Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevbuying a scrubber for the gas works, and yet this was the actual performance of Councillor Morgan.
Again, certain members were taken to task for incurring expenses on an unauthorised deputation to Wolverhampton for the purpose of inspecting a town hall. Being told that such expenses were illegal, two of the culprits (Aid. Gee. Wragg and Councillor Kenyon) dragged into the discussion the alleged illegal expenses of Ald. Neill and the Town Clerk referred to earlier in these notes. and they also produced a copy of a bill of expenses which Messrs. Neill, Hurst, Davy and Co., as they termed them, had incurred without any authority. The discussion became so personal and abusive that Alderman Kelsey and his friends left the Chamber.
These are only a few of the many 'scenes' that occurred during the year, several, if not all, of which could have been avoided by more tactful conduct on the part of the Liberal majority.
A MAJORITY OF THREE
The November elections of 1885 reflected the strong feelings at work. The retiring Mayor Ald. Neill having expressed his desire to serve another year, efforts were made by his friends to secure for him a renewal of office. Canvassing was resorted to, and Mr. Councillor Wells, the retiring member in the South Ward, promised if again returned to give Mr. Neill his vote.The Liberals in the Council determined to have a change. Finding that the supporters of Mr. Neill included nearly one-half of the members of the Council, they decided to oppose the return of Councillor Wells. although a good Liberal and holding office as treasurer of the Liberal Association, unless he undertook to withdraw his promise to support Mr. Geo. Neill’s re-election as Mayor
Having served the Ward faithfully for fourteen years, being one of the members elected when the town rose to the dignity of a borough, the task of defeating Mr. Wells was by no means an easy one, especially as,owing to his persistency, the town had decided to have public baths. For years Mr. Wells had advocated these in face of the opposition of the economists of those days, who made the usual plea that their construction would throw a considerable burden on the rates. This,repeated with parrot-like persistency, almost gained success.
Recognising the popularity of Mr. Wells for such service, efforts were renewed to induce him to change his mind and to vote for a change of Mayor. Never regarded as a strong man in a crisis, Mr. Wells on this occasion astonished everyone by his flrmness, and refused to accept a walk-over as a reward for dishonour. Although a party to the candidature of Mr. Edward Hickmott, who opposed Mr. Wells, I could not help but admire the courage and manly spirit of the sitting member in refusing to break his promise.
A great fight ensued in which Mr. Wilfred Hirst took a prominent part as a supporter of Mr. Wells, who sustained defeat by only three votes, the town losing, if not a brilliant representative, a man who had the courage of his convictions.
AN ELECTION EPISODE
This election did not pass without some excitement. At a meeting held in the Charity Schools, in support of Mr. Wells, presided over by Mr. Councillor Morgan, Mr. Councillor Kenyon, who will be remembered as a jam manufacturer, and Mr. Councillor Woodhouse (a local pig dealer) were noticed entering the room. Swine fever at the time being prevalent in the district, led to one of the audience raising a laugh at their expense by calling out, 'See thee, lads! here come t’ swine fever in t’ jam pot'.In a speech supporting Mr. Wells, Mr. Wilfred Hurst offered to lay a wager of one hundred pounds if his statements could be disproved, the winnings to he handed over to the hospital. Amidst a scene of wild excitement, Councillor Woodhouse made his way to the front to accept the challenge. Pulling out a bag of gold, he commenced to next »
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