Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevThe decision gave great dissatisfaction in the town and for some time an appeal seemed probable. Mr. William Leggoe, another coun cillor who had dared to vote against the action of the Bench, met with two opponents, one being Mr. Matthew Schoales (an ardent teetotaler), and the other Mr. Wilfred Badger (a young solicitor and for a period hon. sec. of the Liberal Association). Both their nominations proved invalid, and Mr. Leggoe was returned unopposed.
OTHER WARDS
On the other hand, the supporters of the magistrates' policy were not allowed to go unchallenged. Mr. Richard Poucher, landlord of the Volunteer Inn, in Bridgegate championed the cause of those who disagreed with the ruthless manner in which the off-licence holders had been treated by the Mayor and others. He opposed Mr. Geo. Wragg, the sitting councillor for the North Ward, but suffered defeat.In the exuberance of victory, Mr. Wragg, after the declaration of the poll. in returning his thanks to his supporters, delivered himself of the following choice effusion:
Your good name has been attempted to be destroyed by flooding the ward with vitriol-water, sour ale, adulterated gas and bad whiskey, and I am proud to say you would not be bought by such vile stuff.
Mr. Wragg, always an outspoken and fearless man, achieved by this statement a greater notoriety than ever. The 'Trade’s' estimation of him was never very high, and this tirade did not improve matters.
Alderman Kelsey publicly complained that his business premises were being picketed, and customers. as they approached his shop, were advised not to purchase anything from him. Whether this was so or not I cannot say, but from the date of the refusal of the licences, what had previously been a flourishing business gradually declined, and a few years later closed down.
EXIT TWO ALDERMEN
The feeling and excitement had not subsided on November 9th, and the election of AId. Kelsey for a second term of office as Mayor was strongly though unsuccessfully opposed. The retiring aldermen were Messrs. Habershon, Neill, and Morgan, and the ffrst-named notified his intention not to seek re-election. The voting for the three positions revealed that the opposition to Aldermen Neill and Morgan, who were prominently associated with the party opposed to the policy of the Licensing Committee, had been successful.In place of the three old aldermen, Councillors Wragg, Mason, and Newsum were elected, thus proving the saying, 'Once an alderman always an alderman,' to be incorrect.
Immediately after the announcement of the voting, Messrs. Neill and Morgan (stripped of their prefix), after shaking hands with the Mayor, descended from the Aldermanic Bench and left the Council Chamber. As they left the room. Councillor Woodhouse twitted ex Alderman Neill with a saying he frequently used, 'All things come to him who waits'.
At the by-elections which followed I had the pleasure of conducting Mr. Neill’s campaign in the North Ward and also acting in an advisory capacity for Mr. Morgan in the South Ward. In the North Ward Mr. Neill found an opponent in Mr. Geo. (now Alderman) Clark. After a stirring fight in both wards the two ex-aldermen were returned by substantial majorities.
The Council meeting following these elections has in many respects never been equalled. Scenes of a varied character were the order of the day and on a scale never before approached. The space reserved for the public was filled long before three o’clock. The ratepayers assembled in Howard street next »
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