The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-08 00:00:00

The West Riding Reform Demonstration.

The Leeds Mercury says that this gathering,
which is fixed for to-day, will be one of great dimen-
sions. The railway companies have refused to grant
special facilities for travelling to Leeds ; and it is
understood that from several towns at a distance,
and it may be inferred from all close at hand, those
intending to take part in the demonstration will
march in procession with bands and banners, each
body being swelled by others at various points on
its route. Bradford, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton, &c.,
will furnish processions; P udsey, Stannin gley,
Farsley, and Bramley will unite in one procession ;
and Morley, Churwell, Beeston, and Ilolbeck in
another. Permission has been given by numerous
manufacturing firms to their men to take holiday on
this occasion. At the request of the central com-
mittee the mayor of Leeds has made arrangements
for the preservation of order in the town, and has
sanctioned the route to the moor which they pro-
posed the procession should take place. It is ex-
pected that if the weather should prove auspicious
Mr. Bright will visit the moor during the proceed-
ings.

At the evening meeting, Mr. Bright, M.P.,
Mr. Forster, M.P., Mr. E. A. Leatham, Mr.
Beales, 'lr. Ernest Jones, Mr. G. Potter, and
others will speak. Mr. Stansfeld has informed the
committee that he will be unable to attend. The
chair will be taken at 7 o'clock in the Victoria Hall,
by Mr. Alderman R. M. Carter, the president of the
Leeds Manhood Suffrage Association. The same re-
solutions as those which will have been discussed on
the moor will be submitted, with the exception of
the latter part of the second resolution, in place of
which a brief address will be presented to Mr. Bright.
In making the arrangements for the demonstra-
tion the central committee thought it advisable to
send to the Right. Hon. R. Lowe, X.P. for Calne,
the following letter:—
" To the Right Hon. Robert Lowe, M.P.

" Sir,—You are perhaps aware that the working men of
West Yorkshire are arranging for a reform demonstration
to be held at Leeds, on Monday next, Oct. 8. At a meet-
ing of the committee of management in the Leeds Town
Hall last evening, it was unanimously resolved—' That the
Right Hon. Robert Lowe, M.P. for Caine, and the Right
lion. Edward Horsman, M.P. for Stroud, be invited to visit.
Leeds on Monday next, to witness the reform demonstration
by working men of the West Riding of Yorkshire.' The
committee, in passing this resolution, are actuated by a
desire that you and Mr. Horsman shall have an opportunity
of judging of the character of the working men of West
Yorkshire. According to present indications, there will
be a muster of upwards of 100,000 men next Monday,
nearly the whole of whom are bona fide workpeople, in the
receipt of weekly wages, and who are at present excluded
from voting for members of Parliament. It is calculated
that no less:a sum than of £60,000 or £70,000 will be the cost
of this great meeting to those whom you have stated are
unfitted, and have no desire for the franchise. The com-
mittee can give you the fullest assurance that you shall
have fair and peaceable opportunities of mixing with the
unonfranchised of thin district ; and they believe that, if
you accept this invitation, you will, when the next reform
bill comes before the House of Commons, be in a position
to speak of the working classes as a body with less bitter-
ness than hitherto has been your custom.—l am, sir, your
obedient servant, "R. M. CARTER, Chairman,
and Alderman of the Borough of Leeds.
"Leeds, Oct. 2, 1866."
A similar letter has been addressed to Mr. Hors-
man, M.P., but up to the present time no answer
has beea received from either of these gentlemen.