The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-02 00:00:00

B•.POIiM MEETING AT BEADING.

Last night a public meeting was held in the Town
Hall, Reading, under the auspioea of the Liberal Electors'
Association' to consider the subject of parliamentary re-
form, and the bill introduced into parliament by Lord
Derb's government. Both the members for the borough
(Sir Francis H. Goldsmid, Bart., and Mr. George Shaw
Lefevre) were present, and met with a very cordial recep-
tion. Mr. T. BLUM MONCK (president of the Liberal
Electors' Association) occupied the chair, being supported
by • number of the leading liberals of the town. The at-
tendance was large, the ball being filled with electors and
non-electors, the majority being working men.—TheChair-
man, in opening the proceedings, said be felt happy to
think they would be able to pada a vote of thanks to their
members that night---(cheers)—and he wassorry there were
some towns in which that could not be done, because
the members of those places had not been so honest
as Sir Francis Goldamicl and Mr. Lefevre. (Hear, hear.)
Alderman Palmer (of the firm of Huntley and Palmer,
biscuit makers) moved the first resolution, as follows :
"That this meeting regards the restrictions and penal-
ties attached to the borough franchise, u proposed by the
government bill now before parliament, and the arbitrary
and offensive inequalities created by it between different
classes of electors, as wholly inconsistent with an honest
or adequate extension of the franchisee; and this meeting
declares its opinion that the government measure, inas-
much
as it insists on a personal rating and • personal pay-
ment of rates by every occupier, and on an unreasonable
length of residence (which in no ease would be leas than
two years, and in a large number of cues would
amount to three years before registration), whilst it
does not include any provision for the enfranchisement of
lodgers, is a virtual denial of the rightful claims
of the working classes to the political franchise."
Mr. Whitehouse, a mechanic, employed at the Reading
Iron Works, seconded the resolution. Calls were then
made for Mr. T. Rogers, who for many years has been
agent for the liberal party in the borough and county, and
on rising he was greeted by loud cheers. Mr. Rogers
showed that Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli had persistently
and consistently opposed, in mason and out of season, by
fair means and by foul, every proposal—whether it came
from a liberal government or from an independent member
of the House of Commons—which had for its object an ex-
tension of the franchise to the working classes. He pro-
ceeded to explain the character of the ministerial bill,
which he contended would not answer the purpose it pro-
posed to accomplish, and resumed his seat amidst loud
cheers. The motion having been carried, the second
resolution, as follows, was moved by Mr. J. Box :
"That this meeting desires to express its high appreciation
of the services rendered to the nation by the Right Hon.
William Evart Gladstone, M.P., in regard to parlia-
mentary reform and many other important subjects, as
well as its entire confidence in him as the chosen and able
leader of the liberal members of the House of Common',
and respectfully urges upon him to coetinue his valuable
exertions for securing a full and fair measure of parlia-
mentary reform, in which this meeting assures him of its
hearty co-operation, and believes be will receive the cordial
sympathy and support of the great majority of his country-
men." Rev. J. Aldo seconded the resolution in a most able
speech, in which the rev. gentleman characterized Mr.
Gladstone as • pre-eminently honest man, and spoke of Mr.
Bright whom he had personally known for 36 years, in
the highest terms. Mr. Aldis was greatly cheered through-
' out his speech. The resolution was carried. Mr. Cole-
brook moved, and Mr. House seconded, the following re-
solution :—" That the beet thanks of this meeting are
due and are now tendered to Sir Francis Henry Goldsarid,
Bart., and Mr. George Shaw Lefevre, for their votes in
support of Mr. Gladstone`a amendment against the govern-
ment proposal of personal rating, and for the consistent
support which on many previous occasions they have given
to measures for securing a genuine and satisfactory exten-
sion of the franchise." The resolution was carried ; and
Sir F. Goldarnid, M.P., and Mr. Lefevre, M.P., severally
addressed the meeting, being enthusiastically cheered.
The hon. members, however, spoke at so late • period
of the meeting, that we must defer • report of their
speeches until to-morrow.

OZTINAL PALACZ. - ONZ Bun.uic DAT. -
WZDNDIDAY, MAY I.—Adratrions on payment, 5,924;
ditto by season tickets, 7,396 ; total visitors, 13,320.

In the evening the annual soirée took place in
St. James's-hall, Piccadilly. From 000 to 700 ladies and
gentlemen were present at the tot, sad the company was
subsequently increased to at least 1,000 persona. The
meeting throughout was very enthusiastic. Mr. CHABLIS
OILPIN, M.P., presided, and amongst the gentlemen
upon the platform were Mr. Duncan lil`Leren, M.P. Sir
John Gray, M.P., Mr. J. Candlish, H.P., Mr. Edward
Miall, Dr. Eu4(11.10,11, Rev. R. D. Wilson, Mr. William
Edwards, Rev. Christopher Neville, Rev. Charles Vince
(of Birmingham), the Mayor of Bristol, Rev. Edward
White, Rev. Charles Williams (of Southampton), and
several of the society's friends from the provinces.
Mr. Caaysta Wux.r•its the secretary, gams • asses
mazy of th society's opecitions during the year. He
said that thee progress of religious equality in the sew par
liament had been unchecked ; for, in addition to two bills
=last session, the Dublin Professorships Bill, the
übstantiation Declaration Bill, and the Oaths and
Offices Bill, would probably all become law. The Church,
Bates Abolition Bill had been read a second time by the
largest majority yet recorded in its favour. The bill for
abolishing ecclesiastical tests at Oxford had, by a large ma-
jority, been extended to Cambridge also. The society had
done muoh erteeisti work in the country during the year. By
the holding of conferences of young men it had beensonghts
and with greet sumer, to secure new remits. nystsmatie
efforts had also been commenced in Wales to secure the
better representation of Welsh nonconformity in parlia-
ment. The society had never before circulated so many
tracts and pamphkts, and its lectures and meetings had
never excited so much interest. The total amount of
cash received by the treasurer? including a balance, had
been 8,281 f. and after defraying all the expenditure of
tlmar, the tresaurer had • balance of 1,9571. The
sial
concluded by urging that, encouraging as were the
carcumstaaces in which the society's work was carried on,
and bright as were its prospects, a most mistaken impres-
sion would be produced if it were supposed that the survey
would justify any slackening of effort, or any abatement
of vigilance, on the part of the friends of voluntaryism.
While the executive committee, always inspired by faith,
was never so hepsful as now, their sense of responsi-
bility was never so great as at the present juncture.
To the same sense of responsibility, animating, as they
believed, all their wedpitors, they now made their
rtn4in the confident belief that a work which, from
try beginning, had never been unrewarded, would, in
the
ess end,ings. be perfected, and be fraught with incalculabl
bl
The Climaxes said it was strange to some of them to
feel where they are in the House of Commons upon these
nonconformist questions. (" Hear," and laughter.) It
was not long ago when they had • simple parson ening
such rhymes as this :
Refuse a church rate ! " Live and learn," the proverb well
may lay.
I never heard of such a thing, and trust I never may.
Gaughter}—aad• large amount of similar doggrel, which
had been answered by as almost unanimous vote of the
House of Commons that dissenters should at least be
relieved from the compulsory payment of church rates.
(Mom.) An allusion had been made to Mr. Gladstone in
the report. (Loud cheers.) He honoured that cheer, and
from his whole heart responded to it. Mr. Gladstone was
• unsurpassed and unrivalled in intellect, and that was only
oa • level with his earnest conscientiousness in whatever
he undertook. Now, Mr. Gladstone had given in hie un-
qualified adhesion of no compulsion in respect of church
rates. This being so, he did not doubt that Mr. Hard-
castle's bill would pass even the House of Lords.
(Cheers.) Other questions, the university testa espe-
cially, lied made gratifying progress, and though
for the present Mr. li`Laren had been defeated in his
effort to abolish the annuity tax, it wag not to
be doubted that if he persevered in his efforts
be would be at length triumphant. (Cheers.) They
must hold silence no longer in respect of that enormity
the established church in Ireland—(loud cheer)—and
rejoiced, therefore, in the fact that Sir John Gray wit,
prepared to take charge of that question in the House o
Commons. This society ought to see to at least one
other thing, the replacing of Mr. G. Miall in the House of
Commons. (Loud and repeated cheers.) Mr. Miall, more
than any other living man, represented the principles of
this society, and would be so regarded in the House of
Commons. (Cheers.) The society had much still to do
before the nation would obtain what meat, nevertheless,
at some period prevail in England—perfect religions
equality—and he trusted that many present would live to
witness that glorious consummation. (Cheers.)
The first resolution was proposed ,
by the Rev. W. REED,
and was in the following tennis:— That this meeting
warmly congratulates the society's executive committee
on the character and results of its operations during the
past year ; and more especially it rejoices at the increas-
ing disposition of parliament to peas measures based on
the principle of religions equality ' • at the commencement
of systematic efforts to develop the kwlitical power of
Welsh nonconformity ; and at the auspicious initiation of
a movement designed to secure the 00-operation of young
men in the prosecution of the society's aims."
The resolution was seconded by Mr. E S. ROBINSON,
Mayor of Bristol. He said they wanted to do away with
all compulsory payments towards the maintenance of reli-
gious opinions. They aimed at the abolition of those laws
which conferred privilege. There were many members of
the House of Commons who in parliament supported their
principles, although they would not be found on the
platform of their society. He mad a tribute to the energy
and ability of Mr. Edward Miall, whose name was received
with loud cheers.

The resolution was supported by Mr. llPLageir, M.P.
He said the question of church rates was settled, and
the only question was its burial. The next important
question was that of the Irish church. There
been a grievance like it. From whatever point of view it
was regarded it was nothing but a grievance. The pro-
tenant church in Ireland would run its race with far
more freedom if unendowed. Then there was the law
which taxed English people for the support of clergy in
Jamaica, in addition to the taxation imposed upon the
coloured population. Mr. Remington Mills had moved
yesterday for the repeal of this law. (Chem.)
The CHILIEUM/sald Mr. M'Laren needed no introduction
to the meeting, but he might be permitted perhaps to
say that he was the brother-in-law of John Bright.
(Great cheering.)
The resolution, upon being put from the chair, was
unanimously carried.
The next resolution was moved by the Rev. M. Wicks :
" That amid the confusion now prevailing within the
English establishment, this meeting observes with satis-
faction the growth of a consciousness of the inaptitude
of legal and parliamentary machinery for regulating the
affairs of religious communities ; together with an increased
desire for this posaessionof the freedom which is enjoyed by
episcopallans in the colonies, but is denied to theni in the
mother country. That at the same time it having been
suggested as • remedy for existing evils that the re-
strictions imposed by the establishment should be so
relaxed as that the widest diversity of creed and practice
may be expressly tolerated within its pale, the meeting
feels it to be a duty emphatically Ito protest against a sys-
tem which it believes would be injurious to religion and
dimioralising to the nation."
The resolution was seconded by,A,
the Rae. G. C. Hurrog,
and was supported by Mr. K lulu who wart received
with long continued cheering.
The last resolution was moved by the Rev. C. VINCE.
and seconded by the Rev. C. Navies:—" That. looking
to the tendency of public events and of public opinion,
particularly to the probable enlargement of the electoral
bodies, this meeting feels it to be the duty of the society',
friend, to prepare for bolder and more vigorous exertions
to commend their principles to the judgments and con-
sciences of their fellow-countrymen, and to press them
upon the attention of the legislature."
It was carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro-
ceedings.

REFORM MEETING AT G REEN W ICH. Last night
a crowded public erecting of the electors and non-elector
wag held at the Literary Institution, Royal bill, Green-
wich, to hear addresses from Alderman Salomon and Sir
Charles Bright, the two members for that borough, and to
take into consideration the present state of the reform
question. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Angerstein,
who formerly represented the borough, and a few minutes
afterwards Mr. J. Baxter Langley, a candidate fur the
representation of the bocough at the last election, ap-
peared on the platform. The speakers included both
the hon. members. The following resolution was adopted :
"That this meeting is of opinion that the government
Reform Bill, inasmuch as it requires the personal pay-
ment of rates by every occupier, and creates an invidious
distinction between different classes of voters by requiring
a residence of two years by persoss occupying houses rated
at less than 101. per annum. and does not include any
clause for the enfranchisement of lodgers, awl provides
an insufficient distribution of seats, is not in its present
form such a bill as will satisfy the well-grounded claims
of the unenfranchised classes, and that a petition embody-
ing this resolution, signed by the chairman on behalf of
the meeting, he presented to the House of Commons, and
that the members for the borough be requested to support
the same." A resolution expreesiveofccititinued confidence
in Mr. Gladstone, and urging bin' to retain his position an
leader of the liberal party, was also adopted.
THE REPRESENTATION OF SALFORD.-111 the
course of a few days deputations will, it is said, wait
upon the Earl of Derby, the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Lord Stanley, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lan-
caster, on the subject of increased representation for the
borough of Salford.