The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-28 00:00:00

Representation of Westminster.

Last evening the Hon. Captain W. Grosvenor,
the candidate for the representation of the city of
Westminster, met the electors of the parishes of St.
Margaret's and St. John's, at the Temperance-hall,
Broadway, Westminster. Mr. Charles Forster,
M.P., occupied the chair. Captain Grosvenor said
this was the third meeting at which he had met the
electors. He would now reply to some questions
which had been put to him at the last meeting at
St. James's-hall by Mr. Beal, but which the lateness
of the hour then prevented his answering. He had
been asked whether he was in favour of the abolition
of capital punishment. He certainly thought an
alteration was required in the law as it at present
stood, and without giving any distinct pledge he
might state that his opinion was in favour of the
abolition of the punishment of death. Ile had been
asked whether he was favourable to the abolition of
the system of purchasing commissions in the army.
He would at once say he was not prepared to vote
for that measure. Again, he was asked if he was
favourable to the abolition of flogging in the army.
As an English gentleman, he thought the practice
of flogging brutal and degrading. He did not see-
any reason why it should be continued in regiments
on home service, but he thought when an army was
engaged on foreign service in an enemy's country
such punishment might be necessary in extreme
cases. With regard to the present system of taxa-
tion, he believed that on the whole the present
taxation of the country was fairly apportioned
among all classes. He thought, however, that the
income-tax might be more equitably adjusted.
Those, he believed, were the principal questions
remaining unanswered at the last meeting. On the
great and important question of Parliamentary Re-
form he desired riot to be misunderstood. He had
every confidence in the present Liberal leaders in
Parliament. He thought Lord Palmerston's Ad-
ministration was open to grave censure for its con-
duct on the Reform question. He supported it be-
cause it had steered the country through a most
difficult period as regarded foreign affairs, and kept
the country clear of war. lle was prepared to give
the franchise in boroughs to every householder,
with an educational test. He was prepared to give
the voter the protection of 'the ballot. He was
prepared to vote for a better equalisation of electoral
districts, and to do away with the small nomination
boroughs. But he was not prepared to admit the
working classes as a body to the franchise, which,
he thought, would be a transference of political
power into the hands of a class unfitted by educa-
tion to hold that power. He was a constitutional,
but not a revolutionary, Reformer. He had formed
his opinions after due deliberation, and did not think
he should alter them lightly and hastily. If they
returned him to Parliament, he could not go as a
delegate, but must be sent free and unfettered to
assist in carrying out the great principles of civil
and religious liberty to which he had always been
attached. Mr. Scudamore asked if the candidate
would vote for the recognition of the Southern
States. Capt. Grosvenor said that under present
circumstances he thought neutrality was the best
policy, whatever his own sympathies might be. Mr.
Smith asked if he would support or bring in a bill
for the abolition of the game laws. Capt. Grosvenor
said he would not. Mr. W. L. Jones then moved a
resolution declaring the Hon. Capt. Grosvenor a fit
and proper candidate for the representation of West-
Minster. Mr. B. Cox seconded the resolution. Mr.
Leno moved as an amendment that the meeting have
kto confidence in the candidate now before them, and
do not consider him a fit and proper candidate for
Westminster. Mr. Morley seconded the amendment.
Mr. J. Beal supported the amendment in a long
speech. The chairman then put the amendment and
resolution to the meeting, and, on a show of hands,
said he was sorry to announce that the amendment
Was carried by a large majority. The meeting, •
Which was very noisy throughout, then terminated
With a vote of thanks to the chairman.