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ople and to render the House of Commons , m con-* mitvwith the spirit of the constitution , a fair representation of the property , the industry , and the intelligence ° « 2 That with regard to the franchise , this conference •„ of opinion that the right of voting should be widel y 13 tended , an ( j that the franchise should be made more e ie with a view to the easy formation of an honest eeiste ' r of electors ; and it recommends that the elective franchise be based upon occupation and liability to the noor rate , with such limitation as to period of residence c Qhall be necessary to afford a guarantee that the fide additionthe conference
occupation is bona . . In , would urge the 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 , copyhold , or leasehold tenures , with the view to open a 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 Kingdom would thus consist of occupiers rated to the relief of the poor , and of the owners of property , freehold , copyhold , or leasehold , of the annual value
" 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 convenient , 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 United Kingdom . A guiding principle in the changes here recommended should be , that hereafter no small constituency should exist , and that no constituency should consist of fewer than 5000 electors . i Cheers . )
" 4 . That this conference is of opinion that the 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 wliinh 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 ba > is 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 commented on the resolutions in detail , laying it down as ; i broad principle that " the elector
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 Coningham , of Brighton , at once objected to the resolutions , declared that they were far short of what the people would demand , and asherted 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 so comprehensive as the Richmond programme seventy years ago . They were not ho liberal as the resolutions agreed to at the Freetradc Club , which formed the basis of Mr . Hume ' s annual motion ; and Mr . Thompson would move that the actual words of Mr . Hume ' s motion be inserted in the resolutions . "II « would tell Mr . Bright that , if his scheme was adopted in March or April next , it . would not f-ettle the
question fur a day ; in us far » h he was able to invoke " !<• hel p of bis fellounien , it uliould not settle it for an hour , (// car , hear . ) He held that every man should be qualified to vote , if you found no cause of disqualification in his character or mind . He agreed with Mr . 1 $ > iKht t . b ; it . they must draw the line somewhere , but do ll (> t N't . then narrow it too much . He wanted a measure winch would be Huti . sfaolory to I lie country . He wan prepared to tell th . in they could not go too far on that « l »« 'ntion- t . l , o question of the Hiifl ' nige . Tell him why ""oiild any <; hlHH of our 1 U 1 ,, U community , having il home , "o matter where , bo disfranchised ? Why 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 , 710 . ) 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 : ' Why should not the women have itf and much laughter . ) 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 . Sharrnan 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 wai 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 , " withdraw the amendment" )—Does Mr . Bright propose bond fide 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 . "Walinsley 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 o f Sit down" )—and if Mr . Forbes is permitted to say that Sir Joshua Walmsley did injury to the cause in that locality- ( " So he did , " " No , no" )—if 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 sliall be daunt me . ( Great confusion . )
Sir J . "Walmsley : One moment . ( Interruption . ) I will be heard . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Harrison : Mr . Forbes has made a charge which I hud much rather had been left unmade . ( Loud cries of 11 Hear , hear . " ) But as it has been made , would it not be much better to allow Sir Joshua Walinsley to explain , and so end this personal matter ? ( Hear , hear . ) Dr . Watts : Let Mr . Forbes retract . Mr . Forbes : I cannot , retract , but I will express my regret for the observation . ( Hear , hear . ) Sir J . Walinsley : One single syllable . T tell Mr . Forbes that if he will do me the favour to call a public meeting in Bradford or elsewhere , I shall be ready to give the fullest explanation of everything I have done . ( Cheers . )
Mr . Lig htliowler ( Bradford ) , as a working man was dissatisfied with Mr . Bright ' s words , lie believed that the working classes would not be satisfied with anything short of universal suffrage . Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . I ' ., said that he had attended fill ) 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 had been impossible for the middle-clans 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 ' s motion—a motion which Mr . Bright had insisted on drawing up , and which Mr . Cobden had signed , and he had always found the working classes reasonable and conciliatory , (( 'hears . ) He begged of the meeting to remember that they were legislating , not for themselves , but for the producing classes ; and he hoped that , though late in the Held , tbey would propose a comprehensive measure of reform . ( Hear , hear . ) lie wished to ask
again whether the payment oi rate wa 3 to bo made the condition of the right of voting ? Mr . Dewhurst approved of the resolutions , but would have preferred an arrangement of electorul districts based on population . Mr . David ( ji reen ( Leeds ) snid he had taken the opinion of tho working classes in that town , and that they would not be mitibiiud with a two years' residence clause .
Mr . J . Heywood , M . P ., made a mild , Liber-al Whij £ speech ; and following him Mr . Cobden made known , his views . The first portion of his speech was occupied 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 wa » willing to enfranchise lodgers where they could be enfranchised .
" Another question is the payment of rate 3 . I know many gentlemen who think it would be a very coaservative 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 ? ( Hear . ) I tell you , honestly , my . firm belief is that , if ever corruption on a gigantic scale were to be tried , if 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 vote ® 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 alarger 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 queati » n . "
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 , he wound up by the triumphant sentence . " I can say , from the fullest knowledge of all the circumstances , that Mr . Bright has in his resolution amply
represented all that Mr . Hume intended , and , therefore ,, there cannot be the slightest ground for even the whisper of a suspicion that Manchester men contemplated goingfurther 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 , such 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 was 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 AVilson 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 the people being indifferent . No amendments were 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 tho Parliamentary Reform Association at a public meeting on Monday . Resolutions were passed embodying the principles of the Association . Sir Joshua " Walmsley , M . P ., Mr . George Thompson , M . P ., Mr . S . Williams , M . I' ., and Mr . W . Williams , M . P ., were ; present . There was a good muster , and considerable enthusiasm .
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C U S T OMS' R I ) F 0 II M . Obviously no administrative system can stand against the amount of hostile opinion now directed against the Board of Customs . A great meeting , over which Mr . John Masterman , M . I * ., presided , at which eminent men of all political shades attended , including the ; Conservative Chairman and the Radical William Williams , M . I ' ., was held on Wednesday in the City . The object of the gathering was to receive a report from the Committee ofMerehauts and Traders
on Customs' Reform , and to pass ccrtun resolutions condemning the Hoard of Customs , demanding tho reiippointment of tho select , committee on Customs which sat last ne . smon , and voting thanks to the various persons ti'id bodies who havo energetically backed tho movement . The most decided and hostile spirit , prevailed . Ml very speaker added some new fact which told against the Board of Customs , and tho conduct of the Law Ollicer of tho Crown and tho Treasury was unsparingly condemned . The outports were well icprencntod , und the most perfect una-
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Pec . 6 , 1851 . ] © f ) * 3 i * && *?? U&&
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 6, 1851, page 1155, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1912/page/7/
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