The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-12 00:00:00

lIVCOME AND PROPERTY TAX.

MEETING AT SOUTH' Al
Yesterday a meeting of the inhabitants of the Bo-
r.A]gla of Southwark, convened by the High Bailiff, in
accordance with a requisition that had been presented to
him was held at the Town-hall, Southwark, to consider
and adopt the most effectual mean for the immediate

- -
reduction of the Income and Property-tax.
Mr. Pritchard, Esq., High Bailiff, in the cbair.
Amongst those present were Mr. A. Pellatt, M.P.,
Mr. CloHinson, Mr. Vickers, Mr. Burrell, Dr. Challice,

Mr. White, Mr. Newsome, &c.
The HlGrt BAILIFF having announced the object of

the meeting,
Mr. VICKERS proposed the following resolution :
" That this meeting consider that the present Income-
tax of is. 4.1. in the pound is, from its enormous amount,
the mode of its assessment, and its despotic and inquisito-
rial character, most oppressive and unjust towards the
pro!essional, i=nufacturing, and commercial interests of
the country, and feel that its continuance beyond the sth
of April next will be a violation of promise made at the
1 time of its enactment, and a breach of good faith on the
part of the Government."
In enforcing the resolution he referred to the origin of
the tax, and that peace having been proclaimed the
Government ought to relax the tax.
Mr. COLLINSON seconded the resolution, believing the
time was come for the public to speak its mind on the
subject and call for its immediate reduction. It would
not be honest on the part of the Government to take
advantage of any quibble between the time of the signa-
ture and ratification of the treaty of peace to refuse the
redaction of this tax.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Dr. CHALLICE moved the next resolution, and in doing
so, said that the feeling of the borough was unanimous on
this question, and they Were determined not to support
candidates to represent them on another occasion who
did not use their influence to compel the Government,
if necessary, to reduce the tax to 7d. in the pound.
He moved the following resolution :
" That the principle of taxing permanent and precarious
incomes at the same rate is neither just nor equitable; that
the arbitrary mode of assessment, so repugnant to the feel-
ings of Englishmen, is productive of undue extortion of the
one hand, and extensive coercion on the other, and has only
been submitted to as a necessity for the maintenance •f the
national honour during the recent war ; and this meeting
pledges itself to use every available means for procuring an
immediate reduction of the tax to its original amouit of 7d.
in the pound."
Mr. d,. PELLATT, M.P., supported the object of the
meeting, because the tax was only increased for war pur-
poses, and now that we had peace it ought to be reduced.
A letter was read from Sir C. Napier, excusing his
absence.

The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. DAY moved the third resolution, which was that
persons whose income did not exceed 1501. per annum
ought not to be called on to pay this obnoxious tax, and
that the first 1501. on higher assessments should not be
chargeable.
Mr. PAINE seconded the resolution.
An INIIAEITANT suggested that an addition be made
to the resolution, that as the tax pressed with peculiar
hardship on those who had an income of 1501. they
should be the first to be relieved, which was agreed 'so,
and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A resolution was then carried, forming a committee to
carry out the objects of the meeting, after which a vote
of thanks was accorded to th© chairman, and the meet.
ing separated.

MEETING AT PUTNEY.

ANTFIILLY FATAL AND SUDDEN TERMINATION OF THE

PROCEEDINGS.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of Putney and its
vicinity having been announced to take place last night,
at the National School-room, Putney, for the purpose of
obtaining a speedy reduction of the property and income
tax, a numerous assemblage took place. The object also
of the meeting was for forming a district society to co-
operate with the parent society in London.
Mr. LOBJOIT moved that H. H. Dodgson, Esq., should
take the chair, which, having been seconded and unani-
mously carried, he did accordingly.
The CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting upon the sub-
ject for which it was =vaned, and then read letters of
apology for absence from Mr. A. E. Dryden and Mr.
Albert Jackson, after which
W. H. LORD, Esq., rose for the purpose of proposing
the first resolution. Before proceeding to do so he made
some preliminary observations, and then moved the fol-
lowing :—" That looking at the Ministerial promises
made at the time of passing the act of Parliament in-
creasing the income tax from 7d. to ls. 2d. in the pound,
this meeting is of opinion that the confidence hitherto
reposed by the professional and trading communities in
the governing classes of this kingdom will be shaken if
the termination of the war is not followed by the speedy
repeal of the tax, in its present and most oppressive
brill, on the sth of April next, and its total repeal in
conformity with Mr. Gladstone's act." He then said he
would I,rielly remark, first—[The speaker here became
tremulous, and said he felt overpowered, and fainted.
The windows were opened for the purpose of air, and
some water was administered, and be was then carried
out of the room, a medical gentleman (Dr. \Vightman)
being present, attending him.]
When the sensation created in the meeting had in
some degree subsided,
Mr. Avis briefly seconded the resolution.
Mr. Buoy; the secretary of the London Society, then
began to address the meeting, when he was interrupted
by _ _ _

The CHAIRMAN, who announced, in breathless asto.
nishment, that Mr. Lord had ceased to exist the momen
he was carried out of the room.

At this juncture it is inspossible to describe the sensa•
tion that followed this announcement, so truly verifying
the words " In the midst of life we are in death."

From this Sudden, lamentable, and vnlooked-for
event the pr•:csedings of the meeting abruptly termi-
nated, and it was moved and seconded that the meeting
be adimmed sine die, which was carried.
The deceased gentleman was removed to a neighbour-
ing cottage. and laid upon a sofa, Dr. Wigbtman at-
tendlng. &fere, however, he was taken into the house
the imAlical gentleman declared the pulse had ceased to
beat.

Mr. Lord was about 65 ycars of age, was much re-
spected by the inhabitants of Putney, and has left a
wife and two children to regret his loss.
In the course of half an hour the body was removed
to the r,tsideace of the deceased (hy Mr. Dean, builder),
23, Terrace, Putney, where it awaits a coroner's inquest.