To the Right Honorable G. Sclater Booth, M.P., President of the Local Government Board,
The humble Memorial of the Inhabitants of Keighley in Public Meeting assembled March 24th 1875 [**]with
That whereas vaccination is mischievous first, because it diverts attention from those impurities which are the cause of small-pox, + which too frequently lie at the doors of the Magistrates, who punish good men for non-vaccination, + secondly, because it is the means of propogating all kinds of constitutional diseases;
And whereas the law would enforce this useless and pernicious practice is unconstitutional, tyranical and absolutely opposed ^to^ the very spirit of Local self government;
Therefore four Memorialists humbly pray that you will not accede to the request of the Keighley Magistrates, that you should interfere with the freedom of the Keighley Guardians in their refusal unjust + peace-disturbers, by enforcing the Vaccinations Acts, which request you would not on any account be obeyed, because it could not be justly obeyed, but that you will before the end of this Session use your high influence to compass the entire repeal of the unjust + oppressive Vaccination Acts.
And your Memorialists will ever pray.
Samuel Smith, Chairman
Glossary
Magistrates = enforces the law e.g. in court
Propagating = spread an idea widely
Constitutional diseases = someone’s physical condition from a disease
Unconstitutional = Not in line with procedure
Tyrannical = controlling, harsh, no option but to follow it
Pernicious = having a gradual harmful effect
Memorialists = someone who signs something/ a branch of Christianity
Humbly = not arrogantly asking
Accede = agree to a request
Repeal = taking back or cancelling a law
Unjust = unfair
Oppressive = forceful