The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-07 00:00:00

Mr. Locke and his Constituents.

Mr. Locke, one of the memb2rs for the borough
of Southwark, met his constituents last night at the
Bridge House Hotel, London.hridge—Cape. Hep-
burn in the chair. The following were also pre-
sent :—Messrs. C. Legg, Col linson, Newman, White,
and Harris, Captain Darrell, Messrs. Bevington,
Glover, and Redgrave, Dr.-Barker, Dr. Paul, Capt.
D. Roger, and Messrs. M. Sharp, Love, and Tooke.
The CHAIRMAN said they did not want to hear a
speech from him, but from their representative, who
was a conscientious Reformer, and devoted a good
deal of his time to their local concerns—(hear, hear)
—and he should not therefore detain them. This,
he believed, was the seventh or eighth time their
respected representative came before them.

Mr. LccKE next presented himself, and was
very warmly received. It gave him, he said,
great pleasure for the eighth,time to appear before
them as their representative—he could hardly say
to give an account of what he had done in the House
of Commons, because he knew that among so intel"
ligent a body of men, with whom from time to time
he had had an opportunity of conferring, everything
he did was already well known to them, and if he
did not do what was right he should have heard of
it long before this time. (Hear, and a laugh.) It
afforded him, however, great satisfaction, not only
in giving an "account of his stewardship," for that
was the expression now used throughout the country,
but to hear his constituents' sentiments on many
subjects, so that by hearing each other they may
have an opportunity of modifying in many respects
their opinions, and so in the end come to a just con-
clusion. He was willing to confess that he always
suet with their very kind consideration for his own
shortcomings, as none of them were perfect; but
an assurance of their approbation enabled him to go
forward and perform his duty not only to the borough
but to the country at large in a manner to do credit
to all of them. Since he last addressed them many
questions had been disposed of, not only of impors
tance to the borough but the whole of the kingdom.
And first with regard to St. Thomas's Hospital,
they were, he could assure them, very much in-
debted to Mr Kendal and Mr Collinsen for the very
active part they took in that affair. They went to
Lord Redesdalo and succeeded in their opposition
to the scheme of removing it six or seven miles into
the country, although he admitted they were not
entirely successful. The hospital, however, was to
be retained in London, though not in the Borough,
and for his own part he owned he deeply regretted
that the Corporation of London had many years
since admitted persons to be its governors and sub-
mitted to be overidden by them, the consequence of
which was, according to the decision of th© Lord
Chancellor, that they were now in point of law pre-
cluded from controlling them in the government of
theinstitution, although they still retained the power
of choosing a site for it in any locality they pleased,
He (Mr Locke) feared it was lost to Southwark
as a local institution,-where, according to the ob-
vious meaning of the original charter, it ought to
have been placed. (Hear.) There was another sub•
ject of social importance, which not only agitated
the borough of Southwark but the metropolis and
the country at large, and that was the question re-
lating to the dwellings of the labouring classes.
(Cheers.) That in his opinion was now one of the
most important questions which could be brought
under the consideration of the House cf Commons.

(Hear.) He did not call it a local question, but one
of the most important ever brought under the con-
sideration of the Legislature, and which involved the
well-being of this great country. Those who con-
tributed in so high a degree to its great wealth and
prosperity should be well considered and well taken
care of. Now. the argument he always used on this
subject was this—He did not wish to make any inno-
vation on their laws or Constitntion,but he contended
that the mischief which modern legislation had done
ought to be repaired, and that if Acts of Parliament
were introduced authorising houses to be pulled
down and property taken to make railways, or other
public works or improvements, and the persons who
lived in them removed or driven out, then others
should be provided for - them. (Hear, hear.) But
that was not so, and the evil it occasioned vvas be-
coming a very serious one indeed. The course of
modern legislation in this respect had been most
mischievous. There was first Regent-street and
then Victoria-street constructed, by which thou-
sands of families have been driven from their habi.
tations, and left to provide for themselves. (Hear.)
Then came the construction of railways within the
metropolis which drove as many more thousands to
seek shelter where they could, and to pay enormous
rents for miserable and inconvenient accommoda.

tio►,. (Hear, hoar.) Attempts had been made to
remedy this great social evil, but he feared they
were like a drop of water in the ocean. Mr Peabody
as they all knew, generously gave the sum of
X 150,000 to be laid out in the erection of dwellings
for the poor of London. In carrying out his object,
the committee had, he thought, adopted a most ex.
cellent course. They agreed to expend in the first
instance in;building model dwelling-houses I:50,600
and got for that purpose good sites at Shadwell and

Bermondsey. They also erected four blocks of houses
at Islington, and in Commercial street, Spitalfields,
57 tenements and nine shops. It was said that all
these will pay an interest of three or four per cent.,
and it was calculated that the original sum would
build ten large houses, to produce £6,000 a-year,
and from this income they hoped to be able to build
new houses every two years. That, in his opinion,
was an excellent plan, but it was only intended ae,
a model, and he hoped sincerely that others would
follow this most useful example. (Hear, hear.)
The City of London had advanced likewise £lO,OOO
for the same purpose, and he was disposed to believe
that an opportunity would thus be given to spe-
culators to follow in the same course. But what was
the real state of things ? for after all this was but
showing what could be done. They had a poor law
which was most iniquitous, unequal, and unjust.
(Cheers.) Since he had the honour to represent the
borough, he never ceased to enforce the idea that it
was the duty of the legislature to establish an equa-
lisation of the poor rates. Ever since he had the
honour of a seat in the House of Commons he en-
deavoured to obtain that. (Hear, boar.) In con-
sequence of the distress in London in 1861 a com.
mittee was appointed to inquire into it, of which,
in the first instance, he was not appointed a mem-
ber. Ho had, however, spoken to Mr Villiers, one
of the ablest members of the Government, and for
whom he had the highest respect, on the subject of
an equalisation of their rates, and in 1862 he was
placed on it. Evidence was taken before that com-
mittee—the late Mr Y. Day, Mr Collinson, and Mr
Warwick were examined, but it was not until April,
1864, they were called on. to make their report. That
committee was composed of all classes of politicians
living in every part of the ccuntry, who gave the
subject the most careful consideration. Lord Robert
Cecil, a strong Tory, was a member of it. He was
a man of high intellect, and when his Tory propen-
sities permitted him, went as straight as an arrow.
(Elea: and a laugh.) Now ho (Mr Locke) held in
his hand the report of that comnaittee,which showed
clearly what ought to be done, and ho therefore
would read it to there, (The hon. member then
reid an extract from the report of the committee.)
Thus that report, while dep!oring the destruction of
whole districts by, railways and other buildings,
resolved that much evidence was produced to show
the inequalisation of the present system of rating,
especially in the metropolis, and that measures should
be taken to extend as soon as possible the area of
rating. Now, that was the most important decision
ever come to by a committee of the Hone of Commons
and he bad no doubt would produce the most bene-
ficial results. (Hear, hear.) He had also to observe
that when Mr Villiers brought in his bill to make
the settlement of the poor three years instead of five,
he (Mr Locke) moved as an amendment that for the
purposes of the act the whole of the metropolis
should be considered as one union, and he had no
doubt they would in the end succeed., (Hear, hex r.)
A Voice—Why don't you do it at once ? (A laugh.)
Mr LOCKE should like to see that gentileman dotug

it at once. (A least.) There were so many interests
involved, and so many important considerations
mixed up with it, that it was a question of great dif-
ficulty. He believed the inhabitants of that borough
were the most disinterested people in the world—(a
laugh)—for they would not take the trouble of under-
standing a question that so nearly concerned them.

'he next question to which he should call their atten-

tion was that of the houseless poor, for whom a rate
was to be levied on tha entire metropolis, which was
he contended a step in the right direction. (Hear,
hear.) This a 9 to the sewago question, he had been
asked by Mr Brady to be a member of the com.
mittee ; but he candidly confessed he did not under-
stand it, although it was ono of enormous import-
ance. (Hear, hear.) Messrs Napier and Hope had
a plan of taking the sewage of London down to
Shoeburyness, and there were other plans proposed,
bat,as he said before, he dal not really understand it.
The next question was that of Thames Conservancy.
A VOICE—The what P (A laugh.)
Mr LOCKE—The Thames Conservancy, and he
could assure that gentleman who interrupted him
that this was of more importance than he deemed it.
(Hear, hear.) They were probably not aware that
the whole of the Conservancy formerly belonged to

the city of London, but he had great pleasure
in telling them that six men not in the City were
recently added. Then, as to his political princi.
pies. He had always endeavoured to support the
present Government, and now that a Parliament
elected under the auspices of Lord Derby was about
to expire, he would tell the result. In the first
place they had, according to Mr Cobden, the best
Chancellor of the Exchequer that ever existed.
(Cheers.) The amount of taxation remitted by that
right hon. gentleman within the last few years was
on food and clothing five millions, and to the middle
classes, by a reduction in the income tax and the
abolition of the paper duty, six millions, making
eleven millions, and a reduction of six millions in

the national debt. (Hear, hear.) Mr Pitt was called
a Heaven-born Minister, but as far as regirds the
working classes of this country, Mr Gladstone was
equally so. (Hear.) And while such a man and his
colleagues continued to act as they had hitherto
done, they should have his cordial support. (Cheers.)
As for foreign affairs, they had, to use a vulgar
phrase, " a go-in"—(a latigh)—the other night from
his friend and colleague, Mr Lityard, and he should
not, therefore, go into it at very great length.
With respect to the Danish question, Mr Layard
made one of the best speeches he ever heard in the
House of Commons, (Hear, hear.) The question
then was peace or war. (Hear, hear.) in 1852
this country did what he hoped she would never do
again : bhe entered into a treaty with Austria,
France, Russia, and Prussia—Powers, he might
add, in whom they could have no confidence. When
the question' of the succession arose, however, it

was said that treaty WE'S no guarantee for the in-
tegrity of Denmark, and so when France and Rush

sia refused to have anything to do with it England
acted quite rightly in the course she pursued,
(Hear, hear.) Now that they were done with Dec-,

mark, and the lonian Islands likewise, he hoped
the doctrine would in future b© non-intervention,

and that this country would attend to its own af•
fairs. (Hear, Lear.) With respect to the Ameri-

can war, he said four years ago he could give no
opinion upon it, but whether the North succeeded
or not slavery was doomed for ever. He thought
the Government acted perfectly right in the course
they pursued in not interfering with either
party, and deserved great credit for the course
they pursued. Then as regarded reform, he should
wish them to go on faster; but the people them•

selves must do something. (Hear, hear.) He always
had, as he said, supported the Government, because

he had no confidence whatever in Mr Disraeli.
(Hear, hear.) He read his magnificent speech the

other day at Oxford, but, after all, it only came to
the question of whether, in Church matters, they

should be ruled by lawyers or by bishops. (A laugh.) 1
For his own part he was no great judge in such
matters, but he preferred any day the opinion of a
lawyer to a bishop. (A laugh.) Ile (Mr Locke)
supported Mr Locke King's bill last session, and
was also in favour of the ballot. A few years ago
Mr Childers, now a member of ber Majesty's Gom
vernment, entered the House of Commons, and as
he had recently returned from Australia, where the
ballot was adopted, he was expected during the de-
bate to explain how it worked. From that tipla-
nation he (Mr Locke) was of opinion the ballot was
the best system ; and although, perhaps, it may not
be so necessary in the large borough of Southwark
as in other places, as a general rule it would be
most beneficial to the country. (Cheers.) In con-
clusion, he thanked them most sincerely for the
kindness they evinced towards him, and hoped their
connexion would never cease as long as ho bad
health and strength to act in their service. The
hon. gentleman then resumed his scat amid loud
cheers.

Mr COLLIN SON having warmly eulogised the zeal
and activity of Mr Locke in attending to their local
affairs, read the following resolution:—" That this
meeting, having heard the address of Mr Locke,
hereby expresses its entire approval of the course
he has pursued, both upon general and local ques.
lions during the last session of Parliament, and de-
clares him to be eminenCy entitled to the continued
confidence and support of his constituents."
Mr DARNELL seconded the motion, and it was
passed with acclamation,
Mr L OCKE briefly returned thanks, and the usual
vote being passed to the chairman, the proceedings
terminated.