The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-08 00:00:00

(Stamped id. Additiamd.) [TWOPENCE.

bourn/
ender town
and of Hadhigh, Natoho
say who an equal in
yes cat.
, talent, eduontioa,
hare. Gentlemen, them an the evil& whichpoy I would each to
remedy. I cannot but feel, moreover, that a great =dish.
dirportion exists under the law at present between mope.
tion and the number of members returned. I weal, se
as may be, endeavour to restore the balance, sad do equal
justice to all the inhabitants of this country. Ido not eay—
for it would be absurd to dream of such • rosesure—that I
would endeavour to parcel out the nation into districts with en
exact proportion of po don to members returned; but min*
it is not right—l am • coantyoonstitneney,but I ad-
dress alao the inhabitants of boroughs, and all dames of
the people—that the fifty-two oounties of England and
Wales should return but 160 member, or thereabouts, with
dishes to the number of half • million, and a population of
WY* I am area to mention the aggregate, while • number
eR horougba return • greater number of members in the pea-
-1 of at least three to one. While we are attempting
Liwito°7ustios to the people at large, and to extend the fran-
chise, sa intelligence, property, and the general improve-
ment in all deems permit as to do with safety, iet us at the
same time do justice to the countles,—let us take care that
the number of members t atoned for the counties of Hoglend
and Wales shall bear something like a fair and resemble
proportion to the number of their electors and population.
(Hew, hear.) Gentlemen, in the remarks which I make to
you, upon this all-important question, I must be
permitted to remind you that I speak only for
myself. The noble earl who has done me the
honour to associate me with himself in the government
of which he is the head has lately announced in his place
la parliament that it is his intention to take into consideration
the stets of the realatation, and to bring forward some
measure cm the se • but he has, at the earn tints an-
nounced that Its it'most conglatent with his other public
dudes, and with other measures forced upon the attention of
the legislature, not to undertake that task during the present
swim of parliament. Gentlemen, I must freely tell you
that this is all that I can say to you upon the subject, for
this le all that I know myealf. lam not in the secret of the
government, if they have a secret, and I know not what
may be their individual views upon fhb question, but
this I my, speaking for myself only, that I am ready,
whenever a fit and convenient time shall have arrived
—and I don't hesitate to say that the consider-
ation of this question ought not longer to be
postponed—in my place in parliament, in or out of office, to
advocate and maintain those principles, even to the details of
the measure, to which I have now briefly alluded in offering
you my thanks for the honour you have °inhered upon roe.
Gentlemen, there are other subjects upon which, although I
am loath to detain yeu, I am obliged to my • few words
before 1 bid you farewell. A member of the profession of
the law, having long directed my attention to those questions
of law reform in which every man in this country is so
deeply interested, it can hardly be supposed that I should
occupy the position which I have now the honour to enjoy
without doing my very beet to bring into inundiate gin
all those law reform to which from time to time I have
alluded her, and elsewhere, and which I think mew
day necessary for the well-being of the people
of this country. Gentlemen, perhaps I may allude
in a word, to the efforts, in the same direction, of the lets
government. Now, I don't stand here to underrate the dif-
ficulties with which that government wesesnompased„ or to
otherwise than appreciate the measure width they
and in some of which they succeeded. But I do
considering that during the ten months in which thest
Derby was et the head of the ministry in 1862, that ministry
were the Nathan dame and greater reforms than say me.
ceding or subsequent ministry during the find half of the
present century. Considering also that • liberal government,
as it is called, ha been in power for an entire period of five
years, commanding at least for all purpose of law reform
and civil administration • lane majority of both
houses of parliament, I think the people have
• right to complain that they have dons ler
too little. (Hear hear.) In the last session of
parliament two bale were passed—what is called the Tear
meninx Bill, relating to wills and administrations, end ano-
ther—the Divorce Bill. Now, gentlemen, far be it from mete
my that this Testamentaryßill has not effected great improve-
ment. I, is common with all Englishmen, owe and tender
my thanks to the government for having successfully passed
through parliament that important measure ; but lat the
same time feel that justice should be done to us, to that body
of ommervatives in both houses of parliament who mainly
ocataibuted to the success of that meanie ; for whereas for
year after year upon the reports of commissioners a bill
had been attempted, and indeed many bills had
been brought forward to reform and Improve the
exercise of testamentary orisdiction, it was only in
the last sreelon of parliament that a bill was at length peened,
end that bill, in all its main parts, is identical with
a measure which in the position to which your kindness bad
raised me, viz., as representative of this division of the
county, timid myself proposed to parliament, and the prin-
cipal clauses and providing of which were doped by her
Majesty's late government and have now become the law of
the land. I. like manner I may say the Divorce Bill—about
which opinion is much divided, as to many of the provisions
of which I myself entertain great doubts, and gems of which
I don't hesitate to say I disapprove—ha effected peat im-
provement in some respects. It hag enabled a deserted wife
to protect her own earnings, and her own little property
against some profligate husband who has deserted bar ; bat
even this important part of that important measure we owe to
Iced
St. Leonel*
ustice to the late Lord Chancellor nu
de Lord der Lord I
Derby.
Still, let me do j believe
many of them were sincere in their desire to effect law re.
&ems, but circumstances may have prevented it. They may
have looked more to puty questions, and wasted, if I may
presume to say so, that time in the discussion of men piny
rotes, end upon party considerations, which might have been
bestowed upon thus important subjects. Gentlemen, I hope
that in the position of your representative to which you have
now restored me I shell be rumbled, even during the present
mein of pediment, to submit to the consideration of the
legislates • number of important measures la which all of
you whom I now me before me must be more or lees la-
tweeted. Ws hew fa ell the great commercial towns loud
complaints of the state of the low of bankruptcy and Insol-
vency as effecting the relations of debtors and cre-
ditors. I have already during the very short tiros
in which I have been in office directed my atten-
tion to that subject. I em in communication with
persons convenient with commerce and commercial ex ties
in all their detail. in several of the great commerce' cities
and towns of England ; and I treat that I shall, before long,
be enabled to submit to the House of Commons a measure
which, at least, will remedy the greater part of those evils
under which the mercantile community has so long laboured.
gentlemen, there is • subject to which I alluded when
I was Let before you—a measure for the registration of titles,
and for hoilitating the transfer of land—a subject in which
every inhabitant of this country must feel personally
intended, because the expenses attendant upon the
smallest transaction in the way of selling or changing
• little pew of land me such as often to deter
taking these memares in their domestic re-
ad foe persons' purposes, which may be
esesatial to their lab eats, and which, where they are enabled
to effect each Meamodne, are attended with so great an ex-
pense se to bring upon thm embarrassment and difficulty
without end. Gentlemen, allow me to assure a class of
persons in whom I must take a sincere interest,—l mean the
attendee end solicitors of England, a clam of persona to
wham I owe much, through whom I bays attained whatever
I rosy posse= of fortune or of station, and for whom I enter-
tain the elsomed rasped—that I should with infinite reluc-
tance become • party to any measures which would in any
suchway pzjmegudierhomy- in
wflf follow. terests. But
ihm Lebelshaieve.m.no
wed—and it shall not be my fault if we do not suc-
ceed—la passing • mason which shall enable
every man to transfer and change his land as
he may transfer and change so much stock in
the fo. I believe that so far from this injuring the in-
terests of the attendee and solicitors it will for many years to
mote, at least during the Brat practical working of the mea-
sure, Inman thin occupation, without prejudicially effecting
the interests Write community. Gentlemen, there are many
other measures, by alluding to which I will not detain you,
but to which my attention has been directed. I can only
assure you that is all that relates to law reform, in ell that
relates to the civil administration of the government of this

- o
country, In all more especially that can affect the interests
of land, and the owners and occupiers of land, I shall en-
deavour worthily to discharge those duties which you have
imposed upon me. Gentlemen, I will not detain you longer.
It remains for me only once more to offer you my sincere
and cordial thanks for the honour which you have
conferred upon me, and to ensure you that in executing the
trust which you have committed to me I will endeavour, to
the best of my ability, faithfully to represent your andimeate
to promote your interests, and to do my duty to you and to,
my country. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. GRII4WADZ, a member of the Ipswich town council,
said he wished to ask the hon. Attornry-General what his
opinions were about church rates and education? Also,
whether he wee prepared to lower the standard of the fran-
chise in bony* es far as property qiudiffeation was con-
cerned P

Sir FITZROY KlLLT—Wittmeet to the bet garition et
the gentleman who has been enough to adhere we, I
out only say, that the whet d amok rates lima long bees
a setter at attentive esnaideration with as. It Is
sturounded with dilßeedlies, he while on the cat
limed it slate pnwerty sad the right* a Pro-
perty, on the other lewd it say be said to steak mad I
hays no &alit is sway Wham airway elite relidiews
hborty. Bowman than siseswattasse. awl essaikelag
that OM sablest le Wet with may alllsaidas ore have
lures eat mimed dr maw. wind. awl awl alight
seed steamersof the day,lt een amyl be opedel the' I.
standing here wow, siseald dela that I ow prepared with soy
armee, or to ensue pay iledislephdoe. spas the rabjeCl'
Bat thie I win say, Ad -I de Wok those who de not, and
alas twlidions principals seism with propriety, attend
oar churches stay wdl tem** that they should
41111" In wwirhodo le *dr asialewenne—atarr,
bitar)—asil whenever it le pawl& to deem a saw
sare—wwd I hope it will 116 had peatible lases I
mew here pie. se I easy holm wregrest leek dew-

in which jostles can be doss to the rights al ropily, re.
spading at the arm thee who from reggfous motives
decline to otaildbate to theall expenses el the maintenance
el the amok I shall rejoice in the °P=tY
sorb • measure. I may say, if it will
bee -os any sethdectikm to the gentleman who his put this ba-
-1111117 to me, that the sobjeot has attracted the attention and
I
s now trader the consideration of many members
of the goverassatt, and I earnestly hope that during the
present wades of parliament we shall be enabled to suggest
some measure at least that will assist in remedythg the great
mil of which the gentleman has complatned. Upon ihe
other subject of the franchise, I certainly desire, in the first M-
et
I rs, as I have said, to begin at the upper end.
first dears to confer the franchise upon ell who am tutpco.
seised dit, sad who are clearly entitled to it by property or
by eduestioa. When that shall have been aimed, and when
we have televise extended the peanut franchise—l mean the
right of voting by reason of • 101. occupatien—whas we
shall likewise have extended that to • great number of towns
now unrepresented, then I shall be ready for em to take
Imo ooasblmatioa—l may add into favourable consideratioa—
the claims of those whip occupy houses of • smaller value to
have the franchise extended to them. Bat I meat not to
understood to pledge myself upon the subject. With refer-
ent* to edwa Sir Ft two,' added that be should rapport
the Worts of his right hon. friend Sir J. Pthregton.
Thanks to the High Sherif; end three sheers for lord
Derby closed the pomading,.

CHICHEBTB2.—RETURN OF LORD; HENRY
LENNOX.
The election for the City of Chichester took place
in the Town Hall, on Saturday Let, at 12 at neon, when
Lad Henry Leeman, who had aseopead oft* ender the new•
government se one el the junior Lords et the Treasury, we*
re-elected without opposition.

LORD NONCE, SIR Z BARING, AND TRI
L 188141.8 OP PORTMOOTIL

PORTSMOUTH, Masai 6.
The liberal electors of this borough are on the
pus nee in anticipation of a general election. On Friday
evening a numerous and respectable meeting of the com-
mittees of Sir Francis Baring end Viscount Mona wee held
in the Atheneum, Ponies, to take conned with those gen-
thesis as to the future Policy of the liberal section of thin
ecaettteency. The chair was occupied by Mr. Aid. NANCE.
Sir Pas se's BAKING, who first addressed the meeting,
alluded to the possibility at the ytaasot whim of a dissolution
of parliament, and oong atulated his friends that the battle to
be fought in the borough of Portsmouth at the neat election
would be a fair battle of principle. The committees of
Viaitount Month and himself were now, he said, united, and
there was little doubt that their opponents would confront
them with two tories. For his own part, he did not
think that an election was so near at hand as many
pawns imagined. Sir Francis then alluded to several topics
which had arisen at the lest election and amongst others to
the Beer Bill, which be believed had' lost him many votes,
although he voted against that bill. Mr. Hardy, who Intro-
dund that measure, was now Under Secretary of State for
the Home Department; and Mr. Walpole, who supported It,
was the principal Secretary of State. It was obvious, there-
fore, that the present government would be likely to intro-
duce a bill so unpopular in this borough. With regard to
the particular measure which maw} the retirement of Lord
Palmerston, he (Sir Francis) voted fa the minority, in order
to preserve to the country a liberal government. The cry
against France' might perhaps, by some who appealed only
to the passions, be regarded as • popular cry; but he would
rather appeal to the reason of the electon, and ask them to
remember how France and England fought and bled together
in the liberal battle of nations against the great tory of
nations—Russ* and since than how France had
afforded us every insistence to enable us to prose-
cute our war in India, by offering us a free passage
through her country for our troops. Although be did not
approve every measure of Lord Palmerston, it could not be
said that the late premier bedews been sluggish in defending
the honour of England. He (Sir Francis) had no confidence
in the present ministry and
ce it was obvious that it did not
the general confidence of the electors. He most con-
ferhat he should be glad to see Lord Palmerston reinstated
in office, though not with all his friends—for some of them,
perhaps, might be dropped with advantage. As for reform,
the Meal patty was known to be in its favour but it was
quite new to hear that such wasthe can with the tories, and
he had little filth In their proteins.
Lard Moses than addressed the meeting. His lordship
alluded to the meant government, composed, as he said, of
rose who, now that they had office in their cm
nal:trolly. wished to retain it, in the face of •
majority in the House of Commons, and in the fees of a
heellemsdettly ef the doom et end pima
themselves in favour of liberal shasurea. that party
had, up to the pewit time, invariably opposed every liberal
measure. He had, thore, but little faith ia such pro-
hniona.
. _ _

A nwolutica wen than, on the motion of Mr. Alderman
SHEPPARD, seconded by Mr. Alderman LEVY, carried, viz.:
" That thin meeting, having heard the sentiments expressed
by Sir Francis Baring and Lord Mona, consider them, as
staunch supporters of a liberal govercnient,entuled to the con-
fidence of the electors of the borough of Portsmouth ; and
those present at this meeting pledge themselves to support
those gentlemen at the next election."
A chairman and vice-chairman of committees were then
appointed, and the proceedings terminated.