Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « preventered into controversy. His critics always said he waited to see a point rise to his advantage before taking the first step. Fifty years ago few men about town were better known than the Alderman. He had a long career in local government, first as a member of the Local Board and afterwards as representative in the Council for the East Ward since 1871.
When elected Mayor in 1880 to complete the vacant period caused by Alderman Harrison’s death, no previous occupant exceeded him in kindness of disposition and geniality. If not a strong chairman, he probably got through the business, owing to his kindly nature and tact, quite as well and as expeditiously as others. His colleagues showed their appreciation by electing him again on November the ninth, 1880.
For several years he presided over the Health Department, the meetings of the committee being held on Tuesday evenings. The Alderman usually visited the Sheffield Market on this day and our meetings were often protracted owing to the Alderman’s genial nature and lack of concentration. Along with others I thought a change in the day of meeting might effect an improvement. This eventually came about, though I do not look back with any pleasure on the measures adopted to bring the chairman into line with our ideas.
It was said that as each term of office as Alderman drew near expiration, he contemplated retiring; and actually had his resignation ready for handing in. So nervous had the treatment meted out to Messrs. Neil! and Morgan made him that he was determined the same measure should not be dealt out to him. His colleagues, however, had more confidence in him than he had in himself, his re election never being in doubt. A well-known weakness was his fondness of a glass of good port, and he was credited with having a stock of the oldest and best vintages in his cellar. Enemies he had none; his smile and geniality disarmed both old and young, whilst his usefulness and kindness of heart were generally acknowledged.
He served the town without a break as Mayor, alderman and councillor, for a period of 33 years, resigning eventually on account of advancing years. The Alderman died at Dalton in his 87th year, and the attendance at his funeral was fully representative of the leading interests in the town and district in which he was universally respected.
WARD MEETINGS
Municipal matters have greatly changed during the last fifty years. Old customs have gone, and new methods have been substituted. In the old days, when a vacancy occurred in the Council, the presiding alderman of the Ward convened a meeting for the purpose of selecting a candidate.These meetings were usually well attended, and a lot of innocent fun was got out of them. Unfortunately, rowdyism occasionally showed itself, and the object of the meeting - a full and free expression of opinion on the merits of the candidate - would be frustrated.
At one of these meetings, in the Masbro’ Ward, when my father sought the support of the burgesses, the opposition, organised by the opponents of equalisation of the rates, and led by William Heaton and Ben Tyler, became so violent that free fights were indulged in. The speakers were refused a hearing and the lights were suddenly put out. The actual results of such disgraceful proceedings were to be found in a few broken desks and forms. Probably a few heads also suffered in silence.
The aspirants for municipal honours were more numerous then than now. When a Ward meeting was not convened, a requisition would be presented to some one who was thought to be desirous of serving the town. Many of these requisitions contained a thousand names, and I have repeatedly seen advertisements occupying two or more columns of the local paper with the candidates’ address and the names of those ratepayers who had signed the requisition.