The Express.
London, England, 1857-04-16 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS,

money power, would do more to chock the undue
influence of this power than any severity of
repressive legislation. The ballot, then, in
large constituencies is ono defence aginet the
money influence; another must le sought ht *Af-
ferent method of conducting the toting process.
Any change in this respect would be for the bettir
which modified the absurd Costliness and the bar-
barous clamorousness of the pressed mode of pro-
.. . .

cedure. There is no reason why the British voter
should be driven to the poll in a British cab ; nor
would any privilege words preserving be invaded if
silence; sad order were substituted for the uproar and
Pinsk whieh now surround the polling booth. But
to effect these objects no agency promisee to be so
eilleacious se secret voting. It is plain that whatever
improvements may have been effected by the Corrupt
Practices Prevention Art, much more remains to be
done before a general election in this country can
cease to be a fair subject for the unfavourable corp-
ulent' of those who are dexterous and eager to find
all possible flaws in the working of free institutions.

CAN DRAINAGE.

The time has arrived for the application of the
rrgo: public opinion to the authorities in present
of the great London drainage matter, with
ward to which the press has maintained the meet
deferential reserve since the appointment of referees
to consider the schemes of the Metropolitan Board
of Works and others.
The gentlemen named by Sir B. Hell were Captain
Oalton, of the scientific corps, and Messrs. Simpson
and Blackwell, both eminent civil engineers. The
duties and responsibilities of their undertaking are by
no means light, involving as they do the sanction of
one costly and oomprehensive proposition and the
satisfaction of its anchors or sponsors, and per mufti
the grave diermitentment of a legion of drainage
doctors. But • fair field and large powers have
been allowed them by the government, and the
waves of pablio.excitement on the subject—stilled as
it were by magic, when it once got wind that the
Board of Works and nothing but the Beard was the
sine pal now with the Chief Commimioner—have
slept with unusual politeness pending their delibera-
tions, se if to avoid giving cause for complaint of
menu" or interruption. It is probable that am far
as regards the office work the inquiry has by this
time made some progress. The public have no
manner of reason or right to suppose the contrary.
The majority of the plans may be fairly presumed to
have found their last long home in the pigeon-hole
or the ultimate paper-basket. Continental systems
have et mores bee examined. The Chadwiekian
amiss end the Meeibus practice of irrigation have
while the metropolis itself
is se de.at hAmps its requirements and its
m opelllthe Imes been ascertained. But
mere yet le nasessary, in justice to the competitors
whose smile are likely to have saved them from
the pwelimlemp massacre of innocents which must
eullmily_ always attend upon public compe-
dllaC Ile fair estimation of the compara-
tive Immileacies of their various schemes can
be Deed* arrived at until the outran plans, on
ea -semi mown depend, have bees th
sews& Thsesesddb chance le be Tel
=as =it
tie id= lit tie eassayOf
thew*
I; nig well seds
either am* Who heal or Its
mots. The orotesteil ardeross mope. tst
time !it
by miens semetterre. riff
sole data with rellneee worth= al lON hos.
doss ; bat mein *art ejadmilli of
the oreatry week the sel lie: re-
=festo dm teary oast et the
the Otelys to
,bpi effects&
piles at maw wearas and the yr=
each would be held, will enable the
rehouse to slhseu...a„..oweanjose,cot•PTtdlstti 1= duo
ses=l"--ty out distri em
buting the livid
metthiseinrgissavilatise, the number, power, sod one
ehtisa required, and the acreage at
min remand 'A each proposed whom re-
apeatkeek flue clap were all better inquired
kW bails • wadi* theca otter it. It does set ap-
pointing the mambas hoe made any sign or say
drew open the lase at lower Foes, which have
Men moss& apes by all plumes as the seeps et
theightriszsmdess. ad are likely to be somewhat
or aricaltural point of view; whatever
Iselin lassos to.
It is swish to be hoped that no " penny.wiss,
poled bah "emaidemtions of economy are tying
tie heal of the First Commissioner and his olikers.
Theposest parsimony of one thousand poliiudsizah
le the moat of the future waste of many
spa experimental bungling ; its judicious expendi-
ture new that pew bends have accepted the trust,
meg aid the preps:alias of such a report as shall go
tar be mettle delkettively the long vexed problem of
Loam ems. utilisation. The consideration war
psis& seen Ise shrisas to have soaped the alkial
wink oil the she= are tee reepsetable and too
asemeglibei be ipso& far a ratoseut the sodas at
isoamplemo aellest.

ME
Chit/ Jostles Cockburn and the atereture for doutherspica,
mho hive beta lacked to a bouquet by the lusthemptca
Chamber al COMIIIIIIVIN on the 26th haat., Lord Palmairekin

addition *to

lAlt EVENING, APRIL 16, 1857.