In March 1851, Thomas Clapham was the chairman of a public meeting in the Court House, Leeds, which sent recommendations to the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, held later in the year. They suggested firstly that the working classes should be admitted to the Exhibition for the first four days in every week "so that they may derive every possible benefit", and secondly, the reduction of fares charged by railway companies from Leeds to London from 15s 4d to 12 shillings, enabling a greater number to reach the Exhibition.