The Biograph and Review (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ...One of Mr. Reed's first undertakings in Parliament was the introduction of a Bill for exempting Sunday and Ragged School buildings from the payment of rates. Notwithstanding the opposition of Mr. Gladstone, who was then Prime Minister, and Mr. Disraeli, the Bill was carried. Subsequently Mr. Reed called the attention of the House and Government to the desirableness of requiring the directors of the Metropolitan Railways to grant weekly tickets for the conveyance of working men at suitable times and reduced fares. The carrying out of this proposal has been, and is of considerable advantage to those labouring persons, who work in the metropolis but reside in the suburbs. Mr. Reed heartily supported Mr. Forster's "Elementary Education Bill," which was introduced into the House of Commons, and became law in 1870. He earnestly advocated unsectarian religious teaching, regarding moral training, based on the Bible, as an essential part of the education of children. At the first election of the members of the London School Mr. Reed was returned at the head of the poll for the Borough of Hackney. He was nominated for the office of Chairman of the Board. Lord Lawrence, who was also proposed, received the highest number of votes, and Mr. Reed who stood next on the list, was elected Vice-Chairman. In 1871, Mr. Reed made a motion in the House of Commons for the abolition of work on Sundays, in connection with the Post Office, which although it was not carried, led to a great reduction of Sunday labour in the department referred to. Mr. Reed was in 1873, for the second time chosen by the electors of Hackney, to be their representative at the London School Board. He was also in the same year elected Chairman of the Board in the place of Lord Lawrence who had retired ...