The Sun.
London, England, 1837-05-08 00:00:00

CHURCH RATES, TEWKESBURY.

(From a CoTTespondent.)
On Monday last, pursuant to a rcquisitir.n largely anti re-
spectably signed by an equal number of Churchmen and Dis•
scnters, a public meeting of the inhabitaets of this borough,
convened by the Mayor, was held at the Town Hall," to con-
sider the propriety of petitioning Parliament in favour of the
Ministerial plan for the regulation of Church-rates." The
!ale room Was densely crowded; and as the Tcr:es had com-
menced an active canvass of the inhabitants from the moment
the requisition appeared to get up such an opposition as (ac-
cording to their own words) should give the Reformers "a
devilish good
.thrashing," their party mustered its utmost
strength, and not content with their usual forces, brought uj
several boys, of twelve and fourteen years of age, and ever
labouring men from the turnpike roads, to swell their rank,
The Mayon having been unanimously called to the Chair,
L. WINTERHOTHAM. Esq., (the ex-Mayor). in an able and
luminous speech, in which he fully exposed the evils of the
present system of Church-rates, and explained the advantages
of the Ministerial plan, which, whilst it injured nobody, would
afford a safe, ample, and permanent fund, in lieu of the present
uncertain one, moved that petitions be presented to both
Houses of Parliament, praying that a measure founded upon
the resolution of the House of Commons, may speedily pass
into a law; which was seconded by
Mr. JOIIN PACKER, a staunch member of the Established
Church, and late Churchwarden of the parish. •
An amendment was then moved by Mr. JOHN MOORE, and
s• conded by Mr. BANASTEk, to the effect—That in the opinion
of the meeting, it was not desirable to petition Parliament ;
and the Rev. Roar. HEewortrir..the Curate, spoke in favour
of the arneedmerA, arguing, that though it might be excellent
in itself, the proposed measure was one of a seri which were
intended to destroy the. interests (qucre mammon ?) of the
Establishment ; and that the real object of the Radicals was to
separate the Church from the State.
The room in which the meeting was held being too small to
allow of a fair division of parties, an adjournment took place
to the Town Hall-garden, when the numbers proved to be—
For the Amendment ..
For the Petitions —232
•
Majority for the Reformers _24
GEORGE FREEMAN, Esq., next moved that Lord Segrave
be requested to present the petition to the Lords, and C. H.
Tracy, Esq., M. P. for the borough. to the Commons; which
was seconded by THOS. CADDICK, Esq.
The Rev. H. WEessouri'proposed a vote of thanks to his
Majesty's Ministers; and the Rev. JOHN WEvren felt great
pleasure, as a Minister of the Wesleyan connection, in second-
ing the proposition, because be believed conscientiously that
the plan of the' Administration would, if carried into operation,
prove a real blessing to the Establishment.
Thanks•having been voted to the Mayor, and carried by
acclamation, fur his honourable conduct in the Chair, the
meeting dispersed, previously giving three heart!, cheers for
Lord Melbourne and his Majesty's Ministers, and three more
for Riorm

The petitions have been lying at the Town Hall, and have
already received between 500 and 600 signatures.
On the same day the Corporation Seal was zffixed to-similar
petitions to ;3arliament from the Mayor, Aldermen, and-Coun-
cillors of the borough;: in Council assembled.
Tewkesbury, May 5, 1837. •