The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-22 00:00:00

THE WESTMINSTER REFORM

SOCIETY.

On Monday night a numerous meeting of the mem-
bers of the Westminster Reform Society was held a(
Stannard's Hotel, Upper Wellington-street, Strand, "to
appoint a Committee to superintend the registration of
voters for the city of Westminster, and to consider cer-
tain reports circulated 4 the agents of Mr. C. Cochrane
with reference to the society." Mr. Blake in the chair.
The Committee having been elected, and several new
members baying been received,
Mr. HUGGETT, the secretary, stated that he had written
five letters (with the printed circular, that had been
sent
thee society,members)
to five gentlemen who were
members and who it was reported had
to all
of
the
given their support to Mr. C. Cochrane, in which he had
particularly directed their attention to the notice of the
circular, " that it was to consider certain reports cir
culuted by the agents of Mr. C. Cochrane with re-
ference to the society;" the circular having invited their
attendance.

The SECRETARY then, in answer to the Chairman,
said that not one of the five gentlemen were in the
room. But, in a few minutes, Mr. Ilallett, who was
chairman of Mr. C. Cochrane's meeting at the Hanover
square Rooms, entered the room. He however, left
befure the business he was requested to be present at
came on, and which was delayed while Mr. Huggett
went to ask him to return. This did not take place, and
Mr. Huggett stated that in the course of a conversation
between Mr. Hallett and Mr. Hocker, a member of the
society, the former said that he had no charge to prefer
against the society.
Mr. Cox observed that in the course of his canvass,
he had heard it stated that the society had received from
4 0001. to 5,0001. from candidates and representatives,
and that Mr. C. Cochrane had vouchers in his possession,
which he obtained at a cost of 1001., proving that the
society had received that sum of money. He knew that
he had not received one farthing, while he had at various
times advanced money in support of the return of a
Liberal candidate, and he had never heard of any other
member of the society having had money given to him.
—(Hear, hear.) For the credit of the society, a direct
c mtradiction to the slanderous imputations ought to g.
forth, as he knew that the reports had been the means o
Mr. C. Cochrane obtaining some votes.—(Hear.)
Mr. HUGGETT said that Mr. Cox had been on the
Registration Committee and on the Committee for
general purposes ever since he had been secretary, which
was now nearly seven years.
Mr. Cox remat Iced that he had been a much longer
period than that. _ _

Some members of the society stated that similar re-
ports had come to their knojyledge, and it had been
asserted by Mr. Rogers, a surgeon, who was an
active supporter of Mr. C. Cochrane, that as much as
8,0001. hal been received by the society.
Mr. T. P. HEALEY observed that the rumours were
calculated to affect the character of the society, and thal
they ought to receive from them the most prompt denial
—(flear.) They ought to guard themselves against
these slanders, for it was only by having recourse to
such statements that the agents of Mr. C. Cochrane had
any possible success with the electors.—(Hear.) They
would, therefore, do him a service, while they would in
flict a serious injury on the society. It was easy to be
shown that the members of that body had acted honestly
and disinterestedly, and with the best intentions, to
promote the Liberal cause, and that in the selee•
tion of Mr. C. Lushington they have asserted goon
claims to the confidence of the constituency.—(Hear.)
It could be proved, without any difficulty, that the
society has been conducted on principles of the most
perfect independence with reference to the candidates
and to those Members of Parliament who had been
returned through its influence, whose conduct, from that
very circumstance, had been enabled to be discussed with
perfect freedom and independence.—(Hear, hear.) The
character of Mr. Prout, who founded the society, and
who had taken so *warm an interest in its success, was in
itself a guarantee that nothing of a mercenary descrip
tion would have entered into the councils of that society
—(Hear, hear.) He thought that it was their duty t
show to the public that they had received no such benefit
as alluded to in the report, and that in the selection of
Mr. C. Lushington they were influenced by no motives to
dictate, but lot the independence of Westminster. He
moved the following resolution:—
" Reports having been circulated by some persons who
have given their support to Mr. Cochrane, that this
society has received funds from the representatives 01
this city, and that our recommendation of Charles
Lushington, Esq , originated in some such benefactions,
this society, convened for the purpose of rebutting such
calumnies, resolve—
" Ist. That, shortly after the passing of the Reform
Bill, it was seen by most Westminster Reformers that it
could not be final, and in order to uphold the principles
long advocated in this city, it was deemed requisite to
form a society to enunciate anti support flirther reforms.
" 2d. That this society was formed also to guard,
purify, and augment the registration of Westminster
electors.
" 3d. That all persons being electors, or by the tenancy
eligible to become so, may, upon the payment of five
shillings annually, become members of this society.
" 4th. That with the funds so arising, and with the
occasional pecuniary assistance of one member, who was
the first proposer of this society,
manyan `yearsthedwithet
gratuitouseeerary,
and
assistance Mr.
rW.
BT West,rott, Esq., in the Revising Bar-
ri
sterthe 'sCloaute of W
rt, this society has, with the strictest economy,
been able to accomplish its important functions, but that
on no occasion has the society ever added one farthing to
its funds from any of the candidates or representatives ot
this city."
Mr. fIocsEN seconded the resolution.
Mr. l'aocT observed, that in the year 1836, when the
seat of Sir F. Burdett was in jeopardy, on which occa
sion the society took up Mr. Loader, the canvassing books
were nut in readiness. The funds of the society were
then very low, upon being acquainted with which Lady
Evans offered the sum of 101. in order that the society
might be able to prepare them. But at the meeting ot
the society subsequent to the money being offered, it was
resolved that the money should be returned, which war
d. me, and he held in his hand the receipt of her Lady-
shid in acknowledgment. (The receipt was produced.)
For years they have been able to pay their secretary only
10/., and now they can only afford to give him 201. per
annum, though the services of the gentleman holding that
offioe were worth at least 501. a year.—(Hear, hear.) He
had been anxious to keep the society together, and in
that view had from time to time advanced different sums
of money. It was now in his debt 261. 12s. 4d., and he
having been owed at one time 89/. 35. 10d. He was astonished
at the hardihood of some persons, who, with an utter
disregard of truth, had dared to promulgate such un
founded charges against the society.—(Hear, hear.) He
was convinced that with every honest man the charges
would have no effect. The proceedings of the society
y personal motives, but to show that
had always been carried oHnewdiitdh
naevtieawiletodeptreomhoiteeetwhne
eLiberalece a
furm. —a( n
the society had always been deficient of funds, and he
was convinced the great majority of the electors would
rl4eAopt;tihauesLe.i)beral feel assured that the society had acted with an honest
inter-
est
the andeity foref w
thee
gstumpipeot a
ster.
aaMraakrt ea. d wa
te Williams,raelavt late voted
hour.et.o ad-
dressedtheChairman and the meeting
r CtuliPeP °scokci eMt
yr,. when'
se
eYtph'

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT CHATHAM —Tuesdey night
about half-past twelve o'clock, a fire broke out on the
premises of Messrs. Thompson, extensive boot and shoe
makers, High-street, Chatham. The fire was observed
to issue froth the top of the house, when it was found
necessary to break open the shop door, as the inmates
appeared undisturbed. Oil proceeding up the stairs, the
passage was found to be one body of flame, and owing
to the suffocating state of the staircase, the party found
it necessary to retreat. It was afterwards discovered
that the inmates had escaped from the roof to the ad
joining houses. The military from the garrison, under
the direction of the Brigade-Major, Capt. J. S. Wood,
and other officers, were soon in attendance, and were
most efficient in protecting the property, as they lined
the street for some distance, and would notallow any im-
pediment to the public rendering assistance. Besides the
garrison engine, there was one from the Royal Marines,
under the command of Colonel Nlenzies, K. 11., second in
command of the battalion; there was also the dockyard
engine, worked by the dockyard police, under directions
of Lieutenant Wise, R.N. ; as also another from the
ordinary
under control of Lieutenant Tucker, R.N. The Kent
guardship, Poictiers, with the ship's crew
engine was also on the spot. The whole of these engines
were supplied most plentifully with water from Colonel
James Best's brewery at Chatham, whin was brought
in their barrels on drays from that establishment, and,
notwithstanding the engines kept throwing a large body
of water on the burning building, the fire communicated
itself to the establishment of Dlessrs. Magnus and Son,
silversmiths.. and jewellers, and also to the nouse of Mr.
James Burrell, an extensive printer and stationer, and
also agent to the Royal Exchange Insurance-office.
The fire was not got under until four o'clock this morn-
ing. The damage done is very considerable; the amount
as yet cannot be estimated. The messrs. Thompson are
insured in the Phoenix 2501., and in the Norwich 1,0001.
Too
much praise cannot be bestowed on the military and
fine, a large
navy for their services on this as on all other similar
calamities, The Sun engine from Rochester did not
arrive tie@ the fire was nearly extinguished.
T .Sc Devon Railway was further opened to
Totnes" -"..11
on Tuesday. The weather being exceedingly
coneoUrse of persons assembled on the uc-
0881011. .