The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-04 00:00:00

E
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~„Tlig REMICK BILL.

TIEN Warr
YeSterility a large meeting, called by a requisii-
ki°o !Vied by upwards of MO of the most holies liberal
politiMnns in the great towns of the West Riding, was
held in the Cloth-hall, Leeds, to consider the P.veminelki
franchise bill. The Lord Lieutenant of the Riding (Karl
Fitewillians) had Plied the meeting in reripenne to the re-
quisition ; but in the absence of the noble earl. Lord
Hot Guron presided, and was supported by Lord R. Ca-
vendish, M.P., Sh• F. Crossley, Bart., M.P. Mr. Forster,
M‘P., Mr. Childers, M.P., lir. Baines, M.P., , Mr. H. F.
Beaumont, M.P., Mr. H. S. Thompson, kc. There wee
from 10,000 to 16,000 present.
The noble Plumate, in opening the proceedine, said
he regretted the absence of Lord Fitswilliam, an also
that of his son, Lord Milton, who, having undergone as
many adventures M Robinson erMee-4lam4ter)—had
seedy kiliedsldineall when hunting, as worthy
Yom lied -done before him. , hear)
They were met to support her Majesty's governmer
in their desire to te the increased enfranchiseene
of the people. Lofd Bermeß and Mr. Gladstone they los
were conscientious reformers. The government had de.
Bided to introduce a bill fee the extension of the franchise,
and he approved of the mums, first, because it was a fair
fight with the opposite side. (Hear, bear.) They tarried
oat Lord Derby because he weld not reduce the borough
franchise, and therefore now they were entitled to say,
" Now that we are in power we have a right to propose
this bill, and by it we will stead or fall." (ClisentC:
more important than party was principle, and as Mr.
(Redstone said in one sentence, he approved of the bill
bemuse it would be a geed in itself. It was thing
for man to have additional responsibilities, and he should
be glad to see every man of edveation andiadependsom,
who could think for himself, with the right to vote. Re
did net see that they could be the worse for it. (Hear.)
If a man had bad inclinations he would not be the
worse because he had a vote. He did not find that
the " lambs " of Nottingham had votes. (Laughter.)
There were people who were content with the present state
of things. Such permits were quite right in opposing the
measure, but he was sorry that there were some men
sitting on the liberal side of the house, and in many re-
spects real liberals, who were against them on this ques-
tion, and might cause the distraction of the government
(Veins@ ' Shame.") Why was it that the Northumber-
land was not launched? It was because the tide did net
rise high enough. Public opinion was the tide ustool
which they mast work, and unless that tide rose, the •
of reform would stand still. Though theirs (the houses
parliament) Might be the frwisnre, theirs (the people)
meat be the find. (Cheers.
Lord F. CAVINDISH moved the first resolution. He
admitted *ethos should have preferred a complete measure,
birt if a comprehensive 'shame had been introduced it
opulil not have been carried. If they were to proceed by
degrees, they must fix the character of the constituency
be-fore they proposed the redistribution of seats. (Hear,
slita) He could not understand how the conservatives
oppose the proposed reduction of the county
franchise, except that they opposed everything,
became they had themselves proposed to reduce it to
101., but he supposed the government struggle would be
steins the borough franchise bill. The improvement in the
diameter and condition of the working classes entitled
them to consideration. Their opponents dared not meet
them on fair end open grounds, and say the working men
shoe unfit for the franchise, and they, therefore, would
fight the question on all sorts of side issues. They must
have confidence in the honour and honesty of the govern-
Mont. The question of reform had been dallied with for
fifteen years, and it was time that the government should
now stand or fall by it. The meows of the measure de-
pended on the way in which the bill was received by the
country. His lordship concluded by proposing that the
meeting expressed approval of the government Reform
Bill as a substantial, honest, and valuable measure, and its
determination to support the government in prosecuting it
toe successful issue. (Cheers.)
Mr. Serownim, of Halifax, a working man, seconded the
resolution.

Mr. T. Dram, of Sheffield, supported it.
Mr. FORATIR, M.P., also supported the motion. As •
humble member of the government he thanked them ter
the support they had given. Why were they there, on
spch an inclement day! It was not a small matter which
induced them to meet in such thousands. The government
wanted support, and it was necessary to success that
they should have support. If any argiunent was needed
to prove the moderation of the people it was to be found
in the good sense and generous feeling with which they
had supported the government bill, disappointed with it
for not going so far as they expected, as lie had no doubt
they were, believing it to be a real, honest, and substantial
measure. It was said this was opposed became it was not
a comprehensive measure ; but they were too far north
to believe that this was the real ground of opposition. Mr.
Lowe, Mr. Horsman—lhives)—and Mr. Laing admitted
that they were opposed to the lowering of the franchise,
and the enemies and false friends of reform knew that the
government intended to carry the bill, and that was the
reason why, though so moderate, it was opposed.
(Cheers.) The opposition did not come from the tones.
The conservative leaders had " waited upon events," and
if they had not been encouraged and provoked into oppo-
sition by men calling themselves liberals, there would have
been no dOwnright opposition to the bill. He believed,
too, that there were many in the conservative party who
were sorry for the opposition, regarding it really as • con-
servative measure. A7l franchise, he believed, was the
most that could be carried in this parliament, but it was
also the least that could be given which would last. (Hear,
hear.) He was no believer in finality, but they could not
here reform bills every year, and they should desire now
to pass a bill which should last for some years to come.
Why came the opposition from Mr. Lowe and Mr. Hero
man ? (A Voice—" Office," and laughter.) No doubt
Mr. Horsman had honestly changed his opinion, but he
believed he had lost faith in the people. If they were to
succeed in their desire, we should not have a government
for the people, but a government profmse&y for the
people but really an oligarchical despotism. In York-
shire, however, they still held that the Commons Home
should be elected by the people, and be relied upon them
keeping the liberals to their creed. (Cheers.)
Mr. R. A. LIAIIIAN also supported the motion. He
began, too, by admitting that the government bill was not
all they could wish. But before condemning the bill, they
must consider whether, under existing circumstances, soy
bill •ould be introduced other than one of concession
or compromise. They saw the effect of the bill upon the
members of some families whose income exceeded ball •
million. If there was something so chocking in the small
bill, what would have happened if government had intro-
&iced a bill which would have suited him and them?
Why, the liberal party would have gone to pieces on the
spot. ( Hear, hear.) The good-will which existed in this
country amongst class and class was due to the fact that
men of every order and rank do fight shoulder to shoulder
in great causes like this. The problem the government had
to solve was how to introduce a bill which should combine
the maximum of reform with the minimum of reitiftince,
and candour compelled him to admit that they had solved
the problem well. (Hear.) It bad frightened nobody except
a few " soft shelled" liberals, as the Americans would
say, and bad brought the franchise and placed it within
espy reach of the working classes. (Cheers.) Remember,
if this bill was defeated the government was defeated. With
them the issue was would they give up Earl Russell
for Lord Grosvenor ; would they give up Mr. Gladstone
for Griffith. (Loud laughter and " No, no.") Mr. Punch
hpd told them reform was pudding before meat. To •
Yorkahireman there was no alarm in getting pudding be-
fore meat, but what filled • Yorkahireman with alarm was
the fear that he should have neither pudding nor meat.
(Loud cheers and laughter.)
The resolution was carried amidst loud cheers, there
being but two dissentients.
Mr. BEA uwoirr, M.P.:moved that petitions to both hones*
of
_parliament be forwarded to parliament in support of the
bill—that to the House of Lords to be presented by Lord
Houghton, and that to the House of Commons by Sir F.
Crossley, Bart. The hen. gentleman said he accepted the
bill, because he considered it an honest and substantial
measure, though he should have preferred • greater rodeo-
tion.

Sir F. CIOSSLZT seconded the resolution, which was
carried, and the farm of the petition was afterwards
adoPted-

By RY. —On Monday evening a public meeting of
the inhabitants of Bury, in Lancashire, was held in the
I.r 4e room of the Atheneum, in compliance with a requi-
sition numerously signed sad addressed to Mr. J. Park,
the chairman of the local commissioners. The meeting
wija largely attended and most enthusiastic. The chair
was taken by Mr. J. Park. There were on the platform
Mr. R. N. Philips, M.P., the member for the borough ;
Messrs. T. Rigby J. 8. Walker, T. Grundy, T. Openthaw,
and others. The Chairman having read the requisition eon-
vening the meeting, Mr. T. 8. Openshaw moved the first re.
solution, which was, " That this meeting desires to express
its satisfaction at having in power • government
sufficiently honest and courageous to make an effort I.
do justice, to some extent, to the unenfranchised classes."
ihir, Walker seconded the resolution. Mr. Philips, M.P.,
supported the resolution, which was adopted, as was
another proposed by Mr. Grundy and seconded by Mr.
Lord, "'that, in the opinion of this meeting, the bill now
before the House of Commons contains such • substantial
measure of parliamentary reform as will adroit to the rights
of citisenslup a considerable number of the working classes;
and therefore this meeting pledges itself to do all in its
power to strengthen the Leads of the government, and
assist them in passing the present measure into law." The
meeting was addressed by several working men, and sew
rated after the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.

Num:on& There is an active movement
among the liberal party in %eat in support of the govern-
ment measure of reform. On Thursday evening a meeting
is to be held at the Cons &Aimee, Maidstone, which the
friends of progress, both in the meaty and boraces, are
invited to attend. The Hon. Y. G. Molynarax, of Tian-
bridge-weLls, will preside on the occeeion; and, in addition
to the members for tea borough IMr. W. Lee, M.P., and
Mn J. Whatman, M.P.), Fir J. W. Lubbock, Bart, Mx.
W. , sod other leaden of the liberal came in
West eat, are expeeted to attend.
DASITORD.—At a meeting of the Dartkedßeform
Amociation, Mr. W. C. Foam atheism, in the chair, it
warn resolved to make arrangements for holding an awe-
gate public meeting for the district during the present