Browse Items (174 total)

Professor John Stuart Blackie opposed the 1867 Reform Bill as he believed it to be 'purely democratic' and wished to see changes in the methods of representation of the people. A course of action (eg elections), should not be determined by the vote…

In these pages, the Aberdeen Working Men's Association requests that readers should unite to demand the right to vote for all. They believed that this would be the most effective method of bring about an improvement in the conditions of the working…

The Reform Bill has been passed and the first elections still have to be held. The writer asks the reader to consider the candidates for the city and county carefully, and to vote in favour of the Reformers. He gives reasons why electors should not…

This page illustrates that in 1884, meetings, speeches and demonstrations in support of Reform were held all over the north east of Scotland. In 1884, radicals were trying to obtain the same right to vote in the counties as in the burghs.

The 1884 Reform Demonstration, organised by the Trades' Unions, was the largest demonstration to have taken place in Aberdeen since 1832. It was held as part of a campaign to equalize the county and burgh franchises. At this time, there were…

This pamphlet, compiled from a selection of local papers, gives a description of the full proceedings of the demonstration. Included are lists of the groups represented and names of marshals. There is an account of the procession, which gives the…

The Diary of Passing Events is anti Tory, pro Reform and pro Free Trade. It wishes to see changes made for the good of all citizens and corruption in the council practice exposed.

These excerpts suggest that some changes should be made with regard to Scotland and its political provisions and its voting rights. The writer suggests that Scotland should have its own Secretary of State and that the franchise should be lowered to…

In this excerpt from his essay, The Knowledge Qualification, James Adam, editor of the Radical Aberdeen newspaper, The Aberdeen Herald, argues that education and civil rights are vital for all people. Instead of the £10 voting qualification, people…

A satirical poem, produced by the Aberdeen Herald, great supporters of Reform. The poem appears to come out of the mouth the current Tory Provost, James Hadden, who was, in reality, very much against Reform. In this poem, he 'admits' to his true…