The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-26 00:00:00

ABOLITION OF THE CORN LAWS.

(FROM A COkRESFONDENT.)
PETITION OF THE BIRMINGHAM TOWN
COUNCIL-
Yesterday (Friday) a spec:ral meeting of the Town Council
was held at the Town Hall, to consider the propriety of rti-
tioning Parliament for th e total abolition of the iniquitous
restrictions upon cheap r.ood. The Mayor, William Sohole-
field, Esq., presided; and after the preliminary business had
been gone through, called upon Mr. Thomas Weston, a (um-
ber of the Council, to move the resolution of which he had
i gen t
aWeston rose, and, in a very able nod argu-
ven .
ess, pointed out the injurious operation f the
Corn-laws
o.i the trade of this country, more particularly its
mnot addr M.,:
influenerl• on every branch of our manufactures. He took a
mas.terly and comprehensive view of the question, examining
It in all its bearings, and concluded a powerful appeal to the
judgments and feelings of the Council, by proposing- the 4.01.
lowing resolution :—" That this Council, sympathizing with
the manufacturing population in their privations and sufferings,
consequent on the present high price of bread, express their
firm conviction that the existing Corn-laws arc cruel and op-
pressive to the mechanics of this kingdom, and, that if perse-
vercd in, they have the effect of driving away the manu-
facturers of Great Britain into other countries. It is,
therefore, resolved that this Council do petition both Houses
of Parliament for the total repeal of all laws restraining the
free importation of all articles of food." Mr. Joseph Sturge
briefly seconded the resolution, reserving to himself the right
to reply, should any be called for by the observations of the
speakers who were to follow him. Mr. Thomas Clutton Salt
rose to move an amendment. He deprecated the agitation of
the Corn-law question when a great movement of the working
classes was about to take place, in order to obtain Universal
Suffrage—a privilege which would obtain for the people the
removal not only of one, but of a number of grievances.
After a very lengthened address, in which he touched upon a
variety of topics, contending that without a thorough reform
of our monetary and other laws, a free trade in corn would
only he a mockery to the poor man, giving him the bread, but
depriving him of the means of purchasing it, Mr. Salt con-
cluded by moving an amendment, to the effect that it was in-
expedient at this particular period to petition Parliament for
the abolition of the Corn-laws. The amendment having be( n
seconded, the original motion was warmly. supported by Mr.
Rodway and Mr. Joseph Sturge. In allueing to the accounts
received from France relative to the ordinance to stop the ex-
portation of corn from the ports on the Atlantic, Mr. Sturge
expressed his belief, that if Providence should afflict this
country with another bad harvest, the most lamentable conse-
quences must result to this country. It, however, the people
were united on this question, he had a sanguine hope that they
would be able to carry it. Mr. P. H. Manta, Mr. Hadley,
Mr. Pare, anti other gentlemen, afterwards addressed the
eting, when the amendment was put and negatived by a
large majority. The original motion was afterwards submitted
to the meeting, and carried almost unanimously. Petitions to
the Houses of Lords and Commons were read and adopted, to
be entrusted to Lord Brougham and the Members for the
Borough.

A iireat public meeting, convened by the Mayor of 15,..,-
mingl"iam, takes place in the Town Hall on Mondrs, text,
to. . . _
take into cons:deration the propriety of petittrr:,:-..-6 Parliament
for the total abolition of the Corn-laws. Tne meeting is eat
to be one of the most impo;'.:',"at held here on a great
public question for many years. The Chartists, it is said, in-
tend to oppose the obie,c;2 br v+ The
meeting, and move an amend-
ment in favour of (:I:;‘7rersal Suffrage, as a substitute for bread
for the poor.