The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-24 00:00:00

The Reform Demonstration.

Last evening a numerously attended meeting of
trades delegates was held at the Sussex Hotel,
Bouverie-street—Mr. G. Potter in the chair—for
the purpose of arranging the details of the proposed
demonstration, but more especially to consider the
position in which the organising committee and sec-
retary are placed by the refusal of the solicitors of
Mr. Simpson, the leaseholder of Ashburnham-
grounds, to allow that place to be used for the pur-
pose intended. The chairman said, with regard to
the correspondence which had appeared in reference
to Ashburnham-grounds, he had no hesitation in
expressing his belief that the parties were moved by
those who were determined to throw every obstacle
in the way of the trades and of reform. They had
been threatened with an injunction from the Vice-
Chancellor in. the event of their determin-
ing to hold the demonstration in Ashburnham-
grounds, and in reply they had stated their intention
of adopting one of two courses—namely, to hold the
proposed meeting, or to claim indemnification for
what they had expended in the making of prelimi-
nary arrangements. As the committee could not get
Ashburnham-grounds except by force, they had en-
deavoured to find a suitable place for the holding of
the demonstration. They had been making in-
quiries respecting Lord's Cricket-ground, and had
sent a telegram to the chief person connected with
that place, but who, instead of replying to them,
sent back their telegram, thus putting them to an
expense of nine shillings. They had applied for
Kennington-oval, but the proprietor told them he
would lose his lease by giving it to them. They had
been unsuccessful in an application for the use of
Vincent-square, 'Westminster, in consequence of the
absence of the Dean. The Agricultural hall was en-
gaged by the Smithfield Cattle Club Committee,
and they could not get a definite answer respecting
the Crystal Palace until after a special meeting
of the directors. The Secretary (Mr. Hartwell)
stated that, with a view to obviate the difficulties
which would surround the committee in the event of
their failing to find a private place for the holding
of the demonstration, he had that day written a
letter to Lord John Manners, to the effect that the
eommittee, having perceived that he had given per-
mission to the trades of Edinburgh to meet in the
Queen's Park, asked his lordship to allow the trades
of London to meet in Hyde-park or the Green-
park, and requesting him to receive a deputation
on the subject. Mr. Hartwell added that he had
requested the Chief Commissioner of Works to
send an immediate reply in order that the com-
mittee might be able to take action at that meet-
ing, and Lord John Manners sent a reply by re-
turn of post stating his readiness to receive the
deputation as requested. The secretary further
reported that an enclosed place in the vicinity of
Brompton would in all probability be procured
for the demonstration. A resolution expressing
the determination of the delegates to retain
Ashburnham-grounds until another place had been
found was unanimously adopted. The secretary
Stated that from 200 to 300 mounted farriers would
head the procession, and the branches of the Reform
League had offered to bring up the rear. A ballot
was then taken for the order of the trades in the
procession. A resolution in favour of the insertion
in the morning papers of an advertisement calling
on the employers to close their places of business on
the 3d December was unanimously agreed to, after
which the proceedings terminated.