This political song in the Aberdeen dialect, pokes fun at the outgoing town council. Corruption was rife - many instances are humorously referred to here. For example, the writer refers to the fiasco of the new harbour in verse 2, and is delighted that there is to be an election for new burgh magistrates.
The editor of the Aberdeen Pirate feels that Reform should be available wherever it is needed, but that people should be careful how they used it. The Church was in need of reform, especially in the area of Patronage. Reform in the Church, through the Disruption, was to take another ten years.
An Electioneering Retrospect, December 1832
In this article, the editor of the Aberdeen Pirate considers the Aberdeenshire results of the first 'general election' which took place the previous week. As a Whig, he was not pleased with the Tory win, but points out that the Whig candidate, Sir Michael Bruce, had a large support in spite of this.
published on Thursday 27th December 1832
Political ballads, set to well-known tunes, were popular during the nineteenth century. This electioneering song discussing Aberdeenshire Whig candidates, is anti-Tory in sentiment.
created on 17th December 1832 published on Thursday 20th December 1832
The opening paragraph describes how the first 'general' election held in the city of Aberdeen was conducted. The leader mentions some of Alexander Bannermans's views on pressing subjects of the day and hopes that the electors will have no cause to regret their choice.
published on Thursday 20th December 1832
In this Leader, the editor points out that many other reforms will follow electoral reform, including Burgh, Corporation and Church Reform. He hopes, however, that the legislators and the population will not go too far, and that any future reforms will be moderate.
published on Thursday 29th November 1832
This letter points out the financial demands made on a tradesman starting out in business in the early 1830s. The letter L is used to signify the pound sign (£).
The writer feels that John Davidson's pamphlet on Reform and the workers, ' A Letter to the working classes of Aberdeen', is more concerned with Davidson's own self-interest, rather than with the interests of the workers of Aberdeen. In his pamphlet, Davidson continually refers to his own part in bringing about reform. As the writer of this review states, 'there is nothing in the whole paper but self, self, self!'
'Jabyla', contributor to The Aberdeen Pirate
Letter to the Editor of the Aberdeen Pirate about Reform
The writer takes issue with John Davidson's pamphlet, 'A Letter to the Working Classes of Aberdeen'. Davidson, a printer to trade, was a committed Reformer. The writer of this letter is disagreeing with Davidson's Tory viewpoint.
For the first general election in 1832, the names of all those entitled to vote had to be registered by the Sherriffs. Note how nearly a quarter of those people claiming the right to vote were disallowed. This might be because the claimant did not own or occupy property with an annual value of £10.
G Cornwall, printer Aberdeen Censors: William Ferguson, Rev. John Jaffrey, Alexander Milne
G Cornwall, printer at the Herald Office, Aberdeen