The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-23 00:00:00

of a scrupulous reform. But did such a charge, of cor
ruption come with a good grace from members of the
Common Council. For who were the members of the
Court of Aldermen ? (Hear, hear.) Why, during the
last ten years, fifteen elections for aldermen had taken
place ; and out of the fifteen so elected, nine had been
cho en from the Court of Common Council.. 4gain, it
ha been urged in disparagement of the aldernaanic body,
tha they did not sufficiently represent the upper classes
of the citizenS; but, notwithstanding' such a charge, the
present court numbered no less than twelve who either
were, or had been, members of Parliament; but putting
aside such imputations, no body of men were more de-
sirous of truly representing their fellow-citizens than the
aldermen themselves, and as they were desirous to stand
well with their fellow-citizens, they were unanimously of
opinion, that the time had fully arrived when the Corpo.
ration Of London should be extended on the widest basis
suitable to the age. (Hear.)
Mr. BARNES defended the Corporation from the innuen..
does which had been cast upon it by many parties. He
was in favour of extensive reform. He thought that
London ought not to be considered as being upon one
side of the river merely, but that the area of the City
Should be enlarged. What, he wanted to see was a whole
'and solid reform. (Hear.) He opposed the motion, be-
cause it was too vague, and therefore worthless.
Mr. PEAD reminded the Court that the chamberlain's
list was not all that had occurred in connexion with the
affair. A poor man by the name of Gentry had been
seized upon, and his goods sold.
Mr. Cox rose to order.
The LORD MAYOR. —I think this matter has no refer-
ence to the question before the Court.
Mr. PEAT.—Then I will give notice of motion, my
Lord, so that the whole of the question may be brought
before the Court.
The LORD MAYOR.—That you may do at the close of
debate, but not now. (Hear.)
Mr. Cox contended that the apathy of the public was
no more roused at the present time than it had been
when they went to Parliament the year before, upon
which occasion the preamble of their bill was declared
not to be proved. They had had no public demonstra-
tion, and therefore he would oppose the application.
Mr. BENNOCH declared that he regarded the motion
of Mr. Blake as embodying the greatest and soundest
principles of reform, and he thought they ought to en-
deavour to obtain that at all events. He regretted
that the discussion had taken such a turn, as he hoped
the whole of the resolutions would have, been considered
and carried together ; and he trusted a special com-
mittee would be chosen, to act day by day, until the
question was matured, and the bill prepared for pre-
sentation. (Cheers.) He would suggest that the whole
of the resolutions should be embraced in one motion.
Deputy CORNET defended the corporation as to the
fines. The Court had agreed to lower the freedom fine
to Gs. Bd. if the Government would take off the 2/.
stamp duty, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer could
not afford it. (Laughter.) He hoped it would be known
that this was the fact, so that the odium might no longer
lie at the door of the corporation.
Mr. W. A. ROSE hoped that the reform mooted by
the three motions would be entertained in one. He
did not wish it to to the Freedoms' Committee, but
he hoped that the goCourt would agree to the suggestion
of Deputy Bennoch, and send the merits to be inquired
into to a special committee, as he thought that the
Freedoms' Committee was not altogether unbiassed upon
that question. (Hear, hear.)
Alderman LAWRENCE advocated the principle of re-
form contained in Mr. Blake's motion. If they obtained
a new constituency, he did not believe that the Court of
Common Council would be better than at present ; nor
did he think, as some did, that bankers, merchants, or
others, would even then be found in the Corporation.
(Laughter.)
....

Some fu'rther discussion took place, and a variety of
suggestions were made with a view of arriving at an
unanimous determination.

Mr. Deputy PEWTRESS rose to move the incorporation
of Mr. Blake's motion with that of which he had himself
given notice, to the following effect :-
4 That it be referred to a committee to prepare and
present to this court a bill for extending the franchise
for the wardmote elections in the City of London, to all
persons occupying premises within the city, and rated
to the amount of 101. per annum. The bill to include
such other suitable alterations in the Corporation as may
be deemed advisable, and the committee to obtain the
support of the Government to the measure, and to re-
port forthwith."

Mr. BLARE and Mr. H. L. TAYLOR at once consented
to withdraw the motion and the amendment, and the
court unanimously agreed to Mr. Pewtress's proposition
amidst acclamations.

It was then resolved that the committee should be
ward committee, consisting of five of the aldermen pre-
sent, and one member of the Court of Common Council
from each ward.—The court then adjourned.

THE CABMEN AND THE NEW POLICE REGULATIONS.—
Last night a crowded meeting of the members of the
hackney carriage trade was held in St. Martin's-hall,
Long-acre, to take into consideration the measures to
be adopted in consequence of the regulations recently
issued by the Commissioners of Police relating to hack-
ney carriages. Mr. James Scully took the chair, and
commenced the proceedings by remarking on the nu-
merous hardships endured by persons engaged in the
trade, and urged upon the meeting the necessity of
seeking redress by peaceable means. The recently
issued regulations of the Commissioners of Police were
most arbitrary and unjust. The law provided for the
protection of the public, but the cab-drivers were
treated without any eopsideration. (Hear, hear.)—
Mr. Williams mtiyfd that a petition be drawn up for
presentation to th'eSecretary of State, setting forth the
grievances complained of, and praying for redress. (Hear,
hear.) Nothing, he said, could be more absurd than
the conflicting state of the law with respect to.the alleged
infringement of the cab regulations, for nearly every
magistrate had adjudicated in a different manner upon
similar cases. By the new rules the cab-driver was not
only prohibited from drinking or smoking, but from dis-
mounting his box while on the rank, and must not leave
it even to get refreshment after being out for many
hours. (Hear, hear.) There were 15,000 of them, who
were compelled to pay 10d. for a strap, which he defied
any one to say was worth more than 3d. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Wellbeloved seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously. A committee was then appointed
to take steps to obtain redress of their grievances.
Several speakers then addressed the meeting, which ter-
minated at a late hour.