The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING,
_FEBRUARY 27, 1867.

PiIOPCSED REFORM DEMONSTRATION:

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♦

Last night a special meeting of the Working
Men's Association and the Trades' Society delegates
connected with the December Reform demonstration
was held at St. Martin's hall, to consider the Go-
vernment scheme of Reform. Upwards of 190 dele-
gates were present, representing fully 80,000 men ;
Mr. George Potter occupied the chair.
The CHAIRMAN commenced the proceedings wiai
an analysis of the Government proposals, which he
characterised as a retrograde step in the Reform
movement, and utterly unworthy of being accepted
by the people as a settlement of the great question.
lie detailed the proceedings which had taken place
that day at the meeting of the Liberal membeis with
Mr. Gladstone, and announced that Mr. Disraeli
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although endorsed by the liotiie oi
Lowe had said the late demonstrations had passed
away without leaving an echo behind. It was now
the duty of the people to make the echo heard, and
it must be a long and loud one. They must now
have no:, a local but a national demonstration, in
which the working men of Manchester, Birmingham,
and other towns must be asked to take part.
A long and animated discussion ensued, in which
the conduct of the Government was unsparingly de-
nounced, and a general opinion expressed that even
the Opposition would have to be kept up to the
mark by the pressure from without.
Mr. HOWE, polisher, moved the following reso-
lution :—" That this meeting having considered the
Government scheme of Reform as developed in the
House of Commons on Monday night by the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, is of opinion it is ono not
only falling far short of the just expectdtions and
requirements of the country, but insulting to the
people at large, inasmuch as it is a retrograde mea-
sure, less liberal than that introduced to Parlia-
ment by the Derby Government of 1659, and would
enfranchise a considerably less number of the nork-
ing classes than was proposed to be done by the very
moderate measure of Mr. Gladstone last session."

Mr. lIAW OOD (Amalgamated Carpenters)seconded
the resolution, which was supported by Mr. Pardoe
(painter), Mr. Jenkins (organ builder), Mr. Brooke
(salesman), Mr. Edbrooke (porter), and Mr.
Richards (gasfitter), and carried unanimously.
Mr. BAWDEN, tin-plate worker, moved—', That
the Derby Government, by its conduct, having
proved itself utterly incompetent to deal with the
question of Reform in a manner satisfactory to the
people, this meeting emphatically call upon the
House of Commons at once to reject the Govern-
ment scheme of Reform, and show to the country
that they will no longer allow the question to be
trifled with."

Mr. BRISTOW (mason) seconded the resolution,
which was supported by Mr. Wistoby (plasterer),
Mr. Rosewarne (painter), Mr. Webber (provision
dealer), and Mr. Gilmore (mason), and carried with
loud cheers.

Mr. BLIGII (shoemaker) moved—" That, in order
to enable the people to express their opinions on the
present unsatisfactory position of the Reform ques-
tion, this meeting recommend the Working Men's
Association to call a public demonstration in Trafal-
gar-square on Saturday afternoon next at 4 o'clock,
and pledges itself to support such demonstration."
Mr. W.icKs (decorator) seconded the resolution,
which was carried by acclamation.

Tile CHAIRMAN said the association would act
upon the resolution, and at once issue the notice for
the meeting.

Mr. lIINToN (mason) then moved—" That the
association be requested to prepare for a great na-
tional demonstration on or about Easter, to which
the trades of the provinces be invited."
Mr. WYNNE (plasterer) seconded the resolution,
which was carried with great enthusiasm.

The CHAIRMAN said the asscciation would at once
take the necessary steps for carrying into effect the
above resolutions, and he had no doubt Mr. Lowe
would now hear the echo.
The proceedings then terminated.