The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-04 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK ELECTION.

A public meeting of the members of the Temper-
ance Societies in Southwark took place last even-
ing, in the Catholic Schoolroom, Price's-street,
Gravel-lane, to consider what measures were neces-
sary to be adopted in promotion of the objects of
the society in the pending election for the borough.
Mr. PURVIS was called to the chair, and said that
the temperance friends, who were now a large and
organised body, considered that they ought to
throw their weight in the scale in favour of the
candidate to represent their borough who would.
support the permissive prohibition bill when
brought before Parliament. A deputation would
be appointed to wait upon the several candidates,
and ascertain which one was favourable to the cause
of their society. Temperance societies were now
established in every large town, and in each locality
they were uniting their moral influence to further
in every possible way a legislative enactment to
lessen the sale of spirituous liquors, and thereby
prevent so much drunkenness with its concomitant
miseries stalking throughout the land. (Hear.)
The Rev. DAWSON BURNS, Superintendent ef
the United Kingdom Alliance, proposed the first
resolution, namely--" That, in the opinion of this
meeting, the liquor traffic is a national curse, and
ought therefore to be suppressed. And this meeting
is further of opinion that the plan of permissive
prohibition suggested by the United Kingdom
Alliance (to the effect that the liquor traffic
should cease in every place where, on a poll
of the ratepayers or other inhabitants, two-thirds
of the votes given were in favour of that result) is
equitable, liberal, and constitutional, and should.
receive the vigorous support of every member of
the House of Commons." He said the question of
a permissive bill had been brought before two suc-
cessive Home Secretaries, and no objection brought
against the principle of such a measure. Mr. Bass
had been seen, and stated his belief that if the bill
were enaeted, it would not be adopted 1 y any is-
whichietxwalsi
excellent
to the )
deputation d
reasonined by
for his supporting
it, since he would gratify its
supporters and not
thattict htios was an ee
endanger the liquor traffic The Alliance had been
exerting an influence in el • ection affairs by inducing
the temperance electors t
action. This had to combine and take united.
Devonport, been successfully done in Bristol,
be carried out Brighton, and other places ; and would
hear.) This wherever a vacancy occurred. (Hear,
dictation, but meeting had nothing to do with
and direction
was intended to give consolidation
to the public sentiment hostile to the
liquor trade. (Hear.)
Mr. CARBINES seconded
the motion. He said he
had been •
a working man himself, but was happily
now an employer. He attributed. the large tax
levied in all districts for the poor rates to the num-
ber of persons who were obliged to seek relief at
the union in consequence of ill health and disease
engendered by drunkenness.
The motion was then pat and carried unani-
mously
Mr. GILLAM proposed and Mr. STOCIIER seconded
the following resolution, which was also carried
unanimously :—" That an electoral committee be
now appointed, with the following objects :-1.
To communicate to the several candidates for
Southwark information respecting the present meet-
ing. 2. To request an interview with each candi-
date, and obtain from him in writing a statement
of his opinion on the permissive plan of the
Alliance. 3. To take such measures as they may
deem expedient for securing a united temperance
vote at the ensuing election.
An ELECTOR said he was one of Mr. Layard's
committee, and he had himself put the question now
resolved by the meeting to that gentleman, who
proposed pe
stated that he was favourable to the r-
missive bill.
Mr. NECK expressed his hope that the electors
would vote in favour of Mr. Layard, for whom
three cheers were given by the meeting. The
usual vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman,
'and the proceedings terminated,