The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-22 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORII

MEETINGS.

GREAT MEETING AT NORWICH.

A public meeting on the subject of rao,
mentary Reform was held last night at Nor 07
at which there were three thousand persons prese°
Lord Bury addressed the meeting, and great 61'
thusiasm was manifested.

MEETING AT PORT GLASGOW.
A meeting of the inhabitants of Port Glasg°
was held in the Town-hall, on Tuesday evenv,,
the
for the purpose' of expressing their opinion ea t 1
question of Parliamentary Reform ; Bailie M' ,
1
acting chief magistrate, in the chair. The 'hall Art'
crowded by a very respectable audience. 9
The CHAIRMAN, on rising, was received N 11,,,
much applause. On opening the proceedings
said—The word reform had always been regard
by the authorities of Port Glasgow as tsynonylo9"„
with sedition. To have talked of reform was
crime. It was not more than 30 years since
small patriotic band, consisting of some half.t.
dozen, proposed to form themselves into a seci,%'
for the purpose of promoting reform in Park
meat. In those days there were no ,
provost, no Liberal bailie in Port Glase.,'
What was the result ? • The Tory authoritiv
of the day held a special meeting for
purpose of putting down the seditious uni"-
Large numbers of special constables were
sworn in at the Council Chamber who wed
furnished with batons to break the heads
the reformers. One independent liberal indivial
refused to carry arms against the reformers, If,
had a narrow escape from prison for his •temerl
He congratulated them and the country upon t,"O
4
progress which the liberty of speech had Tilt'
since that period.
Mr. MALCOLM M'FARLANE then addressed' °
meeting on Parliamentary Reform, showily, mOl/
reasons for an alteration in the representation
the country and the necessity for having the werls'
ing classes better represented in Parliament
they are at present, and expressed himself
favourable to manhood suffrage.
''
Mr. MATTHEW CULLEN, Glasgow, next address f
the meeting, and warmly advocated manhood 5.11 i
frage, and expressed a hope that the meeting vi'c'w
express themselves in favour of such a measure.
Mr. CAIRD moved the first resolution " Thatt,,r
inhabitants of Port-Glasgow, in public meets'!
assembled, hail with pleasure the national expills!
sion elicited since Mr. Bright's appeal to v,„,
country on the subject of Parliamentary Refor::,
and consider that we will best respond to
~1
appeal by stating what we believe to be
and prudent, trusting to his political integrl',
and discretion on any measure of reform that 111%
be introduced in the next session of parlianle;
and that we approve of the principles of vlo
hood suffrage with a residential qualification, as';
plainest, most just, and best adapted to the opilu°,,
and circumstances of the people of this country.,
Mr. A. WALKER seconded the resolution,
was carried unanimously.
• Alf
Mr. J. M'BRYDE moved the second resolutn
viz.:—" That to enable the electors to give a
and unbiassed expression of their opinions, it is lly
cessary they should have the protection of ,
ballot; and, therefore, no measure of reform cane
satisfactory to the country which does not inch
vote by ballot." He then entered briefly into
titi
points of dispute existing on this subject, le
showed the necessity there was for protecting
voters from influence.
Mr. W. STEWART seconded-the resolution,
being put to the meeting, was heartily agreed tcbs,
Mr. GLENDINNING moved the third resolutiellol
follows : " That we believe that septenn4
Parliaments are calculated to etard rather th
advance the progress and prosperity of the natl°ol
and that a shorter duration of Parliament is a re°
and political necessity."
h)
Mr. -111`DONALD seconded the resolution, Ic--lie
,51
was also carried, as was another to the effect Ofti
the foregoing resolutions be transmitted to L°
Derby and to Mr. Bright, M.P.