The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-11 00:00:00

THE GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL

BEILMONDSZT.
A great demonstration in favour of the govern-
ment Reform Rill took place last evening at Spa-road, Ber-
mondsey. Upwards of '3,000 working men attended. Mr.
Layard, M.P., and Mr. Locke, M.P., occupied seats on
the platform. Mr. ELms, a working man, tilled the
chair.

The CHAIRMAN urged the meeting to accept the govern-
ment bill, as it was really a boon for the working classes.
(Cheers.)
The RIO. Mr. Sruct.a.ta proposed the fellow*,
tion, " That the working men of this country are entitled
to a larger share of political power than they now possess ;
that this meeting accepts the government bill for the ex-
-1 tension of the franchise as a substantial instal-
! went of reform, and records the expression of its
I confidence in the intentions of the government, announced
by Mr. Gladstone in their behalf, to proceed as soon as
possible with those measures which aro its proper comple-
I ment."
Mr. CULIIIR (a working man) seconded the resolution,
and it was carried with acclamation.
Mr. REDGROVE proposed, Mr. BlsHor seconded, and it
was unanimously agreed to, that a petition founded on the
foregoing resolution, and signed by the chairman, be pre-
sented to the House of Commons, and that the members
for the borough of Southwark be requested to rapport its

prayer.
Mr. LOCKE, who was received with loud cheers, then
addressed the meeting. He said there was no nmeasity
for discussing the merits or demerits of Earl Russell's bill,
as it was heartily accepted by the working men whom be
saw around him. (Cheers.) A large meeting of the libettl•
members of the House of Commons had taken Owe at
Earl Russell's that day, and in addition to the consider-
ation of the Reform Bill a declaration wee again reiterated
that other measures besides the Franchise Bill were napes-
' sexy. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Locke) spoke advisedly when
he said that the success of the second reading of the Reform
Bill depended upon the people of England. If they came
forward and boldly demanded their rights, they would get
them in spite of every opposition. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Locke)
was one of those who believed that without party they
could do nothing, and he, representing the liberal party,
I confidently believed that party would effect a triumph in
• the present juncture. (Enthusiastic cheering.) He be.
lieved they would have a majorty, and if he were in New-
t
market he would not mind saying—by odds of term five-
and-twenty to thirty. (Laughter and cheers.)
Mr. Larkins rose to address the meeting, and was
heartily cheered. He said when he looked at the vast
assemblage of working men before him he regretted
he had not chartered a 'bus to bring from the
houses of parliament those gentlemen who declared
that a reform bill had no interest for the working men of
this country, and if they wanted it they were not worthy
of it. (Groaning.) He was sorry they were not honoured
with the presence of Lord Eloho, Mr. Herrman, Mr. Lowe,
and another gentleman whose name he would mention in a
whisper—Mr. Doulton. (" Oh, oh," and groans.) Re had
heard it said that the extension of the franchise was re-
quired as a boon. It was more than a boon—it was a
right. (Enthusiastic cheering.) The liberal party were
, always anxious to accord that right to the work-
ing classes—and it should be said that they
had magnanimously waited for it. (Renewed cheering.)
He had seen in one of the morning papri e a statement,
which, if true, was a din's* am to the country. It was stated
that the Marquis of Bath had ejected some of his tenants
1 at Frame, who had spoken in favour of the government
Reform Bill. (Groans and hisses.) Now coercion of that
kind was a foul stain on the political character of the
Icountry. (" Haar, hear," and cheers.) With respect to
the important meeting of Earl Russell's party, held that
? day, and alluded to by his hon. colleague, a most interest-
! ing statement was made by Earl Russell. The noble lord
1 at the head of the government was asked by Mr. Ayrton the
following question :—" You have told the country that you
are prepared to stand or fall by this bill for the reduction
of the franchise—if the House of Commons is foolish
enough to reject that measure do you say you will resign
If the bill for the re-distribution is thrown out also, will
yon consider it necessary to resign'" Earl Russell said,
I Yes. I look upon these measures as part and parcel of
one great scheme, and the government pledge themselves
• to stand or fall by the result." (Loud cheering.) He (Mr.
Layard) believed that the present government represented
• the people better than any government that preceded it, and
with the question of our relations with the United States, the
condition of Ireland and European relations still pending, it
would be a disaster to the country to entrust the reins of
government to Lord Derby's government. (Cheering.)
Mr. DREMSER RoG ems, in proposing a vote of thanks
to Mr. Layard and Mr. Locke, expressed his gratification
at the number of working men who had come to endorse
the views of those gentlemen on reform. He was proud to
, say that Southwark had done its duty. (Cheers.)
The usual compliment to the chairman concluded the
proceedings.

CITY OF LONDON. —A public meeting of the in-
habitants of Farringolon Ward Without, convened by Sir
James Duke, alderman of the ward, in compliance with
a numerously signed requisition, was held last evening at
the Sessions Court, Old Bailey, " fur the purpose of con-
sidering the principles of the Refo: in Bill now introduced
by the government." The worthy baronet took the chair,
and was supported by several members of the Common
Council. Mr. Wooltorton addressed the meeting at
some length, and moved a resolution to the effect that
the enfranchisement bill proposed by the government was
a satisfactory measure, and was deserving of support.
Mr. Payne seconded the resolution, which was spoken to
by Mr. Tanker, and carried. Mr. Butcher proposed the
next resolution—" That this ward meeting, understanding
that the government is distinctly pledged to supplement
the present measure by a bill embodying the principle of
a redistribution of electoral districts believes such a mea-
sure is absolutely necessary." Mr. Wright seconded the
resolution, and it was supported by Mr. Hatch and agreed
to, as was also a petition to parliament in favour of the bill.
' A public meeting of the inhabitants of the ward of Bishops-
gate Without was held last evening in the large assembly-
' room of the Fox and Grapes Tavern, Primrose-street, for the
purpose of adopting resolutions in support of the Reform
Bill now before parliament. Mr. Henry Parnell took the
, chair, and, having opened the business of the meeting, ad.
dresses were delivered by Mr. John Richardson, C.C., Mr.
. Stapleton, (7.C., Mr. Taylor, and oth,r influential residents
of the district ; and resolutions were carried declaring the
Reform Bill a just and holiest measure, and a petition was
prepared for presentation to parliament, praying it to pass
the second reading of the bill by a large majority.
BRniror..—A densely crowded meeting was held
last night in the Broadmead-rooms, Bristol, in support of
the government Reform Bill. The chair was taken byldr. C.
F. Thomas, and every class in the community was retire-
genteel —the bench , church, bar,muncipalcouncil,merchants,
• manufacturers, bankers, shopkeepers, and artisans. The first
resolution expressed approval of the Franchise Bill as an
honest measure of reform, admitting to the franchise num-
. hers from which it had been to long withheld, and pledged
themeeting tosupport government in carrying it.Thesecond
resolution expressed confidence in the promised introduc-
tion by the government of a bill for a inure equitable dis-
tribution of seats. The resolutions were adopted with
enthusiasm, as was a petition to parliament based upon
them, and a vote of thanks to the borough mem-
bers, for their steady support of reform principles, were
. agreed to. Letters were reed from both Lon. gentlemen,
excusing_ themselves for not being present, but expressing
their full approval of the measure and their determination
to stand by the government.
Crowded and enthusiastic meetings of a similar
• character to the above have been held at Bath, Guildford,
Kingston-on• Thames, Canterbury, Ashford, Tonbridge,
Hull, St. Ives, Huddersfield, Harwich, Tiverton, Coventry,
j Nuneaton, Wedneahury, Stourbridge, Staleybridge, Pen.
dleton, Caine, Darlington, Widnes, Kidderminster, Stoke-
', upon-Trent, and other places.

ELEcrioN PP rtrioirs.—The genera committee of
elections sat yesterday in committee-room No. 14, to ap-
point select committees to try the merits of the election
petitions against the boroughs of Cambridge and Reigate.
The genetal committee k composed of the following mem-
bers of parliament :—Mr. Bonham-Carter, Mr. Clay, Mr.
Corm Mr. Hunt, Mr. Walpole, and Mr. Whitbread. The
following is the select committee appointed to try the
Cambridge petition against the return of Mr. Belw7n
The Right Hon. Robert Lowe (chairman!, Lord Henley,
Sir J. Fergusson, Mr. Coleridge, andiblr. Goldney. The
select committee appointed for trying the Reigate petition
against the return of Mr. Granville William Gresham
Laveson-Gower is as follows:—Mr. H. Herey Vivian
(chairman), Mr. John Peel, Hon. R. Dutton, Mr.
and Mr. Akroyd. The general committee will report fg;
select committees to the House of Commons to-day. The
members of the two select committees will be
thensw to-
. morrow, and it is expected that the hearing of peti-
time will be proceeded with on Friday and Saturday.
CRYSTAL YALACZ. —ONE SHILLING DAY.—TUES-
DAY, APRIL 10.—Admissions on payment, 1,976 ; ditto by
season tickets, 1,263 ; total visitors, 3,239.