The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-12 00:00:00

Knio's LYNN.

A large and most enthusiastic meeting of electors
and non-electors of this borough took place last evening in
the Music Hall Athenaeum, which was full to overflowing,
the great majority present consisting of the working
classes. The enthusiastic unanimity which prevailed
sufficiently demonstrates the increasing prevalence of
liberal principles in this borough, which was until re-
cently considered to hold Tory opinions.
Mr. Wiusrr (ironmonger) occupied the chair.
Mr. H. EDWARDS (solicitor) moved " That this meeting
agrees that a bill to extend the right of voting at elections
for members of parliament in England and Wales, pro-
rby her Majesty's government, and now be fore the
ule of Commons, deserves general and hearty support
:man honest and practicable proposal towards an amend-
ment of the laws relating to the representation of the
people." The speaker at considerable length reviewed the
government measure, expressing his approval of all its
features except the savings bank clause, which Mr. Gladstone
had borrowed of Mr. Disraeli, and would have been ad-
mirably suited for that purpose if the object had been to
enfranchise a parcel of servant men. There were for that
borough 1,200 members of friendly societies with a capital
of not less than 10,000/., and he considered the members
of those societies had evinced their right to the fran-
chise. The result of the carrying of the government
scheme in Lynn would be thus:—At present, out of a con-
stituency of 852, there were only 152 belonging to the work-
ing classes, and Mr. Gladstone's measure would enfranchise
2437 more, giving the total of 439 ; and as the register would
be increased to 1,200 electors, the working classes would
have a share of one-third of the representation.
Mr. Gears (brushmaker) seconded the proposition,
which was supported by Mr. G. HOLDITCH (magistrate and
merchant), and carried with acclamation.

Mr. WAttass (magistrate and manufacturer) proposed
the adoption of a petition in favour of the bilL
Mr. Kamm. (journeyman tailor) supported the measure,
urging his fellow working men to accept it as an instal-
ment, and be quite satisfied that the rest would follow.
Let them know who were their friends and who their foes.
Messrs. Lowe and Horsman were the men who bad con-
spired against them—(hisses)— and who were their friends?
One was a blind man—(A Voice, " Fawcett," "Bravo !")
—another was Gladstone—{cheers)--and another was John
Bright—(tremendous cheering). He was the man who had
fought their battles.
Mr. D. C. BURLINGHAM supported the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.
A resolution that the petition should be forwarded to
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, the liberal member for the
borough, for presentation enabled Mr. Burch (brush manu-
facturer), Mr. J. G. Wigg (chemist), and W. Brown
(grocer's assistant), to address the meeting ; and a vote of
thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr. Leals (ship-
builder), and seconded by Mr. l'ridgear, brought to a con-
clusion the most successful demonstration made in King's
Lynn by the liberal party.

HALIFAX.—A petition from Halifax, bearing
nearly 3,000 signatures in favour of the Reform Bill, was
forwarded last night to Mr. Stansfeld, M.P., for presenta-
tion to the House of Commons.

YORK. —A general petition, signed by upwards
of 3,000 of the inhabitants of York, and about 20 other
petitions emanating from the different trades and shops of
the city, signed by 2,465 persons, in favour of the govern-
ment reform bill, have been forwarded to Alderman Lee-
man, M.P., for presentation to the House of Commons.

.
FALMOUTH. —At a large meeting last night at
Falmouth, convened by the mayor, Mr. Fox, a resolution
was unanimously adopted declaring that the time had
arrived when a further instalment of reform was both safe
and necessary, and cordially approving the Franchise Bill
as honest and substantial, and worthy of the support of
all liberals. A petition to parliament was also adopted.

Similar meetings have been held at Crediton,
Barnstaple, Taviet, Newport, Ipswich, Dartford, Wal-
lingford, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Dudley, Cowley, Hales-
owen, Carlisle, North Shields, Armley, Grimsby, Don-
caster, West Hartlepool, and many other places.