The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-16 00:00:00

THE GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL-MEETING
IN MARY LEBONE.

I Last evening an important meeting of the Central
Local Management Association of Marylebone was held
at the St. Andrew Tavern, Baker-street, Portman-
! square, for the purpose of considering the steps necessary
to be taken with reference to the promised Reform-Bill
of Lord Palinereton's Administration.
Mr. J. A. NICHOLAY, member of the Metropolitan
Board of Works for Marylebone, presided. He observed
that he was delighted to find the people of Marylebone
tsking the initiative on this important euleject. It would
appear from the Qieee's Speech, notwithstanding doubts
previously exeressed, that they were to have a Reform
Bill brought in by the Government during the ensuing
year. (Hear, hear.) Ile (the chairman) hoped that it
would be a measure of true reform—but that would
mainly depend on the people themselves. (Hear, hear.)
Although not a Chartist he was most anxious that there
should be such an extension of the franchise as would
admit the industrious masses of the country to political
rights. (Hear.) It was said, not truthfully, that. the .
masses were not sufficiently educated to be entrusted
with the franchise. (Oh, oh.) This he denied. (Hear.)
The Government considered them educated enough to
be heavily taxed, and therefore they were equally com-
petont to possess and exercise the franchise. Dept•ni
upon it they would never have heard of this Reform Bill
from the Government bad there not been other parties
ready to bi l for public popularity. There were the ins
and the outs, and they all knew the old adage of " when
rogues fall out," Am (Laughter.) Lord Palmerston
was well aware that if he was not prepared to propose
some measure of reform, Lord John Russell was. Even
Lord Derby was prepared to enter the lists and bid for
public support, to that there was a probability they
might get something in the shape of reform. That great
patriot Joseph Hume, who unfortunately was no longer
amongst them, had said, although it was not politic to
press on and embarrass the Government at a time
when we were engaged in the Crimean war, still he was
convinced that the time must speedily come when U.
%/eminent could not resist the demands of the people. •
(Hear, hear.) That time had come, and it was for the
people to demand the extent of the measure of reform
which they required. As a consistent Reformer, he
(the chairman) felt much pleasure in presiding over the
meeting. (Hear.)
Mr. HODGES said there were two subjects for con-
gratu!atior. The first was, that her Majesty's Govern-
ment had admitted, through the Royal month, the
necessity for a Reform in Parliament. Tbat had fre-
quently been done, but although the necessity hid been
admitted, the cry had been, the preient was not the
time. Now, however, notwithstanding that the money
crisis had hardly passed, and notwithstanding our Indian
difficulty, Ministers said that not only. was reform necee.
sary, but that this was the time for .Parliamentary Re-
form. (Hear, hear.) These were two points for con-
gratulation ; but the third and most important point
was, what was the kind of Reform her Majesty's
Ministers intended to give the ' country t (Hear.)
He had very strong apprehensions that the Reform
Bill of the Government would not be a measure whioh
would be calculated to give satisfaction to, or meet
the requirements of, the masses of the people. For his
own part he felt convinced that no Reform J3ill could
be accepted as a final measure which did not include
the ballot. (Hear, hear, and Oh, eh ) If it did not
contain the ballot, the measure would be like the play
of " Hamlet" with the part of Hamlet left out. The
adoption of the ballot wool relieve the humble trader.
man and artisan of undue influence and coercion of
any kind. He (Mr. Hodges) was as much opposed
to mob dictation as he aas to aristocratic dictaio
The adoption of the ballot would put an end to both.
Before, however, they gave opinions, his (Mr. Hodges')
view was that they should wart till they saw what the
measure of the Government embraced.

Mr. BELTON could not agree with the remarks of
Mr. Hodges. In the first place, he did not think
it was the province of the people to wait to see what
the Government measure of reform was, but that they
should tell the Government what the people required.
(Hear, bear.) lie ha.,l draw::: up a series of resolutions
which he would submit to that meeting. Mr.
B• l'on then moved the following :—" That a committee
be now formed for the purpose of pre2aricg a petition to
the House of Commons, etubodyieg the following resa-
!uti-ns :—` That the ratepaying clauses in the act of
Parliament be forthwith repealed. The qualification of
electors to be a re idence of one year in a borough and
of the full age of 21 years before the time of registration,
such residence to bo certified on the principle of the
nn•litia or jury lists. That religious opinions shall be no
di•qualification to candidates or electors.'" Mr. Belton
spressed his dissent from the advantages said to be
Ilk, ly to reat•lt front the ballot. lie contended it wag
an E,.g ishrnan':‘ glory and privilege to vote openly, and
it was the right of those who possessed the franchise to
do so, that non-electers should know Low they did vote.
Mr. ArEvn.y seconded the re-cluti na. lie cordially
agreed in the abolition of the abominable ratepaying
cl,use, but as to the ballot, it was only a scheme fur the
protection cf truckling tradesmen, who desired to hold
with the bare and run with the hounds. The ballot, in
fact, was only a cover for falsehood and hypocrisy. (Oh,
and Hear.) It was certainly most (xtraordir4ry to
hear- Mr, Hughes's support o; the ballet, when he, as
w(11 at their chairman, were most ,strenuous advocates
for the election of Lord Etrington, an ope❑ and avowed
eppoeent of the ballot. , He held tv,th Mr. Belton-, that,
they ought not to wait until they had a programme from
t!)e Government as to their intention, but boldly at
once to express their own opinions. (Rear.)

Mr Churchwarden SODEN ridiculed the ob3ervatione
of Mr. with respect to the ballot, and contended
;hat irm adoption would put down that spirit of tyranny
and oppression is hlCh was frequently exercised, teen in
the metropolitan boroughs, towards persons on account
of their vote.

Mr. PENFJLD could not support the resolutions, as
they did not go far enough. Ia adlition to the ballot,
qual electoral districts should be established throughout
the kingdom. (Hear, hear )
Mr. FIZLDSON also contlmded for the ballot, but
thought it premature at once to propound their views.
He moved an amendment far the appointment of a com-
mittee to watch the proceedings of Parliament relative
to any measure of political reform, and as early as con-
venii tit to take stepsforholdingapublic meeting Other
alone or in conjunction with any other association) of the
inhabitants of the borough of Mary lebone, as to what
measures of reform they desire.
Mr. BODGES seconded ; and

Mew& HALLAM, TRIPP, acid other gentlemen, sup•
ported the amendment, and illustrated the ntce..seity fi,r
the ballot.

The amendment was carried by a large majority, and
Messr.. Yoh°lay, Hodges, Belton, M.Tvily, Cole,
Hallam, Tripp, Salmon, Murdock, Soden, Fie!dsoil,
Munroe, and Simmons were appointed a committee to
carry out its objects.
It was &so resolved to call upon the Borough Financial
Reform and the Political and Parochial Associations to
co-operate. • _ _ _

Tr2.anks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.