The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-31 00:00:00

ELECTION
_IATTLLIGEIV:Cp.

CITY OF. LONDON.
An influential meeting of electors of the city of Lon-
don was held yesterday at the London Tavern. It was
convened by a circular signed by Messrs. J. I. Travers,
R. W. Crawford, and W. J. Hall, for the purpose of
hearing an important communication from those gentle-
men on the subject of the approaching election. Amongst
those present were :—Messrs. J. A. Smith, M.P., R.
Currie, M.P., John Williams, M.P., G. MOffat, M.P.,
C. P. Grenfell, J. I. Travers, R. W. Crawford, S. Mor-
ley, J. Pontifex, W. Hawes, M. Prendergast, Q.C., T.
Dakin, W. F. A. Delane, A. Hastie, M.P., Alderman
Wire, W. Pritchard, H. J. Prescott, T. Hankey,
Wm. Cumming, James Hutchinson, Thos. Barkley,
R. L. Morgan, Deputy Peacock, Wm. John Hall, Thos.
Spencer Hall, Edward Sharwood, John Lupton, Ed-
ward Hooton, Alderman Humphery, William Williams,
S. Read, J. P. Gassiott, Joseph Surr, Benjamin Wilson,
J. G. Rhoads, Pere), Proctor, F. Pattison, W. Kirk,
H. Bateman, J. Anderton, W. Hackblock, D. Dewar, S.
Whitbread, R. Martineau, John Todd, J. R. Carr, J.
Waterlow, M. Saward, W. Rock, H. Rock, J. Powell, T.
Webber, Deputy Stevens, William Nicholson, George
Moore, John' Forester, J. P. Buckler, Edward Mar-
riott, Henry Marriott,, F. Bennoch, .A. De. Symons,
Donald
•Nicoll, W. Leaf, J. T. Norris, Sergeant Wilkins,
B. Cohen, W. White, jun., J. Wylde, •W. M. Hind-
march, W. M. Christey; T. M. Weguelin, W. Wilson,
D. Laurie; Jas. Harmer, J. T. AtkinsOn, Gregory
Foster (Tenaple), John Dillon, R. Salomons, J. D.
Saull, and J. Parker. •
Mr. William HaWes was called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN said they would all recollect that at
the last. election he and a few others felt it their duty to
express :diSsatifaction at the course which the Govern-
ment of Lord John. Russell had taken with regard to
adthinistrative reforms, and • particularly with regard to
a reform in the CuStoms. They were, however, notable
to join in giving cordial support to Lord John Russell,
because not only had he himself satisfied them that he
was anxious to support those reforms which they thought
were not sufficiently attended to before, but they had a
positive assurance that it was the intention of her Ma-
jesty's Government to introduce such administrative re-
forms into the different departments of the State, and
particularly into that of the Customs, as would not only
remove impediments to trade, but would fit the depart-
ment to meet the wants of the increasing commerce of
this great country. They had, besides, the further reason
for suppprting Lord John Russell at the present election
that they. found. him supported by gentlemen who had at
other" times advocated different opinions, but' who were
now, united in advancing those great reforms in the law,
in our commercial pblicy, and in the representation,
which were absolutely, necessary. in order to perfect the
institutions of the country. The Chairman concluded
by calling upon Mr. Travers to make a statement to the
meeting. • '
• Mr. TRATERS said : Mr. Crawford and myself have
been for. some time chairman and deputy-chairman- of a
committee for promoting a reform of the CUstorns. At
a late meeting of that committee, and before this Ad-
ministration was' finally, determined, it was agreed that
we should, on the part of that committee, ascertain the
views of the new Administration upon that important
question of Customs reform. But whilst we were ,
pre-
paring a letter that we intended to send to Lord John
Russell for this purpose, a communication was volun-
teered to "us on the part of his lordship and his cblieagues,
having fPr its object to ascertain the wants and wishes
of the mercantile community. That communication was
of necessity confidential. An offer was also made to us,
by the gentleman who made this communication, to see
one.or more members of the proposed Administration ;
this offer was accepted, on condition that as soon
as that AdministratiOn was formed we should be at
liberty to make that communication public to our friends.
That, is the reason wby Mr. Crawford and myself and
Mr. ' Hall have upon this occasion presumed to invite
your attendance here. A statement was made to us
that there were three leading principles adopted by the
Administration—that the Government pledged itself to a
measure of electoral' reform, and that they would cor-
dially and zealously undertake the conduct of the Jew
Bill—that they wished entirely to alter the oaths as they
at present stand in the House of Commons, but that the
members of the present Administration were so convinced
of the necessity, of doing something to put the represen-
tation of the city of, London on a proper basis at the, pre-
sent moinent, that they would not even delay that mea-
sure for the time that a bill would take in passing both
houses of Parliarnent,- and that it had, therefore, been
agAed that Lord 'John Russell should bring forward a
resolution in the House of Commons at once to admit
thej-ews, and that that resolution should be sent up to
the House of Lords, where we were told that there was
at the present moment no reasonable doubt of its
success ; but that, if such a measure should not be
successful, we should have the cordial support 'of the
Government in any • other course we chose to adopt.
It was, thirdly, stated that the Government would take
in hand the question 'of .Custonn-house reform, not only
as regards the administratiOn, but as regards the sys-
tem. These'statements were made in the most full and
satiSfactpry, ' manner. It was now for us to' seek to
pledge the new Administration to details ; we merely asked
that the- bill to embody these reforms should be sub-
mitted to -the mercantile classes before it was finally
submitted to the House of Commons. This was cor-
dially agreed to. Under these circumstances, Mr. Craw-
ford and. rayself—speaking, as we believed, the senti-
ments of the commercial bodY of the city of London—
assured the nobleman whom we met that we had no
doubt these declarations would be satisfactory to the
'citizens of London, and would produce harmony in the
party. lam prepared to give Lord John. Russell my
warm and cordial support, because I believe that the
new Government will really bend themselves to the
grout task of administrative reforms.
Mr. CRAWFORR—I really have nothing to add to Mr.
Travers's statement; except to bear testimony to the
accuracy of his account of what • passed between us and
the nobleman whom we met at the other end of the town.
I may make allusion, Perhaps; in a few words, to what
occurred. in July last, • and, to • the circumstances, under
which I very unwillingly assumed a rather.prominent part
before the citizens of London. = As soon as there was a
probability of a' vacancy occurring in the representa-
tion of the' City, I took an opportunity of conferring
with those friends who had been kind enough to
wish me well on a former occasion, and to state, in
answer to propositions made to me, that, as far as I was
concerned, everything would depend on the nature of
the communications that we might receive from the new
Government, of which Lord John Russell was to form a
part. In fact, it would entirely depend upon the bill
of fare that he produced before us what' reception Lord
John Russell met with, as far as those with whom I was
in the habit of thinking and acting were concerned. I
received with the greatest satisfaction the statement
made to us. I. have. the most implicit confidence in the
truthfulness of the intentions which have been expressed,
and there is no person in the city of London who will
more cordially support Lord John Russell than I shall
do. (Cheers.) •
Mr. R. CURRIE said that when they met in June last
he ventured to characterise the Government of Lord
Derby as an unprincipled Administration. Somegentle-
men then thought that rather a strong expression, but
they had lived to test its truth. He wished the Parlia-
mentary history of the last six months could be blotted
from the page of history. They had heard of Sir Per-
tinax Mac Sycophant, who could not stand upright in
the presence of a great man, but was always bowing ;
Lord Derby, in like manner, could not stand up in the
presence of a majority ; he bowed and bowed, and deserted
the principles on which he entered office, and at last he
had made his bow to office, a result in which- he (Mr.
Currie) heartily rejoiced. The Administration which
had just been, formed united more of ability, high charac-
ter, and official experience than any which had existed in
this country since the Revolution, and he should cer-
tainly give it his cordial support. It was one of the
greatest 'of the public services which Lord John Russell
had,rendered to, the country that, with an entire abnega-
tion of personal ambition and feeling, he had taken any
post in which his Sovereign thought he could render the
greatest service, to the country. He moved the follow-
ing resolution :—" That this meeting having considered
the address of Lord John Russell to the electors of the
city of London, and having been assured that it is the
intention of the Government to make such reforms in
the administration of the Customs as to place that de-
partment in unison with the general feeling of the coun-
try, and also•to carry out other, important measures of
practical reform, it is resolved that this meeting will give
its earnest and unanimous support to Lord John Russell
as a candidate for the representation of the city of
London."
Mr. W. J. HALL, in seconding the resolution, dwelt
upon the necessity of extensive reforms in the adminis-
tration of the lights and pilotage, and also expressed his
opinion that the ballot was necessary for the protection
of voters ; and he called upon the citizens to make its
adoption by Lord John Russell the condition of their
supporting him at the present election. (Loud cries of
"No, no.")
Mr. KIRK said that the only question they had to con-
sider was, whom they would choose for their member.
Now, he attended a meeting of his ward the previous
evening, and they would have no other man than Lord
John Russell. He was noble, not only by birth and
education, but by principles and practice, and they
ought to be proud to rally round him, and not seek to
clog and tie him. There could be no doubt that the

Government of which he was a member would dol.beat

things for the country.
Mr. Alderman WIRE expressed himself perfectly satis-
fied with the statement' that had been made with re-
spect to the intentions of the present Government. He
and his •friends, in supporting Lord John Russell on
this occasion, did not at all sink the principles they
had advocated on- former occasions, but they took
him because they thought he was pledged to
carry out many of the objects which the city' of Lon-
don had in view. Even if he did not square, with all
their opinions, it was desirable they should try an Ad-
Ministration formed of such materials as the country
had never seen before. He concluded by suggesting the
following amendment, which he said he thought em-
bodied the feelings of the meeting better than the motion
before them :—" That no Government can be acceptable
to the constituency of this City unless it is pledged to
promote a large and efficient measure of electoral reform,
the abolition of the present Board of Customs, an ad-.
ministrative reform in all branches of the State with a
view to a more efficient and economical administration
of our affairs, and, lastly, the passing of a bill to admit
our fellow-subjects, the Jews, into Parliament ; and un-
derstanding from the statement now made by Mr.
Travers and Mr. Crawford, that Lord John Russell will
give a hearty support to .these 'measures, this meeting
hereby pledges itself to give: to him its unanimous sup-
..

port."
Mr. CURRIE said that they were met there
simply to consider whether they would re-elect
Lord John Russell, and he did not think it
was either, logical or in accordance with common
sense to take that opportunity either of making a
declaration of their individual opinions or of calling upon
the Government of which his lordship happened to be a
member to do such and such things.
Mr. BATEMAN expressed his wish for some pledges
from Lord John Russell himself on the questions of Par-
liamentary reform, the removal of Jewish disabilities,
and the reform of the administration of the Customs.
Mr. WILLIAMS, M.P., remarked that the character of
Lord John Russell had now been before the public 30
years, and he was sorry that, on an occasion like that,
topics wholly unconnected with the object of the meeting
should have been introduced. His lordship had treated
in his address upon the topics adverted to by the last
speaker, and he (Mr. Williams) knew no one more en-
titled to their support at this juncture than Lord J. Rus-
sell. 'He would not impose any pledges upon a Cabinet
Minister, because he must necessarily consult the other
members of the Cabinet with reference to any course that

he might adopt.
Mr. ROBERTS said that his support of Lord John Rus-
sell was founded on the principles which had for thirty Si
years guided his lordship's political life, and more parti-
cularly upon the declarations he had made, which ought 41
to satisfy every friend of liberty that, supported as he
was by Sir W. Molesworth and Mr. Villiers, he would 2,
not belie the great character he had attained in this S
country.
- Mr., S. MoRLEY wished to ask whether he was cor- S
rect in understanding Mr. Travers to have said that at .S
the interview whiph took place between himself and Mr.
Craivford,' and one or two influential gentlemen—he be-
1C
lieved,' of the Peelite party—there was a disposition on E
the part of that section of the Government to be parties
to 'a large measure of - electoral reform ?
Mr. TRAvERS said that his statement referred more
particularly to the questions of Customs reform and of
the Jew Bill. The statement which was made to them
with respect 'to electoral reform came, he had no objec-
tion to state, through 'Mr. J. A. Smith, M.P.
Mr: J. A. SMITH, said that he could not allow
that meeting to, separate without expressing the satis-
faction which he felt on seeing the Liberal party in the
city of London united in supporting the election of Lord
'John Ruisell. He had not the smallest misgiving as to
the-hearty; unanimous, and cordial support of the pre-
sent Government being given to the general reformation
of all practical and proved abuses. As far as Lord John
'Russell himself was concerned, he thought it but due to
his lordship; and but honest in reference to that meeting,
to declare, in language as plain and as explicit as he
could use, that as far as his knowledge of the facts went,
Lord John Russell was free from either expressed or im-
'plied pledges upop all details with regard to his dis-
position to reform ; and if he could not obtain their con-
fidence .by an appeal to the whole of his past life, he
'ventured to believe that all professions would now be in
.vain. With regard to, the particular measures of the
emancipation of the Jews and the reform of the
Customs, his lordship's assurances had gone further than
mere 'general expressions of opinion, and there was no
question whatever that he would view with pleasure
'an' examination into the Custom-house, with a
view to' a 'complete and thorough removal of all the
abuses and evils which at present press upon the com-
merce of the country. 'And with respect to the Jew
question, his lordship had now for the first time ex-
pressed, not only his willingness to support it, but his
anticipation of early and triumphant success. With re-
gard to the general question of Parliamentary reform,
his past Conduct must be the only guarantee of his
future cohduct which his lordship would himself offer,
or which he (Mr. Smith) would presume to offer on his
behalf. He disavowed altogether any intention of at-
tempting to ask from Lord John Russell any pledges
as to his future conduct. The sterling value of the
'present Administration was, that it contained a great
number of persons of various shades of liberal- opin-
ions, • who were, he believed, united in the intention to
give the country all the reform which the circumstances of
the times called for and admitted of. He believed that such
was the only mode' in which to secure a steady progress
in reform, and also the stability and value of the changes
which were made. He had not been, nor was he then,
a party or privy to any precise pledges in detail as to
'anything, but he believed that Lord John Russell, and
the Government nf which he was a member, had given
them reason to believe that in supporting his lordship as
member for the city of London, they would adopt a
'course alike consistent with their past opinions and past
conduct, and best calculated in times to come to pro-
mote those great principles for which they had hitherto
struggled. (Cheers.)
• Mr. Currie's resolution was then amended by the in-
troduction, after the words " practical reform of the
words, ‘! calculated to complete and secure the enjoy-
ment of civil liberty and religious equality," and this
being satisfactog to Alderman Wire, he withdrew his
amendment, and the original motion passed unani-
mously.
Mr. CRAWFORD then moved the following resolution :
" That the acceptance of the office of Foreign Secretary
by Lord John Russell, after his having for more than
five years filled the distinguished office of Prime Minister,
thereby showing his abnegation of all personal and selfish
feelings, and his having by hit address to the electors of
the city of London declared his intention to devote his
distinguished talents and the influence which his long
and consistent career necessarily attaches to him to the
best interests of the country, entitle him to the sincere
thanks of the electors of this great constituency, and of
the country at large."
Mr. GRENFELL seconded the resolution, which passed
unanimously.
After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the proceed-
rigs terminated.