Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevJOE CHAMBERLAIN
Whilst serving my apprenticeship in Sheffield I had repeated opportunities of frequenting political meetings, many of these being held in Pots Square. Some of these I shall never forget, particularly the one held on New Year’s day, 1874. The name of Joseph Chamberlain, the then Mayor of Birmingham, became familiar to Sheffield people owing to his being adopted as the Radical candidate for Parliament. The first mass meeting he addressed on the above date, I attended. At this meeting, in referring to the suggested abolition of the House of Lords, which at that time he strongly supported, he used a phrase which beca me famous all over England. They are like the lilies of the field he said, they toil not, neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. Proceeding forther in his denunciation of the Upper Chamber, he went on to say. One of the greatest peers that ever lived, Lord Bacon, said of them they were like potatoes, the best part of them were underground. The Radicals in Sheffield, headed by Mr. H. J. Wilson, were determined to run Mr. Chamberlain as Mr. Mundella’s colleague, whilst the Liberal Party, under the leadership of Mr. Robert Leader, were equally determined that Mr. Alfred Allott, a local accountant, should be their second candidate. Unable to settle their differences, they decided to hold a mass meeting in Paradise Square and let the people themselves decide the question. Every available space, including window’s and house tops, were occupied. Large as other meetings had been, this was the largest ever held in Sheffield. After each of the candidates had addressed the meeting, the Mayor, who presided, took a show of hands, the result being a large majority in favour of Chamberlain, Thereupon Mr. Allott announced his retirement from the contest. Unfortunately, some of his friends, disloyal to the compact entered into, nomi nated him, and owing to his absence on the continent on the last day for withdrawal he was unable personally to attend, and his name was compelled to go forward. In spite of explanations in the Sheffield Independent and appeals for unity, such a misunderstandiag was fatal. Abstentions, and the votes wasted on Alfred Allott, lost Sheffield the distinction of being the first constituency to return Mr Joseph Chamberlain to Parliament. John AArthur Roebuck and A. J. Mundella were returned.Rotherham people, afterwards having no Member of their own, took a great interest in their neighbour’s political affairs. In the election at Sheffield in 1880, when Mr. Samuel Waddy defeated Mr. Stuart Wortley. the Liberal Association of Rotherham took an active part. In addition to sending conveyances on polling day, quite a number of its members gave assistance as canvassers, On polling day excitement here ran almost as high as in Sheffield. A large crowd gathered at Westgate Station. awaiting the return of the helpers by the last train from the cutlery capital. When it became known that Mr. Waddy had succeeded, a procession of over a thousand enthusiasts paraded the streets, indulging in wild cheering, which continued until early morning. My impressions of the new Member for Sheffield. gained during my visits to his committee rooms before and on the day of election, were un- » next
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