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To the working classes of Aberdeen
495 This broadside addresses the working class of Aberdeen and attacks the Parliamentary record of Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864). It refers to Whig MP for Lanarkshire John Maxwell's (1791-1865) bill on handloom weavers (textile workers) and appears to date from the run-up to the 1837 general election.
The above-mentioned bill was intended on relieving the distress of such workers, and was supported by the Tory MP for Aberdeenshire, William Gordon (1784-1858), amongst others.
The broadside criticises Bannerman, Whig MP for Aberdeen since 1832, for the absence of his support for the bill. The broadside implores the working class not to take up invitations of the masses to join a procession for Bannerman.
Bannerman was a colonial governor as well as an MP. The wider Bannerman family were mill owners. These mills were comparatively well equipped and had higher standards than most others in the 1830s. (Aberdeen 1800-2000: A New History, ed. by W. Fraser and Clive Lee (2000), pp. 155-156.)
The broadside also claims that Bannerman showed disregard for sailors who were stuck in ice the previous winter. It argues that he put saving money above sending government help to those in danger.
The squib refers to Mr. Ross standing as an opposing candidate for the Aberdeen City constituency, comparing him favourably to Bannerman. This would be Horatio Ross of Rossie (1801-1886), a noted sportsman and later photographer. Ross initially stood against Bannerman in the 1837 election before withdrawing before the vote. Bannerman won the election unopposed.
Ross, also formerly a captain in the army, had previously been elected as MP for the pre-reform Aberdeen Burghs constituency in 1831. Additionally, he served as the MP for the Montrose Burghs between 1832 and 1835.
The broadside was printed by J. Davidson & Co. of Aberdeen. Horatio Ross, Esq. Of Rossie,to the Constituency of the Montrose District, on his retiring from their representation
505 Horatio Ross had been a Member of Parliament for Montrose from December 1832 to December 1834. This broadside released in Edinburgh on the 2nd December 1834 is an address to the constituency and electors of the Montrose district on the occasion of his retirement.
This text should be critically scrutinised to evaluate whether Mr Ross has been truthful or simply aimed at presenting himself under a good light. He extensively listed the Parliamentary acts he supported, including the Parliamentary Reform Act of 1832, the abolition of slavery in the colonies, and the promotion of the district's Shipping and Manufacturing Interests. He therefore showed that he has been benevolent both at a local and a national level. Moreover, he also clearly stated his support and approval to the Protestant Established Church and to the Crown.
This broadside was printed in Aberdeen by D. Chalmers and Co. City Election. At the numerous and highly respectable Meeting of the Burgesses, Heritors, Merchants, and Inhabitants of the City of Aberdeen
508 This broadside likely dates to June or July 1832, as it refers to a city council meeting on 26th June 1832. The meeting was attended by burgesses (a guild of inhabitants of the Burgh), monied people, merchants and general inhabitants of Aberdeen. The meeting was held at the Royal Hotel and regarded the motion of Captain Carmichael. This was likely Robert Carmichael, captain of 42nd regiment, resident of Union Terrace (City of Aberdeen, and its Vicinity, 1831-1832, p. 23).
Alexander Crombie (1762-1840), a highly successful teacher, chaired the meeting. The meeting aimed to pass motions in support of James Hadden, provost of Aberdeen, in anticipation of his election bid for the Aberdeen seat in the House of Commons. This was a new seat, formed after the 1832 Scottish Reform Act.
For the prior three decades, the Hadden family had dominated local Aberdeen politics. However, in the run up to 1832, they were coming under increasing pressure from pro-reform Whigs, notably Alexander Bannerman. Bannerman made a variety of allegations against Hadden regarding his practices in local government. The Tories supported Hadden, but in the end he withdrew from the race, and Bannerman was elected to the new seat unopposed (W. Hamish Fraser and Clive H. Lee, Aberdeen 1800-2000: A New History, pp. 178-180).
The motion of the meeting suggested supporting Hadden, celebrating his work in the local council over the decades. The motion was carried. In his speech after the motion, Hadden professes support for necessary reform of the structure of burghs (constituencies), associated with the forthcoming Scottish Reform Act. The meeting thus formed a committee for arranging Haden's election campaign.
This broadside was printed by J. Davidson & Co. of Aberdeen. Grand reform meeting held at Aberdeen, 18th May 1832
530 A colourised lithographed sketch of the Grand Reform Meeting that took place on Broad Hill, Aberdeen on Friday 18th May 1832.
Popular and parliamentary support for electoral reform had been growing across the United Kingdom in this period. At the time, only a small number of wealthy landowners had the right to vote, the franchise was geographically inconsistent, and the representation by members of parliament was out-dated.
This Aberdeen meeting, like many that took place around the country at the time, was organised following the House of Lords blocking the Third Reform Bill of Prime Minister Charles Grey (1764-1845), 2nd Earl Grey, and the subsequent resignation of Grey and his Whig ministers.
Newspaper accounts of the meeting indicate that attendees had just learnt that the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), a Tory opponent to reform, had been unable to form a government following the resignation of the Whigs and an invitation from King William IV, and that the monarch had recalled Earl Grey.
Organised by prominent local supporters of electoral reform, the Reform Committee, the meeting agreed seven resolutions for presentation to parliament including the following: consternation at the bill not being passed, support of Earl Grey and colleagues, agreement to withholding national supplies (funding) from the government until the bill is passed, and that Joseph Hume (1777-1855), then MP for Middlesex, present the petition instead of the member for the Aberdeen boroughs, Horatio Ross (1801-1886), who was accused of backsliding on reform.
The report in the following day's Aberdeen Chronicle newspaper suggest the meeting was attended by 30,000 to 40,000 people. The Tory-leaning Aberdeen Journal, in its issue of Wednesday 23rd May 1832, page 2, gives an estimate of 15,000 to 20,000.
Contingents of various trades began to muster at Union Street West at about 1.30pm. A large procession proceeded east along the street and were joined by the Reform Committee from the Royal Hotel, 63 Union Street, located just after the junction with Market Street.
The full procession, with the Committee at its head and joined by deputations from the country, travelled to the Links via Castle Street, King Street, Frederick Street and Constitution Street. Several bands accompanied the procession and there were a large number of banners with reform slogans.
On the motion of Reverend William Jack (1768-1854), principal of King's College, Sir Michael Bruce of Stenhouse and Scotstown (1798-1862) was called to chair the meeting. John Angus (1799-1878), an advocate and later Town Clerk of Aberdeen, was the secretary.
Speakers included General Andrew Leith Hay of Rannes (1785-1862), Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864), Sir John Forbes of Craigievar (1785-1846), Alexander Blackie, banker, Thomas Burnett, younger of Leys (1778-1849), John M. Gerrard of Midstrath, Alexander Kilgore, surgeon, James Forbes of Echt, Alexander Stronach of Drumallan, James Nicol, advocate, William Allardyce, wine merchant, Harry Leith Lumsden of Auchindour, William Moir of Park and Alexander Forbes of Ainslie.
Both the account in the Aberdeen Chronicle and the speeches on the day remark on the disruptive potential of the crowd, under circumstances of reform not being progressed. Though the speakers urged those in attendance to continue in a peaceful manner.
Some speakers compared the fight for electoral reform to that for religious freedom in Scotland. There is explicit and repeated support given for William VI, but the Duke of Wellington is considered an inappropriate progressor of reform. The return of Earl Grey is promoted.
Faced with the prospect of William VI ennobling new Whig members of the House of Lords, Tory opponents of the Third Reform Bill abstained from votes and it passed through the upper house. The Representation of the People Act 1832 was given royal assent on 7th June 1832, and its Scottish equivalent around the same time, and came into law.
The Act was a substantial reform of Britain's antiquated electoral system, redistributing seats and changing the conditions of the franchise, but still left most people without the vote. Subsequent popular and parliamentary politics would led to further legislation and the fuller suffrage of modern times.
Document dimensions: 26 x 40 cm. |