The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-27 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Yesterday afternoon an important meeting of the
Liberal party was held at Mr. Gladstone's residence
(11, Carlton House-terrace), for the purpose of con-
sidering the course which the party should adopt
with reference to the Government Reform propo-
sals. In all 289 members were present.
Letters expressing cordial co-operation in any
course on which the Liberal party should resolve
were received from several other members. The
total numerical strength of the Opposition thus
represented at the meeting was considerably over
300. To this must be added others who may yet
be way cring, but who, if they could have heard the
speech of Earl Grosvenor, would probably have at
once cast away their political crutches, like the
cripples of Bethesda. We disclose no secret when
we state that a greater triumph for the Liberal
party, a more hearty and conspicuous homage to
the skill with which that party has been handled by
Mr. Gladstone during the present session, it was
impossible to conceive. Earl Russell, Earl Gros-
venor, and Mr. Bright joined, each from his own
point of view, in hearty recognition of that fact.
So numerous was the meeting that an unex-
pected difficulty arose at the very outset, from the
circumstance that no room in Mr. Gladstone's resi-
dence was large enough to contain all those who
had arrived, and an adjournment accordingly took
place to the hall. Here, thickly crowded over the
large space, and grouped on the broad staircase,
stood the audience. With no studied arrangement
for pictorial effect, nothing could be more striking
than the scene presented, as Mr. Gladstone—stand-
ing at the head of the first flight of stairs, with
Lord Russell by his side, and several leading mem-
bers around him ; while others looked down on
the stirring spectacle from hastily assumed points
of view amid the statuary and paintings—came
forward to apologise for the limited accom-
modation which his house offered to so distin-
guished an assemblage. He added, with a
certain quiet humour, that he hoped., and believed
this would be the only defect in the adaptation of
their counsels to the urgency before them. He
then proceeded to review the position in which the
Reform question now stood. He particularly ex-
pressed his desire to see it settled as speedily as pos-
sible. He was so anxious that such should be the
case, that he hoped there would be no factious op-
position, as he on his part would certainly offer none.
He could not avoid expressing his great regret that
so much time had been lost, and trusted that an
honest endeavour would now be made to settle the
matter. It was essential that they should have a
bill which would be satisfactory to the country.
Added to this was another essential, that the
measure should be passed speedily. It was im-
possible for him not to remark that the Govern-
ment bill was unsatisfactory in two very important
particulars. The first was, that the claims of the
working classes for political power had not been
sufficiently considered; and the second, that the
proposal for the redistribution of seats fell far short
of what was required by the wants of the country.
He was decidedly of opinion that the number of
working men who would be added to the register by
lowering the franchise to a £6 rating would fall short
even of the estimate which he gave the other night.
He did not believe that it would add 100,000 men
to the register, and he formed that judgment from
data which he had consulted that morning. Re-
specting the progress of the Government proposal,
the right hon. gentleman showed how desirable it
was to get it through the first and second, readings,
and then of moulding it to such a shape that the
Liberal party could with consistency pass it. On
the present occasion it would be premature to ask
their opinions as to the alterations which would be
required. As the bill passed the different stages,
he should take the liberty of calling them together
for consultation, so that they might fairly consider
any propositions.
Titrl Russell followed Mr. Gladstone in a speech
of admirable tone and strength. He referred to the
many shortcomings of the bill. That portion of the
noble lord's speech which was received with special
attention alluded to the necessity of the Liberal
party's putting their trust in some one as their
leader in the House of Commons. He need scarcely
say that there was no one to whom that party and
the country could point but Mr. Gladstone. This
portion of the noble lord's remarks, Ave need
hardly say, afforded especial satisfaction, in scat-
tering to the winds any delusions the Tory party
might have cherished as to jealousies or divisions
existing among the leaders of the Liberal party.
Equally gratifying . was the next speech. In
answer to loud calls Earl Grosvenor addressed the
meeting. In substance his lordship condemned the
Government measure, defended the position of him-
self and friends, and said that he desired to act with
the_great body of the Liberal party. They would
support any large measure of Reform, but could not
approve of Mr. Disraeli's proposal. We believe the
noble lord's expression of sympathy with the object
of the meeting was so hearty as to occasion not less
surprise than delight to those who heard him. He
was clear, straightforward, and impressive in a high
degree, and' expressed a sincere confidence in his
fellow-countrymen, who are too well pleased to see
that so influential a politician has cast in his lot with
the cause of progress to cherish any grudge at past
mistakes.

Mr. Bright followed Earl Grosvenor. His tone
was quite in harmony with that of previous
speakers, but he was keenly sarcastic in his allu-
sions to those who should carry any farther the
complimentary farce of expecting " any good thing
to come out of the Nazareth of Toryism." He
pointed out that it was contrary to reason and
experience that the Conservative party should
propose a Reform Bill that either would or ought
to settle the question. He contrasted their position
with that of Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wel-
lington on the questions of Catholic Relief and the
Corn Laws ; and he asserted that it was now quite
evident, by the course of events for the last few
weeks, that whatever they did would be against
their will, amid counsels divided and distracted,
concurring in this one thing only—to give the least
they could to the people, and fence round that little
with compensatory restrictions.
After observations from Mr. Ayrton and other
members, it was agreed that Mr. Gladstone should
give notice of the following amendment in the House
of Commons that evening :

" That her Majesty's Government having In-
formed the House of the principal provisions ,9f
bill which they propose to introdUce for the amend-
ment of the representation of the people in Parlia-
ment, it is the opinion of the House that, under
present circumstances, the discussion of the resolu-

tion now before it must tend to delay the practical
consideration of the question ; and that it will be
for the public advantage that the plan of her
Majesty's Government should be submitted to the
House in a definite form."

The meeting exhibited a very unanimous spirit,
and a strong desire was manifest that the question
should be settled as soon as possible.
Mr. Gladstone apologised for the trouble which
he should give members in again calling them to-
gether, but he was met by assurances that, so far
from its being any trouble, it would afford those
present the greatest satisfaction to meet him.

The conference lasted about one hour and a
quarter.

We should add that when Lord Russell, Mr.
Bright, and other leading members arrived at Carl-
ton House-terrace, they were at once recognised by
the crowd assembled, and greeted with enthusiastic
applause.—Telegraph.

CONVICTION UNDER TIIE MEDICAL ACT.—On
Monday, at Dewsbury, W. Knowles, of Hanging Heaton,
was brought up on a charge of wilfully and falsely pretend-
ing to be a surgeon, and taking the name and using the
title of surgeon, implying that he was registered under the
Medical Act. Mr. Wm. Wiseman, surgeon, was the com-
plainant., and it appeared the defendant was formerly an
assistant in his service...He had,selected three out of at least
50 cases which had come to his knowledge in which the de-
fendant had signed certificates of the deaths of patients, and
styled himself a surgeon. The evidence being conclusive,
the defendant, by the advice of his attorney, withdrew his
plea of not guilty, and admitted the three offences proved
against him. Fines amounting to 10 guineas were imposed,
with the alternative of three months' imprisonment.—
Yorkshire Post.