The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-12 00:00:00

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THE SUN, LONDON THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 12, 1866.

fOIIN GOSNELL and CO.'S CHERRY
el TOO 11l PASTE is greatly superior to any tooth
powder; gives the teeth a pearl whiteness, protects the
enamel from decay, and imparts a pleasant fragrance to
the breath. Price Is. 61-Ited Bull Wharf, 113, Upper
Tharnei-street, London.

J. AND I). NICOLL,
• Tailors to the Queen, Royal Family, and the
Courts of Europe, 114, 116, 118, 120, REGENT-STREET,
and 22, CORNIIILL, LONDON; 50, BOLD-STREET,
LIVERPOOL; and 10, AIOSLEY-STREET, KAN-

while at the request of Mr. Newton, secretary of the
Master and Workman's Acts Amendment Associa-
tion at Glasgow, he had this session moved for the
reappointment of the committee. The selection of
chairman would rest with the committee. The letter
went oi nn requesttwohi ewhich
i.,ewa
therssaid t
citation
o h
ofa vteh e passage or pas-
sagesyilified the peo-
ple. lie was ignorant, he added, of having used the
words which could be so construed, having frequently
spoken in just praise of the working class, but if he
had unwittingly said anything that could be so in-
terpreted he should readily express his regret at hav-
ing done so. [The letter concluded by referring to
the Times of May 4, 1865, for the fullest report of
his speech.] When he should receive the passages
for which he had asked, and considered them with
due regard to the context, as well as to the actual
words, he should be able to judge whether he had
said anything justifying the imputation against him,
and if this proved to be the case, he should have no
hesitation in offering an apology. He felt pretty
confident, however, that no expressions of his could
by any torturing bear the interpretation that had
been put upon them. He would go further, and say
that since he had been in Parliament he had to the
best of his ability supported every measure tending
to the well-being of the masses of his fellow-coun-
trymen. In 1846, when a young man, he resigned
his seat rather than vote against the repeal of the
corn laws and legislate for the benefit of his own
class—(cheers)—and he had consistently promoted
every measure for the amelioration of the social con-
dition of the people. He would mention, as an in-
stance, that be, with others, brought the working
men into the Volunteer movement by keeping the
expenses within a low sum, and when requested by
the representative of working men to take up a ques-
tion vitally affecting their interests, he cordially re-
sponded by moving for a committee on the subject.
(Cheers.) It was not becoming for a man to praise
himself, but he had the pleasure of being acquainted
with a gentleman present, than whom there was not
a warmer friend of the working classes—he referred
to Mr. Holyoake—(cheers)—and he would appeal
to him to say whether, from what heknew of him, he
was or was not the enemy of the working man.
(Interruption, and cries of " Reform" and " Vote
for the Bill.") It would show bad taste, and would
be an uncalled-for proceeding on his part, were
he to enter on the discussion of the question of
Reform. He had come there simply to make a per-
sonal explanation, and having made it he intended to
reserve what he had to say on Reform for the House
of Commons. (Hisses, and cries of "Sit down.")
When, however, they read what he might say upon
that question, they would, he thought, admit that
he was not the enemy of the working man. His
opinion was that every class and every interest in
the country—land, commerce, and industry—should
be fairly represented. his motto was " Justice to
all, preponderance to none ;" and he thought he
teioomnining wthheircehshineghlee_lhdatnhdeedwotorkimngakcelatshseiss
etxhpalanba_
could not have given a better proof of the estima-
n y
tion. He thanked them in conclusion for the hear-
ing they had given him. (Cheers.)

Mr. HOWELL stated that Lord Elcho's letter would,
with his lordship's permission, be published, together
with his own reply to it, and the public would then
judge whether the resolution was truthful or not.
(Hear, hear.)

Mr. HOLYOAKE, in reply to Lord Elcho's appeal,
said he had always differed politically from his lord-
ship, and had urged upon him that he might as
safely trust the working classes with votes as with
muskets, but on all questions affecting the social
welfare of the working classes he had always found
Lord Elcho willing to render all the assistance in
his power. (Cheers.)
Mr. CREMER, delegate of the Amalgamated Car-
penters and Joiners' Society, proposed a resolution
approving the bill so far as it went, while regarding
manhood suffrage and the ballot as the only satis-
factory basis of representation. He supported the
measure as a stepping-stone to a much more com-
prehensive enfranchisement, and, while concurring
in the opinion that an assemblage in Parliament-
street such as that which welcomed Garibaldi would
have a decisive effect, he expressed his belief that
no such demonstration would take place, Ministers
not being in the position of Garibaldi—of having
never betrayed the people. He believed, however,
that the three men mentioned by the chairman would
never prove false to the popular cause.
Professor BEASLEY agreed with Mr. Lowe that
unless actual grievances could be shown there was
no necessity for altering our representative system.
He thought it strange that Mr. Lowe's position had
never been challenged on this point ; and, with a
view of supplying the omission, he instanced the un-
equal pressure of indirect taxation on the working
men, who paid 4s. a week out of 20s. wages, the
operation of the game laws, the punishment of ser-
vants for breach of contract, the excessive expendi-
ture on the army and navy as compared with the
education grant, the treatment of the poor in work-
houses, and the monopoly of land by large proprie-
tors. These were grievances which a reformed Par-
liament might be expected to redress, but which
were not likely to be redressed under the present
system. He attributed the revival of the Reform
agitation to the result of the American War, observ-
ing that Republicanism was now looking up in the
world, and that the question before long would be,
not whether we should reform our institutions, but
whether we should recast them. (Loud cheers,
with some hisses.) In the meantime he urged that
every exertion should be used to carry this bill, and
if the new Parliament did not remove the grievances
he had pointed out it would only show the necessity
of a much more sweeping measure. (Cheers.)
Mr. HUGHES, M.P., differed from the previous
speaker as to the uselessness of theoretical considera-
tions, for even if no grievances existed the working
classes were entitled to a share in the government
of the country. He commended the firm stand
made by the Ministry, and believed that in a few
weeks they might meet and congratulate one ano-
ther on the passing of the bill. The hon. gentle-
man expressed surprise at the way in which the
meeting had received the remark of Professor Beas-
ley as to recasting our institutions, for while an
ardent admirer of the United States, and while
thinking that republicanism worked admirably there,
he could not but remember that under a Constitu-
tion which had lasted for 700 years England bad
attained to great glory and prosperity, and, be-
lieving those institutions capable of such a re-
form as to make Great Britain the best country in
which men ever lived, he desired a reform, and not
a recasting of them. (Cheers.)
Mr. BRADLAUGH, in a fervid speech, seconded the
resolution, which was then put and carried unani-
mously.
The second resolution, condemning all opposition
to the speedy passing of the bill, and recommending
a dissolution in the event of its defeat, was moved
by Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Lloyd Jones, and
was also carried.

A petition to the House of Commons was then
adopted, and the proceedings, which were protracted
to a late hour, concluded with a vote of thanks to
the chairman.

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to carry the second reading of this measure. (Cheers.)
He was bound to say that the bill did not, at the
outset, create in his mind any great enthusiasm ;
and this when he heard the most eloquent man of
this country, Mr. Gladstone, expound its principles;
but when Mr. Gladstone announced that the Go-
vernment would stand or fall by the measure he came
to the conclusion that the Government meant busi-
ness, and that it was his duty to support the bill.
And prima facie the bill had great claims to sup-
port. When the reformers, represented by Earl
Russell, Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Bright, were found
banded together in the advocacy of this bill, there
was every reason for every effort to be made to
support a measure which he believed tobe the honest
Government.
measure of an honest .nan representing an honest
(Cheers.) He could not rest, however,
with a bill which left one voter in a place like Calne
equal to about 50 voters in the Tower Hamlets and
30 or 40 in Finsbury. He concluded, amid loud
cheers, by expressing the hope that in some future
measure be provided for this wrong
11Ir. AA. a
WALKER remedy .
would
moved the following resolution :
That this meeting desires to express its cordial
approval of the proposal of her Majesty's Govern-
ment to reform the electoral system of England and
Wales by increasing the number of electors, and
fully relies upon the promise of the Right Hon. the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce another
measure to effect a redistribution of seats, so that
the interests of all classes of society may be fairly
represented in the House of Commons." In the
course of the speech which the mover made he
greatly praised those public men who had shown.
themselves in favour of the measure, and strongly
blamed those who had expressed different opinions.
The Rev. Dr. Massie seconded, and the Rev. M.
Wiiks spoke in support of, the resolution.
The resolution was about to bcput from the chair,
when a working man, who gave the name of Ben-
yon, claimed the right to speak, and was allowed a
hearing. At first there was a disposition to hiss him,
but on addressing the meeting as the representative
of a working man's club he was listened to at first
in silence. On showing, however, that the views of
the members of his club were in accord with those of
the meeting—in favour of the bill—he was warmly
applauded.
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. BARNARD moved the second resolution, to
the effect that a petition should be presented, through
the borough members, to the House of Commons,
in favour of the Ministerial bill.
Mr. S. ALLEN seconded the motion.
Mr. TORRENS, the senior member for the borough,
was then called upon to address the meeting, and on '
coming forward was received with loud and long-
continued applause. Holding forth a copy of the
Franchise Bill, he said the measure was a small on%
as they might see. He wished it was bigger, but
small as it was it was good—(cheers)—and from
what he had heard at that meeting, he did not think
that his valued friend and colleague, Mr. Alderman
Lusk—(cheers)—and he would be doing very far
wrong in voting for the enfranchisement of 400,000
additional voters for Finsbury. (Cheers.) He ex-
pressed his great pleasure that the members for
metropolitan boroughs had not in blind haste given
a hurried expression on this measure, but had, as
representatives of large bodies of the public, taken
time to think, and, having thought, had determined
to support the measure. (Cheers.) He was sorry it
was not a general bill for the United Kingdom, for
he thought that these partial measures tended to
alienate the different parts of the empire, and there
was no good reason why the three parts of the king-
dom should not be provided for together, and the
empire made to throb as one great heart. (Hear.)
He regretted that this measure was not more com-
prehensive. (Hear, hear.) If he had had the draw-
ing of it hA should have put the county qualifica-
tion at £lO, and if he voted for the t, 14 it, wag nut
because he had gone back since he voted for Mr.
Locke King's measure. (Hear, hear.) With regard
to the noble lords and the many more hon. gentle-
men who desired to maintain the exclusion of class
from class, he could speak their fault in one sen-
tence—" They know not what they do." (Cheers.)
It was said the middle classes were against the
measure ; but the meetings held throughout the
country showed the contrary ; and the members who
would go into the lobby in favour of the bill would
not go there if there was the faintest suspicion that
the middle classes were hostile to it. (Cheers.)
Much had been said about the working classes not
petitioning the house for Reform before this mea-
sure was proposed, but that was owing to the
fact that past Parliaments had quenched the faith
of the people, and with true dignity they stood aloof
and refused to be trifled with. (Cheers.) But the
proposal of this measure had breathed fresh life
into the people, and they had come forward to
petition in an orderly manner. (llear.) Ile then
went on to speak of the several clauses of the bill,
with some of which he said he dissented, as the sav-
ings-bank clause, the registration of lodgers, and the
disfranchisement of dockyard voters, and concluded,
amid loud cheers, by expressing his determination
to vote for the bill.
Mr. Alderman LusK, M.P., who was also most
cordially received, addressed the meeting, and de-
clared his intention to vote for the bill through thick
and thin.
The motion was carried by acclamation, and after
other resolutions had been moved, the proceedings
terminated with a vote of thanks to the hon. mem-
ber for presiding.

meeting as an extremely selfish proceeding on the
part of those who favoured the claims of the dock-.
yardmen. (Great uproar.) A great political crisli
was at hand, and it depended upon the people to say
whether the Government should be supported in
their efforts to carry the bill. (Cries of " No, no,"
" Yes, yes," and continued uproar, which the chair,
man vainly endeavoured to repress).
The amendment was then put, and was negatived
by a large majority, and the CHAIRMAN declared
the resolution carried.
Mr. Alderman SALOMONS, Ar.p., said he would
support the bill now before Parliament. The nv,!2,-
sure was a good one, as far as it went, with the, ex-
ception of the clause for the disfranchisement of the
lie believed, however, that it would
and that the bill would be carried With-
outbd°e cokinYtl.ai trtde(l(ClLehlle r s . )

Sir C. BRIGHT, M.P., then said he would do an
In his power to assist the Government in carrying
the bill now before the country. lie had heard
with much surprise of the proposition to disfranchise,
the dockyardmen, and he thought that clause shop :id
be omitted. (Cheers.) He felt no doubt that the
bill would be carried.

BIRKENHEAD.
A meeting of working men was held in the Work.
men's-hall, Birkenhead, on Tuesday evening, in
support of the Government Reform Bill. Mr. R.
G. llamilton presided, and there was a moderate
attendance. Several rev. gentlemen were present.
Letters of apology for non-attendance were rear
from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr.
John Bright. Resolutions in support of the :6111
were adopted with but slight opposition.

Railway and other Companies.

DRAYTON JUNCTION.

The half-yearly meeting of this company TRaa
held on Tuesday, at the office, Westminster Cilam-
berg, Victoria-street ; Mr. Penson in the chair.
The Secretary read the report, which stated that
the directors had entered into a contract for the:
construction of
paalssed landowners
ufrwomoStafford through Market
D
rayton to Whitchurch, which the contractors 'sad
undertaken to complete in two years, and it was
hopedi
tthat
itnhee
e
ldinac
an amalgamationt
act in
district
liberal through
spirit.
for
Arrangements were going on
with the Wrexham, Mold, and
Connah's Quay'
Company, and a bill had been introduced into
Parliament empowering the directors to make an
extension of their system to Cannock Chase, -which
it was believed would prove both advantageous to
the company and the public.
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded bz
Mr. WILDING, the report was adopted.
Messrs. Penson and Lefeaux, the retiring direc-
tors, were re-elected, and Mr. James was elected
auditor.

The meeting was then made special, and resolu-
tions were adopted approving the agreement wit 4
the contractor, empowering the directors to divide
the shares of the company, and authorising them, to
borrow any sum not exceeding [that authorised by
the Companies' Act.