The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-22 00:00:00

ARY AND FLNANCIAL
REFORM.

MEETING AT TAVISTOCK.

On Monday evening a public meeting of the inha-
bitants of Timistoek was held in the Town Hall, called by
the Portrceve, Solomon Perry, Esq., pursuant to a requisi-
tion signed by about 120 of the inhabitants. The requisi-
tion was to the effect that the requisitions s having ob-
served and considered the ministenal announcement in the
House of Commons of an intended measure of parliamen-
tary reform, do hereby request you will convene a public
meeting for the purpose of forming an association to pro-
mote, by all legal and constitutional means, the obtaining of
such a measure of political and financial reform, as may be
fitted to the wants of the age, worthy of a great people to
adopt, and satisfactory to all who have just claims to be
considered in the overnment of the country."

J. CARTER, Esq., moved that the l'ortreeve d, take
the chair.

This havin; been seconded and put to the meeting, the
Portreeve, S. finny, Esq., took• the chair.

The PORTRLEVE, in opening the proceedings of the
meeting, observed that the subject they hail tint to consider
was one of grave interest, and he hoped he should have the
support of every gentleman in his efforts to secure for its
dismission that attention and calomel's which were appro-
priate to its importance. The nature of that subject would
be known to most of the inhabitants by the advertisements
which had been issued and placarded about the town, and
by:the conversation which had taken place upon the subject.
ho l'ortrccvo then read the requisition, and called upon
Mr. Flamauk to move the first resolution.

Mr. W. FLAMANK said this meeting brought to
his recollection the meetings which were held some
twerty-tive or thirty years since having reference to
the subject of reform. Ile had recently found in an
old newspaper au account of one of these meetings. Ile
was, he confessed, somewhat curious about keeping old
newspapers and documents, especially those relating to pro-
ceedings and circumstances connected with laviatock
during the last thirty years. In ono of these old news-
papers he found an account of a meeting held is the Town
Hall, the form n building of course, in the month of Feb-
ruary, 1822, now just thirty years since. It was headed
" a meeting in Tavisteek in favour of parliamentary ;re-
form, and for considering the present state of distress of
' the agriculturists (you see they were distressed then), with
the view of petitioning the legislature thereon." It eon-
tained the outlines of the mashes of twelve individuals
11 in connexion ith the subjects for the discussion of which
the meeting was held. Of these twelve persons he Mund
that since that time six had died, and of the others, he I
was sorry to say. neither was now present. Ho con-1
gratulated them upon the did: rent circumstanced under
which they met to what their predecessors and such of
themselves who took part in those meetings did, about
thirty years since. That was the period of the six acts
passed under the infamous sway of Castlereagh, by which
spies were sent throughout the country, who watched the
doings and sayings of the people, and when persons were
often dragged forward to answer for their words—used not
only in public, but also in the social circle. The reformers
were then called by various opprubious names its dema-
gogues, republicans ;revolutionists, and levellers. Things
went on—and they (the reformers) went on, and at the
time of the [deform Festival they found many of the very
men who had been their most violeutopposers come turward,
and give money towards the festival, notwithstanding it was
held in cainmenauration of the very principles which they
had previously condemned—that had been the cast ulwaya ;
those who abused the ardent reformer at first, applauded
him after the object of his labours had been obtaiued. This
was the ease in the instance of the Scotch reformers and
others, by whom the very reforms conceded in 1832, were
asked at a much earlier date, and it had been the same with
various other reforms that had taken place within the last
50 years. It was for the sincere and ardent reformers to
suffer and labour, and then come the conformers to share
the result of their toil, and so it would be found in respect
to reforms for which they were now agitating. Same may
think that there is no need for this meeting, and may call
us agitators for calling it, and ter taking part in it. They
may think that we want no reform—that we have as much
liberty us we require. He, however, did not think so, and
believed that a little agitation of that sort was as useful
in the political and social world as was an agitation of
the elements its the physical world. A stagnation
in either was had and productive of evil. He was in
favour of a gentle breeze—of a moderate stirring of the
elements—but he was nut in favour of the hurricane and
wild tornado either in the social and political, or the
physical world—but stagnation he considered to be bad in
either. All human institution+ were fallible, and therefore
required successive adjustment and alteration to tit them to
the character and spirit of the times. Progressive reform
was the one great feature of their constitution, which pre-
served it—without which it could not subsist, but would
share the fate of the governments of other countries. if
they would look at the state of the continent in 1848, they
would hod illustrations of this. At that period all the
countries of Europe were shaken, governments hail tot-
tered, old dynasties had been broken up, and sovereigns'
compelled to quit their thrones ; and in the midst of these
throes end pains, it had been found how useless and vain a
thing it was for governments to depend upon a standing
army, ter iu more instances than one the standing armies
had been found to make common cause with the people.
Look at France and the compelled flight of Louis Philippe.
The cause of these revolution., is to be found in the fact
that the governments of the several countries in which
they took place were found to be for the ad-
vantage of the governors rather than the governed.
They, however, during the same period, had en-
joyed comparative quiet; and what was the cause but
the progressive reform which had been going on. Many
people were alarmed, and started back in horror at the word
revolution ; but what was the fact in regard to themselves
and their country ? Why, they head been in a state of revo-
lution for the last 30 years. The difference is, that in this
country revolution is steady and gradual in its motions,
and does not progress with the greet and perhaps danger-
ous speed that it does on the continent. It was unredressed
wrongs which stimulated the people to revolution—and this
in foreign countries acted with greater force than in this
country. Accumulations of wrougs stirred up the people
to acts of violence. But in looking at the difference in the
progress of reform in this country, and of revolutions un
the continent, he must observe they had in this country a
principle of action and of power which was but little re-
cognised in other countries—he alluded to the moral power
of the voice and will of the people. (Cheers.) In looking
hack on the last half century they would sec the progressive
character of reform in this country, and perceive what a
great source of power was the voice of the people. (Hear,
hear.) They had met that evening to collect the
opinion of their fellow-townsmen in respect to what was
now called the new reform bill. They knew that Lord
John Russell had pledged himself' early in the next
session to bring forward a measure for the extension
of the franchise, to place the representation on a much
wider basis than was dune by the reform bill of 1832.
As this WAS the ease, it became the people of this
country to consider, and make up their minds as to what
they really require—what they will ask for ; for his im-
pression was, that unless this was done, the measure of re-
form which would be produced would be of very little
value. Of the intended measure of the government they
knew absolutely nothing. But, in the abeenco of any cer-
tain information, there was much speculation and many
guesses. They did know this, that Lord John Russell had
pledged himself to the abolition of the property qualification
of members. Amongst the many rumours as to the intended
measure, some thought the extension of the franchise would
introduce some sort of educational test, by which all
ministers of religion, lawyers, professional men, clerks, and
other persons of education, would have a qualification
independent of residence or property. Others thought it
would include all householders,; and others, again, that the
present kind of qualification would be continued, but be re-
duced in amount. Others, again, and amongst these Sir
Joshua Walmslcy and a large body of financial reformers,
thought that the franchise would he exteudcd not only to
all occupiers of houses, but to the occupiers of parts of
houses. It was nut more than two years since Lord
John Russell expressed himself to the effect that he
did not think any further reform as to the representation
necessary. The people were satisfied with the Reform Bill
of 1832, and no change was desired. What had produced
this change—but the expressed will of the people, and the
same power would secure a really, stadia! measure of re-
form. He was satisfied that without the influence of the
pressure from without, as it was called, the measure of
reform toile introduced, would not be worth having. But
with it they might secure a large extension of the franchise.
Mr. llainank went on to characterise the details
of the reform which he considered the people might
ask for, viz., a considerable enlargemeut of the basis of
representation—the ballot granted—the duration of parlia-
ment lessened—if not to one year, to three at least—the
anomalies existing between time borough and county repre
sentatives removed—the abolition of the property qualifi
cation of members of parliament—whether members were
to be paid or no he did not care much, but
certainly saw no reason why they should not. It was to
the extension of the suffrage that he should more purlieu.
laxly speak, and ow that subject ho should submit to
the meeting a proposal which he hoped would meet with
general approva. It had been guardedly drawn with the
idea of meeting the opinions and views of all classes of per-
SOON as it was thought very desirable upon this subject that
all should be agreed. The proposition he had to place be-
! fore the meeting WAS as fellows: "That it is the opinion
of this meeting that, upon the abstract principles of ma-
I son and justice, taxation and election rights should go
hand in hand; and that the increased intelligence and
well regulated conduct of all classes of the people demand
that a corresponding extension of the suffrage should
immediately take place, thus preparing for, and leading
to, the complete enfranchisement of all." lie was of
opinion that a very cursory glance would serve to show that
an extension of electoral rights was required. At present
e
any voice
that sixth returns the majority of the House of Commons.
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Mr. VOSPER seconded the resolution, which,fifter some
pisnopthleiswimerienufnoirmtede,rtihnes"mnocnussl, power of their voice
would,idiscathumesseieotni,ngwasof paubtouantd.Larriorel,x,wipthersLanly two dzasentieuts,
Mr. S. CARTER, barrister, then moved the second re-
leolution, to the following effect: That the present distri-
inanyfnmeiwn measure
eas
constituencies, and
dis-
tinction
ob
of
rticono r of
. between
,oturep o pa
pcuoyl
nts
gross
toyn requiresn.a,6borough
oiteuh.ga
arising,
also from the great disproportion between representatives,
and the number of their constituents, should be abolished ;
and that the representation of the country should be more
wisely and equably adjusted by the establishment of elec-
toral districts. Also, that the uuration of parliament should

he so limited as not to exceed a term of three years, thus
giving to the electoral body that salutary control over their
representatives which would secure a more faithful dis-
charge of duty, and be the best guarantee for mutual confi-
dence an.l reciprocity of interest." This he supported is a
long and able speech.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. MARTIN, and

adopted.
Mr. W. PEARCE moved the third resolution:—" That
any extension of the suffrage, however larg,•, would bo
comparatisely abortive, and altogether unsatisfactory, un-
less the el,etor is protected in the free and uubiaswd ex-
ercise of his right through the medium of the ballot, thus
enabling him to contend against the corrupting influences,
the intimidation, and the persecution with which the pro
sent system of voting is so notoriously disgraced." While
he did not think the ballot a cure for all the ills of tho
present system of coulucting elections, he thought it
would be a very great boon to a numerous body of elee-
tors.

Mr. SAXTON seconded the resolution, which was
adopted.
It was subsequentiy resolved, " That an association
founded upon these generid principles, be now formed, to
ho called The 'favistock lteform Association,' and to
which all the inhabit.mis of this town and neighbourhood
are invited to become maulers, on payment of one shilling
per annum to meet the necessary expenses ; and that its
object: be to promote, by every legal and constitutional
method, such a reform in the representative systsnt of our
country as may be tined to the wants of the age, worthy of
a giant people to adopt, and satisfactory to all who have
just claims to be considered iu the government of the
country."
At the conclusion of the meeting, after the usual vote of
thanks to the portreeve, several persons entereii their
names as members of the new association, Mr. Vesper aetiug
as secretary.