The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-07 00:00:00

Representation of Finsbuy,

Yesterday evening a public meeting of electors of Fins-
bury residing in the Holborn district was held at the GloLe
Tavern, Hatton-garden, for the purpose of hearing from
Mr W. T. M. Torrens, a candidate for the representation
of the borough, an exposition of his political views. Mr
Sindland, who was called to the chair, adverted to the in-
tended retirement of Sir S. M. Peto, and introduc ed Mr Tor-
rens to the meeting. The learned gentleman, who was
warmly received, said his address was before the electors,
and he had not heard complaints front any quarter of a want
of directness and candour on his part. His great desire had
been to be straightforward and aboveboard with regard to
principles, to measures, and to men, for a man must be a fool
or something worse who supposed that such a place as Fins-
bury could DO won by finesse or cajolery of any kind. Ad-
verting to local topics, he spoke of the disgraceful condition
of Holborn-vale, and to the various Acts of Parliament
which had been passed with regard to it. The duty of
Parliament when they uprooted a vast population such as
dwelt in that district ought to have been to take care that
the people were housed, and that they should have had
means provided for carrying on their industry ; but such
considerations were entirely ignored, and the consequence
was that now vast numbers of persons Were huddled into
single houses, and, indeed, into single rooms, to the de-
moralisation of the people so treated, and to the great in-
jury of the parishioners. The City of London Corporation,
who now held the interest in this vast tract, had neglected
its duty and had perpetrated a great injustice. He thought
the House of Commons would redress this great evil if a
practical scheme were laid before it. The general question
of dwellings for the labouring classes was one of great
importance, and he hoped that the people of London would
take it into consideration in electing members at the next
election, for it was idle to expect that any scheme could be
adopted for providirg the working people of London with
dwellings out of town. With regard to personal matters,
he begged to say that he should be happy to come before
the electors as often as possible to give an account of his
stewardship, and he only regretted that constituencies had
not an opportunity of more frequently calling their mem-
bers to account. Ho strongly advised a division of the
large metropolitan boroughs, and he should strive to bring
about that object. He knew that in the House of Commons
there was a feeling that metropolitanism had gone far
enough; but that difficulty might be easily got over if the
metropolitan constituencies would send to Parliament men
who would command respect. In reference to church rates,
he said he had always voted for the abolition of church
rates, not from hostility to the Church, of which ho was a
member, but because it was a dishonour to a rich establish-
ment to put its hand into the pockets of Nonconformists.
Ho thought the Church would be more effectually kept up
by voluntary contributions. He believed that with regard to
opening museums and public places on Sundays, public
feeling was not ripe for any change, and he thought it
would be a suicidal policy to go in antagoniem to the reli-
gious feelings of the great bulk of the people. He did not
wish, however, to pledge himself to any decided course on
this matter, because he admitted that there were many of
the arguments which were used against the opening of
these places on Sundays with which he did not sympathise.
After Mr Torrens had answered several questions on poli-
tical topics Mr Hopwood moved —" That this meeting hav-
ing the very clear and lucid statements of Mr Torrens
upon the duties of a representative, feels that he is emi-
nently qualified to represent this borough in Parliament,
and pledges itself to use all legitimate means to secure his
return at the next election." Mr Goodwin seconded the
motion, which was unanimously adopted. Mr Torrens
acknowledged the compliment, and the meeting separated
after appointing a committee to carry out the resolution. •

ANEW TERROR TO RAILWAY TRAVELLERS.-.On
the Manchester and Milford Haven line (shortly to be
opened) there will be a iStation named Pontrhy4fendigaid