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GREAT CONFERENCE AT BIRMINGHAM.
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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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This long mticipaied Conference , which has been looked forward ; to with bo moeh interest , eommeaeed on Tuesday morning last , in a spaeioas ^ nildinjj , formerly nsed as the Mechanics' Insiitote , Kew Hall-street . Application had been made to gie eommiasioBers who have control of the Town-Ball , to allow the Conference to be holdrn in that leading , bat the commissioners are a self-seloe-ed body , and labouring nnder the absurd fear that the
Conference was likely to be of a dangerous character , they refused to allow the me of the Ball . It is dne io the members of the Town -GonncD , however , to state , that they did not sympathize in this proceeding , no fewer than 43 of them haying signed a memorial to the commissioners , requesting them to . grant the use of the Hall , and others of the body -would have signed the document , had they been at home when called upon . Under these eirenxnst&neea , the Conference , as we hare before stated , was held in what was formerly the Mechanics' Institute .
The Delegates began to poor into Birmingham on Monday morning , and by evening upwards of 300 had arrived . Among the number was Mr . O'Connor . Thfir names and the towns they represented , will be found below . The Conferecce excited much interest in the town , and throughout the sittings , the building was crowded outside by petsons anxious to hear the proceedings , some of whom succeeded in obtaising admittance . The Delegates were admitted on the production of their credentials . Business was announced to commence at ten o clock on Tuesday morning , at which hour the majority of the Delegates had assembled . The following is the order of business determined on , previous to the arrival of the delegates , by the council of . the Complete Suffrage Union , » nd presented in the form of a Programme to each delegate , with his card of admission to the Conference .
MORNING SITTING , TUESDAY , DECEMBER 27 , TEN O'CLOCK . L—The Council to present the list of the members of the Conference , 2 . —To appoint a chairman and secretary . 3 . —To appoint an election Committee to investigate and decide on the claims of any persons for admission ¦ as delegates , whose name * may not be mentioned is tbe Bet 4 . —To adopt reselaiJons declaratory of the prin ¦ rip ^ es of the Conference , and the mode of deliberation to be penned in considering the main business to be bronchi under discussion .
5—To appoint » n Executive Committee to consider this programme , and to whom all matters to be bronght before die Conference shall be rufcmiUed , and who shall decide upon the order to ¦ which all business « h » n be introduced . — 6 . —To fix the boors of meeting , and adopt other regulations for order . At the first meeting of the Executive Committee , to be held immediately after the close of this Session , all documents 'which an supposed to embody fha neces sary details for working « ut the principles of Complete Suffrage , must be placed in their bands .
. EVENTK 0 SITTING . 7 . —The Conference to proceed to prepare a Bill , securing the eqnal representation of the whole people , the discussion beLcg takes as in a ccmmittse of the Thole body . 8 —To read the Bill , when prepared , a second time . The same shall sot be taken to ba've received the adoption of the Conference , unless carried as a whole on its second reading after amendment in Committee . 9 . —To determine what member or members of Parliament shall move for leave to bring in the Bill in the House of Commons . ' _ AFTERNOON SITTING , THURSDAY ; DEC 29 .
10 . —To consider a Plan for an Organized System of "Public Meetings , one object of which will be to make -an Appeal to the Electors of the United K'n $ dom to Tote / ct *^ T fcr "P fl T ^ j ^ Tre ^ T ^ nTT * - * riirfnfg * who "will support -fiie principles embodied in the Bill adopted at this 'Conference .
FRIDAY'S SITTINGS , DEC- 30 . 1 L—To adopt an address to the people of England , os several of the subject * mentioned in the Circular con-TeniDg tbe Conference . 12—To consider any other natters legitimately felting within the limits for discussion at this Conference , prescribed by the- Address convening the -Conteeoea . . ~ * -. . \* + ' . JOSEPH BTTJBgg ; MwjJnit ^ f tbe Council The following is an extract * jrr ^ Address of the jTs&nnal Complete Sufirsge TJafc ^' dated September , 1 S 12 , in consequence of whkh . Q » Conference was detscnuBed upon . " ~
Aa we have been appointed to make&rnng&nfcsis tat . tto ailing of a Conference , to consider the details fcwoBtisi tar the carrying out of the principles on which tbe Natjoual Complete Suffrage TJr .-oc is founded ; and as oar paramount object is to effect a union belireai the toddle and vaorkiag das&t . to secure ihe jvst a * d eqnal rtpraadaiioM . of the v&ole people , we think it our duty to sabsnt a&elrpEopoaitions for the ccniidenUon of the Conference as may be beat promotive of that end . We tbfKfsre submit fj » following prepoeittens for thi ttmoderarion of the Conference , wb / ch we call upon you , theBeibnaewof the United Kingdom , to eJeci :
L To determine on fb » essential details of an Act of PffrttTPent , niriiissij for securing tbe just lepresent&tktt of the whole m&t&k Male population ot tbe United IRagdom of Great fMryn and Ireland ; such Act to embrace the prinripks and details of Complete Suffrage , Equal BectorJalDistricts , Totally Ballot , ' Ne Property -QssliBcation , Payment of Members , and Annual Parfame-nts , as adopted by the first Complete Suffrage Ocference , held at Birmingham , April 5 th , 6 th , 7 th , ^ nd 8 th , 1 W 1 2 . To determine what Members of Parliament shall be appointed to introdnee the Bill into the House of -Cotudobs ; and in what nunmt other members of t ^ " > Hosae doll be called upon to support it .
2 . To endeavour to ascertain how far the friends of Unrestricted and absolute freedom of trade will unite with us to obtain such an Act of Parliament on their brag ss&fied that the newly acquired franchise will fee wed in favour of such freedom of trade . 4- To derise the best means for obtaining competent PufiameBtarTCandidates , pledged to our principles ; the most effectual means by which assistance msy be rendered to them in all electoral contest *; and the best means for registering the electors and non-electors ihrcagbont the kingdom who may fee disposed to promote our objects . s . To consider the propriety of calling upon the ttunterpal electors to adopt immediate measures for securing the election of such men only to represent than in their local governments as are known to ke favourable to Complete Suffrage .
€ . To call upon cur fellow countrymen seriously to consider thfc great extent to which , is varitns -ways , tbty wiEirgly co-operate with their oppressors ; and aKeriain bow far they may be disposed to prove their dtTt-Uon to tise cause of Hterty , by rtfusirg to be ustd for the purposes of war , cruelty , and injustice , and jarticoiariy by the disuse of intoxicating snides . T . To express aa opinion aa to tbe duty of tbe people ^ rring thpjr countenance and cuiport to all those who
nay reficr from espousing thtir cause . 8- To determine tbe best legal and constitutional ttfcans for energetically and peaceably promoting the tivn fcrjects ; far checking all kinds of violence and * * uiotion by which the enemy triumphs ; for diastmi-* atnig boue ( 1 political knowledge ; for spieadicg the ^ iraples of sobriety , peace , and toleration throughout "fee country , and by every just and virtuous means PKpwing tte people for the proper exercise of their pcfitic&l and social rights .
9 . To devise means for raising a . HatfcnaJ Fnnd for ^* purpoM of promoting th « above objects , as well aa t ? protect all persons who , in their peaceful prosecu" <* of them , shall become victims of nrjust laws or ^ potie ordinances . We THEfiETOHB ADVISE THAT PCBUC MEETl 3 c 5 S BE CAU . ED BT ADTZBUSiJIESl O » PLACASD , G 1 T I > G JOT LESS THAS POUB CLEA * DATS KOTieS 15 ; EVEfiT TOWS THBOtJGHOCT THS KlKG&OM ,
IST 1 TISG THE 1 KHAB 1 TAXTS TO ElECT BEPBESESlATlVES TO HOLD A NaTIOAL COJCFEBEJiCE AT « llil > GBJlM , O » TtTESDAT , THE 27 TB OF DECEM-* Q » , 3 & 42 , -PO-B . THE PCKPOSE OT PECTAE 1 SG A * n , l 10 BB SUBMITTED TO PaBLIaMBM , FOR £ tCUn > TBE JUST REPBESEMaTIO * OF THE " " aoiE PEOPLE ; A 5 D FOB DETE £ M 15 ;" -G OK SUCH * EACE } TL , lEGiL , AI « D COJfSTITDTIO ^ AL MEAXS ** * n cacse it to become the La -w of these BX » L 1 LS .
We have further to request that two Kepreeeniatrrss ¦ b ^ ct from fesxh of the tmaller towns snd boroughs , fwnig less than 5 , 000 inhabitants , end four from * the ° * & 2 ones , txeeptieg that London , Edinburgh , Bir-^ bun , Manchester , Glasgow , and Liverpool may ¦ ™« jsix RtpiettDtatiree , bnt no more , ^ o ^ oae half of tha RepreseBtativefl shall be ap-% *** the Eleetora and half by the Kon-electora-«* tt * etiBp for their election to be held separate , unless v ~*»» sfcs can agree in having all the Representatives j ™* 8 i si one meeting , which we earnestly 3 ecommerd ; 2 ^* tfere' * ith « eh oth « r ' a meetings , othetwUe the **^* « l be void . jj ^ tt ibosiaihe authorities interfere or trespass on "r ^ wsbtaUaai right erf public meetteg , to as to rv" tan nuv . fn <> «~* v ^ :. _ v » u .. nhnrini lief
_ rij ***^ out , reefflmnendin * Caadidat » . from each f t ^ L ^ . ** " * ° *• pnbliely notified , and left in J }^^ ? «»» to receive the signatHres of the inhafam . » T " bavfajf the greater number of aignatJ ,. ^ * clawd duly eteeted . a ^ ZJr pllce « » endiBg representaavea make ar-^^ f ^ Iw defnying their txpenees . <| « s «» a onr W » bi ^ ti ^ ^^ proWbUtd , by exifin-^ "J * oppressive laws , from secdiEg r « pre * eutatives " *** » Ckmfaenee , we espedaUy invite , and will 2 *» 7 « »• -Writer * , aU who approve cf the oi jtct of the ^™ fr sad who share the eonfideiice of the people of ••¦ K ewatiy .
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During Monday evening , no small share cf amazament was excited am » ng the delegates who were flocking in from all quarters , and who respectively repaired according to arrangement , to the Complete Suffrage Rooms for tickets , to find that large numbers of tbe Chutist , delegates were refused tickets withont any reason being aligned for the refusal—other than that tha Coupca deemed them ineligible to receive tickets . In this condition were the delegates from Manchester , from Shi meld , from Arbroath , and about seventy © then . The delegates met at the New Inn during the afternoon and evening , The spirit of indignation rose pretty bi # b , but business-like calmness repressed its fervour ; and it was determined that those of tbe Chartists who were admitted should make at onceand T \ nw « itfl Hf # \* % ^ 4 ««* A ^ *>« wm > s ^_ _^ . _>« _» m
, in the outset of the prcceedirgs , a dead stand against this tyrannous proceeding . And as , afttr all , there were quite enough ot them against whose election no pretext of dispute amid be manufactured . to carry a little wholesome sense of fear into the Council , they wisely determined to make a show of generosity in not contesting-the tickets ; and towards night intimation was reeerre * that tickets would be given to all , and that the Council would recum-mend the Conference to admit tbe parties objected to at once , and in a body , by a vote ; except Bcmb few cases , which were to be reserved for the decision of a Committee . In cocstqueDce ef this arrangement , most of the objected delegates again applied for and received tickets either late on Monday night or early on . Tuesday morning .
The delegates having then assembled in the building before spoken of , about eleven o ' clock , - The Rev . J . Spesceb , of Hinton Charter House , Bath , icse amidst cheers and said , that a sufficient number of persons were present to commence the proceedings . Their first business would be to elect a Chairman , and , at the rt quest of others , without puabng himself forward , he rose to undtftike the duty of moving one . There were there assembled , a great snmber of thinking men , perhaps every one of them actuated by different motives . Seine of them-pi obably had come from some cause and &om 6 from another , but he believed there was one thing upon -which they were all agreed , namely , that the present sj&tcm of representation of this country was a bad one . —[ hear , hear . )
They , all thought that whatever reform they tried to obtain , they wculd fail , so long as the . system ' continned in itsprestnt snap *—( bear , b % ai . ) If they had tried to . effect a rtform , either in church or in state , —if they tried to lower tbe taxes—if they tried to improve the condition of the colonies^—if they tried to preserve ptace and put an end to waror whatever thej tried to tfftct , that which connected them -with the representative system seemed to be broken—< bear , hear . ) The peopie could uot have their due effect in the House of Commons , and , therefore , - they wished to change the system . In order to accomplish this , the grand thing to be aimed at was to effect a thorough union of tbe people—( bear , hear , and cheeis . ) Tbe ; came there to consider bow far they
could agree , and not wherein they iliffctrtd . —; hear , hear , hear . ) The ; nnut allow every aaan to be honest in his opinions , and if he expressed those opinions withfraikness and honesty , they must agree to give him a fail bearing , and to listen to him with every maxk cf respect—only claiming for ibemselres tbe right to hold their O ^ tn opinions—( hear , hear ) . That liberty Which they conceded to others they must certainly maintain for themetlyea , and whilst they deprecated the possession of unworthy motives , they must not charge any others with being so actuated until their own actions ccnTincsd them of tbe fact—( bear , bear ) . They must have that ' charity which hopeth ell things , " and so long , as a man conducted himstlf honestly , they mart regard him as an honourable upright man— ( hear ,
hear ) . It would b 9 their duty to eltct a Chairman who would fairly hold the balance between all parties , and Who would be no respecter of persons . In proposing Mr . Sturge , be thought th 6 y would all agree with bin , from his past history , that they had a sufficient guarantee that be possessed these qualifications —( hear , bear ) . He ( Mr . Spencer ) would trespass upon their attention fur a few moments , in alluding to what that past history bad been , as it appeared to him to be connected in a very important manner with tbe present movement . Mi . SUage was first known to the world , aa a public character , in his determined opposition to negro slavery . fie tew there a great evil ; be went , at his own cost , to the place where s ' avery existed . He went into . the West Indies , and be there saw , with bis own eyes , the horrible cruelties perpetrated by tha slave
owners npon their poor unoffending victim * He came back to England and lectured in Tarious parts of the country , and the firtt time at which be ( Mr . S . ) had the pleasure of mt « ting him was at Dtrby , where he was , then directing bis philanthropic tfiortB to tbe destruction of that iniquitous system , by arousing public atjejgionja a sense of its enormities . Mr . Sturge had lived * O aes ~ nUrtx « tio& » crowned wiih success , and slaverywar abolished in the British dominions . Bat then he . was told , and very properly , that there was slavery at home—that there were white sla-rts as -well as black ones . He , therefore , felt bimstlf bound , in common honesty to effect its overthrow , fad be had arrived at the conclusion , that the only node by which that could be effected was to reform the
representative system , and to give to every man , who had arrived at the yean of maturity , and was untainted by crime , a Tok » is tbe making of tbose laws by which he was governed , and by which his happiness , morally and physically considered , was so materially affected—( cheers . } He directed his attention to the country in which such a system of representation existed—tbe Vnited States—( hear , hear . ) He had travelled throughout tbe extent of the country . Be bad Investigated tbe state of society there . He Lad made himself acquainted with the cheapness of the government . He had seen the peace and good order and general content which prevailed among the dtissss , asd then he came back to England , and determined to devote "his energies , to tbe establishment of a sinUai
system here —( cheers ) . Mr . Sturge believed it would work well for England , as it had doce fur America . He had convinced himself of it by facts and by testimony ; and benee he had come home determined to do all that lay in bis power to procure a fall , fair , and free representation of the people—( cheers ) . Tttn the question arofce , how was _ he to do this ? There had been systems propcsGd which ' did n 6 t go far enough ; and he believed that the great ot ject to be aimed at was to move tht classes that bad the votes . The grand thing to be aimed at was to get the co-operation of those who had the power of sending men to Parliament—( hear , heaT ) . Others migbt labour for the promotion of partial representation ; Sir . Sturge had felt it his duty to fabonr for nothing short of complete represintatk-n ; and , without
sayirjg anytbin ? of those who chose to differ from him , he had determined to co-operate in thia peaceful warfare , if be migfct * o describe it , in which they were engaged— ( cfceera ) . He had introduced the narrow end of tbe wc-cge tj proposing tte plan of Complete Srffrage , and he thought , that if be could convince men cf religion ar . d men of irflutnee , that tbe principle was a stund &td true one , be sbonid get Compute Suffrage , atd that all that could be desirable for the people to posits * , or th ^ t they had a light to demand , would follow its enactment—( bear , hear , bear > It ¦ was true that , at one timo , Mr . Sturge was wishful to srene one point at a time , and to convince
others of < tbe unreasGnabkness of requincg Six Points at a time , but when he was convinced of tbe necessity of tbose Six Points beinta conceded , he was not slow to adopt thcOk , as be had done , ece by one , and after the most mature censidera ' . ion of their necessity to secure good Government , s * nd to establish peace and tranquillity amongst all classes—( chetrB ) With such a past bistoiy as this , therefore , he regarded Mr . Sturge aa the very best man in tbe kingdom to act as their cbairmsn— . ihear , hear . ) He bad great pleasure in propcs'Bf Mr . Sturge to fill that responsible and important office , and he hoped the meeting would be unanimous in favour of hia election—( feear , hear ,
ard cheera ;" ilr . F . O COXN 0 B . was received with lend applause . He said he bt gged leave , most cordially , to second tbe proposal of Mr . Spencer , and he did it , not only for the rtatoEs already stated by that gentleman , namely , that he would give gatisfEctifcn to the Conftrtnce—but be did it alflo for tfce purpose of giviDg satisfaction to the country at huge—( bear . ) At the same lime bo trusted teat tbe meeting would not allow , or that Mr . Stnrge himself would not allow the proposition to be made out of time , because in the programme be observed tbfit the first thing was to present to the Conference a list of members . Now whether it was thought necessary to appoint a chairman before that was done , might be a question , as the second proposition in the programme was for , that object For himself he did
not think that it aigr-ified much which was done first , and , upon the whole , be was inclined to think that it would be better to appoint a chairman in the first instance—( bear , hear . ) He entirely acquiesed in every word which bad f » Uen from Mr . Spencer in proposing Mr . Sturge m ^ v ] * && be hoped and trusted that there would be an unanimous ^ vote upon tbe question , and that it would be a precursor to that JnarSy which , he hoped , would ma * all their proceedings— ( cheers . ) Mr . WiiXiKSOH , of Exeter , then proceeded to can foraahowof bands in favour cf Mr . Spencer's proposition , which was carried uuantoously , " ^ amidst considerable cheering . Mr . W . said be had the proud satisfaction of witnessing so much harmony In a meetiDrealied foxtbft discuwionot tbe nort vital subjects connected with the liberties of the « unt * y- { hear ,
Mr . Stcrgb , ob taking the eh air , was greeted with enthusiastic and prolonged cheering . He said he rose en the present occasion with more than usual cmbarra *
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ment He trusted that the manner In which the motion had been carried was a favourable omen of the progress of tbe cause . He certainly felt himself altogether unworthy of the enoomlnms passed upon him , but as far ss be waa identified with tbe great question they were met to advocate , ha trusted tbe unanimity shown Was a very favourable harbinger of its final success—( hear , hear ) . With reference to the remark which Mr . O'Connor had made , as to a slight alteration in tbe programme , it was , perhaps , necessary to state that it had been considered advisable , under all the circumstances , that the Chairman should be elected , aud be believed that by doing so it would facilitate ttuir future proceeding!—( hear , hear ) . Before they proceeded to tbe business immediately before them , perhaps he might be allowed .
to say that no reasonable tffurt had been left untried to obtain tbe same room in the Town H = ll , in which the last Conference met That building , however , was under the control of a serf-elected body , who seemed so afraid of the progress of : this peaceful movement that they had adopted more stringent m'xusureB than he believed was ever resort « d to in any Conservative town in England , to prevent their holding the Conference there—( bear , bear . ) But to show that this feeling was not participated in by tbe rate payers , be feeld in hla baud a memorial , signed by forty-three members of the Town Council against this arbitrary proceeding , and which would have been signed by a greater number of that body had the parties been at home when they were called npon . As he conceived the credit of the
town was at stake , with regard to this refusal of the commissions , he would take the liberty to read the memorial before they proceeded to business . [ Mr . Sturge then read the memorial , which expressed the opinion Oftbe subscribers that the deliberations of the Cwrferenc * were likely to be eminently characterised by peaetfolness , philanthropy , and national importance , and pared that the use of tbe Town Hall might be granted . ] This memorial , the request of which was refused on Friday last , left the council no alternative ; but to engage the building in which they were then assembled , and be hoped , therefore , that their friends would exense the inadequacy of the accommodation , it being the only suitable room which could be obtained for the occasion . Having said thus much with regard to their
place of meeting , he begged to say , that although ho was particularly anxious tbat they sheuld proceed to business , and not to make Bpeecbes , ~ yet he believed it would be right fur him to trespass for a moment or two with reference to the particular position in which they now 8 tood—( bear , hear ) Some of them , and himself among the number , bad been frequently applied to by their neighbours of tbe working clnss to assist in the morement to obtain for them complete justice in the representation Some of them had at flrat declined to take part in such a proceeding . First , because it was considered tbat tbe Universal Saffrage party bad a » uncient number of able leaders in the field ; and secondly , because it was said that there was identified with the term ChartUm , something so prejudicial to
the minds of the middle classes and to tbe great proportion of the electors , arising out of certain incitements which were Bald to have been used in favour of physical force and violence—that there was no probability of their being able to carry the middle classes along with them—( hear , bear . ) Now , he ( Mr . S . ) was one of tbose who , was happy to ixar his testimony to the fact tbat there waa as great a number of men of peace amongst the honest Chutists u in auy other body of politicians in the country—( loud cheers . ) At the same time , he was bound to acknowledge that there were at one time expressions made use of , and ads resorted to , which gave some'grounds for the opinions . to which he had adverted . But , he added , it was the duty &f every one , in a bold and
uncompromising manner to . advocate just legislation , however he might condemn or disapprove some of the means others might think it right to adopt—( hear , hear . ) It was with those views , and on this principle , that the Complete Suffrage Association had commenced its labours . Its principal object and its principal efforts had been directed to induce the electors , and tbose who had the power , willingly to grant full justice to their unenfranchised fellow-countrymen—( cheers . )—The Council were bound together in a solemn league to pursue this object by peaceable , legitimate , and constitutiocal means only , and the succe 8 s ; that they had met with encouraged them to hope , that by forbearance and argument they might be able to break down that barrier which bo unhappily exUted between classes whose
interests were inseparably identified by some circumstances which had occurred during the hut few years —( Hear , bear . ) At the former Conference the Six Points to which reference had been made , by his friend Mr . SpexceT , had been adopted . He ( Mr . Sturge ) could confirm tee opinion stated by Mr . Spencer , that every one of those points was carried , not by prejudice , bnt by reason ; and be was satisfied that any inpartial person who happened to be present , and who beard tbe arguments advanced , could " not help going away witb tbe impression that all prejudice would be removed from tbe minds of tha opponents of tbe friends of tbe people , and having iivrited the closest investigation aud scrutiny into every act of the council , be ( Mr . Sturge ) thought , they
were entitled to credit for honesty , until the contrary could be proved against them—( Hear , hear . ) But at the same time ' be wished mwt explicitly and unequivocally to say that tbe couucil could not , either directly or indirectly , agree to any compromise whatever of their peaceable principles . He was one of those who , when he saw persons in high station , like Lord John Russell , accused in his place in the House of Commons of having arrayed one put of the population in arms against another—when be saw both the leading parties in the state united in inducing young men to go on a murderous crusade against the Chinese and tbe Affghana in India—tbe coit of which was to be paid out of the hard earnings of the labouring classes —when be saw the leading political journals vieing
with each other in scurrility and falsehood—be repeated , be was not one of those who was disposed to judge harshly , if so bad an example should happen to have followers . If there were any present , therefore , who had pursued the course to which he had alluded , and who now saw it was wrong , and who , by deeds as well as words , would prove in future they had seen their errors , he hoped the past would be buried in oblivion —( hear , bear . ) But he wished most emphatically to say , and in doing so he was quite sure he should express the feelings of every member of the Council , that they could n ^ t unite with any one who would in any way encourage any species of violence for the attainment of their great object—( bear , hear . ) As the Conference bad shows him this mark if kindnesa by placing him in the chair , be would , to the extent of his feeble abilities , endeavour to do impartial justice to every delegate present ; and , should any
circumstances arise ( which , however , be did not anticipate ) to induce him to resign the arduous situation , let tbe Conference be assured that he shou' . d do so with perfect good feeling —( bear , bear . ) He was one of those who thought , whether this Conference effected the great object they had in view or not , that their principles must nitunately triumph , because they were based upon the eternal principles of truth and justice —( cheerB . ) He believed the next business before tbe Conference was the election of a Secretary , and before that question was put , he perhaps might be allowed to make an allusion to the gentleman whom they had in view—( hear , hear , beat . ) His friend , Ml Morgan , bad devoted a great deal time of time 4 n working out the details of both this and the preceding Conference , and he ( Mr . Sturge ) would venture to say , that if tbe Conference elected him be would Bave them much txpenee in fees , as well as a considerable saving in point of time —( hear , bear , and laughter , )
Mr . Gardner , Manchester , begged to propose Mr . Morgan to fill the office of Secretary . That gentleman had filled a similar office at the last Conference , and no man could have discharged the arduous duties of the office in a more efficient way than he bod done—( bear , hear ) . Moreover , Mr . Morgan was a legal gentleman , and as some members of the Conference were supposed to be somewhat illegal , or that their proceedings tended to illegality , Mi . Morgan ' s advice might be of some service to them in restraining their democratic enthusiasm within reasonable bounds —{ laughter ) . The Rev . Dr . Wade , London , seconded the proposition , which was put from the Chair , and unanimously carried .
Mr . M » b « un begged to thank the Conference for their kind expression of feeling with respect to himself . He should be quite ready to devote whatever time and abilities be might have to the service of the Conference ( hear , bear ) . He believed his first duty would be to announce the names of tbe partita constituting the assembly . The Chatbma . n said that It would be extremely desirable , when any delegate rose to address tbe meeting , that he would announce his name and the place he represented . Mr . Parry , London , understood that some gentlemen claimed to bave a right to ait in this Conference in consequence of being members of the last Conference , but who would not have a vote . What regulation was proposed to be adopted with respect to them ? .
Tha Secbetaxt apprehende * that then was no gentleman present who waa not aware that tbe ere * dentials of some of them had not been received . In all cases in which they bad been received the parties had a right to be present and to take part in the deliberations . He had to present a list of persons which bad been marked No . 1 , who eoastitnted the Conference . It was a very lengthy one , and Included the names of individuals who represented all shades of Reformers . He had also to present another list , No . 2 containing the names of persons whose appointments as delegates were irregular , but in respect to them the Council recommended their admission by a vote of the Conference—
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( hear , bear ) . The whole of the credentials having passed through hU hands , it was found that a veiy great many of the delegates were Irregularly appointed . He might state , that wherever those irregularities were occasioned by mere matters of form , and there was no apparent violation of the spirit of the Invitation , the Council had felt themselves justified in plaoiDg tbe names In list No . 2 . But where there was a violation of the spirit of the invitation , the Council placed the names in list Wo . 3 . v There where a number of towns in , wfeica elections of delegates had taken place under circumstances so entirely at variance with what the Council considered both the spirit and the letter of the invitation , that they had determined to reject them altogether , and they wished to have the opinion of a committee , chosen by the Conference , as to the mode in which such cases should be disposed of . The list No . l , against which there was no objection whatever , would , of course , be received first .
Mr . J . Hqbson , Leeds ; suggested that each delegate should rise as his name was called —( hear , hear ) . Mr . J . Ahhan , of Bradford , begged to say , in the outset , that fee objected to the distinction of lists . He considered that the Council had no right whatever to say who should constitute that assemblage and who should not That right he apprehended rested with the Conference and with no other party—( loud cries of " hear , bear" ) . ,. „ .. . - : Mr . hobson said , that if he understood the secretary right , there were three lists of peisons to be read . One containing the names of persons about whose elec tion there was no doubt ; another , with respect to whom there waa some doubt ; and another whose names had been objected to altogether . What the Council proposed te the Conference t 6 do / was to pass a resolution , declaratory of their opinion bow they thought snetj cases ought to dealt witb ^( hear , hear ) . v V Mr . O'Connor understood Mr . Arran'a objection to be tbaVt&e dtoptrt ** -listssho « ld not be decided by the UsfNbnL : ( HearV ) . ¦ - : / ; , ; ' . V " Mr . A rSan maintained that every delegate had a right to take his seat in the Conference , until it should be decided that he had no right to be there . ( Hear ) TheCUAiRMAN believed that there was no desire whatever to keep a single individual out of the Conference . But the Council having taken upon themselves the responsibility of inviting their friends from the country to meet on this nioat important occasion , it was thought right to lay down certain rules which should be acted upon for the maintenance of proper order . They were fully aware that , under the circumstances , it was possible that those rules would not be strictly
complied with , and they felt that as a Council they were bound to tbe country to be guided by the spirit of the invitation in the lists they made put— " ( he . tr , hear . ) There was great difficulty in arriving at a correct state of the facts , because they must be guided , in s great measure , by emparte evidence , and they were desirous , on that account , that the Conference should appoint its own Committee , in order to determine whether the parties objected to ought to form part of the assemblage or not —( heaT , hear ) In the responsible situation in which the Council felt themselves placed , they must , to a certain extent , be bound to the rule they had laid dowa ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ .. '¦ ' ¦ - . ' ; . ¦ ¦ ' . ' ¦ _ ¦'¦• - .. ' .
Mr . O'Connor was of opinion that the question lay in a nuUbell . The council of the Complete Suffrage Union issued their writs to certain towns to send delegates to the Conference . Then ho thought that they must take as prima fmcie evidence of a person ' s being elected , the credential signed by the Chairman , who was returning officer —( hear , hear . ) It would be , impossible to reject the parties In the lists 2 and 3 , upon mere ex par te evidence going against the decision of tbe returning officer , because his was the only evidence they had ) as to the validity of the election . He thought It would be better if the secretary would state tte nature of tbe evidence upon which the council had rejected the delegates , so that the Conference might be put in possession of the nature of the objection— - ( hear , bear . ) . : : . " - ., - . ' ¦• ..:. ¦¦' ¦ " ¦ ' ¦ " ¦ ''¦ ' . ' ¦ '¦ > .. ; " . ;
The Chairman said that the only objection he bad to such a course being adopted was , that : if each case underwent discussion , th « beat part of their time would be consumed , and the most . important part of the bnsiness left unfinished . \ Mr . CLaNCY , Brighton , decidedly objected to be tried in the manner proposed , and for this reason , that his constituents bad sent him there not to be tried by a jury , or a claes , but by the whole Conference—( hear , bear . ) If his name was placed in list No . 2 , he was confident there were certain parties in list No . 1 . the illegality of whose election be could prove —( hear , bear . ) Wbs it fair that he should be tried by parties in such a eituat'on ? r- ( " No . no !") ; ' :
Mr . ComuHOUH , of Glasgow , observed , that on the most minute , examination of the case , be found that there was not the shadow of objection to some delegates to whom cards had been refused the previous night—( bear , hear . ) On the other band , he had seen men with Us owa « y . es , ^ re ^ ivlttjt cards , vrbo had no earthly title to them , iMbe a ^ aff ^ iStinred ^ tyiair-cooncU w «« to be carried oat—( hear , bear . ) It was ah easy matter for persons at a distance , having some spleen against him , to protest against the validity of his election ; but
aa a party sent there by the people of Glasgow , be maintained that all matters affecting the legality of elections should be decided by the whole Conference , and not by a part of it If they acted upon the plan pointed out by the Coalman , they might disfranchise whole towns , and he begged to a * , whether they were prepared upon the representation of one aided evidence to commit such an act of injustice ? Or were the delegates to sit with their bands in their pockets whilst the committee decided upon the validity of these elections ? He thought not
Rev . T . Spen « er thought that there was a great misapprehension of what bad been said before the meeting by the Secretary . He ( Mr . S . ) was present at the meeting of the CouDcil on the previous night , and he could assure them there was no wish on the part of that body to prevent a eingle delegate taking bis seat on that Conference if he was legally entitled to do so—( hear , hear ) The Secretary had already stated that the Council recommended the admission of the names in list No . 2 , by a vote of tbe Conference , and in order to carry out tbat recommendation , he begged to propose that such parties be forthwith admitted as members of the Convention—( hear , bear . ) Mr . O'Connor seconded the motion . Mr . HOBSON proposed the fol . owing amendment . —
" That this Conference be constituted of ALL the delegates who have been appointed by the people in their several localities , and who have presented themselves at this board to take their seats ; any party baviDg objections to urge against ihe elections ot the delegates , such ¦ objections ' .-to be mad ** either in open Conference er before a Comrnittee to 1 ) 6 appointed /' Mr . Arran seconded the amendment , and in doing so , he begged to state that be for one did not Imagine that any delegate would come there without the shadow of an election , or with a wibh to impose upon the Conference—( hear , bear . ) He had no such suspicion , either with respect to the Complete Suffragista or the Chartists . . "¦ '¦ '¦ ''¦ ' . ¦ •¦ ¦ -. ;¦ .. ¦¦¦ : ¦ . ¦ : -. . ¦' . ¦ - . . . . ' ;¦ ' /;¦ '
The Rev . Mr . Hill should support the amendment , and he did so trusting that he should receive credit for nut being disposed to cast any vtawortby slur or suspicion on the gentlemen composing the Complete Suff age Council . He fully appreciated the candid disposition manifested by that council in recommending the adniiskion of the gentlemen in list No . 2 . He was quite ready to admit that that might have been done , as had been intimated by the mover to save the time which perhaps might otherwise be spent in useless , exciting , and vexatious inquiries . He was desirous to appreciate and respect the feelings which induced the Council not to press such inquiries . He was willing to give them credit for the best feeling in the matter ; and he was only auxious that they should evince it by avoiding whatever could be otherwise construed by the most captious . He thought it would be much more desirable to admit the names in lint No . 2 , as a matter of right , than as a matter of courtesy—( cheers ) .
The Rev . E . Miall , of London , thought there was no necessity for going far into the question . If those delegates who had supported the amendment would consider for a moment how fur their principle carried them , and might have catried the Council of the Complete But " , frage Union , had they been disposed to do evil , ho thought they could at once accord with the resolution which had been moved by Mr . Spencer and seconded by Mr . O'Connor . The Council had called a Conference of delegates from various parts of the kingdom . They bad laid down certain xules , according to which they could judge whether those delegates were really representatives of the persons whom they represented to be—( hear , hear . ) They wished to have a bona fid * Conference and not merely a nominal one—( hear , hear . ) The Council , then , had laid down certain rules , which
would be a test of admission to the Conference , and by which they would judge—whether the delegates had been sent by the people or not , whether meetings had been fairly called , and whether they were so constituted as that the choice of the people should be sent there —( hear , hear ) . Now , if the Council were to act entirely and exclusively on the letter of their previous instructions , there were some persons they would reject Bat they proposed no sach luge measure , bat that all who had been Included in list No . 2 , should compose the Cenforence , believing that the elections had been boiffide , and that the rules had been violated rather in letter than in splrit ^ - ( bear , hear ) . If the Council bad not acted in this manner they might themselves have filled the Conference witb delegates of their own choosing , and thus have carried things as they pleased —( hear , bear ) . " Mr . J . Williams , of Snnderland , was of opinion that if the election of delegates bad taken place in con-
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formity with the invitation of the council , he maintained that at present no gentleman- " JuM a right to take any part in the proceedings but who could clearly be proved to have been elected in confa nnity with the regulations of the council—( hear , hear . ) Mr . Davis , of Hawick , remarked that in all disputed elections of the House of Commons , all the parties took their seats in the House , until they were dL qualified by a committee appointed to try the merits of the case—( hear , hear . ) :. ¦' ; " . - ¦ . ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ : : ' " ' '¦ " ¦' . ¦ . : ""¦"'
Mr . SPENCER wished to state that the principle alluded to by the previous speaker was the one on which the Council wen disposed to act , and to allow the deiegabetto take their seats until the committee had decided against them . They desired that the committee to ba appointed should even compose a considerable majority favourable to the individuals whose claims were disputed —( hear , hear ) . If they committed an error , they wished it to be on the side of letting the delegates in rather than of keeping them out —( hear , hear ) . : ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦; ¦ ¦ "'¦ " : : ' ¦ ' ' ' 'V ' -. -. : ' . . - ¦ ' . ; ' . ' ' ¦ ¦' ¦ : ' " ¦ - ¦ . ¦ ,
Mr . HOBSON conceived that It was an invidious distinction to speak of lists one , two , andtt » ee . What was the precedent in such matters ? The return of the Returning Officer was the qualification of a person to take his seat in the House of Commons , until he was petitioned against , and that petition had been formally investigated—( hear , hear . ) What would they say if , when the House of Commons met , and that one-third of the members ' wejre petitioned against , : ' the remaining two-thirds should put the one-third out of the door , while they seated themselves ?—( bear , hear . ) The delegates had no right ; to decide upon the liBtNe . 2 , without evidence . They had no evidence to show that the elections had been conducted in an irregular manner . He maintained tbat all delegates who presented themselves ought to be admitted , on the prima facie evidence that the Chairman was the best judge of the Validity of tb * cWoUone-- ( haar . hear . ) ¦¦' .., ' . :. . '•' . "
Mr . SPENCEB said if it would save time , ho was quite willing to withdraw his resolution—( hear , hear . Mr . Patrick Brewsieb , of .. Paiatey , considered it was not competent for any individual to Withdraw a motion without the consent of those who had supported it . ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ;\ : - v . ' : ¦; . r ; . ; .,. ¦ , ¦ ¦ . .- ¦; ¦ ., ¦ ¦ . . - . _ . After a desultory conversation between the movers and seconders of the two propositionB , Mr . Spencer withdrew his motion , and that proposed by Mr . Hobaon , beini ? put as the original one , was carried by a large majority . '¦ - ... ¦' . ' ' . '¦ .. ' . : ¦ : : . Mr . ' AL'LBRI ' oht . then read over the list of delegates present , and the places they represented . The list is as follows : — ¦
Airdrie , —Wm . Bredfe . Alnwick—Josh . Forster , Green Bat - ' Cottage , Alnwick , Hev . Joseph Price , Birmiagham , James Atkinson , Birmingham , S . Haycock , Woodcock-street , Bir-, ' ' ¦' - mingham ; ' ¦ . . - •'• : ' " ¦' : '¦ ' . ¦ ' ¦¦ ¦' .:.. ¦¦ . ' ¦'• ' " ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' : ¦ ¦" . - ¦• Aberdeen ^ -Jas . H . Wilson , Jno . Mitchell , Archibald M'Donald , and Wni . Chilton , Birmingham . Arnold . —Alfred Anthony and Wm . Salbert Anderston—Patrick O'Higgius and Wm . Park « 8 . Arbroath—Chas Crawford , Abm . Dnncan , Peter Hig-: gins , Wm . Thornton , and F . O'Connor . Barrhead—Wm . Cotton .
Belper—James Tickers . Blackburn—Wm . Beesley , Accrington , Rev . Wm . Hill , Leeds , and George Morton , Birmingham . Barnsley—John Yallahceand Frauk Mirfield . Bath—Rev . E . Spencer , Hinton , and John Hopkins , -: \ Bath , ¦ .. ¦ . ¦ ; ¦ ¦ . ¦ : ; ¦ . ¦ ¦ . ' . . .: ¦ ¦ : ¦¦ : ' : " ' : ¦¦ . . •¦ : ; . . • : ¦ : ¦ Bromsgrove—Matthew Hall , and Henry Prosser . Bury—Tho * . Kay , Stanley-street , and Edwd . Murless , Park-street , Birmingham . ¦ Bilston , —Benjamin Skidraore . Bradford—John Smith , Pater Driver , John Arran , and ' . 'V .. 'Josh . Hammond . .
Bridport ^ Charles Sturge . Birmingham , and Charles Clarke , Bath . [ ¦ : ¦ . : ¦ ¦ : :. ¦ : " \ . - : . "'¦'¦¦" - . ¦ . - . ¦ ' .:. " .. : Banbury—R . CockwlU . R . K . Philp , and E . French . Bridge water—ThomaB Hill , and P . J . Thompson . Birmingham—Arthur O'Neil , Thomas Parkes , F . O'Connor , Oeorge White , John Follows , and John . . ¦¦• Horsley . y , ' . ¦¦ ' . ''"' . . ¦ ¦ . ¦ ' ' . ' ¦ Bradford ( Wilts )—G ., Rolf , 6 . Lueman , Birmingham , and josh . Gsurdnev Bristol—A-Allbright , J . Palmer , J ^ JohnBtonj C . Chard , T . Simeon , H . Onion , R . H . Williams , and John ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ¦¦' . . Newman . .. " ¦ . - ' . " .., ¦¦'¦ . ' ¦ : "• ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ .. ' ..: ¦¦ - . - : '¦ . ' Brighton . —C Brooker , I . T . Clancy , and W . Feeat Basford ( New )—T . Rowland and J . Harrison . C&mpaie—Con Murray , Glasgow .
Cradley—Jne . Blanchfleid . Cambridge—T . Woods , R . Thurlborn , Jno . Winfield , Birmingham , and Jno . Hunt . : Carlisle—Walter Thome and Oreo . Richardson . Capar- —Wm- Morgan . - Crediton—Jon . Bumdge , Saml . Irdwell , Bath , Edwd . Miall , London , and Wni . Lovett , ditto . Cheltenbom—Wm . Hollis , Cheltenham , Wm . Milson , ^ - ^ dtttor ^ , :- "' — - ^^ . ; . ^ , ;; . ,.. ¦;;; ____;¦ — •¦•¦ - ; - ¦ , ' . - ¦• . ' . . CSrenoester—Thos . Taylor . - r Ceres—A . Albright and Rd . Dell . Chalford—Rd . Workman . Coventry—Peter Haye and J . Statkle . Deanshall—Jas . Adams , Summer-lane , Birmingham . Da » fermltne—J . P . Rodger , Glasgow , and Andrew
Fleming . Derby—Gf . Stevenson , Derby , Jno . West , Herbert Spencer , and Saml . Pendle . ;¦ . Dundee—O . J . Rowland , Dundee , arid William Da ¦ . -. vidson . //¦ ;¦ : . : y .. - - ; /¦ . ¦ . ¦ ' "• ¦ ¦ •¦• ' ¦ ¦ " ¦ ' . ¦' Doncaster—Chs . Buckley , Doncaater , Thos . Wright , and Arthur Albright , Birmingham . Dartmouth—Chas . Walker , Dartmouth . Dumfries and MaxweHown— —Humphery . DeviZM- ^ -O . W . Aushe , Revd . G . Westley , Chas , . Watson , and Wm . Akerman . Dalkelth—Jno . Thomaaon . ' Exeter—W . J- P . Wilkinson and B . Davy . Edinburgh—Rev ; Dr . Ritohie , Edinburgh , Rt . Lowery , John Dunlop , Henry Rankin , and Josh . Sturge ,
Birmingham . East Wemyss—Jno . Brown , Birmingham . HldvrBlic—G Therp . Forfar—B . Oakley , Birmingham , and William Cooper , ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ ditto . ¦ ¦¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ - . .: ' , - - ,. - ¦ . - - " ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ -: ¦ ¦ ¦ '• • • .- - ¦ , Falmouth—Isaiah Pumphrey , Edgbaaton , Birmingham . Frome—W . P . Roberts , Bath . Glasgow—Thomas Ancott , James Moir , James Adams , Samuel KidU , and John Colquhoan . Qalashiels—Rev . Robert Blair , Galashlels , and John : Icacrae . . ¦ : ' -. ¦ ' " : ' -J" ¦ ' ¦ ' : ¦ : -.. - ' -. ¦ '¦ . ¦ Greenwich—Charles Finch . >! , Gatehouse— Robert Somers . ' Greenock— George Robertson . ' Great Bolton—James Lord and George Scott . '
Hammeramith—William Watktns Wynne . Hebden Bridge—James Mairthy , Birmingham . Hahley—Moses Simpson , Pall-mall , Melton , and James . ' . French , Newcastle . ¦ Hull—William Webster , Ertw . Preston Mead , Daniel Moloney , and William Podget . Hawick—Thomas Davlea . Halifax—Edward Taylor , Birmingham , and Benjamin Kushton , Ovenden . Hamllton—Archlbatd Walker . Huddersfleld— James Shaw , Thomas Veevers , Edward Clayton , and William , Cunningham . : - Ipswich—Henry Vincent , William Fraaer , D . M'Pherson . and We Ganrod
Jedburgh—Patrick Brewster , Paisley . KetteriDg—Re- » . William Robinson and Edward Jenkinson . ¦' . ' .: ¦ .. .. ¦ -- ' - •" ¦ .. '¦'¦ ¦ :. ' . ¦ . ¦ - . - ¦¦ ¦ ¦ :- . ¦ Kilraarnock—William Cotton , Birmingham . Kirkaldy—JoBeph Cobley ; Birmingham , G . B . Haynes , ditto , B . Beesley , -ditto , and Dr . Glover , Edinburgh . Eendal—William Stutely , Birmingham , William Harrison , ditto , Joseph Perry , ditto , and Joseph Geudner , ditto . Keighley—Joseph Firtb . : _ King ' s Lynn—John Field , Birmingham , F .- Evans , ditto , Joseph Corbett , ditto , and James Fowell , Lynn . ¦ . ¦ ' " -- . ' . ¦¦ ¦ - ¦¦ / ' ' . - ¦ ' ¦ ¦ . ¦ ; ' : •¦ ' ' , • . ; - Kirriermuir—J . Peterkin .
London—Southw&rk—John Maynard , John Rose , Jno Kelsey , and John FusselL Lambeth—J . G . Dover , John Se well , Henry Boss , and J . B . Brown .. Finsbury—J . Knight , J . Cluer , J . Campbell , and H . Hetherington . M « y-le-bone—J . H . Parry , T . Lucas , R . Buchanan , and T . M . Wheeler , ^ ower Hamlets—Dr . Wade . W . Robson , P . M'Grath , and G . Wilson . Westminster—J . Skelton . J . Christopher , R . Ridley , and W . Clarke . City—Edwin Mantg , and Chas . BolwelL Lye Waste—J . Starmey . Liverpool—B . M'Cartney , W . Jones , T . Smith , H . Jones , C . GwllUanis , and S . Cowan . Leeds—T . Fraser , W . Brooke , J . Hobaon , and W . ¦ - ¦ Barron . . '¦ ' ¦ ¦¦¦' . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦' ¦' . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ ' ¦ ' . ¦'¦¦' . ' . ¦ . ; : ¦ ¦'¦' Leslie—Joaiah Pumphrey , R . Picken , and J . B . ¦ EuoBoa . :. ; ¦' ¦ ¦ ¦ ;¦ ''¦ ' : . -: ' : ¦ •• \ '' ¦ ' : : ¦ ' ¦ . '¦ - -. '
Long Buckby—John Eyre . . Lburf » bowttgh--J , 8 kevingon . Leicester—T . Cooper , J . R . H . Bsirstow , J . DuflY , and R . Jackson . ¦ : ¦ ¦¦ ¦ " y--: .. •¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ , . ¦ :, ¦ . ¦ - ... ¦ ' ¦• ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦' . ¦ . ¦ Mansfleld—Smith Lyndon , and Rev . WnJ . Hill . Marklnch—Wm . TallU , and Rd . Jenldnson . Market Harborough—R Whlteman , and B . Carter . Melksham—J . A . Lander . ' Merthyr Tydvil —• Wm . Miles , and B . Habard . Maryhlll—J . Gardner . v * Mancheater—J . t ^ ach . C . Dovte . W- Dixson , J f Lane , P . M . Btophy , and T . Bsitton . Newark—R . Collins and J . Saunderi . Newbnrgh- ^ J . C . Perry and S . Fox . Newcastle-upon-Tyne—J . Sinclair , F . O'Connot , T . WUcke , A . Fuweli , J . S . GUmore , and W . Hoj'¦ ¦' : ' ¦ kins . ' : ¦ ' . . ¦ ¦ : •¦ ¦ . ' - ¦ :. ' : .. . ' . :: ' . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' . ¦' - " . ^
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¦ ^ irlL jii&kXi ; Newport , Isle of W ^ bt—T . Pletos . Nottingham—S . Bean , T . Beggs , W . H . MoU , andR . 1 '¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦/¦ Morrison . ' ¦ ' ¦• ¦ ' ¦' . ¦ : ¦ ¦ .. "¦ ; '¦ - ¦ : "¦ ¦ ¦ : ' .: Northwich—J . Dixon , and G . Green . Northampton— ... Thorn . ¦ •;¦ ¦' . . ¦ pldbory— W . Ball . Oldham—F ., Lord , J . Greaves , John West , and J ' . . " Crowder . ¦¦¦¦/¦ . " . y -. -..: '¦ - : ¦ : . ¦ ''¦ ¦ Pollockshaws—Charles M'Ewan . Paisley—Patriek Brewster , B . Ctoehrane , Joseph Cor bett , and W . C . Pattison . ;
Preston—W . MattinsonandR , Manden . Renfrew—Henry Sansum and Patrick BreWster . Redditch—Wm . Parkes . Rutherglen—W . C . PatUson and C M'Ewan . Rochdale—J , Taylor , Royton—Jas . Mills , and T . Lees . Reading—G . Goodrlck , L . Hey worth , J . Vines , and H . . - . - . ' ¦ ¦ Jatnes . ' : •¦'•" . ¦ ' . ¦ . ' ¦ ¦ ¦•;• ¦ . •¦ . ¦ ' ;¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ ... ¦ . - ; _ ' . ¦• : Radford—J . Saunders , — Rowell , and John Wllinot Sudbury- ^ Rev . T . Swan , G . Lambert , and B . Wright . Stroud—S . Paul Stcwarton—Re / . W . Stokes . Strathavon—F . O'Connor and G . White . StoBfbridge—T . H . Morgan and J . Chance .
Selby—Edward Barley . Stockport—T . Clarke and J . Atkinson . Stirling—Bev . H . Solly . Sroutharapton—F- Cooper . . SsJt 4 oat »—J . Henderson and J . P . Reid . ^^' Sunderlarrf—J . Starge , W . P . Roberts , J . ThormSbn , and J . WilHams . ¦ Salford—Robert M'Farlane- Sutton-in-Asrjleld ^ -W . OUrer and W . Parker . Shmefiouse—W . Inglis . Sbratford—T . P . Wrench . Salferd—F . Warren . Sme » hwlck—W . Hackett and M . Gilbert . Boutb-8 hield 8—T > . Potts and Charles A * hton . " ¦ •''
Bheffreld—Hfehard Abbott , S ^ Parkes , G . J . Harney , and W . Beesley . Trowbridge—J . Watts and P . Boberts . Tonbridge—D : S . R » wlinson . Todmordtn—J . Fielden and H . Shephard . Tavvnton—W . Bramsn and W . Harrison . : ¦ Towyn —© riffith Kvans . Tplcross—P . O'Higgins and LPitkethly . Yale t * f Leven—Con Munay . West Brpmwich—J . Powell and G . Wilkes . Weduesbury—B . Danks and W- Thomason . Warwick—C . French , J . Green , J . Shephart , and J . ¦ ¦ ¦
- : Sexty . ¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ..,-.. ¦ . "¦ ¦ . ¦ . .. ¦ .: " ' - ¦ : WaJsall—J . Crow , A . Aitkens , J . Griffiths , and t . . •¦ . " Mason .. ' -. •¦ ' ' ¦ '¦; ' ' . ¦ ¦ .- - ¦• ' ¦' . . " . WeUingborp ' -r-W . Gent and J . Robinson . Warrington—B-. A . Dromgool and J . D . Stevenson . Worcester—Robert Hardy , H . Stone , C . Sharps , and ¦ J . HaWSUw . * - v .,.. ¦ ¦ . .. ¦ . "¦•' v . - .. - . .. ' Woodbridge—J . B . Toylor . Wsitbnri ^ W . iv flm and J . Coffins . Wooton-under-Edge—J . Butler . West Kilbride—J . Eames and J . Gibbons . Wooldale- ^ -J . Hobsnn and the Rev . W . HiU .
A person here presented hiniaelf at the table and announced himself as a delegate from London ; , lrafc stated that he believed his ersdentials had beea withholden by the Chairman of the public meeting which elected , bini and consequently Would not be forthcoming . We did not cat « h th © name . ' The Secretary announced that all the credentials which had been received , were upon the table . Of course the Council could not take any notice of mere newspaper reports . .
Mr . Hobsok said that a novel case had arisen , which would require to be dealt with . A delegate offered himself to take his seat , who stated that he had been duly elected at a public meeting , but that the Chairman of the meeting bad withheld his credentials for the purpose of depriving him of his seat What steps were the Conference to . take to remedy such a defect as that ? Mr . H . Vincent , of Londou , suggested the appointment of ft committee to consider the disputed cases . Mr . Parri , of London , proposed the following resolution— " Tbat a committee , consisting of the following
gentlemen , shall decide on the admission or rejection of such persons as shall present themselves for admission to this Conference about whose election there may be any dispute : —Mr . Newton , Mr . Booker , Mr . Roberto , Mr . Wilkinson , Mr . Moir , Mr . Follows , and Mr . Robinson . '' In moving this resolution Mr . Parry expressed hiaiBelf of Opinion that the decision of the committee should not be founded upon mere technical objections , but on the principles of common sense , and that construction which an enlightened judgment of all tha circumstances of the case would furnish , Mr . Chawfokd seconded the motion .
TheRev . W . Hill waa of opinion that the number to constitute the committee should be now settled , bui that the names of the persons should be left , not to any body of individuals , but to tho Conference itself . He proposed as ' an amendment , " Thata committee of nine persons be now appointed to whom the examination of all disputed elections , and all application for admission , for which no . credentials may h&ve baen received , shall be committed . " The amendment was seconded by Mr . HO » 3 ON . Mr . VlNCENH thought the queaUon . was one | of | con siderable importance . When the Committee was appointed , be thought they ought not to allow Individuals whose elections were supposed to be illegal to take thett seats In the Conference—( hear , hear , and no , no ) .
Mr . Pahrt thought that the Committee must be guided by the rules under which the Conference wan origi nally formed . They could uot > set up a rule of their own and admit parties who had no credentials to present—( hear , hear ) . ; Mr . Vickebs , Belper , considered ifc extremely deslr-&ble that the elections should be perfectly legal , Otherwise parties migbt find their way into tbe Conference & -T « - . ¦ > - *'" "";"'* " "Urntttt— Ihsp ' r ****' The Secbbtabt thought that no notice should bo taken fey the Committee of any objections to election * which were not protested against by the inhabitants of the places whence the delegates purported to come . Mr . Mxall also supported this view . Mr . Dixon said that it had come to his knowledge that there werp parties in the building who had never
been elected by a public meeting— - ( hear , hear ) . Of course , the inhabitants not knowing anything about such elections ceuld not protest agalnt them—( hear , hew ); Mr . Duncan wished to say that if there was to be the invidioua diSlinotion of lists , he had a serieus objection to make to number one . He stood there as . the only legal representative of Arbroath , and yet he wa « placed in list No . 3 , and men who bad never beea elected at all were placed in No . l —( hear , hear ) . A Delegate stated that there were six towns in which objections had been made , and he knew one individual who had made objections which would shame every Christian and Englishman —( laughter ) . The Rev . Mr . Swann objected to the invidious distinction of lists , because he thought it looked too muek like aristocracy . He thought they ought to guard against anything which might bave the appearance of das * legislation —( hear , hear ) . ;
After considerable discussion , the amendment VM put and carried by a large majority . The Confwence then proceeded to the nomination of parties to iiopptUute the committee . After about twenty persons had been nominated by different parties , the Chairman said he bad no wish to fetter their proceedings , but he wauldvput it to them whether they had enough of nominations to select from ? He feared much time would be occupied in voting for so many , and he hoped , therefore , that unless same on * had a particular wish for some person not yet nominated to be on tbe Committee , they would as soon si possible devise some means of e lecting the nine from the number proposed . The Rev . WM . ' -HiLt proposed— "That the nanesj of the respective parties nominated on the Couunlttee be put into a hat , and put to the meeting , in the order in which they are drawn put , and that the nine person having the moat votes be tbe Committee . " v Mr . J . HoBSON seconded the motion ;
The Rev . Patbick Beewstbe moved , that the following gentlemen be the Committee : —Rev . X . Swann , Mr . T . Hill , Mr . J , H . P * rry , Rev . W . Robinson , Mir * W . Hollis , Mr . C . Booker , Mr . R , K . Philp , Ml . Johm Cluer , and Mr . Jsmes Williams . Mr . A lbri « ijt seconded the motion . This motion was followed by much dieapprobatloa from almost the ^ entdre meeting ; it being contended that the parties to be chosen- as the Committee , ought to emanate from the Conference generally , and not from an individual . Moit of the delegates proposed by Mr . Brewster , refused to be elected in such a manner . Mr . Bbe wsier was here asked whether he would withdraw bis proposition , and tbat gentleman having replied in the negative ,- _ : . . :, . - ' ..
Mr . O'CowNOft said he had no alternative But to propose a counter lisW and tbe names he should ofife * to the notice of the ¦ Confcrence were—Rev . W . ' Hfll * Mr . Joshua Hobsbp ^ Str . "W ^ P . Roberts , Mr . James Moir , Mr . J . Colquhpun , Mr . G . White , Mr , Thomas Davis , Mr . thosoas ^ Kidd , and the Rev . T . Swann . A Delegate secpndedlthe nomination . ; The Rev . Dr . Wade , the Rev . T . Swahh , and many oUjer Complete Suffrage Delegates condemned the courae adopted by Mr . Brewster , and recommended him to withdraw bis proposition . ..: . ¦¦ _ - ^ An amendment was proposed by Mr . T . THOMMON , of Sunderlana , and seconded by M » . J . Mixc ^ sm , " That the names of the persons -nominated be put Into a bat audthat the first nine drawa out by the Clbairmaa be the Committee . "
A stormy discussion followed , which ended hy Mr . Brewster agreeing to support the amendment > <* J **> Thompson . The two lists wete th «« wI *™ r » wa and the CoBterenoe went to the vote as between . the amendment and tt » origtoal tesblntton . Mr . OrConnor and Mr . Lowtt were » ppolnted tellers ; pod the number for the amendmenfc was 118 * and fot tfee original motion 147 . The ^ amendment , therefore , wa « l <^ «^ M ^ Hfltt « oftton « Mrifld . " _ ^ . After the dsdslpn of this question ^ . the Conteeaee t ^ -a-i ^ -tfdiA--v ^ - - ^ j ^^* - f ^^ Sm been prcvioaily moved to the Chairman for hia conduct during the proceedings .
JBVBNING MEETING ^ "The Cenletcnce awembled aootk iftgr to : o'dodl ^ Ito . Mason , who | im been imprWpl fix monthi la Stafford Gaol , ana whow torn , jnf oonflaement « lplred » u Tuejday , made Wa appaaranot in U » Cos ( Continued in 9 tir fourth Fa&j
Great Conference At Birmingham.
GREAT CONFERENCE AT BIRMINGHAM .
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AND LEEDS GENERAL ADlEfeTliJR ,
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YOL . YI . ffO . 268 ; SATURDAY , DECEMBER 31 , ^ m ^ ^ - ¦¦ ¦ - . . .- * - ' *¦ . * " ~ " *~*~ " " . ' * ' . '' ¦ - ¦¦ - ' i i-t— .. ' r ~ . ™¦ ~* ¦ ¦ ¦ — ¦
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 31, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct462/page/1/
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