Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevraised on a dais with Councillor Neill on his knees, with eager face, and hands outstretched towards the chair, saying: I love it. I love it, and who shall dare To chide me for losing that old arm chair!”
On the 9th of November of that year the Council Chamber quickly filled to overflowing, and excitement ran equally high outside as within the select circle. Whatever chance Mr. Neill had of carrying the day, his chief supporter, Mr. Geo.Wragg, destroyed it by making free use of personalities and flinging about wild insinuations. This ill- advised speech and intemperate tirade was resented on all hands. Two years later he achieved his ambition, being appointed by his colleagues chief magistrate of the borough, In 1883, owing to the prominent part he took in exposing the Licensing Justices for abolishing thirty-five off-beer licences, the 'Star Chamber' clique, headed by Alderman Kelsey succeeded in removing him and Alder man Morgan from the aldermanic bench. Indignation meetings were held by the rate- payers, and at the by-elections which followed the North and South Wards returned him and Mr. Morgan as councillors. His election committee held their meetings at the Phoenix Hotel, then owned by Councillor Mark Davy. The Corrupt Practices Act at that time had not been passed, so meetings were permissible on licensed premises. I was requested to act as honorary secretary and take charge of the election. Before accepting I made it a condition that no alcoholic liquor should be allowed in the committee room. I had already had experience of elections being lost by fussy and thirsty men, who spent their time imbibing at the candidate’s expense and telling wonderful stories of the work they had done and of the number of votes they had (never) secured instead of attending to the real serious work of the election. With a strong committee who accepted these conditions that contest was never in doubt. Although a courageons fighter in public, Mr George Neill in private easily became pessimistic and timid. He spent hours at my house in Fitzwilliam Road, where every night on my return from committee meetings between 11 and 12 o’clock, I found him anxiously waiting to hear the results of the canvass. I have taken part in scores of elections, and never known a candidate so nervy. He was returned by a good majority. Some of the scenes that followed are referred to in my recollections of the Brewster Sessions of 1882. Although rejected and dismissed from the aldermanic bench in 1883, the office of Mayor was again conferred upon him in 1884! What a change! Re-elected alderman of the borough again in 1886, he retained this dignity until his death in 1899. Although considered a strong man, Mr. Neill seemed to lack the balance necessary in those who desire to lead with success. A man of generous impulses, he was always prepared to encounter difficulties, to brave danger, and to defend the weak against the strong. He had an impulsive and impetuous nature, and whilst he often quoted his favourite maxim, 'All things Come to him who waits', he did not possess the necessary patience to do the waiting.
I remember on one occasion, after a prolonged debate in which he had taken a leading part, he became so piqued by the failure of his efforts 'to get his own way, he got up and left the meeting, vowing he would never enter the Council Chamber again. He remained away for a considerable time, but eventually came amongst us again as if nothing had happened. Another of his well-meant but impetuous acts occurred on his election to the office of chief magistrate. He intimated from the Bench that in future in all cases, wherever possible, evidence other than that of the police must be forthcoming, and unless it were he would not convict. However, before he vacated the chair, he realised the impossibility of carrying that dictum into effect. When indignant the alderman became extremely vehement, and when vehement he had not time to choose his phrases and put forth his usual stock sentences. He had great next »
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