METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES.Dudley Branch.March 31st, 1854.In a handbill addressed “To the Ratepayers of the Parish of Dudley,” by “Another Quiet Observer,” occurs the following paragraph:—“As to Model Lodging Houses, Public Hall, School of Design, Mechanics’ Institute, &c., of which they make such boast; all very well I reply provided they are paid for by Private Enterprise, and not by Public Rates.”As this, if uncontradicted, is calculated to produce an erroneous impression that the Public Money is being or is to be applied to the furtherance of these objects, I beg to give a most unqualified denial that such is the case as to the Model Lodging Houses, the funds for which are being raised by Shares of £25 each, with limited liability, under the Provisions of the Charters of the above Association.Any further information respecting which will with pleasure be afforded byWILLIAM BARNS,Wolverhampton Street,Local Secretary.
METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES.
Dudley Branch.
March 31st, 1854.
In a handbill addressed “To the Ratepayers of the Parish of Dudley,” by “Another Quiet Observer,” occurs the following paragraph:—“As to Model Lodging Houses, Public Hall, School of Design, Mechanics’ Institute, &c., of which they make such boast; all very well I reply provided they are paid for by Private Enterprise, and not by Public Rates.”
As this, if uncontradicted, is calculated to produce an erroneous impression that the Public Money is being or is to be applied to the furtherance of these objects, I beg to give a most unqualified denial that such is the case as to the Model Lodging Houses, the funds for which are being raised by Shares of £25 each, with limited liability, under the Provisions of the Charters of the above Association.
Any further information respecting which will with pleasure be afforded by
WILLIAM BARNS,
Wolverhampton Street,
Local Secretary.
Died April 19th, 1854, Mr. Thomas Lester, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Market Place, much esteemed by a very large circle of friends. Mr. Lester was a gentleman of strong common sense; he lived a great many years in Dudley, and accumulated a handsome fortune, he was a Liberal in politics, but of a retiring disposition, disliking extremes of any kind. Mr. Lester was a Wesleyan Methodist, New Connexion, in persuasion, and a most liberal giver to that especial cause. Being of an exceedingly liberal and charitable disposition, no honest case of accident or distress was ever turned from his door without relief, and his open-handed contributions to all good objects in the town were at all times most benevolent and unostentatious. At this good Christian’s death the widow and orphans lost an untold friend, and the immense concourse of people of all shades of politics and religion who attended his funeral bore a sorrowing testimony to his universal worth. Aged 65 years.
Died July 9th, 1854, at Handsworth, formerly of Wolverhampton street, Dudley, Mr. Matthew Houghton, gentleman.
Mr. C. F. G. Clark, Chemist, Market Place, gave a series of Free Lectures on popular subjects in most of the villages and towns around Dudley, addressed especially to the rising generation.
July 14th, 1854. A Silver Inkstand and two handsome books of Music, costing £21 10s., were presented to Mr. John H. Vanes, Currier, the late Organist of St. Edmund’s Church, by the congregation, as a mark of respect and esteem on his leaving Dudley.
A block plan of the New Model Dwellings to be erected in the Dock Lane was now issued by the Committee, and building operations were commenced upon the row of fancy dwellings now standing “all alone in their glory” in Dock Lane, but, as the Association “did not take in Dudley,” all further operations were suspended, and the houses in Dock Lane were the only dwellings completed. Chairman, Dr. Browne, Vicar; Architect, Mr. Wm. Wiggington; Secretary, Mr. Wm. Barns.
September 20th, 1854. The Grand Lodge of (Worcestershire) Free Masons walked in procession this day in Dudley, to St. Thomas’s Parish Church to a special service, and then afterwards repaired to the hotel to a Masonic banquet; H. C. Vernon, Esq., J.P., Hilton Park, Grand Master.
October 24th, 1854. Died, Old Mr. James Wilkinson, formerly an extensive vice and anvil manufacturer of Tower Street, Dudley. This gentleman was another true type of a Dudley man, having an exceedingly quick and retentive memory of past events in Dudley. The Wilkinson’s, like the Finch’s, are decidedly the oldest descended families in this town, for Dudley had an Alderman John Finch in Charles II.’s reign, and we have a second Alderman John Finch, J.P. in our present time; and it is singular that these robust sons of the forge have ever been connected with the nail trade, fender and fire iron trade, the anvil and vice trade, and all kindred trades of such manufacture. Like Tubal Cain of old, they welded molten iron into form and shape, long before the steam hammer was thought about. Mr. Wilkinson’s recital of his early days, when, he says, we had no carts or waggons in those days to convey our anvils and vices to the Cross, Dale End, Birmingham, for sale to the factors, who used to come and buy our goods; we had to travel with them in large baskets slung on horses backs, and in single file we travelled over Bromwich Heath to Birmingham. Mr. Wilkinson lived to the good old age of 85 years, and died esteemed and respected by all men.
November 27th, 1854. A patriotic meeting was held this evening at the town hall, for the noble purpose of joining in the endowment of a national fund for the maintenance of the widows and children of soldiers and sailors killed in this just Russian war; a committee of willing hands was nominated, and after the town had been thoroughly canvassed, the handsome sum of £3,282 was given for this noble object. Hurrah! for old Dudley.
NIL DESPERANDUM!“Britons Strike Home.”EXTRACT FROM A LETTERWritten in Sebastopol on the Evening of the Battle ofInkermann, by a russian soldier:“We are still alive although the English and French use everymeans for our destruction; but we know not how long this may last.The carnage is terrible! all our efforts against the enemy are vain, and without result.Although we have a superiority in numbers, wecannot conquer the enemy in the open Country! The terrible coolness of the English, theirfrightful Artillery, whichdestroying entire lines of our Troops, disturbed their retreat, and the Balls and Shells committed the greatest ravages. The Riflemen picked offall our Officers. Our Soldiers are obedient, and execute all the orders like machines, but they want address, intelligence, presence of mind, and enthusiasm.”“The cool steadiness of the English, and the vigour of the attack of the French equally alarmed them.”—SeeGuardianNewspaper, pages 919, 920, for Nov. 29, 1854.The Vicarage, Dudley, Nov. 30th, 1854.
NIL DESPERANDUM!
“Britons Strike Home.”
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER
Written in Sebastopol on the Evening of the Battle ofInkermann, by a russian soldier:
“We are still alive although the English and French use everymeans for our destruction; but we know not how long this may last.The carnage is terrible! all our efforts against the enemy are vain, and without result.Although we have a superiority in numbers, wecannot conquer the enemy in the open Country! The terrible coolness of the English, theirfrightful Artillery, whichdestroying entire lines of our Troops, disturbed their retreat, and the Balls and Shells committed the greatest ravages. The Riflemen picked offall our Officers. Our Soldiers are obedient, and execute all the orders like machines, but they want address, intelligence, presence of mind, and enthusiasm.”
“The cool steadiness of the English, and the vigour of the attack of the French equally alarmed them.”—SeeGuardianNewspaper, pages 919, 920, for Nov. 29, 1854.
The Vicarage, Dudley, Nov. 30th, 1854.
Died January 26th, 1855. Mr. Edward Dixon, Sen., formerly banker in Dudley. The disasters and stoppage of Messrs. Dixon, Dalton & Co’s. Bank in this town a few years before is a matter of commercial history, indelibly fixed in the recollections of many eminent firms in this locality. Mr. Dixon never took a very active part in the bank, but his urbanity, generosity, and kindly feeling to every one, won the universal respect of all orders of men in the town and district; his prompt honesty, and genuine honour and integrity in his commercial transactions, were the means of saving many respectable people from utter ruin, and at his death it was deemed desirable that a public funeral should mark the wide-spread sense of sorrow and deep regret at the loss of so good a friend and honourable a townsman. Aged 68 years.
February 16th, 1855. Mr. William Masefield’s candle manufactory, situate between High Street and King Street, was this night burnt down. Damages £650.
Died February 26th, 1855, at Hastings, John Benbow, Esq., M.P. for this town, aged 87 years. Mr. Benbow was a decided Tory in politics, and a churchman in religion; his school of thought was narrow and contracted, and he looked upon all reforms and progressions with alarm and distrust. He was well known to be the nominee of the young Lord Ward and his Trustees; he secured and maintained his seat as M.P. for Dudley entirely on the sufferance of the Castle power and influence; for the electors of Dudley would never have returned him had it not been for quarrelling with their own bread and living. The old gentleman never spoke in the House of Commons; he seldom favoured Dudley with his presence; he represented us (or rather never represented us at all) for about eleven years, and it was always keenly felt that he was of no use to this enterprising and increasing Borough.
Died March 2nd, 1855, Nicholas, the tyrannical and ambitious Emperor of all the Russias, aged 59 years. This wicked man caused the invasion of Turkey, and the war in the Crimea, by which so many of our brave countrymen fell in defence of the Turkish Empire, and the cause of humanity.
The death of Mr. Benbow necessitated another Parliamentary Election in this borough, and as very little time was given (only eleven days) for the burgesses to look around for a new member, that short time was very adroitly occupied by the Castle wire-pullers in trimming and burnishing up the rather raw and unsettled political ideas of a perfect stranger to Dudley, in the person of Sir Stafford H. Northcote,Bart., of the Pynes, near Exeter. This gentleman, of great ability and good lineage and descent, was brought out from the Priory, for our acceptance, as aLiberal-Conservative, with the hope that a candidate untried (for Sir Stafford had not been in Parliament before), who had some tincture of Liberalism in his composition, might be made to suit all factions in the Borough, and save the tumult and annoyance of another contested election. Thisrusewould not go down with the Radical electors, for it was thought that it was high time theHimley incubusshould be thrown down, once and for ever. To accomplish this intention, our old townsman, Mr. Samuel Cook, with Mr. Wm. Insull, and other Chartists, again prevailed upon Mr. James Baldwin, of Birmingham, to become their champion, upon not quite such an extravagant platform as he had appeared before us in 1852. Sir Stafford Northcote spoke both eloquently and reasonably at his various meetings, and it soon became evident that he would be the next member for Dudley. Mr. Baldwin, on the other hand, with all the bluster his friends could ventilate in his favour, had to fight a forlorn hope, for Dudley was not yet ripe for his politics; Chartism had lately received a most sensible check, and people were beginning to look with alarm at the uncertain end the Charter would lead them to. Besides all this, there was a strong belief that Sir Stafford was not the young politician to be put into “leading strings” by anyone, for he was an independent man, and had an inflexible will of his own, which subsequent events brought out into strong relief.
On March 9th, 1855, this Dudley Election had to be gone through, although Mr. Baldwin and his admirers had virtually “caved in.” Close of the poll:—
TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.Gentlemen,It is impossible for me to suppress a feeling of pride in regarding the position in which you have placed me. This feeling, however, gives place to one of gratitude to those who have so generously placed confidence in me, and to a sense of the high responsibility which your votes have imposed upon me.I am not fond of making professions, and it has been one great drawback to the pleasure I have had in making myself known to you, that I have been obliged, as a stranger, to hold more of the language of self-recommendation than I could have wished. Itrust that, under God’s blessing, I may be able so to do my duty towards you that, whenever I may have occasion to ask a renewal of your confidence, I may be able to point to my actions as affording a mere satisfactory test of my inclination and ability to serve you than words can do.I thank you heartily for the kind reception I have met with, for the courtesy which has been shewn to me even by those who differ from me in opinion, and for the final mark of your confidence which now calls for my warm acknowledgments. I have but one favour more to ask. It is, that you will use my services as freely as I now place them at the disposal of you all.I remain, Gentlemen,Your obliged and faithful Servant,STAFFORD H. NORTHCOTE.Dudley, March 9th, 1855.
TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
It is impossible for me to suppress a feeling of pride in regarding the position in which you have placed me. This feeling, however, gives place to one of gratitude to those who have so generously placed confidence in me, and to a sense of the high responsibility which your votes have imposed upon me.
I am not fond of making professions, and it has been one great drawback to the pleasure I have had in making myself known to you, that I have been obliged, as a stranger, to hold more of the language of self-recommendation than I could have wished. Itrust that, under God’s blessing, I may be able so to do my duty towards you that, whenever I may have occasion to ask a renewal of your confidence, I may be able to point to my actions as affording a mere satisfactory test of my inclination and ability to serve you than words can do.
I thank you heartily for the kind reception I have met with, for the courtesy which has been shewn to me even by those who differ from me in opinion, and for the final mark of your confidence which now calls for my warm acknowledgments. I have but one favour more to ask. It is, that you will use my services as freely as I now place them at the disposal of you all.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your obliged and faithful Servant,
STAFFORD H. NORTHCOTE.
Dudley, March 9th, 1855.
Died, March 13th, 1855, Mr. James Jesson, of Victoria Terrace, a man of isolated and penurious habits, but he left a noble evidence of his good will to the town at his death, by bequeathing £10,000 to endow “Alms Houses,” a school known as “Jesson’s School and Charity.” Aged 76 years.
March 21st, 1855. This day was observed as a public day of prayer and fasting for the success of our glorious soldiers and sailors in the Crimean War.
May 13th, 1855. A dreadful murder was committed this morning at the “Sailor’s Return” public house, Kateshill, Dudley, by one John Meadows, who deliberately shot his sweetheart, because he was jealous of her; the poor girl died instantly.
May 17th, 1855. Married, Miss Elizabeth Bourn, step-daughter of Mr. F. Pigott, Railway Contractor, of this town, at St. Edmund’s Church, to Mr. Elliott, Manufacturer, Birmingham. Great pomp and ceremony was observed on this occasion, there being nine carriages in attendance at the wedding.
A sad sequel happened at the Railway Station as the bridal party started on their honeymoon. A collision betwixt two trains took place, by which numbers of passengers were severely shaken and bruised, and Mr. Thos. Fehr, Spirit Merchant, Market Place, was maimed for life.
May 28th, 29th, 30th, 1855. A series of fetes took place on the Castle grounds this Whitsuntide, under the management and for the benefit of Mr. Alfred Bunn, of the Opera House, London. Upwards of 20,000 people came to see the “sights,” and it was said that Mr. Bunn cleared £500 by this affair, but he forgot to leave any token of his liberality to our local charities.
Died, July 14th, 1855, Mr. Bagott, Tailor and Draper, High Street. Aged 70 years.
Died, July 27th, 1855, Mr. Joseph Haden, of Dixon’s Green. This gentleman had much to do with the building of St. Thomas’s New Church in 1816.
August 4th, 1855. Hanged at Worcester this morning John Meadows,for the brutal and unfeeling murder of his sweetheart, Ann Mason, at Kateshill, in May last.
September 9th, 1855. Great rejoicings all over the land at the news: “The Russians evacuated Sebastopol after two days’ desperate bombardment by both sea and land by the Allied Forces; they blew up their magazines, sunk their ships, and set fire to the town previous to leaving it, and then they retired to the North side of the Harbour.” Glorious news for Old England!
Died, November 2nd, 1855, Mr. Thos. Guest, junr., Grocer, Market Place. Aged 42 years.
Died, January 24th, 1856, Mr. Josiah C. Cook, Ironmonger, High Street. Mr. Cook was a prominent Freemason in his time, and was universally respected as a friend and neighbour. His remains were followed to the grave, as a mark of fraternity and respect, by many of the leading Freemasons of the district.
March 30th, 1856. A Treaty of Peace was signed at Paris this day, which put an end to the cruel and unsatisfactory Russian War.
Six New Members of our Local Board of Health had to be elected this spring, and the contest was again both sharp and bitter; for the old Tory party, with Mr. Isaac Badger at its head, were determined to get rid of all Liberals and Liberal progress in the Board; hence followed some smart hand bills.
DUDLEY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH ELECTION.Isaacopposed allCivil Liberty!IsaacopposedRepeal of the Corn Laws!IsaacopposedFree Trade!IsaacopposedParliamentary Reform!Isaacopposed and opposes thePress in the Board Rooms!IsaacopposesInformation and Knowledgeas the basis ofLocal Legislation!Isaacand his Friends opposedEconomyin the Workhouse, when it was proved each Pauper cost 1s. 7½d. per week more than Birmingham and Wolverhampton;increasingthe Rates £422 per year.WOOD AND HOLLIERReduced this Extravagance;—WhatIsaachas beenIsaacwill be, if youVotefor his Nominees.⁂ Vote for Hollier, Browne, Fereday, Smith, Wood, and England.THE LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.THE ELECTION.Fellow Electors,Doubtless it is advisable we should Elect Men to serve on this Board rather than One Man and so many Looking Glasses, orthingstoreflect hiswill and pleasure simply.Look at the two Lists already submitted to you—First, and mark this—Mr. Isaac Badger proposes Messrs. J. R. Tilley, George Bagott, John Marsh, William Beddard, Sen., E. Whitfield, and W. Jacam, and no doubt he is sanguine enough to supposeyou will do as you are told, and Elect his nominees. Of this select List you will be better able to form an opinion, when you have fully considered the extent to which any one of these Gentlemen has ever been mixed up in matters of realpopular service—with how many of the People’s Institutions or Philanthropic Schemes of this country is any one of these persons identified—and how much, or how little, rather, you have any reason to expect from them in any matter of wide or general bearing onyourinterests. “Grapes cannot be gathered from thorns, nor figs from thistles?” so that, with all forbearance for the Gentlemen whose names have thus been dragged from their natural and proper retirement, your attention is now invited to the following List of WORTHY Candidates for your support and interest, viz:—The Rev. Doctor Browne, Mr. Richard Smith, Mr. Elliott Hollier, Mr. S. D. Fereday, Mr. W. C. Wood, Mr. George J. England.These are, as you know, well-tried Men! These as you know, have been your consistent Friends and Advocates for years;notpandering (like others) in somePetty(or evenPig) question for favours and smiles, with the view of making that favour and those smiles, hereafter, the excuse for tyrannizing over you in large questions; but who have striven from time to time for your welfare and the general good—ever resting satisfied in the midst of their efforts that time would enable you to see that Truth is ever consistent with itself—Liberality of Sentiment ever an instinct that should be easily traced through the entire life, political or social, of those who lay claim to it. And now1st.—Whose efforts have been the most determined to secure in this parish Comfortable Homes for the Poor? Who persuaded the Landlords, that whilst they were getting from 15 to 20 per cent. interest upon the miserabledensthey callhouses, it was politictheyshould pay the Local Rates?2nd.—Who have been the consistent supporters of all Educational Schemes, by which the employer is secured an intelligent and moral servant, in the place of a meretool, without thought or respect for himself; and in opposition to that otherweaklytheory that insists upon keeping thepeopleignorant, lest they should discover theignoranceof those called their “betters?”3rd.—Who have (and without ostentation) supported schemes ofPublic AmusementandRelaxation? Those who believe that the “Great Unwashed” are often whiter and cleaner than thosewho sit in high places;—those who, as before stated, are anxious to promote the general good!4th.—Who have, from first to last, advocated the exposure of all they do to fair criticism, and voted for theAdmissionofReportersto Newspapers, in the very face of other gentlemen who desire asecrecyas strict as the Inquisition of old?5th—Who is it—that can create any hope within you, that whatever of rottenness there may be, even in the rottenest end of Dudley, shall be cleansed in due time?—The answer—you have already anticipated, is that which will determine you to Vote for the Rev. Dr. Browne, Messrs. Richard Smith, Elliott Hollier, S. D. Fereday, W. C. Wood, and G. J. England.Be not deceived! These Gentlemen are recommended for your adoption because it is evident you may trace intheirpast conduct thatopennessand thatindependencewhich must ever constitute truemanhood; that intelligent persistence in efforts for the general good, which is the best guarantee of any “Trusteeship” being wisely sustained;Who have displayed an indifference to be governed by any one man—or even by any doubtfulhero—whose chief recommendation could be, that he “swears heartily,” and “foams” angrily when he finds any one near his august presence that deigns to think for himself.Look to it well, you men of Dudley and the District, that you select only such men ascan act for themselves, without first asking what Mr. So-and-so thinks. Depend upon it, that in this case, as in many others, “it is better to bear the ills we (are alleged to) have, than fly to others we know not of!”“AREOPAGITICA.”TO THE INTELLIGENT RATEPAYERS OF DUDLEY.Gentlemen,A “Wellwisher,” certainly not to theTown of Dudley, has thought proper to insult you by the publication of a scurrilous Handbill, reflecting upon the Gentlemen retiring during the present year from office in your Local Board of Health. A more disgraceful production, and one more calculated to serve purely party purposes at the expense of truth, it has seldom been my lot to read. The Gentlemen there alluded to have exercised no deception—have been guilty of no trickery. They have made no professions which have not been faithfully carried out in practice. As to recklessness and extravagance compare their amount of Assessment and Rates with those of the Gentlemen “Wellwisher” so magniloquently recommends to your notice; WHILST THE FORMER REPRESENT PROPERTY PAYING UPWARDS OF £650 PER RATE, THE LATTER, OR MR. BADGER’S NOMINEES, PAY ONLY £57—the best answer to any assertion as to their expending so much money of their own for the mere pleasure of spending yours.“Wellwisher” then appeals to the Ratepayers of Freebodies, Netherton, Woodside, and Holly Hall, evidently wishing to excite a hostile feeling between the Ratepayers of the districts and the Town itself. He asks “what has been done to our streets and thoroughfares?” Why, kept in as good repair and as well attended to as during the supremacy of his friends upon the old Highway Board; but doubtless “Wellwisher” wishes sufficiently well to the Tradesmen and “Shopkeepers” as to desire them not only to keep in repair the “streets, roads, and thoroughfares,” but also tomakethem, for the benefit of those who have sold and bought land at a great profit, and built houses in these localities, a thing always refused by the Highway Board as well as the Board of Health.Beyond this, why does not “Wellwisher” tell you what his immaculate saving friends are endeavouring to do at the present moment,viz.—to throw the expenses of the repairs of the roads generally upon the rates, and which if effected will go far to double the payments upon the Town itself. This has already in part been done,—the Turnpike Commissioners have refused to repair (which has always before been done by them) that part of the street leading to Wolverhampton, situate between St. James’s Church and the Turnpike Gate, and without any notice having been given to the Board or their Surveyor, consequently this part of your streets has not been attended to or cleansed for many weeks. If it be not for mere “deception and trickery,” why does “Wellwisher” wish you to suppose that the Rates levied by the Local Board of Health are something new, and that without its establishment such payments would not have been required, whilst it admits of easy proof that the Rates paid by you during the past three years, under the management of the Board, have been considerably less than those formerly levied by the Town Commissioners and Highway Board.As to the salaries paid to the various officers, why does not “Wellwisher” [?] go back to the palmy days of the old Town Act Commissioners and Highway Board, and tell us of the payments made in secret in those times? why does he not refer to the appointment of the salary of the Clerk to the Guardians, which was fixed, in spite of the Poor Law Board, at a higher amount than they thought necessary? why does he not refer to thejobas to the appointment of the Relieving Officer as Master of the Dudley Workhouse?—because, forsooth, he happened to be a relative of one of those who prates most and pays least. “The labourer is worthy of his hire,” but if their salaries be too high, let their work be ascertained and paid for accordingly; but far better a good round sum at once, which is known to all, than allow an officer to eke it out by summonses and expenses, obtained from poor people before the magistrates.He talks about sewerage, and the probability of its being carried into effect, estimating its amount at an extravagant rate. Will “Wellwisher” have the hardihood to assert that drainage isnot wanted, when it is a well-known fact that, with great natural facilities, Dudley is one of the worst seweraged towns in the whole kingdom; that there is not a drain in any street sufficient to take away the water from the various cellars and lower parts of the houses; and to this fact alone is it to be attributed its great and extraordinary mortality, the average duration of life here being only 19 years: or would he rather that these things should exist than that any attempt should be made to improve them. “Wellwisher” then pathetically alludes to the Poor Man’s Pigs, very probably not only having a great sympathy for them, but also for the mire in which they wallow; but will those whose feelings he wishes to excite, believe that very many of his professing friends actually signed a memorial to the Board, calling strongly for the removal of Pigs from the entire of the Town District, and which was objected to by some of those he so harshly anathematizes. Doubtless, too, he approves of some of those high in authority keeping pigs in such a condition that the filth from their styes should drain into his neighbour’s sitting or bed room. “Wellwisher” next endeavours to enlist the sympathies of others by allusion to the Rating of Tenements’ Act, falsely asserting that those who were in favour of its introduction were themselves exempt from any effect of its operation. “Let the galled jade wince!” Its promoters supported it from just and proper motives, and not from the wish that their smaller dwellings should be drained and cleansed at the expense of other people.FELLOW RATEPAYERS.—“Wellwisher’s” publication is nothing more than an impudent attempt to set Town against Country, and Country against Town, in order to relieve the Country part of the District of their fair share of the Rates at the expense of the heavily taxed Ratepayers of the Town. It is a disgraceful attack upon individuals who have devoted much valuable time to serve the Town, and who had the “unblushing effrontery” to endeavour to do right,—who have not sought either to do their fellow ratepayers “Brown,” or “Badger” them, but to act independently and faithfully for their best interests, and which time alone will fully prove. If you still wish to have men to represent you, who are disposed to continue to act thus, do not be dictated to by Mr. Badger, but Vote forR. SMITH, ESQ.S. D. FEREDAY, ESQ.REV. DR. BROWNE.MR. ELLIOTT HOLLIER.“ W. C. WOOD.“ G. J. ENGLAND.I am, Fellow Ratepayers,YOUR WELLWISHER, AND ALSO A LOVER OF TRUTH.Dudley, March 1856.
Isaacopposed allCivil Liberty!
IsaacopposedRepeal of the Corn Laws!
IsaacopposedFree Trade!
IsaacopposedParliamentary Reform!
Isaacopposed and opposes thePress in the Board Rooms!
IsaacopposesInformation and Knowledgeas the basis ofLocal Legislation!
Isaacand his Friends opposedEconomyin the Workhouse, when it was proved each Pauper cost 1s. 7½d. per week more than Birmingham and Wolverhampton;increasingthe Rates £422 per year.
WOOD AND HOLLIER
Reduced this Extravagance;—WhatIsaachas beenIsaacwill be, if youVotefor his Nominees.
⁂ Vote for Hollier, Browne, Fereday, Smith, Wood, and England.
THE LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
THE ELECTION.
Fellow Electors,
Doubtless it is advisable we should Elect Men to serve on this Board rather than One Man and so many Looking Glasses, orthingstoreflect hiswill and pleasure simply.
Look at the two Lists already submitted to you—First, and mark this—Mr. Isaac Badger proposes Messrs. J. R. Tilley, George Bagott, John Marsh, William Beddard, Sen., E. Whitfield, and W. Jacam, and no doubt he is sanguine enough to supposeyou will do as you are told, and Elect his nominees. Of this select List you will be better able to form an opinion, when you have fully considered the extent to which any one of these Gentlemen has ever been mixed up in matters of realpopular service—with how many of the People’s Institutions or Philanthropic Schemes of this country is any one of these persons identified—and how much, or how little, rather, you have any reason to expect from them in any matter of wide or general bearing onyourinterests. “Grapes cannot be gathered from thorns, nor figs from thistles?” so that, with all forbearance for the Gentlemen whose names have thus been dragged from their natural and proper retirement, your attention is now invited to the following List of WORTHY Candidates for your support and interest, viz:—The Rev. Doctor Browne, Mr. Richard Smith, Mr. Elliott Hollier, Mr. S. D. Fereday, Mr. W. C. Wood, Mr. George J. England.
These are, as you know, well-tried Men! These as you know, have been your consistent Friends and Advocates for years;notpandering (like others) in somePetty(or evenPig) question for favours and smiles, with the view of making that favour and those smiles, hereafter, the excuse for tyrannizing over you in large questions; but who have striven from time to time for your welfare and the general good—ever resting satisfied in the midst of their efforts that time would enable you to see that Truth is ever consistent with itself—Liberality of Sentiment ever an instinct that should be easily traced through the entire life, political or social, of those who lay claim to it. And now
1st.—Whose efforts have been the most determined to secure in this parish Comfortable Homes for the Poor? Who persuaded the Landlords, that whilst they were getting from 15 to 20 per cent. interest upon the miserabledensthey callhouses, it was politictheyshould pay the Local Rates?
2nd.—Who have been the consistent supporters of all Educational Schemes, by which the employer is secured an intelligent and moral servant, in the place of a meretool, without thought or respect for himself; and in opposition to that otherweaklytheory that insists upon keeping thepeopleignorant, lest they should discover theignoranceof those called their “betters?”
3rd.—Who have (and without ostentation) supported schemes ofPublic AmusementandRelaxation? Those who believe that the “Great Unwashed” are often whiter and cleaner than thosewho sit in high places;—those who, as before stated, are anxious to promote the general good!
4th.—Who have, from first to last, advocated the exposure of all they do to fair criticism, and voted for theAdmissionofReportersto Newspapers, in the very face of other gentlemen who desire asecrecyas strict as the Inquisition of old?
5th—Who is it—that can create any hope within you, that whatever of rottenness there may be, even in the rottenest end of Dudley, shall be cleansed in due time?—
The answer—you have already anticipated, is that which will determine you to Vote for the Rev. Dr. Browne, Messrs. Richard Smith, Elliott Hollier, S. D. Fereday, W. C. Wood, and G. J. England.
Be not deceived! These Gentlemen are recommended for your adoption because it is evident you may trace intheirpast conduct thatopennessand thatindependencewhich must ever constitute truemanhood; that intelligent persistence in efforts for the general good, which is the best guarantee of any “Trusteeship” being wisely sustained;Who have displayed an indifference to be governed by any one man—or even by any doubtfulhero—whose chief recommendation could be, that he “swears heartily,” and “foams” angrily when he finds any one near his august presence that deigns to think for himself.
Look to it well, you men of Dudley and the District, that you select only such men ascan act for themselves, without first asking what Mr. So-and-so thinks. Depend upon it, that in this case, as in many others, “it is better to bear the ills we (are alleged to) have, than fly to others we know not of!”
“AREOPAGITICA.”
TO THE INTELLIGENT RATEPAYERS OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
A “Wellwisher,” certainly not to theTown of Dudley, has thought proper to insult you by the publication of a scurrilous Handbill, reflecting upon the Gentlemen retiring during the present year from office in your Local Board of Health. A more disgraceful production, and one more calculated to serve purely party purposes at the expense of truth, it has seldom been my lot to read. The Gentlemen there alluded to have exercised no deception—have been guilty of no trickery. They have made no professions which have not been faithfully carried out in practice. As to recklessness and extravagance compare their amount of Assessment and Rates with those of the Gentlemen “Wellwisher” so magniloquently recommends to your notice; WHILST THE FORMER REPRESENT PROPERTY PAYING UPWARDS OF £650 PER RATE, THE LATTER, OR MR. BADGER’S NOMINEES, PAY ONLY £57—the best answer to any assertion as to their expending so much money of their own for the mere pleasure of spending yours.
“Wellwisher” then appeals to the Ratepayers of Freebodies, Netherton, Woodside, and Holly Hall, evidently wishing to excite a hostile feeling between the Ratepayers of the districts and the Town itself. He asks “what has been done to our streets and thoroughfares?” Why, kept in as good repair and as well attended to as during the supremacy of his friends upon the old Highway Board; but doubtless “Wellwisher” wishes sufficiently well to the Tradesmen and “Shopkeepers” as to desire them not only to keep in repair the “streets, roads, and thoroughfares,” but also tomakethem, for the benefit of those who have sold and bought land at a great profit, and built houses in these localities, a thing always refused by the Highway Board as well as the Board of Health.
Beyond this, why does not “Wellwisher” tell you what his immaculate saving friends are endeavouring to do at the present moment,viz.—to throw the expenses of the repairs of the roads generally upon the rates, and which if effected will go far to double the payments upon the Town itself. This has already in part been done,—the Turnpike Commissioners have refused to repair (which has always before been done by them) that part of the street leading to Wolverhampton, situate between St. James’s Church and the Turnpike Gate, and without any notice having been given to the Board or their Surveyor, consequently this part of your streets has not been attended to or cleansed for many weeks. If it be not for mere “deception and trickery,” why does “Wellwisher” wish you to suppose that the Rates levied by the Local Board of Health are something new, and that without its establishment such payments would not have been required, whilst it admits of easy proof that the Rates paid by you during the past three years, under the management of the Board, have been considerably less than those formerly levied by the Town Commissioners and Highway Board.
As to the salaries paid to the various officers, why does not “Wellwisher” [?] go back to the palmy days of the old Town Act Commissioners and Highway Board, and tell us of the payments made in secret in those times? why does he not refer to the appointment of the salary of the Clerk to the Guardians, which was fixed, in spite of the Poor Law Board, at a higher amount than they thought necessary? why does he not refer to thejobas to the appointment of the Relieving Officer as Master of the Dudley Workhouse?—because, forsooth, he happened to be a relative of one of those who prates most and pays least. “The labourer is worthy of his hire,” but if their salaries be too high, let their work be ascertained and paid for accordingly; but far better a good round sum at once, which is known to all, than allow an officer to eke it out by summonses and expenses, obtained from poor people before the magistrates.
He talks about sewerage, and the probability of its being carried into effect, estimating its amount at an extravagant rate. Will “Wellwisher” have the hardihood to assert that drainage isnot wanted, when it is a well-known fact that, with great natural facilities, Dudley is one of the worst seweraged towns in the whole kingdom; that there is not a drain in any street sufficient to take away the water from the various cellars and lower parts of the houses; and to this fact alone is it to be attributed its great and extraordinary mortality, the average duration of life here being only 19 years: or would he rather that these things should exist than that any attempt should be made to improve them. “Wellwisher” then pathetically alludes to the Poor Man’s Pigs, very probably not only having a great sympathy for them, but also for the mire in which they wallow; but will those whose feelings he wishes to excite, believe that very many of his professing friends actually signed a memorial to the Board, calling strongly for the removal of Pigs from the entire of the Town District, and which was objected to by some of those he so harshly anathematizes. Doubtless, too, he approves of some of those high in authority keeping pigs in such a condition that the filth from their styes should drain into his neighbour’s sitting or bed room. “Wellwisher” next endeavours to enlist the sympathies of others by allusion to the Rating of Tenements’ Act, falsely asserting that those who were in favour of its introduction were themselves exempt from any effect of its operation. “Let the galled jade wince!” Its promoters supported it from just and proper motives, and not from the wish that their smaller dwellings should be drained and cleansed at the expense of other people.
FELLOW RATEPAYERS.—“Wellwisher’s” publication is nothing more than an impudent attempt to set Town against Country, and Country against Town, in order to relieve the Country part of the District of their fair share of the Rates at the expense of the heavily taxed Ratepayers of the Town. It is a disgraceful attack upon individuals who have devoted much valuable time to serve the Town, and who had the “unblushing effrontery” to endeavour to do right,—who have not sought either to do their fellow ratepayers “Brown,” or “Badger” them, but to act independently and faithfully for their best interests, and which time alone will fully prove. If you still wish to have men to represent you, who are disposed to continue to act thus, do not be dictated to by Mr. Badger, but Vote for
R. SMITH, ESQ.S. D. FEREDAY, ESQ.REV. DR. BROWNE.MR. ELLIOTT HOLLIER.“ W. C. WOOD.“ G. J. ENGLAND.
R. SMITH, ESQ.S. D. FEREDAY, ESQ.REV. DR. BROWNE.
R. SMITH, ESQ.
S. D. FEREDAY, ESQ.
REV. DR. BROWNE.
MR. ELLIOTT HOLLIER.“ W. C. WOOD.“ G. J. ENGLAND.
MR. ELLIOTT HOLLIER.
“ W. C. WOOD.
“ G. J. ENGLAND.
I am, Fellow Ratepayers,
YOUR WELLWISHER, AND ALSO A LOVER OF TRUTH.
Dudley, March 1856.
May 27th, 1856. After twelve days trial in London, William Palmer, Surgeon, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, was found guilty of poisoning his racing companion, Mr. J. P. Cook, at the Shrewsbury races. Palmer poisoned poor Cook with strychnine for the purpose of robbing him of a large sumof money which Cook had won at the races. Palmer was hanged at Stafford Gaol for this dastardly offence on June 14th following; the murderous wretch maintained the most callous indifference to all around him to the last. He was well known in Dudley.
May 29th, 1856. This day was kept as a general holiday throughout the country in commemoration of the Peace. Old Dudley Castle, which had “braved the Battle and the Breeze” for upwards of 800 years, was illuminated with a grand display of fireworks.
Died, August 19th, 1856, Thomas Badger, Esq., of the “Hill House,” Dudley. This genial, but blunt and frank old gentleman, was one of Dudley’s worthiest sons; his familiar figure daily moving in our midst, secured the esteem of all good people, and his quiet and unostentatious benevolence has gladdened the hearts of widows and orphans, when none were allowed to witness the tear of the giver. Mr. Badger (like a great many more of our Dudley worthies) began life in very humble circumstances, and rose step by step until he became Chief Magistrate of this Borough. He was for a lengthened period (along with his brother, Isaac Badger) very extensively engaged in the glass trade, the nail trade, the coal trade, and iron trades of this district, and it is not too much to say that Messrs. Badger Brothers at all times exercised the most potent influence upon the industries of Dudley and neighbourhood. As a large employer of labour, he was much respected by all his workpeople, and a cordial feeling always existed between the head of the firm and the numerous employes both in the ironworks and collieries. In religion he was a sound Churchman, and in politics he belonged to the Tory party, but Mr. Badger was not a rabid politician, for he had the honour of once being requested to stand as a Candidate for the Borough of Dudley, on Independent principles, but he declined the honour. He was a most shrewd and active Magistrate for many years, and as Mr. Badger lived through perilous times his decisions on the Bench were always tempered with a wonderful insight into the human character, accepting Mercy and Justice as his motto. His personal friendships created a halo of kindly feeling and generous sentiment amongst a large circle of personal friends and acquaintances, which will be long remembered in Dudley, and his death, at the ripe old age of 75 years, was universally regretted. A marble monument in St. Edmund’s Church records his numerous virtues.
Died, suddenly, August 23rd, 1856, Mr. Joseph Pitchfork, Master for 30 years of Baylies’s School, Tower Street. Mr. Pitchfork was a man of very deep and extensive intellectual acquirements, and a more kind-hearted and genial soul never lived. Through his assiduity and zeal, for he was a real lover of his work, his educational training in Baylies’s School has bequeathed to this town and locality some of the foremost and most eminent commercial men in our midst, and it is a source of great pleasure to the author of these lines to witness and observe in his walk in life so many evidences of the estimable teaching of the late Mr. Pitchfork. So soon as his lamentable death became known, the following letter was issued, and a public meeting was convened at Baylies’s School Room, expressing condolence and sympathy with Mrs. Pitchfork and her family. A Committee of upwards of 60 gentlemen, many of them old pupils, was formed “for the purpose of raising a fund in grateful recognition of his valuable services rendered to the cause of education.”
Saracen’s Head Inn, Dudley,August 24th, 1856.Dear Sir,At a Meeting held this morning, at the above Inn, of a few Friends of the lateMr. Joseph Pitchfork, most of whom were educated by him in their youth, the following Resolutions were adopted:—“That considering the very great and valuable services rendered to the cause of Education by the Deceased, who held the appointment of Master of Baylies’s School, in Dudley, for upwards of thirty years, it is desirable that a Subscription be entered into for presentation to his family, as a suitable Memorial of the gratitude of his Friends, Pupils, and Admirers, and in recognition of his eminent public services.”“That Messrs. John Finch, John Castree, John H. Smith, James Worley, William Insull, Frederick Stokes, William Timmins, and Edmund Long, all of Dudley, do form themselves into a Committee for effecting the above purpose.”“That a Meeting be held at the School Room, in Tower Street, on Friday next, the 29th instant, at Eight o’clock p.m., when arrangements will be made and Subscriptions received, and that Subscribers and Friends be respectfully requested to give their attendance on the occasion.”Should you be prevented attending the Meeting, you or your Friends will oblige by paying or remitting Subscriptions to any Member of the Committee, or to myself at any time.I am also requested to state that such Pupils and Friends as may be desirous of showing their respect to the Deceased’s memory, and of accompanying his body to the grave, will assemble at Baylies’s School, next Sunday morning at Ten a.m.I am, dear sir,Yours respectfully,JOHN H. SMITH,Hon. Sec.Kate’s Hill, Dudley.
Saracen’s Head Inn, Dudley,
August 24th, 1856.
Dear Sir,
At a Meeting held this morning, at the above Inn, of a few Friends of the lateMr. Joseph Pitchfork, most of whom were educated by him in their youth, the following Resolutions were adopted:—
“That considering the very great and valuable services rendered to the cause of Education by the Deceased, who held the appointment of Master of Baylies’s School, in Dudley, for upwards of thirty years, it is desirable that a Subscription be entered into for presentation to his family, as a suitable Memorial of the gratitude of his Friends, Pupils, and Admirers, and in recognition of his eminent public services.”“That Messrs. John Finch, John Castree, John H. Smith, James Worley, William Insull, Frederick Stokes, William Timmins, and Edmund Long, all of Dudley, do form themselves into a Committee for effecting the above purpose.”“That a Meeting be held at the School Room, in Tower Street, on Friday next, the 29th instant, at Eight o’clock p.m., when arrangements will be made and Subscriptions received, and that Subscribers and Friends be respectfully requested to give their attendance on the occasion.”
“That considering the very great and valuable services rendered to the cause of Education by the Deceased, who held the appointment of Master of Baylies’s School, in Dudley, for upwards of thirty years, it is desirable that a Subscription be entered into for presentation to his family, as a suitable Memorial of the gratitude of his Friends, Pupils, and Admirers, and in recognition of his eminent public services.”
“That Messrs. John Finch, John Castree, John H. Smith, James Worley, William Insull, Frederick Stokes, William Timmins, and Edmund Long, all of Dudley, do form themselves into a Committee for effecting the above purpose.”
“That a Meeting be held at the School Room, in Tower Street, on Friday next, the 29th instant, at Eight o’clock p.m., when arrangements will be made and Subscriptions received, and that Subscribers and Friends be respectfully requested to give their attendance on the occasion.”
Should you be prevented attending the Meeting, you or your Friends will oblige by paying or remitting Subscriptions to any Member of the Committee, or to myself at any time.
I am also requested to state that such Pupils and Friends as may be desirous of showing their respect to the Deceased’s memory, and of accompanying his body to the grave, will assemble at Baylies’s School, next Sunday morning at Ten a.m.
I am, dear sir,
Yours respectfully,
JOHN H. SMITH,Hon. Sec.
Kate’s Hill, Dudley.
A very successful appeal was made on this very worthy occasion, and the following friends assisted in the cause:—
PITCHFORK TESTIMONIAL FUND.Committee:Rev. William McKeanW. E. Johnson, Esq.Mr. Edward Grainger“ C. F. G. Clark“ Peter Wright“ Edward Wood“ Charles Tyler“ W. Sheppard“ John Owen“ Thomas Roberts“ Alexander Patterson“ George E. Horton“ John Williscroft“ James Smith“ Henry Silvers“ Thomas Crew“ T. E. Beesley“ W. Meese“ Joseph Beddard“ R. W. Vanes“ Geo. T. Patterson“ William Davies“ Samuel Boden“ Thomas Haynes“ George Wood“ George Stevenson“ Thomas MorrisMr. John Finch“ John Castree“ John H. Vanes“ John H. Smith“ James Worley“ William Insull“ Frederick Stokes“ William Timmins“ Edward Long“ Edward Wood, jun.“ William Bunch“ John Baugh“ G. H. Deeley“ Richard Meredith“ John Newey“ Charles Russell“ Alfred Patterson“ Frederick Timmins“ Elijah Smith“ Edward Pratt“ Thomas Jones“ William Glaze“ James Powell“ George Pitt“ George Blunt“ David Davies“ Simeon DaviesTreasurer, Mr. J. Finch.Honorary Secretary, Mr. J. H. Smith.A Meeting will be held at Baylies’s School, Tower Street, Dudley, on Friday, August 29th, 1856, for the purpose of raising a Fund in grateful recognition of the valuable services rendered to the cause of Education by the late Mr. Joseph Pitchfork, who was Master of that School for a period of 30 years.The Committee earnestly appeal to the Public, the Friends, and the Pupils of the deceased in furtherance of this desirable object, it being the last mark of respect they can pay to the memory of one who has long and unweariedly laboured for the intellectual advancement of the rising generation, and whose sudden decease has left so much to pity and deplore.
Committee:
Rev. William McKeanW. E. Johnson, Esq.Mr. Edward Grainger“ C. F. G. Clark“ Peter Wright“ Edward Wood“ Charles Tyler“ W. Sheppard“ John Owen“ Thomas Roberts“ Alexander Patterson“ George E. Horton“ John Williscroft“ James Smith“ Henry Silvers“ Thomas Crew“ T. E. Beesley“ W. Meese“ Joseph Beddard“ R. W. Vanes“ Geo. T. Patterson“ William Davies“ Samuel Boden“ Thomas Haynes“ George Wood“ George Stevenson“ Thomas MorrisMr. John Finch“ John Castree“ John H. Vanes“ John H. Smith“ James Worley“ William Insull“ Frederick Stokes“ William Timmins“ Edward Long“ Edward Wood, jun.“ William Bunch“ John Baugh“ G. H. Deeley“ Richard Meredith“ John Newey“ Charles Russell“ Alfred Patterson“ Frederick Timmins“ Elijah Smith“ Edward Pratt“ Thomas Jones“ William Glaze“ James Powell“ George Pitt“ George Blunt“ David Davies“ Simeon Davies
Rev. William McKeanW. E. Johnson, Esq.Mr. Edward Grainger“ C. F. G. Clark“ Peter Wright“ Edward Wood“ Charles Tyler“ W. Sheppard“ John Owen“ Thomas Roberts“ Alexander Patterson“ George E. Horton“ John Williscroft“ James Smith“ Henry Silvers“ Thomas Crew“ T. E. Beesley“ W. Meese“ Joseph Beddard“ R. W. Vanes“ Geo. T. Patterson“ William Davies“ Samuel Boden“ Thomas Haynes“ George Wood“ George Stevenson“ Thomas Morris
Rev. William McKean
W. E. Johnson, Esq.
Mr. Edward Grainger
“ C. F. G. Clark
“ Peter Wright
“ Edward Wood
“ Charles Tyler
“ W. Sheppard
“ John Owen
“ Thomas Roberts
“ Alexander Patterson
“ George E. Horton
“ John Williscroft
“ James Smith
“ Henry Silvers
“ Thomas Crew
“ T. E. Beesley
“ W. Meese
“ Joseph Beddard
“ R. W. Vanes
“ Geo. T. Patterson
“ William Davies
“ Samuel Boden
“ Thomas Haynes
“ George Wood
“ George Stevenson
“ Thomas Morris
Mr. John Finch“ John Castree“ John H. Vanes“ John H. Smith“ James Worley“ William Insull“ Frederick Stokes“ William Timmins“ Edward Long“ Edward Wood, jun.“ William Bunch“ John Baugh“ G. H. Deeley“ Richard Meredith“ John Newey“ Charles Russell“ Alfred Patterson“ Frederick Timmins“ Elijah Smith“ Edward Pratt“ Thomas Jones“ William Glaze“ James Powell“ George Pitt“ George Blunt“ David Davies“ Simeon Davies
Mr. John Finch
“ John Castree
“ John H. Vanes
“ John H. Smith
“ James Worley
“ William Insull
“ Frederick Stokes
“ William Timmins
“ Edward Long
“ Edward Wood, jun.
“ William Bunch
“ John Baugh
“ G. H. Deeley
“ Richard Meredith
“ John Newey
“ Charles Russell
“ Alfred Patterson
“ Frederick Timmins
“ Elijah Smith
“ Edward Pratt
“ Thomas Jones
“ William Glaze
“ James Powell
“ George Pitt
“ George Blunt
“ David Davies
“ Simeon Davies
Treasurer, Mr. J. Finch.Honorary Secretary, Mr. J. H. Smith.
Treasurer, Mr. J. Finch.
Treasurer, Mr. J. Finch.
Honorary Secretary, Mr. J. H. Smith.
Honorary Secretary, Mr. J. H. Smith.
A Meeting will be held at Baylies’s School, Tower Street, Dudley, on Friday, August 29th, 1856, for the purpose of raising a Fund in grateful recognition of the valuable services rendered to the cause of Education by the late Mr. Joseph Pitchfork, who was Master of that School for a period of 30 years.
The Committee earnestly appeal to the Public, the Friends, and the Pupils of the deceased in furtherance of this desirable object, it being the last mark of respect they can pay to the memory of one who has long and unweariedly laboured for the intellectual advancement of the rising generation, and whose sudden decease has left so much to pity and deplore.
Mr. Pitchfork was a Radical in politics, and, in his early days, a friend and unswerving supporter of Sir John Campbell, Bart. He died at the early age of 51 years, respected and beloved by a very large circle of scholars, old pupils and acquaintances, leaving a blank in the town which was long unfilled.
September 9th, 1856. The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Worcestershire, clothed in their regalia, walked in procession through the town, and dined together at the hotel.
September 10th, 1856. Mr. James Worley, the Collector of the Income and Property Tax and Assessed Taxes for this Parish suddenly absconded with upwards of £2,000 belonging to the Crown Treasury; he afterwards underwent imprisonment in Worcester Gaol for the offence, the town being compelled to make up the deficiency.
Died, September 19th, 1856, having dropped down dead in the street, Mr. John Shedden, Tailor, Stone Street, aged 74 years.
December 10th, 1856. The new Parsonage House of St. Edmund’s Parish was occupied at this time by the respected incumbent, the Rev. John Davies, M.A., the land and a handsome donation was given by Lord Ward, the rest of the funds having been raised by voluntary subscription amongst the congregation and friends of the church.
December 17th, 1856. The ladies of St. Edmund’s Congregation this evening presented to Mrs. John Davis, at the new St. Edmund’s Parsonage,a purse containing £100, as a mark of respect and esteem. Mr. Churchwarden C. F. G. Clark was mainly instrumental in securing the erection of this Parsonage House.
On December 22nd, 1856, a large public meeting was held in the old town hall, Mr. John Renaud, the Mayor, in the chair, to take into consideration the very great injustice of the Income Tax, and to adopt such measures by a petition to the legislature as will lead to its immediate and total repeal. The town having recently been compelled to pay over again James Worley’s defalcations, had sorely vexed all parties on the imposition of this tax, but alas, the Exchequer did not like to part with an easily collected tax; so it would look as if we were doomed to have this imposition in perpetuity; for it is 25 years since that meeting was held, and we see the Income Tax gatherer, as heretofore, “taking his walks abroad” amongst us, book in hand.
March 12th, 1857, the borough was greatly astonished and surprised this morning at the publication of the following hand bill, announcing the resignation of our highly esteemed representative, Sir Stafford Northcote, Bart., M.P. A variety of supposed reasons were rapidly floated in the borough for this sudden determination of the honourable baronet to sever his connexion with Dudley; but it was well understood that Sir Stafford’s vote on Mr. Cobden’s motion against the odious “China opium trade” had given mortal offence to his noble friend, who had withdrawn his countenance and local support from him in these critical times.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.Gentlemen,I hasten to inform you that I have been induced to offer myself as a Candidate for the Northern Division of my own County, both the representatives of which are about to retire from Parliament. This circumstance will lead to the termination of my connection with your Borough, a connection to which I shall always look back with pleasure, and with a sincere feeling of gratitude for the uniform kindness I have received at the hands both of my political supporters and my opponents among you. Should it ever be in my power at any future time to render any service to my late constituents, they may freely command me.I remain, Gentlemen,Your faithful and obliged Servant,STAFFORD H. NORTHCOTE.Pynes, Exeter, March 12th, 1857.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
I hasten to inform you that I have been induced to offer myself as a Candidate for the Northern Division of my own County, both the representatives of which are about to retire from Parliament. This circumstance will lead to the termination of my connection with your Borough, a connection to which I shall always look back with pleasure, and with a sincere feeling of gratitude for the uniform kindness I have received at the hands both of my political supporters and my opponents among you. Should it ever be in my power at any future time to render any service to my late constituents, they may freely command me.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your faithful and obliged Servant,
STAFFORD H. NORTHCOTE.
Pynes, Exeter, March 12th, 1857.
This announcement caused a deputation to start off at once to induce Sir Stafford to withdraw his determination, but it returned with the unpleasant news that “the die was cast,” and that our honourable member would not withdraw his resignation, nor sit any longer under a local dictatorship.
Swift and decisive was the action of all the political elements in theBorough at this momentous period. The old Tory party, with Mr. Isaac Badger at their head, was highly enraged at the Castle influence over our esteemed member. The Radical party was equally furious at this wanton interference in high quarters; and the more sober thinking electors began to feel that it was absolutely necessary, now at this juncture, and for ever, to break the neck of that galling dictation which had so long existed in the Borough. The strife began at once in earnest, and bitter indeed was that contest which shook the political House of Himley to its base, and sent the Castle Nominee back to his friends.
DUDLEY ELECTION.The Independent Electors of the Borough of Dudley are earnestly requested to withhold any pledge upon the forthcoming Election until a Deputation which is about to wait uponSir Stafford H. Northcotereturns from the interview with him.By Order of the Council of Snobs,I. SNUBB,Esquire,Chairman.Brandy Row, March 16th, 1857.DUDLEY ELECTION!All Persons desirous of Redeeming the Political Independence of Dudley, are requested to attend a Meeting at the Castle and Falcon Inn, this afternoon, Thursday, March the 19th, at three o’clock precisely.Castle and Falcon Inn, Wolverhampton Street, March 19th, 1857.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
The Independent Electors of the Borough of Dudley are earnestly requested to withhold any pledge upon the forthcoming Election until a Deputation which is about to wait uponSir Stafford H. Northcotereturns from the interview with him.
By Order of the Council of Snobs,
I. SNUBB,Esquire,Chairman.
Brandy Row, March 16th, 1857.
DUDLEY ELECTION!
All Persons desirous of Redeeming the Political Independence of Dudley, are requested to attend a Meeting at the Castle and Falcon Inn, this afternoon, Thursday, March the 19th, at three o’clock precisely.
Castle and Falcon Inn, Wolverhampton Street, March 19th, 1857.
Whilst these angry elements were getting ventilated amongst the irritated electors, it was known to a chosen few that the wire-pullers were at work, and that a ready cut and dried candidate “was bottled up not far from the Priory,” ready to be let off at any moment, hence, at the fitting time, out came his address.
TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.Gentlemen,The retirement ofSir Stafford Northcotehaving created a vacancy in the Representation of your Borough, I venture to offer myself as a Candidate for your suffrages at the approaching Election.In doing so, I am anxious to state, with perfect candour, the political views I entertain on some of the important questions of the day.I am in favor of that system of progressive Legislation which has for its object the Reform of all existing abuses, without having recourse to violent and organic changes in the constitution of Church and State.During the period I had the honour of a seat in Parliament, at a time when the policy of Free Trade was much questioned, I feltit my duty to support and advocate the system of Commercial Freedom introduced by the late Sir Robert Peel.I rejoice to think that this policy has tended to promote the comfort and welfare of the People, to inspire confidence in the justice of Parliament, and to augment to such a wonderful extent the Trade and Revenue of the Country.While the partial diminution of the Income Tax is a matter of congratulation, I am strongly of opinion that it is the duty of the Government, by means of well-considered reductions in our expenditure, to make provision for the final extinction of a Tax, valuable in time of war, but unjust as a permanent burden on the energies and property of the Country during a period of Peace.With respect to the vote on the Chinese War, which has led directly to the present appeal to the Country, while I deeply regret that hostilities should have been carried to such an extent without the knowledge of the Government, I am nevertheless strongly of opinion that it was necessary for the honor of the Country, as well as for the security of the lives and property of our fellow-subjects in that distant quarter of the Globe, that the Government should uphold and defend, with that courage and determination which has ever characterized Lord Palmerston on such occasions, the conduct of its Officers, until the adjustment of the points in dispute shall have been obtained.Subjects connected with the reform of many social evils must shortly engage the attention of the Legislature—the extension of the blessings of Education—the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders, and the Policy to be pursued towards those under sentence of Penal servitude.To all these measures I will give my best attention, believing that they are the questions which touch most nearly the best interests of the Country at the present moment—the consideration of which can no longer be delayed, and for the speedy carrying out of which it is necessary, in my opinion, to strengthen the hands of the present Ministry.Gentlemen,—Having no mere Party or personal motives to gratify, my conduct, should I have the honor of being returned to Parliament as your Representative, will ever be governed by the best judgment I am able to form of what is conducive to the honor, welfare, and commercial prosperity of the Country.I may be permitted to add, that it will always be my wish to attend to your Local interests, and to forward those measures which you may think necessary to the prosperity of Dudley and its neighbourhood.I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,Your most obedient Servant,J. SANDARS.15, Eaton Square, March 18th.
TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
The retirement ofSir Stafford Northcotehaving created a vacancy in the Representation of your Borough, I venture to offer myself as a Candidate for your suffrages at the approaching Election.
In doing so, I am anxious to state, with perfect candour, the political views I entertain on some of the important questions of the day.
I am in favor of that system of progressive Legislation which has for its object the Reform of all existing abuses, without having recourse to violent and organic changes in the constitution of Church and State.
During the period I had the honour of a seat in Parliament, at a time when the policy of Free Trade was much questioned, I feltit my duty to support and advocate the system of Commercial Freedom introduced by the late Sir Robert Peel.
I rejoice to think that this policy has tended to promote the comfort and welfare of the People, to inspire confidence in the justice of Parliament, and to augment to such a wonderful extent the Trade and Revenue of the Country.
While the partial diminution of the Income Tax is a matter of congratulation, I am strongly of opinion that it is the duty of the Government, by means of well-considered reductions in our expenditure, to make provision for the final extinction of a Tax, valuable in time of war, but unjust as a permanent burden on the energies and property of the Country during a period of Peace.
With respect to the vote on the Chinese War, which has led directly to the present appeal to the Country, while I deeply regret that hostilities should have been carried to such an extent without the knowledge of the Government, I am nevertheless strongly of opinion that it was necessary for the honor of the Country, as well as for the security of the lives and property of our fellow-subjects in that distant quarter of the Globe, that the Government should uphold and defend, with that courage and determination which has ever characterized Lord Palmerston on such occasions, the conduct of its Officers, until the adjustment of the points in dispute shall have been obtained.
Subjects connected with the reform of many social evils must shortly engage the attention of the Legislature—the extension of the blessings of Education—the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders, and the Policy to be pursued towards those under sentence of Penal servitude.
To all these measures I will give my best attention, believing that they are the questions which touch most nearly the best interests of the Country at the present moment—the consideration of which can no longer be delayed, and for the speedy carrying out of which it is necessary, in my opinion, to strengthen the hands of the present Ministry.
Gentlemen,—Having no mere Party or personal motives to gratify, my conduct, should I have the honor of being returned to Parliament as your Representative, will ever be governed by the best judgment I am able to form of what is conducive to the honor, welfare, and commercial prosperity of the Country.
I may be permitted to add, that it will always be my wish to attend to your Local interests, and to forward those measures which you may think necessary to the prosperity of Dudley and its neighbourhood.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. SANDARS.
15, Eaton Square, March 18th.
Mr. J. Sandars’ address was read with a good share of criticism by both parties, but as it was hatched at the Priory it would not go down the throatsof the ultra Tories, and as for the ultra Radicals they were determined to fish out a candidate of their own liking. Mr. J. Sandars (it came out on investigation) had represented Great Yarmouth for a short period as a Palmerstonian supporter, that he had been rejected for Bewdley, and was willing to do the “Ward Trick” for Dudley, if elected. Just at this juncture of events the Earldom of the house of Himley was looming in the distance, and any support that could be given to Lord Palmerston’s government was of moment to the interested parties; but another strong element was also engaging the minds and inclinations of some of the most active politicians in Dudley on both sides of the question, and it was determined to make a bold and resolute effort to shake off the “unhallowed incubus” which had so long sat upon the backs of the Dudley so-called free and independent electors. This extreme measure was successfully effected by a “Public Coalition” between the ultra Tories, lead on by Mr. Isaac Badger, Mr. Wm. Haden, Mr. J. G. Walker, &c., and the ultra Radicals, headed by Messrs. T. Wood, G. Wood, Wm. Insull, Samuel Cook, and others. After this “happy family” had been wrought into working condition, its first business was to fraternize after Dudley fashion, and then bring out an “Independent Candidate that could lick Lord Ward.” The greatest desideratum believed to be advisable was to secure a local man, one who knew something about the iron and coal trades. Three or four highly eligible gentlemen hereabouts were interviewed without success, so that there was no alternative but sending up to London for an enterprising young gentleman willing to stand for Dudley.
On March 21st, 1857, a supple candidate to suit both parties was brought down from London, equipped for any emergency, in the person of (a time-honoured name) Mr. Henry Brinsley Sheridan, Barrister-at-law, the Inner Temple, London.
Mr. Sheridan’s address appeared at once, and as it smacked a good deal of the learned lawyer, and promised to abrogate questions which both the Tories and the Radicals were anxious to see expunged from the Statute Book, its appearance was hailed with a jubilee of satisfaction, and the crowning period of Dudley’s Political Freedom was foreshadowed. Strenuous efforts were made to induce Mr. Charles Shaw, of Birmingham, Merchant, to come forward on moderate Conservative principles, which was thought by some might conduce to heal the Tory breach in the Borough; but Mr. Shaw was too shrewd a gentleman to be dropped betwixt two stools, so he declined the honour with thanks, and left the Electors of Dudley to fight the battle of political freedom in the candidature of Mr. J. Sandars and Mr. H. B. Sheridan.