The Sun.
London, England, 1839-10-24 00:00:00

THE SU'N, LONDON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1839.

whom we can safely trust—men who are not likely to
be led away by their ignorance, or to be debauched by
bribery and corruption, to which persons of dissipated
habits, and who are not respectable in their life and
conversation, so often yield. I propose, then, to take
those men who have given a proof that they are of
sober habits—that they are of industrious lives—that
they are friends to education—that they have made

efforts to educate themselves ; men who, to a certain
extent, have profited by their successful efforts, and
have already, to a certain extent, become educated men.
" In the first place, I may, perhaps, be asked what
test I have that these men are sufficiently educated ?

and in the next place it may be inquired how, when I
have proved the extent of their education, I propose to
unite them with the particular locality in which the
provisions of the Bill are to be put in force ? In reply
to these questions, I beg to state, that in order to com-
bine the voters with the locality. I require 12 months
residence. It is provided in the Bill that no person
having the remainder of the qualification shall be at
liberty to use it, unless he has also been resident in the
parish or township for the full period of 12 "months.
" These, then, are the persons who, independent of
the rate-payers, will be admitted to the franchise. The
Board will have the power of enrolling, by an act of its
own, all Mechanics' Institutions, all Associations for
Education, all Literary Societies for all classes, under
certain restrictions and according to certain rules ; so
that all persons who have, for a certain time, been mem-
bers of those most useful, most meritorious bodies—all
persons who, for a certain time, have devoted themselves
to the affair, of those societies and associations, and thus
promoted tne education of °filers or improved their own,
all those persons hr.ving passed a certain time in such
courses, shall have a right to vote, each in the parish in
which he resides, for the members of the school corn-
mittee. Igo a step further. I propose to extend this
privilege to all persons, of whatever rank, who have
been educated at either of the Universities, at the Inns
of Chancery, at the Public Schools, or any schools what-
ever enrolled and connected with the board, and of all
classes of the community whatever, be they high, middle,
or low—l propose that all these persons, the time they
have spent at school being taken as a guarantee that they
are not ignorant, illiterate, uneducated, and dissolute
persons, shall, after a year's residence, be admitted to
the right of voting on the school affairs of the town,
parish, or district in which a school committee shall be
appointed."
Lord Brougham's plan of parliamentary representa-

tion is defective in point of simplicity. The system, as
" settled" by Lord John Russell, is complicated enough,
but the ex-Lord Chancellor would render it still more
complicated. We have already, as qualifications :-
1. The name of Freemen in certain old boroughs.
2. The occupation of a 101. house in all boroughs.
3. In county voting the possession of 40s. a year free-
hold.

4. A certain amount of copyhold property.
5. The occupation of land or house to the amount of
504 a year.
6. The attainment of twenty-one years of age.
In addition to these Lord Brougham proposes the
right of voting should be extended to-
7. Members of Mechanics' Institutions.
8. Members of Associations for Education.
9. Members of Literary Societies for all classes.
10. Members of all Education Societies for all classes.
11. Persons educated at the Universities.
12. Persons educated at the Inns of Court.
13. Persons educated at the Inns of Chancery.
14. Persons educated at the Public Schools.
13. Persons educated at any Schools enrolled and con-
nected with the proposed Educational Board.
Whatever may be said of Lord Brougham's complex
plan, it cannot be charged with the recognition of Lord
John Russell's doctrine of final liMitations, for it opens

siderable opposition in Mile-end they had confidence
that in consequence of the strong feeling which pre-
vailed among the inhabitants, permission would not
ultimately be withheld. The Directors had, in justice
to themselves, thought it right to call the attention
of the Proprietors to that subject, as it would
account to them for any delay which may seem to have
occurred in laying down the pipes. The knowledge of
the great advantage to be derived from competition had
given rise to such a powerful demonstration throughout
the district in favour of the Company, that the Direc-
tors firmly believed that all impediments thrown in the
way of its progress by men in office must ultimately be
removed. Still the Directors would urge the Proprie-
tors to use all their personal and local interest by con-
vening public meetings, and using their influence with
those with whom the power to give or withhold permis-
sion rests in the different parishes or boards to procure
their consent. The Directors, as the Proprietors would
perceive, in order to ensure expedition, had entered into
large contracts. They had incurred that responsibility
from a feeling of the importance of completing the works
with all possible dispatch, and supported by the convic-
tion that the respectable and numerous Proprietors of
the Company would willingly uphold them. Yesterday
proved that the Directors had not miscalculated in the
confidence they had reposed in the Proprietors, for
though it was not till then that the first call was payable,
more than two-thirds of the Proprietors had paid up
the call on their respective shares. The Directors, in
concluding their report, informed the Propretors that,
notwithstanding many rumours to the contrary, they
had greater confidence in the ultimate success of their
undertaking than ever, and though they personally hold
a very large proportion of the shares, they do not at
all regret the considerable investment they had thus
made in the undertaking. They, however, would sug-
gest to the Proprietors, that while the number of shares
at present held would, when the calls were all paid, be
amply sufficient to put a very considerable portion of
the district in supply, it was advisable that the number
of Proprietors should be increased as much as possible,
as by that means not only would a greater number of
consumers be ensured, but likewise the number of calls
on the shares held by the present Proprietors be de-
creased. They would, therefore, urge on the Proprie-
tors to use their influence in the disposal of shares.
The Proprietors might depend upon the active exer-
tions of the Directors in forwarding the interests of the
Company, and they had no doubt that the object which
they, with their fellow Proprietors, were labouring to
attain would soon be accomplished."

The Report having been read,
The CHAIRMAN said that was the time when any
observations might be made by any of the Proprietors,
as the Directors would be very glad to hear any re-
marks. On any point concerning the interests of the
Company, the Directors would be most happy to afford
all the information in their power. For his own part,
although he was there as the organ of the Directors, he
was also there as the organ of the meeting. As how-
ever none of his audience seemed inclined to offer any
suggestion, they were bound to proceed with the busi-
ness before them, and therefore they should dispose of
the Report.
Mr. JACKSON said that so satisfied was he with theße-
port, that he was sure he only spoke the unanimous feel-
ing of the Company when he moved that it be received
and entered on the minutes.
Mr. YATES seconded the resolution, which, having
been put by the Chairman to the meeting, was unani-
mously carried.
Some discussion then took place with regard to a
paragraph which appeared recently in the Weekly Dis-
patch with reference the Company, but it was ultimately
decided that it was unnecessary to take any steps to
prove the groundlessness and calumny of the statements
it contained. The Chairman read a letter from Mr.
Hodges, a gentleman who it was falsely stated had re-
tired from the Direction, expressing that gentleman's
warmest confidence in the integrity of the Directors,
and his satisfaction at the progress and prospects of
the Company.
The CHAIRMAN then observed that there was one
matter of much importance, respecting which he wished
to obtain the opinion of the Proprietors. They were
aware that their proceedings had now gone on to that
stage that any person wishing to become a shareholder
may be required to pay 21. or 3/. at once. That may
be an obstacle in the way of many, who would thereby
be prevented from joining their Society. He wished
therefore to obtain for the Directors the assent of the
Proprietors to allowing that sum to be paid by instal-
ments, or that they should give, at their discretion, oc-
casionally a little time. The Directors did not wish to
pursue such a course without the sanction of the
Shareholders.
Mr. MORRIS said that he certainly was of opinion
that the Directors ought to exercise that discretionary
power to which the Chairman had alluded. At all
events, he hoped that no persons would leave the room
under the impression that both Shareholders and Di-
rectors were not perfectly unanimous in their proceed-
ings.—(Cheers.) He entertained the utmost confidence
in the honour and integrity of the Directors. He would
more, therefore, that the Directors be authorised to
give such time to the new Proprietors for the payment
of the first and second instalments as they may think
proper.
This resolution having been seconded, was carried
unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the Directors, and of confidence
in them was then proposed by Mr. Morris, and having
been seconded by Mr. Gowett, was unanimously carried.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks on the part of the
Directors, and said that notwithstanding any paragraphs
which may appear in newspapers, and any devices to
which calumny may have recourse, the Directors would
continue to promote, as far as their exertions could,
the interests of the Shareholders, and by doing so they
would at the same time promote the interest of the
public.
The proceedings then terminated.

PUBLIC DINNER TO SIR It. M
ROLFE, M.P.

that country was a sufficient answer to his abusers.—
( Cheers.) Ministers had a difficult course to steer.
On the one hand they were met by a formidable fac-
tion, which resisted them at every step ; on the other,
they were urged by those who would have them proceed
faster than it was possible in the present state of public
opinion and public feeling for them to go on ; and it
was the latter class of persons that, in their desire to go
' faster, actually prevented Ministers from going so fast
as they would and could go if Reformers were more
united. In the peculiar situation in which they were
placed they pursued the medium course, which they con-
sidered best for the general interests of the people. The
Hon. and Learned Gentleman sat down amidst loud and
long-continued cheering.
" Lord Minto, and the Navy"—acknowledged by
Captain Morgan, R. N. " Lord Hill, and the Army,"
by Captain Pender. "E. 'W. Pendarves, Esq.," by
Mr. Pendarves. " Sir Charles Lemon, and the
Members of the Eastern Division," were then se-
verally drunk.
On the health of Sir R. M. Rolfe being proposed
from the Chair, and drank amidst reiterated cheering,

Sir R. M. ROLFE again rose to acknowledge the
compliment paid him in a manner so flattering to him.
His present visit to the borough, he said, was not oc-
casioned by any sudden thought, or from any contem-
plated changes, but in pursuance of an intention which
he had formed in the spring, and which he then men-
tioned to some of his worthy friends now present ; and
when the deputation were in town, two or three months
ago, he then repeated to them that intention. (The
Learned Gentleman ridiculed the idea which some of
the opposite party had given rise to, that the object
of his visit was to prepare the way for a Radical suc-
cessor !)
A great many loyal, patriotic, and other toasts fol-
lowed, and the whole terminated in a manner highly
satisfactory and gratifying to all present.
Sir Robert Rolfe and Mr. Pendarves left the room
amidst great cheering. about nine o'clock, and immedi-
ately started in a post-chaise for Bodmin, the latter
gentleman having to be present at the Sessions on the
following day. Sir Robert proceeded for town.