Universal League for the Material Elevation of the Industrious Classes
Encyclopedia
The Universal League for the Material Elevation of the Industrious Classes was a 19th Century English political movement and organization.
It was founded on 14 December 1863 by Marquis Townshend who was one of the few aristocrats to support the reform movement. It was made up of Radicals
and trade union
representatives. It was chaired by John Bedford Leno
and its vice-presidents included Edmond Beales
, J.A. Nicholay and Captain E. Dresser Rogers who were all to become Reform League
officials.
Its aims were ambitious and were to:-
Townshend obtained rooms at 18 Greek Street to use as the Universal League's headquarters. They were also used as the home of the International Working Men's Association a few months later.
Initial efforts concentrated on the right to public assembly
and the amendment of the Master and Servant Act
but once Gladstone
declared his conversion to parliamentary reform the League's efforts were redirected to suffrage
. A Universal League Reform Committee was formed to concentrate on manhood suffrage
, however Townshend objected to its formation as he feared control was being wrested from his hands. This did not go down too well with the other League members who made plans throughout the autumn and winter of 1864-5 to form a separate Reform League. As a result the Reform League
was inaugurated on the 23 February 1865, leaving the Universal League defunct.
It was founded on 14 December 1863 by Marquis Townshend who was one of the few aristocrats to support the reform movement. It was made up of Radicals
Radicals (UK)
The Radicals were a parliamentary political grouping in the United Kingdom in the early to mid 19th century, who drew on earlier ideas of radicalism and helped to transform the Whigs into the Liberal Party.-Background:...
and trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
representatives. It was chaired by John Bedford Leno
John Bedford Leno
John Bedford Leno was a Chartist, Radical, Poet and printer who acted as a "bridge" between Chartism and early Labour movements, as well as between the working and ruling classes. He campaigned to give the vote to all common men and women, driven by a strong desire for "justice and freedom for all...
and its vice-presidents included Edmond Beales
Edmond Beales
Edmond Beales was the President of the Reform League and was a central figure in the 19th century British reform movement.-Biography:...
, J.A. Nicholay and Captain E. Dresser Rogers who were all to become Reform League
Reform League
The Reform League was established in 1865 to press for manhood suffrage and the ballot in Great Britain. It collaborated with the more moderate and middle class Reform Union and gave strong support to the abortive Reform Bill 1866 and the successful Reform Act 1867...
officials.
Its aims were ambitious and were to:-
- reduce working hours
- promote franchise extension
- promote the international fraternity of workers
- increase recreational and educational opportunities
Townshend obtained rooms at 18 Greek Street to use as the Universal League's headquarters. They were also used as the home of the International Working Men's Association a few months later.
Initial efforts concentrated on the right to public assembly
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of assembly, sometimes used interchangeably with the freedom of association, is the individual right to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests...
and the amendment of the Master and Servant Act
Master and Servant Act
Master and Servant Acts or Masters and Servants Acts were laws designed to regulate relations between employers and employees during the 18th and 19th centuries. An 1823 United Kingdom Act described its purpose as "the better regulations of servants, labourers and work people"...
but once Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
declared his conversion to parliamentary reform the League's efforts were redirected to suffrage
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
. A Universal League Reform Committee was formed to concentrate on manhood suffrage
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
, however Townshend objected to its formation as he feared control was being wrested from his hands. This did not go down too well with the other League members who made plans throughout the autumn and winter of 1864-5 to form a separate Reform League. As a result the Reform League
Reform League
The Reform League was established in 1865 to press for manhood suffrage and the ballot in Great Britain. It collaborated with the more moderate and middle class Reform Union and gave strong support to the abortive Reform Bill 1866 and the successful Reform Act 1867...
was inaugurated on the 23 February 1865, leaving the Universal League defunct.