The Express.
London, England, 1866-08-25 00:00:00

MR. LAING, M.P., BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Mr. Samuel Laing, M.P. addressed the electors
of Kirkwall, in the Grammar School, on Monday. On
entering the room, unaccompanied, the honourable gen-
tleman was received with hisses end faint cheers. Some
difficulty seemed to be experienced in finding a chairman,
but Mr. Scarth,of Biriscarth, a prominent member of the
conservative party in Orkney, was at last proposed and
seconded, and took the chair.
Mr. Lauren, after a few preliminary remarks, came tothe
question of reform. A.s regarded the Reform Bill which had
been introduced by the late government, his votes spoke
for themselves. His first vote in connection with the ques-
tion heel been given for the purpose of inducing government
to withdraw the Franchise till in favour of a more compre-
hensive measure. In taking this course he was minuted
by the opinion that constitutional changes should not be
lightly made, and that when great settlements were to be
altered, the alteration should assume the form of • com-
plete settlement. He was opposed on principle to any
partial measure, which would revive an agitation without
settling anything. Any proposal which left the small
boroughs with a larger share of representation than great
constituencies was not worthy of the name of reform.
When the question of reform was re-opened, the oppor-
tunity should not be allowed to escape of effecting some
improvement in the glaring inequalities connected with
the representation as between Scotland and England.
In proportion to population, Scotland was not
adequately represented, and she was entitled to ten or
fifteen additional members. The government measure
as at first introduced, did not take up these matters, and
be therefore acted in concert with other liberals to compel
the introduction of a better measure of reform. (Hisses
and applause.) He believed the feeling was general in the
House of Commons, except among the members of the ex-
treme radical party, that government had made • nits-
take, and that the proper course was to have introduced a
complete measure combining redistribution of sesta with
extension of the franchise. That point was at last conceded
by government, but only after a division, when they
escaped defeat by a small majority. They conceded what
was asked by introducing the Redistribution of Seats
Bill, in which the just claims of Scotland were so far re-
cognised that it was proposed to give seven additional mem-
bers to the northern division of the kingdom. (Applause.)
When the reform measure was thus enlarged by taring in
the redistribution of seats and recognising the just claims
of Scotland to additional representation, he voted with
government in all subsequent divisions, believing that the
proper course was to meet them half way, as he was deeply
Impressed with the importance of settling the question.
He thought that nothing but mischief could ensue from a
revival of the old hostility between differentchcases, and he
therefore considered it to be his duty under the circum-
stances to make a sacrifice to some extent of his individual
opinions He did not like to vote against reform altogether,
or to oppose the ministry of his own party, and accordingly
he gave his support to government on Lord Dankellin's
amendment. So far, therefore, as his votes were con-
cerned be bad little more to say, as be voted for government
on every occasion except once. (A hiss and slight ap-
plause.) All along his object had been, not to defeat
reform, but to enlarge it • and he never ;lied to conceal
his opinion that he thought the Reform Bill • crude and
imperfect measure. Reform was a very. simple thing in
the estimation of those who, like Mr. Bright, took a radi-
cal view of things. It consisted in taking whatever could
be got as a concession in • democratic direction. But the
case was quite different with those who believed, as
be did, that a great settlement of Reform was made
in 1832. The great argument adduced in favour
of reform was that large numbers of the working
classes had strived at ouch a stage that they
were quite on • par with the 101. houselioldera
An important point to settle was, whether the extension
of the franchise should proceed in the direction of the
lowering of-the household suffrage, or should be restricted
to the possessors of property. There were advantages is
favour of the latter proposal, which was • better test of
fitness. The poesession of household suffrage simply de-
pended upon the accident of rents being high or low. A
5/. or 6/. household franchise would almost amount to
universal suffrage in London while in Scotland it would be
virtually as the 101. qualification in English boroughs.
Looking at it in its disciplinary or educational aspects, the
property franchiae, as regarded the working claases,was Nape-
nor to the household franchise. He had always looked with
favour on the 40s. freehold franchise. The man who pos-
sessed property to that extent gave pledges to the state
that he would not be a wild radical. Th confined reason
Let the property qualification should be to land.
Let there be 401. worth of realised property in lands,
houses, boats, nets—or in connection with insurance and
cooperative societies ; let there only be realised property
of any kind to that amount, and he believed that a -fran-
chise of that description would be a better test of fitness
and position than the mere accident of living in • 5/. or
6/. rented house. After some further remarks Mr. Laing
expressed his satisfaction at the success of Prussia in con-
solidating Germany, and after speaking upwards of half-
se-hour sat down amid faint applause. r.o one seemed
di to to put any questions, and the proceedings closed
wi a vote of thanks to Mr. Laing and the chairman.

WearyßD AND RICIENANSWORTN RAILWAT.--.1110 ,
half-yerl general meeting of the shareholders of this
company was held yesterday aftenmon at the officee,No. 5
Westminster-chambers • Mr. J. Cary in the chair. Thi;
report of the directors 'stated that the traffic receipts for
the past half-year compared favourably with thom of the
ding period in 1+45, but the directors regretted
Zis'anrrdelay in the construction of the line from Rick- I
mansworth to Uxbridge still continued to impede the pro-
per development of the district, and that the Watford and
Rickmansworth line, as regarded through traffic, was con-
sequently rendered practically useless. It was understood,
however, that the Uxbridge and Bleksaansworth Com-
pray had now come to an arrangement with the
Great Western Company, who were to work their
traffic, and that the Lae would be commenced as
soon as the prevailing difficulties in the money market had
abated, and the company were enabled to raise the neces-
sary funds. The chairman, after some brief comments
upon the report, moved its adoption, which was unani-
mously agreed to.
The terrible explosion at Parkheed Ironworks,
Glasgow has resulted in the loss of seven lives, four of
the meninjured having died in the Infirmary.

Saba' anti Attain%

PORTSMOUTH, Alusua

Vice Admiral Bir Thomas B. Psale y, Bart.,
sailed this swain in the Fire Queen steam-vessel, Staff-
Commander Frederick W. Paid, for the Channel Islands,
on his annual vidt. The deg of Rear-Admiral George G.
Wellesley, C.R., has been tranderrod from the Asia to the
Victory durMg Sir Thomas Paaley's absence, which is ex-
pected to be shout three weeks.
The Supply, iron WOW store ship, Staff-Commander C.
Bow den arrived at **them' on Wednesday evening from
the Meditanassa, and sailed this afternoon far Wool-
wick.

The Tamar, iron screw steam troop ship, Captrin Fiends
W. Sullivan, C.B. treat out of harbour this worming to
try her engines and prove oompaases, returning to harbour
again in tho afternoon.
The Cruiser, 6, strew sloop, Commander Morgan Singer,
went out of harbour this afternoon, and snobosed at Spit-
head, to take in her powder and shell.
The Stromboli. 6, paddle wheel steam sleep, was towed
down to Mr. White's yard, at Cowes, this morning, to be
broken up.
The Sprightly steam Teasel, Master George Allan. and
the J cutter, Master John Rogers, sailed last night
for the Islands.
The Dart, 5, mew visual, is ordered to be otensaissioned

for Norsk, on the West Colistof Africa station.

CHATHAM, Aucion 24.
,

The detachment of Royal Engineers, to the num-
ber of 200 officers and men, for some time pest espied on
engineering duty at Sboeberyners, will reMis headquarters
at this pmaos to-assemer, on the completes. of the works
on whirl they have been engaged. During O. MfdliMfir
Sappers and Mims have been employed at Shoeburynem
they have been occupied in the construction of additional
batteries for mounting the heavy ordnance in use at the
station, as well as in extending the range used in testing
the rifled and other ordnance experimented with from time
to time at Shosburyness.
This morning detachments of various regiments of this
garrison, to the number of 56 non-oonsraissioned capers
and mon, arrived from Upnor Castle, under the commend
of Lieutenant R. 0. Richmond, 50th Regiment, having
been relieved by a similar detachment ted from the
various amps comprising the 2nd depot battalion.
Orders have been received from the Horse Guards direct.
ing a detachment, exclusively of non-commissioned officers
of Royal Engineers, to leave Brampton Barracks en Mon-
day, and proceed to Southampton, there to embark for Bom-
bay. The 24th company of Royal Engineers has received
orders to hold itself in readiness to embark for the Cape of
Good Hope early in the ensuing month ; detachments of
the lit battalion 10th Regiment, and the tad battalion
20th Regiment, slso proceeding from this garrison to the
Cape et the mme time.

DEPTFORD, Almon 24.

The Comma sailing vessel, of 2,000 tons burthen,
baa been taken up by the government for the removal of 250
convicts to a small island in the Pacific, which has been
selected as s penal settlement. She is now shipping her
provisions, he., at the victualling establishment, end is
fitted out in a very excellent manner, especially with
regard to her sanitary arrangements. The Buffalo steam
vessel, having shipped a cargo of victualling stores, left'
the dockyard this day fee Plymouth, under seders to pro-
ceed thence to the Ilaulbowline yard, and receive a cargo
of Irish produce for the Deptford victualling stores.

WOOLWICH, Auouirr 24.

Major-General Stransham, Inspector General of
Royal Marinas, this day resumed his halfyearl7 inspeo-
tion of the several departments of the Woolwich light-In-
fantry division of the corps. The general and staff visited
the hospital, schools, recreation room, &c., and proceeded
to the gan drill battery to witness the working of the
heavy guns by a detachment told off for that purpose.

ADMISALTT, AUGUST 24.—Naval cadets (norai-
nated)—H. Stewart and S. L. Carr.
DESPATCH OF WENT A TRICAN MMES.—The
African Company's steamer Macgregor Laird, Captain
Griffiths, sailed from the literacy yesterday for Mes.
Teneriffe, and the West Coast of Africa, carrying the
mails, 18 rummagers, and a fair cargo. The Calabar is
the next steamer due at Liverpool with the above mails,
and may be expected to arrive in the Mersey about the
9th proximo.
The prize offered by the National Artillery ASSO-
- for simultaneous shooting, in which nearly every
volunteer artillery corps throughout England and Scotland
compete, will again go to Shropshire, the highest score,
32, being made by Lieutenant Treasure, on Thursday. The
Shropature Artillery carried off the prise last year with 31
points.