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then the Mr Babsbt's motion having been ...
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-¦ THE MIDDLE CLASS MOVEMENTTHE METROPOL...
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MEETING OF THE U > :..vifLOYED IN SPITAL...
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Iks, Operative B.«ssaiof the Metropolis ...
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THB NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. SATURDAY, Mat 6. ...
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Mr Babsbt's motion having been put, was ...
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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.
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Then The Mr Babsbt's Motion Having Been ...
THE NORTHERN STAR . | . Mat 13 , 1848 . ~* - -I .,.,, ... iimi " ^ . i . i . i i « i * - -- ¦¦ " ¦ - ""'" iif « mnffiw »«»« . ""* ' ** " J— - — ¦ ¦— — 2 ... , ¦¦ ' " """^ ~ 7 """" ~ T ~ " " 'Z i 1
-¦ The Middle Class Movementthe Metropol...
- ¦ THE MIDDLE CLASS MOVEMENTTHE METROPOLIS . Several parish meeting furth ff til' ! he form' took p lace in diff erent parts of London , tM latter end of last weeK . At a »« tny hdd m St & jjSs ^^^ Tr ,, l ,, d ' « r rm nf the representation were adopted . T . ^ ofth e Westminster Reform Associa-« nn the following resolution was passed :- ' That society LplyVt that the recent course oi
S Gen Sir De Lacy Evans in the House of Commons £ net been of a character to support the principles advocated bv the society for which Gen . Evans was returned to ' parliameat . And this society further express a hope that Geu . Evans will immediately g ive his aid and support to those members of parliament who , under Mr Hume and Mr Cobden , Lave united to promote certain political and financial reforms , required by the present condition of the
Countrv . The " xew Suffrage Movement . - Three hundred gentlemen assembled on Wednesday at Herbert ' s Hotel , Palace-yard , Westminster , in order to promote the great Reform Movement projected bv Mr Cobden , Mr Hume , Mr Fox , and other liberal members of parliament . Mr Linwood was called to the chair . Mr Lovett then explained the object , namely , to unite all classes of Reformers in the attainment of Reform by peaceful and moral efforts . After lengthened addresses from Messrs Miall , Gilpin , Fletcher , Robertson , Parry , and other gentlemen , the resolution was passed , and a deputation appointed to wait on Mr Cabden and other members of the liberal party . On the following day the deputation reported the result of their visit . The
Conference then preceeded to the consideration of the organisation of the League , and after a discussion which lasted until a late hour at night , a series of rules and regulations was adopted , subject to the revision of a committee . The nucleus of a very large and influential council was then formed , embracing the Reformers of all districts of the country . On Friday and Saturday the Committee were engaged in the revision of the rules , which will be issued , ia the shape of an address , in the course of the week . From the statements made in the course ofthe Conference respecting the opinions of Reformers throughout the country , it is expected that the People ' s League will speedily become a very strong body in point of numbers . — WeeMy Dispatch . HotJSEHor . D Suffrage . —The construction we
would put on Household Suffrage , m connexion ¦ with the new movement , is this , —that all persons paying rent for any part of the house , as well as those occupying or renting an entire house should be entitled to the electoral franchise . This would include lodgers , but it would exclude mere boarders , or persons living with their parents , or under the roof ol their employers . It might , perhaps , be ne . cessary , in order to prevent confusion in making out the electoral lists , to have a ciau-: e in the bill proriding that no person should he elig ible to the franchise , who had not resided in the premises or
apartments for which he claimed to vote for a period of sis months . This would fall considerably short of Universal Suffrage ; but it would ensure a much more extended constituency than any other scheme we have seen proposed , with the exception of that which p roposes the enfranchisement of all adult persons who have attained the age of twentyone . We regard Universal Suffrage as a thing which is abstractedly rig ht , and we look forward to its advent as not remote ; but a sudden transition from tha present limited extent of the / ranchise , to a unive ^ al qualification , would not he safe . —Homing Advertiser .
Manchester . —During the week the premises in Nev . aU ' s-building have presented a very animated spectacle . Several hundreds of letters have been received every morning within the last two or thiee days , containing replies by the parties to whom they were addressed ( principally the supporters of the Anti-Corn Law League , in all parts of the kingdom ) , to the circular sent out by Mr George Wilson , on the subject of the movement for further reform in the representation . On Monday afternoon , above 1 . 400 of these answers had been received by post ; they are from all ela ses of society , including bankers , merchants , magistrates , shopkeepers , spinners , manufacturers , ministers of reli g ion , barristers , & c .
The letters are from the foilo- - . ii !? : place in Enggland : —London , Leicester , Leeds , Bradford , Derby , Bristol , Halifax , Lancaster , Rochda l e , Liverpool , Bolton , Knaresborough , Ksudal , Wolverhampton , Hudilers & ald , lIull . Dewshury , Leek , Newcastle ort-Tyne , Gateshead , Sheffield , Blackburn , Carlisle , Lichfield , Oldham , Wakefield , Darlington , Netting , ham Norwich , Wigaa , Northwich , Sunderland , Burnley , Scarborough , Alnwick , . Macclesfield , Bury , Maiton , CouKleton , Stockport , Kirby , Lonsdale , Stockton , Chester-Ie-Street , Durhim , Cambridge , Northampton , Great Yarraoaih , Frome , Phmouth , Greenwich , Wotton-under-Enge , Leig hton Buzzard , Hanley , Chichester , Exeter , Tunbridge Wells , Avlesburv , Cheltenham , Birmingham , Bedford , Hastings ,
Chippenham , High Wycombe . Saint Alban ' s , Cirencester , Leamington , Tewkesbury , Gloucester , West Bromwich . In Scotland : Edinburgh , Glasgow , Dundee , Stirling , Paisley , Dumfries , Aberdeen , Irvine , Arbroath , Eirkaldy , Hj ; vick , Dunfermline , Jedburgh . Ia Wales : F / Om Welehpool and Newport . One gratifying circumslatice connected with these replies is that they emphatically declare the feelings of the earnest Reformers to be in favour of the whole of the points in the circular , viz .: — Household Suffrage , the Bailor , Electoral Districts , and Triennial Parliaments . Of the entire number received , the number of adverse answers does nnt exceed five per cent . The general object ! . n in this Class of letters is that ' this is not the proper time . ' —Manchester Eraminer .
Rochdale . —On Thursday last , at seven o ' clock , a meeting ( called hy circular to the electors of the liorough ) was held in the lar ^ e room of the Public Hall , Baillie-street , Rscbdale , for the purpose of taking into consideration tbe propriety of forming an assoc ation for the effecting a thorough reform iu the representative system , and a reduction of the national expenditure . William Ci ' . adwick , Esq ., J . P ., having been appointed chairman , resolutions were moved by H . Kelsall , Esq ., J P .. G . Ash worth , Esq ., Mr J . Bri g ht , junior , and several manufacturers and shopkeepers , in favour of Household Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Triennial Parliaments , Electoral Districts , and No Property QaaiiSoa-ion for Members of Parliament , and carried unanimously . The room was crowded .
Meeting Of The U > :..Vifloyed In Spital...
MEETING OF THE U > :.. vifLOYED IN SPITALFIELDS . On Satmday , a meeting , numerously attended , of the broad silk handloom weavers and other trades Of the districts of S pitalfields and Bethnal Green was held at the Woodman , Waterlao Town . The object of the gathering upon this occasion was , 'The adoption of an address to be presented to her Majesty , thanking her for the most gracious patronage which she has been pleased to extend to the British artisans , by her expression of a wish that the ladies attending the ensuing drawing rooms should appear in dresses of British manufacture ; and praying her Majesty to continue and extend her patronage to every article produced by native industry . ' Mr Horsham , an operative silk-weaver , having taken the chair ,
Mr HoLLts , the secretary to the Unemployed Silk Weavers' Committee , said , when they knew that almost two-thirds of the working classes had been unemployed during the last six ; months , he hoped they would not be backward ia expressing their acknowledgments to her Majesty . He would appeal to them whether such a course was not just and honourable ? If they adopted the address , he was sure the trades would be benefited ; hut if thev rejected it , an insult would he offered to her Majesty the Queen , and the ladies who had determined to wear articles exclusively of British manufacture . He . ' wita great pleasure , moved the adoption of the -address . Mr Horksbv seconded the motion .
Mr Witsox moved as an amendment , ' That this meeting memorialise her Majesty to dismiss her present ministers , and prays that she will call to her councils those persons who will make the People ' s Charter the law of the land . ' The amendment was seconded h y Mr Cutter , and carried amidst much uproar , after which the meeting broke up .
Iks, Operative B.«Ssaiof The Metropolis ...
Iks , Operative B . « ssaiof the Metropolis and its Ticisity , assisted by such employers as ara favourable » theirlmoTetnent , are abaut to petition the House of Commons , and up ma which peti tion Lord Robert Grosvenor will found , on the 30 : h day of May next . s . motion for a committee ot enqairv ; and which motion , we brlievs , will be granted . But something more is required than taere committees of inquirypfinedof ? f ° ? the Tery great grieTaace com _
Thb National Assembly. Saturday, Mat 6. ...
THB NATIONAL ASSEMBLY . SATURDAY , Mat 6 . Tbe Assembly met this morning at nine o ' clock . Mr W . fhxo . v in t ^ chair . The Ch airman read a letter from Roll , declaring Mr George Stevens to ba the e ' -ected delegate fur Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire . He further in tiaated that the first quett on which demanded tbe attention of the delegates referred to the admission of the public to the salleries . lie was given to understand that during their la-t sitting a large lump of le : d had been thrown amongs t them from the gallery . Such conduct was intolerable ; and it remained therefore for them to determine what ought to be done . . . MrPauNosaid , the Chairman had been misinformed—the lump of lead was only a rifle ball , which soma one had thrown down in a joke or in theenthusiasm of the moment—an enthusiasm to which they were all liable . ( Laughter . )
. . . . Mr M'Dgualt , said , there was a principle involved . It ought to be recollected that the members of the Assembly represented every quarter of Scotland , England , and Wale ? , and as such they ought not to be controlled by the people of London , or any single district . In Manchester it would not be 80 . He must therefore condemn every manifestation of feeling on the part of strangers in that Assembly . Mr Vxasos moved thst the question be referred to the Business Committee . Mr Shaw seconded the motion , which on being put was carried unanimously .
The Chairman declared the decision of the Committee was in favour of the admission of stranecrp , under a caution to restrain all manifestation of feeling . ( The strangers who bad been till this excluded , were then admitted to the gallery , which was immediately filled . ) He also read , at the suggestion ol the Business Committee , a letter from Carlisle , sig ned John Gilbsrts . 'n . It stated , in answer to the summons of the Assembly to send up a delegate , that they had not elect * d fcne for three reasons ; they could not bear the necessary expense—they could not see the Eecessity of any auch body as the Assembly at this time—and they were of opinion that ho good would result so long as that body wa g allied to puyai « cal force . Another letter from Warwick , signed H . A . Do-! naldson , stated , that they deeply regretted the dis-: agreement between Mr O'Connor and the Assembly ,
arid they feared that unless Mr O'Connor united with the other Chartist leaders in furnishing them with well digested instructions ' , they could not carry out the movemest with any chance of success in that locality , and they were therefore waiting in anxious expectation of a f oand system of organisation being adapted by the Assembly , and sanct ooed by Mr O'Connor , by which they could be guided with sifety and advantage . Under existing circumstances they could not send a delegate to sit in an Assembly which Mr O'Connor had declared to be illegal—and they further stated , that they had not sufficient information to enafele them to jud ^ eof tho advantage to be gained from as Assembly sitting in London at the present time , and suggested the propriety of pub . lishinga prospectus , showing the nature of the bu » ines ? , and also stating the funds they required and who was the treasurer to the Assembly .
£ 10 . 000 Fund . Mr Wheeler then read the report of the Committee appointed to consider the best means of raising the sum of £ 10 , 000 for the purposes of the Charter . It proposed that this should be done by v & luntary subscription according to the ability of each Ideality , as very great difficulty would inevitably be experienced , if any definite sum were to be levied upon particular district ! . He stated that the Committee had prepared an address to be printed on the fly leaf of each subscription book , and likewise a eircu ar addressed to the local committee of each district . The address and circular were then read , and Mr Henry , moved their adoption . Mr Stevens suggested that the wcrta , ' for the government will resist us to tho death , ' should be left out orraodified .
When these wards had been altered to ' will resist us to tho last , ' the report was received , and the aodress and circular were handed over fo the Business Committee , to be printed and sent rff , Organisation Committee . Mr ErOTsI Jokks stated , that this Committee were not yet prepared with tfceir report , and that their delibsrations must occupy the wholo of this afternoon . Public Policy of the Chartists . Dr M'Docall then rose- to brins forward the following motion : — ' That all public meeting , held for tin- purpose of effecting changes short of the People ' s Charter , be attended by the Chartist body , not fer the purpose of obstruction , or of moving factious anv-ndmems , but to demonstrate calmly , rationally ,
and pointedly , the superiority of the People ' s Charter OVft all ether proposed reform ? , and , in case of attack , to defetd our principles b ) reason " and ar gU ' . sent . ' He brought forward this motion with the view t-f having the public policy ofthe Chartist body , in the present circumstances , considered by the Assembly . That policy would be very much guided by the policy pursued by the middle classes towards the Chartists . The rolicy of tho other party waa no doubt to get the movement into their own hands , in order to dtfeat those who bad long strusglrd f > r the Charter , and were now likely to gain it . But , whatever mig ht be their object , he was sure that their policy would 03 in vain . He was , however , strongly of opinion that they ought to take no means to obstruct , their meetings , for , Iookirg at his past
experience , he was sure that such a course , when pursued before , had done the Chartists much damage . While he was in Manchester , he had been amonsat the most zia ^ ous and active in the obstructive principle , but he always felt in his conscience that he waa doins wrong , and the people themselves thought they were doing wrowg in so acti & g . Their cause cotxid D 3 batter advanced by argument Their tjpponants might ba convinced , and tho people would be -huu satisfied of the truth for which they were contending . For instance , there was a party coming out just now for Triennial Parliaments , Vote by Ballot , and Household Suffrage . Why should the GaartiBt 30 h 3 trucMuero , 30 lon ^ as their object and their views could be better expressed by argument ? It was thus that they mwht hope to c nvince the
peop le that Household Suffrage was nothing else than a property qualification , and would never confer vhe bsntfit upon them which thsy were led to expect . lc was thus that they could show the viciousness of its workins by the statistics of Liverpool . For , let Housc'ield Suffrage ba the law of the land te-morrow , there would be 16 , 000 cella-men in Liverpool that won !< t be admitted to the exercise if tbe franchise . Pratty independence ! And there would be 20 . 000 respectab ' e artisan ' , and 15 , 000 shopkeefers and c ' ei-ks , and such like , swamped by this Household Suffrage , and overridden by these votes ofthe 16 , 000 cellarmea . { Hear , hear . ) While , therefore , they did not obstruct thosa who advocated Household Suffrage—a suffrage which would not enfranchise them ( the Chartists ) , or give them any more power
than they had now—it was stilt left to them to move an amendment at their meetings , which would test the opinion of tbe public , and submit the question to the meeting . In saying tbi ? , he did not sanction fictions amendments , for obstruction ' s sake . There were special meetings for a special purj-oae . which might have no bearing on the subject . But there were public msetings to which the public were in . vited far their opinion and their sanction ; in them , certainly , there was a challenges those who differed , and the _ Chartists were bound , in duty to themselves and their country , and their cause , to move amimdments in favour of the People ' s Charter . The Chartists , in acting thus , had nothing to fear . Tneir intellects were sharpened , and could compete with the middle classes , and the latter would , undoubtedly , be compiled to advaace in their political opinions .
Mr Hesrt ia seconding the motion , taid , he did go because an obstructive policy was adverse to the Chartists . Their endeavour ought to be to gain over shopkeepers , and those of that class , labouring to convince them that tbe interests of the working men were their own , in whose welfare it would be ° found they chiefly flourished . Abjve all , then , he commended a conciliator ? policy . Mr Cabvrr supported Dr M'Douali ' s motion for the reason that it served to fore-warn tbe other party ofthe intention oi the Chartists to oppose them on
Household Suffrage , and to prevent thrm beingtaken oy surprise . ^ They thus knew what was the opinion of the working clisses . That party professed to feel an interest m the welfare of ths working classes . Uny , he asked , did they not go along with them ? Why did they not advocate their views and wishes ? The shopkeepers , too , would by this motion be convinced that the Chartists had no intentions against their property or their lives ; and delivered from that prepnsterous notion , they might by and by come to consider , and to adopt what it waa the Chartists wanted .
Mr Vernon asked what Dr M'Doaall meant by obstructive policy ? His motion was indefinite , and if carried , the Chartists would be left to consider whether they wauld act in one meeting or in ao' -tfeer . and there weuld be a lack of oreaniaati-m . This was the business ofthe Organisation Committee , and he would rather see the whole referred to that Committee . Dr M'Douall explained that by obstructive policy he meant interfering with any and efery meeting whatsoever . Mr Adams in rising to propose an amendment , said .
the time was gone past for an obstructive policy . It was time for them now to be in earnest , if they were to make an effort to get thtir rights . ( Hear , hear . They had hitherto been standing upon trifles , obstructing men who were a « sincere in their wishes for the welfaraof i ha working classes as they themselves . The time was gone past for cavilling about names a & d little differences- The amendment which he had to propose would , ha thought , point out the policy ithich they ought to parsue . A Household Suffrage party had come into the field . Some of these were on the verge of adoptinc the doctrine of Universal Suffrage , tor they had lately found out the very in-
Thb National Assembly. Saturday, Mat 6. ...
definite notion they possessed of what Household Suffrage was . They were cal el on to define it , and they could not , and were obligrd to retire to consider what it was they vereadvpcating . ( Laughter . ) No « the Universal Suffrage views had appeared in the Mokni . no Advertiser newspaper . For his part he cared not for names , whether it were called House * hold Suffrage or Universal Suffrage , if so be tbao he obtained the substance . lie moved therefore , as an amendment , that a deputation be appointed to wait on these new League parties , in order to determine what were their views and intentions .
Mr Cakdelet in seconding this amendment , agreed that the obstructive cours ? of policy , i ever again taken upt was likely to bring gteat disgrace on the Chartist body . As fer Household Suffrage , if it were made the law of this country to-morrow , so far frum benefiting the country , it would enfranchise the lowest and worst scamps in London . Men had only to turn thi-ir eyes to auch a quarter as St Giles ' s and York-street , to see that some cf the lowest characters in the metropolis were householders . ( This
reference excited disapprobation in the gallery ,, which elicited a rebuke from the chairman ) His reference to St Giles s was merely to show that Household Suffrage involved tbe worst part of Universal Suffrage , and wanted nearly all its advantages . By tkia amendment then , he wished to say , that if the other party agreed with them in the princi ple , they ought to amalgamate their forces . He oared not what was theirname ; he wished for measures , not men , and thought that if this were mote tho caae , they would avoid many of their mistakes .
Mr ErvestJonss thought Dr M'Douali ' s motion was useless , and Mr Adams ' s , though better , was unnecessary ; and in discussing them they were talking uprn shadows , as much as when they spoke the other day about Confederations and Associations . Tbe committee that would sit that day would he for the presentation of tbe memorial , and fee begged to move , ' That the chairman state the number of memorials received from the country , and refer them to the delegate council of the nation . ' He waa clearly of opinion it public meetings were called by the working classes , that the Chartists ought to move an amendment for the Charter , because the working classes would be wrong to sanction anything short of it . On the other hand , if the el ctotB called a meeting for themselves , it would then be wrong * o
interfere . Dr M'Douali ' s motion , therefore , which could lay down no rule , which must leave it to be judged of by the circumstances , was useless . But Mr Adams ' s amendment was , that they should go arid find out what was the intention of another party . Now what could be the object of this to them ? They ought to stand atone— they ought to let others come and wait uuon them . ( Applause . ) Tho party that makes the first move is the weaker of the two , and the other takes the first rank . This Assembly , by the position which it has assumed , was in the first rank ; why then would they abandoa it ? The people were starving , and looked to them to do something ; either then they ought to break up or go to business at once . astheyou * ht . He , therefore , moved the consideration of the memorials .
Mr Shaw ( To- * er Hamlets , ) in seconding this motion , thought the movements which were b ^ ingmade by others were intended only to wi ! e the people away from the Charter . It wis a repetition ofthe Anti-Corn Law League policy ; and did they ever expect that most wily political economist , Joseph Hume , to come out for Universal Suffrage ? Mr S . Ktdd begged to tell Mr Jones , that the Chartist movement was not a mere shadow , but in the present state of affairs the original question was the most important which they could discuss . As
for what fell from him about the people starying , be was sorry that it was tbe case , but he did not s > e that they could relieve them to-morrow , or even next year . In order to have a movement they must build up a movement , which in itsonwa'd progress woold certainly carry them to thtir desired end . Dr M'Diuall's motion o'ircctly bore upon the proper conduct of this movement . Therecould beiio two opinions amongst them as to the desirabh ne « s of organising a vist movement among the people , in favour of the Charter , and to that they ought to give much of their closest attention . With Mr Candekt
ho agreed , that they ou ^ ht look for measures , not men . It mattered not to him whether or not they were called O'Connor Chartists , or what Mr O'Connor might have said ; tho movement was strong in itself ; they clung to the Charter be ause thev had adopted its principles . ( Hear . ) It was in this that their strength lay . Mr Councillor Brook thought Dr M Douall was not sufficiently understood . Any obstructive policy would lead to bad feeling , and imperie their progress forward . But , by argument , the Chartists could show ( hat they were riaht , and tbe fithofs wrong ,
and that any measure short of the Charter would r . ot reach the end . He was , for that reason , opp"sed to Mr Adams ' s amendment . What had t ey to do with the opinion of any others ? They had themselves a cause ti stand by , nod it mattprt . d not , therefore , what was the opinion of Joseph Hume , or anybody else . He begged to move— ' That , while this Assembly hears with satisfaction of the attention paid by the middle classes to the extension of the suffrage , yet . believing that the Charter is right and just , it cannot agitate for anything less than that document . Mr Basbrt seconded the motion .
Mr T . Jones said , patt experience taught him that the movements springing up wer < 3 intended to defeat the Chartists . What but this was the object of the Corn Law League agination for Free Trade ? In 1842 , the Joseph Scursje dodge w * s tried , when that party came out for Complete Suffrage ; but they were obliged to retire fr ' . m the field . He thought , therefore , the Chartists bad to guard against being diverted from the direct path or induced tn accept half-and-half measures , instead of tbe People ' s Charter . Let them stick to that , and hold on , determined to conquer or die .
Mr IIarlet was surprised to see men—intelligent men—discussing a question with which they had nothing to do . Their Scotch triends did not wish to abandon the Charter ; they were prepared to con . tend for every point , without cringing . But , mind , they state to the country what was to be their nolicy towards other parties , before knowing . fi > s \ what these parties mean to do . Ought not their decision , on policy ,. be ? oatponed till the necessary information w . ts obtained ? In sayin . ; this he was speaking in
accordance with his instructi'ms , which were , that he should inquire , as far as possible , into what was the present position of the Charter among all parties . But one pointed out particular men : > nd parties , and , having said he suspected them , he argued , by no very logical sequence , that , therefore . th"y ought to oppose them . Now his opinion of certain parties was no reason why a certain line of policy was to be adopted j but he suppovied Mr Adams ' s amendment , in order that they miaht have infov ' imv tion sufficient to enable them to form an opinioi .
Mr M Grath admitted the great importance of this question . Ho opposed Mr Jones ' s motion because it affected a separate question altogether ; but it was necessary that they should came to a decision on the policy which the Reformers of this c-mniry were to pursue towards certain parties . The country looked to this Assembly . As for tbe opposition they had given to the Corn Law League , in which he took part , he bad nothing to regret . But wbi c sayingthis , be did not mean to hive ihe Chur'or in . troduced on all occas'ons . There were questions short of the Charter that he weuld auppott . In a meeting for a Repeal of the Union , be would support ftepi aland advocate it ; or in a m-eting for the Separation of Church and S ' ate , they were not to refuse every aid to su ^ -h a question . Ho , therefore , would vote for Dr M'Douali ' s motion ,. After a few observations from Messrs Wheeler and Stevens , Mr Ernest Jones withdrew his amendment .
Mr Councillor Briqqs suggested that , in cafe , of a meeting of delegates from different parties to consider the questions they were agreed upon , that two delegates from the Chartists ought to be sent , entrusting fully the Charter to their advocacy . The Chairman said he could not give a silent vote ob { his important question . Truth ought o' « every occasion to be advocated and never compromised . Mr Adams ' s motion was not it-njuat , but aa yet premature . There were many parties—but none
of them organised . Parties are now advocating a Fivo pound Suffrage , other . * , a Municipal Suff / age . others , a Household Suffrage , the Ballot , and Electoral Districts . None of tbcm , however , were yet an organised party . Dr M Dmall ' s motion , however , sanctioned a policy which was worthy of Englishmen contending for English rights , and he would support it . DrM'DorjALLin replying , took the opportunity to clear Mr Adams of every Imisrepresentation , as though his intentions were to abandon the Charter ; he was sure no one would stand more obstinately bv it .
Mr Apa » s who had frequently complained of the misrepresentation of his motives , now expressed himself satisfied and withdrew his amendment . As Mr Brook had agreed to incorporate his motion with Dr M'Douali ' s , tbe original motion thus modified , alone remained . It was , therefore , put to the Assembly , and carriedjunanimously in these terms : — ' That this Assembly hears with a degree of satisfaction ofthe attention now paid by the middle classes to the question of tho suffra ge , yet , bslievjng the orinciples in the People ' s Charter to bo right and justcannoton the ground of principle , agitate for a
, , less measure , and therefore recommends , that all public meetings held for the purpose of tff-ctinp changes short of the Peopled Charter , be attended by thi Chartist bady , not for tha purpose of obstruction or of moving factious amendments , but to demonstrate calmly , rationally , and pointedly the superiority of the People ' s Charter , over all other proposed reforms , and ; in case of attack to defend our principles by reason and argument . ' On the motion of Dr M'Douall , the Assembly adjourned at one o ' clock till the usual hour on Monday morning ,
MONDAY , Mav 8 . The Assembly met this mornisg at nine o ' clock , Mr Dixon in the chair . Mr J . Plmjb took his seat for Blackburn , and Mr R . Marsdsk for Preston .
Thb National Assembly. Saturday, Mat 6. ...
Messrs Place and Maksdem then reported the state of public opinion in their district . Tho latter stated that at Newcastle -trade was never so depressed , that the Shipping interest a-t Sunderland was never worse , the wages , which were at one time £ 5 » voyage , having been reduced to £ 2 15 s . Thnt the Chartists were not so lively as they were in 1839 ; but this was more the case where extraordinary cxcitemODt had existed at that time ; for example , at Blackburn and Birmingham , The © vents however , of the French revolution did arouse them somewhat , and when they had raised th ' ir head * they were told to go to sleep again , till the 10 th „ I'TTm n .- _ . ™„ . i ^ » v , „
April , when the whole nation was to carry the Charter into a law . The great magician who bad laid them in 1830 laid them again on tho 10 ; h of April . The state of the country in his district , notwithstanding this , was such that the miseries of Ireland would soon be theirs , and the fact , of a million and a half dy ing in six months in that country would , in less than four years , be realised in England . The Agitation Committee reported , that meetings , numerously attended , bad taken place , yesterday , on B iackheatb , Kennington Ccmmon , Bishop Bonner ' a Field ? , ard St Pancras Fields ; and many applica tinns had been received for meetings throughout
London . Mr Adams paid , in tbe spirit ofthe motion made by Dr MDoualland adopted on Saturday , he had now to move that an address be issued by this As aembly , calling upon those parties moving for an Extension of tbe Suffrage to come out at once , and decisively , upon theprinoiplesof the People ' s Charter , on the ground of their self-evident justice , and the assurance that nothing less than their complete enactment will ever satisfy the people and set an agitation at once and for ever at rest . Mr Cuumin'ob seconded the motion . Mr S . Ktbd saw no great occasion for any such motion . An address has already been ordered , declaring their adhesion to the Charter , and the whole Charter , from which those parties might learn their
opinion . Messrs IIarlkt and Vernon thought that they had p layed quite enough at addresses ; they ought to take up a decided course for their own movements and pursue it , leaving other Reformers to attend to themselves , Mr Adaus replied . The motion having been put was carried , and Messrs Candelet , Vernon , Harley , M'flnuall , and M'Rea were appointed as a Committee to draw it up .
National Petition . MrCuMMiNos moved , ' That this assembly do take such step * , immediately , as will procure the expression of opinion from the House of Commons upon the National Petition . Without this that Petition was lost—without this he did not see that the As pemhly could go forward with a memorial to the Queen , that she would be pleased to dismiss her present Ministers . An expression of opinion by that house was necessary before any other step could be taken .
Mr Child seconded the motion , as according with his own views and those of hia constituents , ani the views of every reasonable man . They ought to take every possible step to calm down the state of excitement which now existed , and to prevent the evils which at present threatened tbe world . The ChartisU desired the happiness , contentment , and prosperity of their country , and this , in his opinion , was a likely means to efivct the object . Mr Hbkbt said , they had been petitioning for the last ten years , but never a single petition or motion had been made against them in tbe house . This wa-i not tha oasQ with the AnthCorn Lait League . The Chairman reraindfd him that one petition bad been presented against them , but it was got up by the Duke of Wellington , Col . Sibthorpe , and some others . ( Laughter . )
Mr PiLiiiKG advised them to petition again , but to petition by families ) each family « ending up their own petition , II this course were adopted he could assure them of 5 . 000 petitions from Ashton alone . Let the restriction be , that these petitions be « i ? ned by none under eighteen years of age ; it would thereby be a man ' s petition , signed with name , residence , and trai e , and all such fictitious name ? as had been found before would ba effectually kept out . Mr J . Shaw ( Tower Hamlets ) , assured the Asserob y that another National Petition could not be got up , that thousands of his constituents were resolved ne " ver to sign another petition . Mr Basset moved as an amentment , — 'That a deputation be appointed to wait on Mr O'Connor , and to request him to bring in a bill embodying the principles ofthe Charter . ' Mr M'Lkan secoprled the amendment .
Mr Cochkank moved , — ' That meetings be held in town and country , in crder that petitions signed by the chairman , ba got up in favour of the Charter , and s .-n ? fo the care d the sitting members , for presentation in the House of Commons . ' He begged to remind tho Assembly , that the petition already pf » Miiert . had haen repmeflted as signed by 500 , 750 000 , but that number in the report of the House ot Commons had been reduced to something h : ss than two millions . It was stated moreover that many of the name * put to it were fictitious . He advised therefore the course pointed out in the motion , as likely to brin-r tbe Charter prominently before the country and the public press . Mr Peacock seconded the motion .
Mr IIarorkaves did not believe the report made upon the petition , by the committee of the House of Commons He believed it wa g signed by the number siate i & first . But at all events after the treatment with which it had met , he was sure tbe people would not sign another . Mr Councillor Brook knew the district he came from too well to sanction any such motion . They wftuld not sign any more petitions . Men might decieve themselves as they chose , they might believe and say it , that if any member of this Assembly were taken into custody by the government , the country would rise as one man to his rescue . But he knew there was no such feeling in the Wost Riding . Mr Ernest Jones rose to ordar . He wished every man would speak only ot his own district . He ( Mr Jones ) knew Halifax , and he knew that if he or any other member were committed by the government , that the msn of Halifax would rise to a man .
Mr Brook said , Mr Jones denied the truth of what he asserted ; but he could nssnie him and all those who indulged in such an expectation they weregreatly mistaken . But language such as that had the tffact of diing the Charter great damage . As for petitioning , ho was against it . He was decidedly against another National Petition ; but if thsprinoip e were adopted of holdisg meetings , and sending up petitions signed by the chairman on behalf of the rr . eetins , he had hopes of succes ? . Mr 8 , Ktdd would no' say they ought not to petition , for he thought they ought t > retain all the rights they had got and endeavour to acquire more . But why not go forward with a memorial to the Queen ? Did not every uentleman present come uo to London chared with a memorial ? So far then
that question ffassetibd . But why wait for an expre-sion of opinion from the House of Commons ? If ad not the Russill Cabinet done more against constitutional freedom , tban the long parliament of Charbs the Second ; then why not seek their dismissal ? The House of Commons had already Dasaed the' Gagging Bill '—as bad as any la tvtf Louis XIV—had expressed no sympathy with the people ' s distiess , had insulted Mr O'Connor—was cot that a sufficient expression of their opinior . ? Ho had a suspicion there was sometuing in the wind , when Sir ti . Grey said the petition would receive , a fair discussion . But at tor names—fictitious names—ho himself dropped into a shop the other day in Euaton-square , where a mamoriil of lovalty was lying for signature , and he there read'SnubfdCe , ' 'Flatnrse , ' and' Coal . ' Perhaps these would not be considered as damaging that
document , Mr Vernon had been informed that Mr O'Connor had pledged himself to bring forward his motion on tho Charter after Eas ' . er . If so , the question would receive tho definite attention of the House of Commons . He strongly urged the Assembly , however , aeabist vacillating and taking different courses . ^ Ho advised them t <> pursue a direct path to their object , and to do somtthing definite . So long as they cis . cussed such a question , the movement would die out of itself , and that Wss the wish of the House of Com . mons . As for the memorial to the Queen , he wa convinced the Quern would n ; t attend to it . However , as it would ba better to present it , he urged them to do s . i quickly , and go through with it , for he had mom ! means to propose , which , if used , would induce the Queen and her ministers to give them every measure which tbey wished . Aa for petitioning , he advised that every man , who signed , should come up to London , and carry it up to the House of Commons
in a liodv . , . , Mr M'Grath had always been in favour of testing the opinion of the Ho « ao of Commons , This was necessary before presentisg the memorial to the Queen . On that account he supported Mr Basset ' s motion , as Mr O'Connor ' s bringing oh the question would most effectually test the opinion of all parties , — the parties in favonr of an extension of the Suffrage , aa well as others . He knew that that motion would fail . He knew that the memorial would fail . But the course he advised , would show what tho House of Commons was made of , who were their friend * , and who not . Mr Cochrane ' s was a motion that could be discussed afterwards . As supporting Mr O'Connor and Mr Wakley , the course mieht be very advisable . 6
Dr MilouALt agreed with Mr Bisset ' s amendment . Great advantage was likel y to accrue from it ; and none more thaa thhatut it might be known when their old and tr ied friend , Mr Duncombe would be in the house to whom , he was 8 u « J Mr O Connor would concede the honour of bringiur in the bill , and who would likely muster great tort in that house . As for petitioning , he confes ed he was averse to meeting the iee ™ » mi ;„ L * „ ! lauKhters of that house auaV * J ° ' Mr Ernest Jones expressed himself fltroncly in favour „ r the amendment for the deputation . t £ SSSSSt hi 8 moti 01 " ** Coch -
Mr Babsbt's Motion Having Been Put, Was ...
Mr Babsbt ' s motion having been put , was carried unanimously . Mr Cochrane renewed his amendment again as a substantive motion ; and after considerable discussion , mostly a repetition of sentiments alrfaty px pressed , nearly all the members bsing of opinion Hut the pe » p le would not sign any petition , it waa re jeoted by tbe majority of those present , only two hands being held up in favous of it . Confidtnee in M ? O'Connor . Mr J . SaAw ( Tower Hamlets ) said , that in his locality , after discussing the fquabbling which had taken p ' ace in the Assembly , his constituents had passed a resolution which they wished him to com municate to the Assembly , that they had always had , and continued to have , the utmost confidence in Mr O'Connor . . Mr TUrsht ' s motion havine been out . was carried
Mr M'GiuTH said , that at & large and enthusiastic meeting held at the South Loudon Hall , before any addresses were delivered , a resolution was passed , expressive of their regret that any differences had arisen between Mr O'Connor and the Assembly , and of their unabated and entire confidence in that gen tletiian . Mr Adams asked what was the use of telling them that resolutions of confidence had been passed by public meetings ia Mr O'Connor ? He denied that there were any differences between Mr O'Connor and the Assembly , and if this course was persisted in , he should rake up tbe meetings at which votes of no confidence had been passed . flew Organisation . T > r M'DouiMithen reported from the committee appointed to draw up a plan of organisation tor the country , of which the following is an outline : —
That the . name be the National Charter Association of Great Britain and Ireland ; that to facilitate the di-ee mtaation of sound political knswledge the country be divided into dlstrlets , localities , ward * , and suctions Each district to be divided into localities , each locality into wards , each ward into sections . Each ward to consist of one hundred men , each section oi ten members , ¦ That all persons acqukscing ; in the objects , and bain ? enrolled on tbe booki of Ae Association , should be members . That a General Executive be elected by the Assembly for the current year , consisting of fivo raeroharB , and that ten commig » lonerB be also elected t » y the Assembly for the same period . Any vacancy In llse Eiecutive to be filled by the highest on the voting list of tbe commissioners . District and local officers to be
appointed by the localities . General and financial secretaries to bo appointed by the Executive out of their own body . Tho treasurer to bo appointed by tho Assembly , for the current year , and Instructed to » lgn no draft unless sbjGed by three of the Executive . Each member of the Executive to have £ 2 a week , and when travelling , secend-class fare , and 2 » . 6 d . a day . The commissioners to be paid at the asms rate , but only when em . ployed , and to bo under the control of the Executive , who are to have the power to superintend the movement daring the adjournment ofthe Assembly , and to call the latter together whenever they see fit to do » o ; they are also to publish a monthly report of their proceedings , and of the state of the movemcat , together with a monthly balance sheet , The oonvmlarioners to carry into practical operation the instructions of the
commietee . The local officers to keep a register of tho names , and to furnish a weekly list of members , and a financial and descriptive report of the state of the localities to tbe district secretary . Tbe district officers to keep an active superintendence over the localities , and to furnish weekly a report fo the Executive , stating tho number of members , as also tbe state of trade , the general feeling of the people , and the movements of all public bodies . All Iooal officers to furnish a certificate of their election , together with their rejpoetlvu residence * , aa soon as elected , to the Executive , and to use their best endeavours to carry out tbe instructions of the Executive . District and local meetings to be held as often as possible , —in districts at least once a month , ami in lo Oilities once a week , The fund to oa calle ) a liberty fund of £ 10 , 090 , to baraited by voluntary subscriptions ; the local and district funds to b ? raised and contr « lled
by the distric ' s and localities . A metropolitan effice to be taken forthwith by the Executive . Dr M'Douall said the report spoke for itself , and he would therefore leave it in ( he bands of tbe Assembly . On the motion that the report be received , _ Mr M Giuth objected that the great purpose in view was to obtain the speedy enactment of the People ' s Charter , which was left out of the plan , arid the diffusion of political knowledge substituted , he would move that that be declared to be the object ol the Association . Dr M'Douall agreed to this suggestion , and the motion was unanimously passed . Mr Kydd moved the next reso l ution , 'That the country be divided into districts , wards , and sections ; each section to consist of ten persons , and each ward of one hundred .
Mr Councillor Brook was afraid the proposal was not practicable ; it would cause them in the country to meet at public houses , which was very objectionahle . Mr Wheeler said tho plan would pswerit a gveat deal of expense iu calling meetings , besides infusing a degree of unanimity in the movement which was unattainable by any other means . In fact , it was a return to the good old plan of 1839 , of having claps leaders , which he was very sorry that they had tver deoartcd from . With respect to the' proposed division , Dr M'D'juall said , the committee proposed the existing division of localities to bo adhered to as far as possible . *
The motion was after a short diseuaion , unanimousl y agreed to . The next point was the qualification for membership , which was proposed to be acquiesence in the objects "f the assoeiatbm , and enrolment in its bo & ks . Dr M'Douall said it had bsen proposed that each member should sign his own name and address , bat they had found that woald not work . A regular pay - ment had also been proposed , but rejected , because they were going to raise a Liberty Fund of £ 10 , 000 Mr M'GitATn said , they were about to form , what he hoped would be a large » 'd powerful association with officers to manage its affairs . They ought therefore to provide for theexpecses of these officers . The Liberty Fund he looked upon as an Emergency Fund , and ii the association was to be effective for its purposes they should not make a continuous draw upon it for expenses . He therfore moved ; - — ' That each member pay one penny per week , one half to to be placed at the disposal of the Executive Committee . '
Mr Vernon agreed that the Chartists should contribute to the expenses of the officers they appointed bo conduct their business , and if they were not prepared to pay one halfpenny per week for that purpose , they could not expect men of education and judgment to take that position , and devote ten or twelve heurs daily to tho business . Mr Whehlkb said they had already found by ex penenoe that the levy of one . penny a week did not work well . As they had local funds to raise for local expenses , they ought not to make such frequent cal s upon the members . The subject had been carefully considered by the committee , and they were decidedly of opinion that tbe Liberty Fund was all they should ask from the country .
Mr JosEasaid , he would only add that it was contrary to tho principles of the People ' s Charter to introduce ft properly qualificaticu . There was msny a poor man who was not able to par , but whose heart was warm in the cause , and wbo would be excluded by the proposition of Mr M Grath . Mr J . Shaw ( Tower Hamlets ) rose to bring forward as an amendment the resolution which had boon agreed t ) by tbe men of the east of London . They were siek of the present mode of collecting funds , and the men of Lirachouse especially were of opinion that if a subsciplion of la . per annum was substituted for the present payment , it would at once bring in a larger amount of funds , and produce a large accession of taonabdrd . He therefore moved as an amendment;— ' That each member shall pay I- * , pe * year . '
Mr Shaepb seconded the amendment , which was supported by Mr IIesrt , who said he found from ex perience in his own locality , that such a provision was absolutely necessary . ' Mr Insoll supported the organisation as proposed by tha committee . In his district , thousands h ? d baen driven from the support of the Chartist b dy , becausa , in consequence of a strike , they were unable to pay tbeir weekly subscriptions . They ceased to attend tbe meetings , they were unable to purchase the Stab , aad consequently became ignorant of what was going on in the movement . This would not have taken place if they had not been driven away by tho weekly subscription , and when they got into work again , they would have supported the increment .
Mr Adaus saw no necessity fer raising two central funds . If the country responded , as he believed it would , to the call for £ 10 . 000 , that would be amply Bnaoientfor ail their purposes , because alargepertion ? hi i 5 *^ i u ? ed roproduotively . for instancethey talk of deluging the country with tracts . Well , ttoatetttoloealmea purchase these tracts for sale or gratuitous distribution , and tbus they would at S dt iie p ^ cip ? an ^ furnish a continuous supply of funds . ( Hear , hear . ) Dr M'Douall objected to the urging one shilling per annum , because with the present distress of the country it would bring down their numbers and weaken the movement .
Mr Child suggested , as an addition to Mr Shaw ' s motion , in which he concurred , as far as it wsnt , that in the localities members might be admitted on payment of one penny a week , which should be transmitted to the Executive when it amounted to one shilling ; they would thus secure the support of many jiiisons whose circumstances prevented them from paying the one shilling at once . Mr Rankik concurred In tb . 6 view taken by Mr
Child . Mr Anns , Mr Shirron , Mr Wathrws , and Mr T . Josks supported the view of Mr Ernest Jones , that there should be no property qualification for membership . Mr Stevenson said , this was & ticklish question . { A laugh . ) It might seem all very well for them to talk of no property qualification , but they had a
Mr Babsbt's Motion Having Been Put, Was ...
great deal of expense to iscur in calling public meeera ings and other modes of agitation , and he could ei s « plenty of men who would come and take up thehei rooms and talk loudly , but when asked lor monene ffero defaulters , Now he did not like tbe idea c « going about to shopkeepers or others , and askinini for money to pay just debts ; and he thought it bvbm right and proper that those who were membeneir should contribute to the expenses of the movementnfl Mr Basset supported the plan ofthe comraitteeeet because he found in his own district that if thejev levied one penny a week , it would not meet the exjx " penses thus necessarily incurred . He thought il ill best to leave the sum to ba raised entirely to eactcfc locality . <; reat deal of expense to iscur in calling public mee
Mr Councillor Briggs hoped they would not be ledecc astrav by the misapplication ef words . No Ptotoperty Qualification was one thing and taxation waras another . ( Hear , hear . ) If they had the govern'O " ment ofthe country in their hands to morrow , thejeji would of coursOhcton the principle of no Propertytj ; Qualification to sit in tho House of Commons , bulull did they believe they c > uld carry on the governmental ! without taxation ? ( Hoar , and laughter . ) Well , tbisias was in fact taxation . It was the means of raisingag ; tbe'funds to defray the cost of tbe agitation . ( Hearer ,, hear . ) The Assembly then adjourned at ene o ' clock . On the re-assembling of the Assembly in the af-fternoon , Mr Ernest Jones gave notice of the followingg motion , which was received with great applause . 70 L 1 CT .
Besolykd . —1 . That we support bo political move-iment that does not openly and fully embrace ths Peo » i » pie ' s Chartf r . 3 . That , whenever a public meeting is called on the e question of the Suffrage , and retolutions abort ef the e People ' s Charter are moved , it bo the doty of the ff lands B of democracy to trst tbe feeling of such meeting on thoe question ot the Charter , but that whenever anyparty of if Reformers call mestings of fft « ir members only , snob , a would be an anwarrantoble act of interference . 3 . That it is the duty of the unenfranchised , and of * nil friends of tbe people , to pay no taxes , on the prin .. cip ' . e that Taxation , without rfpresentation , it tyranny , > , and ought to ot resisted . ' 4 That It i » the doty of the people to pay no poorr rates , on the ground that class legislation fans created ! pauperism , and that tbe claai legislators must , there- fore , bear the burden tbey have inflicted .
5 That it is tbe duty of the people to pay no tithes ,, ina . rasch as the State church is an institution upheld ,, partly , by robbsry from the poor , and hostile to tha I spirit of Christianity , 6 . That no Chartist rent a house of any but a Chat ' . tiat landlord , wbo has enrolled his name in the local I Chartlet Register , and complies with the above recom-. mendatiou . 7 . That no Chartist deal with a tradesman who Is not ! also a Chtutlot , having enrolled his name In the local 1 Chartist Register , and exhibiting in his windowa !! local I Chartist noticec , provided always such be not illsgal , 8 . Tpat it is tbe duty of tbe people to abstain os much as possible fromjthe consumption of all exciseable articles .
9 , That , Inaimucb as tha ezDerxJltare of the country exceeds the revenue , and tbe JTatlonal Exchequer is on the verge of bankruptcy , all those who have money in the Savings' and other Banks , are urgently rscemmended forthwith to convert their paper teourities into gold . Id . That , inasmuch as tbe rbjht ot pabllc meeting Is inherent in the British constitution , and as , in times liho these , an active watch should be kept over the pro . ceedintts of government , tbe people are summoned to hold puMic meetings in every locality , the fame to be adjoumed from day to clay , or otherwise , according to err . cumstances , bat with the shortest possible intervals ; and as ' in the multitude of eoanoil ' . ort there U safety , 'it fa funbor recrmmendfcd that great aggregate meetings of districts be held , tbus enabling the inhabitants of distant localities to commune with each other on their erievaBces ,
11 . That , inasmuch as we live in turbulent times , as a European war is imminent , as Great Britain has already been invited to take pnrt in the same , as ne are likely , in that case , to be exposed to deneentt from enemies possessed of powerful fl « ets , and as the government themselves appear to expect internal commotion , itis necessary that every men should be prepared to protect his life and property ; tbe more so as the force at tho disposal of government is , as proved hy the military and police eft'lraates , wholly inadequate to the repression of any move . ment ; It is , therefore , recommended , that every man supply himself with iirms in the exercise of his coastltu . tional right , and for the maintenance of peace law and order . The discussion on the qualification of members wa * resumed , and Messrs Cochrane , Peacock , M ' Lenn , and M-fJrae , having shortly spoken , Mr Child consented to withdraw his addition to Mr Sbaw ' s motion .
Mr M'Gb * th shortly replied , and the question waa then put , when the original proposition ofthe committee wai carried by an overw h elming majority . Thfee voted for Mp Shaw ' s motion iar on g shilling per year , and seven for one penny per week , one half to so to the Executive . Mr Basset then moved , 'That an Executive of five be elected by the Assembly for the ensuing year ;' which was seconded by Mr Vursos . Mr Hari . sv said , as this wis a most important matter , he hoped they would be cautious as to how they proceeded with it . He trusted they would not agree to the number , and then elect ih ? m half an hour after . It ^ ould be better to have a lars ; e number of nominations , and give their respective consti * tuenciesthe power of determining who should be the new Executive .
Mr M Grath s & id , that if the Assembl y elected the Executive , it would not have the support of the Cnartiat body . ^ In the old Association tin ' s was one of the most difficult and painful questions thay had to deal with . The old Association he supposed was now defunct —( hear , hear)—and in forming a new one he was anxious to press upon them the necessity of taking the opinion of the whole Association , as to who thev should appoint aa the Executive . ( Hear , hear . ) With that view ho proposed ' That the Assemby should nominate the members ofthe new Execu . tive , and that , they should be elected by the members ot the various localities . ' Mr Child seconded this amendment , Dr M-Douall said , that though the committee proposed that the Assembly should fix tbe number of the Executive , that did not also prescribe the ruo'ie of electingthem . That would be a question for after consideration .
Mr Adam * said , it wag evident they must have an Executive fo b ? gin with . It was equally evident that they ought to allow the people to elect their | own 'dhcerg . He , therefore , proposed an amendment , to the effect that the Executive to ba appointed by tha Assembly should be merely a provisional one , and that as soon as tbo Association numbered 10 , 000 members , they should proceed with the election ef the Executive . For his own part , he thought that if they adopted his resolution before the Assembly separated , they would have more than that number of members .
Mr M Grath withdrew his amendment , as that of Mr Adams met his views by leaving the election to tbo people . But he wished Mr Adams would substitute / o r 10 000 members a specific time when the election should be proceeded with , as , otherwise an ? patties appointed by tbe Assembly might keep in office for the w hole year , on pretence that they had not got a sufficient number of members . M M ! ii lABIiB J said * l h :, tne 8 U PPorted the motion of Mr Adams because he believed that if they adopted . t-. uch was the spirit in the country , ard therapiditywrh which the people were organising themselvewthaUotonly 10 , 000 , but 100 000 members , would have joined belore that Assembl y would have c osed their businers . ' 1 ?^ ? - iRTER w ve ?' an amendment , 'That the ExMutw consist « f twent y-five , instead ^ f five , and that a certain number be provincial members ofthe executive . He believed that would tend greatly to promote the efficiency of the Executive
. n J " w ? , R"n' id the object of Mr Carver waa provided tor b y the proposed commissioners . No one seconded the amendment , whicb , therefore , tell to the ground . Mr W hkkler proposed , That tho Executive appointed by the Assembl y should be entitled a Provisional Execuuve , who should make arrangements withm s * weeks from the date of the " 2 Si fJr ^ election , by the people , of tho permanent Exec " am ^ nd A ra I ' en r ityre ,, rhi 3 m ° tion ' in kvourofthis Mr Donovan said , tbey should be cautious in what ift mthls matterh M * ned that the * i
- . ' ™ « , ... : v " "ojuuieu mab ma old AjBoaifttum was defunct . They would , however probably find that the supposed defunct parties ^ ouTd have something to say on the matter . < Hear , and laughter . ) They w « e not awwe tb . effi « W tney were dead , and he felt that six weeks wis too hng tl postpone the appointment of the Executive . A Ltn ! fV , ZaS , , . V Onoueh ' attd ther « ™« Plenty ot them to elect an Executive , as well as sufficient preparation of mind and machinery , to enable them to do so ( Hear , hear . ) If they delayed it six weeks , they would probably find the people in the country would make a very different Association irom what that Assembly contemplated . As to a
new association , he did not understand them—talk as they would , it would be formed of the old materials . ( Hear . ) Mr WmsBLURsaid , the time proposed by the Cfin > mittee appeared to them the very earliest at which anything like a fair and proper election could take place . They ; might be very well prepared in Manchester , ba ; it was not so all over the countrv and they ought to give time to all parties . ** Mr Donovaij said he would move 'That the election Shoudb , finally closed on Whit Monday . ™* ™ It wJnH ? - ^^^ Ha ? Mseconded the motion . Lbto election " * l § ° * m ion and « ° it « nei , t of a £ * neltsi ^ r- ? . ? rP uP ° n tno Assembly tha neoeasity for immediately appointing , at all aunts , a
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 13, 1848, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_13051848/page/2/
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