Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevILL-FEELING
Feelings that were not easily allayed had now been aroused, and personalities were freely indulged in. The expenses of the Free Library came in for criticism, the salary of Mr. Hall (the librarian), fixed at £50 per annum, being considered too high, Ald, Kelsey accused members of the committee of smoking 4d. cigars at the ratepayers’ expense, and Councillor Morgan retorted that they were cheaper than kisses at Misson at Is. per time. The committee were accused of appointing the librarian at the Crown Hotel, and, to add to the confusion, polities were constantly introduced.EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS
Perhaps the most extraordinary meeting was that which followed in December of the same year. There are many people living who will still remember it. The Council met as usual on December 5th, and after three hours of wrangling, the minutes of only one committee were disposed of, and the meeting was adjourned until the 12th. Well do I remember this date; it was my father’s birthday. and as a birthday gift a few members kept him in the chair for eleven hours at a stretch, commencing at. 12 o’clock am, and finishing at 11 o’clock p.m. Mr. Councillor Wilfred Hirst adopted the role of chief obstructionist and received support from the minority members who had been excluded from the committees,It would be too tedious a matter to describe the procedure, which included several smart manipulations of the minutes, but consisted mainly of questionable and discreditable tactics, petty squabbles and disgraceful bickerings predominating, to the exclusion of useful work.
SAMPLES
The following are a few samples of the language indulged in:Instead of being a tomfool, he would be a Jack in the box
He hoped that Councillor ... would answer next time without having a mouthful of biscuits.
That’s a lie; I regard you as the biggest liar in the town.
There were three members (these were named) who were properly called 'the three disgraces'
Special pleading of old men, noodles, old women, not fit to be on a committee.
A deliberate wilful lie, and you are a deliberate liar
You are a blackguard.
Although not then a member of the Council. I was present at this extraordinary meeting and as the hours passed by I began to wonder how long the members would manage to continue without some refreshment. The Mayor seemed determined to go through the agenda without an adjournment, and I was, therefore. not surprised to receive a message for food to be provided for him. This he partook of whilst presiding over the meeting.
It seems incredible that such a meeting could take place, and yet, discreditable as it was, our neighbours at Rawmarsh went one better. One of their meetings, about this time (presided over by their chairman, Mr. William Whitaker), was described in the Press as the most disgraceful ever held in the parish. The following choice remarks are a few of those indulged in
Asked by the chairman to speak up, Mr. Ben SelIars said: 'I will shout if you are deaf, I know you won’t stand me. I have little faith in you. They call me Cheeky Ben. What the devil are you here for, you ... fools?
A number of members protested and called Mr. Sellars to order. They were told to go to ...
The chairman eventually called in the police, and for doing so Mr. Sellars described him as a ... rogue.
At another of their meetings, determined to sustain the unenviable reputation for unparliamentary language and conduct they had earned for themselves, one of their number asserted that a colleague was simply wandering, and was not good enough in the top chamber to transact business. next »
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