'Chartism and the Reform Bill. 515 
the ballot. Chartism is a knife and fork question: the Charter 
means a good house, good food and drink, prosperity, and short 
working hours. ” 
The first Reform Bill was introduced into Parliament in 1831. 
It contemplated three great changes: I. Abolition of rotten 
boroughs, II. Representation for large towns, III. A wider and 
more equal distribution of the franchise. It was opposed by 
the lords, the clergy, the army and navy, the Inns of court, 
and the universities. It was favored by the press, the manufac¬ 
turing interests, and the masses generally. The struggle in 
Parliament was intense. When the bill was carried in the 
Commons by a small plurality the issue was taken to the people. 
The new Parliament, largely reform in its sympathies, took up 
the matter in a new bill. This was discussed until just before 
the coronation of King William IV., when it was carried by the 
House of Commons and rejected by the lords. Excitement at 
this time was very high. Parliament was prorogued for a 
month. Peers were frequently attacked on the streets. Sixty 
thousand persons petitioned the King in behalf of the bill. 
Conspiracies were so numerous that it was found necessary to 
prohibit political associations by proclamation. Riots occurred 
all over the country. Extreme doctrines of every sort were 
readily listened to. Every shade of socialism and anarchism 
appeared. 1 The more ignorant classes resorted to violence as 
usual. When Parliament met under the new reign a third bill 
was introduced. This being amended by the Lords, the King 
was asked to authorize the creation of new peers. When he 
hesitated the ministry resigned. The opposition was, however, 
not able to form a government. Grey was summoned to return 
and the creation of new peers was authorized. The lords im¬ 
mediately withdrew their opposition and the bill was finally 
passed in June of 1832. 
1 R. Pauli Staatengeschichte der Neusten Zeit, II, 80. In 1831 the 
red flag of anarchism was carried in English riots. Chartist papers long 
urged that the land of England should be made public property and that 
various industries should be socially managed when the government should 
become sufficiently democratic. 
