The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-16 00:00:00

TEE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS BILL.

The select committee of the House of Commons
en this bill reassembled yesterday ; the Chancellor of the
Exchequer in the chair. The difficulty which on Tuesday
threatened the progress of the bill was concluded by the
decision of the committee to affirm the provisional agree-
ment which had been entered into between the promoters
of the bill and the various telegraph companies. These
terms were, that the latter should receive from the former
a compensation which should be equivalent to a 20 years'
purchase of their net profits, leaving the question of a
prospective increase of business an open one for the de-
cision of the arbitrator. On the request of Mr. Ooschen,
Mr. Scudamore was re-examined on the effect which the pre-
sent proposal of government to assume the property and
duties of the telegraph companies had had upon the Shares
of the latter. It had caused a very considerable rise in
there. It was probable, Mr. Scudamore said, that au
arbitrator would allow an addition of 10 per cent.
for compensation for compulsory purchase; and it
was possible that he might allow 15 per cent.
He did not look upon such claims to compensation as
being defensible or enforceable in a court of law ; but the
government wished to recognise an honourable and moral
obligation beyond the considerations of bare and niggardly
calculation. It was a matter of much importance to con-
clude as soon as possible the purchase of the telegraphs,
for the longer the conclusion of the transfer of the plant
of the telegraph companies was deferred the greater would
be its market value, and the more difficult its acquisition.
The Post-office had offered terms which it thought fair and
liberal, but it had no wish to coerce the shareholders of
the companies into their acceptance. In answ 3r to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Scudamore said that it
was a thing of constant and regular occurrence that when
it was known that any clans of property was required for
public purposes the value of such property had a tendency
to rise. The market value of the shares of the
Electric Company represented 171 years purchase, and
the government offered the company 20 years' purchase--
the excess being that which would most likely represent
what an arbitrator would award. By Mr. Norwood
Parliazueut was not bound by the pro-
visional agreements ; and the witness would not
consider it dishonourable if it refused to ratify them. By
Mr. Leeman—The first offer made by the Post-office to the
companies was that the whole matter should be re-
ferred to arbitration. Next a counter proposal was made
by the companies to the Post-office, which was that
the latter should pay thorn 25 years' purchase, and a
further sum to represent the value of their prospective
trade. The Post-office refused these terms; but, on the
6th of June' made an offer to the companies to pur-
chase their interests at a minimum price representing the
maximum value of their shares on the Stock Exchange
on the 25th of May, plus what amount an arbitrator
would allow for prospective profits. If parliament did
not pat a the bill this session the agreements were not
binding. Mr. Deeison, on behalf of the telegraph com-
panies, pointed out the tact that his clients would be very
unjustly treated if the dividends they paid, and
not their total profits, were taken as the basis
upon. which their 20 years' purchase was calculated. If
their reserve fund were not taken into consideration—and
this represented something like 4 per cent. per annum—a
greater loss and injury would be inflicted on the companies
than if Mr. Sandford's motion for calculating their com-
pensation at sixteen years' profits had been afhrmed. He
should oppose to the utmost an unjust and arbitrary re-
duction, and should withstand the passing of the bill by
every means in his power, if the promoters and the House
of Commons did not keep faith with his clients. It was
competent to either party to the agreements to withdraw
from them altogether, but not to tamper with them. It
was ultimately decided by the committee to allow the total
profits as the basis of calculation. Considerable discussion
arose upon the introduction of the claims to compensation
of actual employis of the companies who were
not to be retained in the telegraphic service. The
officials who were to be dismissed would be very
few and the mass of them, as Mr. Scudamore
said, would be retained, to their own advantage, in the
service of the government. A new clause which should
deal only with the question of the compensation to be given
to officers was recommended, and the discussion of the
subject was held over. The committee then proceeded to
an examination of the "railway clauses" of the bill, but
their progress was impeded by Mr. Davison, who, as
representing the North British Railway Company, com-
plained that his clients had not advantages commensurate
with their special claims and the special position in which
they stood with regard to the government, as having been
the first company to conclude an agreement. But in this
ent it had been stipulated that no terms should be
:rl=l to any compan_y better than their own which they
were not to enjoy. This stipulation had been violated;
and in order to prove this Mr. Davison called as witnesses
Ifr. Mason, the general r and Mr. Adam John-
son, the solicitor of the North British Railway Company.
In consequence of the lively ••• n the committee,
Ideal& might, and expected, to have finished its sittings
yesterday, adjourned till this day, at 11.30.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

BEWDLEY AND STOrßPOßT.—Yesterday Mr.
W. C. Hemming issued hie address to the electors of these
united boroughs, in which in reference to the question of
the day he declares himself generally aau rtes of
Mr. Gladstone. There are two other candidates in the
field, viz., Sr R. Glass (conservative), and Mr. Lloyd
(liberal).
Bovrow.—A meeting of the conservative party
was held at Bolton yesterday, at which the deputation
who had waited upon Mr. 8. Temple, attorney-general
for the county paktine, reported the willingness of that
gentleman to give way in favour of a local man. A com-
munication, however, was made on behalf of Dr. Chad-
wick, strongly pressing his retirement. Under these cir-
cumstances, the names of several other local gentlemen
were discussed, but ultimately the meeting unanimously
decided to revert to the original candidature of Mr.
Temple, as the colleague for Lieutenant-Colonel Gray.
CARDIGAN BOROUGHS.—Sir Thomas Lloyd, the
present member for the county of Cardigan, has deemed
proper to change his political arena this time from the
county to the boroughs, in consequence of the appearanee
of a conservative in the field for the representation of the
former. In his address, which has been now issued, he
calls himself an " independent liberal," and promises his
support to Mr. Gladstene's intended measure on the Irish
church question.
CARMARTIIEN BOROI7OIIB.—At a meeting of the
liberal electors of these boroughs, it has been resolved to
select Colonel Stepney, of Llanelly, as the liberal candi-
date. Mr. Lewis Morris, the other liberal, therefore
withdraws, but will come forward again when an oppor-
tunity offers.
CABMARTfildffflllßE,—Air, David g 7 onois will not
again seek re-election for this county, and Mr. Pugh, the
other member, will be opposed. Mr. Puzloy and Mr.
Sartori, are named as the probable candidates in the
liberal interest, but no definite steps have as yet been taken
in the matter.
DENI3IOII Bonoroirs.—Mr. Mainwaring, the
present member for the Denbigh boroughs, has just
issued his address.
Res:TEß.—The Liberal Association have deter-
mined that Mr. Edgar Bowring, son of Sir John Bowring,
shall be nomi mated as the second candidate to stand with Mr.
Coleridge at the next contest, subject to the approbation
of the other sections of the liberal parjy, who are not
comprised in the Liberal Association. These sections will
meet to-night, and if both parties agree, Mr. Edgar Bow-
ring will be the candidate of the entire liberal party. It
will be remembered that he retired from his candidature
for Bristol some time back. Should he contest the seat
his opponent will be tho Attorney-General (Sir John
Kerslake). Mr. Coleridge, one of the present members,
seeks re-election. Lord Courtenay retires in favour of
East Devon.
EAST RIDING OF YORK SIIIRE.—There is every
prospect that a great contest, somewhat like that of 1841,
will be reproduced this year, with the difference that
there are to be three conservatives and one liberal candi-
date for the two seats. Lieutenant-Colonel B. B. Haworth
has announced his intention to contest the riding as the
liberal candidate; and on Tuesday the address of Admiral
Duncombe was also issued. Many of the conservatives
would wish Mr. Sykes to withdraw, as his opposition to
Mr. Broadley endangers the seat of Admiral Duncombe,
on the grounds that he does not represent the Sleilmere
interest (Sir Tatton Sykes). Mr. Sykes, it is stated, in-
tends to go on.
GREENWICH.—Last night a public meeting of
the electors of Gn enwich favourable to the election of
the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., for that borough,
was held in the Lecture-hall under the chairmanship of
Mr. W. Angerstein. The following letters were road by Mr.
W. C. Bennett, the Hon. Secretary Blackheath-park,
July 14th, 1868.—Dear Sir,—l am most happy to hear
that the proposal to elect Mr. Gladstone, which dome so
much honour to the constituency of Greenwich, meets
with so much micas there. I thank you much for your
kind invitation to be present at your meeting to-morrow
night, but as I am not an elector of Greenwich, and as the
spontaneity of this movement among the electors them-
selves is one of its marked characteristics, I will not, on
this occasion at least, avail myself of the invitation.—l
am, dear sir, yours very truly, J. S. Mara..
W. C. Bennett, Esq."—"l6, Lombard-street, KC.,
14th July.—Dear very much regret that
a previous engagement prevents me from attend-
ing the meeting to support Mr. Gladstone's elec-
tion to-morrow evening. It is hardly necessary for me
to say how cordially 1 sympathize with the movement.
Though not an elector for Greenwich, still, if I might be
permitted, as a West Kent man, to subscribe my mite, I
should be glad to do so. I remain, very truly yours, John
Lubbock.' The chairman congratulated the electors
on their determination to secure the return to parliament
of one of the greatest sons of England. Mr. Gladstone
probably would not, and it was to be hoped he would not,
sit for Greenwich, but in the event of his failing to be
returned for the southern division of Lancashire, the
liberals of the borough would have the happiness
of feeling that they had done honour to Green-
wich and the country by returning the great leader
of the liberal party. It was said by some persons that it
was undesirable to return a man who would not sit if
elected ; but they had only to look back to history to find
the names of such men as O'Connell, Cobden, and Villiers,
and many others, who were returned for more than one
constituency. Instead of the words " Gladstone for
Greenwich, which appeared in their placards, their cry
should be " Gladstone for England.' (Loud cheers.)
Mr. W. C. Bennett, whose reference to Mr. Gladstone as
" the future Premier of England," evoked enthusiastic
cheering, moved the following resolution—" That this
meeting, deeply eensible of the eminent character and
ability of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, and desirous
of expressing its gratitude for the valuable services which
lie has rendered to the people through many years of
earnest and honest statesmanship, pledges itself to return
him as a member for Greenwich at the ensuing elec-
tion." Dr. Pervis seconded the resolution. Mr. C. W. Stokes,
who said he was known to a considerable section of the
meeting by his letters to liberal journals, differed from
the mover and seconder of the resolution, and expressed
it as his opinion that it was an error of judgment on the
part of the electors of Greenwich to bring forward Mr.
Gladstone, who was not at all likely to be rejected in
South Lancashire. Greenwich had been accused of corrupt
practices, and indeed it seemed to him that the attempt
which was now being made was like that of a frail
woman to get an honest man for a husband. (" Oh,
oh," and "Shame.") He moved as an amendment
"That this meeting is of opinion that it would be
better to elect some gentleman whose views are in
conformity with those advanced political opinions with
which the borough of Greenwich has been so honourably
and conspicuously distinguished than to return a states-
man who is not likely to require the seat, and who as the
future Prime Minister cannot be expected to identify him-
self too intimately with any one section of tho
liberal party, to the apparent neglect of the rest."
The amendment did not find • seconder. Mr. Spencer
and Mr. Baxter Langley, the latter of whom
met with an ovation, supported the (resolution, which,
on a show of hands, was carried, with only one or
two dissentients, amid enthusiastic cheering. A resolu-
tion inviting the public to subscribe funds necessary for
the carrying out of the movement was then agreed to,
and the proceedings terminated.
LINLITIIOO W. —Mr. M'Lagan, M.P. for Linlith-
gowehire, has addressed a meeting of his constituents.
The hon. gentleman entered into a long and minute
review of his parliamentary services d • the now
rapidly expiring session, defending and exp • • the
votes lie had given, and, in conclusion, offering himself
for re-election. Then followed the ordeal of "heckling,"
after which a motion was carried declaring Mr. M•La
gm
" eminently qualified to represent in parliament the varied
interests of the county of Linlithgow."
ItAL)lEBl:ll:ltY.—This borough, which since 1832
has been represented by a brother or nominee of the family
of the Earl of Suffolk, will be contested. Viscount Andover,
the eldest son of the Earl of Suffolk, will offer himself in
the liberal interest. He will be opposed by Mr. Walter
Powell, who resides at Dauntsey House, in the neighbour-
hood of Malinesbury, who has issued an address iu the
conservative interest.

MANYLEBONE.—Tho council of the Marylebono
Electoral Association has received the following com-
munication from Mr. Hepworth Dixon :—" 6, St. Jamei's-
terrace, N.W., July 11, 1868.—Sir,—Your note of this
day's date is just to hand, with its two requests. You
are free to print my letter to the Electoral Association, if
hou see good. Your request that I should become an
onorary member of your body, though put in a very
flattering way, compels me to ask a question in my turn.
What is the dirmt end which you have in view P If your
aims are—to find the beat man to serve you ; to elect
him at your own cost ; to set your teeth against every
form of political corruption; to seek only for a true expres-
sion of opinion ; and to send the member into parliament
as your servant—in other words, if you wish to go back upon
the good old practice of our political life, to do now as an act
of public virtue that which a sounder law will soon pre-
scribe as an act of public duty, and to make the next elec-
tion for this powerful and liberal constituency a model of
electoral purity and political science—then I am with
you heart and soul. If your aims are lees radical and lees
conservative than these, my interest in your p.rooeedings
will be very slight. The want of our time is a great
reform in the constituencies, a reform more pressing
and more important than that in the House of Commons.
A Syrian Bey once said to me, ' You English are a great
people, and a truthful people, but you are hard to under-
stand. You laugh at us Turlus, and say we are utterly
corrupt, because some of our couneWors get a place with
money; yet I hear from London that all the places in your
great council are put up for sale once in three years.'
Was the Bey far wrong P Is it any secret that almost every
scat in the House of Commons has its price—that the
average rice has been about two thousand pounds—
and that in the coming contest that average is expected
to rise ? One great authority has reckoned the cost of
the next election at two millions sterling. Do you know
that all this flood of corruption is a new thing with us—
that it is unknown to the ancient law and habit of this
land--that it is found in no other free country under
heaven V In the face of it, our duty is surely clear. If
we want to improve the government, we must improve the
constituencies. Who will set the example P Something
has been done by Westminster, Birmingham, and Man-
chester. Why should not Marylebono follow—why should
sot Merylebone lead P—Very faithfully yours, W. asp..
"oars DlXON."—Yesterday the members for the borough,

Mr. Harvey Lewis and Mr. Thomas Chambers, Q.C.
minted the vestry of St. Panama, and explained the part
them had taken with regard to various measures which
had been before parliament during the present session. At
the conclusion of their addresses a vote of thanits to and
confidence in both bon. members was adted.
MERIONETHIUMIE.—Mr. W. M. R. Wynne, the
present oonserurtive representative of this county, will
again be opposed by Mr. David Williams, of Carnal-Den-
drite* vrho has twice before anew:medially contested the
county.
NmerOßT.—On Monday night a crowded and
enthusiastic meeting of the liberal party, convened and
presided over by the mayor, was held in the Town-hall.
The resolutions were carried unanimously. Colonel Lyrae
moved, and Mr. H. Phillips seconded, " That this
meeting, being dissatisfied with the present representation
of the Monmouth boroughs in parliament, considers the
approaching dissolution to boa fitting occasion for bringing
such representation into harmony with the views of
the electors." Mr. W. Orabam (ex-mayor) moved,
Captain Murphy seconded,: and the Rev. H. Oliver,
8.A., supported— "That any candidate desirous of becoming
our representative in parliament should strenuously sup-
port the duestablishment of the Irish church, the impar-
tial dimendowment of all religious bodies in Ireland, and
the opening of the universities to the people of England,
irrespective of creed or sect." Mr. Alderman Brown
moved, and Mr. Vaughan seconded, the appointment of a
committee of 24, embracing representatives of ill classes,
to select a suitable candidate from certain gentlemen who
had offered themselves, and to invite him to visit Newport
at an early day to address the electors.
NORWlCH.—Yeeterday the sitting members for
Norwich, Mr. E. Warner and Sir W. Russell, visited their
constituents, and last night they were to speak at a meet-
ing at the Royal Hotel ; Mr. J. H. Tilled, the advanced
liberal candidate, having also this week addressed his
friends.
PEMBROICESTITRE.—Mr. Bowen having issued
his valedictory address, the leading conservatives of this
county, a few days ago, held a meeting at Haverfordwost,
at which it was decided that the Viscount Emlyn should
be asked to come forward as a candidate.
.

ROCIIEBTER.—R, is stated that the re-election
of the present members for the city of Rochester will bo
opposed. There has been a meeting of a party of the
conservative electors, and Mr. Aldborough Henniker, a
member of the bar, and cousin of Lord Henniker, who
is the owner of considerable property in the hundred of
Hoo, in the county, has been brought forward as a candi-
date to represent the conservative interest. It is reported
that the second seat will be contested. Mr. Hennikeifis
to meet the conservative electors to-morrow evening.

TUE MONMOUTHSHIRE BOROUGHS.—The com-
mittee appointed at the public meeting of the inhabitants,
held on Monday, have decided on inviting Sir John Barns-
den, Bart., formerly one of the members for the West
Riding of Yorkshire, to become the liberal candidate for
the boroughs. Sir Johu is expected to visit Newport, Usk,
and Monmouth in the course of a few days. The conser-
vatives have not yet commenced or , but it is
understood that should Mr. Crawehay e present
member, not seek re-election, Mr. Samuel Homfray will
be brought forward by the party
TOWER Heiturre.—Mr. Edmond Beale., M.A.,

president of the Reform League, is now definitively before
the electors of the Tower Hamlets as a candidate for the
representation of that borough. . . . .

WEDNEBbURY.—There seems likely to be a glut
of candidates for the representation of the new Black
Country borough of Wednesburv. There are already
four candidates actually before iho constituency, three
being liberals and one conservative. The liberals are Mr.
A. Brogden, a member of a firm of ironmasters carrying
on business at Ulverstone, and formerly one of the lessees
of the South Staffordshire Railway ; Mr. Walter Robinson,
a local ironmaster ; and Mr. R. M. Kerr, of the Central
Criminal Court and Sheriffs' Court, London. The
address of the last-named gentleman is of an advanced
type. The conservative candidate is Mr. T. E. Walker,
son of the late proprietor and present managing director
of the Patent Shaft Works, Wednesbury. Two other
candidates are named viz., Mr. S. D. Waddy, barrister,
and son of the Rev. Dr. Waddy, of the Wesleyan body,
and Mr. T. Davis, a local coal and iron master, who has
received requisitions both from the liberals and the
conservatives.

WHITBY.—There is to be a contest in this
borough. A meeting was held on Monday night, at which
Major W. C. Woreley, of Hovingham, near Melton, was
selected by the conservatives.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTINO.—Tho executive
of the National Reform Union have issued a circular to
their various branch associations, enclosing instructions
regarding the various qualifications for county and
borough votes, at the sometime urging that every possible
effort should be made to place upon the parliamentary
register, county or borough, of every district all liberals
who will be duly entitled to vote. The executive also
call attention to the following resolution passed by them,
and ask for co-operation in carrying it into effect :—" The
hostile attitude of the House of Lords, as exhibited in the
rejection of the Suspensory Bill, convinces this executive
that it is of the utmost importance to the reform cause
that public meetings should be held in all parts of
the country, in order to prepare the constituencies
for the return of those candidates at the forthcoming
election who will pledge themselves to do full justice to
Ireland, by supporting Mr. Gladstone's resolutions on the
disestabliithment of the Irish church." The circular con-
cludes as follows :—" The momentous nature of the great
question now at issue between the liberals and the tones
renders it of the most vital importance that every friend
of the liberal cause should be active in aiding his party at
the approaching general election. Registration, public
meetings, and organisation are amongst the best means
for eecunng ultimate victory in the struggle now com-
menced, and you are therefore called upon by the execu-
tive to immediately put forth every exertion in approval
and support of Mr. Gladstone, and the course which ho
has indicated as that which he will pursue in the new
parliament."