The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-09 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

Lord J. RUSSELL said—On the motion for Viz second
reading of the bill to amend the representation of the people,
I will move an amendment, of the term of which I shall
give notice to-morrow.

JURIES (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Lord NAAS said the Government would not oppose the
second reading of the bill, but as they intended to bring in a
bill almost similar, he suggested that the hon. member who
brought forward the present measure should: postpone its
further stage until both bills could be laid befo re the house.
After a few words from Colonel FRENCH.,
Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD said he would. -agree to post-
pone the committee of the bill till this da:.,r fortnight, in
order to meet the view of the noble lord.
The bill was then read a second time.
CHURCH RATES BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of.' this bill,
Sir J. TRELAWNY moved as an arc zadmont that the
bill be read a second time this day six months. He
strongly objected to the principles and details of this bill,
which he considered faulty in varims particulars. He
thought the provisions with reference to ownerships and
the constitution of the incumbent and churchwardens into
a corporation was very objectionable lie did not see any
necessity for the alteration in those points that had been
introduced in the present measure.
[LEFT SFEAKOZG.]

THE GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL.
PUBLIC MEETING THIS DAY.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of West-
minster was held this day at St. Martin's-hall,
Long-acre, for the -purpose of adopting such mea-
sures as might be deemed expedient respecting the
Reform Bill pror,osed by the Government.
The hall was about half filled at the commence-
ment of the proceedings.
At one o'clock the chair was taken by T. Prout,
Esq. AmorLgst those present we observed Sir De
Lacy Evans, M.P. ; Sir John Shelley, M.P. ;D.
Nicoll, Esq., M.P., &c.

Letters of apology were received from Sir B.
Hall, Mr. Wyld, Mr. Byng, and several other
members of Parliament, who expressed their in-
ability to attend, in consequence of the county rate
bill being under discussion in the House of Com-
mons.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said
he trusted the meeting would support him in the
performance of his duty. He thought the bill
brought forward by the Government on the subject
of reform was a hoax attempted to be palmed upon
the people, which would lead them into a labyrinth
of folly. (Cheers.)
Mr. POUNCEY, in moving the first resolution,
denounced in strong terms the Government bill, as by
one of its clauses it disfranchised no less than 10,000
of the 40s. freeholders. He condemnenhe bill, as
it contained no opening for the working; asses_
(hear, hear)—and he deemed it his sacre and
solemn duty to oppose any measure that did not
admit the working man to the exercise of his
undoubted right, the franchise. (Hear, hear.) He
concluded by moving the following resolution :
" That this meeting considers the proposed measure'of the
present Government for Parliamentary Reform utterly un-
worthy the acceptance of the people, as, by still excluding
the great body of the people from the exercise of the fran-
chise, by perpetuating the gross inequalities of representa-
tion, by retaining the small, corrupt and nomination
boroughs, and by withholding the Ballot—the only security
against bribery and intimidation—it leaves the chief evils
and anomalies of the present system untouched."

Mr. ROBINSON, in seconding the resolution, said
he did so because he thought it would be acceptable
to the great majority of the people. He viewed
the Government measure as a trick, a sham, and an
attempt to impose upon the intellect of the people.
(Loud cheers.) The popular voice, in his opinion,
was decidedly opposed to the measure, as they had,
after waiting for years, determined to have a much
more comprehensive bill than that now put for-
ward. [A person in the body of the hall called out
" Bright's bill," which elicited cheers, hisses, and
cries of " No, no."] The Times had stated on a former
occasion that there was no need of reform, but that
journal was again turning round—(cheers)—it was
only watting until the people had pronounced, and
then it would be ready to advocate the necessity of
reform. (Hear, hear.) The bill of the Government
did not give the people the ballot. Now that cir-
cumstance alone was a great mistake, for without
it all extension of the franchise would be worse
than useless. He called upon the meeting to do all
that was possible to defeat the measure which had
so many omissions.

Mr. MANTLE then came forward, and, in a long
speech, said the bill was unworthy of the support
of the English people.

After a stormy discussion the resolution, was
carried with the following addenda :
" That this meeting is further of opinion that the only
legitimate basis of a national reform is to be found in man-
hood suffrage, and that no bill will meet with the concur-
rence of the inhabitants of Westminster unless it contains
that vital element of reform."

The following resolutions were also agreed to :

" That the plan of Reform propounded by John Bright,
is worthy the support of this meeting; more especially as
the principles therein promulgated are those which the
Reformers of Westminster have advocated during the last
half century."
" That petitions be presented to both houses of Parlia-
liament, in accordance with the first resolution, signed by
the chairman, on behalf of the meeting; that the Eail of
Ripon be requested to present it to the Lords, and to the
Commons by Sir De Lacy Evans; and that Sir John Vil-
liers Shelley be requested to support the same."

The meeting shortly afterwards adjourned.

COURT-MARTIAL ON LIEUT.-GOLDIE.

Adjutant-General's Office, Allahabad,
Jan. 21, 1859,

At a general court-martial assembled at Allaha-
bad, on the 24th day of December, 1858, Lieuten-
ant William Clefden Goldie, of her Majesty's 12th
Royal Regiment of Lancers, was arraigned on the
following charge :
Charge.—For conduct to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, in having, when in
command of a detachment of recruits, proceeding
by bullock train, been drunk on the road from
Sydabad to Allahabad, on or about the night of the
14th or the morning of the 15th of November,
1858.

Finding.—The court is of opinion that the pri-
soner, Lieutenant William Clefden Goldie, is guilty
of the charge preferred against him.
Sentence.—The court sentence the prisoner, Lieu-
tenant William Clefden Goldie, of her Majesty's
12th Royal Regiment of Lancers, to be dismissed
from her Majesty's service.
Approved and confirmed.
(Signed) CLYDE, General,
Commander-in-Chief.

Camp Rankie, January 3, 1859.
Remarks by his Lordship the Commander-in-
Chief in India.—The court committed a great irre-
gularity in asking► for the production of former
convictions against the prisoner, such a course being
only admissible in the case of non-commissioned
officers and private soldiers. Lieutenant Goldie
will be struck off the strength of her Majesty's 12th
Lancers, from the date on which this order may be
communicated to him at Allahabad, which will be
reported by Brigadier Wood, C. 8., to the Adjutant-
General of her Majesty's Forces, and the Military
Secretary to his Excellency the Commander•in-
Chief.