The Sun.
London, England, 1830-12-30 00:00:00

CARLISLE; REFORM MEETING.

(From the Carlisle Journal of Saturday.)
A numerous and highly respectable meeting of the
gentlemen, tradesmen, shopkeepers, and others of
this city, was held at the Blue Bell Inn, Scotch-
street, on Monday last, for the purpose of petition-
ing the Legislature for Parliamentary Reform.
Nearly .500 individuals were present principally be-
longing to the middle classes. The meeting was
not called by public advertisement, or we are sure
no room in Carlisle would have been found suffi-
ciently large for the purpose.
On the motion of Mr. IL Pearson, seconded by
T. Heysham, Esq., .1. Dlxos, Esq. of Knells, one
of the principal manufacturers in this city, was
called to the Chair.

Mr. DIXON then proceeded to read the resolu-
tions, and afterwards spoke as follows :—lt now
becomes my duty to state to you what has since
been done. A deputation waited upon Sir James
Graham, at Cockermouth, to request his support to
the prayer of the petition in the House of Com-
mons; but he stated to us nearly the same that he
told his constituents on the hustings at Cocker-
mouth—that he was pledged in favour of Reform,
but, being a Cabinet Minister, he could not adopt
any particular line at present, or advocate in detail
any particular plan. lie assured us, however, that
if this Meeting should do him the honour of entrust-
ing its petition to his care, he would, on
presenting it to the House, inform Parliament of the
respectability of the petitioners, that they were
composed of many who had been at one time the
steady opponents of Reform; but who, in conse-
quence of the march of events, had now cordially
co-operated in the good work, and come forward to
pray for the granting of that salutary measure.—
(Cheers.)—After that the Committee met, and
came to the resolution of adopting the course pro-
posed, a petition was drawn up in accordance with
the instructions given at the first Meeting, and I am
happy to say it was unammoudy agreed to by the
Committee. Our coming forward this day is for
the express purpose of obtaining one common ob-
ject,—a Reform in Parliament; on the necessity of
that we are all agreed--(Applause)—ulthough
there may be some differences of opinion as to the
amount of Reform requisite, and also as to the .mao-
tier in which the elective franchise ought to be ex-
ercised. The agitating of the question at this time
has been strongly commented upon' tit), some of the
our motives,
papers; but conscious of the purity o
we are not afraid to leave such comments to find
their own level—(Hear, hear)—and at a meeting so
respectable as the present, we may fairly calculate
upon coming to a just and reasonable conclusion on
the question we have met to promote.---(Cheers.)
For my own part, I have been actuated by no
personal motives in appearing here this day, but
by a strong conviction of public duty; not to
serve individuals, or any particular body of men,

but by a conviction of the necessity which
existi for a judicious and effectual Refortnet
(Cheers.)—lt has been objected that our coming for.
ward at this time, instead of allaying will only tend
to increase the ferment which at present exists.
With, this assertion I am completely at issue.—
(Applause.)—My firm opinion is, that it will tend
in a great degree to soothe and calm the minds of
the people.—(Loud cheers.)—From the means I
possess of knowing the feelings of the working
classes, I am quite certain that this is the fact ; they
are desirous, and have been long anxiou., that the
middle classes should come forward, and express
their opinions freely on this important subject, and
convey them to the Legislature.—(Much applause.)
Another objection has been raised—that by the
course now adopted, we shall embarrass his Ma.
jestv's Ministers in their endeavours to settle the
question, and here again I must express my dissent.
I have great confidence in the present Ministry, and
I think they are deserving of our hearty sup.
port, so long us they proceed in redeeming
the promises by which they are bound ; but
although they have pledged themselveh to Re-
form, it is impossible to conceal from ourselves
that they will have great difficulties to encounter;
and I deem it absolutely necessary, when there is
every reason for supposing they will meet with a
formidable opposition, that we should come forward
in this manner, and by showing that we are desirous
for what they wish to grunt us, do all that lays in
our power to strengthen their bands.—(l-lear,; hear,
and much cheering.) Having said so much, I will
but trespass on your patience for a little longer,
while I make a few observations on the progress
which the great cause of Reform has made—a cause
on the speedy settlement of which our existence as
a free and happy nation so much depends.— (Hear,
hear.) Looking back to the debates in the House
of Commons, above thirty years ago, it is quite sur-
pi ising to see how many individuals then unavailingly
advocated the measure—the greatest men of the
age, amongst whom were Pitt, Fox, and others,
strenuously insisted upon the necessity of Reform;
and prophecied that those evils under which we
now labour, would eventually overtake us unless
Reform were granted. Their warning voices were
unattended to; the system was suffered to continue,
without any disposition on the part of the Govern-
ment to repair it, until we have been reduced to a
state but too closely bordering upon anarchy and
confusion.—(Cheers.) We have been long asleep
to that great measure ; but all classes have now be-
come thoroughly awakened to the necessity of such
a Reform as moderate and reasonable men desire.—
(Loud cheers.) So much for the general claims for
Reform. Locally, we have a strong case. When
the Charters were first granted to Corporate bodies,
they were understood to comprise the whole of the
trading part of the community resident in the place
to which such Charter was granted : in order that it
should protect the trade and interests of such com-
munity. If you look to this city, lam satisfied that
you will be convinced that the eight distinct trades
which possess the elective franchise (viz. the butchers,
shoemakers, smiths, tanners, weavers, skinners,
merchants, and tailors,) constituted the whole fold-
ing part of society at the time tha Charter was
grunted ;'but which from the lapse of time, and the
want of a gradual renewal of those privileges, now
form a very small portion of our citizens.—(Hear,
hear, and great cheering.) I will but take a slight
survey of the present state of things, to prove the
truth of this assertion. Look to the solicitors; there
are upwards of thirty in Carlisle, not more than five
or six of whom possess the freedom of the town.—
(Heardiear.) Of the medical profession, I believe
there is not one—(s' Yes, Dr. Blamire")—he is not
practising now. Then there are six banking esta-
blishments of which I believe there is not one
membera freeman.--(Cheers.) Amongst the cotton-
spinners (with the exception of my worthy friend
Mr. Halton), not one possesses a right. The
manufacturers have no right—(" Yes, you have a
right, but you havn't the privilege !" Cheers and
laughter.) Well,• I stand corrected ; we have a
right—but we do not possess the privilege.—
(Laughter.) Then there are the great body of the
weavers who are nearly all excluded. (" Not one
in a thousand is a voter"—Cheers.)--Amongst the
shipowners, whom we must not forget—and the
great body of the shopkeepers, there urea few—but
very few indeed,—(Applause)—almost none.—
(Cheering.) We huve, I think, a very strong case,
for a general Reform ; and an equally strong one for
a local Reform. What can be more reasonable than
that those who live in the town, and who alone can
know what its wants and necessities really are,
should have a vote in the electing of persons to con-
duct their affairs, and protect their interests.—
(Cheers.) The petition is just and reasonable ; it
is true in every part; and nothing more than the
truth; and I trust we shall ere long obtain all the
valuable privileges for which we pray.—(Cheering.)
Mr. HENRY PEARSON then read the following pe-
tition, which was received with great applause :
TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS OF TUE
UNITED KINGDOM IN PARLIAMENT ASSEM.
TILED.
THE 'HUMBLE PETITION OF THE UNDERSIGNED
RESiDENT HOUSEHOLDERS AND RATE PAYERS
OF THE CITY OF CARLISLE AND THE SUBURBS
THEREOF,

Sheweth,—That your petitioners are of opinion that
much of the distress and embarrassment under which the
country at present labours is caused by the imperfect Re-
presentation of the People in your Honourable House, and
that they consider it essential to the happiness and pros-
perity of the country, that an extensive and effectual Re-
form in Parliament should be accomplished with as little
delay as possible. That whilst your petitioners pray for
a general Reform in your Honourable House, they more
particularly and earnestly implore your Honourable Howe
to take into your early consideration the difficulties and
hardships under which your] petitioners labour, in conse•
quence of the change which the lapse of time has made
in the circumstences and qualifications of the persons who
are entitle to vote for Members for this city.
That the city of Carlisle and its suburbs contain a
population of &limit 20,000 persons, and that the right of
voting is at present confined to about nine hundred free-
men; qualified by birth, or by seven years' apprentieeehip
to a freeman, many of them in indigent circumstances;
that not more than one-fourth are resident, and the re.
mainder scattered over the whole United Kingdom, having
no property or iuterest whatever within the city or suburbs.
That nearly all the merchants, bankers, solicitors,
owners of property, and respectable tradesmen, are, from
the manner in which the elective franchise is acquired,
without the right of voting far Members of your honourable
House, and from the same causes, instead of the city
balling the advantage of twelve resident Aldermen, as in.
tensed by the Charter of Incorporation, there are only two
resident Aldermen, both of whom are upwards of seventy
years of age, and three others occasionally resident.
That your petitioners have no wish to unnecessarily
trench Upon the privilege of the resident freemen, but
that it would tend greatly to the advantage of your peti.
tioners, as well as of the city at large, if a right was
vested in the resident householders of taking up the free.
dom of the city, and being registered free of expense,*
in the same manner as persons claiming by birth or ap.
prenticeehip.
That it also appears indispensihle to the comfort and
economical government of this city, as well as to promote
the Prompt and- impartial administration of justice, that
eligibility to exercise corporation privileges and immuni-
ties be extended to the inhabitant householders and rate
payers.
That in consequence of the-non-residence of so large it
part of the freemen, and from other causes into which
your petitioners do not enter—the expense of elections
have often been enormous, and have also been attended
with confusion and riot, lots of life, and considerable de.
struction of property.

That your petitioners are of opinion that if the votes
for Members to serve in Parliament were taken by secret
ballot, it would be more advantageous than the mode now
adopted.
your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray, that your Ho-
nourable eiousewill take all these important questions
into your most serious consideration, and grant them the
Elective Franchise, which they feel assured would add so
greatly to their individual comfort, as also tend to the sta-
bility of the Throne, as well as the happiness and pros-
perity of the country at large.
JOsEPII FERGUSON, Esq. (Fisher...treat), then
said,rowords
Mr. Chairman and Gentletnen—The
printed in Italics were not in the original
Jo motion.
petition,o e
The
hn d
but allt4 on Mr. Abraham
w