The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-24 00:00:00

THE IRISH ME3IBE.RS AND THE
.REFOB.3I BILL.

A " private correspondent" of the Dublin Even-
ing Freeman writes, on Monday evening :—" An
important meeting of Irish members has just been
held here, the object being to determine what course
should be taken with regard to the question of re-
fcrm. lam happy to be able to inform you that
the most perfect unity of sentiment exists between
the liberal members from Ireland on all subjects
connected with this important question. lam not
at liberty at this stage of the proceedings to Give
you such ample details as I otherwise would wish ;
but I may state what I know will prove gratifying
to the Irish people, that so far from being apathetic
or inactive, the Liberal members are keenly watch-
ing every event as it arises, with a view to take
immediate advantage of every opportunity that
may offer for advancing in the most successful way
the great principles which they were elected to
promote. More than one conference will be held
during the week, in order that the measures to be
taken may be carefully matured. The time that
will elapse between this and the promised announce-
ment of the Ministerial measure is so short, that it
has been deemed most prudent to take no public
step till that measure shall have been placed before
the country ; but I am in a position to say that the
Irish members will go in a body for the ballot, as
the sine qua non of any Parliamentary or electoral
reform for Ireland.
".The decision in favour of the ballot has been
come to unanimously; and I have reason to know
that the most decisive means will be taken by the
Liberal members from Ireland to give effect to this
view, both in the house and in the several consti-
tuencies which they represent. The Irish members
will meet immediately after Mr. Disraeli shall have
introduced his scheme, and I am much mistaken if
you do not find that a series of resolutions will be
adopted,or some other document issued,by the united
members, placing the ballot as a measure of
reform in that position which you have always
represented as its true position—the first and
great essential for Ireland. On three points
there is the most perfect accord among all
the Irish members—freedom of voting, secured by
the protection of the ballot, the abolition of the
corrupt freeman franchise, and a large extension of
the suffrage.
" It is yet uncertain what course either Lord Pal-
merston or Lord John Russell and their respective
English followers will take in reference to the ,
ballot ; but the Irish members who have hitherto
been represented as most likely to adopt a Palmer-
stonian or Russellite policy, have, with a spirit of
patriotic independence, resolved, regardless of the
opinion of any English leaders, to take a bold and
decisive step in support of the ballot, which they
know can alone secure liberty of voting to thelrish
agricultural electors. If the Irish members be
supported by Ireland in this policy the ballot cannot
be long deferred."

DREADFUL STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION.

CARDIFF, TUESDAY.
The outer lock of the Eastern Bute Docks, at the
L above port, was the scene of a most dreadful dis-
aster this morning. It appears that about half-past
10 the steam tug Black Eagle, recently purchased
by Messrs. Angel and Elliott, shipbrokers, had
arrived from London. The steamer came up with
her colours flying, &c., and one of her owners,
Mr. Elliott, was on board, as well as Mr. George
Jenkins, agent to the firm, all being anxious
to witness the first trip of the steamer. Accordingly,
at the time stated, the Eagle was about to tow out
the Milo, of Sunderland. The steamer, it is said,
was blowing off at a very high pressure, and in
order to hear the instructions of the captain the
nlan at the engine placed his hand on the safety-
valve to keep it down. Immediately afterwards
the steamer blew up, and immense pieces of timbers,
and six poor fellows (four of whom are since dead)
all fell among the general crash that ensued. As
a matter of coin*, hundreds of persons at that
period of the day were standing about that part of
the locks where the accident occurred, and it is
truly marvellous how so many escaped : as it was,
seven were wounded more or less; a Dutch seaman
had his thigh broken and some their arms, &c.
The lamentations of the friends of the unfortunate
deceased, who rushed from place to place to identify
the bodies, were truly heartrending. One poor
fellow was thrown a distance of 65 yards from the
steamer, his body being horribly mangled. Among
the dead was the captain of the Black Eagle, Evan
Edwards, of Cardiff, who has left a wife and five
children. The persons taken to the infirmary are
chiefly those who happened to be standing near
the steamer at the time of the accident. Up to 12
o'clock a.m. the body of Mr. Jenkins has not been
found ; parties are still engaged in searching for
it. The wounded men were at once conveyed
to the infirmary and are receiving every atten-
tion at that excellent institution. Mr. Angel
who happened to be standing on the quay
near the steamer, also received very severe
injuries about the face and head. Hu was taken to
his house immediately, and Dr. Pratt was promptly
in attendance. Mr. tlliot, as we stated before, was
on board the Black Eagle, and was standing on
the paddlebox ; this gentleman, we regret to state,
among other injuries, has lost the sight of one of
his eyes.
To show the force of the explosion, we saw one
piece of iron, which measured 16 feet long by 4k
inches, fall through the roof of a large working
shed belonging to Messrs. Heminway, at a distance
of 150 yards. Another piece of iron a ton weight,
being the lower part of the boiler, fell about 50
yards from the decks of the steamer.
Mr. Henry Clements, consulting engineer to the
Newport and Cardiff Companies, went immediately
on board the ill-fated boat, which was then on fire,
and gave orders to tow her out on the mud bank,
and prevent further damage to the shipping by
opening the seacocks, and thus letting on the water.
The fire was soon put out, the steamer being a
complete wreck. One of the men, named Walters,
taken to the infirmary, has since died, thus making
six men who have lost their lives by this sad cata-
strophe.

ELECTION OF POLICE RECEIVER FOR THE CITY
OF LONDON.—Two candidates presented themselves for
election to this post, and the matter was very closely con-
tested. Mr. Saunders (the candidate proposed under the
auspices of the Commissioner of Police) was elected by a
majority of one over Mr. Thompson, second clerk of the
Sheriffs'-court. The numbers polled were—For Mr. Saun-
ders, 19 ; for Mr. Thompson, 18. One candidate was
directed to withdraw, as he was not a freeman ,• and, indeed,
though a great deal of interest has been excited, the chances
were only equal between the successful candidate and Mr-
Thompson.