The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-12 00:00:00

it WV a most unjust that the people of Ireland should be exempt
from the tax. Not that he wished to tax the poor of that
country, but he must protest a,talnot the poor people of
England being compelled to pay that which the rich people
of Ireland were exempt from. (Hear, hear.)
General EVANS supported the resolution, pointing out
the way in which the tax pressed upon the poor, and ex-
pressing hi. determination to use his best endeavour' to
secure its total repeal. His own opinion was that the
Chancellor of the Exchequer already intended to abolish
the tax, but as to a house tax being substituted he did
not think that the right honourable gentleman
i contemplated such • thing. (Hear, hear) They already
paid a house-tax in the property and income tax, and it was
hardly probable that the government .11,,u1d demand any
further supplies from the same source. (dear, bear.)
Mr. C. LCSIIINGTON al,o spoke in favour of the reso-
lution, and stated that, if this tax were, repealed, it would
be owing to the exertions of the metropolitan districts, and
his firm cons irtion was, that on Friday next the Chancellor
of the Exchequer would announce in the House of Com-
mons the total and uncompromised abolition of this tax.
(Cheers.)
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Other resolution, condemnatory of the tax, and
thanking Lori Duncan and the other members of parlia-
ment fur their exertions in the matter, were successively
passed, and the meeting separated.

PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE ADVER-
TISEMENT TAX.

TO tar EDITOR 01 ERR DAILY MUER.
Sta,—l am surprised that the press has not taken
syrdiervaggestion thrown out by one of the deputa-
tion to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as to the
reduction of the duty on advertisements to lid.
Although the tax may be objectionable on prin-
ciple, yet this reduction would be a very great boon,
and it would have these two great advantages--
namely, that the effect of the reduction in the increase
of advertisements would be ascertained with cer-
tainty, and that the loss of revenue would be made
up in proportion to the increased use of this means
of publicity ; and, indeed, if the paper duties arc not
to be altered, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would
gain by the additional quantity of paper which
would be used, as many would doubtless, like myself,
spend all the money Which was saved from the tux
in additional advertisements.
But, sir, it is understood, and it was admitted in
the house a few nights since, that the government is
in litigation with the unstamped press, and that the
" Household Narrative" has been selected for the
trial of the question. If this he so, a portion of the
newspaper press has, in the opinion of the govern-
ment. been bearing for years a burden from which
others have been unjustly exempt, and an irresistible'
argument thence arises in favour, at all events, of
the removal or lessening of the duty paid in respect
of advertisements in stamped newspapers. It
would be a simple net of justice, but, at the tame
time, the cheapest mode in which a Chancellor of the
Exchequer could obtain popularity by the remission
of taxation, while it would hold out an inducement to
some publications to become stamped newspapers.
In a financial point of view it could effect the reve-
nue in so trifling a degree that this remission could
nut disturb in any manner the plans of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, for if the duty paid upon
advertisements in stamped newspapers be taken ut
about 90,011(1/. per annum, and if upon a reduction of
the duty to Ud. the number of advertisements be
merely assumed to double, the direct loss of income
on this head would be only 30,000/. per annum.
In a year like this, when advertising will be so
necessary to all, it is of the first importance that
there should be WILD modification of this tax, and
there is no class upon whom it presses more heavily
than upon publidiers, who, desirous to give each
hook a separate advertisement, often pay a larger
sum for duty than the whole charge of the advertise-
ment would otherwise be. Pray try to get UN some
relief.—Yours, &c. A BOOKSELLER.

THE RUMOURED DEATH or VISCOUNT NEWRY,
announced in yesterday's Express, on the authority (as
stated) of the Armajh Guardian, has been contradicted by
his lordship's brother.
FATAL OeCUßßENCE.—Voitcrdity afternoon, a gen-
tleman, named Samuel Purnell, aged nri, who resided at No.
7, Baker-street, was noticed sitting in front of the fire read-
ing a newspaper. Soon afterwards an acquaintane..
c tiled to see the unfortunate gentleman, when, on some one
pros eding to his room and opening the door, Mr. Parnell
was found sitting in his chair completely enveloped iu
flame. A young lady rushed into the house for the per-
pone of rendering assistance ; hut owing to the density of
the smoke and the braly of the flame, she dropped senseless
on the floor, whe she would have soon been suffocated had
it not been for the exertion, of some of the other inmate..
The flames were extinguished, but not until Mr. Parnell
was burnt to death.
INCREASE IN THE COAL TRADI:.—('ARDTIF.--The
coal trade in Monmouthshire is rapidly extending, and on
densely crowded hate the flute Docks at Cardiff been, that
notwithstanding every facility for the rapid shipment of
tool, much delay ha, been experienced iu meeting the de-
mand. In order props rly to meet thi. gnat extension of
the staple trade of the pert and the district, it has been pro-
posed to construct another dock to the eastward of the pre-
sent docks, for the accommodation of large vessels; and a
project has been mooted to contort the sea-lock into a dock.
The merchants and others interested in the trade have
taken the matter up and petitioned the trustees of the Bute
Roche on the subject. In the valley of Abereare, Calmer-
ganehire, several very deep pits are being sunk, with every
prospect of success.
THE SUIPPOSED CAsE OF POISONING AT TODMOR-
DEN.—The adjourned inquest on the body of Mrs. Cooper,
the late wife of Mr. Cooper of Stanfield-ball. Todmorden
(whose apprehension on a charge of murder was narrated
In Friday's paper), was held at Bilutn, near York, on Mon-
day, when the result of the analisation was announced.
The stomach of the deceased was found to be free from all
poison, and death had resulted from natural causes. Mr.
Cooper yesterday (Tuesday) was discharged from custody ;
but on application the magistrates declined to make any
order respecting the letters in the custody of the polio.',
which are of an extraordinary character, and show that
months before hi. wife's death he was preparing tor her
enecessor. Thew and other facts gave rise to suspicions and
to his apprehension.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. NEAR GLU4GOW.—On Monday
night, about a quarter to d o'clock, fire was observed to
break out in the Ilargrieve Cotton Factory, situated at
Duntocher, 10 mikes from Glasgow, and the property
of Mews. William D and Company. The building
is a three-storey erection, about sixty yards in length,
with garrets. These are used as scotching-room., and it
was in them that the fire originated. Its cause we have not
ascertained. The alarm reached Glasgow about 6 o'clock.
The engine of the West of England Insurance Company
immediately repaired to the spot, and was followed in rapid
succession by that of the North of England Company and
one of those connected with the police establishment. By
the time they arrived at the place the flames bad gathered
great strength, and a considerable portion of the building
had fallen a prey to them. They were at length subdued,
but the damage is %cry great. The loss is computed at
about 12,000 i. A great number of individuals will be
thrown out of employment. —Glasgow, Daily Mail.
NATIONAL REFORM AsOCIATION.—ott Monday a
meeting was held at the Mechanics' Institute, Chathlm,
when the chairman (Dr. Steele). Mr. Whaler, Mr. Cobb,
and Mr. Wickham addressed those present. The latter,
who attended from the council, explained the principle.. and
objects of the parent association in the Poultry, sad elicited
the approbation of the meeting by the manner in which he
laid down the mode of operation to be adopted by local
associations. The following resolutions were primed unani-
mously, viz. Ist. That, m the opinion of this meeting,
the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Associa-
tion is well deserving of public support, and well fitted to
remove prevailing abuses, especially those connected with
parliamentary representation ; that therefore the persons
present resolve themselves into a committee, with power to
add to their number, for the purpose of forming a local
society, to be called " The Rochester and Chatham Parlia-
mentary and Financial Reform Association," to act
in conjunction with the National Association. 2nd.
That it is the solemn duty of all who desire to witness
and benefit by the progress of reform in this country, and
who seek for the elevation of their fellow subject by the
I advancement of education, the diffusion of knowledge. and
the admission of all to the possession of their constitutional
right 4 to exert themselves in their several spheres te
dis-
seminate the principles of reform. And this meeting feel-
ing confident that good institutions will always( find their
hem security in the energy and affection of au industrious
and intelligent people, pledge themselves to use every cam-
tion in their pow cr to peomote the objects, assist in the labours
and increase the tomb of the National Reform Association.
3rd. That a public meeting be announced ou an early- day
at the theatre, Rochester. for the purpose of giving to the
inhabitants of this vicinity an opportunity of hearing from
some able representatives of the National Reform Associa-
tion, an exposition of its objects and claims. A sub-cone-
mitten was appointed to make arrangements for the pro-
=public meeting, and a subscription entered into to
y the °spume& 51r. Stage was :equated to under-
tako the duties of secretary, to which he choerfully con-
sented. And a vote of thanks having been passed to the
chairman, the meeting separated.