The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-21 00:00:00

MARYLEBONE.

Last evening an aggregate public meeting of the
electors of the borough of Marylebone was held at
Hall's Riding School, Albany-street, Regent's-park,
for the purpose of giving public expression to, the
opinion of the electors and inhabitants of the
borough to what in their opinion should be the basis
of any future measure of reform. Sir James Duke,
was called to the chair. The Right Hon. Sir B.
Hall, M.P., and Mr. Edwin James, M.P., were
present, and were well received by the meeting.
Mr. ROBINS proposed the first resolution :--
"That in the opinion of this meeting no scheme for the
reform of the representation of the people will be satisfac-
tory unless it provides for a large disfranchisement of the
smaller boroughs, a redistribution of seats upon the prin-
ciple of property and population, a rating franchise, vote
by ballot, and triennial Parliaments."

Mr. D'IFFANGER, jun., seconded the resolution;
and in reference to representation he said, if Mary-
lebone had a fair representation in Parliament, ac-
cording to property, it ought, instead of two, to have
46 members ; if by population, it was entitled to 16 ;
and if the criterion was the inhabited houses, then
they were entitled to 10. (Cheers.)
After some discussion, the resolution was put and
carried unanimously.
Sir B. HALL said he had so recently expressed his
opinions at various public meetings that he believed
the views he entertained upon the subject of reform
were well known to his constituents. He would,
however, again declare that his conviction was that
in any coming Reform Bill a large re-distribution of
seats was absolutely necessary, as well as a large
extension of the suffrage. He did not entertain
these opinions as a mere political claptrap, but he
had always held them. (Applause.) As to the extent
and quality of the franchise there were a great
many opinions prevalent, but upon that point he
(Sir B. Hall) agreed in the principles contained
generally in the resolution which had been adopted
by the meeting. For 22 years he had been their
member, but he had never been asked by his consti-
tuents to pledge himself to any particular pro-
gramme. He had always stood in the House of
Commons in the proud position of an unpledged
and unfettered representative, and, although that
had been the case, he believed he had ever dis-
charged his duty faithfully to his constituents and
the country at large. (Applause.) After referring to
the conduct of the Government in causing a disso-
lution of Parliament at such a time—for which
they would have to bear themselves the responsi-
bility the right hon. baronet expressed his
readiness to go to the hustings and meet any one
who came forward. (Cheers.)
Mr. EDWIN JAMES said that it gave him
great pleasure to attend an aggregate meeting of
the electors like that which was met to express an
opinion upon the reform question. (Hear, hear.)
He was at the same time glad to hear that the
rumour was unfounded that their two representa-
tives were to be " nailed" to some particular reform
scheme, as that would be a kind of slavery, which
was a disgrace to such an influential and indepen-
dent borough. (Applause.) When a representative
forfeited the confidence of his constituency, let them
get rid of him ; but the representative who was to
be " nailed" to a certain policy was unworthy to be
their representative if he was so bound down in a
sort of political slavery. (Great cheering.) The
hon. gentleman then proceeded to comment upon
the provisions of the Government Reform 'Bill,
which he urged was a miserable measure, and not
worthy the consideration of several weeks, and
hence it was at once rejected. (Applause.) They
did not want any revolution but a peaceful revolu-
tion, and in conclusion he earnestly hoped that the
present agitation would lead to the passing of such
a measure as would be another bulwark of the freest
nation on the globe. (Prolonged cheers.)
Mr. HUDSON moved a vote of confidence to the
borough members, which was seconded by Mr.
WATSON, and carried amid enthusiastic applause.