The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-13 00:00:00

MR. HUME ON FINANCIAL REFORM.

The following letter has been addressed to the edi-
tor of the Bali Advertiser, relative to the grand
soiree about to be held in Hull in connexion with the
Financial Reform movement :
" Burnley•ball, Great Yarmouth, Jan. 8.
"My dear Sir,—l am favoured with your letter of
the 4th, inviting me to attend at Hull. It would be
oleaaing to me to attend the public m(•eting on the 15th.
t,) promote Parliamentary and Financial Reform, but I
have engagements that will detain me here until the
neeting of Parliament.

"Itis of the first importance to the community that
;.he middle and working clas,es should direct their se-
rious attention to the room of the Commons House of
Parliament, if they desire to effect economy in the Go-
vernment and the correction of the abuses that have crept
into the various departments of Government in Church
tnd State.

" As a radical reformer, I want no more for the
people than that right which the Constitution, by both
letter and theory, gives to them, viz.—that full influence
,n their own House of Parliament which will empower
.hem to attend to the wishes and wants of the millions.
" Blackstone, \Vhitelcck, and all the really able con-
-titutional writers o( former days, declare that ' No
roan shall be taxed except by his own voice, or the voice
his.representative in the Commons House of Par-
liament.'

"Is that the case now? The aristocracy have, as
Peers, not only full power in their own House of Lords,
but they have virtually the power (which they take care
to exercise) of waning a large portion of the represen-
tatives (as ►hey are called) to the Commons House of
Parliament, and thus are able to nullify, as far as ♦oting
does, the votes of the few who are really the represeu-
'atives of the people.

" By that system of abuse the acts of the Legislature
have thrown into the hands of the few a large proportion
)f the taxy.tien wrung from the millions; and it is time
that that system should be put an end to.
" We have done much to put an end to moncpoliea in
commerce ; let us put an end to the monopoly of that
political power which has enabled Parliament, thus con-
,titated, to raise the taxation of the country from
16,000,000/., in 1792, to 58,000,0001., in 1850.
_ .

" It is only by extension of the suffrage to all parties pay-
irg taxes, and to registered residents for a certain time in
,ome house; by protection to them in 'voting; by short
Parliaments; and by a more equal apportionment of re-
reseatatives to electors, that the monopoly of political
rower can be annulled and the proper application of the
public taxes can be effected.
" The association to which I belong, and on behalf of
which Sir Joshua Walmsley will appear among you on
the 15th inst., has these objects in view; and I hope the
oeople of Hull will respond to the cal and adopt such
means as are in their power (in spite of Peers and their
supporters) to obtain that reform which I have pointed
out. I have proposed that extent of reform for the last
two sessions with little success. I shall repeat my mo-
tion the ensuing session; and I trust your meeting will
give us the support of Hull.
" My course in promoting these reforms is the same as
I had adopted and endeavoured to carry out many years
ago, when you were one of my aids in the cause. You
will find no change in the principles I have almost singly
advocated and those that the association are promoting.
" Please to make my excuse, while I remain yours
sincerely. "JOSEPH Hums.
" Mr. E. F. Collins, Hull."