The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-07-27 00:00:00

aub pistrict Nan.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONSTITU-
TIONAL ASSOCIATION.

On Monday evening the annual meeting of
this society was held in the Reading Room. Mr.
Hodgetts occupied the chair.
Mr. 1). Dothan), the Secretary read the fol-
lowing report for the past year :

STOURIMIDOE CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIA.
TION.

REPORT FOR TUE YEAR ENDING JUNE 29TH, 1872,
The period for which we were elected having expired,
it becomes our duty to give an account of our stewardship,
and to express an earnest hope that our efforts will meet
with your approval and tend to the welfare and advance-
ment of Conservatism. . .

In the early part of the year your Committee felt jus•
tilled in arranging for the delivery of a lecture by E.
Harper, Esq., as an antidote to the poison of the Infidel
and Republican Bradlaugh. The lecture was given in the
Corn Exchange, and though not successful in a financial
point of view, it was the means of disseminating much
valuable information on the subject-- Church, Throne,
and Constitution." With this exception your Committee
have not thought it prudent to place themselves too pro.
minentiy before the public, feeling assured that the policy
, of the conservatives at the present time IS to imitate
their leader, Mr. Disraeli, to watch and wait—to strong.
then by all legitimate means their can, and party, and
so prepare for the struggle which cannot be far distant
that toe fall of the great Libera, Ate'y is not very re-
mote, must be palpab:e to all who have watched the
blundering and one-sided legislation of the present
Ministry, and the disgust it hits created amongst the more
moderate use.. on the Liberal side.
Did we rs quire snore proofs, Wfi might point to the re.
sults of the elections duriog the past 12 mouths, to the
miserable way in which Mr. (Hailstone and his party
trucklea to the demands of the Burnish Hirschy, in fact,
to their whole policy, whether Heine, Foreign, Colonial,
or Financial, seising to show that Mr. tiladstone, if lett
to hinist If, is fast hastecing his own destruction.
Your Committee have forwarded dining the year the
following petitions to Mr. A. I'. Amidett, MA' , in favour
of Mr. Newdegate's motion for an enquiry into Conven-
tual and Monastic Institutions, mid against the passing
of '•
Frisuir Ministers' Bill," BEd to Larl Beauchamp in
favour of Lords' Amendments to tho Ballot bill. They

have also distributed a number of periodicals and
pamphlets, kimliy supplied by Miss Itedtord, of toe Ab-
ney, Pershole, the Soottoli Reformattou Socisty, and the
Brrminghara Protestant Associstiou.
Isur Committee are pleased to report that during the
past ion- they have enrolled several new umnibers, and
.I.ka two gentlemen Xi their list of Vice-Pr, idents,
viz., r.. Smite, and B. Wood, Esqrs. They th VI also to
report that they have purchased and added 52 volumes to
the Library.
We desire to record out thanks to Dr. Campbell for his
present of the Idusirsted .1...nd0n News and Penny Illus.
trated Paper, every week; also tx the proprietors of the
followiug newspapers, which ere re regularly supplied to
. the Reading Room gratoitourly : The Worcester Herald,
The Worcester Joutnal, tt olverhamptou Chronicte,
Midland Counties' Herald, The County Express, Stour-
bridge Observer; and to the Rev. O. F. Adley for his
present of Home Words every month, and COMlllissioll-
- Report on the Revenues of the Irish Church.
Early in the summer your Committee commenced
making arrangements for a banquet, but at the request of
our respected President, Mr. Amphlett, it was decided to
postpone it till after the prorogation of Parliament, when
we hope to receive the support of all friends of the
cause.

We cannot close this report without referring, with
. • .• • ••

feelings of pride and pleasure, to the splendid ovations
given to Mr. Disraeli at Manchester and the Crystal Pal-
ace, and to therapist growth of Conservatism throughout
the country, due in no small degree to the Conservative
Associations which have sprung up throughout the length
and breadth of the land, rho want of organization has,
no doubt, for a long while been a great drawback to Con.
servatisra, of which our political opponenti have not
been slow to take advantage. This is now, to a great ex-
tent remedied. Let so, mini take his hand from the
plough, but rather stand boldly forward to maintain those
institutions that have preserved old England from the
invaders, that have spread her power and commerce to
' all parts of the globe, that has raised her to her present
pitch of greatness, and made her the pride and admira-
tion of the world. _

tile Reading Room ia well supplied with daily and
weekly papers, and a small and select library, chess,
backgammon, draught+, dominoes, and all the neceshary
furniture. Presents of books, periodicals, and newspa-
pers will he thankfully received by the Secretaries, or
Librarian at the rooms.

Mr. R. P. Alephlett was re elected President,
and the whole of the Vice• Presidents were re-
elected.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by
Mr. J. Hughes, the report was adopted.
The balauce-sheet showed that the receipts
=ousted to £4l lOs Id, and the expenses to
X2B ifs 3td, leaving a balance in the hands of
the treasurer of £l3 (is 91d.
Mr. J. Hughes was re-elected Treasurer.
The following were appointed as a Committee:
Messrs. Perkin, Johnson, Halliday, Gething,
Smith, Chappell, Rose, Broughton, Pearson,
Price, and Oldland.
Mr. Perkins was re-elected Librarian. Mr.
Gething was appointed Auditor. The Secreta-
ries were re-elected.