The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-05-15 00:00:00

HALESOWEN CONSERVATIVE AND

CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION.

A very enththastic meeting was held on Monday even-
ing, at Cradley, for the purpose of petitioning.the House
of Lords on the Irish Church question. The chair was
taken by Major F. I). L. Smith, of the Grange, who was
supported by several gentlemen in the neighbourhood.
The Chairman, who on rising was received with cheers,
said he felt that it was a groat honour which they had
conferred upon him, viz., that of president to the Hales.
Owen and District Conservative Association—(cheers).
He felt that it was an honout which he did not deserve,
but, as they had been kind enough to content upon him,
he would do all he could to forward the interests of the
association—(loud cheers). Ile was very glad, consider-
ing the inclemency of the weather, to see so many pre-
sent there that evening, because it was is proof to him
that they were now in earnest. It was a great pity that
the Conservatives hail not exerted their greats at efforts
before, as he felt certain that it would have materially
altered the majority is the House of Commons; but he
felt certain that there would be another election before
long—(laughter and cheers). He did not Ray that at the
next election the Conservatives would have a majority,
but he did say that the Liberal majority in the House of
Commons would be greatly decreased—(loud cheers).
They must all put their shoulders to the wheel, and their
efforts would be crowned with succesa—(cheers). Just
by a little extra exertion what had they accomplished in
the district? Why they had returned two Conservativi
for West Stafford-shire, instead of two Libernls as for-
merly, and placed a Conservative at the head of the poll
for East Woreestershire—(loud cheers, and "There'll be
two next time "J. It only wanted a little organisation,
and what now appeared to present &little difficulty wored
he accomplished :easily. He did not know whether any
of them were present at the late banquet at Worcester,
such a sight it would have done their eyes good to hme
beheld—;laughter)—and he trusted that it would not be
long before another mass of such intelligent and eloquent
men should meet together to enjoy another evening's
social conversation—(laughter). They were, doubtless,
aware that the principal object of their meeting that
evening was to petition the House of Lords against Mr.
Gladstone's spoliation Bill, which, he thought, was detes-
table to every true Protestant—(cheers)—and clearly
showed great favour to the Roman Catholics. He thought
it was everybody's place to sign a petition of so much
importance, as he could assure them that gentlemen in
Parliament attached great weight to the petitions of the
people:--(cheers). He begged to move that the following
petition he adopted : "fo the Right Honourable the
Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the United kingdom
of Great Ilritain and Ireland it, Parliament assembled.
—The hand& petition of the undersigned sheweth that
your petitioners have learned with regret and alarm that
a bill has been int...cloned into 5. Hohourable
House having in Vir-a the disesraidiaiiment and disen•
dowment of the Established Church in Ireland. That