The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-12-15 00:00:00

SECOND ROUND.

Lunatic beat Conway. I Bella Broughton beat
Sailor. Stakes divided.

Mr. ChexTington acted as judge and Mr, Smith
was slipper.

DUDLEI LICENSED VICITALLEB.S
ASSOCIATION.

On Tuesday evening the thirty—ninth anniversary
1 dinner of the above a,suciation was held at the
Dudley Arms dote', Dudley. Tue Mayor (Alder-
man Howatt presided, aud the vioe-ctiair was occu-
pied by Alderman George Bagott, J.P. There was
a large attendance, including Mr. E. M. Warming-
ton (Town Clerk), Aidertnan W. Wilkinson,
Councillors R. Mason, S. Sheward, W. Cnallings-
worth (president), W. E. Walker, M. Smith, H. C.
Brettelt, Messrs. T. Lester, J. Harrison, K. Rutland
W. Wright, J. Collett, H. Hughes, G. Morris, A.
Pattison, J. Caswell, J. Mitchell, T. Johnson, W.
Dudley (sccretary), T. Whitehouse (deputati.in
from Brierley Hill), F. Dicken and J. Plant
(Weduesbury), W. Green and G. Smith (Walsall),
&c.

After the repast, the loyal and patriotic toasts
were honoured.

Mr. W. Wright gave "The Army, Navy, and
Reserve Forces." and Councillor W. E. Walker
oposed "The County and Borough Members.'
Mr. E. M. Wartnington, in submitting the toast
of "The Magistrates and Au. horities of the
Borough," said the members of the trade in Dudley
had so conducted theinsetves that they were able
from year to year to have the services of the chit f
magistrate ot the borough to preside over their
annual feast (applause). Alluding to Local
option, he said he theught all moderate men had
come to the conclusion that what a man should ,
eat and drink should be a matter of individual
judgment, and should not be decided by Act of
eardeeneut—(applause). He believed the licensed
victuallers stood better now than they did a year
ago on this question, and he looked upon Local
Option as being somewhat of a craze. He thought
they would find, whatever changes were made in
the law, they would not and could not be in this
direction—(applause).
Alderman W. Wilkinson responded, and said the
magistrates of the borough entertained the highest
respect for the licensed victuallers of that locality.
They recognised their disposition to keep within
the pale of the law and to do what it required them
—(cneers).
The Mayor, in introducing the toast, "Success to
the Dudley and District Licensed Victuallers' As-
sociation." said the society had a benevolent and a
protective feature. t-le hoped the benevolent part
of the association would continue to grow, and
would become very influential in relieving the
necessities of their members. The other feature
was of a protective character, and he thought that
any members of a trade were justified in forming
themselves into an association to protect themselves
at all times from the inroads made upon them.
There was no doubt that at the present moment the
licensed victuallers stand in a,veryperilons position,
that was to say there were a great many attacks
made upon the trade—attacks which be thought
were infamous—(applause). As long as a licensed
victualler was carrying on his trade in a legitimate
way and according to Act of Parliament these at-
tacks ought not be made upon them—(hear, hear).
He held that it was monstrous and absurd to say
that the licensed victuallers' trade ought to be
swept away without compensation. Couucillor
Chailingsworth had guided them safely through
very stormy wateis, and if they would only con-
tinue to have him as their captain, their vessel
would go safely into port—(loud cheers).
Councillor W. Chalingsworth was most cordially
received on rising to respond to the toast. He re-
ferred to the fact that the association had had a
thirty-nine years' existence. He was proud to say
it numbered 52 hon. members, who subscribed to
the Benevolent Fund, and 98 trade members (hear,
hear). Out of the latter number there had been
nine deaths during the year. The funeral money
to be paid out of the Benevolent Fund amounted
to something like £7O and he was sorry to say
many members of the trade in these extreme times
died in very straightened circumstances. How-
ever, with all these calls upon their exchequer they
had a balance of £l,lOO in the bank—(applause).
Adverting to tue Sunday Closing Bill, he said he
believed it was a cowardly act on the Fart of the
Government in trying to carry through this piece-
meal legislation with reference to Sunday clesing—
(hear, bear). It had taken place in Wales, and had
been tried on in Cornwall. Strange to say the
licensed victualler e found more frien ls in this re-
spect in the Upper House than they did in the
House of Commons. Such legislation was monstrous
and he did not think Englishmen would submit to
it. He wondered they did not try it on in London,
but if it was made a general question he was sure
in less than a fortnight the Act would have to be
repealed—(hear. hear). He contended there should
be no peecemeal legislation, and everyone untainted
with crime ought to be on an equality—(hear,
hear). He went on to allude to the increase of
drunkenness in Cardiff since the Welsh Sunday
Closing Bill had come into operation, and said tney
wi uld see there was no need of this radieal change
in the habits of the people of this country, especially
wnen they remembered how few persons were
arrested for Sunday drunkenness. As to Local
Option, it. appeared almost preposterous that it
'could ever become law. Mr. Gladstone, however,
had assured the country that some measure would
be introduced as soon as possible for regulating the
traffic, and he (the speaker) had no doubt it would
be to the injury of the licensing trade, which he
contended was entitled to as much consideration as
other legitimate trades. Referring to Mr. Bright,
he said he was convinced that he would never give
his vote or voice to auniuilaee the trade without
compensation. They did not intend in fact, to sub-
mit to it, and he thought they would agree that
their bread and cheese must be their politics in
future—(hear, hear). They must know, in candi-
detes for Parliament, their triends from their
enemies, and when they solicited their votes they
should ascertain what their feelings were in re-
spect to the trade by which they got their lime.
lhey should be determint d not to be robbed of
their rights, their privi,eges, and their homes—
(loud applause). Other toasts followed The
12ud1ey Excelsior Glee Party gave an excellent
selection of music.