On this page

• Text (2)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    dec. 6, 1851.] &|>r SUatre t* ll g5

  • 

    C U 8 T () M S' R Jfi I'0 It M. Obviousl...

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    The Reform Campaign. The Long Talked Of ...

    "I ™ le and to render the House of Commons , in con-* Svwith the spirit of the constitution , a fair represenf of the property , the industry , and the intelligence oi Wat with regard to the franchise , this conference f opinion that the right of voting should be widely tended and that the franchise should be made more le with a view to the easy formation of an honest Sir ' ster electors ; and it recommends that the elective ^ nchise be based upo n occupation and liability to the iT rate > -with such limitation as to period of residence P ° ha ] i ' be necessary to afford a guarantee that the occupation is bona fide In addition the conference

    uld u rge tae extension of 40 s . franchise , and its extension to the owners of property in the United Kingdom of that annual value , whether derived from freehold , fODvhold , or leasehold tenures , with the view to open way to the right of voting to many , who , from various causes would not be in the direct occupation of premises ' rated for the relief of the poor , but whose claims to the franchise , from industry , character , and station , are undoubted . The whole constituency of the United King dom would thus consist of occupiers rated to the ielief of the poor , and of the owners of property , freehold , copyhold , or leasehold , of the annual value

    of 40 s . " 3 . That this conference is of opinion that no extension of the franchise will make the House of Commons a fair representation of the nation without a very considerable change in the distribution of the electoral power , and it therefore strongly urges that , where practicable and c onvenient , small and neighbouring boroughs be united and form one borough ; that where such arrangement is not practicable , small boroughs cease to return members , and that their existing constituency form part of that of the county in which they are situate . That ,

    corresponding to the extent to which small boroughs shall be united , or shall cease to return members to Parliament , new boroughs be created from the populous towns now unrepresented , and that additional members be conferred on the metropolitan and' other first class boroughs in the U nited Kingdom . A guiding principle in the changes here recommended should be , that hereafter no small constituency should exist , and that no constituency shoufd consist of fewer than 5000 electors . ( Cheers . ) _ _ _ conference is of that the

    " 4 . That this opinion adoption of the ballot is indispensable to an honest representation ; that it -would make the convictions of the elector , rather than his personal interests or fears , the leading motive in the exercise of the franchise ; that it would greatly depress the demoralizing practices so humiliating to candidates and so degrading to electors , which were almost inseparable from a canvass and a poll under the existing system ; and that it would aid most effectually in preventing the turbulence and riot with which elections have hitherto been too often attended .

    " 5 . That this conference is of opinion that the present legal duration of Parliaments is much too extended to secure to constituencies a proper control over their representatives , ana would strongly urge the repeal of the Septennial Act , and the limitation of the duration of Parliaments , in accordance with ancient precedent , to a period not exceeding three years . " 6 . That this conference entirely concurs in the view expressed by the Prime Minister during the last session of Parliament , that the property qualification for members of Parliament ought to be abolished .

    " 7 . That in the proposition now agreed to and now submitted to the consideration of the country and the Government , this conference has been anxious to adhere to the ancient landmarks of our representative system , and within their limits to introduce such changes only as experience has shown to be wise , and so to widen the basis of the representation , as to satisfy the best expectations of the people , improving in industry , in comfort , in education , in morals , and in the appreciation of their public duties and public rights . " Mr . Bright comment ed on the resolutions in detail , Living it down as a broad principle that " the elector 7

    should be a resident and a ratepayer . Sir Joshua Walmsley asked what was meant by a ratepayer , to which lie received no satisfactory reply . Further discussion was objected to until the resolutions were seconded , which Mr . Alderman Kershaw agreed to do . Mr . William Coninghum , of Brighton , at once objected to the resolutions , declared that they were far . short of what the people would demand , and asserted that the only good point in the whole programme was the ballot . Mr . Alderman Carbutt , of Leeds , agreed with the resolutions , and defended them "warmly .

    Mr . George Thompson , M . I * ., objected strongly to the resolutions , an the programme of the popular party . They were not ho comprehensive as the -Richmond programme seventy years ago . They were not ho liberal as the resolutions agreed to at the Freetrnde Club , which formed the basis of Mr . llumo ' a annual motion ; and Mr . Thompson would move that the actual words of Mr . Hume ' s motion bo inserted in tlui resolutions . "He would toll Mr . Bright that if hin ocheine was »< lo | it . i ( l in March or April next , it . would not settle the able to invoke

    < lucNlion Cor u day ; in an far an ho was the help of hin fcllowmcn , it should not settle it for an hour . ( Hear , hear . ) ll « held that every mim should be qualiiied to vote , if you found no cause of disqualification in hit * character or mind . He agreed with Mr . Bright that they must draw the line nomewheie , but do »<> «¦ lot them narrow it too much . He wanted a measure which would bo aiitinfactory to tins country . 11 « wan l » r » ' ]( iued to toll them they could not go too far on that quention— the question of the mill ' iuge . Tell him why should , any cIubh of our adult community , having it home , » " > mutter where , bo disfranchised ? W » y should they

    be marked out as the pariahs and lepers of society ? They were going to put a brand of disgrace upon their fellowmen by this resolution . { Loud cries of * No . *) They were going to include part , and if they did that , did they not deepen the disgrace of those they left out ? ( No , no . ) If any of those present were left out , how would they feel ? They were answering for the men outside , and why should any man be left out of the pale of the constitution ? { A Voice : l Why should not the women have it t' and much laugliter . ) Well , he thought seriously that that was a question which might be left to the discretion of our children after us . { A laugh . )" Mr . Bright in general terms denied that he was inconsistent , and claimed for his resolutions more liberality than pertained to those of Mr . Hume .

    Mr . Lawrence Heyworth , M . P ., who had no doubt that every man who paid taxes had a right to vote , approved of the resolutions on the ground that they were met to secure a practicable measure . Mr . Sharman Crawford , M . P ., gave a qualified assent to the resolutions , which fell far short of what he deemed necessary ; but as nothing could be done without the cooperation of classes , therefore he supported the resolutions under protest . Mr . Baines , of Leeds , agreed most heartily with the whole proposition , but would best like it more restrictive still . Mr . Forbes , on the part of the town of Bradford , and Mr . Harrison , of Wakefield , concurred in Mr . Bright ' s proposal .

    Mr . Bright opposed Mr . Thompson s amendment , as enforcing the necessity of making a claim . His plan was to have the rate-book the register , and he had no objection to insert twelve months' occupation . With respect to the payment of rates , he had thought it better to leave the question open ; but on the whole he thought his resolutions more liberal than Mr . Thompson ' s . Mr . Thompson : I totally repudiate Mr . Bright ' s—{ interruption , noise , " xoithdraw the amendment " )—Does Mr . Bright propose bond Jide household suffrage ? { Interruption . ) . . Mr . Forbes : Mr . Thompson mistakes the Bradford men if he thinks they will support him . Sir Joshua " Walmsley ' s letter did more harm than anything that had ever come from the association . ( " Hear , hear , " " No ,

    no , " and excitement . ) Sir J . Walmsley rose , but was met with loud interruptions . The Chairman : Another speaker is in possession of the chair . . . Mr . G . Thompson : I rise to order . If Mr . Bright is to speak in the first instance—if an evident attempt at—{ noise , and cries of " Sit down" )—and if Mr . Forbes is permitted to say that Sir Joshua Walmsley did injury to he did ) if

    the cause in that locality- ( " , " " No , no - we are prepared to debate that question , let us do so ; but I am as honest as Mr . Bright , and will not submit to be ridden over roughshod . { Uproar , and a general endeavour to drown the honourable member ' s voice . ) I am not a Lancashire man , but I am an Englishman ; and I am here , in as far as I understand them , to represent the wishes of the people of England . ( Cheers and interruption . ) I tell Mr . Bright that neither here nor elsewhere shall he daunt me . ( Great confusion . ) tion

    Sir J . Walmsley : One momgnt . { Interrup . ) I will be heard . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Harrison : Mr . Forbes has made a charge which I had much rather had been left unmade . ( Loud cries of " Hear , hear . But as it has been made , would it not be much better to allow Sir Joshua Walmsley to explain , and so end this personal matter ? ( Hear , hear . ) Dr . Wttts : Let Mr . Forbes relract . Mr . Forbes : I cannot retract , but I will express my regret for the observation . { Hear , hear ) Sir J . Walmsley : One Bingle syllable . I tell Mr . Forbes that if he will do me the favour to cal ! a public meeting in Bradford or elsewhere , I shall be . r . 'eady to give the fullest explanation of everything i have done . ( Cheers . )

    Mr . Lighthowler ( Bradford ) , as a working man was dissatisfied with Mr . Bright ' s words . He believed that the working classes would not bo satisfied with anything short of universal suffrage . Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . , said that he had attended 549 reform meetings in England , Scotland , and Wales , and , therefore , ought to know something of the opinions of the great masses of the people . Up to that period it hud been impossible lor the middle-class Reformers to hold public meetings without interruption from the operatives ; but since

    those meetings the two classes could meet in any part of the kingdom . { Loud cheers . ) At those meetings he had proposed Mr . Hume ' H motion—a motion which Mr . Bright had insisted on drawing up , and which Mr . obden had signed , and he had always found the working classes reasonable and conciliatory . { Cheers . ) He begged of the meeting to remember that they were legislating , not for themselves , but for the producing classes ; and be hoped that , though late in the field , they would propose a comprehensive measure of reform . ( Hear , hear . ) lie wished to ask

    again whether the payment ot rate was to bo made the condition of the right of voting ? Mr . DcwhurHt approved of the resolutions , but would have preferred an arrangement of electoral districts based on population . Mr . David Green ( Leeds ) said he hud taken the opinion of the working dnnmsH in that town , and that they would not bo Bauatied with a two years' residence clause .

    Mr . J . Heywood , M . P ., made a mild , Liberal Whig speech ; and following him Mr . Cobden made known his views . The first portion of Hs speech was occupie in proving the proposition that none of the speakers * except those positively belonging to the working classes , had a right to speak in their behalf exclusively He showed- that the amendment , proposed by Mr . Thompson , was less liberal than the resolution . Mr .. Cobden thought the great advantage of the plan was in making the ratebook the register , and he was willing to enfranchise lodgers where they could be enfranchised .

    " Another question is the payment of rates . I know many gentlemen who think it would be a very conservative and moral test that you should require that a man had paid up his rates . But don't you think there is great immorality going on at present , in inducing men to vote by paying their rates ? { Rear . ) I tell yota honestly , my firm belief is that , if ever corruption on a gigantic scale were to be tried , ever concentrated wealth were to be poured on a multitudinous constituency for purposes of a certain sinister character , the very best field of operations would be a constituency where the rate-paying clause existed , and where , by paying the rates of thousands , thousands of votes might be bought . ( Hear , hear . ) And I would go «

    so far as to say , that with any very large constituency the payment of rates is the only corruption I should fear in this country . I believe that Sir Joshua Walmsley is induced to press this point from his knowledge of what was done with the not over-pure constituency of Liverpool , and where the payment of rates is practised on a larger scale than in any other part of the United Kingdom . { Hear , hear . ) Besides , I do not think we are bound to provide in an act of Parliament for the payment of rates , any more than we are bound to provide for the payment of tradesmen ' s bills . { Hear , hear . ) Let the overseer see to the rates , as the law empowers him to > collect them ; but while I say this , I admit that many intelligent gentlemen take a different view of the question . "

    Mr . Cobden spoke warmly of the efforts of the leader of the Parliamentary Reform Association who * he was sure , had done great service in laying the bases of public confidence in Mr . Hume ' s motion . Turning round upon the Parliamentary Reformers , and taking advantage of their error in tactics , lie wound up by the triumphant sentence . " I cansay , from the fullest knowledge of all the circumstancesthat Mr . Bright has in his resolution amply

    , represented all that Mr . Hume intended , and , therefore , there cannoc be the slightest ground for even the whisper of a suspicion that Manchester men contemplated going further than Mr . Hume . But I wish it to be understood that , in this meeting there are men employing thousands of the working-classes , who are willing to give to the unenfranchised millions a share in the representation , Buch as should satisfy reasonable men , and place them on the road to success in all their just demands . { Loud cheers . )"

    Mr . Thompson was requested to withdraw his amendment ; but he declined , and the original resolutions were carried . A deputation was appointed to wait on Lord John Russell . In the evening a public meeting Avas held in the Free Trade-hall . The front seats were well packed with the respectable ratepaying classes , and in the distance were bodies of the people " watching proceedings . " Mr . George Wilson presided . The resolutions were read in dead silence until the ballot

    clause was reached when there was a grand cheer . Tho conclusion fell still-born—respectable ratepaying classes not being boisterous applauders , and tho people being indifferent . No amendments wero moved . The speakers were Mr . Bright , M . P ., Mr . Milner Gibson , M . P ., Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . P ., and Mr . Cobden . The resolutions agreed to at the morning conference were submitted , and carried , no active opposition being organized on behalf of thorough reform .

    The Reformers of Lambeth met the Parliamentary Reform Association at a public meeting on Monday . Resolutions were passed embodying the principles of the Association . JSir Joshua Walmsley , M . I ' ., Mr . George Thompson , M . P ., Mr . K . Williams , M . P ., and Mr . W . Williams , M . P ., were present . There was a good muster , and considerable enthusiasm .

    Dec. 6, 1851.] &|>R Suatre T* Ll G5

    dec . 6 , 1851 . ] &|> r SUatre t * ll g 5

    C U 8 T () M S' R Jfi I'0 It M. Obviousl...

    C U 8 T () M S' R Jfi I ' It M . Obviously no administrative system can stand against the amount of hostile opinion now directed against tho Board of Customs . A great meeting , over which Mr . John Masteniian , M . I ' ., presided , at which eminent men of all political shades attended , including the Conservative Chairman and the Radical William Williams , M . P ., was held on Wednesday in the City . The object of the gathering was to receive a report from the Committee of Merchants andTruders on Customs' Reform , and to pasH cert iin resolutions condemning the Hoard of Customs , demanding tho reappointment of the ) select committee on Customs which sat last session , and voting thanks to the various persons and bodies who have energetically backed tho movement . The most decided and hostile spirit prevailed . Every speaker added Homo newfact which told against tin ; Board of Customs , and tho conduct of the l .: iw Ollicer of tho Drown and tho Treasury was unsparingly condemned . The outports were well represented , and the most perfect una-

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 6, 1851, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06121851/page/7/