Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
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Bombardier ; Mr. Albert Bibbs, a pawnbroker and a member of the old Local Board.
Taffinder: A Jeweller with premises in High street.
Jervis: Mr. Jervis Harris, ironfounder residing in Mountenoy road.
Strong Arthur: Mr. Arthur Hirst, manager at Bentley’s Brewery.
Rosy Jack: ,John Waring, a butcher in Church street, so called for his ruddy cheeks,
Tall Wynn : Mine host of the Station inn, tall and thin.
Battersley, the Roper, Proprietor of the old rope walk in Westgate.
Wade A tailor of bibulous habit Teddy : Mine host of the Dusty Miller Inn.
Reynolds: Commonly known as Tubby, a fussy little character with a peculiar voice.
Brave Rupert A grocer named Lomas, with a shop in Westgate (afterwards Counciller for the Ward).
Hanby; John Hanby, also a grocer, and later a Councillor for the Ward.
Henry : Henry John Wright, landlord of Prince of Wales,Westgate, an excellent speaker. He later became the store-keeper at the Gas Works.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
As the result of the elections for its first Town Council, Rotherham got the kind of representatives it deserved, as all towns do. Everything depented upon the intelligence and astuteness displayed by those who, for the first time, exercised the municipal franchise. If the wrong type of representative were chosen the blame rested on their shoulders. These remarks lead me to remind my readers that in choosing town coulicillors it should always be remembered that local is the highest form of government, because its powers include provision for preserving health and order, and for improving environment. The armchair politician who loves ease and quietness and refuses or neglects to bear his fair share of public work, forfeits his claim to citizenship and contributes to the encouragement of robbery and corruption of public morals.Attention to municipal and parochial business is an imperative duty, incumbent on all who have the ability and can afford the necessary time, without injury to their private affairs.
With Corporations, as with individuals, the moment they cease to respect themselves, they cease to be respected, not only by their constituents, but by other public bodies In other parts of the country. They are elected for the purpose of administering certain Acts of Parliament, and their functions are clearly defined. They should not discuss subjects foreign to their legitimate business or they thereby neglect proper duties.