The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-06 00:00:00

WORTH WILTS.

DEVIZES, FRIDAY, Mama 5.
The re-election of Mr. Botberon-Eete..ourt, the new
President of the Poor-law Board, took place in the Corn
Exchange, Darius, this morning.
The right hon. gentleman wss proposed by G. H. W.
Hem eaon, Esq. ((late member for Devizes), and seconded by
W. Cotsoartn, Kg., of Chip/Anhwei; and there being no
opposition to his return, was declared duly elected.
Mr. ESTCO RT said thirty jean bad elapsed since he
first entered the walls of parliament, and his course of con-
duct during that period had shown that he had no ambition
or appetite for Ake. On Wednesday in last week, however,
ha received a visit from an old friend, a member of the House
of Coatroom, who was weal known to be in the confidence of
Loyd Derby, who said he had come to him (Mr. Estcoart)
with a menage from his lordship, to ask him to accept the
office of President of the Poor-law Board. The reply
which he (Mr. Estcourt) made was My dear
old friend, It is out of the question it is oat
of my line. I do not wish foe It, and there are
others who will do it quite es well, and who would be gra-
tified and pleased by ft." Some further ocavereatke took
place, but the result was Mr. Estcourt's scespt ce of the
office. The right bon, gentleman then p to say that
most of them had, he supposed, read the eloquent and magni-
ficent speech which was made in the House of Lords, on
Monde last, last, by Lord Derby, in which his lordship ex-
the course which he intended to pursue ; and without
Wool
sa
them by going over the same ground, he (Mr.
Estoiart would only y that he felt proud and glad to have
enlistedhimself under such a leader. The change of govern-
ment which had taken place was not a change which had
been brought about by a hostile collision of parties; the latego-
velment had gone out by their own inherent weak Dela, because
they had of late appeared to the country deficient in that
energy and that straightforwardness which they had taken
credit for twelve months ago. After a few remarks upon the
two bills which have peculiarly marked the present session of
parliament, viz , the Conspiracy Bill and the India Bill,
Mr. Esteourt made• few remarks upon the subject of church
rates. He said his only object In wishing to see any altera-
tion in the present system was to get rid of tho scandal
which it caused ; but his opinion was, that in parishes
where the majority were against a rate being granted, those
who were averse to it should be compelled to fill up a return,
stating to what religious denomination he wished to contri-
bute the amount to which the property he occupied was
liable. By doing this no man could may that his conscience
wee violated. To the ballot Mr. Estcourt expressed himself
as decidedly opposed ; as well as to any organic changes in
the constitution, although he was desirous to improve the
existing institution, of the country.
Very few persons were present.

COCK ERMOUTH.
Lord Naas was re-elected for Cockermouth with.
out opposition on Wednesday. Theprooesdings took place
in the Court-house, which was filled by the burgesses, but the
business of the day was conducted in the most orderly moa-
ner. His lordship was very well received. In in eddies,
while touching upon the Conspiracy Bill he end, " I believe
the law of England la strong enough to cope with
such designs. I believe that on the statute books
will be found a law relating to conspiracies to
murder sufficient to deal with such came ; a law
will be found sufficient to punish such attempta, and, if
it is not sufficient, lam sure there is no man in England
who will object to its being changed. But I believe it will
be found that there is a sufficient law, and that ere long
it will be put in force." Alluding to his own office Lord
Naas observed I had held it before, and certainly
my experience of it did not altogether agree with the
description given by a gentleman who held it for four
yeses—a gentleman well known in this town—the Right
an. Edward Reesman. (Laughter.) I observe that in a
speech which he mad* to his constituency of Stroud he
stated that the office which I now have the honor to
hold was excessively highly paid, and that there TIPS
very little to do. Gentlemen, it will not be for me
on the present OCCIIIIiOII to enter Into the question
of rimy, bemuse perhaps, I might not give a very
Impartial opinion on that point —(laughter)—but so far as
the labour of the office is concerned, though I do not pretend
to the trensoendent abilities of the gentleman who held It so
long, yet, for an ordinary mortal with ordinary abilities, it
teems to me that there is sufficient to occupy his time for
every hour of the day."
Hu Lordship having resumed hie seat, several questions
were put to him, in answer to which he said he we. not in
favour of the ballot. He could not promise to support en
extension of the franchise to 101. householders in counties.
As to the property qualification for members, he cared little
about the point. lie believed that if one rogue got into
parliament without a qualification he generally found some
other rogue to enable him to make one.
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr.
Wood, the bailiff,