The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-25 00:00:00

I 1

THE REFORM BILL.

A meeting of Reformers, convened by the Par-
liamentary Reform Committee, was held yesterday
at the Guildhall Coffeehouse, in order to consider
the po ition in which the Reform question is now
placed, more especially by the proposition to submit
the bill of Lord John Russell to a Select Committee,
and to take such steps as might appear desirable to
defeat the attempt to postpone tLe question.
The CHAIRMAN having opened the proceedings,
Colonel TOWNSEND WILSON proposed the first
resolution :

" That this meeting rejoices in the defeat of the
treacherous proposal of Mr. Massey to refer the
Reform Bill of Lord John Russell, after its second
reading, to a select committee—a proceeding which
can have no other effect than to postpone to an in-
definite period any legislation in favour of Parlia-
mentary reform."

He did not consider the bill complete, but as an in-
stalment it was worthy of their acceptance.
Mr. JEFFREY, in seconding the motion, consi-
dered the bill was only a very small modicum of
what they required, but Lord John Russell had
given them the best bill that he could, and it was
their duty to accept it at his hands, and give him
their support.

The motion having been supported by Mr.
Taylor, Mr. Delaney, and Mr. Willis, was put to
the meeting and carried unanimously.
Mr. COLMAN, of Norwich, moved the second re-
solution :

" That after the pledges given by three succes-
sive Administrations, and the occurrence of a gene-
ral election on the subject of Parliamentary reform,
this meeting protests against any further compro-
mise or delay in the passing of a substantial mea-
sure, and entreats her Majesty's Ministers on no
account to yield to the reluctance which may be
manifested in the existing House of Commons to
reform itself, but, if necessiry, again, by an appekl
to the constituencies, to commit this question to the
decision of the country."
Mr. COSHAM seconded the motion.

Mr. Holyoake, Dr. Challice, Mr. Marling (of
Stroud), Mr. Coningham, M.P., Mr. Gowland, Mr.
Lucas, and the Rev. Mr. Griffith spoke in favour of
the motion, which was then carried unanimously.
Mr. LEATHAM, M.P., proposed the following re.
solution

" That this meeting regards with strong disap-
probation the repeated observations made by mem-
bers of both Houses of the Legislature as to the
unworthiness of the working classes to be admit-
ted within the pale of the constitution, and the
danger of entrusting even a fraction of them with
the franchise, believing such observations to be en-
tirely unsustained by evidence and disparaging to
the character of Englishmen, and calculated to ex-
asperate the unrepresented millions of our fellow-
countrymen."
Mr. Morgan (of Birmingham), Mr. Fenwick, and
Mr. Lawson, M.P., also supported the motion,
which was then agreed to.
Mr. S. MORLEY moved the next resolution :

" That in the event of any further delay or post-
ponement beyond the present session of Lord John
Russell's bill, Mr. Bright be requested to bring for-
ward his measure in the House of Commons ;"
which, having been seconded, was also carried.
The proceedings, which had lasted several hours,
terminated with a votn of thanks to the chairthan.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

HARWICH ELECTION.

HARWICH, TUESDAY EVENING.

The polling commenced this morning at the usual
hour, and the result of the vacillation displayed by
the Liberals in the selection of a candidate soon
became apparent. The address to the Liberal elec-
tors, in which Mr. Montagu Chambers announced
his intention of retiring from the scene, was couched
in severe but just terms :

" The knowledge I have now acquired. (wrote
Mr. Chambers) of the erroneous appreciation by
many electors of the value and responsibility of
their electoral franchise induces me to express my
belief that I cannot reasonably anticipate my return
as your representative by a majority of independent
and unbiassed votes."

Mr. Donaldson, notwithstanding the favourable
impression which he has made in the town, quickly
found to-day that the remarks of Mr. Chambers
applied with equal force to himself, and that he had
been brought down as the pis oiler of distracted
counsels. The victory of the Conservatives is to
be attributed to the united and vigorous manner in
which they have from first to last conducted the
contest, while the evil effect of discord on the Li-
berals is shown in the fact that while the Hon. W.
F. Campbell obtained, as their candidate, 134 votes
12 months since, Mr. Donaldsmi could only muster
to-day 116. This may to some extent be no doubt
attributed to the decline which has taken plade in
the numerical strength of the constituency, the
number of electors at present on the register being
only 317 ; but the Conservative candidate to day
polled 146 votes, as compared with 145 votes re-
corded for Captain Jervis in March, 1859. It is
stated that 30 Liberal electors held aloof and re-
fused to vote.

The election was virtually decided in the first
three hours. The Liberals claimed a majority of
6 at 9 a.m., but at 11 they admitted that Mr.
Donaldson had obtained only 91 votes as against 97
recorded for Colonel Rowley. After that hour
they ceased to publish any statements, but the
Conservatives continued to issue returns to a later
period in the day. These bulletins are appended :
Time. Rowley. Donaldson.
Quarter past 9
10
Half-past 10
11
112
. . . 115
. .. 125
137
141
144

Half-past 11
12

Half past 12 . .

Shortly after 4 o'clock the numbers were officially
stated by the Mayor ( Mr. F. Hales) as follows :
For Colonel Rowley
For Mr. Donaldson
_ _ _

His WORSHIP accordingly, amid loud cheers
from Colonel Rowley's supporters, declared the hon.
and. gallant gentleman duly elected (cries of." By
bribery") a member to serve in Parliament for the
borough of Harwich.
Colonel RoWLEY briefly expressed his thanks,
and stated that he should do his utmost to pro-
mote the prosperity of the town without reference
to party considerations.
Mr. DONALDSON also addressed the meeting with
much good humour, and the proceedings closed with
a vote of thanks to the mayor.

71118 DAY'S MARKETS.