The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-05 00:00:00

IBER.

THE MEMBERS OF ROCHESTER AND

THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

Last night, at eight o'clock, a crowded public
meeting of the freemen and other electors of Roches-
ter was held at the Corn Exchange in that city, to
hear addresses from the sitting members, Mr. Ser-
geant Kinglake and Mr. P. W. Martin, explanatory
of their views on various important questions.

The chair was occupied by Mr. STEELE, who
commenced the proceedings by alluding to the ser-
vices rendered by the hon. members during the
period they had represented the constituency. At
a recent meeting, convened by the Reform League
and held in that city, he did not attend, because he
was not in favour of manhOod suffrage ; but he must
say that every credit was due to that League, and
especially to Mr. Bright, for keeping the Reform
question in a state of agitation, and it must not be
allowed to rest until a good sound Reform Bill was
carried. He had no faith in such a bill being car-
ried by the present Tory Government, and fully
believed that the Liberals would soon find it neces-
sary to kick them out.
Mr. P. W. MARTIN, M.P., after alluding to
various local topics, said he had now represented the
city eleven years, and it was very probable that some
of his best friends might not agree with him in
everything he had to say, but they would find that
he had honestly redeemed. his promise to support
measures calculated to benefit all classes of the coat
munity. He had voted for the Reform Bill of the
late Government on every division that took place,
except one, when he paired. He thought that no
true Liberal member of the House of Commons
could look back at the results of the last session
without a feeling of chagrin and regret that such an
excellent opportunity had been lost for settling, at
least for a considerable period, the vexed question
of Parliamentary Reform. Personally, he should
have voted for a much more advanced measure, and
hAd a twenty-pound franchise in counties, and an
eight-pound borough franchise been passed, as it
ought to have been, eleven years ago, they should
now have been looking for a more liberal franchise.
It was a great mistake to suppose that after the last
general election the Liberal Government had a clear
working majority of 70, because out of this so-called
majority there were 28 members who in the previous
Parliament had voted against a six-pound borough
franchise. Taking this as a test, therefore,
the Liberal majority would dwindle down to
16. He believed that Mr. Gladstone was per-
fectly honest and sincere in his endeavours to
carry his bill through the house ; but from the day
it was introduced, when he heard Mr. Gladstone
say that there were only 12 days to discuss it, be
thought that it stood very little chance of being
passed. One of the greatest mistakes in the bill
was the 16th clause, which -provided for the dis-
franchisement of dockyard workmen. After detail-
ing the efforts made by himself and other members
to strike out this clause, which would have been
done had the bill passed, Mr. Martin observed that,
strong advocate as he was for a comprehensive mea-
sure of reform, he would not step over the floor of
the House of Commons to support Earl Russell's or
any other Reform Bill if that game was -to be re-
peated. The question of reform could not be left
in abeyance, and would continue to impede the
progress of all other legislation until it was settled.
He agreed with Mr. Baines, Mr. Bright, and other
eminent reformers, that it would not be sound
policy to go to the extent of universal or manhood
suffrage at present—not that he feared.to trust the
masses of the people -with political power, but be-
cause he thought that such a-measure would tend to
paralyse trade, render capital nervous, and thus
injure all classes. He did not say that in the course
of a few years manhood suffrage would not prevail ;
and if it was the law to-morrow, he; for one, did not
believe that there would be any ugly gush upon the
rights of property, but that things would soon settle
down much in the game state that they were before.
If manhood suffrage prevailed he very much ques-
tioned whether many working men would be sent
to the house of Commons. Feor his own paar hede
should very much like to 40 se
or 50 bon
representatives of the working classes sitting as
members of that house, and then the other members
would be able to learn the opinions and wishes of
the great mass of their countrymen. For the
future ho should vote for any comprehensive
Reform Bill that appeared likely to be carried.
The question itself might be full of danger, but the
greatest danger of all was not to carry a Reform
Bill at all. Last year the country generally would
have accepted the Government Reform Bill ; even
the democratic leaders out of doors were satisfied
with it ; but delays were dangerous, and such a
moderate measure of reform might be rejected with
scorn on another occasion. After alluding to the
fiscal and commercial reforms effected by the late
Government, Mr. Marlin expressed fears that when
the budget came before the house it would be found
that the country had made .11 very bad exchange.
Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE, in the course of a
humorous address, said his hon. colleague and him-
self should be at St. Stephen's to-morrow in order
to learn the great secret—was there to be a Reform
Bill or not? It was said, " Wait till the Queen's
Speech is delivered, and then we shall know all about
it." That he did not believe, for his own opinion was
that the Tories were at a loss to know what to do
with the question ; but if anything was said about
it in the speech it would be with a view to postpone
it. The reform question had been used for years
as a shuttlecock to serve the purpose of the party in
or the party out, but that would not do any longer;

and as the Tories had turned the Liberals out be-
cause their Reform Bill was not good enough, if they
did not bring in a better they must go out of office.
A vote of confidence in both hon. members was
then unanimously adopted ; and after a vote of
thanks to the chairman the meeting separated.

Mr. Bernal Osborne and his Constituents.

Mr. Bernal Os addres;ed his constituents
_
at the Exchange Hall, Nottingham, last evening.
The lion. gentleman was received witl. cheer:.
he lie t equiet
cwhould
sot ,b
he
and e hooting, ti aeriridtrieta lt%e.:dts
ts
emme o
tim
be before
and listen to hitN. In the words of an ancient
orator he would s ty, " Strike, but hear rue
(Confusion and 'fighting. A voice, " Nottingham,
is the most rotten borough in England.") Ever_ a
rriminal was listened to on his trial, and he (Mr.
Osborne) was no criminal. (Uproar, in the midst of
which the reporters' table was knocked over.) The/-
were well aware of the treatment of reform duriup,
the last session and of the fate of the Ministr y
which brought it forward. The Ministry gave a
test of their sincerity when they resigned; and now
what would their successors do? (Uproar). The
question of reform had been before the public for
twee) years, dandled like a doll. Five times it,
had been Mentioned in Queen's speeches, and it w da
high time that it shouldtbeput in short clothes, and
allowed to run alone, as it only wanted one ?ear to
coming of age. (A. laugh). The constituencies of
England could no longer be treated as infants. If
this question had been laid to sleep by Parliament,
it was not only the fault of the Parliament, but of
the people,- who had been supine. The people,
however, were now tired of this dawdling indif-
ference ; and though he deprecated all physiwal
force; which could only end in the ruin of those 'who
used it, he could not be surprised at the large Re-
form meetings which Ilia 'taken place. in edfferent
parts of the country. The great concessions of the
age had not been given to. argument or reason. The
bill of 1832 was not given to reason. The Emanci=
pation Act was not given to reason, but the
ministers of that day were frightened into conceding
those measures. (Cheers.) They should like to
know how far he would go in a future reform bill.
He was opposed to all ahs'olute forms of govern-
ment, whether that absolute form were in the shape
of an absolute monarchy, or absolute aristocracy, or
an absolute power of numbers. Ours was a mixed
government, where the interests of all the great
community must be looked to. He was opposed to
the present position of the franchise. He wanted a
considerable infusion of the artisan class, but he
could not give his support to any measure which
advocated manhood suffrage. He was, however,
prepared to entertain the question in a large and
liberal spirit. In 1848 he spoke in favour of Mr.
Hume's motion, which would have given household
suffrage in the boroughs of this country, and be
could find nothing so revolutionary in carrying out
the provisions of the Municipal Bill of 1836 in
voting for members of Parliament. But he was not
bigoted even as to that. In these times they must
take what they could get. Although some members
of the House of Commons refused to have anything
from a Conservative Government, he was willing to
have the best measure of reform he could obtain,
let it come from whom it might. He always had a
suspicion of a man who would not take anything
but a comprehensive bill. It was going for a com-
prehensive measure that ruined the late bill. If the
Ministers had simply gone in for a reduction of the
suffrage it would have been carried. It was the re-
distribution of seats that ruined it ; and the only
redistribution of seats they got was the redistribu-
tion of seats in the Cabinet. The extreme limit they
would ever get in this country would be household
suffrage, but if he could not obtain that he would
take what he could. Practical men did not cry for
the moon. But they must do the best they could in
order to place their fellow-ountrymen in the posi-
tion they ought to occupy. The ballot would not
cure all evils, but he should like to see the experi-
ment tried. He thought intimation in this country
was almost as great as corruption, and that was say-
ing a great deal. He thought the ballot would be
much more serviceable in Ireland than in England.
Bribery in England had reached such a pitch thatwe
had become a disgiace in the eyes of foreign nations.
The army wanted reforming, the navy wanted re-
forming, and as to the House of Commons, he should
like some one well informed, like Mr. Potter, stand-
ing up in his place and bringing his theories to the
test of Parliamentary experience. There was another
reason why reform was wanted, and that was the
state of Ireland. Sixty odd years had elapsed since
the union, but the people of Ireland were still dis-
contented, and were looking to another country for
assistance. Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Gladstone were
aware of the importance-of this question. It had
been said that Ireland contained a starving popula-
tion, an absentee aristocracy, and the worst executive
in the world. But he (Mr. Bernal Osborne) did not
think the present House of Commons could remedy
those grievances. Again, referring to' reform, Mr.
Osborne said if he knew anything of the right hon.
member for Bucks he would not commit political
suicide. Assuredly if he came to the House without
a Reform Bill he might depart his official life.

A vote of confidence in the hon. member was then
passed, and the meeting, which had been of a tur.
bulent character throughout, dispersed.

LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.

( This Day.)

The market opens quiet. Sales probably about
4,000 bales.

THE PARIS EXHIBITION.—The proposal of her
Majesty's Commissioners for the Paris Exhibition to
present at one view, as nearly as practicable, every
publication which has issued from the press of the
United Kingdom during the year 1866 has made, we
believe, very successful progress towards completion.
Upwards of 3,000 volumes have been contributed by
the various publishers as a loan for exhibition, and
almost all the leading firms in London and in Edin-
burgh have sent in their publications of the year,
including many of magnificent and costly character.
Something, however, remains to be accomplished,
and it is to be hoped that those houses which have
not yet furnished their contingent towards this in-
teresting national enterprise will make haste to do
so. We understand that Saturday, February 2,
is fixed as the last day for receiving these
publications at the Paris office, South Ken-
sington Museum. The portion of the ma-
chinery gallery which has been' assigned to
rhaa st
obnese no
fo
Greatffer
Great Britain contains' 86 large clerestory
rucbeodl
eeryo.
win-
dows. It is intended to fill these with blinds of a
deietoaarreiaanbitiiowvcfeahytebahmeambraeoer
Chambers
companies,ori ,mf arcn oodtromtaaemewnteai
aßdt oner
blinds illustratingcompanies,
offered
peculiar to th
the manufactures, &c., etweeoiwn,, orto de-
coratedbe with designs, heraldic or otherwise,
erected. Among those who have at present ac-
cepted this invitation are the corporations of Lon-
don, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, New-
castle-upon-Tyne, Bradford, Oldham; Rochdale,
Stoke Chamber of Commerce, the Honourable the
Mercers' Company, and the Stock ton and Darling-
ton Railway Company. The British Executive
will fill several windows with blinds illustrating the
early history of inventions, which will form au iute-
testing series. Stephenson's "Rocket," Brath-
waite's "Novelty," Hackworth's " Sanspareil,"
being the earliest trial locomotives; Symington's
steam paddle-engine, which was the first successful
engine of its kind. Watt's sun and planet bean
engine and Arkwright's loom furnish subjects:
has
been has been stated on good authority that it
has
hat the Prince
the Prince of Wales in Ireland, and
y amongst the
been determined to provide a residence for 11.R..H.
will spend some portion of every
'lido more than aught else
to rule. No doubt this wall
feeling and loyalty to the Throne
people whom he may yet ay be called upon
to promote good
appier and more prosperous days for tho
rwolnlibofitHingasstehlo,
i
and the entry or transportation of cattle or hides,
hail the announcement as an
ianugul Ireland, aonf 1d ,
land we
Emerald Isle.
tinclauthede tpo
import or ex
Royal deere)oesrthoafve
cattle
en
horns, sre., on the Eastern Belgian fronticr:fronl
Biontzeu to Athus.

RAILWAY AND OTHER CONVANIES,

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN:

The directors of this company have resolved to
recommend to the proprietors at the ordinary gene-
ral meeting, on the 14th inst., that the dividend for
the half-year ending Dec. 31 last be at the rate of
41 per cent. per annum on the ordinary capital stock
of the company.

LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER.
A meeting of the B and C shareholders in the
Metropolitan Extensions undertaking of this com-
pany was held yesterday at the Victoria Station,
Pimlico; Mr. D. 11. Wader in the chair.
The ieport of the committee was taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, said he was glad to mention that the com-
mittee had received replies from a large number of
shareholders expressing their adherence to the views
of the committee stated in the report, and if they
were present they would nearly fill that large room.
The committee had suggested to the Board of Di-
rectors that the Metropolitan Extensions share-
holders should be duly and efficiently represented
at the Board. The capital of the Metropolitan Ex-
tensions amounted to £5,733,000, while the capital

of the general undertaking amounted to £6,709,000,
so that there could be no doubt that the Metropo-
litan Extensions interests should be duly represented
at the Board. The original capital of the Metro-

politan Extensions was £2,200,000, but for one
purpose or another it was increased by the former
Board to £5,733,000. Those who had put the
additional millions on their backs had not given
them a penny of additional tolls to compensate for
the increased capital. Although the cost of the
}jxtensions was nearly as much as that of the main
line undertaking, they only received 2s. tolls out of
the 6d. fare to Dover. The link line received
4cl. per passenger. That showed that their interests
ought to be distinctly and effectually represented at
the Board. They contended that the liabilities of
each section should be distinctly confined to such
section ; that the liability to interest on any money
borrowed should be confined to the money actually
expended on each section. They had suggested
that provisions should be made in the bill before
Parliament for securing the interests of the Metro-

politan Extensions and other sections, requiring the
liabilities of each section to be explained. They
wished to pay their own debts, but not to be saddled
with other people's debts. They were only liable
for money expended on the Metropolitan Exten:
sions, and if those and other things were fairly done
there was no reason why they should not help
the directors to get the gas bill carried. He also
thought that the debt due to them of £52,902 for
interest to June 30 last should be secured to them
less any amount paid on their account. The com-

mittee found that £283,230 of the Extensions capital
had been misapplied, leaving £192,000 clue for land ;
but this debt would take priority of the debentures.
Beyond the £192,000, about £30,000 was required
to provide accommodation for the coal traffic, and
about £22,000 for other improvements to facilitate
traffic. They would therefore concur with the
Board, and assist them in carrying out a good plan
to benefit the property, and he trusted the deben-
ture-holders would endeavour to assist the share-
holders in that object. The debentures of 1860 had
had priority of those of 1862, and the latter of
those issued in 1864. He thought the interest of
the common fund could be paid as working ex-
penses. There was nothing intended as antagonistic
to any section, but if the directors' bill should not
be carried out, or some modification of it, the com-
mittee must take other steps; and if the bond-holders
of the extensions would give them time, and not
harass them with law proceedings, £750,000 would
meet all the liabilities. If the shareholders would
subscribe 5 per cent. on their capital, and the de-
benture-holders would assist, ample funds would
soon be raised to provide what was necessary. He
was a very large shareholder, and would subscribe
£3,000 towards raising £550,000 to get the under-
taking out of debt, and provide what was requisite,
if other shareholders would do the same. If things
could not be arranged as proposed by the committee,
he thought the Metropolitan Extensions section
should go to Parliament for a bill to provide money
to pay their own debts and place their affairs on a
sound basis. There was ample rolling stock to work
the line. A great many unfounded remarks had

been made to their detriment, but he ventured to
assert that there was no railway stock south of the
Thames so efficient as that of the London, Chatham,
and Dover Company, both as regarded engines and

carriages. He thought it would be better for the
separate committees of all the sections to meet and
devise some plan of action to promote the benefit of
all parties connected with the whole undertaking.
Every member must put his hands in his pockets and

do everything in his power to protect the property.
He entirely objected to the statement in the City
Article of the Times of that morning, and denied

that there was an internecine war by which the
committees of the various interests in the company
were madly contriving to inflict irreparable damage
on all .concerned. He concluded by moving the
adoption of the report, and that the committee be
requested to continue their services.
Mr. ISHERWOOD seconded the motion.
Mr. BRISCOE was glad to know that the views of
the committee were supported by a large number
of shareholders. Without the assent of the deben-
ture-holders he thought it would be hopeless for
the B and and C shareholders to exert themselves,
therefore they must work hand in hand with the
debenture-holders. He wished to see a tangible
scheme proposed by the directors, with the neces-
sary details, showing how far it was the interest of
debenture and shareholders to assist in carrying it
through.
Mr. BILLINGS assured the meeting that they
would have no trouble with the bondholders. If
they would only secure the regular payment of the
interest, the bonds would be renewed for any length
of time.
Mr. HOGARTII suggested that if the debenture-
holders would take 4 per cent. for three years, the
preaent revenue of the company would pay it in
cash. That would enable them to get out of their
difficulties, and bring the line into punctual and
efficient working order.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. BRISCOE suggested that a petition should be
presented to Parliament by all the sections, praying
for the appointment of a committee of both Houses
to inquire into the affairs of the London, Chatham,
and Dover Railway Company, and its various sec-
tions, and the proceedings terminated.