The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY E YEN 1 NG, MARCH 23,

through faehion as were th© dresses of the Mies
—had taken steps in furtherance of . such a re-
form. Lord Palmerston first originated adreini-
strative reform at the War-office—(hear, hear)—
when he originated there the principle of selection
for merit, and took men, not according to the con-
nections, which he had before alluded to, bat. fit
their working and essential requisites for the offices
they were to fill. In an humble way he had endea-
voured to imitate that example. Holding the posi-
tion be did, be found that patronage was not only
irksome to refuse, but that the whole system was
so unfair aid so disagreeable to the giver, while, if
it was not disagreeable to the recipient, it must have
caused him anything but satisfaction, that h pre-
vailed upon the Board of Admiralty to allow him to
divest himself of that patronage; and he-challenged
anyone to say that he had given him mere patron-
age. He claimed, therefore, to be something of an
Administrative Reformer, for he had caused that
patronage. to be -vested in the superintendents of
dockyards, who, being naval men, had no preju-
dices—(oh)—or ought not to have. (Hear.) There
were other minor questions which he had had the
honour of assisting to carry what he bel;eved was a
satisfactory solution. He thought it was right for
them to recollect that Lord Paltnerst m was, or had
been, the member of a Government which had
agreed upon a Reform Bill, which, in consequence
of that war which was provoked and carried on
mainly through the instrumentality and speeches of
the Peace party, Lord John Russell was obliged
to abandon with tears its his eyes. They asked him,
then, what he was going to do about reform, and
he replied that he would take what he could get.
He might have ideas which his friends in the Mi-
nistry thought were too fast, and which he himself
thought would not probably be carried out in his
time. He was not one of those people who had
ever possessed any very exaggerated notions on the
ballot ; he had never thought it a panacea for all
the: evils which beset electors ; but 11;s reason
for supporting it had been this— the con-
stituencies themselves ate the best judges. (Hear.)
He had, he was sorry to say, liad opportu-
nity of seeing great intimidation and disgusting
bribery. He was rather inclined to think the bal-
lot would not do all that was wished, yet he re-
garded it as the right thing, as the elec'or could
not-be worse off than he was at present. ([Tear.)
" How will you vote on Maynooth '?" he ha t heard
some three or four gentlemen say. He answered
plainly, that he would be no party to taking from
.his Irish fellow-subjects that rniseralle 30,0001: a
year which was voted thera. (Citcers.) He had
no love for the political system of the Roman Ca-
tholic Church, but he had a great love for justice.
lie could not see—ss he often did when he went to
his parish church, which was a church cry.ng in the
wilderness (for the congregation consisted of some
50 people)—next to that church, and before a
priest of the Roman Catholic religion, in a
chapel dilapidated and the people kne ling in
. mud and puddle, a congregation of 800, without
feelin ! something of the injustice we should be
cemmitting by taking from the men of that persua,
sion the miserable 30,0001. a year voted for May-
nooth. After expressing.his opinion in favour of
the abolition of church-rates, he said—When Sir J.
Walmsley moved his res elution that the Cryst il
Palace should be opened on Sunday he opposed it,
because he had no wish to see th's country resemble
in its Sunday observances our friende across the
waeer. We were a different people and of different
habits. He did not mean to nibble at ore neigh-
bours ; they had beeu brought up differe.itly, and
had imbibed a different set of principles on these
subject. He was a supporter of her Majesty's pre-
sent Prime Minister, because he had seen that
man, when deserted by his colleagues; and while the
storm of war was raging and the eveet of the ciin-
test seemed doubtful, remain at his pest In the
words of Lord J. Russell he (Mr. Osborne) said that
Lord Palmerston was noI; the Minister of Austria,
still less was he the Minister of China ; and, if
Lord Palmerston remained at the helm, sure he
was that .our foreign policy would be upheld with
glory, and that the domestic policy of this country
would be administered to the satisfactioa and
happiness of the people. (Prolonged cheering.) One
word more. This town hal late'y been made the
subject of a bill introduced .in Parliament, called
the Passing Tolls Bill. Now he had made hiinst if
a little acquainted with the subject, and he was
sure that if the First Lord of the Tie awry had
administered the affairs of this country in the way
the commissioners and wardens of Dover had ad-
ministered their affairs, the Government went I find
it very difficult to put its expenditure on a level
with the taxation. He found that the Harbour
Commissioners were very much in debt, and that
many gentlemen were in a meat fright in the anti-
eip ttion of'power they had enjoyed passing from
them. It was not improbable he should have some-
, thing to say to this. If he did he would take care
of one thing—he would see justice done, and would
take care that if Dover did not rice to be a more
considerable port than she wasat present, it should
riot be for want of his exertion. i3ut, above all, he
promised them, if he had anything to do with it,
the debts should be discharged, and the accounts
kept in a manner more creditable than it appeared
they had been. (Cheers.)
At the conclusion of Mr. Osborne's address the
CHAIRMAN took the sense of the meeting as to
whether, after th's exposition of his opinions, Mr.
Osborne should still be asked to stall.! as a can ti-
date for the suffrages of the Liberal electors ? A
forest of hands appeared in answer to this appeal,
and the Chairman declared the decision of the
meeting in favour of Mr. Osboine to be unani-
mous.

Sir. W. RUSSELL then came f irward. He wts
prepared to go with Mr. Osborne, who had just
given them a clear and brilliant t,taternew of his
political views and principles. In alino -t every
point adverted to by Mr. Osborne 111 (Sir W. 11113•
cell) agree I with him, and he shoukl be happy in
attemptifts, to ride second horse to him. ("Hear,"
and a laugh.)
Mr. B. OSBORNE then moved a vote of thanks
to the Chairman, wh'ch was secotackd by Sr W.
RUSSELL.
The CHAIRMAN briefly reipc)n•lea, and after a
few words from the Rev. T. B. W. Binges, the
meeting was brought to a conclu4ion.

opinions of other sects. Ro should never attempt
to pull down the church, but would try to promote
ihe cause of civil and religious liberty. (Cheers.)
Reso!utiolis of support were unanimously agreed
to.

STAFFORDSHIRE (SOUTH.)
Messrs Mathews and Foley will, no doubt, be
returned without opposition.

SUNDERLAND.

Mr. Hone has retired from the contest, and the
candidates now before the electors are Mr. Hud-
son, Mr. Fenwick, and Mr. R. Walters. These
three gentlemen have each addressed the electors.
It is a coma.on es ion in Sunderland, and a
circumstance not at all improbable, that Mr. Hud-
son Will bead tho poll, and that the contest for the
sec9nd scat will be between Mr. Fenwick and Mr.
Ralph Walt •rs.

tumults, disorders, and violence whatsoever. And
We strictly charge and command that this Our
Royal Proclamation be duly published aE the Mar-
ket-Cross at Edinburgh, and in all the county
towns of Scotland, ten days, at least, before the
time hereby appointed for the meeting of the said
Peers to proceed to such election.
Witness Ourselves at Westminster, this twenty-
first day of March, onethousand eight hundred
and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Our
reign.
Gon save the QUEEN.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMERS.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE UNITED
KINGDOM.

GENTLEMEN—We think thet the present state of
political affairs warrants our addressing you. We
do so in the character of Administrative Reformers,
and our purpose is to submit to your consideration
observations upon your duties as electors at this
very important period. We hope that our earliest
desire to promote our country's welfare wilt prove,
in your judgment, a sufficient justification of our
presumption in taking this step.
The Prime Min:star, by dissolving Parliament,
has appealed to the public from the derision of the
House of Commons. But the trial of this issue,
however important, ought not to divert your
minds from other and still graver considerations.
The approaching elections will not merely deter-
mine whether the country approves of the policy
of Lord Palmerston in the affair of Canton, but
also will decide on the character of the Legislation
and Government to which this country is to be
subject for many years to come. If, in decid-
ing on the personal question, we forget or pass
over the great interests of the nation, we shall
commit a great error and do serious mischief.
There is, however, great danger of our making
this mistake. The public attention is on be
present occasion so intently fixed upon the matter
submitted to them by the Premier that all the
great questions of policy upon which the welfare
of this country depends seem likely to be neglec'ed ;
and while the electors are anxious to determine
the.question respecting Lord Palmerston's majority
in the next [louse of Commons, they appear about
to forget that in providing for that majority, thy
may, perchance, send men to Parliameet who will
oppose every improvement in our institutions, and
frustrate for years the,hopes of Reformers of every
class and character. The present are the circum-
stances most favourable to the plans of personal
aggrandisement pursued by unscrupulous political
adventurers. They find the public attention en-
grossed by one subject, and they hope th it going
with public opinion upon that one point, they may
pass without question over matters far more im-
portant. Under the guise of friends of the present
Administration you may send to Parliament, as
your re presentati ves, enemies to all reform, opponents
of an extension of the suffrage, opponents of the bal-
lot, opponents of all improvement in the adminis-
tration of our navy and army, of the law, and of
the mana4em nt of our internal affairs. This is a
consideration worthy of the most serious regard, and
we look with great apprehension upon the species
of paroxysm into which the public mind has worke.l
itself upon the present occasion.
Our purpose is to endeavour to recall to the pub-
lic attention some of the matters which will seri-
ously aff-ct the well-being of the people, and upon
which, if the people be wise, they will demand ef-
planations of all the candidates for their suffrages ;
and we earnestly en'reat of our countrymen not to
1 • diverted from inquiring upon these matters, by
any declarations, however vehement, in favour of
any p articular men, or of any, particular adariuis-
trat i.on.

The instrument of all reforms in our Government
and Administration is the House of Commons
The reform of tat house ought, therefore, to be
placed, by all thorough reformers, in the very front
of the r demadds The chief means to this desired
end are—let, An extension of the suffrage ; 2dly,
Protection for the voter in the shape of the ballot;
and 3dly, A more equal arrangement of the elec-
toral disticts. Any man who evades giving an
opinion upon these point, and who seeks to ward
off inquiry respecting them, by any cajolery or
declamation upon their use, and, by earnest decla-
ration of the support he intends to give the present
Administration, is no true friend of the people, and
ought to excite their distrust, and to bs met with
opp
Next in importance to reform in Parliament is
the t',orough reform of all our administrative
departments. In those department 4, as at pre-
sent constituted, there is corruption—there is
jobbet y—reward is gained by favour and influence,
and not by merit. The fitting man is not the man
sought after and chosen ; but he is selec'ed to
serve the public, who has the greatest numb( rof
friends who can be useful. The consequence has
been and is, that incompetence and blundering are
evinced in all the operations of Government, and
the people suffer because patronage reigns su-
preme. We bad experience of the working of
this system during the late operations in the
Crimea. Our army was b: ought to the brink of
destruction by the officials which had to provide
for it and direct itsoperetions,.and was only saved
from ruin by the interference of the people and
their representatives, who were made acquainted
with the existing danger by the efforts of a press
in all cases under the control of private individuals.
So efficient was our official system of Administra-
tion for puruoses of mischief that the Government
—that is, the leading ms:nbers thereof—were as ig-
norant of the. actual condition of things as the
people themselves, and owed their first enlighten-
ment to that very press which conveyed the start-
ling intelligence
grothheereplu, btlhtec.diffiThcuisltyis aofsywso-ticen:
which must be reformed. But as herein the fruits
of corruption are at
ing out teneficid changes is enormous. Vague de-
clarations in favour of Administrative Reform are
very easy, and will be profusely made. But no man
i
who is lukewarm, no man who s not earnestly and
thoroughly a Reformer, will ever be found an ef-
fective Minister of tint Reform.

-foPursue undeviatingly this end, private inte-
rests must be forgotten, individual friendships
must be passed over, party considerations must
have no weight, the public weal must tilone be
considered ; and he will be severely tried who
honestly determines, and strictly adheres to his
determination, to brave all the blandishments of
power, the solicitations of private affection, and of
party interests, and to follow only the public good
in all matters connected with the nrina.ement of
the country's affairs. The mere declaimer will not
do this—be who foregoes his own. opinion to suit
the taste of a constituency is juAt the man most
likely to yield to the influences which, in support
of jobbery and corruption, will beset him in public
life. He who is pliant to a constitueucy is not
likely to be the sturdy supporter of the popular
cause in the strife of Parliament, nor steadily to
resist the multitudinous seductions which beset the
path of every man upon whom the people confer
power by making him a representative.
There is one thing more to which we desire to
call your attention. To be an efficient representa
tive, something more is required than merely to
hold certain opinions. A high standard of
moral worth and intellectual power is necessary for
bim who desires effectively to perform the duties
of a representative. The flippant declaimer, the
noisy and fluent speaker of a hustings orat.o'n, does
not, by his ready utterance and unblushieg auda-
city, thereby prove hima/lf to be worthy of the
confidence of 'his countrymen. • If a man have
proved himself by his past life to be diligent in the
inquiry after knowledge ; if he have given proof of
his moral worth ; if ho be a strict adherent to the
cause of truth—he may be a worthy representative,
though not possessed of the ready fluency of a
practised debater, or the artful sophistry of a
trained advocate

Distrust, we beseech you, all who trust to the
p)wer of corruption and bribery. Ho who buys
you will sell you. Money employed to purchase
your suffrages, is money employed for the p•irpose
of obtaining a money return. A seat in Parlia-
ment bought from the people is almost invariably
sold to the Minister.
On behalf of the Council of the Administrative
Reform Association, J. A. ROEBUCK,
15, Cannon-street, March, 1857.

Chairman.

CONVOCATION.—The convocation of the clergy of the
province of Canterbury has been formally dissolved, and
the various chapters and archdeaconrieq will proceed to
the election of proctors in the coarse of a few days.
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LL W INTELLIGENC g.—March 21.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.
(Before Mr. CommissionerPhillipm.)

IN RE C. J. MATHEWS. -THE CASE OF MR. CHARLES

MATHEWS.

The rule in the case of Mr. C. Mathews, the
comedian, to set aside part of his salary on the
ground " that he was of ability to pay his credi-
tors," came cn for hearing, and attracted a good
deal of not;ce.

Mr. Sargood appliod to make the rule absolute,
on the part of Mr, Alicroft, and Mr. Dowse showed
cause for Mr. Mathews.
The Jule alleged that Mr. Mathews had an an-
nual salary of 4,1601. from Air. E. T. Smith, -of
Drury-lane Theatre, and that he was of ability to
pay his debts under his insolvmcy last year, when
he was discharged at Lancaster.

Mr. DOWEIO said it was one of the boldest appli-
cations of his bold friend Mr. Sargood, and h 3
should show it was quite baseless.
Mr. Sargood—That is not so bad as a " bass"
application.
Mr. Dowse would show that it was basele3s,
having no foundation.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips—And perhaps "leave
not a wreck behind." (A. laugh.)
Mr. Dowse contended that the rule was inopera-
tive, and that it could not be enforced under the
87th section of the act.

Mr. Sargood referred to the case of Mr. Finial-
son, the government actuary, in which a simil+r
application was made. There would no doubt be
a difficulty to enforce the rule for execution, and
the case he referred to was now in abeyance for an
assignee.
_ _ .

Mr. Lewis (Lewis and Lewis), as attorney for
Mr. Mathews, denied that the cases were similar.
Mr. Fiulaison had a certain income, and Mr.
Mathews only a weekly salary.
After a discussion on the point of law, and Mr.
Dowse having intimated that he had a full answer
to the case,
The Commissioner ordered the affidavits of Mr.
Smith and Mr. Mathews to be read.

Mr, Dowse proceeded to riad Mr. Smith's affi-
davit, which stated that Mr. Mathews had been un-
der an engagement top, rform at Drury-lane, which
engagement expired by effiuxion of time on the
19th inst. That there was now no existing Contract
between them or any person for them. That Mr.
Mathews was never under a yearly engagernint
with him. That Mr. Mathews was inflebted to him
in 1,2001. and upwards for money paid by him as
his surety, and otherwise on his account, and from
which he was not relieved by his insolvency. That
he never paid Mr. Mathews a sa!ary of 801. a week.
That when under engagement, he paid Mr.
Mathews out of the salary he was entitled to receive
a sum of 201. only, the residue of such salary being
devoted to the payment of his own and other debts,
from which Mr. Mathews was not dischargd under
his petition. Mr. Smith further stated, that had
Mr. Alleroft made application to him as to the
position of Mr. Mathews, he would have informed
him of the sarre.

Mr. Commissioner Phillips intimated that Mr.
Smith's affidavit was a complete answer to the rule.
Mr. Mathews's affidavit was required to be read,
and he stated in a 1 ,ng affidavit that he had re-
newed Mr. Allcroft's debt under his bankruptcy,
which was th 3 pressot debt ; that by his exertions
he had paid 2,00 C/. off 5,000/. of his Lyceum
debts when arrested ; that he had only 201. a week
on account of his salary, and when ill for six weeks
did not receive it.

Mr. Sargood complained that the affidavit of Mr.
Mathews should not appear on the files of the
court, as it was merely personal on Mr. Allcroft.
A discussion arose on the subject, and the Com-
missioner required another affidavit from Mr.
Mathews confining himself to the rule.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips said the rule had
been fully answerer], and when the affidavit was
filed it would be discharged.