The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-01-02 00:00:00

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CONSERVATIVE WORKING MEN'S

DINNER.

Oa Monday last a (limier teak place at Mr.
Vale's, the UM King's Head Inn, to celebrate
the return of ale. E. P. AmMilett, as member of
Parliament for the Eastern bivision of Worces-
terAire. Upwards of eighty persons sat down
to an excellent spread provided by tam host and
hostesA. Among those present we noticed R. L.
Freer, Esq., J.P., A. Freer, Esq., B. Brinks,
Esq., It. Price, Esq., C. Collis, Esq., W. C.
Maltby, Esq., Messrs. Jesse Webb, J. Grililu, F.
Joscelyne, J. Ick, W. Oakes, J. Hughes, G.
Beddoes, J. T. Pearson, W. Pearson, Nash,
Coley, Barlow, Perkins, &a. The chair was oc-
cupied by Mr. Broughton, glassmalcer, and the
vice-chair by Mr. Gething, Secretary to the Con-
stitutional Association, who read letters of apo-
logy from Mr. R. P. Amphlett, Mr. H. T. Hick-
man, Mr. G. Grazebrook, and Mr. W. Webb, of
Wordsley.
The first toast proposed by the Chairman was
"The Queen."
Song, "God Save the Queen."
'The next toast was " The Prince and Prinecsa
of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."
Son., Mr. Nash, " God bless the Prince of
Wales."
Song, Mr. Pritchard, "John Barleycorn."
Toast. " The Army and Navy." Mr. Everett
responded.
Song, Mr. B. Brooks, "Our ancestors were
Englishmen."
Song, Mr. J. Pearson, "Tom Bowling."
Solo on the concertina, Mr. Broughton."
Song, Mr. F. Joseelyne, England yet,"
The Vice-Chairman gave the neat toast, "The
Conservative Gentlemen."
Mr. A. Freer replied, and hi eloquent terms
defended the Church and State."
Song, Mr. Nash, " A motto for every man."
Tho Chairman next gave " The Constitutional
Press," coupling with it the name of Mr. Prit-
chard.
Mr. Pritchard, in replying, said that daring
the last election even his greatest enemies could
not but admire the manner in which the County
Express had been conducted. He was proud to
say that he was proprietor of the only Conserva-
tive paper in the district, and so long as he re-
mained proprietor it should uphold Conservative
principles, and fight their cause. Mr. Pritchard
then proposed the "Trade and Town of Stour-
bridge." As a neighbouring tradesman of Bri-
erley Hill, and having rebently opened a shop in
Stonrbridge, be might fairly lay claim to the
privilege of proposing the aforesaid toast. After
briefly referring to the scarcity of trade, he said
he hoped there was something brighter looming
in the future, and as he had now an establish-
ment in Stourbridge he, of course, wished every
success there as well as at Brierley Hill. He
begged to couple with the toast the name of Mr.
Brooks, a gentleman not only well known and
highly respeeted in Stourbridge, but even mu that
small place—Brierley Hill—he had heard his
name spoken with great respect. (Cheers).
Mr. Brooks replied.

The Chairman then proposed the " 11-(eth of
our county member, Mr. It. P. Anaphlett." This
toast was drank amid great cheering, and with
musical honours.
Mr. It. L. Freer responded. In doing so he
referred to the recent acts of those who called
themselves " liberal," at the Hayes, on the pol-
ling day. He saw, himself, some four or live
hundred persons following one man who was
going to vote for Mr. Amphlett, and whenever
they saw a Conservative going to vote, he was
assailed with sticks and stones. There was
another nice liberal thing which he saw in one
of the papers. It was as follows: " There is a
good opening in Stourport for a chemist and
druggist, and for a bookseller and stationer, both
to be of Liberal opinions. They might depend
on the support of the Liberal party, of which
in Stourport there is a large majority." (Cries
of " Shame.") He should only like to find out
who had put it into the paper, and he would, if
possible. The speaker then referred at some
length to the Radical leader being thrown out of
Parliament, and he was proud that a gentleman
like Mr. Amphlett had been returned at the head
of the poll A great deal had been said about
the reduction of taxation. One of the first of
the measures for carrying this reduction into
effect has just been accomplished at Portsmouth
in the receipt of an order from the Admiralty at
Eastney Barracks, the head-quarters of the
Royal Marine Artillery, for the immediate dis-
charge of 18 sergeants and 330 gunners of the
Artillery. It would be satisfactory to know how
those who have brought this about expect to re-
place so Rage a number of invaluable sea artil-
lery men in the event of any sudden emergency
in our foreign affairs. Because the late Govern-
ment increased the soldier's pay they were con-
sidered extravagant; and he concluded by saying
that he did not think the prescot i.ioreeconent
would work to,tether for twelve 'worths.

Song, Mt. Perks, "When other lips and other
hearts."

The Chairman then gave "Lora Derby and
the Conservative Peers in the House of Lords."