The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-27 00:00:00

[TWOPENCE

and abstract resolutions. As far as a speech could
supply them with the outlines of a plan, they
had had it on the previous evening from the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, but for any practical
purpose they mast have the measure itself before them,
and until they had that, they could take no useful step.
He therefore proposed that notice should be given that
night of a resolution in these terms :—" That her Majesty's
government having informed the house of the principal
provisions of the bill which they propose to introduce, it
is the opinion of the house that under present circum-
stances a discussion of the resolutions now before them
must tend to delay the practical considera-
tion of the question, and that it will be for the
public advantage that the plans of her Majesty's govern-
ment should be submitted to them in a definite form."
They would perceive that in taking this course he did not
even seek to foreclose the question as between procedure
by resolution and procedure by bill. His own opinion was
very strongly against the former method, but at present
what they were most concerned to obtain was that, whe-
ther in the form of resolutions or the clauses of a bill.
they should have the elements and features of the govern-
ment measure fully and precisely before them. Mr.
Kinglake, who had • notice on the paper, had kindly inti-
mated his readiness to give way if those present were
of opinion that the resolution which he bad read
ought to be brought forward ; and it would be
for the meeting to decide whether the member for
Bsi_krwater, or some other independent member of the
house, ought not to be 'eked to move it. (Cries of "
no," and "Gladstone.") Mr. Gladstone added be was
quite ready to perform the duty himself if they would not
allow him to decline it, and after reading the resolution
a second time, sat down amidst loud cheering.
Earl RUSSELL pointed out that the position had become
critical, and distinguished it from, while comparing it with,
the state of things in IFX and 1846. He urged the impor-
tance of the union of the liberal party at this time in order
that the question of reform might not remain • subject of
painful and exciting controversy. Englishmen loved
peace, and the country desired nothing so much as to have
this question settled. He urged the liberal party in the
House of Commons to place its confidence in some one
whose character and abilities made him worthy of such a
trust, and looking round he could find none so well en-
titled as his right hon. friend Mr. Gladstone. He felt that
under his guidance they would be led on to success, and in
such a manner as to maintain the honour of parliament
and of the country.
Earl GROSVILKOR asked leave to say a few words in ex-
planation of the reasons why he and his friends thought it
right to concur in the course now recommended by Mr.
Gladstone. They had never intended, by the line of con-
duct they had followed last session, to evince any wish to
secede from the liberal party. They thought the bill of
the late government objectionable in many respects, but
chiefly in this, that it appeared to contain no principle of
resistance to further change. The bill of the present
government, he was sorry to say, was still worse in that
and in other respects. He had hoped it would be otherwise,
and he owned he was deeply disappointed when listening
to the statements which they bad heard the previous evening
from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. lie proceeded
amidst manifestations of impatience to vindicate the
views and acts of those with whom be acted last year ;
and repeated his readiness to cooperate with those pre-
sent in requiring ministers to produce their bill.
Mr. BRIGHT said he had frequently been blamed for ex-
pressing the opinion that the present government could
not and would not settle the question of parliamentary
reform. What bad happened during the last fortnight
must, he thought, have convinced the most sceptical that
be was justified in that opinion. He supposed there were
reasons why Mr. Gladstone should persevere in that ex.
oeedingly gentle course which he had hitherto pursued—
(laughter)—but the time would come, and he believed it
was not far distant, when they would find themselves
compelled to look at the matter as a whole, and deal with
it in a more peremptory manner. This was not a case like
that of 1829 or 1846, when a great tory minister could rise
superior to the prejudices of his party, and in spite of
them perform great acts of justice to the people. The
men who composed the present Ministry were
incapable of playing so great a part, and sooner or later it
would be found that they would never concede anything
worth having except under conditions that would deprive
it of its value. He was glad to bear Mr. Gladstone declare
his readiness to confer with others as to the course which
ought to be taken from time to time, but be thought
he would do better if lie extended the range of his ober-
vation, and took counsel not merely with those who
shared with him the sympathies and habits of office, but
also with those who occupied a more independent position,
and who had no personal interest in party combinations.
Mr. CLAY sad Mr. Arnow made a few observations,
after which the meeting separated.

THZ WORKING MEN'S ASSOCIATION AND THE
Goyim/mem' REFORM Biu..—Last night a special nicet-
ies of the Working Men's Association and the Trades
Society delegates connected with the December Reform
Demonstration was held et St. Martin's-hall, to consider
the government scheme of reform. Upwards of 100
delegates were present, representing fully 80,000 men.
Mr. G. Potter occupied the chair, and characterised the
government reform proposal as a retrograde step in the
reform movement, and utterly unworthy of being accepted
by the people as a settlement of the great question. He
referred to the meeting of the liberal members that day,
and announced that Mr. Disraeli bad withdrawn his resolu-
tions, with the intention of bringing in a bill embodying
the principles he had set forth on Monday night.
Such a bill would not, however, be accepted by the people,
even though it might be endorsed by the House
of Commons. Mr. Lowe had said the late demonstrations
had passed away without leaving an echo behind. It was
now the duty of the people to make their voice heard.
They must now have not a local but a national demonstra-
tion, in which the working men of Manchester, Birming-
ham, end other towns must be asked to take part. A long
and animated discussion ensued, in which the conduct of
the government was unsparingly denounced, and a general
opinion expressed that even the opposition would have to
be kept up to the mark by the pres.ure from without.
Mr. Howe (polisher) moved the following resolution :
"That this meeting, having considered the government
!scheme of refonu es developed in the House of Commons
on Monday night by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is
of opinion it is one not only falling far abort of the just
expectations and requirements of the country, but insult-
ing to the people at large, inasmuch as it is
a retrograde measure, less liberal than that introduced to
parliament by the Derby government of 1859, and weeld '
enfranchise a considerably les number of the working
classes than was proposed to be done by the very moderate
measure of Mr. Gladstone bust session.' This WAR SIOCAMIIed.
and carried unanimously. Another resolution was adopted
calling upon the House of Commons at once to reject the
government scheme ; and the association was recommended
to call a public demonstration in Trafalgar-square on
Saturday afternoon next, at 4 o'clock. A further resolu-
tion was moved and carried, " that the association be
requested to prepare for a great national demonaration on
or about Easter, to which the trades of the provinces be
invited."

Flag ON LUDGATE-NlLL.—Last evening, at ten
o'clock, a fire broke out on the premises of ltfearrs.
Macarthy and Co., hat manufacturers, at No. 30, Ludgate-
hill. The first indication of the fact 11418 a loud explosion
which was heard all over the neighbourhood, and which,
it was believed, resulted from en explosion of gm.
Directly afterwards flames issued from the shop front, and
darting across the street gave rise to great alarm, and
crowds of some thousands of persons soon assembled
en and about Ludgate hilL The engines were sent
for, and several quickly arrived, under the superintendence
of Mr. Bridges. The fire raged with great fury, and the
whole of the stock, valued at 7001. or SOO/. was destroyed
before the flames could be got under. After the fire had
been extinguished a minute examination of the premiers
was made with a view to ascertain the cause of the out.,
break, but without success. The building and stuck were
partially insured in the Law Fire Office. The traffic along
Ludgate-hill was completely stopped for the time, and the
police were in strong force to keep the crowd in or ler.
FMK AT HRNHAM-HALL.—Early yeetertlay morn-
ing a destructive fire broke out in Henhaimball, Suffolk,
the seat of the Earl of Strailbroke, lord-lieutenant of the
county. The nowsion had but a few years been restored
and beautifully embellished, and a awl work of destruction
bas been going on. At the time our Ipswich correspondent
wrote the particulars of the disaster, which is supposed to
have been caused by a flue, had not reached him.
The Countess of Stradbroke, who had been recently con-
fined, was safely removed.
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