The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-17 00:00:00

MEETING AT NORTHAMPTON,

NORTLIAMPTON, TUEBDAY.—A meeting of the in-
habitants of this town, convened by the mayor in compliance
with a requisition signed by about 200 of the principal
housekeepers, was held to day in the Town-hall, " to con-
fider," uthe requisition stated, " the propriety of petition.
ing the House of Commons in favour of an extension of the
suffrage to all ratepayers, vote by ballot. and triennial par-
liaments ; also, to press upon the legislature the necessity of
a rigid investigation into the expenditure of the country with
a view to its diminution; a national rate for the expenses of
the poor, and such other reforms as may tend to the welfare
and prosperity of the country; so that by promoting pub-
lic confidence and restoring trade to a healthy condition all
classes may be enabled to live happy and comfortable in
their respective stations."
The MAYOR took the chair.
Mr. BAGOIR moved the first resolution.
That the present political and eociel conditlue of the people shown
that • further extension of the suffrage is not only expedient but We
and necessary, that prudence and duty require a government to keep
wee with public opinion on this an on alt other quoin°. ; and that
the lime has arrived for a cordial union among all dames of !dormers
CM this vital subject.
Mr. Sent PsoN cordially seconded the resolution.
At this stage of the proceedings, it being intimated that
the Town-hall, in which the meeting wu assembled, did not
diked accommodation for all who were anxious to take part
lis the proceedings, a motion was put and carried for ad-
journing to the New-hall, in Newland, and thither the
meeting repaired.
The MAYOR having taken his place recommenced the
proceedings by putting the resolution to the meeting.—Car-
ried with two dimentunts.
The Rev. Mr. Bennett proposed the next resolution.
That this meeting in of opinion that the elective franchise should
be extended.* as tuinclude householders; that votes should be taken
by ballot; that the duration of parliaments should not exceed three
years, and that the apportionment of members to the pupulatioa
*odd be made more equal.
Mr. Steam. (ex-mayor) had great plearare in seconding
the resolution.
Mr. P. Panay rose to propose an amendment. As op-
posed to household he advocated universal suffrage, equally
to the villagers as to townsmen. He proposed ;
That the meeting hold) that it is the right of every man, II
years of age (or however else a man might be defined) to have a vats
—an equal vote with every other man, It uncommitted for crime, sad
of sane mind, to vow fora member of parliament ; and that it is also
the right of every man to sd in that parliament whom a Majority of
such electors mar select.
In the course of his speech he remarked upon some of Mr.
Bennett's observations, tending, as he thought, to impugn
the virtue and political honesty of a portion of the labour-
ing classes. This called up
-Mr. Besisirte, who protested against the line of argument
taken by Mr. Perry—a line which his (Mr. Bennett's)
observations would not fairly bear.
Mr. LATCHMORE interposed, giving his impression of Mr.
Beunett's remarks, the correctness of which was admitted by
Mr. Bennett, and Mr. Perry expressed his regret at
the misunderstanding into which he had unintentionally
fallen.
Mr. BROWN (chartist) seconded the amendment, as afford-
ing an opportunity for the people to express their opinions.
(Hear.)
Mr. LATCHICORR supported the amendment.
Mr. PENODY (ex-delegate for Nathampton at the chartist
convention) also spoke in favour of the amendment.
Mr. al conar„contended that the inhabitant- of the eget.
cultural districts were not entitled to, but in every way fitted
for, the exercise of the franchise.
The Rev. Mr. BENNEtr, in explanation, remarked, that
the separation between the middle and working classes which
had so long existed, was owing to the course taken by the
latter, who had refused to act in concert utiles' the
middle class would adopt all the points the working (bases
advocated. It had been said the middle classes consulted
expediency and not right. Why, in thousands of things, in
the proceedings of nations as well as of men, expediency was
right, and to neglect it would be to do ',roue.
Mr.JONP.9 (unitarian preacher) declared his concurrence
with the views enunciated in Mr. B. anat.* epoch, and his
readiness to share with Mr. Bennett all the obloquy that
might he Cast upon him.
The MAYOR then put the question to the meeting, when
the amendment was carried by a vast majority, amid loud
cheering and clapping of hands.
Mr. Bennett left the meeting as soon RI the decision was
taken.
Mr. DENNIS, to whom the next resolution had been en-
trusted, then came forward, and said that, since an adverse
resolution had been come to, it would ill become them (the
whips) to submit further resolutions to the meeting, and he
would leave to the majority the further conduct of the
proceedings. (Expressions of disapprobation.)
Mr. PHILLIPS, by way of appeasing the meeting, said he
was sure Mr. Dennis would not hate withdrawn hie resolu-
tion bad he not felt that it was not pertinent to the resolution
just passed.
Mr. LIOLLOWRLL, a chartist, then proposed "that it is
the opinion of this meeting that is order to give effect to the
amendment just carried, vote by ballot, annual parliaments,
equal electoral districts, and payment of members, should be
added."
Mr. MONDAY seconded the proposition, which was put and
carried unanimously.
Mr. Mu NDA Y then proposed that the resolutions he embo-
died in a petition, to be signed by the mayor on behalf of the
meeting, to be sealed with the town seal, and forwarded to
the town members for presentation. (A laugh.)
Mr. BARKER (chartist) seconded the propesition, which
was carried unanimously amidst the cheers of the chartists,
the supporters of household suffrage taking no part in the
proceedings.
Mr. PHILLIPS proposed that the molutions be advertised
in the Northampton papers.
Mr. Basile said they could only advertise at their own
expense. (Hear.)
Mr. Piracies had little doubt that had the resolutions
proposed by the other party been carried, the expense of ad-
vertising would have been defrayed out of the corporation
funds. (Hear.)
The MAYOR explained that each expenses had not for
some time been defrayed from the public purse.
Mr. PHILLIPS : Then they would do it by subscription
before they left that room. He deprecated the exhibition or
the harbouring of ill-feeling by any parties from what might
have arisen out of the proceedings.
Mr. DENNIS, at this juncture, said the change which had
just been adopted by the amendment would be next to sub-
stituting are public fora mnnaretiy. A most pregnant com-
mentary on universal suffrage had just been communicated
by telegraphic despatch from Paris, staling that the popu-
. lace had forma them way into the national assembly, and