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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st December 1842, Edition 3 of 5, Page unpag

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    • GEEAT CONFEEENOE AT BIEMINaHAM.
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      Untitled Article

      This long anticipated Conference , which has been looked forward to with so much interest , comgtenced on Tuesday morning last , in a spacions buildin « , formerly used as the Mechanics' Institute , jww Hall-street . Application had been made to jne eommwBoners who ^ hsve control of the Town-B » D , to allow the Conference to be holdrn in that bidin g , bnt the commu&uraers are a self-selec'ed body , and labouring ander the absurd fear that the

      Conference was likely to be of a dangerous character , th ey refused to allow the use of the Hall . It is dne -to ike members of the Town Council , however , to pjate , that they did not sympathize in this proceeding , no fewer than 43 of them having signed ' a memorial to the commissioners , requesting them to grant the use of the Rail , and others of the body would hare signed the document , had they been at home when called upon . Under these circumstances , the Conference , as we hare before stated , was held in what was formerly the Mechanics' Institute .

      The Delegates began to pour into Birmingham on Monday morning , and by evening upwards of 300 had arrived . Among the number was Mr . O'Connor . Thtir names and the towns they represented , will _ be feund below . The Conferecce exci ' . ed much interest in the town , and tbroughont the sittings , the building was crowded onlside by persons Tansions to bear the proceedings , some of whom succeeded m obtaining admittance . The Delegates were admitted on the production of their credentials . Businrss was announced to commence at ten o ' clock on Tuesday morning , at which hour the majority of the Delegates had assembled . The following is the order of business determined od , previous to the arrival of the delegates , by the cohecH of the Complete Suffrage Union , and presented in the form of a Programme to each delegate , with his card of admission to the Conference .

      aORXIXS SITTING , TUESDAY , -DECEMBER 27 , TEN O'CLOCK . 1- —The Couneil to pretest the list of the members of * th& Conference * 2 . —To appoint a chairman and secretary . 3 . —To appoint an election Committee to investigate and decide cm the claims of any persons for admission aa delegates , whose names may not . be mentioned in the list ¦ 4 . —To adopt resolutions declaratory of the principles of the Conference , and the mode of deliberation to be punned is considering the main business to be hrOOghfc imA&r rKfcjTfa rifra .

      5 . —To appoint an Executive Committee to consider this programme , and to whom all matters to be brought before the Conference shall be submitted , and who shall decide upon the order to which all business « h » n be introduced . 6 . —To fix the hours of meeting , and adopt other regulations for order . At the first meeting of the Executive Committee , to be held """^ H ^ at ^ y after the close of this Session , all documents which are supposed to embody the neces sary details for working « nt the principles of Complete . Safixaae , oust be placed in their hands .

      ETEKTNG SITTING . 5 ^ -The CoBfereBce to proceed to- prepare -a Bill , securing the equal representation of the whole people , tbe discmam beicg taten as is a committee of the whole body . 8 —To read the Bin , when prepared , a second time . The same shall sot be takes to have received the adoption of the Conference , unless carried as a whole on its second reading after amendment in Committee . - 9 . —To determine what member or members of Parliament shall move for leave to bring in the Bill in the House of Commons . "

      AFTERNOON SITTING , THURSDAY , DEC . 29 . 30 . —To consider a Plan for an Organized SjsU m of Public Meetincs , one object of which will be to make an Appeal to the Electors of the United Kingdom to vote only fcr Parliamentary candidates who will support the principles embodied in the Bill adopted at this

      FRIDAY'S SITTINGS , DEC 30 . 11 . —To adopt an address to the people of England , on several of the subjects mentioned in the Circular conyniii g the Conference . 12—To consider any other matters legitimately tiling within the limits fer discussion at this Conference , prescribed by the address convening the Coafcreaee . JOSEPH STURGE , President « f the Council . The following is an extract from the Address of the National Complete Suffrage Union , dated September , 2 S 42 , in consequence of which the Conference was determined upon .

      As w » have been appointed to make arrangements for 4 ha riming of a Conference , to consider tTw » details essential for the carrying oat of the principles on which the Rational Complete Suffrage Ucion is founded ; and as oar paramount object is to effect a vnion bdirten the middle and tcorking classes , to secure Vie just cu . d equal representation ef the trfco / e peop le , we think it our duty to submit Each propositions lor the consideration of the Conference as may be best prcmotive of that end . We therefore Euhnut the following propositions for the consideration of the Conference , which we call upon yon , the Beformea of the United Kingdom , to elect :

      1 . To determine on the esae&ttal details of an Act of Parliament , necessary for securing the just iepresenhtion of the whole adult male population of the United Xiagdom of Great "Rrit » tn and Ireland ; such Act to embrace the prinripUa and details of Complete Snffrage , Equal Eleetoxial Districts , Yote by Ballot , ' Ne Property Qualification , Payment of Members , and Ar . nnnl Parnufitnu , as adopted by the first Complete Suffrage Conference , held at "Riitnfn gfrMw , April £ > tb , 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th , 1842 . ' l To determine what Members of Parliament shall ba appointed to introduce the BUI into the House of Commons ; and in what manner other members of the Bouse shall be called upon to support it .

      3 . To endeavour to ascertain how far the friends of tmrestricUd and absolute freedom of trade will unite with us to obtain such an Act of Parliament on their being satisfied that the newly acquired franchise 'will fee used in favour of such freedom of trade . i . To devise the best means for obtaining competent Parliamentary Candidates , pledged te our principles ; the most effectual means by which assistance may be rendered to them in all electoral contests ; and the best «»«*»»<» for registering the electors and son-electors throughout the kingdom , who may be disposed to promote our objects . 5 . To consider the propriety of calling upon the cunidpal electors to adopt immediate measures far securing the election of such men orly to represent ftem in their local governments as are known to fee favourable to Complete Suffrage .

      6 . To call upon our fellow countrymen eencusly to consider the great extent to which , in various ways , they willipgly co-operate with their oppressors ; and sseeriain how far they may be disposed to proTe their devtfion to the cause of literty , by rtfusirst to be nstd for the purposes of war , cruelty , ana ir-jattice , and riiticularly by the ditcse of irtcxieatirjg articles . 7- To express an opinion as to the dnty o ! the people grvice their countenance and Entport to ail those who

      may jcffrT from espousing tbtir cause . 8- To determine the best itgaX aid constitutional ipm . s for energetically and peaceably promoting the above objects ; for checking ail kinds of "violence and Commotion by which the enemy triumphs ; for dissemirnriEg Bound political knowledge ; for spreadirg the principles of Bobritiy , peace , and toleration tirousbent the country , and by ev * ry just and virtuons mesins preptring the people fcr the proper exercise of thai political and social rithts .

      8 . To devise means for raising a National Fund for tLe purpose of promoting the above objects , as well as to protect all persons who , in tbeir peaceful prosecution of them , shall become victims of urjnst laws er despotic ordinances . "We thekefoee advise that Pcblic Meetings be called bt Ai > yebtisjsie > t ok Placard , gitlng uot less 1 has four cleab dats' jiotice i * etebt tows theccgho 1 . t the kingdom , IiriTI > G THE ]> HAB 1 TA > TS TO ElICT REPRESENI-TJTES TO HOLD A NaTIOSAL CO > FEKL > CE AT Elfc HlhGHAM , OS TrESDAT , THE 27 TH OF DECEM-* £ & , 1612 , FOB THE PIEPOSE OF PKEPAB , l > G A 351 LL TO EE SUBMITTED TO PaELUMEXI . FOR StCT . Iil > G 1 HE JtST RF . PEESiJT-AT . luS OF THE

      " HOLE PiOPLE ; AND FOB DETEEMIS ^ G SUCH ? £ ACEFCL , LEGAL , AND CONSTITUTIONAL MEANS ¦^ 5 lii . Y CaLSE IT TO BECOME THE LaTV OF THESE Bealms . "We baTe farther to request that two Representati-vcb fe seit frora tach of the emaller towns sid borcughs , kivbg less thas 5 , 000 inhabitants , tsd foor from the larttr cnes , txcepting that London , Edii-bnrgh , BirnunLhsm , Manchester , Glasgow , and Liverpool may * end six BtpreKntatives , bot no more . Ti * i one t- - ^ t of the Representatives shall be appolaud by the Electors and half by the Non-electors The meetings for their election to be held separate , unites both classes can agree in bavins all the Representatives chestn at one meeting , which w « earnestly i ecommecd ; but where they do not so agree , the two classes are not to interfere with each othsrt meetings , otherwise the » edan win be void .

      That should the authorities interfere or trespass on *™« eonstituticiial right of public meeting , so as to prevent any meeting from being held , nMniaation lists to he Biade out , recommending Candidatw , from each «*• £ » ach listo to be publiely notifled , asd left in PWmc utBatious to receive the aignafcorfcs of theinhawtairta , those having the greater snmber of signa-™ 5 f to be declared duly elected . ¦ That the plsces sending representatives make arlansenjoits fer defraying their expenses . That as our Irbh tretbren are prohibited , by extfo-« ne and oppressive laws , from sendicg represeiitatives w inch a Conferesee , we especially invite , and will fctfeive a * viritcrs , all who approve of the t-1 ject of the ^ 'ttirg . and who ahare the confldtnee of the people of thUcoBntrv .

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      Dur ing Monday evening , no small share of amszument was extited ameng the delegates who were flocking in from all quarters , and who respectively repaired according to arrangement , to the Complete Suffrage Rooms for tickets , to find that large numbers of the CbarUat delegates were refused tickbto without any reason being assigned for the refusal—other than that the Coupcil deemed them ineligible to receive tickets . In this condition wen the delegates from Manchester , from Stuffield , bom Arbroath , and about seventy ethers . The delegates met at the New Inn during the afternoon and evening , The spirit of indignation rose pretty high , bnt businea-like calmness repressed its fervour ; and it was determined that those . of the Chartists who were admitted should make at once , and

      in the outset of the proceedirgs , a dead stand against this tyrannous proceeding . And as , after all , there were quite enough of them againtt whose election no pretext of dispute cmdd be manufactured to carry a little wholesome sense of fear into tbe Council , they wisely determined to make a show of generosity in not contesting the tickets ; and towards night intimation was receive * that tickets would be given to all , and that the Council would recommend the Conference to admit the parties objected to at once , atd in a body , by a vote ; except some few cases , which were to be reserved for the decision of a Committee . In coDscquence ef this arrangement , most of the objected delegates again applied for and received tickets either late on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning .

      ThedelegatB * having then assembled in the building before spoken ef , about eleven o ' clock , The Rev . J . Bpenceb , of Histon Charter House , Bath , rose amidst cheers and Bald , that a sufficient number of persona were present to commence the proceedings . Their Irrt business would be to elect a Chairman , asd , at the request of others , without pushng him-Belf forward , he rose to undertake the duty of moving one . There were there assembled , a great number of thinking men .- perhaps every one of them actuated by different motives . Some of them piobably had come from some cause and some from another , bnt be believed there was one thing upon which they were all agreed , namely , that the present system of representation of this country was a bad one . —( hear , " hear . )

      They all thought that whatever reform they tried to obtain , they wculd fail , so long as the system continued in its present shape—( hear , hear . ) If they had tried to effect a reform , either in church or in state , —if they tried to lower the taxes—if they tried to' improve the condition of the coloniesif they tried to preserve peace and put an end to waror whatever they tried to effect , that which connected them with the representative system seemed to be broken—( hear , bear . ) Tbe people could not have their due effect in the House of Cemmons , and , therefore , they wished to change the . sjs ! em . In . order to accomplish this , the grand thing to be aimed at was to effect a thorough union of the people—( hear , hear , and cheers ) They came there to consider how far they

      could agree , and not wherein they differed . —( hear , hear , hear . } They must allow every aan to be honest is >*?« opinions , and if be expressed tbose opinions with frankness and honesty , they must agree to give him a fair hearing , and to listen to him with every mark cf respect—only claiming for themselves the right to hold their own opinions—( hear , hear ) . That liberty which they conceded to others they must certainly maintain for themselves , asd whilst they deprecated the possession of unworthy motives , they must not charge any others with being bo actuated until their own actions convinced them of the fact—( hear , hear ) . They must have that "charity which hopeth all things , " and so long as a man conducted himself honestly , they most regard him as an honourable upright man—( hear ,

      bear ) .- It wculd be their duty to elect a Chairman who wculd fairly hold the balance between all parties , and who would be no respecter of persons . In proposing Mr . Stnrge , ' be thought they would all agree with him , from his past history , that they had a sufficient guarantee that he possessed these qualifications—( hear , bear ) . He ( Mr . Spencer ) would trespass upon their attention for a few moments , in alluding to what that past history had been , as it appeared to him to be connected in a Tery "important manner -with tbe present movement . Mr . Stnrge was first known to the world , as a public character , in his determined opposition to negro slavery . He EEW there a great evil ; he went , at his own cost , to tbe place where slavery existed . He went into the West Indies , and be there saw , with his own eyes

      the * barxible cruelties perpetrated by the slaveowners' npon their poor nncfTending -victims He came back to EDgiasd and leauusd is -various part cf the country , and tbe first time at which be ( Mr . 8 . ) had the pleasure of meeting him was at Derby , where he was then directing his philanthropic efiorts to the destruction ' of that iniquitous system , by sr&unng public attention te a sen * e of its enormities . Mr . Sturge bad lived to see his exertions cnmited with success , and slavery was abolished in the British dominions . But then he was told , and very properly , that there was slavery at home—that tbtre -were -white slaves aa well as black ones . He , therefore , felt himself bound , in common honesty to effect its overthrow , and he had arrived at the conclusion , that the only mode by

      which that'Could be effected was to reform tbe representative system , and to give to every roan , who bad arrived at the years of maturity , and was untainted by crime , a voice in the making of those laws by which he was governed , and by which his happiness , morally and physically considered , was so materially affected—( cheers . ) He directed his attention to the country in which snch a sytJem of representation existed—the ¥ nited States—( Bear , bear . ) He had travel l ed throughout the extent of tbe country . He bad investigated the state of society there . He bad made himself acquainted with the cheapness of the government . He had seen the peace and good order and general content -which prevailed among tbe citizens , and then he came back to England , and determined

      to devote his energies to tbe establishment of a similar system here —( cheers ) . Mr . Sturge believed it would work well for England , as it had done fur America . He had convinced himself of it by facts and by testimony ; and hfcnee he had ccme home determined to do all that lay in his power to procure a full , fair , and free representation of the people—( cheers ) . Thin tbe question arose , bow was he to do this ? There had been systems proposed which did net go far enough ; and he believed that tha great orject to be aimed at -was to move tht classes that bad the votes . The grand thing to bo aimed at was to get tbe co-operation of those who had tbe power of sending men to Parliament—( hear , hear ) . Others might labour for tbe promotion of partial representation ; Mr . Stnrce had felt it his duty to labour for

      nothing short of complete representation ; and , without saying anything of those who chose to differ from him , he bad determined to co-operate in this peaceful warfare , if he might so describe it , in which they were ergssed—( cheers ) . He had introduced the narrow end of the wedge by proposing the plan of Complete Sr . ftnge , and he thought , that if he could convince men of religion and men of influence , that the principle irss a fccuBd srd true one , he should get Complete Suffrage , and that all that could be desirable for the peop'e to posses * , or that they bad a light to demand , ¦ would follow its enactment—( hear , hear , hear ) . Ii -was true that , at one time , Mr . Stnrge -was

      wukful to argue oce point at a time , and to convince c . hers of the unreasonableness of requiring Six Points at a time / but when be was convinced of the necessity of those Six Points btints conceded , he was not slow to adopt them , = as he had done , ene by one , and after the most mature consideration of their necessity to secure good Government , i * nd to establish peace and traxquillity amongst all classes—( cheers ) With such a past history as this , therefore , he regarded Mr . Sturge . as tbe very best man in the kingdom to act as their chairman—( hear , hear . ) He bad great pleasure in proposing Mr . Stnrge to fill that responsible and important cmce , and he hoped the meeting wonld be unanimous in favour of his election— ( hear , hear ,

      and cheers . ) Mr . F . O"Co » "CHt was received with lend applause . He Eaid he b . ggtd leave , most cordially , to second the propc 5 al of Mr . Spencer , and be did it , not only tor the reasons already stated by tbet gentleman , namely , that he would give aatisfcctivn to the Conference ^—but be did it also for the purpose of giving aatufaetlon to the country at large—( hear . ) At the same time he trusted that the meeting would cot allow , or that Mr . Sturge himself would not allow the proposition Jo be made out of time , because in the programme he observed that the first thiug was to present to the Conference a list of . members . Now whether it was thought necessary to appoint a chairman before that was done , might be a question , as the second proposition in the programme was for that oVjecL For himself he did

      not think that it signified much which was done first , and , upon the whole , be was inclined to think that it would be better to appoint a chairman in tbe first instance—{ bear , neat . ) He entirely acqnleaed in every word which had fallen from Mr . Spencer in proposing Mr . Stnrge as cb ^ rmm , and he hoped and trusted that there wonld be an unanimous vote upon tbe question , and that it would be a precursor to that unanimity which , he hoped , would mask all their proceedings—( cheers . ) Mr . 'Wilkiksob , of Exeter , then proceeded to call for a show of hand * in favour of Mr . Spencer ' s proposition ,- which was carried unanimously , and amidst considerable cheering . Mr . W . said be bad the proud satisfaction of witnessing so much harmony in a meeting called for the diacufsion of the most vital subjects connected with the liberties of the country— ( hear .

      hear ) . Mr . Etukgx , ob taking the chair , was greeted with enthusiastic and prolonged cheering . He eaid be rose en the present occasion with more than usual embama-

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      ment He trusted that the manner in which the motion had been carried was a favourable omen of the progress of tbe causa He certainly felt himself altogether unworthy of the encomiums ' passed upon him , but as far as be was identified with the great question they were met to advocate , he trusted the nnanimity shown was a very favourable harbinger of it > final success—( bear , bear ) . With reference to the remark which Mr . O'Connor bad made , as to a slight alteration in the programme , it was , perhaps , necessary to state that it had been considered advisable , under all the circumstances , that the Chairman should be elected , and he believed that by doing so it would facilitate their future proceedings—( hear , hear ) . Before they proceeded to the business immediately before them , perhaps he might be allowed

      to say that no reasonable effort had been left untried to obtain the eame room in tbe Town Hall , in which the last Conference met That building , however , was under the control , of a self-elected body , who seemed so afraid of the progress of this peaceful movement that they had adopted more stringent measures than he believed was ever resorted to in any Conservative town in England , to prevent their holding the Conference there—( hear , hear . ) But to show that this , feeling was not participated in by the rate payers , he held in his band a memorial , signed by forty-three members of the Town Council against this arbitrary proceeding , and which would have been signed by a greater number of that body had the parties been at home when they were called npon . As he conceived the credit of the

      town was at stake , with regard to this refusal of the commissioners , he would take the liberty to read the memorial before they proceeded to business , i . *** Stnrge then read the memorial , which expressed the opinion of the subscribers that tbe deliberations of the Conference were likely to be eminently cbaracterisHd by peacefulness , philanthropy , and national importance , and prajed that the use of the Town Hall Bright be granted . ] This memorial , tbe request of which was refused on Friday hut , left tbe council no alternative ; but to engage the building in which they were then assembled , and he hoped , therefore , that tbeir friends woWd excuse the inadequacy of the accommodation , it being the only suitable room which could be obtained for the occasion . Having said thus much with regard to their

      place ' of meeting , he begged to say , that although he was particularly anxious that they shwuld proceed to business , and not " to make speeches , yet he believed it would be right for him to trespass for a moment or two with reference to the particular position in which they now stood —( hear , bear ) Some of them , and himself among the number , bad been frequently applied to by their neighbours of the working class to assist in the movement to obtain for them complete justice in the representation Some of them had at first declined to take part in such a proceeding . First , because it was considered that the Universal Suffrage party had a ouUcient number ot able leaders in the field ; and . secondly , because it was said that there was identified with the tetm ChartUm , something so prejudicial to

      the minds of the middle classes and to the great proportion of tbe ek-ctors ,- arising out of certain incitements which were said to have been used in favour of physical force and violence—that there was no probability of their being able to carry the middle clashes along with them—lhear , hear . ) Now , he ( Mr . S . ) was one of those who was happy to btar his testimony to the fact that there was as great a number of men of peace amongst the honest Chartists as in any other body of politicians in the conntry—( lond cheers . ) At the tame time , he was bound to acknowledge that there were at one time expressions made use of , and acts reported to , which gave some grounds for tbe opinions , to which he had adverted . But , he added , it was the duty ef every one . in a bold and

      uncompromising manner to advocate just legislation , however he might condemn or disapprove some of the means others Might think it right to adopt —( hear , bear . ) It was with these views , and on this principle , that the Complete Suffrage Association had commenced its labours . Its ^ principal object and its principal efforts had been directed to induce the electors , and those who had the power , willingly to grant full justice to their unenfranchised fellow-countrymen—( cheers . )—The Council were bound together in a solemn league to pursue this object by peaceable , legitimate , and constitutional means only , and the success that they had met with encouraged them to hope , that by forbearance and argument they might be able to break down that barrier which so unhappily existed between classes whose

      interests were inseparably identified by some circum stances which had occurred daring the last few years —( Hear , bear . ) At the former Conference the Six Point * to ~ buh -itar + nee had been made , by his friend Mr . Spencer , had been adopted . He { Mr . Stnrge ) could confirm the opinion stated by Mr . Spencer , that every one of those points was carried , not by prejudice , but by reason ; and he was satisfied that any impartial person who happened to be present , and who heard the arguments advanced , could not help going away with tbe impression that all prejudice would be removed from the minds of the opponents of tbe friends of tbe people , and having invited the closest investigation and scrutiny into every act of the council , he ( Mr . Sturge ) thought they

      were entitled to credit for honesty , until the contrary could be proved against them—( Hear , hear . ) But at the same time he wished most explicitly and tine quivocally to say that the council could not , either directly or indirectly , agree to any compromise whatever of tbeir peaceable principles . He was one of those who , when he saw persons in high station , like Lord John Russell , accused in his place in the House of Commons of having arrayed one part of the population in aims against another—when he saw both the leading parties in the state united in inducing young men to go on a murderous crusade against the Chinese and the Afghans in India—tbe cott of which was to be paid out of the hard earnings of the labouring classes —when be saw tbe leading political journals vieing

      with each other in scurrility and falsehood—be repeated , he was not one of those who was disposed to judge harshly , if so tad an example should happen to have followers . If there were any present , therefore , who had pursued the course to which he bad alluded , and who now saw it was wrong , and who , by deeds as well as words , would prove in future they had seen their errors , be hoped the past would be buried in oblivion —( hear , hear . ) But he wished most emphatically to say , and in doing so he was quite sure he should tacprtss the feelings of every number of the Council , that they could ntt unite with any one who would in any way encourage any species of violence for the attainment of their great object—( hear , hear . ) As the Conference had shown him this mark of kindness by placing him in the chair , he would , to the extent of his feeble abilities , endeavour to do impartial justice to every delegate present ; and , should any

      circumstances arise ( which , however , he did not anticipate ) to induce him to resign the arduous situation , let the Conference be assured that he shou'd do so with perfect good feeling—( hear , hear . ) He was one of those who thought , whether this Conference effected the great object they had in view or not , that their principles must ultimately triumph , because they were based upon the eternal principles ot truth and justice — ( cheers . ) He believed the next busmen before tbe Conference was the election of a Secretary , and before that question was put , he perhaps might be allowed to make an allusion to the gentleman whom they bad in view—( bear , hear , bear . ) His friend , Mr Morgan , had devoted a great deal time of time in working out the details of both this and the preceding Conferetee , and be ( Mr . Sturge ) would venture to say , that if tbe Conference elected him he would save them much expence is fees , as well as a considerable saving in point of time—( hear , hear , and laughter . )

      Mr . Gardnsh , Manchester , begged to propose Mr . Morgan to fill the office of Secretary . That gentleman had filled a similar office at tbe last Conference , and no man could have discharged the arduous duties of the office in a more efficient way than he had done—( hear , hear ) . Moreover , Mr . Morgan was a legal gentleman , and as some members of the Conference were Bupposed to be somewhat illegal , or that their proceedings tended to illegality , Mr . Morgan ' s advice might be of some service to them in restraining tbeir democratic enthusiasm within reasonable bounds—daughter , ) . The Rev . Dr . Wade , London , seconded the proposition , which was put from the Chair , and unanimously carried .

      Mr . S : # Roan begged to thank the Conference for their kind expression of feeling with respect to himself . He should be quite ready to devote whatever time and abilities he might have to the service of the Conference —( hear , hear ) . He believed his first duty would be to announce the names of the partita constituting tbe aasemoly . Th « Chairman said that it would be extremely desirable , when any delegate rose to address the meeting , that he would announce his name and the place he represented . , Mr . FaBKT , London , understood that aome gentlemen claimed to have a right to Bit in this Conference in consequence of being memben of the last Conference , bnt who wonld not havt a vote . What regulation was proposed to be adopted with respect to them ?

      The Secretary apprehended that then waa no gentleman present who was not aware tnat tbe credentials of some of them had not been received . In all cases in which they bad been received the parties had a right to be present and to take part in the deliberations . He had to present a list of persons which bad been marked No . 1 , who constituted the Conference . It was a Texj lengthy one , and included the names of individuals who represented all shades of Reformers . He bad also to present another list , No . 2 containing tha names of persons whose appointments aa delegates were irregular , but in respect to them tbe Council recommended their admisaion by a vote , of tbe Couferoee—

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      ( hear , hear ) . The whole of the credentials having passed through his bands , ' it was found that a vet ? great many of the delegates were irregularly appointed . He might state , that wherever those irregularities were occasioned by mere matters of form , and there was no apparent violation of the spirit of the invitation , tbe Council bad fel t themselves justified in placing the names in list No . f 2 . But where there was a violation of the spirit of tfie invitation , the Council placed the names in list No . 3 . There where a number of towns in wbich elections of delegates bad taken place under circumstances so entirely at variance with what the Council considered both the spirit and the letter of the Invitation , that they bad determined to reject them altogether , and ' they wished to have the opinion of a committee , chosen by the Conference , as to the mode in which such cases should be disposed of . The list No . 1 , against which there was no objection whatever , would , of course , be received first .

      Mr . J . Hobson , Leeds , suggested that each delegate should rise as his name was called-Hhear , hear ) . Mr . J . ABBiK , of Bradford , begged to say , in the outset , that be objected to the distinction of lists- He considered that the Council had no ri ght whatever ; to say who should . constitute that assemblage and who should not That right he apprehended rested with the Conference and with no other party—( loud cries of " hear , hear ") . ' .. ' ¦ ' . ¦ ' ' ' ¦ . : ;¦ ¦ : ' ; '"' : / . - ¦ ¦'' : ' " ' ' - Mr . Hobson said , that if he understood the secretary right , there were three lists of peisons to be read . One conUming the names of persons abont whose election there wa * no doubt ; another , with . resjNCtto whom tbore wasjafflfc ^ jdubt ; and another whose nam es had been objected to altogether . What tbe Conneil proposed to tbe Conferenee to do was to pass a resolution , declaratory of their opinion bow they thought Buch cases ought to dealt with —( hear , hear ) .

      Mr . O'Connor understood Mr . Arran s objection to be that the disputed lists should not be decided by the listN 6 .-l . ( Hear . ) V Mr . ARRAN maintained that every delegate bad a right to take bis seat in the Conference , until It should be decided that he had no right to be there . ( Hear ) The Chairman believed that there was no desire whatever to keep a single individual out of the Cenference . Bat the Council having taken upon themselves the responsibility of inviting their friends'from the country to meet on this moBt important occasion , it was thought right to lay down certain rules which should be acted upon for the maintenance of proper order . They were fully aware that , under the circumstances ,

      it was possible that those rnles would not be strictly complied with , and they felt that as a Council they were bound to the country to be guided by the spirit of the invitation in the lists they made out—( hear , hear . ) There was great difficulty in arriving at a correct state of the facts , because they must be guided , in a great measure , by emparie evidence , and they were desirous , on that account , that the Conference should , appoint its own Committee , in order to determine whether the parties objected to ought to form part of tho assemblage or not —( bear , hear ) In the responsible situation in which the Council felt themselves placed , they must , to a certain extent , be bound to the rule they had laid dowa : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' .. ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ : ' ¦ - ¦ :

      Mr . O ' Connor was of opinion that the question lay in a nutshell . The council of the Complete Suffrage Union issued their writs to certain towns to send delegates to the Conference . Then ho thought that they must take as prim < tf * cie evidence of a person ' s being elected , the credential signed by the Chairman , who was returning officer— ( hear , hear . ) It would be impossible to reject the parties in the lists 2 and 3 , upon mere ex pai te evidence going against the decision of the returning officer , because his was the only evidence they had as to the validity of the election . He thought it would be better if the secretary would state the nature of tho evidence npon which the council hud rejected the delegates , bo that the Conference might be put in possession of the nature of the objection —{ bear , hear . ) ' ' : . '¦ ' ¦ ' . . ¦ ¦ ¦ ' •¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ . : ¦ . - ... , ' -

      The Chairman said that the only objection he had to such a course being adopted was , that if each case underwent discussion , the best part of their time would be consumed , and tho most important part of the business left unfinished . . Mr . CLANCT . Brighton , decidedly objected to be tried in the manner proposed , and for this reason , that his constituents had sent him there not to be tried by a jury , or a class , but by the whole Conference —( hear , hear . ) If his name was placed in list No . 2 , he was confident there were certain parties in list No . 1 , the illegality of whose election he could prove —( hear , bear . ) Was it fair that he should be tried by patties in anon a sltoatfon?—i" No ^ no »"> . . ^ .:

      Mr . Coe ^ vhoun , of Glasgow , observed , that on tbe most minute examination of the case , he found that there was not the shadow of objection to some delegates to whom cards had been refused the previous night—( hear , hear . ) On the other band , he had seen men with his own eyes , receiving cards / who had no earthly title to them , if the address isiued by the council was to be carried out—( hear , hear . ) It was an easy matter for penonB at a distance , having some spleen against him , to protest against the validity of his election ; but

      as a party sent there by the people of Glasgow , he maintained that all : matters affecting the legality of elections should be decided by the whole Conference , and not by a part of it If they acted upon tha plan pointed out by the Chairman , they might disfranchise whole towns , and he begged to afk , whether they were prepared upon the representation of one sided evidence to commit such an act of ^ justice ? Or were the delegates to sit with their hands lu their pockets whilst the committee decided upon the validity of these elections ? He thought not

      'Rev . T . Spenser thought that there was a great misapprehension of what had been said before the meeting by the Secretary . He ( Mr . S . ) was present at the meeting of the Council on the previous night , and he could assure them there was no wish on the part of that body to prevent a single delegate taking bis seat on that Conference if he was legally entitled to do so—( hear , hear ) The Secretary had already stated that the Council recommended the admission of the names in list No . 2 , by a vote of the Conference , and in order to carry out that recommendation , he begged to propose that such parties be forthwith admitted as members of the Convention—( hear , hear . ) Mr . O'Connor seconded the motion . Air . Hobson proposed the fol . owing amendment : —

      "That this Conference be constituted of all the delegates who have been appointed by the people in their several localities , and who have presented themselves at this board to take their seats ; any party having objections to urge agaiiiBt the elections of the delegate * , such objections to be made . either in open Conference er before a Committee to be appointed . " Mr . ARRan seconded the amendment , and in doing so , he begged to state that he for one did not imagine that any delegate -would come there without the shadow of an election , or with a with to impose upon the Conference —( hear , hear . ) He had no such BUBpicion , either with respect to the Complete Suffragists or the Chartists .

      The Rev . Mr . HilL should rapport the amendment , and he did so trusting that he should receive credit for not being disposed to cast any unworthy slur or suspicion on the gentlemen composing tho Complete Suft age Council . He fully appreciated the candid disposition manifested by , that council in recommending tbe admission of the gentlemen in list No . 2 . He was quite ready to admit that that might have been done , as had been intimated by the mover to save the time which perhaps might otherwise be spent in useless , exciting , and vexatious inquiries . He was desirous to appreciate and respect the feelings which induced the Council not to press such inquiries . He was willing to give them credit for the b * sl feuling in the matter ; and he was only anxious that they Bhould evince it by avoiding whatever could be otherwise construed by the most captious . He thought it would be much more desirable to admit the sanies in list No . 2 , as a matter of right , than as a matter of courtesy —( cheers ) .

      TheRev . E . Miall , of London , thought there was no necessity for going far into the question . If those delegates who had supported tbe ameudmont would consider for a moment how fur their principle carried them , and might have carried the Council of the Complete Suffrage Union , bad they been disposed to do evil , he thought they could at once accord with the resolution which had been moved by Mr . Spencer and seconded by Mr . O'Connor . The Council ha * called a Conference of delegates from Various parts of the kingdom . They hod laid down certain rules , according to which they could judge whether those delegates were really representatives of the peiBona whom they represented to bethear , bear . ) They wished to ' have a bona fid * Conference and not merely a nominal one —( bear , hear . ) The Council , then , had laid down certain roles , which

      would be a test of admission to the Conference , and by which they would judge— -whether the delegates had been sent by the people or not , whether meetings had be « n fairly called , and whether they were so constituted as that the choice cf the people should be sent there —( hear , hear ) . Now , if the Conneil were to act entirely and exclusively on the letter of their previous instructions , there were some persona they would reject But they proposed no such large measure , bat that all who had been included in list No , 2 , should compose the Cetference , believing that the elections had been Ion * fide , and that the rules bad been violated rather in letter than in spirit— ( bear , hear ) . If the Council bad not acted in this manner they might themselves have filled the Conference with delegates of their own choosing , and thus nave carried things as they pleased—( hear , hear ) . Mr . J . WixliaHS , of Snndwland , was of opinion that if the election of delegates bad taken place in con *

      Untitled Article

      formity with the invitation of the council , he maintained that at present no eentleman had a right to take any part in the proceedings but who could clearly be proved to have been sleeted in conformity with the regulations of the council—( hear , hear . ) Mr . Davis , of Hawick , remarked that in all disputed elections of the House of Commons , all the parties took their seats in the House , until they were disqualified by a committee appointed to tty the merits of the case—( hear , - hear . ) -. ' ' . ; . " '" . ¦ :. ' ¦ . ' . ¦' . ; .. '¦ ' :. ' S' ¦ ¦; ' .. -: ¦ ' . ¦ ¦ _ . . . ' ¦ . " ¦ - ¦ .. " . ' ¦

      Mr . Spencer wished to state that the principle alluded to by the previous speaker was the one on which the Council were disposed to act , and to allow the delegates to take their seats until the committee had decided against them . They desired that the committee to be appointed should even compose a considerable majority favourable to the individuals whose claims were disputed—( hear , bear ) . If they committed an error , they wished it to be on the side of letting the delegates in rather than of keeping them out—( hear , hear ) ..: ' / : - ¦ ¦ . ; ' . ; . , V . : ¦ - . ¦ . - ¦ . ¦ ; ' : ¦ ' ' :. v v-

      Mr . Hobson conceived that ft was an invidious distinction to speak of lists one , two , and three . What was the precedent in such matters ? The return of the Returning Officer was the qualification ' of a person to take his seat in the House of Commons , until he was petitioned against , and that petition had been formally investigated—( hear , hoar . ) What wonld they say If , when the House of Commons met , and that one-third of the members were petitioned against , the remaining two-thirds should put the one-third out of the door , while they seated themselves ?—( hear , hear . ) The delegate * iwaw *\ gui , i >» owtAv- ^ Kak ^ har Uafc H «* a , without evidence . They kad no evidence to show that the elections bid been conducted In an irregular manner . He maintained that all delegates who prewnted themselves ought to be admitted , on the prima facie evidence that the Chairman was the best jud ^ e of the validity of the elections —( hear , hear . )

      Mr . SFEKCEB said if it would save time , he was quite willing to withdraw his lepplution—( hear , hear . ) Mr . Patrick Brewsier , of PatBley , considered It was not competent for any individual to withdraw a motion without the consent of those who bad supported After a desultory conversation between the movers and seconders of the two propositions , Mr . Spencer withdrew his motion , and that proposed by Mr . Hobson , being put as the original One , was carried by a large majority . ¦;'¦ . - ! '¦ •; : /¦ . ; ¦ ; . / ' ' - . -V- ¦ . . V Mr . Allbrighx then read over the list of delegates present , and the places they represented . J £ he list is aa followsi ;—•

      Airdrie . —Wm . Bredie . Alnwick—Josh . Forster , Green Bat Cottage , AlnWick , Rev . Joseph Price , Birmingham , James Atkinson , Birmingham , S . Haycock , Woodcock-street , Birmingham . Aberdeen—Jas . H . Wilson , Jno . Mitchell , Archibald M'Donald , and Wm . Chilton , Birmingham . Arnold . —Alfred Anthony and Win > Salbert Anderston—Patrick OHiggina and Wm . Parkes . Arbroath—Chas Crawford , Abm . Duncan , Peter Higgins , Wm . Thornton , and F . O'Connor . Barrhead—Wni . Cotton . Belper—James Tickers . ¦ Blackburn—Wm . Beesley , Accrington , Rev . Wm . Hill , Xeeda , and George Morton , Birmingham .

      Barnsley—John Vallance and Frank Mirfield . Bath—Rev . E . Spencer , Hinton , aud John Hopkins , ¦ ; . ¦ ' ' . Bath . ;; . - •¦¦ . ¦¦ ¦ '" .: - ¦ \ ¦ . ¦' :: . ' [; ¦¦ ' .. . ; , ¦¦¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ . - . Bromsgrove— -Matthew Hall , and Henry Prosser . Bury—Thoa . Kay , Stanley-street , and Edwd . Murless , Park-street , Birmingham . Bilston , —Benjamin Skidmore . Bradford—John Smith , Peter Driver , John Arran , and Josh . Hammondv ; Bridport— Charles Sturge , Birmingham , and Charles Clarfce , Bath . Banbury—R . Cockwill . R . KPhilp , and E . French . Bridge water—Thomas Hill , and F . J . Thompson . Birmingham—Arthur O'Neil , Thomas Parkes , F . O'Connor , George White , John Follows , and John

      : Horsley . ¦¦ ¦ .-.. ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦¦''¦ . . .: •¦••¦ ¦ - ; . . y . / - Bradford ( Wilta )—G . Rolf , G . Lueman , Birmingham , and Josh . Gardner . : Bristol—A . Allbright , J . Palmer , J . Johnston , C . Chard , T . Simeon , H . Onion , R . H . Williams , and John " " -- ' Newman . ¦ ¦ . ¦' .. -. ¦ . - ¦ ; . - ; -. ¦ ¦ .. ;; ¦ ... ' .. - . '¦ . - ' .- ; Brighton . —C . Broofeer , I .. T . Clancy , and W . Feest . Basfotd ( New )—T . Rowland and J . Harrison . Campsie—Con Murray , Glasgow . Cradley—Jn « . Blauchfleld . Cambridge—» T . Woods , R . Thurlbora . Jno . WinSeld . Birmingham , ana Jno- ' HaSt Carlisle—WalUr Thorns and Geo . lucnardaon . Cupar—Wm . Morgan . Crtsditon—Jon . Burridae , Saml . Irdwell , Bath , Edwd

      Miall , London , and Wm . Lovett , ditto . Cheltenham—Wm . Hollis , Cheltenham , Win . Milson , ¦ vditto ... / - ¦ -. ¦ .. . . . . . ¦ - ..- ¦;• .. ¦ ¦;• ¦ : ¦ , - Cirencester—Thoa . Taylor . Ceres—A . Albright and Bd . Dell . Chalford—Rd . Workman . Coventry—Peter Haye and J . Starkie . Deanshall—Jas . Adams , Summer-lane , Birmingham . Daatfermline—J . P . Rodger , Glasgow , and Andrew Fleming . Derby—G . Stevenaon , Derby , Jno . West , Herbert Spencer , and Saml . Pendle . Dundee—O . J . Rowland , Dundee , and William Davidson . . ; . ¦ ' : ' .. - ¦ ¦ ' . ; . ¦ " :- ¦; . . ' ,: - . . . . ;; ' " . ¦ . - Doncaster—Chs . Buckley , Doncaster , Thoa . Wright , and Arthur Albright , Birmingham .

      Dartmouth—Chaa . Walker , Dartmouth . Dumfries and Maxweltown——Humphery . Dev 5 s 9 B—G . W ; Aushe , Revd . G . WesUey , Chas ., Watson , and Wm . Akerman , .. Dalkeltn— Jno . Thomason . Exeter—W . J . P . Wilkinson and E . Davy . Edinburgh—Rev . Dr . Ritchie , Edinburgh , Ri lowery , John Danlop , Henry Rankin , and Josh . Sturge , Birmingham . . East WeinysB—Jno . Brown , Birmingham . Elderalle—C . Therp . Forfar—B . Oakley , Birmingham , and William Cooper , ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ditto . - . . " : ¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ - . - . - . ¦' . - ¦ : . - ' .. ' . ' . ' . ' •¦ ' . . Falmouth—Isaiah Pumphrey , Edgbaaton , Birmingham . Frome—W . P . Roberts , Bath .

      Glasgow—Thomas Ancott , James Molr , James Adams , Samnel Kidd , and John Colquhoun . Cfalashiels—Rev . Robert Blair , Galaabiels , and John . A . ticrae . ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . '¦ - . -. . ¦ ¦ . '¦ ' Greenwich—Charles Finch . Gatehouse— Robert Somers . Greenock— -George RoberUon . Great Bolton—James Lord and George Scott . Hammersmith—William Watkins Wynne . Hebden Bridge—James Maitthy , Birmingham . Hanley—Moses Simpson , Pall-mall , Melton , and James French , Newcastle . . : Hull—William Webster , Edw . Preston Mead , Daniel Moloney , and William Padget Hawlck—Thomas Davies . Halifax—Edward Taylor , Birmingham , and Benjamin Kushton , Orenden . Hamilton—Archibald Walker .

      HuddersSeld— James Shaw , Thomas Veevers , Edward Clayton , and William Cunningham . Ipswich—Henry Vincent , William Fraaer , D . M'Pherson , and Wm . Garrod Jedburgh—Patrick Brewster , Paisley . Kettexing—Re > . William Robinson and Edward Jenkinson . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ :. - .. ¦ : . ' . ¦ ¦ ' - ¦ ' . .. - ¦ ¦ ¦ . ' Kilmarnock—William Cotton , Birmingham . Kirkaldy—Joseph Cobley , Birmingham , G . B . Haynes , ditto , B . Beesley , ditto , and Dr . Glover , Edinburgh . Kendal—William Stutely , Birmingham , William Harrison , ditto . Joseph Perry , ditto , and Joseph Gendner , ditto . . Keighley—Joseph Firtb . King ' s Lynn—John Field , Birmingham , F . Evans , ditto , Joseph Corbett , ditto , and James Fowell , ¦ ¦ ¦ ' . Lynn . ¦ . ' • . ' . ¦ " . ;¦ '' - . ¦ , - . ; ¦ - :, ' ¦ ' ' '" . ' . ¦ : Kirrierniuir—J . Pefetkln .

      London—Southwark—John Maynard , John Rose , Jno . Keleey , aud John Fussell . Larabeth—J . G . Dover , John SewelU Henry Ross , and J . B . Brown . Finabury _ j . Knight , J . Cluer , J . Campbell , and H . Hetherington . Mary-le-bone ^ -J . H . Parry , T . Lucas , R . Buchanan , and T . M . Wheeler . Tower Hamlets—J ) r . Wade , W . Robson , P . M'Grath , and G . Wilson . Westminster—J . Skelton . J . Christopher , R . Ridley , and W « Clarke . City—Edwin Manta , and Chas . BolwelL Lye Waste—J . Stunney . Liverpoal—B . M'Cartney , W . Jones , T . Smith , H . Jones , C . Gwilliams , and S . Cowan . Leeds—T . Fraaer , W « Brooke , J . Hobson , and W . ¦ ¦ ' . Barroii . : ' - ' . ¦ ' - ¦ ' - ' ¦ ¦ " ¦ ¦ ' . ' ¦ ' . ' ¦ : ¦ . -- : . ' ' - ¦' Leslie—Josiah Pnmphrey , R . Plcken , and J . B . ¦ ¦ ¦

      ; . Eunson . - , - .. . - . .. .. ¦¦ ; ¦• - - ., " - ? . '¦ Long Buckby—John Eyre . Loughborough—J . Skevingon . Leicester—T . Cooper , J . R . H . Balntow , J . Dnffy , and R . Jackson . ¦ "¦ ¦ ¦• ¦; ' .- ' ¦ ' . ' ¦¦ ' . ¦ : ¦¦ : ¦ '' ' "• Mansfield—Smith Lyndon , and Rev . Wm . BUL Markinch—Wm . Tullls , and Rd . Jenkinson . Market Harbdrough—R . Wbiteman , and B . Carter . Melksham—J . A . Lander . Merthyr Tydtll—Wnt . Miles , and B . Habard . Marybill—J . Gardnfrr . Manchester—J . Leach , O . Doyle , W .-Dixson , Jf tahe / P . M . Brophy , and T . Railton-Newark—R . Collins and J . Saunders . Newbnrgh-J . O . Perry and 8 . Fox . ., A . ' ; , " : Newoastie-upon-Tyne—J . Sinclair , F . O'Connor , T . Wilcke , A . Tami . lt'J . S . GUmore , and . W . Ho ^« '¦ - kins .- - .. ¦ ¦" - ¦¦ .. - . ' - . ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦' : /¦ - .. ' . ' : :. " . - ¦ .

      Untitled Article

      Newport ^ lBle of Wi ght—T . Pief «| i Nottingbam—S . Bean , T . Beggs , W ; H . Mott , andR . I ¦ '¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ;¦; Morrison . ; -,. ; , ¦ . « •¦ ¦¦ , : ¦ ¦¦ . : y . ' ¦; . , . ¦ v NorthwIch ' r-J . Dixon , and G . Green-Northampton— ... Thorn . Oldbury-W . BalL Oldham—F . Lord , J . Greaves , John West , and J . . . Crowder . .- ... \ ' ' ' ¦' ' '¦¦ ¦ : : ' ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ' : - ¦ ' ¦' : ¦ '¦ Pollockshaws—CharlesM'Ewan . Paisley—Patriek Brewster , R . Coehrane , Joseph Corbett , and W . C . Pattison . Pfeston—W : MattfnsonaBdR . Marsden . rtenfrew—Henry Sansarn and Patrick Brewater . Rsdditch—Wm . Parkes .

      BaSherglen—3 RT . c . Pattison and C . M'Ewan , Rochdale—J . ' Taylor , Boyton—Ja * Mills , and T . Lee * Reading—G . Goodrlek , L . Hey worth , 3 . Tines , and H . ¦ James . ' . - . ¦¦ ¦ ¦¦'¦ ' ' - . ¦ - ¦¦ : ¦ ¦'' . " ' Radford—J . Saunders , — Rowell , and John Wilmot . Sudbury-ReY . T . Swan , G . Lambstt ^ and R , Wright . Stroud—S . PftuL Stewarton—Rev . W . Stokes . Strathavon—F .-O'Connor and Q . Wbibe . Stourbridge—T . H . Morgan and J . Chanoa , Selby—Edward Burley . Stockport—T . Clarke and J . Atkinson , Stirling—Rev . H . Solly . Southampton—F . Cooper .

      Saltcoata—J . Henderson and J . P . Rsld . Snnderland- ^ J . Sturge , W . P . Roberts , ^ . Uhomwdo ; and J . Williams . : ' : r Salford—Robert M'Farlane . Sutton-in-A 8 hfield—W . Oliver and W . Parker . Stonehouse—W . Inglis . a , Shutford—T . Pi Wrench . Salford—F . Warren . Smethwick—W . Hackett and M . Gilbert . South-Shields—1 ) . Potts and Charles Ajthton . Sheffield—Richard Abbott , S . Parkes , G . J . Hasnef , and W . Beesley . Trowbridge—j . Watts and P . Roberts . Tonbridge—D . 8 . BftwHnson . Todmorden—J . Fielden and H , ShephaTd . Taunton—W , Braman and W . Harrison . Towyn—Griffith Evans .

      Tolcross—P . O'Higgina and L . Pitkethly . Tale of Leven—Con Murray . : ^ West Bromwich—J . Powell and G . Wilkes . Wednesbury—B . Banks and W . Thomason . WurwUk-jo . Frencb * J . Gceen ^ J . Sba ^ wd , xax&r * ¦¦ . - ¦ ¦¦ Bsxty . ^ ¦ ¦ - . ¦ - - . " . ... .:. ¦ ¦'¦* ; . : •¦¦ ¦'¦ ¦ .- " . ¦ ¦¦ " - ' - ' ¦ ¦ . . " Walsall—J . Crow , A . Aitkena , J . Griffiths , and J . :. ' ¦ Mason ' . ' - ¦ _ - . ¦ . : ¦ , ¦ ' ¦ : ¦ : ¦ , ; ¦ ¦ '¦¦ . ' .: Welllngboro;—W . Gent and J . Robinson . Warrington—B . A . Dromgool and J . D . Stevenson . Worcester—Robert Haidy , H . Stone , Q . Sharpe , and ' J . Hawkins . . ; ¦¦ ¦ . . " ¦ - .. .-Woodbridge—J . F . Taylor . Westbury—W , Taylor and J . Collins . Wooton-under-Edge—J . Butler . West Kilbride—J . Eames and J . Gibbons . Wooldale—J . Hobson and the Rev . W . HilL

      A person here presented himself at the table and announced himself' aa a delegate from London ; but stated that be believed bis credentials bad been withholden by the Chairman of the public meeting whlck elected , him and consequently would not be forthcoming . We did not catch the name . : - , The Secretart announced that all the credentials which had been received , were upon the table . Of course tha Council could not take any notice of mere newspaper reports . Mr . Hobson said that a novel case bad arisen , which would require to be dealt with . A delegate offered him * self to take his seat , who stated that he had been duly elected at a public meeting , but that the Chairman of the meeting had withheld his credentials for tbe purpose of depriving him of his seat . What steps were the Conference to take to remedy such a defect as that t : Mr . H . Vincent , of London , suggested the appointment of a committee to consider the disputed cases .

      Mr . Parri , of London , proposed the following reso lution— " That a committee , consisting of the following gentlemen , shall decide on the admission or rejection of such persons as Bhall present themselves for admission to this Conference about whose election there may be any dispute :. —Mr . Newton , Mr . Boofcer , Mr . Roberts , Mr . Wilkinson , Mr . Moir , Mr . Follows , and Mr . Robinson . " In moving this resolution Mr , Parry expressed himself of opinion that the decision of the committee should not be founded upon mere technical objections , but on the principles of common sense , and that construction which an enlightened judgment of all the circumBtances of the case would furnish . Mr . Crawford seconded the motion .

      TheRav . W . Hill ! was of opinion that the number to constitute tbe committee should be now settled , bnl that the names of the persons should be left , not to any body of individuals , but to the Conference itself . Ha proposed aa an amendment , " That a committee Of nine persons be now appointed to whom the examination of all disputed elections , and all application for admission , for which , no credentials may nave b « en received , shall be committed . "; . : ' . The amendment was seconded by Mr . HOSSON . Mr . VlMCENT thought the question was one | of | considerable importance . When the Committee was appointed , he thought they ought not to allow Individuals whose elections were supposed to be illegal to take their seats in the Conference—( hear , hear , and no , no ) .

      Mr . Parry thought that the Committee must be guiatnl bjr tlia rohe « udu wkhkUuOui&Mnca « ra * arUA sally formed . They could not set up a rule of their own and admit parties who had no credentlaU to present—( hear , hear ) . - Mr . Tickers ' , Belper , considered it extremely desirable that the elections should be perfectly legal , otherwise parties might find their way into the Conference as spies , and in no other character— ( hear , hear ) . The Secretary thought that no notice should be taken by the Committee of any objections to elections which were not protested against by the inhabitants of the places whence tbe delegates purported to come . Mr . Miall also supported this view . Mr . Dixon said that it had come to his knowledge that there weru parties in the building who had never been elected by a public meeting —( hear , bear ) . Of coarse , the inhabitants not knowing anything about snob elections could not protest agalnt them —( bear , hear ) .

      Mr . Duncan wished to say that if there was to be the invidious distinction of lists , be had a serisus objection to make to number one . He stood there as the only legal representative of Arbroath , and yet he was placed in list No . 3 , and men who had never been . elected » t all were placed in No . 1 —( hear , hear ) . A Delegate stated that there were six towns la which objections bad been made , and he knew one ln « dividual who bad made objections which would sham every Christian and Englishman —( laughter ) . The Rev . Mr . Swann objected to the invidiouB distinction of lists , because be thought It looked too muek hke aristocracy . He thought they ought to guard againaS anything which might have the appearance of class legislation- ^ thear , hear ) . After considerable discussion , the amendment was put and carried by a large majority . The Conference then proceeded to the nomination of parties to constitute the committee .

      After about twenty persons bad been nominated by different partieB , the Chairman said he had no wish to fetter their proceedings , but be w « uld put it to them whether they had enough of nominations to select from ? He feared much time would be occupied in voting forso many , and he hoped , therefore , ttiat unless some on * had a particular wish for some person not yet nominated to be-on tbe Committee , they would as soon as possible devise some means of electing the nine from the number proposed . The Rev ; W-m . Hill proposed— - " That the names of the respective parties nominated on the Committee be put into a hat , and put to the meeting , in the order in which they are drawn out , and that the nine persons having the most votes be the Committee . " Mr . J . HOBSON seconded the motion .

      The Rev . Patrick Bbewstbiv ; moved , that the following gentlemen be the Committee : —Rev . T > Swann , Mr . T . Hill , Mr . J . H . Parry , Rev . W . Robinson , Mr . W . Hollis , Mr . C . Booker , Mr ; R . K . Philp , Mr . Jobs Cluer , and . Mr . James Williams . ~ Mr . Albri&ht seconded the motion . This motion Waa followed . by much disapprobation from almost the entire meeting : it being contended that the parties to be chosen as the Committee , ought to emanate from-the Conference generally , and not from an individual . Most of the delegates proposed by Mr . Brewster , refused to be elected in such a manner . Mr . Brewsxeb . -was here asked whether-be wonld withdraw his proposition , and that gentleman having replied in the negative ,

      Mr . O'Connor said he had no alternative but to propose a counter list , and the names he should offer , to the notice of the Conference were—Rev . W . Hill , Mr . Joshua Hobson , Mr . W . P . Roberts , Mr . James Moir . Mr . J . Colquhonn , My . ( J . White , Mr , Thomas DaviB , Mr . Thomas Kidd , and the Rev . ^ T . Swann . A Delegate secondedjthe nomination . The Rev . Dr . Wadb , the Rev . T . Sw / ann , and many other Complete Suffrage Delegates coademned the course adopted by Mr . Brewster , and recommended him to withdraw his proposition . An amendment was proposed by Ma T . TH 0 M * l 0 W » ef 8 underland , and seconded by Mir . J . Mitchbii , " That the names of the persons nominated be put into a hat and that the first nine draws , out by tha Chairman be the Committee . "

      A stormy discussion followed , wbiefc ended by Mr . Brewster agreeing to snpporttheaBaendmentrt Mr . Thompson . The two lists were thea wiUidrawia and the -Conference wea * to the Tote as between the amendment and the orljtoal resotaaoo . Msk O ' Connor and Mr . lowtt were appointed tellers j aad the number for th » amendmea * was 118 , and for tta original motion Ht . Tto amesdaient , therefore , via lost , and Mr . HiHrt motion surfed . After the dMishm of this vuMan , the Caaftfentt rose at four o ' clock nntU sia , a ^ ^ Tote of thank * havint been previously moved to the Cbairman for fell conduct during U » proceedings .

      ETENING MEETING The Conferenoe assembled soon after six o ' clock , 1 b . Mason , who has been Imprisoned six months la Stafford Gaol , and whose teca of oonnnement ^ expired on Tuesday , made his appearance in tin Can . ( Continuedin * ur fourth Pd ^ fx )

      Geeat Confeeenoe At Bieminaham.

      GEEAT CONFEEENOE AT BIEMINaHAM .

      Untitled Article

      VOL . VI . j ^ O . 268 . SATURDAY , DECEMBER 31 1842 ^^ 7 -,-. >¦ ' y ^*** Ptve ShlUlagB per Qoarf r .

      Untitled Article

      AND LEEDS OENEEAL ADyEBflS ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 31, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct631/page/1/