The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-01 00:00:00

MR. ROEBUCK UNPOLITICAL AFFAIRS

A great Liberal assemblage took place at Bath
on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the pre-
sentation, by the working classes of that city, of a
handsome testimonial to Thomas Phinn, Esq., the
popular but unsuccessful candidate in the Liberal
interest at the last election. The proceedings de-
rived additional interest from the presence of J. A.
Roebuck, Esq., M.P. for Sheffield, who has not ap-
peared publicly in Bath since his defeat in 1847.
The presentation was made at a soiree held at the
Guildhall, the large banqueting-room of which was
inadequate to accommodate the numbers who wished
to be present, so that after tea the tables had to be
removed to make room for those who were willing
to pay Is. each morely to hear the speeches. Mr.
Phinn was accompanied to the platform by Mr.
'rite, M.P.' and several of the aldermen, council-
lors, and leading Liberals of the city, and both
gentlemen were received with enthusiastic accla-
mations and waving of handerchiefs by a crowded
audience, a fair proportion of which wero ladies.
Mr. Roebuck also, on subsequently making his ap-
pearance, accompanied by his brother-in-law, Dr.
Falconer, ex-Mayor, Mrs. and Miss Roebuck, and
Mrs. and Miss Falconer, was received with a perfect
ovation of applause. The proceedings throughout
were of a most enthusiastic character.

Mr. C. GREENMAN, a working man, was called to
the chair, and briefly opened the proceedings.
Letters, expressing the inability of the writers to
be presrnt, were read from Captain Seobell, Mr.
Bright, M.P., Mr. Berkeley, M.P., and Mr. Lysley,
M.P., and it was also stated that Mr. Bernal Os.
borne was prevented by important duties from at-
tending.

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The testimonial, consisting of a very hand-
some silver tea and coffee service in a suitable
mahogany case, was uncovered amidst immense
cheering, and immediately upon its presentation
the Abbey bells rung forth a merry peal. Mr.
Phinn's crest was engraved upon each article, and
the coffee-pot bore tho following inscription :—" Pre-
sented, with a tea service, to Thomas Phinn, Esq.,
Q.C., by his friends the working-classes of Bath, for
his zealous and able advocacy of their rights. Bath,
Nov., 1859." The testimonial was also accompanied
by a suitable address, beautifully written in the
illuminated style.
Mr. M. BARTLETT, a working carpenter, pre-
sented the testimonial in a fervent and able speech,
in which he eulogised Mr. Phinn ; .condemned the
Derby-Disraeli Reform Bill as a sham, and. con-
tended for the right of the working classes to share
in the representation of the country.
Mr. PIIINN, who was received with great cheer-
ing, waving of handkerchiefs, and other marks of
welcome, which were again and again renewed,
then returned thanks at considerable length, not
only for the handsome memento, but for the kind
and cordial feelings of which it was the memorial.
The man who came to combat for the Liberal cause
in Bath had great need of their syMpathy aud as-
sistance.. He had not only to advocate their princi-
ples, but to stem the tide of much calumny and mis-
representation, and to meet and refute the ascrip-
tion to himself of every motive that was base and
unworthy. Although beaten at the poll, he had the
satisfaction of knowing that he carried away with
him the good wishes of those who possessed the
capability of judging, and all the capacity for select-
ing a representative, excepting the legal power of
exercising their voice at the poll. (Cheers.) The
working elasses had that night shown that how-
ever inadequately he may have advocated their
cause, they regarded with gratitude those who
would give them a voice in the administration of
the affairs of this mighty people. The result of the
elections throughout the country was to substitute
for a ministry of reaction one of progress. The pre-
sent Ministry comprised men of all classes—men of
rank and reputation—and men who are believed to
be true friends of the people ; and though he wished
that it included other who have shown themselves
to be the peaple's friends, he could not forget that
men who advocated corn ew repeal and gave cheap
bread and free commerce to the nation, and men
who have always advocated a free press, and the
obliterating of all taxes on knowledge, are now a
part of her Majesty's Government, and are pledged
to proceed in the same course which they desire
should prosper. (Applause.) He hoped we should
have from the present Government an expansion
and extension of the suffrage, and a measure which
will enable all classes of voters to use their fran-
chise without having undue pressure upon them.
Mr. Phinn then proceeded to refer to the Italian
question and our foreign relations generally, and
expressed a hope that while dealing with affairs
abroad, we should not lose sight of-the various men-
mires of reform required at home.
Mr. TITE, M.P., next addressed the meeting.
Having referred to the course he had adopted on the
discussion on the Reform Bill of the late Govern-
ment, he expressed his hope that with regard to
many questions of the day, notwithstanding those
awfnl appearances which tend to war and alarm
the nation, something may happen so that our grow-
ing strength and importance as a military nation
may induce those who have views ambitious and
wicked enough to lead to a belief that they had any-
thing to gain by plunging Europe into war, to pause
as they seem to have done in that awful state of
things, which a few weeks ago seemed to appal all
England, and threw us into dismay, so as to enable
the Government to consider the great question of
reform as soon as Parliament meets together. With
regard, to bribery there was no remedy for it but
the ballot, for if a man does not know what he buys
and pays he will cease to bribe. With regard to a
congress he believed the Ministry. Wore sincere ;
and he was pleased to hear that Lord J. Russell
stated at Aberdeen that he would join no congress
that did not give the people of-Italy the liberty to
judge and act for themselves. On that principle he
hoped and believed the Cabinet would act, and
act firmly and sincerely.
Mr. G. Cox, jun., moved the best thanks of the
meeting to W. Tite, Esq., M.P., and John Arthur
Roebuck, Esq., M.P., for their kindness in reply-
ing to the solicitations of the working men to at-
tend the meeting.
Mr. FLOWERS seconded the resolution, and it
was carried unanimously.
JOHN A. ROEBUCK, Esq., M.P., on having been
called on by the chairman, was received with a rei-
teration of the applause which greeted his entrance,
the meeting rising and waiving hats and handker-
chiefs for several minutes. In the course of his
speech the hon. gentleman, after thanking the meet-
ing for their kindness on that occasion, referred to
his connection with that city seven-and-twenty, years
ago, and proceeded to compare the present 'with the
past. Had any injury accrued through enlarging
the suffrage ? (No.) Had England not improved ?