear.) If by
equal electoral districts is meant a division into squares ac-
cording to population, I am, individually speaking, opposed
to such a division.
Mr. Bt caxey—The neat question, and it is one of vital
importance, is the Irish Tenant-right Bill. Will Sir ,
Charles Wood vote for that?
Sir CHAULES Wooo—The gentleman must be aware that
there are now before parliament five bills on that subject.
They have been referred to a committee, carefully to
consider what is the best manner to dispose of the question,
and whilst under reference to that committee, 1 cannot
pledge myself to any one of these measures. (Hear, hear.)
I think it is far the wisest to wait to see what is the 'exult of
the committee's consideration of three various bills.
The MAYOR then too* a show of hands, in favour first of
Sir Charles Wood, and then of Mr. Elwards. There was
• large number of hands held up for Sir Charles Wood,
but • still larger number for Mr. Edwards, who was de-
clared to be eleoted by a show of hands.
This result was hailed with loud cheers from the tory
side, though the minority who held up for Sir Charles
Wood was much larger than at the election in July.
Mr. AXIWYD, on behalf of Sir Charles Wood, demanded
a poll.
the MAYOR at once acceded to the demand, and an-
nounced that the poll would open at 8 o'clock on the fol-
lowing (Tuesday) morning, and close at 4 o'clock on the
nine day; and at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning he
should proceed to make the declaration.
A rota of thanks to the Mayor, seconded by Sir CHAS.
WOOD, was carried by acclamation.
The MAYOR called for three cheers for the Queen, which
was at once responded to, and the meeting separated.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
The Globe of last night gives the following con-
tradiction to the usertion that the Marquis of Cbandos had
con%ented to be put is nomination :—" We are authorised
to state that the Marquis of Cbandos will not oppose Mr.
Gladstone's re-election for the University of Oxford. and
that he aimlessly asserts that the whole proceedings an-
nounced in this day's paper are without hie sanction.' An
advertitolltirat in another column states that it is the inten-
tion of the same parties to put forward another candidate
against Mr. Gladstone.

DUMFRIES, JAN. I.—The writ for an election of a
representative for the county of Dumfries, in consequence
of tie acceptance of °Aloe by Lord Drwalenrig, was re-
' croived here on Thursday, and the sheriff has fixed the 12th
inst. for the election. Lord Druntlanrig has issued an ad-
dress. An eponymous announcement has been made in a
protectionist newspaper threatening opposition, but, as far
as can be learned at present, the late member will most
probably walk the course.