The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1866.

Parliamentary Reform.

DEPUTATION TO EARL RUSSELL.
A deputation from the Reform League waited on
Earl Russell yesterday, at his official residence,
Downing-street, for the purpose of laying before

his lordship a statement of their opinions respecting

the question of Parliamentary Reform. The depu-

tation included Mr. Edmond Beales, Captain

Dresser Rogers, C.C., Mr. Edward Owen Green-
ing (Manchester), Mr. J. Scott (Belfast), Mr. C.
Keen (Maidstone), Mr. Samuel Plimsoll (Derby),
Mr. H. J. Slack, Dr. Perfitt, Mr. M. E. Marsden,

Mr. T. Alhop (Plymouth), Mr. Geo. J. Floyd
(Greenwich), Mr. H. Webber, Mr. J. A. Nicholay,

Mr. Thackstone (Maidstone), Mr. Holyoake, Mr.
R. Moore, Mr. J. R. Taylor Ellis (liveryman,
Cooks' Company), Mr. G. M. Murphy (Lambeth),

Messrs. Leno, Facey, Culley, Odger, Hales, Howell,
Bradlaugh, Ellis, Bainbridge, Truscott, Finber,
Hemiette, Campbell, Lucraft, Cruller, Potts,
Connolly, Bubb, Bowan, Burgess, Bell, Hartwell,

Lester, Whitehair, and Booker.
Mr. EDMOND BEALES introduced the deputation,
which he said waited upon his lordship in compli-
ance with a resolution passed unanimously at a very
large public meeting of the inhabitants, but more
especially thou of the working classes of the me-
tropolitan districts, held at St. Martin's-hall on the
12th December last, and convened by the council
of the Reform League, of which he (Mr. Beales)
was president. The numbers attending that meet-
ing were so great that, the large hall being unable
to hold them, two supplemental meetings were held
at the same time, one in the smaller hall, and one
for a short time in the adjoining street. The
speakers at all these meetings were, with the excep-
tion of himself as chairman of the principal meet-
ing, working men, and at each of the meetings a
resolution was unanimously adopted appointing a
deputation to wait upon his lordship, as the head
of the Government, and on the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, as leader of the House of Commons, and
respectfully urge upon their consideration that the
measure of parliamentary reform alone calculated to
be satisfactory to the great body of the people, as giving
them their due electoral right, would be one founded
on the principle of residential and registered man-
hood suffrage, protected in its free and efficient
exercise by the instrumentality of the ballot ; and
especially that any continued restriction of the
suffrage to householders, or a merely rating fran-
chise, would still shut out from the pale of the con-
stitution, particularly in the metropolitan districts,
large numbers of persons abundantly qualified and
entitled, in point of intelligence, ability, and trust-
worthiness, to be admitted within it. (Hear, hear.)
And as it was highly desirable that his lordship and
Mr. Gladstone should hear from the lips of working
men themselves their reasons for asking for the ex-
tension and mode of suffrage to which he had re-
ferred, he would content himself with saying with
regard to it, that it was a mode of suffrage which
appeared to him to be entirely and in fact most
consistent with the theory and principles of our own
constitution, and of all real representative govern-
ments most calculated to render the House of Com-
mons practically and truly the House of the Com-
mons of the United Kingdom, and imperatively
required to raise our countrymen in this the oldest
representative country, or at least one of the oldest
representative countries in the world, from being
now left behind in the progress of • freedom, and
placed in this respect in a position of degrading
inferiority to the people not only of our ()cm colo-

ales and of the United States of America, but almost
represen a *risntg-atate in which the principle of
further add that whilst considering it u y
make known clearly and distinctly to his lordship
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer the feelings
and desires of the working classes on a subject so
important to them, and so materially affecting their
rights, character, and interests, they did so with
sentiments of profound respect and attachment for
yourselves personally, of deep gratitude for your
many and great and ever memorable labours in the
cause of civil and religious liberty. _ _

Mr. ODGER, as representing a large portion of the
working men of the metropolis, said that the work-
ing men who originated this movement did so with
great repugnance, as they would much rather con-
tinue to devote their individual attention to those
questions more immediately affecting their social
condition ; but finding that a large number of his
class were beginning to grow hopeless on the sub-
ject, four or live governments having from time to
time failed in their promises to the people, and that
many of his class had in consequence sought Ame-
rica and the colonies, where those privileges they
sought for, and to which they felt they were entitled,
were not withheld, it was thought that no further
time should be lost, and the present movement was
the consequence. After touching upon various
points in connection with the question, Mr. Odgers
concluded by hoping that the Government would
take up the matter with some earnestness, and in-
troduce a bill with the same vigour and force which
characterised the bill of 1832, and stand or fall by
it. If the Government did that he believed they
would gain for themselves the thanks and gratitude
of the people.
Mr. Connolly (stonemason), Mr. Greening (Man-
chester), Capt. Dresser Rogers, Mr. De Gwyther
(representing the Marylebone district), Mr. E.
Marsden, Mr. J. R. Taylor, Mr. Bradiaugh, and Dr.
Perfitt, also addressed his lordship, after which
Earl RUSSELL—I shall not be able, having an im-
portant engagement, to listen to you any longer. I
have heard the opinions you hold stated with great
ability, and I am very happy to find that some of
the working men have so ably stated those opinions.
I have been always of opinion that great injustice
has been done to the working man by attempting
not only to deprecate their talents, but their
habits of life. With regard to this question, while
I have listened with great respect, as I am bound
to do—it being part of my duty—to the state-
ments that have been made, it is impossible for
me to say that I agree with the sentiments that
have been expressed. I consider that it will be
our duty to introduce a measure that will, in our
opinion, improve the representation, and that
will be likely to obtain the assent of Parlia-
ment. That is what we shall endeavour to do,
and we will stand by the measure which we think
is calculated for that purpose, and which we expect

o carry.
The deputation then withdrew.

MEETING IN MARYLEBONE.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough
of Marylebone, in furtherance of the reform move-
ment, was held last evening at the Literary and
Scientific Institute, Edwards. street, Portman-square
—Mr. T. A. Nicholay in the chair. The meeting
was largely attended. The chairman, in opening the
proceedings, referred to the deputation which had
that day waited upon Earl Russell, and expressed
his regret that the Premier had declared against a
complete suffrage, such as that advocated by the
Reform League. He, however, was glad to hear the
noble lord say that the Government intended to
stand or fall by the reform bill they were going to
introduce into Parliament. Mr. De Gwyther moved
and Mr. Blackmore seconded a resolution declaring
the necessity of a large and comprehensive measure
of reform, which was carried unanimously. Mr.
Davidson moved, Mr. Finlon seconded, and Dr.
Brewer supported the second resolution, to the effect
that no reform bill would be satisfactory that did
not acknowledge the principle of registered and re-
sidential manhood suffrage. This resolution was
carried amidst loud cheers. Mr. Yates moved, Mr.
Wynne seconded, and Mr. E. Beales supported the
third resolution, in favour of the vote by ballot.
The last speaker said he deeply regretted the course
taken by Earl Russell that day in reply to the de-
putation he had had the honour to introduce to his
lordship. While acknowledging the ability with
which the working men on that deputation had urged
their views, his lordship said he entirely dissented
from them. It was quite evident, therefore, that if
the working classes desired the franchise they must
rely on themselves alone for its attainment•
The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks
to the chairman.

MEETINGS IN SCOTLAND.
A public meeting of the inhabitants of Edinburgh

called " for the purpose of considering the pro-
priety of memorialising her Majesty's Government
in favour of Parliamentary reform," was held
on Monday night in the Music-hall of that city.
The chair was filled by Bailie Russell ; and resolu-
tions declaring the opinion of the meeting that the
time is peculiarly favourable fcr carrying a measure
of parliamentary reform, and that the Government
should be memorialised to introduce next session
and use their best exertions to have passed into law
a new Reform Bill ; calling for a large extension of
the franchise in boroughs and counties, and a more
equitable distribution of seats, as essential to a satis-
factory settlement of the question ; and demanding
a rectification of the inadequacy of representation
under which Scotland suffers as compared with the
other parts of the United Kingdom—were moved
and supported by Mr. John Miller, of Leithen ; Mr.
Duncan M'Laren, M.P. ; Mr. A. M. Dunlop, M.P. ;
Messrs. Guthrie Smith and Adam Gifford, advo-
cates, and others, including two working men. A
similar meeting was also held on Monday night in
Dundee, at which Mr. W. E. Baxter, M.P., and Sir
David Baxter, were the chief speakers. The reso-
lutions adopted there were :—" That the question of
parliamentary reform should no longer be delayed,"
and that Government should be memorialised " to
bring forward a Reform Bill in the approaching
session of Parliament. That this meeting cannot
regard with acceptance any measure of reform which
shall not largely extend the franchise both in coun-,
ties and boroughs. That whenever the question of
the redistribution of seats comes to be considered,
seeing that Dundee contains upwards of 100,000 in-
habitants, that it is the centre of the linen and jute
manufacture in Scotland, and that many borough
constituencies possessing less than a fifth part of its
wealth and population have nevertheless doubled its
representation, this meeting is of opinion that no
measure dealing with the rearrangement of the con-
stituencies can be considered satisfactory which does
not give a second member to Dundee." A memorial in
accordance with the resolutions was unanimously
adopted, and it was also agreed that copies of the re-
solutions and memorial should be sent to the Earl
of Dalhousie, lord-lieutenant of the county, the
Earl of Airlie, the Earl of Camperdown, and Lord
Kinnaird, with a request that they would use their
influence in the House of Lords to pass a liberal re-
form measure. A committee was appointed to watch
the progress of anyreform bill that might be brought
forward in the present Parliament, with power to
adopt such measures in reference thereto as might
to them seem proper and necessary.

The Opening of the Prussian Chambers.

-0--

BERLIN, Jan. 15.
The following is the full text of the Speech from
the Throne with which Count von Bismarck opened
the session of the Prussian Chambers to-day :
Illustrious, noble, and honourable gentlemen of
both Houses of the Diet,—His Majesty the King has
deigned to commission me to open the Diet of the
monarchy in his name. During the last session, as
in previous years, in default of the necessary agree-
'pent of both Houses of the Diet, together and with
the. Crown, the law upon the budget, as provided by

Art. 99 of the constitution, has not come to pass.

In the past year, also, the administration of the state
had, therefore, to be carried on without such

law. The statement of revenue and expenditure
which has served as guide to the financial depart-
ment during the year which has expired has been
officially published. The budget for the current
year will be immediately laid before the Diet. You
will convince yourselves therefrom that our finances
continue to occupy a favourable position. In the

_
shows an inciThateieo

has afforded the means of providing in the budget
for numerous additions to the expenditure, and for
setting aside a sufficient sum for the further im-
provement of the salaries of the lower classes of
officials, without disturbing the balance between
expenditure and revenue. In accordance with the
reserve in sec. 8 of the land-tax law of May 21,
1861, the draft of a bill settling the conditions of the
definitive distribution, and levy of the land-tax in
the six eastern provinces, will be laid before the
Chambers of the Diet for constitutional delibe-
ration. The preparations for putting in execu-
tion the law upon the land-tax compensation are
being zealously carried on, and it may be expected
that the payment of the sums devoted to that pur-
pose will take place in the course of the year. The
condition of the finances permits of the gradual re-
duction of the additional tax upon legal procedure,
with the object of discontinuing it altogether in a
few years. A bill for the execution of this measure
will be laid before you. The economical position
of the country may be characterised as upon the
whole satisfactory. It is true that the last harvest
was in places below the average ; but if necessaries
of life have risen in price, the free action of trade,
combined with increased means of communication,
have sufficed to supply the deficiency of corn in some

districts. The traffic upon the railways, the ac-
tivity in mining operations, the briskness of com-
merce, and the facility of occupation generally per-
vading the labouring classes, all afford proofs of
steadily increasing development. In the interests of
these your co-operation will be requested. Bills
will be laid before you for the purpose of securing
increased capability of performance in some depart-
ments of the state by extraordinary appliances, for
extending the circle of operations of the Prussian
Bank, and for removing the obstacles still im-
peding the free utilisation of the power of labour.
The customs and commercial treaties which formed
an object of your deliberations in the recent
session have since been supplemented by renewal of
the treaties with Luxemborg, Anhalt, and:Bremen.
A navigation treaty has been concluded with Great
Britain, and a commercial treaty with Italy, the rati-
fication of which by all states of the Zollverein is
confidently hoped for by the Government. The
aforesaid treaties will be laid before you. The royal
order from which the formation of the Upper Cham-
ber was to result has been completed by the decree
of the 10th November in the preceding year ; and
firm foundations, corresponding to the importance
of the position of that Chamber in the organism of
the state, and incapable of alteration except by law,
have now been given to it. After fruitless negotia-
tions for many years as to bills for alleviating and
shortening the time of service in the militia, as well
as for a juster distribution of the obligation to mili-
tary service generally, his Majesty's Government
cannot now expect a satisfactory result from their
repetition. It will therefore be obliged to leave the
law upon obligation to military service in its pre-
sent position. While the Government regrets that
this determination is forced upon it, it remains con-
vinced of the necessity of upholding the present
organisation of the army, called into being with the
co-operation of the former Diet, since that time
brought to the test of practice, and admissible ac-
cording to the existing laws, and of further request-
ing the necessary supplies for that purpose in future.
As in the preceding year his Majesty's Government
still adheres to the intention of promoting the rapid
and powerful development of the Prussian navy.
The application of extraordinary means remains in-
dispensable to the creation of proper harbour estab-
lishments, the building of ships, and their armament.
A before the Diet, especially as the chief objections
raisedbll i ftoortthheismeasur
measure last year have been met by the
purpose
will, therefore, again be laid
settlement of the relations to possession to Kiel,
which have taken place in the meantime. The rela-
tions of Prussia to all foreign States are of a peace-
ful and friendly character. After his Majesty the
Emperor of Austria had ceded, by the treaty con-
cluded at Gastein and Salzburg, his portion of rights
of sovereignty to the Duchy of Lauenburg to his M-
ajesty the King, that dachy has been united to the
Prussian crown, and it is his Maj esty's desire to allow
it to enjoy all advantages of protection and care
afforded to it by the union, while treating with con-
sideration its peculiar state of affairs. The final de-
cision as to the future of the two other Elbe duchies
has been reserved
for further agreement by the
positionsufcient
same treaty, but in the possession of Sleswig
and the
acquired in Holstein Prussia has
obtained
guarantee that this deci-
sion can only follow in a manner correspog tondin
the national interests of Germany and the just claims
a
of Prussia. Resting upon his own conviction,
strengthened by the opinion of the legal advisers of

the Crown, his Majesty is determined to hold fast
this pledge under all circumstances until the attain-
ment of the desired end, and knows himself sup-
ported in this resolution by the assentof his people.
It is the intention of the Government to invite by a
special bill the co-operation of the Legislature in
preparing to execute the canal which is to unite the
Baltic and the German Ocean. The importance of
this work, and with it the development of the naval
power of the country, in the position of Prussia and
its utilisation in the general interest of Germany,
assures his Majesty's Government anew that upon
consideration of the respective bills differgnces of
opinion upon home questions and the positions of
parties will be subordinated to duty towards the
common Fatherland, and that both Houses of the
Diet will unanimously and early offertheir assistance
to the Crown in helping to promote the solution of
those national problems which is now in a higher
degree incumbent upon Prussia on account of her
relations to the Elbe duchies. Now that the har-
bour hitherto wanting to the future German fleet
has been secured by the arrangements of the treaty
of Gastein relating to the harbour of Kiel, it will be
the task of the Prussian Legislature to place the
Government in a position to open negotiations with
its allies upon a basis worthy of Prussia. In the
course of the past year his Majesty the King has
received in four provinces the renewed homage of the
inhabitants of those portions of the country which
were newly united to or again acqltired by the Prus-
sian monarchy half a century agO. The spirit in
which the jubilee was everywhere celebrated bore
testimony to the elevating consciousness of our peo-
ple what great things God had done for Prussia, how
much progressive development, how much blessing,
and prosperity in all branches of the public welfare,
had been granted within that period to our:country.
The population of those provinces enthusiastically
evidenced their gratitude for the faithful and
parental rule of our princes, and again upon
their parts promised to remain true to them. With
thankfulness to God, and with the vow still to pro-
mote in future the happy condition of all portions of
the land, his Majesty expressed his renewed and
thorough conviction that a bond of confidence will
continue to embrace Prince and people now and for
all futurity, and that the beneficent hand of Provi-
dence will still be extended over Prussia. His Ma-
jesty's Government is conscious of not being defi-
cient in the will to serve its royal master in this
sense. It is filled with the conviction that upon an
unprejudiced, passionless, and purely technical exa-
mination of that it has been privileged to attain, as

ell as of that it still strives after with the assist-
ance of the Legislature, objects and points enough
must be found in them in which all parties are
agreed. If, gentlemen, you are guided by the desire
of seeking and holding fast these points of union,
blessing and result will not fail to attend your de-
liberations. In his Majesty's name I now declare
the Diet of the monarchy opened.