Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevsaid: For speaking thus plainly and to the point on a subject about which there has been much misconception, Mr. Gummer is to be commended. The public know comparatively little of the time spent, month by month, at the various Corporation committee meetings. When a representative attends to these as rigorously as if his own private business was concerned, it surely cannot be truly said that the burgesses are not indebted to him.
The burgesses of the East Ward, indignant at the unfair methods aad incessant abuse; and agreeing with the Editor of the Advertiser. returned my father by a majority of two to one. Seating him in a chair, his friends carried him shoulder high to the College Yard.
Conduct such as was displayed in this election discourages the men who admit that local government has claims upon the services of the educated and influential classes, and those whose business experience and sound judgment are calculated to promote the best iaterests of the community amongst whom they live. How can we expect these claims to he honoured unless we honour the services of those who serve? The position of a town councillor is a high and honourable one, and ought to be worthy of the ambition of good men, socially as well as intellectually. There can be no misfortune in public life greater than the inefficient discharge of its affairs. Inefficient and inexperienced men are incapable of dealing with public undertakings, and to elect them is to place them in a false position and to inflict upon the ratepayers irreparable harm. Without denying that many influential men, the requirements of whose business are paramount, have just reason to hold aloof from civic anxieties, one cannot deny that the town has some claim upon them. Public service often suffers because incompetency finds a resting plaoe there ability ought to be installed. Ambition to sit in high places does not always go with fitness to discharge the duties antisfactorily. Five years inter my father became Mayor of the borough, and was again elected to the civic chair in 1892. Elevated to the aldermanic bench and appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1886. these positions he retained until his death in 1898.
A SERIOUS OPERATION
'The value of a life depends upon the amount and value of the work done, not upon the number of days to which it is prolonged.' Although a powerfully built man and in robust health he suffered from an internal injury. This necessitated a surgical operation which at this period was viewed with great alarm. I shall not readily forget the dread and apprehension when it was brought home to me that death might result. Whilst the operation was taking place, I accompanied my mother to the dining room where we made conversation, and told each other that these operations were as safe as going to sleep in one’s bed, but we knew different; we knew well enough in our hearts that he was going near to the edge of death, nearer than he had ever been before. Every step heard brought fear into our hearts, until at last relief came and we were assured all was right. How lightly we view such operations now, and yet so serious was his case considered that the Mayor and his collergues who were in Council remained together, anxiously waiting for a message as to his condition.MR. RICHARD CHRIMES
For the greater part of a century few names have been better known to the people of Rotherham than that of Richard Chrimes.
Not particularly favoured at the outset of life, he was able to shake himself free from his environment and attend to his personal culture. There are some people who never forget their first impressions. Their rough and unmannerly ways cling to them in next »
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