The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-13 00:00:00

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE JAMAICA
PROSECUTION.

LORD Dzaav has not imitated the colourless
neutrality of his predecessor in the matter of the
Jamaica prosecutions ; it will be seen by our
Bow street Police reports that his Govenunent
has undertaken the legal defence of Colonel
NELsox and Lieutenant BRAND. Our readers
know by the Blue Book what those gentle-
men did in Jamaica, and, knowing that,
will not be surprised that Lord DERBY
should be inclined to take part with them. It
must seem to him monstrous that they should be
called, and that by private individuals, to account
for their deeds before a court of law. We have
nothing to say against his consistency in backing
up the Jamaica performances of these gentlemen,
nor against his employing the public resources
fur the same purpose, because liberty to do all this
was implied in his accession to office. He is the
acknowledged leader of the privileged classes of
this country, and we do not expect him to act
as the trustee of the people. If this great
Liberal nation permits the continuance of a repre-
sentative system which may at any moment
saddle it with a Tory Government, it must expect
to see such things as these done. Mr. Eves may
envy his red-handed subordinates ; he has his
energetic supporters, but their Defence Committee
is the English Government, with the needful funds
already in hand, and every requirement at com-
'nand. And yet there are those who say that the
Jamaica prosecutions are unnecessary, and that
—with Mr. Disaseit's speech on martial law on
record—it is chimerical to imagine that what was
dune by authority in Jamaica could not possibly
take place in the United Kingdom.—Daily News.

THE MINISTERIAL REFORM RESOLUTIONS.

BIRMINGHAM, TIMIDAT Incwr.

A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held
to-night in the Town-ball, to consider the present aspect
of the question of parliamentary reform. Lord Teynbam
presided. The following telegram from Mr. John Bright
was received with much cheering :—" The proposals of
the government are only calculated to disappoint, to insult,
and to irritate all who are acting for an honest reformation
in the representation." The following resolution, moved
by Alderman Hawke', seconded by Mr. W. Radford, and
supported by Professor Rogers, of Oxford, was unani-
mously carried:—" First. That this meeting, having con-
sidered the statements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
and the government resolution, is of opinion that the pro-
positions of her Majesty's government are an insult to the
country and a deception attempted on the people ; that
the government have neither the honesty nor the will to
pass any satiafactory measure of parliamentary reform ;
and that our representatives be requested to invite the
Roam of Commons forthwith to declare its want of confi-
dence in her Majesty's ministers.' A resolution in favour
of manhood suffra,;e and the ballot was also carried. Mr.
Ernest Jones, of Manchester, addressed the meeting. The
O'Donoghue war unable to be present.

A crowded meeting of delegates from provincial
towns was held yesurday at Adelphiterrace, at 12 o'clock,
to consider the resolutions of the government, and the
future course to he pursued by the League in reference
thereto. Mr. Bottles occupied the chair. Most of tile
large towns in England, and several in Scotland, as well as
the Irish League, were represented. After n long discus-
sion the following resolutions were unanimously agreed
to:-1. " That such resolutions are wholly unsuited to
meet the exigencies of the present crisis, and that the time
has smiled in which the wierifranchi;mil portion of the
people of Great Britain and Irelind have a right to demat."l
from the legislature immediate and effective action is
favour of a real and substantial reform of the represen-
tation, and to insist upon not being any longer trilled
with in the establishment of their electoral righta."
2. That the people having exhibited a spirit of much for-
bearance in lending their support to a recent measure of
reform, which fell far short of their just expectations, and
which was defeated by the forty now in power combining
for that purpose with profsfssed but iimincere liberals, this
meeting beg very respectfully. but moat emphatically, to
warn the members of the House of Commons that the
country is no longer dispose 1 to accept a similar measure
from any party, and especially beg to impress upon the
minds of the liberal members of that house that if they
desire to retain the confidence of the people they must he
prepared to insist upon such a measure of reform as shall
embody the principles of the Reform League. or otherwise
secure to the unenfruichised millions their lull share, free
from all undue influences, in the choice of persons to re-
present theta in their own branch of the legislature." Mr.
John Burt, of Glasgow, president of the Scottish
National Reform League, then proposed, and Mr.
W. R. Croft, of Huddersfield, seconded, the following
resolution, which was also carried unanimously:—" We,
the undersigned country delegates, having full confids ice
in the wisdom and prudence of the president and couneil
of the National Reform League, resolve, on behalf of our
various constituencies, to continue to be guided by, and to
co-operate with, them in further prosecution of the great
question of parliamentary reform, the 'settlement of which
is essential to the peace, prosperity, and happiness of the
I nation. And we now call upon the whole people to assert
their unqualified determination never to rest contented
until full justice be done to them as regards their electoral
rights." It was next resolved—" That the question of
' calling a conference, or national oonveutioo, be left with
the League." The president was then cordially thanked for
Lis untiring assiduity and devotion to the people's cause,
and the meeting separated.

A general meeting of the members of the Work-
ing Men's Association was held lust night at the Sussex
Hotel, llouverisestreet, Fleet-street, to consider the pre-
sent position of the reform question. Mr. George Potter
occupied the chair, and having reed the resolutions pro-
rit by the Chanoellor of the Exchequer, said he trusted
Caidstone would meet the proposals of the govern-
ment by a direct negative. He would be supported in
that course by the great mass of the people. Mr. Troup
thought, upon the whole, the resolutions were good reso-
lutions. At any rate they should not prejudge the govern-
ment. He would move "That the association, while
maintaining its avowed principles of 111.1811 CW suffrage
mud the What and the more equal representation
of all classes, defer expressing an opinion upon
the government resolutions on reform until the pre-
cise terms are placed before parliament on the 2.lth of the
present month. Mr. G. Brooke seconded the resolution.
Mr. Hartwell moved the following amendment :—" That
this association having considered the resolutions upon
reform introduced into the House of Commons on Monday
evening by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is of opinion
the great majority of those resolutions are most vague and
unsatisfactory ; and is further of opinion that any reform
bill which may be founded upon those resolutions would
fall very far short of the just expettations of the people."
Mr. Blight seconded the amendment, which, after a long
discussion, was carried by Is large majority. The Secretary
stated, in reply to a question, that the meeting of trades
delegates, to be held on Friday evening next, would consi-
der the propriety of holding another demonstration of the
London trades, to be attended by large deputations from
the provincial trades, somewhere about Easter.

THE BIRMINGHAM LIBERAL ANSOcIATION AND
THE GieVERIOIENT REsuLtrfloNA.—A meeting of the com-
mittee of the Birmingham Liberal iveweixtion Was hell
yesterday morning, to enesitler the reform resolutions of
the government. Mr. Alderman Hawkes presided, and
the Mayor and many other gentlemen were present; and it
was unanimously resolved:—" That this meeting, having
heard the ministerial resolutions, considers that they are
framed with the intention of delaying a settlement of the
question of reform, and of opposing the just demand of
the people; that the ministers proposing such resolutions
are unworthy of the confidence of the country ; and that
therefore the °nicer, of shis association he instructed to
confer with the members for the borough as to the action
which ought to be taken by the liberal party in the present
condition of affairs."

The remains of the late William Dorgan were
removed from his late residence. Fitzwilliamaquare,
Dublin, shortly after 9 o'clock on Monday morning, for
interment in Glasnotin Cemetery. The melancholy event
appeared to excite the deepest mt4.rest amongst his many
admirers, and the various approschea to his residence were
for a ooludderable time before the hour of removal
thronged by mourners aed vehicles to take part in the
proce.sion. The remains were placed in • hearse, drawn
by four horses, which moved off followed by three mourn-
ing coaches. All classes were represented on the melon-
awl), occasion.