1842—FEBRUARY 23—A common hall convened at Worcester, to consider the distress of the country. The requisition had been taken round for signature by Mr. J. D. Stevenson, and a great number of persons had affixed their names. The hall was densely filled with operatives, and the proceedings were commenced by Mr. R. Hardy, who moved a resolution declaring that the distress of the country could be traced to “the Corn Laws and other restrictions on the trade and liberties of the people.” This was seconded by Mr. Edward Webb, and every hand was held up in its favour, save one. Mr. Alderman Corles proposed another resolution, declaring that the Corn Laws never would have been enacted if the people had been fully represented in Parliament, and that all bad statutes had arisen from class legislation. This was seconded by Mr. Alderman Padmore, and carried unanimously. Mr. Elgie moved the third resolution—that the present Parliament was not the people’s Parliament, and that it was necessary for the operative and middle classes to unite for the overthrow of monopolies. This was seconded by Mr. Fisher; but a Chartist, named Davie, moved an amendment—“that the principles of the People’s Charter should be embodied in the petition;” this was seconded by an operative named Williams, and two Birmingham Chartists, named Young and Mason, wanted to speak to the amendment; but the Mayor would not let them, because this was a “town’s meeting” and they were strangers. This caused great uproar; so he put the matter to the meeting, and requested those who were of opinion that the people of Worcester could manage their own affairs, to go to the right—and those who thought they were not competent so to do, to the left. This but increased the disturbance, and the Mayor put the question in the usual method; and, whether by mistake or not, the great majority declared that strangers should not be heard. The Mayor then put the amendment in favour of the Charter, and two-thirds of the meeting held up their hands in its favour. Davie then moved the adoption of the “National Petition,” praying for universal suffrage, repeal of the union, &c. &c. &c. The Mayor objected that this was not put as the petition of the people of Worcester. Dr. Redford made an attempt to convince the operatives of their mistake in creating disunion, but after a few sentences he gave up the task. The Mayor declined to put the National Petition; and after asking whether any gentleman had anything else to propose, he declared the meeting dissolved, and left the hustings. The Chartists remained in the hall, and having moved Mr. Stevenson into the chair, Mason and Whyte made long orations, especially abusive of the Mayor, and the National Petition was carried by acclamation.