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

Representation of Westminster,

Last evening the lion. Captain W. Grosvenor,
Lilo candidate for the representation of the city of
Vestminstor, met the electors of the parishes of St.

Alargar et's and St. John's, at the Temperance-hall,
Broadway, Westminster. Mr. Charles Forster,
1.P., occupied the chair. Captain Grosvenor said
a •

NS was the third meeting at which he had met the
electors. Ire would now reply to some questions
Which had been put to him at the last meeting at

6t• 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
(11 Capital punishment. He certainly thought an
alteration was required in the law as it at present
atood, and without giving any distinct pledge he
kight state that his opinion was in favour of the
abolition of the punishment of death. He had been
eked whether he was favourable to the abolition of

the system of purchasing commissions in the army.
4e 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
ah3r reason why it should be continued in regiments
°4 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
eases. 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.
-(hose, he believed, were the principal questions
elnaining unanswered at the last meeting. On the
great and important question of Parliamentary Re-
farm he desired not to be misunderstood. He had
,s'very confidence in the present Liberal leaders in
Parliament. He thought Lord Palmerston's Ad-
taihistration was open to grave censure for its con-
(ket on the Reform question. He supported it be-
eause it had steered the country through a most
'afacult period as regarded foreign affairs, and kept

the country clear of war. He was prepared to give
'llc franchise in boroughs to every householder,
‘lllth 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
,(118tricts, and to do away with the small nomination
ooroughs. But he was not prepared to admit the
,Forking classes as a body to the franchise, , which,
4e thought, would be a transference of political
power into the hands of a class unfitted by educa-
-104 to hold that power. He was a constitutional,
°a t not a revolutionary, Reformer. He had formed
1118 Opinions after due deliberation, and did not think
e 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
akist in carrying out the great principles of civil
and religious liberty to which he had always been
attached. Mr. Scudamore asked if the candidate
°llld vote for the recognition of the Southern
.fates. Capt. Grosvenor said that under present
eltemnstances he thought neutrality was the best
whatever his own sympathies might be. Mr.
for
asked if he would support or bring in a bill
°1: the abolition of the game laws. Capt. Grosvenor
441 d 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-
itenster. Mr. B. Cox seconded the resolution. Mr.
110 moved as an amendment that the meeting have
° Confidence in the candidate now before them, and
1,,(1 not consider him a fit and proper candidate for
estminster. Mr. Morley seconded the amendment.
,_t• J. Beal supported the amendment in a long
~v,eech. The chairman then put the amendment and
t7clution to the meeting, and, on a show of hands,
:1(1 he was sorry to announce that the amendment
i,BB carried by a large majority. The meeting,
w
°lOl was very noisy throughout, then terminated
nth a vote of thanks to the chairman.