Cbe airtropoItg.
The Committee of the City of London Reform Club have pub- lished a satisfactory report of their proceedings during the past year.
" To increase. protect, and lenity the Parliamentary constituent.). were the great aims of the Club ; and to the accomplishment of these great objects, therefore, the exertions of the various Local Committees and or all persons associated therewith were directed. The good effect of their labours will be best evinced by the fact, that silica the late registration the Reform interest of London may safely calculate on an increase to its numbers of more than 1000 votes ; which may be added the majority of 1356, obtained at the last election by the ',wrest Reformer over the highest 'Cory ; and such a result your Committee feel to be an ample reward for the pains bestowed upon the ohjects in view, as they hope it may prove an encouragement to the frimuls of .Itclorm throtighout the country to make similar exertions and to found similar institutions. " The additional strength thus acqiiired by the Reform interest, be it remembered, is just so much increased power to the friends of good government; and has been ob- tained iu the face, not only of the strongest opposition, bin as against the wholesale objections made without scruple by the Tory party during the late registration; the effect or this opposition, however. being more than counterbalanced by the disappro bation uuiversalty i•xpressed of such attempts to narrow the London constituency, and by the information gained in contending with these difficulties, as well as by drawing out many new and ardent Reformers, whose services may be counted upon in the event of any general election. " Your Committee, nevertheless, determined upon a different course; and, acting up to the true spirit or Reform, offered in no instance whatever any factious objection: for, as has been stated in a circular addressed to the members or the Club in October last, they sustained 131 out of 233 of their objections, and withdrew .20 before going into court. urea receiving such an explanation from parties as appeared to make the grounds of objection doubtful or untenable. "Your Committee are also glad to be able to report, that the labour and expense attendant upon an election are likely in future to be materially diminished. from the general organization and arrangements adopted; which are at this time in so perfect a state. that Me business of an election may be entered upon at a moment's nstice. They trust, however, that the friends of the Liberal interest a ill enable them to keep up these arrangements with proper spirit and effect. Every year brings its own expenses ; and it must be recollected that considerable outlay is at times necessary to sustain a competent esta- blishment of this nature, even if conducted with the strictest economy."
The report then refers to the (hitherto abortive, because lazy) at- tempts in Parliament to amend the registration system-
.. Much attention has also been paid by your Committee to the various bills before the Legislature for the amendment of the Parliamentary registration; and some of their suggestions adopted in the bill introduced by the Attorney-General, will, as they believe, have the eff,et of simplifying the operation of this measure. In the bill itself they look with satisfaction to the provisions for making the qualification of voters final for. a ssliole year, anti for establishing a permanent court, as a-ell as for insuring au tintlormity of decision by conferring on the voter a right of appeal. And it is another important feature, that the Revising Barrister is to have the power of awarding costs against any parties who shall make claims or objections which appear frivolous Or Vexatious. They hope, indeed, that the bill will be found to remove some of those diS- ticultles which have existed hitherto, as well as afford additional security to the rights of the new constituency. " Your Committee, however, desire earnestly to impress neon the members of the Club. and upon ad ItelOrnatvr. that nothing has taken place which can at all warrant As stghtest relaration of their accustomed vigilance. The registration for the ensuing year ts again an object of pammount importance ; with which rirerr the wecepitv of the payment of all rates and taxes before Me 20th July must be enforced upon every voter. stet the manse efforts contimied to assert the rights of RetOrmers, and to defeat the unjust claims of their opponents, at have been eniployed hitherto in the Revising Barristers' Courts and elsewhere with so much success. " In conclusion, you. Committee desire to congratulate the Reform interest generally upon the position which it occupies in the city of London ; but upon their ow n meads they urge it in particular, that to indulge Imo far in any feeling of secutity, may be fatal to their independence; and therefore they entreat of them not to presnme on their strength, but to hold themselves in con-lant preparation—to rely upon their own eon- rage and exertions only, and, in anticipation of that hour or trial nide!' cannot be far distant. to be watchful and u oiled as ever."
This report is signed, as it was doubtless drawn up. by the able and indefatigable Chairman of the Committee, Mr. John Travers. It is indeed of paramount importance at the present time that the example of Committee of the London Reform Club should be followed through. out the country; for assuredly the Tories are sedulously preparing for
another struggle.
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