§ Sir M. W. Ridleysaid, he held in his hand a petition from the merchants, bankers, and tradesmen, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in favour of parliamentary reform. The petition was signed by 3016 persons, and for the respectability of their characters he could vouch his own personal knowledge. The meeting at which the petition was agreed to was conducted with the greatest quietness and unanimity. It was the first meeting held under the restrictive laws passed by the last parliament. It sprung from that middle class of life, the respectability of whose characters and station placed their motives beyond suspicion. These petitioners looked for the correction of the evils under which the country now suffered, to a shortening of the duration Of parliaments, to the extension of the suffrage from decayed and notoriously dependent and corrupt boroughs to populous towns. The latter principle had been already acted upon, and he hailed it as a preliminary step in the successful progress of a constitutional reform in the representation. The petitioners begged not to be considered as the advocates of any mischievous doctrines—such as universal suffrage and annual parliaments.
§ Mr. Lambtonconcurred with the hon. baronet in stating, that the petitioners mere most respectable individuals. They principally belonged to that class of society which had not hitherto taken so great a share in the consideration of public affairs, as he was persuaded it would be highly advantageous to the country they should do—he meant the middle class. 333 The original requisition for the meeting was signed by fitly respectable tradesmen of Newcastle. With this requisition, although supported by an eminent banker of Newcastle, the mayor of that town had refused to comply. The motives of that gentleman for his refusal he would not pretend to state, but he must be allowed to express his regret that he had withheld his official sanction to a meeting for the constitutional purpose of petitioning the House of Commons. Under these circumstances the meeting was held without his sanction; and he believed he might say, that its respectability was not thereby diminished. The hon. baronet who had just presented the petition had attended and expressed his sentiments. He hoped and example would be followed, and that those respectable individuals belonging to the middle classes of society who perceived how sensibly the condition of the country was affected by the existing state of the representation, would come forward without delay, and distinctly declare their sentiments. For unless they did so, neither himself nor other hon. members who thought with him, would feel encouraged to make the efforts which the importance of the case demanded. He had himself given notice of a motion on the subject, and when the proper time came, he should be prepared to show, that the prevailing dissatisfaction must inevitably increase, unless some step were promptly and decidedly taken to diminish it. Ordered to he on the table.