The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-23 00:00:00

'7(
adva, the qualitcation of person,/
entit the Corporation, he thought
three years' rate-paying_ was too long a period, and that one
was sufficient—.(Hear, hear)--but inasmuch as that was the
only qualification required, and the only objectionable clause
in the Bill, he would not offer any objection to it. With re-
ipect to the qualification for the officers of the Corporation,
:he people of Walsall required no other than that which the
resent charter required, namely, " more sober and discreet
Anhabitants"—(Cheers)—a better qualification they could not
have, and in his opinion no better need be required. The
present Corporations were pests to society, being irresponsible
and self-elected - under the present system they were breed-
ing in and in (if? he might so speak), electing and re-electing
one another, without any voice on the part of the people.—
(Cheers.) A great deal had been said about the trust funds
in the hands of the Corporation, and that there was sufficient
to defray the expenses of the poor. Now, he could say, as
a fact, that the funds of the Corporation of Walsall were
1,4001. a year, of which they never rendered any account,
until it was wrung from them by the Corporation Commis..
sions.—(Cheers.) Out of that sum, it was well-known that
300/. a ycar had been received, and, to speak modestly, mis-
applied by one of the servants. They had now, thanks to
the Ministry and Lord J. Russell, a different prospect before
them. The accounts were to be in future published ; and
those for whom the funds were originally intended, would
have the satisfaction of knowing that they were honourably
and faithfully employed.—( Cheers.)
Mr. C. EYLAND seconded the resolution.
Mr. POWELL moved the next resolution, and in a pointed
speech, observed, that at a particular time like the present,
most certainly England expected every man to do his duty.—.
(Loud cheers.) To those who had lived under the influence
and rule of corporations, he would say, the only question al..
most which they had to ask themselves was, were they satis-
fied with the present system of local government ?—( Cheers,
and cries of " No, no," from all parts of the room.) Then, if
they were not satisfied with the present system, they ought,
heart and soul, to go with the Ministry, who were now honestly
and sincerely endeavouring to alter the system.—(Loud and
continued cheering.) One word more. He earnestly hoped,
that when the inhabitants of the borough obtained the fran-
chise, they would exercise it with honesty arid sound judgment.
They must recollect that they were not voting for a Mayor or
chief magistrate, merely to enable him to attend good dinners,
or to promote his immediate interests, but they should con-
sider that they were voting for a man to whom they wished to
confide the justice seat.--( Cheers. )
Mr. T. FRANKLIN seconded the resolution, and said, we are
met this day to support a measure that will be hailed with
pleasure by every genuine and rational Reformer. We are
met to express to Parliament and to his Majesty's Ministers,
that we are dissatisfied with the present corporation system,
and to petition them to place on a fair and impartial footing all
municipal corporations.
Mr. COWLEY moved the fifth resolution. The country was
deeply indebted to the man who was now trying to bring about
a change in their local governments. It was a measure of the
greatest importance, and next to the Reform Bill.
The other resolutions having been moved and seconded by
the gentlemen, whose names appear in the advertisement, the
meeting separated at nine o'clock. The utmost unanimity
prevailed, and every other consideration gave way to the ob-
ject of the meeting.