Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-11-23 00:00:00

IS REFORM TO BE POSTPONED ?

The recent monetary crisis and the violation of the
Bank Act are, it is true, subjects more pressing than any
reform bill ; but we have an extra session expressly for the
purpose of considering these important matters ; and even
though that alone should not suffice, it is absurd to suppose
that 650 gentlemen can keep up a discussion on the cur_
rency for the greater part of the year. We have no objec-
tion to the bank charter taking precedence of every other
topic; but really, to assume that it will leave no time for
the consideration of a reform bill savours overmuch of a
foregone conclusion that time shall never be found for the
only measure in favoar of which the constituencies expres-
sed anything like a unanimous opinion. In fact, there is
very little disguise affected in the matter, for the parlia-
mentary reformer is kindly advised to wait until he ca❑ get
a session to himself. Can any one guess how long that
period of expectation will prove ? An absolutely vacant
session has never occurred in the memory of man ; and if
reform is to be laid aside until so very convenient a season,
we are afraid that Mr. Roebuck will have time to advance
to universal siffrage and weekly parliaments long before
the question shall be considered ripe for discussion. It
may be true, as the Times cynically observes, that men
in office and men in parliament are not fond of inter-
fering with patronage, and offending persons of influence
and position, and that they will infallibly shirk the duty
if they can. But, if so, there is the more reason for
pressing on the disagreeable discussion before the remem-
brance of promises, as yet recent, shall have altogether faded
away. At any rate, it is a strange way of encouraging
honesty in public life to tell our representatives that
they are disposed to shirk their pledges, and that that
is an excellent reason why they should not think of ful-
filling them. If those who were returned to the present
parliament as reformers are in earnest in the matter,
there never was a session which promised a fairer
opportunity for carrying out their principles than that
which is now approaching. Such of them as desire only
to escape from an irksome duty will, no doubt, find want
of time as gc oi an excuse as any one of a thousand others.
Saturday Review.

Reform is once more a topic of the day. The working
classes are a titating it, and we have received many declara-
tions of sympathy with the sentiments we have expressed
as to the value of an open and cordial association of all
classes of reformers. They have one grand point to gain;
if is before them'; they now know that the government
will avoid concession until it is wrung from it ; they have
seen toryism disgraced until it has been bestridden by an
adventurer like Mr. Disraeli ; and they have only to
organise their own resources and apply them. * * Even
the tory prints—although abundantly endowed with the
attribute classically ascribed to the fly—will no; affirm
that every considerable town does not contain at least ten
men interested in the promotion of parliamentary reform.
If those: ten would ulite and act—in concert, perhaps, with
a London committee—the question might ba taken out of
Lord Palmerston's hands. It is not for the liberal party
to receive the dictati)ns of any cabinet. All the minis-
terial objections amount to no more than special pl, ading,
and an artful attempt to confound the third ses ;ion of 18d7
with that of 1858. Are both these sessions forestalled ?
There is now a programme before the country. What
to Am will set the example of appointing committees to vote
whether the principles set forth are deserving of adoption ?
—Leader.

Having done its utmost to bnike the question of reform,
the Times breaks out in a startling anxiety and tenderness
for it success. Something it thinks may be made of that
for the purpose of procrastination. " Will not the parlia-
mentary reformer himself be better satisfied with having a
session, though a later cne, to ?" A session to
himself ! There's a bait. Only think of seven whole
months to make reform speeches ! What an effort to
win the long-winded ! Unhappily this "later" session is
what we have been promised again and again. We have
run after it like boys after a rainbow. And when is h
to come ? The siege of Sebastopol stopped it once. The
Bank Charter and India stop it now. Want of prepara-
ticn stopped it in the session of last spring. There will
never be wanting something or other, at home or abroad,
by which it nny not be stopped. Now, we have a promise
to claim ; an express, absolute promise. We may never
have such a thing again. The facetious premier may
warble the old song,
"I told her I'd marry her,
Bat never told her When."

We cannot afford to let him slip. The associated parli:-
mentary reformers are dealing rightly and wisely. Thy
start no great public agitatior. No movement is contern,
plated like that of the Anti-Curn Law League. They want
no popular excitement. Their own views are cam!), pro-
p3unded, and they invite the peaple to say whether they
coincile, and thus co ifirna the verdict of the last election.
Such a quiet refresinr will, it may be hoaed, tell with
greater poxer on the premier than a mare noisy
demonstration.— Weekly Dispatch.

AMUSEMENTS, &c.

AMP iiITIIVATRE.
MSs Reynolds, the bighly-gifted actress of the Hay-
market- Theatre, is to appear in the Amphitheatre to-
night. Her engagement is but a brief ow, kiag limiter',
wa believe, to three nights.

TilF
LIVAIRPOOL FE3fIVAL CHORAL S'XIETY.
This popular society hold their 59Lli public performance
in St. Gmrge's Hall tc-morrow evening►. The interest
taken in this society will ba augmented by a glance at the
programme, and the names of the artistes who are to
as3ist—the former comprises selections from Mozart and
Handel's most admired compositions, and emongst the
latter are the names of Miss Santley, 11Irs. M )rgan, Mr.
Bolton, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Armstrong. No doubt this
performanc will be quite attractive.

LORD NELSON STREET CONCERT E)OMS.
On Saturday evening, it was announced by the CJED-
rnittee of the Saturday Evening Concerts, that the newly
elected Mayor, J. Hohne, Esq., would preside on that
occasion. The hall was densely crowded, but owing to
the indisposition of his brothsr, he for.vardel a letter,
apologising for his non-attendance, at the same time
stating that he should have much pleasure in presiding on
some future occasion.

CONCERT HALL. —MR. M%LONE RAYnOND AND 3U
KATE SAXON.

We have alteidy stated oar opinion of Mr. M ilone
R.aynymd, both from former recollection, and what we
Lave letely gleLned from the American pallets ; and from
the latter source we ara enabled to judge of Miss Kate
Saxon. We hay,: therefore, only now, to remind the
pubic that these attractive performers will make their
debut` this evening at the Concert Hill, in their famous
entertainment, which cannot fail to draw a crowded
audience.

PRINCE'S PARK WORKING HEN'S ASSOCIATION.
A concert took place on Saturday night in the
Reading Room, Peel-street, Toxteth Park, in connection