The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-15 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM AND SIR

B. HALL.

Last night a public meeting of the inhabitants of St.
Pancras, convened by the representative vestry on requisi-
tion, took place in the vestry-hall at Camden-town, for
the purpose of considering the question of Parliamentary
Reform, and such steps as may be necessary to be taken
therein.

D. E. CAMERON, jun., Esq.:, churchwarden, was at eight
o'clock called to the chair ; and amongst the gentlemen
present was the Right Hon. Sir Benjamin Hall, Bart.,
M.P. for the borough of Marylebone, whose presence on
the platform was greeted with loud applause.
Mr. 11. FARRER, F.S.A., moved the first resolution
That it is the opinion of this meeting that the right of
suffrage in all counties and boroughs should be extended to
the resident occupiers of all houses, lands, and tenements,
who are rated, and have been in occupation of the same one
clear year prior to the date of registration, and that the
exercise of such right shall be free from the payment of
rates and taxes. That to protect the elector in the exercise
of his vote, and to prevent the enormous expense attending
elections to the Commons' House, the ballot should be
adopted. That as the present system of representation is
founded upon the grossest injustice and inequality, it is ex-
pedient that an equitable adjustment of the representatives
to the constituences, both in counties and boroughs, based
upon the principle of population and property, should be
adopted. That in accordance with the provisions of the
Bill of Rights, the duration of Parliament should not ex-
ceed three years." Mr. Farrer expressed his pleasure at
seeing Sir B. Hall present, because the very principles they
now demanded to be carried out in Parliamentary Reform
were those embedied in his Metropolis Local Management
Act, namely, the sub-division of great electoral districts into
wards, with the apportionment of members to property and
population, vote by ballot, and triennial Parliaments.
Mr. LLOYD JONES seconded the resolution.
Mr. HOPPY moved an amendment to the effect, "That
the suffrage should be extended to the resident occupiers
of all houses and all parts thereof." He complimented the
vestry of St. Pancras for its liberality, and great applause
greeted Mr. Farrer when he announced his willingness to
incorporate it with the original motion.
The resolution was then put as amended, and carried
unanimously amidst loud applause.
Mr. C. HIBBLE moved the second resolution,:—" That as
the parish of St. Pancras is rapidly increasing in numbers,
and already contains a population of upwards (of 200,000,
it is, as compared with other cities and boroughs, justly
entitled to be represented in Parliament by four members
of its own." Mr. Ribble said that the City of London had,
with a population of 127,000, four members of Parliament ;
and St. Pancras, although it had a population now of
200,000, had still more ground uncovered larger than the
whole City of London. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WRINSTONE seconded the resolution, which was also
carried nem. con.

Sir BENJAMIN HALL on presenting himself was received
withloud applause. He observed that having been connected
with the borough for twenty-years, he thought he might
be permitted to offer a suggestion. He was most anxious
to obtain an expression of opinion on the part of his con-
stituents on this important subject, and he must confess he
did not expect a very large assemblage that evening, be-
cause he did not think there was a desire on the part of
the people to commit themselves to any principle of
Reform, until they were acquainted with the character of
the measure to be brought forward by her Majesty's
Government. He (the right hon. baronet) had every
reason to believe that the Government measure would be
brought forward that day fortnight, as he had heard
a statement to that effect from one of the members
of the Government that evening. Indeed, he had
every reason to believe that the bill was printed and
in the hands of the Government at that moment. He
had now a subject to mention to them, which he felt
would be deeply interesting. It was to express his belief
from a letter he had seen from his noble friend and colleague,
that in a very hours the resignation of Lord Ebrington
would be in the hands of the electoral body. (Sensation.)
He had seen a letter that evening, in which his noble friend
had declared that the state of his health was such that he
would be unable to attend to the important measures before
Parliament, and therefore should without delay place his
seat at the disposal of the constituency. All he (Sir B.
Hall) hoped was, that the election would give him a col-
league who would share with him the performance of the
onerous duties devolving upon the representatives of that
great borough, with its population of 400,000 persons. (Loud
applause.) It was said when, in 1837, he first became mem-
ber for Marylebone, he would not hold his seat for two Par-
liaments. He had, however, represented them for 22 years,
and he believed he had done his duty. (Loud applause.)
His suggestion was that they should adjourn the meeting
for three weeks, after the Government bill had been intro-
duced. (Hear, hear.)
The suggestion of the right hon. baronet was ultimately
adopted, and the meeting, which consisted of some 300 per-
sons, was adjourned till after the Government measure was
introduced into Parliament.

A vote of thanks to Sir B. Hall and to the chairman ter-
minated the proceedings.

THIS DAYS MARKETS.

HAY MARKETS.

SmrruPlELD..—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 10s ; clover,
do., £4 Os to £5 0s; and straw, £1 4s to £1 8s per load.
Trade dull.

•
CIIMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 10s; clover
do., £4 Os to £5 Os ; and straw, £1 5s to £1 8s per lead.
Both hay and straw sold slowly, at our quotations. •
WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 12s ; clover
do., £4 Os to £5 Os; and straw, £1 3s to £1 8s per load.
A heavy demand.