Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevan old and highly respected resident in the ward, who favoured the differential policy, and on account of these views he was returned. A few years later equalisation of rates became an accomplished fact. Before this took place, at nearly every meeting of the Council the inequality was referred to, chiefly in connection with the proposed erection of a covered market for the town. The members for the wards aeross the water contended that they had no interest in the market, and, therefore, should not be called upon to pay anything towards the cost, Fortunately, things were levelled up amicably, although it took years to wipe out the bitter feeling of Rotherham being the parlour” and timber worth the “kitchen.”
THE REAPER
The first death to take place in the newly- elected Council was that of Alderman Bamforth, a solicitor, who resided in Moorgate In the house now occupied by Mr. Broadhead, Borough Architect, This occurred in 1874, I always considered him a very proud and austere man, and when, accompanied by his two daughters, he took his usual walk up Moorgate, common mortals like myself were, on their approach, expected to remove their presence from the pathway. He carried on his profession in offices in the butter market, behind the Corn Exchange. In these offices Mr. John Taylor Twigg was employed as a boy.The vacant aldermancy having been given to Mr. Councillor Henry Wigfield, a vacancy occurred in the East Ward. Mr. Albert Bibbe (the Bombardier of Ye Lays of ye Golden Balls ) and my father were candidates for the seat. After a stiff fight, the 'Bombardier' was elected by a majority of 10. Four months later in November, 1874, these two opponents met again. On this occasion my father succeeded in gettting the seat from Mr. Bibbs by a majority of 20. From his re-entry into the Council he remained a member until his death in 1898.
A MODEL COMMITTEE
My father in this election had the assistance of the best municipal election committee I can remember. When I recall some of the then well-known names which included, amongst others, Messrs. Joe Lister, Geo, Smith, Geo. Ridgway, James Somerset, Sam Whitington, J. Clarke, Geo. Guest, John Woollen, Walter Bell, Robert Hill, J. Waring, and Madeley. I wonder why the Municipal Association does not organise on these lines and enlist similar support.
They were all men of substance, with a good standing and influence in the ward, and were ably guided by one of the most astute election agents it l been my lot to know, Mr. W. G. Sutton, who probably in his day conducted more elections than any other ten men in the town, he was a valuable asset to any committee who secured his services.
During this contest I made the acquaintance of Alderman Winter’s father and brother. Although comparative strangers to Rotherham, having only recently come to reside in the town, they both rendered yeoman service, especially Mr. Winter, senr., whose breezy speeches contributed very largely to my father’s success.