The Express.
London, England, 1848-06-08 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 8, 1848.

MEETING AT CHELSEA.

Last night, a numerous meeting, convened by the
West I.nielon Reform Association, was held at the Wellesley
Arms, Rolm rt-street, Chelsea, for the purpose of adopting a
petition to the House of Commons for lomitenold suffrage,
rote by ballot, and triennial parliament's—F. Haskell, Esq.,
was in the chair : he said that they had met for the prefer-
mance 010 duty I paramount imp irtance, Lot only to them-
selves but to the country at large. The course of the middle
and operative claaes wan clear. They mipv now give the
most distinct contradiction to the sta.ement of Lord John
Russell that the people did not want reform. His lordship
had, however, in same measure contradicted himself by his bill
for repealing the assessed tax paying clauses of the Reform
Act. But this was but a kind of tub thrown out to a whale.
The meeting might like to know what number of electors
would be added to the constituency by the passing of this
bill. By a return mooed for by Sr B. Hall in 1847, and
just presented, it appeared that the total number of houses
in English IL.roughs of the annual value of 101. and up-
wards, and the occupiers of which werecapable of voting,
was 4137,760. Now, how many were disfranchised by not
having paid their assessed taus ? Why, 18,065. This was
the fullest extent to which the constituency would be
increased by the passing of this bill, and this was the measure
the noble lord brought leeward to satisfy the country.
This measure would not, however, turn the attention of the
people from the consideration of their grievances. The
measure they wanted was household sea age, which would
add two millions to the number of ♦oilers. (Cheers.)
lie called upon them all to agree to and sign a peti-
tion pray ing for the ref vms the country so much required.
—Several gentlemen having suggested that the petition
should contain a prayer for the formation into the borough
of the parishes of Chelsea, Kennington, Hammersmith, and
Fulham, the Chairman replied that Mr. flume's motion
embraced equal electoral districts The Chairman having
read a petition to the House of Commons in the name of the
association, Mr. Miles moved its adoption —Mr. Lockhart,
in seconding the motion, said that as long as Lord John
Russell wu prime minister no reform would willingly be
granted by the government. (Hear.) The motion was
then put and carried unanimously.—The Chairman said
that several of the parochial authorities would sign the peti-
tion.—Mr. Lockhart moved the adoption of a second peti-
tion, to emavate from householders and others resident in
the neighbourhcod (not members of the association).—Mr.
Thomas Haskell seconded the motion, which was put by the
chairman and e..rrild unanimously. The fir,t petition
having been nuenerowly signed, laid thanks voted to the
chairman, the meeting separated.

GREAT MEETING AT BATH.
:From our Reporter.]
The electors, non-electors, merchants, tradesmen,
and working-classes of the city of Bath met yesterday, in the
Guildhall of that city, for the purpose of furthering the
movement at present going on for reform in parliament.
The large room was crowded, and t n the platform the
mayor, H. Hunt, Esq., was surrounded by several aldermen
and town-councillors, and other influential citizens.
The Mayon, in opening the proceedings, said:—ln the
present excited and anxious state of the public mind I should
rather have abstained from the consideration of the import.
ant topics which will occupy your attention to-day; but the
recent declaration of Lord John Russell has rendered these
considerations and the convening of this meeting an act of
imperative public duty. (Cheery.) I consider that his de-
claration that the middle and working classes have no sym-
pathy with the great reform motion of the 20th June is
nothing less than a challenge to the judgment, the sincerity,
and the zeal of every rational reformer. (Loud cheers.) Such
a declaration having been made in his place in the House of
Commons by the noble lord, great consequence will attach
to a declaration so made by the fiat minister of the crown,
and therefore I think it quite right that the people should
be heard on their part, aad in the public and deliberative
way express their assent to or clis+ent from the noble
lord's opinion. (Hear, hear.) If his lordship had already
carried a sufficient measure of reform—if this Reform
BiU had been the perfection of political liberty—then
his declaration might have been a iust one. But
I do not know that any of you who hear me have adopted
the notion of finality, or think that further reform is unne-
cessary. (Hear, hear.) I think that we reformers have
always advoca ed the opinion that change adopted merely
for the sake of change was impolitic and &viperous ; but that
on the other hand, the principle of progression was beneficial
and consistent with the advancing civilisation of the present
age. (Cheers.) 1 do not see why government should not,
like every other institution, receive the light of an increasing
intelligence ; or why improvement, which is advancing with
giant strides in everything, should be brought to a stand still
at the gates of the legislature. (Cheers.) I know we have
not, as we ought to have done, pressed many impertant mea-
sures of reform on the attention of the legislature. Very
seldom have we had special meetings respecting the ballot,
shortening of parliaments, or the extension of the suffrage:
that, however, did not arise (rem our disinclination for reform,
but simply from a belief that parliament was not willing to
entertain such questions. (Hear, hear.) The expression of
parliament was, that they wished to give the Reform Bill a
fair trial, and were determined to let experienc, alone de•
cilia whether it answered the purpose for which it had been
enacted. his true that the bill had many important ob-
jects in view, a few of which it effected—the disfranchise-
ment of many inconsiderable places and the transfer of their
privileges to wealthy and populous towns. There is no
doubt hut that in many instances the expenses of elections
were diminished, and that the franchise was given to many
who had not hitherto enjoyed it ; but still the law is full of
defects and difficulties (Loud cries of " hear, hear.") Look
at the Chandos clause, which reduces the counties to the con-
dition of so many rotten boroughs. (Hear, bear.) Then
bribery is going on more shamelessly than ever, if
we are to judge from recent inquiries which have

bun going on in the House of Commons. (Hot, heat.)
We find that in Derby, in Horsham, and saint other
places, the members have been untested fur opal and un-
blushing bribery. (Hear, beie.) Who can deny te isiegua.
Ilan of the law when we find 20.00 d persons ending as
many members to parliament an 300,000 ; and when we find
in ao adult male population of five millions • c maituency of
1,052,000? (Hear, hear.) Worn wr find out of hat nuns
her 163,000 proems minding 329 membsra to tullament,
bring • majority, I think it clear that some aunelinent
in the repre 'emotion of the people is loudly called tor, and
that the suffrage should be considerably eztendes. (11,g,
hen.) If these are your opinions, u they are nine, you
will have an opportunity this day of saying aye to hem, and
of transmitting them to the House of Commons, aid thou of
assuring Lord Join Rune II that we have some since en Xe
the shortening of peril emenn, we have some conceit in the
extension of the suffrsge, we have some concern it the vote
by ballot. (Loud cheers.) I hope that when we come
to seek this Mies we shall not wane our strength ill detain,
but go at once fur the great principles, and in such a way '
as to carry the sense of the whole country Mons with us.
feheers.) I am sure that your efficiency will be itemised if
you gx forward in a spirit of conciliation and ',rod contra.
v. ny on unimportant and minor matters. Let us make one
united effort, and virwn the principle of reform nonce- coo.
ceded, we can then look to details and carry them on' at our
leisure, and in perfection. (Hear, hear ) 1 hope the rehire
I that the move for reform this day will be distinguished ea
the former was by piquet, dignity, and a lament, man.
nor of applying at the door of the legislature. (Hear, hear.)
I am sure that in adopting such a course you will do jessuce
to yt.ur own cause, and will disarm opposition; for, believe
me, that no opposition, however violent, can stand lung
against prudence, p. neverance, reason, and terrier...rem.
One object lam you will achieve. You will COliVil
Lord John Russell of your requirements, and I am oar.
ranted in thinking on from some straws which have already
been thrown up. Already we have a union to repeal the
rate paying clauses in the Reforin 13,11, and another step in
the right direction in the groaned to alter the oaths taken
by members of parliament. These afford go •d rea-ours why
we shoud ucyu, iut him with our setitimeids. l tru.t i.e
will bo no longer sceptical, but will come torwerel as the ad
vocato of your loinciples, and u4-wit racer in his enletcaey
until they shall hove obtained all the force and cun.i,t, :try ..f
law. (Lund cheers.) His worship then read kite-, from
Lord Duncan, Mr. St:obeli, Sir 11. frt. y, Mr. I'inuev, an
stir J. Hare, iitodotoons tor non mt no ,nce, Ott vapi,rwuse
their entire concurrence in the object of the mactina.

The Rey. T. Set:el:Ku come forward to more the first re.
potation, and war received with loud cheer+. Illvieg
thasked the me ting for the warm reception aecoolcil to
him, the rev. gendemait proceeded to say, that if L ,ril John
Russell was in Bath that day lie would himself jue ify the
course they were taking. It his lordship believed thao. the
people did not want reform, he ought not to be perniitted to
remain in that error. If he thought that the people did
want reform, but w sited for the avowal of their week.,
then was the time rime for the people to speak nut. (Hear
hear.) Lord John Itussell might think that the people
wanted no change IN`C.IUSC of their apathy, hut he (Mr.
Spencer) remerate red the time when 17 individuals could '
relent two members for the city of Bath, and yet the people
being without hope said not a word against than crying
abuse. If now they hoped anything, let there speak their tome.
and if they did nut hope, they should reason with one ...other
exJ-ite one another in fact—to get up the steam until they
had obtained the satisfaction of their just demand. (Loud
cheers.) Some thought it rot ri-,ht that the clergy should '
rennet in getting the steam ep ; Nit if the !reveredt end the!
rich, like the king in the parable, were not satisfied with
their own flacks and herds, hut sought to take the poor
man's one lamb, then it was time for the clergy to speak. If
there wan a state of things in which the rich made the laws
while the poor were permitted only to obey them—if those
who laid on the punters would scarcely touch them with their
sieves—then was it time fur the ekrgy, in the words of the
prephet Nathan, to come forward and say, " Thou art the
man." (Loud cheers.) But there never was an age in Eng-
land in which religion made so much noise as at present.
lie ramembere.: the Rev. Mr. Simeon saying that the stream
o' evangelical religion was very narrow, hut very deep now
it was very breed, hut very shallow. (Hear, hear.)
Churches were being built all over the country, but alas, the
working man was net there. (Hear, hear.) The clergy had
ceased to be hit protectors, and, therefore, he had forsaken
them. (Heys hear.) On the i ueetion of popular suffrage
the Bible might be quoted as an authority There might be
found Rome light upon the question of whether the people
should govern themselves, or be govereed by a few who
were nu wiser than themselves. (Ile ar hear.) From what
be read in the public papers, he strongly suspected that the
people in the House of Commons were not much wiser than
the people in that assembly. (Hear.) tfitiest in that house
ho had Men astonished at the number of young mei,—
not grave and thoeghtful session—which it contained. He
suspected that tho people had not been consulted in the no-
initiation of such an assembly of juveniles, It was called
senate, but senate meant old people, and we had an assembly
of boys. (Hear, hear.) That was an a'u rnbly of tie
people, and he telieved that in ea assembly of the people,
composed as it war of pore us of different ranks and eget,
they were as likely to get at the truth as anywhere else in the
world. (Hear, hear.) Having quot d the circuenstanre of
the apostles haring chosen some of the common people to
decide
a question between them and the Jews, the reverena
meeker proceeded to ray that the clergy of the
church of England used formerly to be chosen
by the people—both biehope and parochial clergy.
And the church WAS never the worse for that mode of elec-
tion. (Cheers.) The people were never in the habit of
electing fools to govern them. (Hear, hear.) In their friendly
societies they did not elect a foolish man their presioent
or • dishonest man their treasurer or secretory. ( Hear.)
Nu; their choice was generally the picked man of their eon
(Laud cheers.) Mr. Spencer quoted John
Wesley's opinion as to the absurdity of making
or moving a test for the franchise The people
were excluded by law, but what law ? Had the poor
man's convent been sake d for his exclusion hem the
franchise ? If not, the law was null and void for us. No
one was in England celled upon to obey a law which had
been enacted without his consent. (Hear, hear.) It was
written, ' Lot every man obey the powers that be, for
they are ordained of plod.' New, in this country the powers
" that be" co...irate' of King, lords, and common.. The
monarch hail one third of the power given him to protect
himself, therefore he was safe. If noble lords thought them-
e, Ives in any danger, they could veto any objectionable men-
. ure. Now the common people come forward and asked
that they, ton, should have some share in the power—
(hear, hear)—and thus with the monarch, the wealth, and
the indestr y of the country acting together, they would get
ust and safe laws. (Cheers. If this were not done, the
powers that be could not call themselves ordained of God.
(Cheers) Suppose 1,000 malcontents, armed with pikes,
were to rush in and take posaresion of the House of Com-
mons, placing the greatest villain amongst them in the
speaker's chair, would that be • fair representation of the
Commons? (Hear, hear.) Suppose a majority of that
house had been returned by bribery and intimidation—
(cheers)—by going round to their tradesmen, or getting
their ladies to do so—(continued cheering, and cries of
" Lord Ashley did so ")—could they believe a House of
Commons so elected to be "ordained of God" ? Sorely it
wen not one of " the powers that be " which they were
bound to obey. (Loud cheers.) Ile recollected once carry.
ing a point at a vestry against a great man. The latter was
thunder truck, and asked two of his tenants who were in the
majority if they knew what they were after. Ile then in-
sisted that the vete should be taken again; when, lo;
the majority was the other way. The tenants had been
in the meantime taught to know what they were about.
(Cheers.) Ile understood that the people were to
obey a parliament freely chosen by public opinion,
and that whoev -r attempted to coerce that opinion NM
acting contrary to the laws of England. (Hear, hear.)
But it might be said that the House of Commons did repre-
sent the people of England. (No, no) Well, it was
their ancient right to be fairly represented. The ancient
Britons. and the Saxons, who were better men, used in the
oldest times to elect their representatives. Temkin told them
that the Britons used to intrust their princes with small
matters, but that great matters they decided themselves.
The representative system was said to be the glory of this
island; but could that be called a r ep resentative system in which
only one in four adult males was enti tasted with a vote ?
(Hear, hear.) Why, common sense called for • more ex-
tended suffrage. It was the theory of the constitution, as
wee evidenced by the mayor or sheriff at an election all-
ing for a show of hands, which would be decisive if a poll
were not demanded. (Hear, hear.) Besides every lawyer
knew that many of our monarchs—the Henrys and Edwards
—made laws in favour of universal suffrage. The parliaments
too, were then annual, and 'teen Swift, who was a high tory
long afterwards, put on record his wish that the old
gothic times, with their annual parliaments, might return
again. (Hear.) Henry VI. required a property qualifica-
tion, but merely, as stated in the preamble of his net, to pre-
vent riots at election'. From that time forward the distinc-
tinn had been maintained against the people. It was now
time, however, that it should be done away with, and the
suffrage made commensurate with the wants of the people.
Louis Philippe had succeeded in contracting the suffrage,
but in the moment of success was hurled from his throne.
(Hear.) The Emperor of Austria, who had the largest army
in the world, had run away from kis people. (Cheers.) The
King of Prussia had succeeded in establishing • most oomplete
system of centralisation; and let them beware of centralisa-
tion here. (Loud cheep.) He had thrown a net over his
people, but the net had burst, and the people had it all their
own way. (Cheep and laughter.) So much for centralisa-
tion. The case of the King of Prussia was like that of the
man whose horse, when brought down to a stray a day,
died. (Laughter.) But there was a better secret for mo
ouch, than all this, and tkat was to rule in the hearts of the
people. (Cheers.) If they would only do that, there would
be no fear of such convulsion, as were now tearing Europe
to pieces. Why was it that while Europe was convulsed
from end to end, America reposed in perfect tranquillity ?
You might as well expect a pyramid to reel on its point, as
to produce disturbances in that happy country. (Hear,
hear.) Against whom could the people rebel ? Against
themselves, and it was not very likely they would do that.
They had all seen the boy's top, which, when placed on the
' narrow end, could only be kept straight by constant
scourging, but stand it on the other end and it would stand
for ever. So it was with Europe and America. The former
could only be kept right by the dreadful stourge of frequent
revolution, while the latter, resting on the broad basis of
public opinion, was still peaceable and happy. Therefore,
if we sought the welfare of our monarch—and a better sove-
reign never lived than our good Queen—(loud cheers?—we
should struggle for the broad basis of popular right., and
even for the rake of the lords the people should have justice
done them. (Hear, hear.) He did not fear any evi: conse-
quences from granting political power to the people. lie
aid not believe that one man in ten would abuse that power.
He had seen them voting in America, where they had
the ballot, but did not care who saw them vote. They
called for their cold water, or loco foco ticket, as tie case
might be, but cared not who saw them. If, however, say

man attempted to intimidate his neighbour, the latter could
double up his ticket and put It into the ballot box, and no-
body the wises. (Hear, hear) The people of this country
wished for secret voting to shield them from the pressure of
the rich man or else rich lady, as tne case might be. They
all knew the ca • rf Elijah, who heeded neither the rushing
sound nor the earthquake, but wait at once overcome by
" the still smell voice." So it would be with them They
would do no violence. attempt no riot, but would Rend their
"still small voice" up to the legislature, and they would
and must be heard. (Loud cheers.) He did not speak in a
political sense, nor from political-motives, but assuredly they
lived at a time when great events were about to
happen, and it would be a great point if they could get
these reforms without anything appvaehing to revolution,
with their Queen sale, their wealthy classes safe, their
money market undisturbed, and the working classes con-
tented and happy. They had heard a great dial of clamour
&eard the sin points, but they were origistaly proposed by
the Duke of lt.chniend in 1782. Fox supported them, and
l'itt did not opts-e them, but said " Wait until the con
elusion of the war." It was then that Mr. Townehend said
the re were oniy two tines when mincession was iticonve-
trent—one week the ties of war and the other the time of
peace (Laughter.) Why hod not the then reform move-
ment succeeded ? Because the people di-agreed amongst
themselves. ( Rear, hear.) For that real .n he advocated
uniformity on the present occasion. Let them obt tin all
they could, and they would then be in a better condition
to seek the rest. ( Hear, hear ) He thought that the real- •
lution he bell in bin hand would put all men to the test.
II a man said he was for reform, and still refused to support
the ri solution, there would be good reason to doubt his sin-
cerity. The resolution was, in fact, so framed, that every
luau wishing for reforest must vote for it. There was one
more hint which he wished to throw out. Let every man
who had no vo•e send in a petition from himself or from his
family. (Hear, hear.) It would have an effect such as no
sitie could conceive. A leading man in the present move-
ment had lids-used thin. Ile had said, "We have done our
!lute; you mu-t now do yours, and induce the people indi-
vidually to petition." It might bo worded thus :—' The
humble petition of A. H., who, although paying taxes on
articles of consemption, has no vote ; who has to obey lawn,
in the making of which he has nn voice; prays that he Intl
be permitted to bane a vote fur the time to cline." (Co, era.)
It that plan wax adopted, depend upon it they would soon
reform. (Hear, hear.) The rev. gentleman concluded by
uoivii•g uie f /Wowing resolution
'that tills meeting ix of opinion that the Unites of Common*, east
pre-eat congonicil, dues not auttiei, oily specs. the sentiments of ti.e
people; that in order to have a fun sod lair reprereutation, it le re.
quixite that a c.insiderabie rittetuinn of the sofa age xhould take
lame; end that the right of Toting for member* of irirlivni-ot ouuht
V. be extruded to all persons having a hied rexidenee of it certain
duration.

Mr. T. BOLIVELL (ehartiet) expressed the great pleasure
he telt in 'economy the resolution. He complained of tne
general uttemprs that were made to malign the char:lst body.
Among other reports it had been 'alerted that the chartists
•ad int- nded to disturb that meeting; but their conduct
there was the best contradiction to such a report. (Hear.)
fhe declaration of Lord John Russell had had •
tremendous effect on the feelings and minds of
the persons with whom he was identified. (Hear.)
They had iuti ruled to meet on Whit-Monday, to record their
-pinion of the declaration, but the moment the present
meeting was announced they determined to participate in it.
(Hear, hear.) They were perfectly satisfied with the reso-
lutions, and deeply gratified that their worthy mayor ft d
consented to take the glair.
Mr. (;atop, in supporting the resolution complained that
the Reform Bill had been • complete failure. No one could
deny that great ceanges were necessary, and he should
endeavour to promote them by seconding the resolution.
((liar, hear.)
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. T.V. SsUNDEIte (barrister) said, that the second re-
solution which he hail in his hand was necessary to the car-
rying oat of the first. It was :
That to secure the perfect freedom of the voter, it is requi.ite that
the ruling should he by ballot, that the magi:llolCW should be ren-
dered more equal by mean, of eh chiral districts, and that the duration
of parliament should not exceed three years.
Ile said that the present occasion was one of great import-
ance. They had been told by the prime minister that they
did not want any more reform, but he wondi red how any
time man could arrive at such a conclusion. (Hear, hear.)
Alderman OultloON seconded the resolution, at the alma
lime criumerAting all the riots both in church and state in
which reform was lowly cal!ed fur. The resolution was
carried unanimously.
Mr. Alderman HANbtocii moved the following ?CM-
lution :
That the Prime klint.ter having statir.l hi. belief that the middle
and working classes do not desire any are. measure of reform, the
following prittion, in the foregoing revolution., hr adopteti a.
a mph. to the declaration of Lord John Rowell, and he forwarded to
lord Lunen to be p.eeenle,l to the flow* of Commous. _ .

To the Honourable the Cormoor.s of Great Britain and Ireland In
parliament assembled.—The petition of the underaigned inhabitant. of
the eity of Bath and its vicihity --Bespeettolly sheweth, That the
I louse of 0011110111 as at pre,eut comt owed does not sufficiently en.
preci the sentiment. of the people. That in order to have aMB and
fair representation it is requisite that a condilerable eateasiwl of the
auKrage should take ptaoe, and that the right of voting f d members of
parliameat ought to be extende I to all person. having allied residence
of a certain duration. That to secure the perfect freedom ol the voter
it is requisite that the voting should be by ballot; that the conatituen.
cies should be rendered more equal by auntie of electoral district.;
and in order to maintain act F., ramuvaiou t etween the ciaritit trendies
and th,ir represent-vices, the duration of pat li.onent should mit ea-
rned three year, That your petitioner, have heard that a propene'
is about to be aubmitted to your honourable hotrac, embracmg the
foregoing pelt chile, which they pray may be taken into Immediate
consideration, that the same may Le with all convenient speed pasted
into law. And your peti•ionera will ever pray.

The worthy alderman read an extract from the Express
containing a long enumeration of the boroughs which arc
under aristocratic influ,nc^, and cant, nded that that list
alone completely justified the present movement.
Mr E. SAUNDRILS mconded the resolution.

After which the meeting was addressed by Mr. Montague
Bally, who announced himself a tory, Mr. B,lwell, jun.,
and some oth-rs. The petition was unanimously adopted. A
resolution urging on all the constituencies to require their
representatives to support Mr. Hume's motion was also
agreed to, and thanks having been voted to the chairman,
the meeting separated.