RAD092

An Alphabetical List of the names, Designations, and...

The title page of a pamphlet published in 1832. 1832 was the year of the first 'general' election, although voting was restricted to certain males only. They had to prove that they owned, tenanted or occupied property valued at £10 per year. In 1832, £10 was an enormous sum of money.

RAD093

Proceedings of the Burgesses of Aberdeen

Descriptions of Aberdeen council business almost fifty years before the 1st Reform Act was passed.

RAD095

The Petition of the Working Classes of Aberdeen and...

These articles describe firstly, the petition of the working classes of Aberdeen to the House of Commons in 1831. The petitioners were looking for complete reform of the electoral system to compensate for corrupt practices. The article, 'Aberdeen County Election', describes in detail how a pre-reform...

RAD115

The Reform Committee

The writer asks why the Reform Committee are not planning to hold a meeting about the proposed Reform Petition.

RAD116

Reform Meeting on the Broadhill of the Links

This article describes the meeting held in Aberdeen on 18th May 1832 in support of electoral reform.

RAD117

Reform Monuments

This item discusses monuments to reform, including the monument proposed for Meethill, Peterhead, the site of reform meetings.

RAD118

A few words from a Tory in answer to a Classical Reformer

The writer is answering an attack on Toryism, which appeared in the previous issue of the Aberdeen Magazine, by suggesting that this attack has not offended him.

RAD119

Reform, Cholera, Electioneering

The Aberdeen Magazine points out that Aberdeen has experienced canvassing. Aberdeen, it believes, has the highest number of registered voters in Scotland, showing that voters are proud of their privilege.

RAD120

County and Burgh elections in 1831

These notes from the Aberdeen Magazine describe elections held prior to the 1st Reform Act.

RAD121

Reform County Meeting

At a meeting of Freeholders, Justicers of the peace and Commissioners of Supply held on 7th June 1831, there was a majority vote of 43 against the Reform Bill.

RAD122

Reform Proceedings

This article descibes the reactions to the proposed Reform Bill: how petitions were got up both for and against it. The writer clearly supports Reform.

RAD123

On the Ballot

Although the writer is against votes for all men, he does support election by ballot. He examines arguments for open and secret voting. The writer's second letter (RAD123_07 to RAD123_11), discusses arguments against the ballot.

RAD125

The Speech of John Davidson, Writer in Aberdeen, intended...

John Davidson, the writer of this pamphlet, was a printer and Tory supporter. He was one of the (self-appointed)leaders of the reform movement in Aberdeen. This article is preceeded by a letter to Alexander Bannerman, who was to be elected MP for Aberdeen the following year, at the first 'reformed' election....

RAD126

Letter to Freeholders, Justices of Peace and Commissioners...

The writer, who describes himself as a 'most notorious demagogue', is a supporter of Reform. He refers to the source of his nom-de-plume as coming from Colonel Fraser, who stated that Reformers were the 'most notorious revolutionists, demagogues, and agitators in the empire'. The writer believed that...

RAD127

Address to the Electors of Aberdeen

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 agenda.