The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-30 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

- - -4--
HACKNEY.
Last night a great open demonstration in favour
of reform took place at the London-fields, Hackney.
The Clerkenwell, Holborn, Kingsland, Old Ford,
and Hackney branches of the Reform League, accom-
panied by their bands and bearing banners, attended,
and when the proceedings commenced there was an
enormous crowd of persons present. Four platforms
were improvised for the occasion, Mr. J. B.. Langley
presiding at the principal one. The resolutions were
submitted simultaneously from the four platforms at
the sound of a bugle, red fire being used as the
signal for those who were in favour of the reso-
lutions, and blue -fire for dissentients, if any. The
first resolution proposed was as follows :
" That we, the working men of the Tower
Hamlets, protest against the present system of
representation, whereby the people are compelled to
obey laws in which they have no voice, which is
opposed alike to the spirit of the constitution and
our sense of justice. That this meeting further
pledges itself to support by all lawful means the
National Reform League in its efforts to obtain re-
gistered residential manhood suffrage and the ballot."
The resolution was carried amid acclamations. The
next resolution was :—" That we tender our thanks
to Messrs. Gladstone, Bright, Mill, Beales, Ernest
Jones, and all other true friends of reform, for de-
fending the character of the working classes against
the slanderous attack made upon them in the British
House of Commons." The resolution was- agreed
to amid loud cheering. The speakers included
Messrs. Mantle, Davis, Cremer, Brighty, Lucraft,
Osborne, Leno, and other members of the Reform
League. The proceedings throughout were of a
most enthusiastic character.
HULL.
Yesterday the town of Hull presented quite a
holiday appearance, many places of business being
closed from noon, and the streets being crowded
with people, the majority of whom carried some de-
coration expressive of `theii sympathy with the re-
form cause. For some weeks it had been settled
that a demonstration in favour of reform should be
held yesterday? and it was at first resolved to make
the meeting one of a national character by inviting
some of the well-known leaders of the people. This
resolution, however, could not be carried out in its ori-
ginal integrity, and so rather than have a demonstra-
tion of a mixed character the councils of the local Re-
form League and Reform Association agreed that
it should only represent the feelings of the inhabi-
tants of the town and immediate district. For this
reason the resolutions, save in one instance, were
intrusted to local men. Shortly after noon the pro-
ceedings were commenced in four different parts of
the town by the formation of processions, which
each marched, headed by brass bands, to the com-
mon centre in Lowgate, from which point the pro-
cessions formed one grand and united whole, and
marched on to the Corporation Field, where the
speeches were appointed to be delivered. The
weather was not all that could have been desired,
there being a dull overcast sky and cold wind. In
addition to this discomfort there was the prospect
of having to stand on ground little better than a
swamp for one or two hours, so that it may be
taken that none but those really enthusiastic in
the cause of reform took part in the pro-
ceeding ; yet it is computed that over 15,000 people
were present, or formed part of the procession.
This part of the demonstration was excellently well
organised. The different trades' unions marched
under theirrespeetive banners, marshalled by chosen
representatives, and all bearing orange rosettes, or
cards with appropriate inscriptions. As the dense
mass of reformers moved along the principal streets
they were the recipients of considerable applause
from those who watched the spectacle. Arrived
at the field, which is a square inclosure about four
acres in extent, the chair was taken by Alderman
Gresham, J.P., a senior member of the corpo-
ration, and one of the oldest and stanchest re-
formers in the town. The. speeches commenced
at half-past two ; the chairman delivering a
short address. Mr. Christie then moved " that
this meeting protests against the charges of venality,
ignorance, drunkenness, and indifference to reform
brought against the unenfrauchised classes during
the last session of parliament, and hereby pledges
itself to continue exertion until a satisfactory reform
bill be passed." The Rev. H. 011erenshaw (Inde-
pendent) seconded the motion, which was carried
nem. con. Mr. Ackrill moved, and Mr. Beeton (town
councillor) seconded, a resolution to the effect,
" that this meeting desires to acknowledge the ser-
vices of Earl Russell, the Right Hon. W. E. Glad-
stone, Mr. John Bright, Mr. John Stuart Mill, and
all other members of the houses of Parliament
who have supported the people's claims, and vindi-
cated their character."—Carried. Mr. Billany (a
working man), and Mr. G-. Odgers (deputation from
the Reform League), seconded the following motion :
"That this meeting expresses its indignation at
the conduct of those Liberal members of Parliament
who have refused to aid the working classes in their
endeavours to obtain a fair share of the franchise,
and hereby pledges itself to every effort calculated
to secure an early passing of a bill which shall ex-
tend the suffrage so as to give theindustrious classes
a due share in the representation of the country."
Carried. The evening meeting was held in the
Queen's Theatre, a spacious building capable of
holding 4,000 people. Amongst those who addressed
the assembly were the borough members, Messrs.
Clay and Norwood. Mr. W. Irving, J.P., presided.
LEICESTER.
The Reform demonstration at Leicester yesterday
was very successful on the occasion of the visit of
Mr. Beales and Colonel Dickson. A procession,
accompanied by six bands of music and numerous
characteristic banners, paraded the town, many of
the trades joining in the demonstration. At three
o'clock the people concentrated in the Market-place,
and the scene was very animating and imposing.
The vast assemblage was addressed from three
stands. At the first, Mr. Councillor Charles-
worth was chairman, and the meeting was
addressed by Mr. Beales, the Rev. W. Wood,
Messrs. S. Payne, Barrow, T. Moss, J. J. Pres-
ton, J. Clough, and P. A. Taylor, M.P. At the
second stand, Mr. Latchmore was chairman, and
the resolutions were proposed and supported by
Messrs. Butlin, W. Holmes, D. Bull, Stoughton,
Rev. Mr. Fletcher, and Col. Dickson. At the third
stand Mr. Thomas Emery presided, and the meeting
was addressed by Messrs. H. Newton, J. Johnson,
D. Merrick, J. Newton, G. Wilson, J. llarrass, G.
Scott, J. Parker, and J. Warner. At all the stands
the following resolutions were carried unanimously :
—lst. " That this meeting protests against the
perpetuation of class government, whereby
tthiee
people are compelled to obey laws in
1
making of which they have no voice,
pledges itself to adopt all legitimate
nust basis
organising and agitating for the
onlytredj residen-
of representation, namely, regis eby
the bal-
titil manhood suffrage protected,
gratefully ac-
lot." 2d. " That this
meeting
TrAt lion. W. E.
knowledges the services of the ee,ansanodf
" nds of reform ,
Mill, P. A.
Taylor, and all true frie
Gladstone, John Bright, Johnhrou h-
out the late discussions
the
°t he
people, and fur-
the character and
dc ParlSiatnuiaernwtt, vindicated
eh
the
honestypeo people's
,ands causeab ability
i yn
" That this meeting
the House of Commons."
tenders oehxnprie3sisiegshteotnoficobelanlsmee.,, i n 3.
Ernest Jones, and other
rp. oEntrinit
the
em League,. who have nobly
tenders its wariniensilt-Ithanks to Mr. Edmund Beales,
just rights of the people."
membersL C Lieut.-Col. .f
forward
stood From 15,000 to 20,000 persons took part in the
Dtii,cekf
osure tie
tf,
proceedings. We learn by telegraph that a crowded
meeting was held in the Temperance Hall last night.
Three thousand persons were present, and the
speakers included Mr. P. A. Taylor, M.P., Mr.
Beales, Mr. Ernest Jones, and several Liberals of
the town. The same resolutions as those passed at
the afternoon meetings were carried by acclamation.
Mr. Alderman Whetstone presided over a second
meeting in the Town Hall, which was also addressed
by Mr. Ernest Jones, and similar resolutions were
carried.

KILMARNOCK.

On Saturday a reform demonstration, intended
as an indication of the popular feeling in Ayrshire,
took place at Kilmarnock. The proceedings com-
menced with a procession, which was marshalled in

the public park, and •having marched through the
town returned to the park for the purpose of taking
part in an open-air meeting. The principal trades
of Kilmarnock and neighbourhood were represented
on the occasion, there being also deputationk
from Newmilns, Kilmaurs, Galston, Manchline,
Stewarton, Dairy, and Darvel. The passage of the
procession through the streets of course attracted
numerous spectators, but beyond a meagre
tion of bunting here and there there was no
e.
at-
tempt to decorate the town. At the open-air
n-eadi,
and speeohes were r
meeting, Councillor Cochrane, of Paisley, p;sided,
delivered by,
among others,
Mr. Ernest Jones and ex-Councillor Moir, cd
Glasgow. Resolutions were adopted pledging the
meeting to support the "Scottish National Reform.
League" in its efforts to obtain, by all lawful mean,;,
registered residential manhood suffrage with the
ballot, tendering thanks to Mr. Gladstone, Mr.
Bright, and other true friends of reform ; and ex-
pressing indignation at the conduct of those memo
bers of Parliament who had refused to assist t;ne
working classes in their endeavour to obtain a fair
share of the franchise. In the evening a meeting
was held in the Corn Exchange, at which Provost
Dickie, of Kilmarnock, presided. Among the
speakers here was Mr. Craufurd, M.P., who, while
indicating that he was not prepared to go the length
of manhood suffrage, expressed himself strongly in
favour of reform. Among the resolutions adoptja
was one insisting that " the question of reform_ bo
no longer trifled with."