The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-01 00:00:00

REPRESENTATION 01 WORCESTER.

WORCESTER, WEDNESDAY.

We are unexpectedly on the eve of a contested
election here, the candidates beteg in the field for the seat
about to be vacated by Mr. Laalett. There are Mr. Padasoce
(already announced) in the liberal interest, and Mr. Hardy, •
brother of Mr. Chthonic' Ilardy,M.P. for Leominster, on the
liberal conservative side. Mr. Hardy's address to the oleo-
toes appeared this morning, sad simultaneously with it the
eisidste himself, who has base actively canvassing
the electors all day. He avows himself a sup-
porter of church and Mate, and says :—" I am pre-
Cto support a reform bill for an extension of the
ci bise, and that He operation may be fairly
tested. I shall oppose the intmdaction of the ballot or te-
em voting, as contrary to the spirit of oar institutions and
the independence of our national character." He *drama's
an equitable arrangement of taxation, and will support any
measure having for its object the advancement of the moral
and social condition of the labouring dames. He adds :
" Believing that the streagtit of our army and navy is •
nseassary means Lt. ensuring peace, I shall be ready to main-
tain the efficiency of both services at such a int as befits
the position which England should always hold amongst the
nations of the world." Mr. Padcoore directly advocates the
ballot, economy be national expenditure, de. A third mach
date is spoken of—Mr. Hastings, • prominent member of the
Social Science Association, and who ia locally connected hers.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER AND
THE CLERGY.

(From the Guardian.)

We have been favoured with a copy of the follow-
ing letter, addressed this naming by the Chancellor of the
Bildt/quer to a clergyman in Wales, on the question of the
Badge'
"Downing-street, Feb. 29.
" Rev. agree with you that the clergy suffer hard-
ship in regard to rating for the poor. Bati mast remind
you that • bill was introdaed into parlianteat in 1856 or
1856, by Mr. R. Phillimore, which would have given them
ootaidvrable relief; and that the reason of its cot proceeding
was, that the clergy themselves differed with regard to the
expediency of accepting it.
With respect to the income tax, I understand you to ask
that the clergy paying poor's-rate may be exempted. Such
• proposal would simply produce a hundred other claims of a
similar nature, end, besides being in half nojuat, would
break down the tax, and require ins adoption of other and
more costly moans of raising a revenue.
"1 noun remind von that the cause of the Income tax is
not to be found in the will of a ministry, bat in the will of
the nation, which, a few years ago, was content with an
expenditure on emptily services of twenty-one millions, but
Which now thinks tit to spend on the sum earvioes thirty-six
millions.
There are two sauces to which we may look for the re-
duction of the twine tax. One of them is reduction in our
expenditure; the other is the increased productianees of the
indirect taxes. lint in order that this latter 1101211, may be
fully opened, it le neossaery to repeat from time to time the
roams by which our indirect taxes have been raised to their
present .ftlcsoy--I mean the process of liberating trade and
augmenting wages and prate through judicious diminutions
sad aboliiion of dudes ott commodities.

" In 1863, when the income tel wee renewed for seven
yews, parlianunt adopted such provisions as it wee thought
would fairly be muted In relief of the clergy.
" That they feel the peanuts of the tax I can well believe ;
bat it ie desirable that they should understand Its cause.
and I usenet say that I have observed on their part a general
desire to aback expenditure, though undoubtedly no clam feel
more measly the pressure of the taxation which it cause.
"I am wavy it is your opinion that by giving wine hostess
under strict rule and control to eating-hottere end pestrycsoba
we shell increeme 'the temmetiose to get drunk.' It is, on
the contrary, our brut belief that if the Rouse of Commons
adopt our proposal, it will be found eminently favourable to
sobristy.—l have the honour to be,:l.re, L
WGLADSTONE."