The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-22 00:00:00

Mr. MILNE, of Oldham, advocated universal suf-

frage.

Mr. SCOTT, of Belfast, would not be satisfied
until they Lad obtained manhood suffrage and with
ballot, but advocated unity of action.
Mr. Cooper, on the part of the committee, brought
up the proposed resolution.
Mr. PORTER, of York, moved, and Mr. MOORE,
of London, seconded the first resolution, to the fol-
lowing effect :—" That the Conference has maturely
considered the existing state of the representation
of the United Kingdom, and is unanimously of
opinion that such representation is a gross injustice
to the working classes, who are almost entirely ex-
cluded from the franchise, notwithstanding that
their skill and industry largely contribute to the
prosperity and pre-eminence of the nation.
After some discussion, and the development of
very conflicting opinions, the resolution was carried.
Mr. COOPER, of Manchester, then proposed, and
Mr. ELLis, of Armley, seconded the second resolu-
tion,—

" That this Conference, while respecting the deep
convictions of the people on manhood suffrage, con-
sider all classes of real reformers are essential to the
attainment of any great amendment of the repre-
sentation, and therefore recommend that the middle
classes should go further than they originally in-
tended ; and that the working classes abate in some
degree their more advanced measures, and with this
view they submit to the country the following pro-
gramme as a. basis of union :—First, That an ex-
tension of the-suffrage be jointly demanded, not less
than that which wili confer the franchise in
boroughs upon every male person rated, or liable to
5e rated, for the relief of the poor ; and in counties
upon every male person occupying land or houses
of the annual value of £lO, together with a more
equitable distribution of seats, vote by ballot, and
the limitation of the duration of Parliament to three
years."

Mr. Hadfield, M.P., supported the resolution, and
gave £lO towards expenses. Mr. Cox, M.P., also
approved the resolution ; but Mr. Washington
Wilks moved the following amendment :—" That
having regard to the strongly-expressed desire of
the unenfranchised classes of this country and to
the convictions of many earnest reformers of all
classes, the Conference recognises as the first basis
of a national reform movement the principles of
manhood suffrage; and having regard at the same
time to the state of the existing constituencies,
recommends to the acceptance of the country any
measure or measures that, by accompanying a large
extension of the franchise with the ballot, an equal
redistribution of seats, an abridgment of the dura-
tion of Parliament, raay promote the ultimate
enfranchisement of all good citizens"
After several other speeches had been made, a
committee was appointed to consider whether they
could not frame a resolution to meet the diverse
views expressed; and during their absence Mr. P.
A, Taylor, M.P., took the chair, when the third
resolution, as follows, moved by Mr. COOPER, Man-
chester, and seconded by Mr. NOBLE, London, was
carried :
" That this Conference cannot dissolve without
expressing its regret and indignation that her
Majesty's Government have abandoned the reform
question. This silence of a reform cabinet upon
the very measure which carried them into power,
has inflicted a deep wound upon the political cha-
racter of Parliament, and has caused serious mis-
chief in creating distrust among the best disposed
of the working classes."
A petition from the conference to the House of
Commons in favour of Mr. Berkeley's motion on
the ballot was then adopted.
On the return of the committee Mr. Wilson re-
sumed the chair, when Mr. COOPER substituted the
following resolution :
" That while the statements made at this confe-
rence show the deep conviction of the people in
favour of manhood suffrage, in which conviction a
large proportion of the delegates fully sympathise,
the conference considers that the union of all classes
of real reformers is essential to the attainment of
any great improvement of the representation, and
with this view it submits to the country the follow-
ing programme as a basis of union :—That an ex-
tension of the franchise be demanded which will
confer the franchise in boroughs upon every male
person, householder or lodger, rated, or liable to
be rated, for the relief of the poor, together with
a more equitable distribution of seats, vote by bal-
lot, and a limitation of the duration of Parliament
for three years."
After some opposition it was carried, and a vote
of thanks was passed to the chairman.