Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevwere old licences. The whole plot was so unsavoury that it is difficult to understand the depths of simplicity that could detect no guile.
The convenience and needs of the public should have been the over-riding principle. but these do not appear to have been taken into consideration It was freely and openly remarked that personal feeling and enmity had influenced two of the most prominent members of the Bench.
No one ever anticipated that so many of these licences would be taken away, though it was expected that some would be condemned. The magistrates, however, should have protected the licensees from the stunts and fancies of tho bigoted teetotalers.
Two of the magistrates (Ald. Kelsey and Mr. Geo. Eskholme) were charged with meeting in the house of the former and marking a map prepared by the Chief Constable. My father labelled the room in which this took place the 'star chamber,' and the term clung for many years.
At the adjourned Brewster Sessions, the five magistrates who had given the instructions to the police to lay objections were told that they should not sit, as it was against the law that a person could act as accuser and judge. Whether they took the hint or not I do not remember.
Several of the ministers of religion who signed the petition against the licences disavowed any intention of recommending the withdrawal of those of holders who had conducted their businesses within the law and committed no breach of the trust placed in them.
The Town Council thought the question one of sufficient importance to express views thereon, and passed a resolution condemning the Borough Justices for their action.
AN INCENSED PUBLIC
The licensing trade convened a meeting in the Drill Hall for the purpose of considering the action of the Bench. The hall was crowded and the proceedings throughout were of an uproarious character. A resolution condemning the justices, on being put to the meeting, was lost, the temperance party having mustered in great force.The scene became one of wild excitement. The teetotalers, waving their hats and handkerchiefs, flocked from the hall to meet the Mayor (Ald. Kelsey), who was returning from a visit to a neighbouring town. Crowds awaited his arrival at the station, and on his arrival he had a great ovation, being conducted to the Temperance Hall, accompanied by the loud cheers of the crowd and the singing of various temperance melodies.
Feeling continued to be so pronounced that it reflected itself in the November municipal elections. Candidates were sought to contest the seats of all who had voted for the resolution condemning the magistrates’ action.
SHARP PRACTICE
In the East Ward my father, who had taken the lead in denouncing the decision, and whose term of office was expiring, had a formidable opponent in Dr. Lyth, a very worthy and highly respected man and a prominent temperance reformer. The opposition met with defeat.Mr. Abraham Taffinder, another who voted for the resolution of the Council in condemnation of the justices decision, found an opponent in Mr. (subsequently Alderman) Fred Mason, a chemist in High street. The nomination papers of Mr. Tafinder were objected to on the ground that they did not correctly state his abode. The papers gave his address as 40, High street, but did not state the name of the town in which he resided. Although every paper had the words, Borough of Rotherham, printed at the head, the objection raised by Mr. Mason obtained support from the Mayor (Ald. Kelsey), and the papers having being declared invalid, Mr. Mason became councillor for the West Ward without a contest. next »
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