For several years previous to 1831 an intense feeling in favour of a change of the representative system of the House of Commons took possession of the public mind, and one of the principal purposes sought to be accomplished by this change was to confer on large towns the right of representation in the legislature. On the appointment of Earl Grey as premier, November, 1830, it was generally expected that a measure of reform in the representative system would be brought forward, and these expectations were not disappointed. A public meeting of the inhabitants of Oldham was accordingly held on the 9th of February, 1831, in the Free Grammar School, for the purpose of petitioning for a reform of the House of Commons, and the granting of a representative or representatives to Oldham. Mr. William Crompton, one of the head constables, presided, and the meeting was addressed by Messrs. John Clegg, James Holladay, Alexander Taylor, Joseph Bentley, John Knight, John Haigh, James Bardsley, James Mellor, George Barlow, John Lees, John Jackson, John Halliwell, John Brierley, James Greaves, J. Hague, and W. Barlow. The eight resolutions as well as the memorial unanimously adopted on this occasion, expressed a desire that the ministry should introduce a measure comprehending an extension of the suffrage, vote by ballot, and triennial parliaments, including in its provisions the grant of a member or members to the township of Oldham. In the course of the proceedings it was stated that in 1821 Oldham was the eighth unrepresented town in Order of population, and that the population of the township of Oldham alone in 1831 was equal to the aggregate population of 38 of the smallest boroughs. In the first reform bill introduced to the House of Commons, March 1st, 1831, Oldham was not included in the list of intended parliamentary boroughs. This omission was regarded by many of the inhabitants as a serious defect; and a second public meeting was consequently held in the Grammar School on the 14th of M arch, to institute proceedings for the purpose of remedying it

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