The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-13 00:00:00

~~~~ ~~~~

/20.2

~G~Gc ~

•
te.f.

The Bolton Reform Union,

- -

Last evening, a crowded meeting, convened by the Bolton
branch of the National Reform Union, was held in the
Temperance Hall, Bolton. The chair was taken by Mr.
-T. Thomasson.

Mr. BARNES, M.P., said that that meeting was held for
the purpose of promoting reform, and it was certainly most
appropriate that they should make some allusion to the loss
which the country had sustained by the death of one of
the greatest reformers England had ever bad. (Hear, hear.)
IHe should therefore propose :—" That this meeting unites
to express its deep sense of the loss which this country and
mankind has sustained in the death of Richard Cobden, and
expresses its sincere sympathy and condolence with his
family." Mr. Cobden was a thorough reformer iu all that
he undertook, and with which he was connected. As soon
as he settled in Manchester he laboured for reform in the
municipal government of the borough, and having secured
that he undertook that great measure, his success in which
would distinguish him for all time. After the repeal of the
corn laws Mr. Cobden was still a reformer, and he pro-
ceeded to look to the expenditure of the country, especially
those items relating to the army and navy. All would also
remember his efforts in the repeal of the paper duty, and in
other great measures that distinguished him. He (Mr.
Barnes) could not sit down without referring to the scene
that he witnessed in Lavington Churchyard last Friday.
Followed as the late Mr. Cobden was by representatives
from every part of the country, by a large number of mem-
bers of Parliament, by peers of the realm, by ministers of
state, by the highest representative to this country of the
greatest nation on the other side of the Atlantic—(cheers)
—by representatives from many kingdoms on the conti-
nent, by men of all shades and positions, from one of the
highest Ministers of the Crown to the poor labouring man
who had been tilling the land, by women and children, all
bearing evidence, unmistakable and striking marks of
their attachment and veneration for that good man. (Ap-
plause.) The hand of affection was also there, shown in
those beautiful crowns, worked in wild flowers, and placed
on that great man's coffin, emblematic of a brighter crown
which he had received from the hand of his great Master
who had said to him "Well done, good and faithful ser-
vant." (Applause.)

Mr. H. ASHWORTH seconded the motion. He said it had
been stated that Mr. Cobden was a man of one idea.
True, but it was one idea at one time, and when he had
dealt with it he had another ready? (Applause.) He
lived to see the taxes knocked off 1,100 articles, and all
his efforts to remove taxation from food had been attended
with the greatest possible success. In fact, his mission
had been eminently fulfilled, and a more noble-minded
man never trod the earth. (Hear, hear.) Locally speak-
ing, Bolton had to thank Mr. Cobden for the interest he
took in the British school. Had it not been for Mr. Cob-
den's presence he believed that that school would not have
been built.

The resolution was passed, and the Chairman said it
would afford him great pleasure to communicate that reso-
lution to Mr. Cobden's family.
The CHAIRMAN said that he would now proceed with
what was more particularly the business of the evening.
They might call that assembly the inaugural meeting of
their Reform Union, the objects of which were pretty
generally known. In order to promote those objects
they proposed to send two members to Parliament--
(applause)—but in doing that they would have a very
arduous work, for they bad to convert a majority of the
existing electors. He hoped that the meetings of that
Union, by disseminating information and promoting dis-
cussion, would tend to secure that object. (Hear, hear.)
He would afford the meeting a little information about
the misdeeds of the Tories, \and their system of taxa.
tion, by alluding to the state of affairs as they
and he would show in
a
been removed. .After re-
Iniexiiiastteddirescorioen ytaeaxress
,hgaod,
re-
ferring to these points at some length, the Chairman
said that the local Conservative Association expressed no
regret for the past and promised nothing for the future;
nothing therefore remained for the electors to do but to
remove the representative of the Conservatives (Lieut.-
Col. Gray), and restore him to the calm and peaceful walks
of private life which he so eminently adorned. (Laughter,)
To disabuse the public of any idea to the contrary he (the
chairman) said that he had no intention of allowing him-
self to be put in nomination for the representation of the
borough, for he would do nothing that would have the pos-
sible effect of jeopardising the seat of Mr. Barnes. The
resolution he had to propose was that the Bolton branch of
the National Reform Union being worthy of support that
meeting pledged itself to use all the means in its power to
increase its numbers and carry out its object.
The motion was seconded by Mr. W. Crumblehulme,
supported by Mr. Jacob Bright, and adopted.
A vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding closed the
proceedings.

" And then he drew a dial from his poke,
And looking on, it with lack lustre eye,
Says very wisely, ' It is ten o'clock :
Thus we may see,' quoth ho, how the world wags."'
SHAESPEARL
Benson's Pocket Dials are artistic, accurate time
markers, made in every size, suitable for everybody, and
are sent to every part of the kingdom, safe by post, at 5,6,
7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 guineas in
gold cases; and at 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 guineas in silver
cases. A descriptive pamphlet post free for two stamps.
-J. W. Benson, Ludgate-hill, watch and clock maker to
S.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

itzso,p-r—rx
itrfrt
4zzL,V°P*
the public, and with such a triumphhnOiall, Al 4,
(cheers)—that lam glad to say it was of ihekiigifestr
service to that jolly comedian. Then, on oil' MAI
day the day was very inclement, bitterly cold, with
wind and snow assailing our visitors ; while for the
Wednesday following, the benefit of the sufferers by
the burning of the Surrey Theatre was announced,
which was happily another great success. We have
certainly received a very liberal donation during the
year ; still, gentlemen, we want all the aid you can
extend to us. We want all those who are rich to
think of us handsomely, and those who are not so
to do the best they can. As regards Mr. T. P. Cooke,
we make no complaint ; and I only wish, instead of
seeing his deserted chair, he were again amongst
us, with his popular face, wearing his Cape St.
Vincent medal, and listening to the loud cheers that
always greeted him when he rose to return thanksfor
the navy. (Cheers.); Gentlemen, while you are seated
here recognising our cause—which is also the cause
of the drama—it is cheering to see how nobly it is
headed by the names of her Majesty and the Prince
of Wales. It is also cheering to the lovers of the
drama to read in the Court Circular how frequently
our popular Prince and his equally popular Princess
are seen at our theatres, taking great interest in the
representations, and hear of the Prince personally
complimenting and encouraging the actors, and
doing all in his power to follow the example of his
illustrious and lamented father in upholding the
arts and sciences, and the stage and its charities ;
while our gracious Queen in her retirement does
not forget us, for we are again in receipt
of her queenly donation of £lOO. (Cheers.)
Thus you see, gentlemen, how the actor's art
and the actors are encouraged. And why should
they not be encouraged? As a class they are in-
dustrious, honest, generous, and charitable. I have
frequently read of the " proverbial professional
jealousy" of the performers—a term used by people
who knew nothing at all about them—for during
my more than 30 years' constant occupation in the
theatres I have seen so little of professional jealousy
that I really do not believe in its existence, at least
to any extent that can entitle it to be called " pro-
verbial." As to the kindness and generosity of the
actors and actresses, that I will allow to be prover-
bial ; for recollecting how they have thronged to
support the many charitable benefits given recently
at Drury-lane Theatre—given in the daysime, too,
when most of them had to go through their duties
at night. Look at the many subscription lista pub-
lished on behalf of some professional calamity, some
aged or needy performer—see how well the lists are
filled up. As for their charities, look at the Dra-
matic College, Alleyne's College at Dulwich, the
Drury-lane and Covent-garden Funds, the Drama-
tic Sick Fund, and this our General Fund—all
founded and sustained by the actors. Who, then,
can with any conscience rail at the theatre and its
members ? No one, except Mawworm and the fana-
tical mountebanks. And now, gentlemen, having
given the professors of the dramatic art an excel-
lent character generally, I will conclude by speak-
ing of ourselves, and the members of the Fund that
you have assembled here to-night to countenance
and help. Our accounts are open to inspection ;
always present an uncooked balance-sheet ; our
secretary is always correct in his figures ; the trea-
surer has never absconded with any of the money ;
and none of us has ever been hung, or even trans-
ported, except with delight at hearing the applause
of the public. Therefore, gentlemen, with these
agreeable reflections I leave our cause in your warm
hearts:and in your open hands. (Great cheering.)
The other toasts of the evening were the "Drama"
and the " Professionals" who gave their services on
the occasion. The receipts amounted to £350.
The musical arrangements were conducted under
the direction of Mr. C. Cooke.

S