The Express.
London, England, 1848-06-12 00:00:00

vice, in doing so, which I trust be will not), I shall not fail,
if I then find myself capable of the task of speaking in pub-
lic, to declare my anent with him to three out of his four
proposals, but under protest against their being brought
before parliament in the manner the most disadvantageous,
as it appears to inis, of any that c,uld have been devised
with reference to any hope of success. I will attend the an-
nounced meeting at Aylesbury, if I shall be able to do so
when the time shall arrive. But meanwhile I lose no time
in thus statii g my impressions oa the subject.—Yours, my
dear sir, ever most truly, NCOENT.

EXETER REFORM ASSOCIATION.—The first meeting
of the Exeter reformers, in their room in Musgrave'salley,
was held on Wednesday. The room was crowded.—The
president of the association, Mr. J. Burrington, in commenc-
ing the business, said that law and order were the basis of
the association, and whilst they always recognised the rights
and position of her Majesty, and were prepared at all events
and at all times to support her authority, they were at the
same time equally prepared to defend their own rights, and
would never forget that " the people were the source of all
legitimate power." (Cheers.) At the present time he con-
sidered the association was imperatively called on to take
part in the constitutional struggle now going oa for the
reform of the Reform Bill, for the amelioration of the
condition of the people, and in resistance to that
most—he was almost goi.ig to use a very strong
word—but in resistance to that annually increasing sys-
tem of taxation, which was weighing down the best in
terests of this country. (Cheer.) He need not appeal to
them as to the weight of the taxation of this country, both
local and imperial, which was becoming almost unbearable.
(Hear.) When he heard in the House of Commons a noble
lord, who in times gone by was looked up to as an ad-
vocate for reform, but who, he (the chair an) believed,
was merely a stickler for the aristocratic class to which he
belonged—when he said that the people of this country did
not want reform, it was surely their duty to use their ezer
tions to convince that noble lord that extensive reforms
were essentially necessary, as well fur the best interests of
the country as for the safety of her Majesty's crown, and
all the institutions of the Empire. (Loud cheers.)—Mr. S.
Maunder, in moving that a petition be presented to parliament
in favour of Mr. Ruine's motion for electoral reform, said
they wanted the House of Commons to la more in unison
with the sentiments and feelings of the people, that by this
means the expenses of the government might be reduced.
That these expenses were enormous no one would deny; the
feeling from one end of the country to the other was univtr-
al that it could not be borne much longer. Mr. G. A.
Moore had great pleasure in seconding its adoption.
Mr. T. Bosley ur;ed the necessity of including the bal-
lot; it was necessary among a certain class of voters to get
rider the influence brought to bear on them, which prevented
their exercising their franchise end' pendently. As to the in-
crease of the suffrage there was certainly much difference of
opinion among reformers—some were for giving it to all
householders; the proposition was a gond one, but still this
would shut out many men who were not householders, but
possessed ten times more competent y than many who were.
Where could they draw the line ? Others would he for uni-
versal suffrage; but if th s was adopted it would be im-
possible for them to shut their eyes to the fact that a vast
number of young men, on arriving at the age of 21,would be
open to influences that could not be for the benefit of the
country generally. The safest course appeared to be to adopt
some plan on the principle th it a man who had resided for •
re rtain number of years, and would thus have acquired a
character, and be known in his district, should have • vote,
without reference to the payment of tuxes. He did not
believe that even universal suffrage would so much increase
the electoral class as was sometimes supposed; in this
city the parliamentary list comprised 2,600 names
he did not apprehend that more than 5,000 wou'd
be competent to vote, even with universal suffrage. He was
however convinced that without altering the districts and
extending the franchise, the ballot would not he of much
service. It was useless to talk of freedom of election in
counties; the landowners there returned their nominees as
absolutely as ever was the cafe in any of the boroughs in
schedule A. Who could pretend that any independent
member would be elected for either division of this county :
it was folly to talk of it. la the southern division Sir John
Buller paid all the expenses of registration, and at Alphlng-
ton he understoacl many were on the registtr who had no
pretence to be 501. renters.—The petition was adopted
unanimously, and will be seat to the city members for pre-
sentation.

TILE LEEDS WORKING Nits.—The requisiVon to
then ayor of Leeds, already referred to in the Daily News,
desiring his worship to convene a pubic meeting on the
subject co' electoral reform, lue already received the signa-
tures of nearly 1,500 electors, and it is expected that the
number will be considerably greater when the whole of the
requisition sheets are collected. In reference to the antici-
pated public meeting, a placard, of which the to-lowing is a
copy, wan posted on the walls of Leeds on Sa"urday last
At a meeting of operatives, held in Hull's Temperance Hotel, on
Thut,day evening last. June Sth, it was resolved unanimously, and
with applause—
That we Mel it to be our duty and our interest to render all the
support we can to the forthcoming meeting in favour of Mr. Mime's
motion, and we hope that all our fellow-townsmen will act in a way
to unite all classes of reformers. for we feel well assured that this will
be found to he the speediest way of converting the middle class to a
belief in universal suffrage.
In rendering support to carry household suffrage, and a household
suffrage of so liberal a character as the one proonoed by Mr. flume,
we relinquish none of our principles or our claims to universal suf.
freer ; and we mourn conceal fro-n ourselves that after we have ob-
tained that measure, we shall be in the best poesible position for ob-
taining the mt.
Working men, at!end, and by a unanimous decision in favour of
liberal measures strengthen the bands of our friends in parliament,
and prove to Lord J. Russell that he is ignorant of the feeling that
now prevails amongst us. Electws, attend, and by your co-operation
prove that you desire the rights of all to be equally represented, and
thus the united esertions of all good trio. morn cannot fail to
tell ncp upon the public prasperitoand well-being.

meeting of the Hull Reform Association
was held en Thur-day evening, the Bth, at the Town-hall.
The room, capable of holding about 600, was crowded to ex-
cess, the window sills outside (tee room is on the ground
floor) being also occupied by many unable to obtain admis-
sion. The meeting was held consequent on an arrangement,
that when the association numbered 200 me mbers the-y
should meet; and the committee, pro Pena, becoming de-
funct, the met ting should elect officers and a permanent com
mittee for the ensuing year, wsieh being done, it was re-
salved to petition parliament in favour of Mr. Hume's
"t four points." The meeting was undhguited in its mani-
festation of disapprobation of L trd John Russell's apathy
and scepticism with re-pest to the feeling of the middle
theses towards fur:her and extensive parlismentAry reforms.

WORCESTER.—On Thursday a numerous meeting
was held at the Guildhall, ‘Vorceste r, the mayor in the chair,
when it was unanirnnu,ly determined to hold a public meet-
ing, at which pet tions should be proposed in favour of ex•
tension of the suffrage, vote by ballot, equal electoral dis-
tricts, and triennial parliamects—these matters being insi•tet.
up:•n as the only means of obtaining a reduction of the
expenditure.

TAUNTON.—A society, to recognise and support the
principles laid down by the Reform League—household suf-
frage, vote by ballot, equal electoral districts, and trii nnial
parliament% also, a reduction of the national expenditure
and equalisation of taxation—as the best safeguards of social
order and the national prosperity, is now in course in forma-
tion at Taunton,

IRELAND.

DL nu s, JOSE 10.

The " Irish Lcaguc" has filled the picvincial rc-
pealers with exultation. The Foreman of this morn-!
ing announced the arrive o the provincial ingredients
of the grand fusion—but between the cup and the
lip, &c. There is after all " nothing settled." So
says Mr. John O'Connell in a pithy letter to the re-
peal organ ; and this after Mr. O'Connell himself had
proposed the principle of union at the Repeal Associa-
tion on Monday last, and promised the indefinite sus-
pension of the old firm on Monday next. The follow-
ing is Mr. O'Connell's letter to Dr. Gray :
Saturday.—Sir,-1 mast sincerely regret to have ouch reason to fear I
that the desired coalition of the repeaters is not so immediately wee.
ticoble ae is predicted in the iforisioy Freeman of this day, that I
cannot let the week close without making public my imprewion on
thin subject. 1 hare received from a most important qaerter, •
remonstrance, couched In the very strongest terms, against giving up
the Repeal Association founded by Daniel O'Connt IL Difficult...a of
detail also have to some extent intervened, upon points of great
importance; but my great realm for fearing that the coalition may
not very speedily occur is, from the remonstrance in question. The
importance of the quarter from whence it comescannot be overrated;
and I am Sound also to say, that communications to the same effect
from other quarters, also of great imp cetance, base reached me since
the ant came to hand. 1, therefore, pray the trice& of the Repeal
Association throughout the country to under.tand, that, as yet,
nothing is settled.-1 am, dear sir, your obliged servant, Jons
o*Covs
The letter or remonstrance to which Mr. O'Connell
alludes is, I understand, from the catholic dean of one
of the north-western dioceses.
Another conference of the "united leaders" takes
place today, when the preceding " embarrassment "
will be actively canvassed. One matter is quite
clear, that the Repeal Association hac been decently
composed to eternal sleep by Mr. John O'Connell
himself. .

At s late hour this evening it was rumoured that
fresh prosecutions have been determined upon by the
government. It was stated some days since that the '
government had determined upon instituting criminal
proceedings against other members of the Irish Con-
federation, but the result of the meeting of Tuesday
last would be first known. It is now said that the
leading orators at that meeting will assuredly be
prosecuted ; and that the necessary affidavits will, in
all probability, be sworn this evening, and the arrests
(take place as soon after as the accused can be found
by the police.
The Irish Felon is announced for the 24th inst.,
but it is said that the authorities at the Stamp-office
have refused to permit the proprietors to register.
The Irish Tribune made its appearance to-day, and
has not fired the " crystal Liffey." It is a mawkish
imitation of the United Irishman, and contains a
memoir, with a portrait, of Nliteliel. The composi-
tion is not very striking; and as to the principles, they
are very numerous and profoundly abstract 'the
Tribune's collections of "Articles of Faith" are
exactly- thirty-eight! Mr. Carleton contributes a tale
and Mr. Doheny a letter.:
The suburbs of our city lust evening were filled