Peace!
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.
Isaac opposed all Civil Liberty!
Isaac opposed Repeal of the Corn Laws!
Isaac opposed Free Trade!
Isaac opposed Parliamentary Reform!
Isaac opposed and opposes the Press in the Board Rooms!
Isaac opposes Information and Knowledge as the basis of Local Legislation!
Isaac and his Friends opposed Economy in the Workhouse, when it was proved each Pauper cost 1s. 7½d. per week more than Birmingham and Wolverhampton; increasing the Rates £422 per year.
WOOD AND HOLLIER
Reduced this Extravagance;—What Isaac has been Isaac will be, if you Vote for 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, or things to reflect his will 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 suppose you 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 real popular 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 on your interests. “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; not pandering (like others) in some Petty (or even Pig) 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 miserable dens they call houses, it was politic they should 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 mere tool, without thought or respect for himself; and in opposition to that other weakly theory that insists upon keeping the people ignorant, lest they should discover the ignorance of those called their “betters?”
3rd.—Who have (and without ostentation) supported schemes of Public Amusement and Relaxation? Those who believe that the “Great Unwashed” are often whiter and cleaner than those who 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 the Admission of Reporters to Newspapers, in the very face of other gentlemen who desire a secrecy as 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 in their past conduct that openness and that independence which must ever constitute true manhood; 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 doubtful hero—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 as can 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 the Town 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 to make them, 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 the job as 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 is not 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.
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 sum of 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 late Mr. 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.
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 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
Treasurer, 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.
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.
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 the Borough 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 upon Sir Stafford H. Northcote returns 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 of Sir Stafford Northcote having 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 felt it 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 throats of 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.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
In pursuance of a Requisition, I offer myself to the Electors of Dudley as a Candidate for the honor of representing you in the forthcoming Parliament, and my desire is to assist you in the assertion of your right to choose for yourselves the man who is to represent your views in the House of Commons. I take this step the more readily from an inherent desire to be independent myself, and to co-operate with men animated by similar views. If I am fortunate enough to be returned to Parliament by your votes, I will submit to neither blandishment nor dictation, but will think for myself on the great questions of the day, and in thus doing, I shall be imitating the manly characteristics of the Electors of Dudley, who are neither to be unduly influenced, interfered with, or dictated to. Impressed with these views, I will be open and candid with you in reference to those articles in the Political Creed, which at the present hour are the principal subjects of discussion.
INCOME TAX.—I am a staunch advocate for its entire and immediate abolition.
CHURCH RATES.—I am in favor of their Repeal, but am willing to substitute, if practicable, some equivalent that will preserve our magnificent National Edifices from decay, and at the same time secure to our Protestant Church the alliance and protection of the state.
FRANCHISE.—I am in favor of gradually and carefully extending the Franchise, to meet the wants arising from the advancement and progress of the age, and in furtherance of this view, am willing to place the County Voter upon an equality with the Borough Voter by giving him a £10 qualification.
ARMY AND NAVY.—I am decidedly in favor of a thorough and searching Reform in both these departments of the National Service, and particularly of introducing, as a chief feature of such Reform, the practice of granting Commissions and giving Promotion to merit.
SHIPPING AND SOUNDING DUES.—I am determined to use every constitutional means to obtain the entire removal of these obstructive imposts, believing that no Corporate Funds ought to be increased by Taxes that amount to a restriction on Trade, and which press with peculiar severity upon industry and manufacture.
EXTRA PAROCHIAL PROPERTY.—All property should and must be made to bear its equal share of local burdens.
THE WAR WITH CHINA.—I am not in favor of delegating to individuals the power to declare War in the name of Great Britain, or the right to bombard Cities and destroy life and property. I deprecate at all times the unnecessary shedding of human blood; but the Chinese War having now commenced and the interests involved being so enormous, I am in favor of adopting every legitimate means for bringing the conflict to an end, a jealous regard being had for the honour of English Policy, and the power of English might.
EDUCATION.—This I am desirous of extending to its utmost limits, totally irrespective of Sectarianism, firmly believing that to Education we must look for the ultimate happiness and prosperity of the country.
THE BALLOT.—I am not disposed to adopt the Ballot, believing that the reasons at present urged in favour of secret voting will rapidly and altogether pass away with the growing intelligence and progress of the age.
FREE TRADE has my unqualified support.
LOCAL INTERESTS.—I am anxious to identify myself absolutely with the views and interests of your Borough, and in the event of my Election, I will spare no opportunity of proving to you practically the earnestness and sincerity of my professions.
Gentlemen, These are my political views, and I believe that if honestly advocated and carried out with purity of purpose, under the blessing of Providence, they will conduce to the happiness and welfare of the millions of our native land.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
HENRY BRINSLEY SHERIDAN.
Inner Temple, London, and Bellefield House, Fulham, Middlesex. March 21st, 1857.
To Enterprising Young Men in Search of Employment, Stump Orators, and Others.
Wanted, for the Borough of Dudley, a CANDIDATE for PARLIAMENT! to Represent the “Badger” Interest.
He must be a man with plenty of “Jaw,” and one who will not stick at trifles, but can turn himself round as a Weathercock. One who has formerly been a Conservative, but is now an extreme Radical, will be preferred.
⁂ None need apply except they have both “jaw” and credit, as many of those who would otherwise do, as regards the former, are excluded by want of the latter.
Apply by Letter only, W. Rattlebrain, Pig street.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Mr. Sandars, the Candidate for the Representation of this Borough, will address the Electors at the Old Town Hall, on Friday, the 20th instant, at Three o’clock in the Afternoon.
Dudley, 19th March, 1857.
Found! Found!! Found!!! The “Enterprising Young Man for the Borough of Dudley.” He has both “Jaw and Credit,” and can Represent the Badger Interest, but Alas! Alas!! Alas!!! When I advertised for him I did not think he would so soon have made his appearance.
Signed, HONEY MERRY.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
To the Free and Independent Electors of the Borough of Dudley.
Withhold the Promise of your Votes to Mr. Sandars, as Charles Shaw, Esq., of Birmingham, is expected in Dudley this Evening.
AN ELECTOR.
Dudley, March 20th, 1857.
At a Meeting of the Non-Electors of Dudley, held at the Lancasterian School Room, Stafford Street, the 25th day of March, 1857. Mr. William Gilbert, Jun., in the chair, it was—
Moved by Mr. Longhurst, and Seconded by Mr. Oakley, and carried unanimously:—“That this Meeting of Non-Electors of Dudley welcomes the present favourable opportunity which now offers itself of freeing the Borough of Dudley from Political Vassalage, Nomineeism, and Lordly Dictation.”
Moved by Mr. Wallwork, seconded by Mr. Ginder, Jun., and carried unanimously:—“That the Non-Electors of Dudley, hereby pledge themselves to support the Political Freedom and Independence of this Borough, by using all legitimate efforts to ensure the triumphant return of the Independent Candidate, Henry Brinsley Sheridan, Esq.”
Moved by Mr. Wallwork, seconded by Mr. Parsons, and carried unanimously:—“That the best thanks be given to the Chairman, for his conduct in the Chair.”
W. Gilbert, Jun., Chairman.
TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
We, the undersigned, request the Independent Electors of the Borough of Dudley to meet at the Old Town Hall, to-morrow, at One o’clock, to consider what steps can be best taken to secure the Independence of the Borough, and to enable the Electors to exercise their free and unbiassed judgment in the choice of their Representative.
Isaac Badger
W. Robinson
W. Haden
J. Renaud
Thomas Badger
J. G. Walker
J. Beddard
J. Owen
J. Walker
Thomas Steedman
W. Wilkinson
G. Smith
Joshua Wilkinson
Gilbert Shaw
Thomas Shaw
Joseph Owen
James Darby.
March 23rd, 1857.
The Political ball had now been set rolling by both parties in this unnatural contest, but men in Dudley had learnt the old adage—“that misfortune makes men acquainted with strange bedfellows,” therefore they had accepted their dubious lot at all hazards, and it soon became evident that Mr. Sheridan was the idol of the Non-Electors, whose potent influence was brought to bear with great persistence upon the thousand Electors. Mr. Sheridan was found to be free and pleasant and spoke well on the platform; he was admirably schooled in political knowledge, and he knew how to please the wives as well as the voters. Meetings by both Candidates were held almost hourly, for there was no time to lose, and the screw that was put on at head-quarters was both unmanly and ungenerous, causing a large number of former Conservative voters to declare their intention to support Mr. Sheridan, the Independent Candidate. However, before the Nomination day arrived, (March 28th) Mr. Sandars had found out that his cards had been seen by his opponents and that he was playing a losing game, calculated to damage his aspirations at some more acceptable Borough, he therefore issued the following address, which promoted H. B. Sheridan, Esq., to the distinguished position of being elected the Independent Member for the Nominee Borough of Dudley.
TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
The aspect of this Election has assumed a character of a purely personal nature, in which Politics are entirely forgotten.
While I feel my own individual claims to the honor of representing you in Parliament have not even been called in question, and am deeply sensible of the kind manner in which I have been generally received, I cannot disguise from myself that in the present state of feeling in the Borough, arising from misrepresentation, and a disinclination on the part of the Electors to calmly consider the actual facts of the case, the result of a direct appeal to the Constituency would be doubtful.
Under these circumstances I have resolved to retire from the contest, persisting in which would occasion an unusual amount of ill feeling, and be painful to those, who, having hitherto acted together during the whole of their Political life, would on this occasion be found ranged in opposition to each other.
Time, I trust, will convince you, that I came forward on purely Independent grounds, as a supporter of the energetic policy of Lord Palmerston, to uphold which I believe to be the real wish of the Electors of Dudley.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. SANDARS.
Dudley, 27th, March, 1857.
NOT WANTED! “THE WEAKLY PRESS-GANG!”
URGENTLY WANTED!!
A GOOD LEADER THERE FOR!
Must be a Leader of principal wherewith to prop the LOCAL BUTTER Paper interest!!! Local Cockney Correspondents, Castle Toadies, Priory Vassals, Quibbling Quacks, Old Women, Lazy Printers’ Devils, and Industrious Nonentities, especially needed, as the Butter Paper Press, alias the “Weakly Times,” is in feeble health!!!
By order of the Society for the prohibition of useless knowledge, the protection of the Queen’s English, and the total suppression of the Public Traffic in Cheap Composition, Cant, Cabbage, and Castle-toadyism.
Address—
COBBLEM & MACKEMTIRE,
Little Castle Alley!!!
A FRIEND OF ONE THAT HAS BRAINS TO RATTLE.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
What causes Electors to wish for the Ballot?
What causes Electors to remain neutral?
What causes Chartism?
Through Lords or their Agents to exert authority or power in an Insolent, Arbitrary, or Tyrannical manner.
Down with such, and we, as Englishmen, had ought to enjoy that Charter which was given to us by King John.
Stick true to those liberties you have, and not be slaves to any one. Use your own opinion and fear no one.
AN ELECTOR.
Stop.
ELECTORS OF DUDLEY be Men.—Think for yourselves.—Vote for yourselves.—Do not allow any Lord to rob you of your franchise.
If you vote for Sandars you sanction the right of Lord Ward to choose your Representative.—You abandon your right of selecting one that is independent.
If Sandars be elected he dare not vote in opposition to his Lordship’s will, if he did he would soon cease to be Member for Dudley, under such circumstances he will be Lord Ward’s and not your Member.
How has Lord Ward treated Sir Stafford H. Northcote? Most shamefully; there is proof in this town that Sir Stafford did not go to North Devon as a matter of choice.—He abandoned Dudley because Lord Ward abandoned him for Voting honorably on the China question in opposition to the Ministry which has the support of Lord Ward, on that ground his Lordship sent us Mr. Sandars.—Now this Gentleman told us at his first Meeting that he had his Lordship’s support, that his Lordship spent a quarter of a million annually in ‘this Borough’ (we suppose this was a mistake, and that he meant ‘the world’) and that therefore his Lordship had a right to be represented.
The meaning of this could not be mistaken, but let us ask why does not his Lordship act and vote for himself in the House of Peers? Let him use his hereditary privileges for the protection of his rights and not rob us of ours.—We would not ask by what means his ancestors became entitled to the Estates the income whereof enables so large an expenditure; but we will tell his Lordship that were he alone upon those Estates, and had not the assistance and labor of the surrounding inhabitants, he would have no income to expend—Thus it is clear that his Lordship is indebted to the people, and not the people to him. Shall he then hold us in hereditary bondage with the very means the people create for him? Shall he put a veto on the use of our intellects and nominate his as our Representative without a struggle on our part? Could our ancestors arise they would be ashamed of us, they would weep to see us licking the dust upon the heels of power without an effort to be free.
This nominee tells us he is a supporter of Lord Palmerston on the China question, which means that he, Sandars, will back the murder and wholesale butchery in China of thousands of innocent men; he will support the Government in burning and destroying the houses of the rich and poor at Canton; he is the man to aid and abet the breaking out of war on the part of the English, without the knowledge or assent of the people, or of the Parliament: he is the man to uphold the Government in setting the vote of the Peoples’ Representatives at defiance: he is the man who talks of assisting in the reduction of the Income Tax, and yet will afford facilities for the expenditure of our money in war without our knowledge or consent: he is the man who on the hustings at Bewdley alleged that he was a follower of Earl Derby, and now comes here in opposition to that Nobleman on the very question which has broken up the present Parliament.
ELECTORS “awake, arise, or be for ever fallen.” Men of all shades of Politics, Whig and Tory, buckle on your armour, go hand in hand, beat back the foe that would rob you of your franchise. Shew your independence, let cowardice be distant. It is not a question between Whig and Tory that we have to decide, (Sandars is neither Whig or Tory,) but between Independence and Mental Slavery. The days when Lordlings treated Villagers as Serfs and Vassals have passed, and it is only history that should remind us that such things were.
Shall we return to serfdom and vassalage?
—No.
Is the Lord of our manor to nominate our man, and say as of old “to hear is to obey”?
—No.
Stir yourselves, put an end to your lethargy, rally round the standard of the worthy, independent, and intelligent Mr. SHERIDAN; go forth to the battle determined to defend your rights, even as our ancestors would have done with their blood, and Victory shall be yours.
AN ELECTOR.
DUDLEY ELECTION—
The Rival Candidates—Which is the True and Consistent one?
Brother Electors,
Be not deceived! Look at the member for Yarmouth’s policy at Bewdley—examine well his opinions upon that occasion, and then turn to his address to you—can you call this man Consistent? Is he one that you can trust? Common-sense men will tell you NO! And we trust that you will echo and repeat this answer No!—to the poll—and prove to everybody that you will not have a man who comes under false colours, or who is a mere Weathercock to suit the several constituencies to whom he may offer himself. A Derbyite to the Electors of Bewdley, and a Palmerstonian to Lord Ward, whom He deems to be the “Borough of Dudley” itself. Ponder this and you will then plump for the man who has so nobly responded to your call—the man who bears the time-honoured name of Henry Brinsley Sheridan.
Brother Electors, do not be deceived!
AN INDEPENDENT ELECTOR.
A FEW LINES TO THE PRAISE OF THE CASTLE BLOATER!
Sheridan, the brave has come to the scratch,
And in him the bloater will find a good match;
When back’d by a BADGER and “Marine store,”
The bloater will find his existence is o’er!
Chorus.
So ye voters of Dudley, now come to a man,
And vote for the honest H. B. SHERIDAN.
Mr. Stoke-em, and Bed-em, Insult-em, and all,
Declare that the power of the Castle shall fall!!
And prove to his Lordship, and also his men,
We’ll have for our M.P.
—H. B. SHERIDAN.
So ye voters of Dudley, &c.
Isaac Badger with honor has left all the knaves
Who stick to his Lordship because they’re his slaves;
For Dick Smith and T—r have tried all they can,
But BADGER has stuck to us like a true man.
So ye voters of Dudley, &c.
For the power of his Lordship we don’t care a straw,
And we’ll show him in Dudley his will is not law!
At his Lordship and Dickey we’ll level a reef,
Not at Christmas to rob his poor men of their beef
So ye voters of Dudley, &c.
But sure with poor Dickey I don’t want to quarrel,
Although to us he was sent pack’d up in a barrel!
The barrel was pierc’d with holes very fine,
If they’d found him out, he’d been hung with a line.
So ye voters of Dudley, &c.
Just arrived, a few Barrels of choice YARMOUTH BLOATERS, 7 a 1d., stirred up fresh from the bottom.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
The Tories and Radicals, strange though it be,
Have banded together for “Libertie,”
In the famous Borough of old Dudley;
Singing fiddle de diddle, diddle de dee,
Oh, for his Lordship’s Nominee!
So away they go, with a hop and a jump!
Fish, flesh, and fowl, to find if they can,
An ornithorincus kind of a man!
Singing fiddle de diddle, diddle de bump,
Whig, Tory, and Radical all in a lump;
There’s Badger, and Walker, and Cookee, and Stokes,
And the devil knows how many capital folks!
And they all are resolved, though they love bread and butter,
To tickle his Lordship’s respectable crupper:
Singing, go it, ye Britons, three cheers for the three,
Lord Ward, Isaac Badger, and Sammy Cookee,
The Radical, Whig, and jolly Tory;
And good luck to the man who will purchase of me.
—B.B.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
Fellow Electors,
By way of adding injury to the insult which Lord Ward and his party have already inflicted upon you, it is now currently reported that the Workmen of the Ward and Black-Cock interest have been made to understand that they must surround the hustings to-morrow morning, and prevent your own Candidate, SHERIDAN, from getting a hearing; so much for Liberty and Freedom of Speech! Let me advise you, at least to give a hearing to Sandars; don’t do him an injustice or yourselves. If Lord Ward’s Interest demands that you shall not hear Mr. Sheridan, the Public Press will contain a faithful report of all he will say in reply, and will be published on Saturday morning.
Impartial.
To be Sold Cheap!—a Yarmouth BLOATER, none the worse for unsuccessful exposure for sale on the stalls of Bewdley and Dudley. For terms of Sale apply to The Priory!
N.B.—The above Bloater is well cured!
1840-1. The bad trade at this time, and the disturbed state of the working classes, arising in a great measure from the poisoned seeds of anarchy and distrust which was then sown broadcast by the Chartist leaders amongst the idle, ignorant, and dissolute, made it incumbent upon the public authorities in Dudley to erect a safeguard against any sudden surprise to life and property; thus it was that a day and night patrol of the roads and streets was established to maintain the peace and keep order in the town, and the following respectable townsmen formed a section of our guardian angels—