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The Kentish independent and County Advertiser, Woolwich, Saturday, 28th May 1853.
Borough of Greenwich.
Threatened Disfranchisement of Dockyard and Arsenal Voters.
At a meeting of Gentlemen of all Parties in politics, held at the "Crown
and Anchor Tavern," Woolwich, on Thursday, 26th of May, Mr. A. B. Wilson
in the chair, it was proposed by Mr. Joseph Grisbrook, seconded by Mr.
Maynard, and unanimously resolved that the following petition should be
presented to the House of Commons, in opposition to the measure intended
to be submitted by Lord John Russell for the Disfranchisement of the
electors employed in Her Majesty's Dockyards and Arsenals.
"To The Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland in Parliament assembled.
The humble Petitioners of the Inhabitants of Woolwich, in the county of
Kent, and it's vicinity.
"Sheweth.-
"That your Petitioners understand that notice has been given for leave
to bring a bill into your honourable house, having for its object the
disfranchisement of such Electors as are officially engaged in Her
Majesty's Dockyards and Arsenals.
"That a large portion of the Electors resides resident in Woolwich and
it's neighbourhood are employed in the Royal Dockyard, Royal Arsenal,
and other Government establishments; and your petitioners conceive that
such a measure will, if allowed to pass into a law, be an act of great
injustice towards the electors so employed, because it seeks to deprive
them of a franchise which they have exercised for a great number of
years in common right with all others of Her Majesty's subjects
possessed of the requisite qualification.
"That your petitioners feel that the deprivation of the privilege
hitherto exercised by any portion of the electors in right of property
obtained for their own industry will materially tend to diminish
confidence and those who formed such portion of the electors, and be the
means of destroying an independence heretofore existing amongst the
persons employed in such public departments, and take from them the
common rights given to all Englishman by virtue of the existing laws,
and that cases will frequently arise when some may be deprived of their
franchise while so employed, and having afterwards left the
establishment, will still be deprived for a time of the exercise of
such a constitutional rights.
"That in the opinion of your petitioners, such a law would be harsh and
unjust, and is not called for by any public necessity.
"Your petitioners therefore humbly pray.
"That for the reasons above set forth, you're honourable House will be
pleased to reject such Bill.
"And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.
Proposed by Mr. W. P. Jackson, seconded by Mr. J. Champion and resolved
unanimously.
"That Peter Rolt Esq, M.P. be requested to present the petition and that
he and Montague Chambers Esq., M.P. be requested to support it."
The chairman having vacated the chair, votes of thanks were passed to
that gentleman, and to W. H. Carter, Esq., the Hon. Sec., for their
services on the occasion.
The Petition will lie for signatures till Tuesday evening next at the
following places, viz:-
Mr. Black's Library, Powis Street.
Mr. Rozon's Library, Beresford Square.
Mr. Sergent's Library, High Street.
Mr. Boddy's Library, Artillery Place.
Mr. Grant's stationer, King Street.
Mr. Mockle's, news-vender, George Street.
Mr. Clothier's, baker, Albion Road.
The Kentish Independent Office, Wellington Street.
The "Crown and Anchor Tavern," High Street.
The "Ship Tavern," George Street.
The "Swan Inn," Old Charlton.
The "George Inn," Old Charlton.
The "Sussex Arms," Plumstead Road.
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