Reminiscences of Rotherham by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.

Reminiscences of Rotherham

by G. Gummer, J.P.

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Be this as it may, no one could have devoted himself to the town’s interest more than Mr. Hickmott. A strong and clever man (when only 22 years of age he was admitted and practised as a solicitor), he suffered from overwork and little rest. Aristotle, long ago, said 'the end of labour is to gain leisure' . Mr. Hickmott, unfortunately, never gained it, for, in addition to a large and growing practice, his devotion to the municipality and its affairs hastened his end. He was one of those men who hasten away to the strife and turmoil of a competitive world, heedless of all the ravages they are making on their health. It was a sad blow to the town when, in 1900, during my year of office as Mayor, he passed away, after a brief illness. Whilst being entertained at my house, along with his brother officials, he was suddenly taken ill, and had to be removed to his home in Parkfield road, where he died shortly afterwards.

A native of Rotherham, and only 42 years of age at the time of his death, he had attained a high position in his profession, and had a good deal of influence in the borough, where he had carned the respect and admiration of numerous friends.

A WHOLE-TIME OFFICIAL

To fill the vacancy, the Council decided to advertise for a Town Clerk who would devote his whole time to the town’s affairs. The applicants were reduced to three, and Alderman F. Mason, Councillor D. A. Winter, and I were appointed to make the necessary enquiries.

One of the boroughs visited was in London, where we were desirous of interviewing the Mayor. Seeking him at his residence, we were received by a lady in curl papers with a face smudged with black lead and in a deshabille impossible for mere man to describe, This lady, we learned, was the Mayoress, whom we had caught at an inconvenient moment.

Our enquiries also led us to Swindon, where we interviewed Lord Fitzmaurice, the chairman of the Wiltshire County Council. He highly recommended Mr. Hampton Copnall who was eventually appointed. He remained with us a few years before his abilities were recognised by the Notts County Council, who appointed him as their clerk at double the salary he was receiving in Rotherham.

His successor,Mr. W. J. Board, will be remembered as probably the most popular official the town has ever had. He also left us to become Town Clerk of the City of Nottingham. it is said that exchange is no robbery, and as our present Town Clerk, Mr. Chas. L. des Forges, hails from Nottingham and served his articles and gained his experience under their Town Clerk, we have no reason to complain.

ROTHERHAM’S FREE PRESS

In 1893 the ‘Rotherham Free Press' made its appearance as a Labour organ. It was faced with tremendous odds from the first, having to compete without capital with the papers issued in the Liberal and Conservative interests. Although brought out in the Labour interest, it was not supported by that party, and in less than a year, found the odds too great, and gave up the fight. The endeavour to establish a paper which would give publicity to the utterances and support the opinions of Labour candidates, failed to rouse the enthusiasm of the party at a time when Labour candidates were being put forward for seats on the Town Council. That solidarity, which even to-day we repeatedly hear of - and cohesiveness in the Labour movement, as it is generally termed, was lacking. The belief in the justness of their cause, and the enthusiasm which it was supposed could be inspired by the issue of an organ in their interests, did not sink deep enough to secure a commercial success, and the demise of the paper took place in 1894. In a copy I possess, the Editor, in a leader, says In spite of the fact that the Labour Party have complained loudly of the manner in which they have been treated by the Party Press, they have not, with but few exceptions, rallied round us in our endeavour to establish a paper which would give publicity to their utterances and support their opinions. They have been liberal with next »

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