The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-04-30 00:00:00

"I am. Sir,
"Your wait obeAierit serr.ot,
"T. A. MITCHELL

"Mr. Geo. Salisbury."

He requested the meeting to give a fair bearing to
all the speakers and said if any one objected to
what was said he would have an opportunity of
replying.
Mr. SALPASCRY came forward to move the first
revolution, and wan received with cheers and uproar.
He remarked the noise came from persons who were
electors, and who wished to prevent them having
the same privilege. He had had an intimation that
some individuals had been sent there to cheer certain
sentiments and disturb the meeting. (A great
uproar here ensued and lasted for a long time, there
were cries of "name, name," "turn bun out," and
so on. He then said that he saw one of those
creating the distrbenos was the son of a Bridport
magistrate. (This was not true, as the gentleman
alloded to was away from home that day, and was
not in the ball all that night, and though Mr. Salis-
bury was told it was not true he persisted in saying
so, thereby considerably adding to the noise and
confusion, and it seemed at one time as if the
meeting would hereto be adjourned, there was such
a disturbance).
The Comitoas interposed nod desired that DO
persmalities should be need.
Mr. H. N. Cox (in the body of the hall) attempted
1 to speak, but the uproar continued, and
Mr. SALISBURY then read the let resolution
" That this meeting, whilst it appreciates the efiorta
made by Her .Majesty's Ministers to amend the
Representation of the People in the Commons
House of Parliament, is nevertheles of opinion that
no Bill ought to be considered as a sativfacteiry
solution of the question if bused upon the theory of
personal rating, or inoommoded by arbitrary and
invidious distinctions, such as the two years'
residence qualification, or other unfair methods of
debarring from their just rights those whom
it professes to enfranchise." After which he
made • short speech amidst continual interrup-
tion, in the comae of which he stated that there
were b. 17 compound householders in Bridport who
did not pay their rates. It was said they would be
all able to have votes if they liked, but they would !
have to go through a lot of machinery first. His
two principal objections to the Bill he said were the
two years' residence and the personal rating clauses.
He thought the working man should not be required
to reside in • home in order to qualify himself for a
vote longer than the .ClO householders, but that on
the contrary it should not be neeessary for him to be
there too long. He thought the compound house-
holders b low £lO should be treated the same as
thole above £lO.
The Rey. T. C. FINCH roes in the course of Mr.
Salisbnry's speech, during one of the frequent
interruptions, to inform those 1,1110 MHO making a
disturbance that persons at that end of the room
wished to bear what was mid if they did not, and
was greeted with shouts of "who's be," "one fool's
enough at • time."
Mr. H. E. Hoosszt.t. afterwards got oath. platform
and endeavoured to perms& the meeting to be quiet
but it was DO use.

_
The CHA/RM•S Am appealed for a fair hearing.
Mr. SALISBURY however found that they would
not listen to him and proposed the resolution amid
great confusion.
Mr. RALLS seconded the resolution.

Mr. CLINKIER rose to support it, and mid IWO
be bad been in the town, a Bill had been pat into
hie hands asking who be was, bat it did not matter
who he or any one ales was so long as be adduced
sound arguments, He endeavoured to speak in
support of the resolution but was continually inter-
rupted, and stated that if the meeting did not wish
to bear him, he had no desire to force his remarks
on them. The uproar continued, and Mr. Clinker
said be thought he could distinguish the voice of
Mr. Cot, who denied it. Mr. Cos was then asked
to go on the platform by some of those present, and
at last pressed through the crowd on to the platform
totending to ask the meeting to bear the speakers,
but this canoed an immense uproar, and when he
attempted to speak he was met with cheers and
hisses and was not allowed to say a word. He was
told to sit down, and there were uriesof "turn him
out", and finding be could not speak he left the
platform. The row lasted • long time. One
gentleman on the platform objected when Mr. CJI
came on to his being allowed to speak, but on being
t .1d what Mr. Cots object was he directly altered
his tone, and asked the meeting to bear, him but it

Mr. Paws attempted to speak but was met with
hisses and uproar, and though be gesticulated
vehemently, he could not be beard for some time.
He urged the meeting amidst continued uproar to
be quiet and not euffer a few " political scoundrels"
and "political rufflans."aahe pleasantly termed them,
to disturb the meeting. He attempted to say
what they would do in the North with people who
disturbed a meeting, but as he could cot make
himself beard, that was lost to the people of
Bridport.
. . . . . .

Mr. CLINKIR again tried to get a hearing. He
said the main feature of the Reform Rill was what
was called household suffrage, acocompanied by
very serious drawbacks, and it was against those
drawbacks that he protested. —(There was again a
grrat uproar and Mi. Clinker sat down).
The CH•IRM•N again interposed and endeavoured
to procure him a hearing, and Mr. Clinker again
rose but could not get one. There was again
immense uproar, and loud cries of "turn him out."
Almost everybody stood upon the sesta to ass what
it was, but no one was turned out. Mr. Salisbury,
who appeared in a very excited state all nignt, we
are informed, was absolutely foolish enough to
threaten to take Mr. Cox into custody, and to put
his hand on another person and endeavour to turn
him out of the meeting, but was advised by these
standing round that it would be better for him to
desist front doing so. which he accordingly did. We
believe that was what the row was about as this
particular time, but could not ass whets we were. •
Mr. Cox after a time got on the platform again sad
attempted to speak, when Mr. Bartlett (draper)
jumped on the platform, mid in a very excited
manner aroused Mr. Cox of having caused all the
row. and said be Dow denied it Was that acting lite
a man

_
The CHAIRMAN mad* another appeal to the
meeting to keep order, and
Mr. CLihuaa again roes, but alter oiling s few
words, and stating he was opposed to the clauses
referred to in the resolution, be was again inter.
ruined, and said it was clear to bins that about half.
a-dozen ruffians bad come that. to break up the
meeting and were determined not to beer him, so he
should say no more. (He then sat down amid Omen
and laughter. Mr. Prim, who was sitting near, maid
to him, "(1° on, Clinker, I'd tear the dwell out of
ten thousand of them before I would give way." Mr.
Clinker, however, didn't meet to me it and said ae
mom.)

Th. CNATIMAX asked i/ the meeting agreed with
the resolution, or if any one wished to move an
amendment?. If any one did let him twine on the
platform and Mae what he bad to say. No
one answering he pot The resolution to the meeting,
and declared it carried by about then' to onc By
far the greater number of Chose Fremont, howevei,
did not vote either way, and though some of th,,
'peal era afterwards talked of the forge majority h..
which it was carted, we don't think more than 60
or PO voted altogether, thnugh the room was arsomed,
at the time.
The Rev. R. L. C•RPIIITICR proposed the second'
relolation, "That this meeting desires to exprew its
unabated oonildenne in floes tried and faithful
pleaders of the people's cause in Parliament. whose
very names are air household words—Earl Rummell,
Will.sw Ewart Cllschrtone,- John Bright, John Stuart
Mgt, together with all other steifast friends of red
Reform." The meeting bad At this time got tired
apparently of making a row, to heard him quietly
through his abort speech.
Mr. IAWBIRT briefly seconded the resohkion.
Mr. Mast PRICK roes to support it, Iliad argued
at SAM" length against the Bill. Hs wsmpeeteally
interrupted during the delivery of his speech.
The resolution wee then put and carried are-
imously
Mr. Scouring then came forward to move tLe
third resolution, and much lasehter was occasioned
by his being immediately g.ented with loud cries of
"county court judge," judgment summons," "14
days," "JudgeEveratt,"&c. In the midst ef the uproar-
thus occasioned he read the following rsisolation and
retired : —"That copies of the foregoing reselution.,
signed by the Chairman, be sent to the noblemen
and gentleman mentioned therein, and also to mar
borough members, as the cordial szpression of the
opinions and wishes of this meeting."
The Rev. H. CALLAWAY seconded the resolution,
and canoed some laughter towards the close of his
speech by fairly Amami out the words. This
revolution was carried.
The Hey. T. C. Firm roes to move the fourth
resolution. "That the thanks of this meeting he
given Moor friends from • disumee. who, by their
presence and speeches, have rendered invaluable
assistance." He asked if they would bear another
connection. said
PiLrg'fretn
d' ls—emention
(laughter
liked
that
ut r
ht"hi st
throw
a meeting,P badmf.
theirea bees so..
imp Pas"
ihmo t hs might
:ei ai
went out lend assist them they could dose. This
canoed groat laughter, especially as one or two
threw some coppers and silver on to the platform at
00c-.

---
Mr. MAITZNIACZ seconded tbe resolutioe, sad it
less carriod.

Mr. PKICE proposed • vote of thanks to the chsir-
man, and again alluded in choice and dogma leavings
to those who had born disturbing the meeting,
stating he bad never known • more unseem/y, more
disgraceful, nor more brutal interference on the part of
• few present Ho again called them ruffians, and
also brutal rowdies. unfit even for the varltemi
New York. _

Mr. WILSTLANI returned thanks. and after giving
cheers for Gladstone, Bright, and Mill, and also to.
the Qin'', the meeting separated. It was the rarlst
noisy meeting we have known in Bridport for many
years, and we more Ulan mai almost expected it
would come to fighting among some of thane
;resent.

THE BRIDPORT, LYME REGIS, AND PORTLAND
ARTILLERY AT EIRTIR.

Early on Wednesday morning, the lax D.V.A. left
Erielport for Exeter, proceeding by road m far as
Axmineter. A large number were taken by Imam
hired of Mr. Knight and Mr. Dyke, whilst others went
in parties of five and six, rnfortunately rain fell at
interval.. The Brielport company mustered in front of
the George Hotel, Axminster, numbering &butt
70, rank and file, including the band, under the con,.
mand of Captain Swain, LietttersanteGundry and Leg,
and Sergeant-Major Gundry. Having gone through a
few preliminary movement., the corps were marched
! to the station, accompanied by a lae number of spent..
ton, the band, under the leadership of Mr. Wright,
'Playing. Arrived there they found the Lyme corps
drawn or. presented arms as the Brielport men pared,
and, having waited • short time, the train bringing the
Portland come arrived, and the whole went en to
Exeter together. On reaching Exeter the nen fell
heavily. Having drawn up in the station yard, each
ben .led led by its band, marched into the city. Tles
Portland brass band promises to be • very good one.
The Lyme corps hand, under the the leadership of Mr.
! Moore. also diaamrsed sweet sounds. Having reached
the Three Tuns Inn, the Eridport carps were dial:dared
for half-an-hour, during which time, many other
corps arrived, and marched to the Cavalry Barracks
yard, where the inspection took place. The Faeier
battalionlof rides mustered at eight o'clock, um.. and
headed by their band, under the leadership of Mr.
Carlile, marched to the Top•ham barrack., to escort
I their brethren of the Woodbury Hill mutated artillery
corps to the place of inspection, and these having taken
up their position, under the command of Lieutenant-
. fidouel Brent, the other corps took up the places
assigned them, and shortly before eleven o'clock it e
twelve companies, comprising the Exeter battalion
artillery volunteers, about 700 men present, 00111/111t1J13
the rail businees of the day. The rain fell heavily 4
intervals, anal the ground leaa very unsuitable for
military movements, notwithstanding which under th•
command of Adjutant Keating, the drill was satin.
factory. After having about two hours' hard work.
Lieutent-Colonel Sir 1.. Palk. Bart., arrived, and
proceeded to put the men through • number of difficult
movements. and at its termination congratulated them
on nbe manner in which they had performed their
elutie,. Moat of the corps had refreshments served to
them on the ground, but the Bridport men dined at
the HalL A muster was ordered at three
o'clock, and at that hour several of the corps assembled,
311. i headed by their respective band., paraded the
etraeta. The rest of the day was pure.. in inspecting
the city, and at length the various corps departed to
their home., the Bridport men reaching their
dedination at midnight.