The Express.
London, England, 1858-10-26 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM REFORMBRZ UNION.

A meeting of the Birmingham Reformere' Union
was bold on Saturday night for the purpose of adopting an
address to Mr. Bright, on his approaching visit to bis consti-
tuent.. Mr. Councillor Taylor waa in the chair, and the
following addrars, moved by the Rev. Mr. Hoppa, and se-
conded by Mr. Beddoee, wee unanimously adopted :
" The Address of the Members of the Reformeri Union,
Birmingham, to John Bright, Esq.. M P.
" Sirs—We, the members of the Birmingham Reformers'
Union, beg most respectfully to congratulate you on this
vnur end vieit to Birmingham cone of its repre•entatives.
We thought of you with the sincerest concern during your
late illnesa, end shared in whet was ready • nation's joy,
when you were stabled once more to take your place In
the Home of Common. ; for we cannot but feel, sir, that
you not only represent the important conatituency of Bir-
mingham, but the largeet and most earnest political party
of the time.—a party that would otherwise be but Moir
quately represented in what is called the poohle's house. As
members of this union, sir' we do not prates to hold in ell
things the same ptliticol creed, nor are we, as such, agreed
upon • measure of reform that we believe to be perfect. We
have only united for the purpose of securing the broadest
and best measure we can get. We have agreed to lay said*
our views as to whet is conceivable, and to unite in winning
what is possible. Still, we have thought It well to announce
a definite statement of what we could agree upon in comma;
and in accordance with this we have from the first adopted
the following as the basis of our union :
I. (A). The ester:Am of the borough franchise in
Zealand and Wales to every male person of full age, and
lot subject to any legal incapacity, who shall occupy, se
owner or tenant, lit pert or whole, any premises within the
borough. (B) The extension of the county franchise in
lagland and Wales to all 101. occupiers at least. (C). The
sesimllation, as far as portable, of the franchise in Scotland
and Ireland to that of England and Wales.,
" 2. The ballot.
" 3. A re-apportionment of seats that shall mike bitch as
approach to en equalisation of constituencies as shall give in
the United Kingdom a majority of member& to • majority of

' 4. Abolition of Property qualification for members.
"' The calling of a new parliament every three years.'
" Weadopeed this declaration, sir, with the more confidence,
Manama as it was at first announced wader the sanction
of your name, and it is with satisfaction we remember that
you peevented, on oar behalf, the moat numerously signed
Finlike in favour of one of three points, which was happily
carried—we refer to the abolition of the property qualifi-
cation for members. And, although this measure may be
eflittle practical use without the ballot and • fairer distri-
bution of electoral power, we gladly accept it amen instalment
of that which must ultimately follow, and look forward with
strong confidence to the fins] triumph of ell theme princiOes
la the HOUND of Commove.

"In conclusion, air, permit um to ensure you that our
bassi wit sympathies an with you in the position you have
to occupy with respect to many of the great social and poli-
tical questions of the times. We believe you will maintain
the independent and manful roans that has always distin-
guished you and we confide in you to stand between the
people and the corruptions and iniquities in Mutt pisoes and
to protest against the extravagances in the various depart-
ments of our national adminbtration, with the oppressive and
unfair taxation thereby rendered necewary.
We earnestly hope and pray that you may long be
spared to advoosts and defend the rights of the people of
this country, and to be the leader la the coming contest of
the honest and earnest men who have no party interests to
serve, or who puffer no party antecedents to stand in the way
of a fair scot thorough consideration of them peat and im-
portant gosetions."

COMPagiNCR OP EVANGCLICAL
Ceelyresee of Evangelical Christians which has bees
waved by tb. Council of the Evangelical Alliatoe, com-
munes to-morrow (Wednewhq) monitor, at Ante-hall,
Uverpeel, sad will continue dunng the week. A prelainioiny
imeerlag is to be held thu totaule the l3ev. Dr. DAN.
residing. On Friday the annual meeting ol tee Evatecelteal
All +nre temist the we•idwe. of Slr Cdliog Bum.,
Bonney, takes piece also at the Hope-ball.