The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-15 00:00:00

I,,qPil !:i .i‘ft ' • • •
THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

nnd irreligion were growing day by day, and no
matter who the minister of religion might be, it

Mr. Turney proposed the "Army and Navy,
Yeomanry and Rifle Volunteers".
Captain Noel respeaded on behalf of the
Yeomanry. In doing so said that he had been
connected with the Yeomanry for many years. At
one time the Stourbridge Company was the largest
in the regiment,but npw he believed they wereneorly
the smallest troop. It has been his lot to serve
under three Colonels, Lord Dudley, Lord •Sandys,
and Lord Lyttelton. He had. no hesitation in
saying that if ever the Yeoman 4 should be called
into active service they would be found men of the
right sort, and plenty of pluck in them—(cheers).
Mr. G. Allsop, jur., proposed the health of the
Chairman, in eucrolistic terms which was duly re-
sponded to, and the Chairman proposed "Success
to the Licensed Victuallers'Society,"which he con-
sidered the toast of the evening, which was re-
sponded to by Mr. Richards, chairman of the
Society.
Mr. Kelley proposed "The Hon. Member,
Delegates, and Visitors, which was responded to
by Councillors Wilcock and Cook. The health of
the Vice-chairman was proppsed by the President
and responded to by Mr. G. Allsop.
Mr. T, Wall proposed the "Town and Trade of
StQurbridge," which was replied to by Mr. Charles
Webb and Mr. E. Stringer. Mr. C. W. Collis pro-
posed the health of Mr. G. Perry, the solicitor to
the society. The following toasts were also pro.
posed : "The Treasurer of,the Society," "The Press"
, and to "Our Absent Friends.

was for hire to ask whether he as doing his duty
wisely and well
_before earth and heaven. He
_

could have Wished that many of the clergy had
decided to be present at that hospitable gathering
and had decided to be present even at the risk oi
hearing once more the old reproach —" Behold
this man is a winebibber, and a friend of publicans
and sinners"—(applause). • It seemed to him that
no more legitimate place could a clergyman occupy
in Stourbridge that evening than in the midst of
the licensed victuallers, because if the drinic
traffic were really at the bottom of the evil of
drunkenness throughout the land, surely it was
wisdom and it was patriotism to take care that
that trade should be in the hands of good men,
God-fearing men everywhere—(applause), As he
was not so blind as to think that the time would

come when the world wmild be peopled exclusively
by bachelors and old maids—(laughter)—so he was
not so sanguine as to believe that the time would
come when society would settle down to that other
form of abstinance which was called Good Templary
—(renewed laughter). They could not take away
from men what the Creator had given to them—
.

the power of freewill; but they' could speak to
them, and guide and elevate them. It was a
pleasure to him, as a Catholic priest, to find him-
self a guest of that gathering, and to encourage
hisfellow townsmen to conduct their trade with

credit to themselves, with convenience to the corn-

_
mumty at large, and with loyalty to their Lord and
Master—(applause). It was a pleasure to him also
to call to mind that he was speaking to gentlemen
many of whom proved themselves in the hour of
dire distress greater friends, grander philanthropists
more charitable men, than the best of their critics
could pretend to be—(applause). To the honour
of the licensed victuallers of Stourbridge be it said
that just at the moment when trade seemed par-
alysed, and when starvation was staring them in
the face the young and the old, the sickly and the
strong, they not only contributed cheerfully to the
general fund for the relief of the poor, but also
opened out a special stream of charity from their
own ranks—(applanse)
Mr. C. P. Noel on rising, said the next toast had
been placed in his hands to propose, which was
that of the Lord
_Lieutenant of the County. He
_ _ _ _ _

During the evening .some capital songs were
well-rendered by Messrs. Turaey, Wall, Mapp,
and a recitation by A Hart, and a pleasant even-
ing was spent.

DISGR4,CEFIIL Row IN COVENTRY STREICT.--On
Saturday night last, about half-past ten Police-
constable Morgan who was
.on, duty in the town,
was informed that, a fight'. was proceeding
.in
Coventry Street, between Charles Crumpton alias
" Bodger" and another man. Morgan at once
went to the spot,. and caught hold of the other
man, as they would not cease 'fighting: He was
bringing him towards the station, when Crumpton,
saying he should not take the prisoner he had in
custody, took a running kick at him, caught him
on the shin and forced him to loose the one he had
in charge, and he was knocked down. A terrific
struggle took place on the ground between Morgan.
and Crumpton for nearly half-an-hour, and al-
though 'Morgan stuck courageously to his
opponent who is a very strong fellow he was
very much exhausted by the time the other officers
arrived to his assistance. On the approach of the
police, the mob, consisting of about 500 persons,
bravely began throwing stones and brickbats at
the two or three police-officers, who consequently
had to use their staves to protect themselves from
the fury of the people, who had become greatly
exasperated on it being said that the officers had
'struck Crumpton on the head and killed him. At
all events Crumsiton acted his part of a dead man
very well. He lay quite still in the road—no
doubt very much exhausted—and was carried into
a public-house close at hand, and Dr. Smith was
sent for. On the arrival of that gentleman, he ex-
amined Crumpton, and failed to find the slightest
trace of any injury having been inflicted upon him,
and upon remaining in the ,house until about one
o'clock in the morning, Mr, Crumpton coolly gets
up and walks to the station, unassisted by anyone.
It is a pity that such a disgraceful affair should
have taken place in the town, as we have been so
very long without anything of the sort, but it is
still more disgraceful that a crowd of .nearly 500
should pelt. with stones and bricks the two or
three officers who were simply doing their duty.
Morgan certainly deserves great credit for the
brave way in which he stuck to his prisoner, not-
withstanding that he was kicked about until he
was black and blue.—On Monday afternoon, the
prisoner Crumpton was brought up at the Police
Court, before Messrs. R. L. Freer and F. Evers,
charged with being drunk and disorderly in
Coventry Street, on Saturday night, and further
charged with assaulting Police-constable Morgan,
and rescuing a prisoner from his custody at the
same time and place.—Police-constable Morgan
said on Saturday night, about a quarter to eleven
he was on duty in Coventry Street: Prisoner and
another man were drunk and disorderly there.
.They had been fighting. He took the other man
into custody, and after 'bringing him between 40
and 60 yards, prisoner came up, kicked him on the
shins and knocked him down. The other man
escaped. In consequence of the illusage he re-
ceived, witness was unable at that time to resume
his duties. Cross-examined .by prisoner: You
were drunk and I asked you to go home several
times. Mr. Freer asked prisoner if he wished to
ask any further question. • Prisoner said: It's no
good me asking questions, my word is not taken.
—ln answer to Mr. Evers, Morgan said it was more
like a riot than anything else. Stones and brick-
bats were thrown about in all directions, and the
shopkeepers had to close their shops to prevent the
windows .being broken.—David Barry said hisi
attention was Called to a disturbance outside is
shop on Saturday night, and he had to Close the
shop in consequence of the conduct of the crowd.
Prisoner and another man were fighting, and the
officer went up and tried to get them away. He
-took ths other man into custody. Prisoner tried
to get the other man away from Morgan, and a
great struggle ensuN between prisoner and
Morgan, and witness saw, the officer go down on
to the ground.—ln answer to Mr. Evers, Morgan
said he did not strike prisoner in any way what-
ever.—Police-constable Eaves said he went into
Coventry- Street, on Saturday night, and found a
great crowd assembled there. He had to use his
staff to get through the mob, and when he got
through he found the prisoner and Morgan
struggling on the ground, and he assisted to hand-
cuff prisoner. Witness did not see any signs of
prisoner having been struck, but was struck him-
self on the forehead with a stones—Police-sergeant
Jones said he went into Coventry Street about
eleven o'clock, and found hundreds- of people there
He saw prisoner lying down on the ground, Mor-
gan was at the place also. The people said the
officer had struck prisoner, and he thought the
mob would have murdered Morgan. Prisoner was
taken to a public house, but was shamming all the
time. Dr. Smith was called in, but he could not
and any signs of his being injured. He wondered
that himself and the officers were not killed by the
stones and bricks in consequence of prisoner shout-
ing out that he had been struck with a staff. In
answer to the Bench prisoner said it was no use
saying anything.—Sergeant Jones proved three
previous convictions against prisoner, who he said
was a regular rodney about the streets. Prisoner
said he was not a, rodney, but got his living by
hard work.—The Bench considered it was a very
disgraceful case. For the charge of drunkenness
prisoner was fined 40s and costs; in default one
months hard labour, and for the assault 'on
Morgan he was sentenced to six months' hard
labour.

could have wished it had been in abler hands than
his to propose. They all knew well the late
Lieutenant, Lord Lyttelton—(cheers), who did his
duties well. The same may be said of Lord
Beauchamp his successor, and he had great plea-
sure in proposing his health—(cheers).
Mr. B.
_Wooldridge proposed the next toast "The
Members of the Eastern Division of the County of
Worcester, and the Western Division of the County
of Stafford." In:doing so he said he may say with
confidence that the four gentlemen representing
the two Divisions were men of the right sort
—(cheers.) He did not say it from a political point
of view, but they were men eminently qualified to
fill the position they occupied, and had the confi-
dence.of •their constituents—(cheers(
The PRESIDENT, in acknowledging the toast, said
there were at the present time many subjects to
which their minds was very deeply devoted. Ho
remembered that that was not a political dinner,
but he should perhaps not be considered to have
discharged his duties that evening did he not mak
a few remarks upon political questions as they
affected all of there, and not in any party spirit—
(hear, hear). He would first refer to a subject
which more immediately concerned the licensed
victuallers. As regarded his position in the House
of Commons. he was no stranger to the whole body
of licensed victuallers in the support that he had
given to measures connected with their trade—
(spplause). As to the bill with which he had re-
cently identified himself, he should like what he
was going to say to go forth as an exposition of that
bill, with regard to which so much had been said.
They were all aware that, speaking generally, all
licensee with the exception of two were under the
control of the licensing body; and what he said was
this, that there had no cause been shown why
grocer's licenses and out-door licenses should not be
as much under the control of the licensing body as
other licenses—(hear, hear). He did not intend to
enter into an argument upon the subject; that he
would have to do on Tuesday, the 25th March,
when his bill came up for the second reading. It
was necessary forhim to go on further on that occasion
than to say that the opinion that grocers' and out-
door licenses should be under the control of the
licensing body equally with other licenses was not
confined to himself, but it was the opinion of almost
every bench of magistrates in the country, and he
bad not the slightest hesitation in saying that he
felt absolutely certain that when the bill came on for
second reading, if he could get it fairly before the
House, it must and should be accepted—(applause).
In the little session that was bald before Christmas,
Sir Charles Dilke moved the rejection of the bill on
its first reading on the ground that it referred to a
matter upon which there was a Commission sitting
in the House of Lords. As a Conservative member
he was delighted to find that the hon, baronet
entertained so much respect for the House of Lords,.
but he could not help thinking that the argument
had been put forward as a matter of convenience.
He was of opinion that they had waited long enough
for the House of Lords to make their report—
(hear, hear). Moreover, if that report were
to be given against the bill would it prevent hi
going to the House of Commons upon it? Was the
judgment of the House of Commons to be fettered
by the opinion of a Commission ? The bill would
be proceeded with, and he had little doubt
of the result. It had the support of per-
sons of all shades of political opinion on both sides
of the House—for instance, himself on one side and
Mr. Chamberlain on the other, and the name of Mr.
Mundella was also identified with it. He hoped
and believed that on the 25th Maras the bill would
be read a second time—(apPleuse). The hon, and
learned gentleman next 'alluded to the Weights and
Measures Act, saying that he sat upon the committee
of that bill, and might therefore be considered, to a
great extent perhaps than other persons, respon-
sible for a portion of it. The measure was passed
simply and solely as a consolidation measure. It
was intended to call the attention of the country
to what was the law existing with regard to weights
and measures, and that law had been altered to a
very small extent indeed by means of the Act. One
good that had been done by the 'Act had been to
lead Chambers of Commerce and the country gener-
ally to say what they wished to be the -future state
of the law with, regard to weights and measures.
The question Of whether there was to be the
hundred pound, or whether there was even to be
the decimal system, and indeed what was to be the
future of weights and measures, was now before the
people of this country for them, ;through their re
presentatives, to deal with as they deemed best:
With reference to the difficulty in the iron trade of
there being no authorised weight greater than
561b5., he should like to say that when it was
brought under his notice he at once went and
pointed it out to the Board of Trade, where it was
immediately appreciated. He mentioned this
publicly so that he might have an opportunity of
hearing from those more immediately connected
with the trade what was the course they wished to
be adopted with regard to it---(hear, hear, and
applause) The hon. and learned President next
referred to the depression in trade, and remarked
that the question arose how far that depression
might be owing, and to what extent it might be
minted, by any change in our fiscal relations, and
especially in our treaty relations with other
countries. In 1870 and 1871, when he represented
the city of Coventry, he took up a very strong line
with regard to the difficulty which pressed upon
English commerce. They were aware that, where-
as foreign goods entered English ports duty free,
there was practically a prohibitive duty on many
and, indeed, most of the British goods in entering
many of the great foreign consuming countries. At
the time to which he had referred he moved that a
committee should be appointed to enquire into the
master. He stated clearly that he was pledged to
no absolute opinion, but that he thought it would/
be satisfactory to the depressed trade and the,
city he represented and to the country at
large that there should be an inquiry. He re-
membered winding up one of his speeches by saying.
"for goedness' sake let us have this commitcee ;
your arguments are good, and there really is no-
thing inimical to trade, let the people know it, but
if they are had let us have an opportunity of cor-
recting the system"--(hear, hear, and applause).
He now found these visws boldly enunciated in
South Staffordshire. He did not goso far as to say
that is was possible for any measure they might
take to force other countries to alter their restric-
tive and prohibitive tariffs, but he said this—that
Our present position was not that of free trade, but
the position of a man with one hand tied endeavatir-
ing to defend himself with the other—(applause).
It was said, in answer to this, " Oh. this is
only irotection under another garb." He
maintained that it was nothing„of the kind—(hear,
hear). Jtiwouldbe said as it—Efies said by Mr.
Forster at Bradford the other night, "But how do
you propose to compel those other countries to
lower their tariffs and allow your goods to go,in?"
In replit to that he said that there were means by
which it could be done—(hear, hear). He was
norgniing on that occasion into diem:lesion
the matter, but he believed there were means, and
her Majesty might find men who would be able to
show her what ilose measiswere--(applause). For
his own part he was prepared to support any per-
sona who would seek to prevent these depressions
of trade by. enlarging the sphere of our eobrinekos
intforcing other *time to doaway With the prohibi-
tive duties upon our goods—(applatise). In con-
clusion, the hon. gentleman repeated his thanks
for the compliment that had been paid to him,
and expressed his willingneas to do an in his
power, at all times, to assist the important trade
swasrously reptiasated at titst isootiag4

DRITIMENNBSB AT CRADLIT,---EbOr Hollis and
Phillip Priest were charged with being drunk and
disorderly at Colley Lane, Cradley on the Bth just,
Police.constablee Oakey and Highway proved the
ease, and defendants were each fined 5s and costs;
in default? days.
CHARGB OF ODSTADOTING THE ROAD. At the
Police Court, yesterday, before Colonel Flacher,
Messrs. R. L. Freer and J. B. Cochrane John
Chinn was chased with leaving his cat on the high.
way, on the 7th mat, at Oldsorinford, longer than
.allowed for loading or 'unloading. Mr. Saunders de- '
fended. Police-constable Woodhall said the cart
stood under the wall by the Crib Mill Inn for thirty
minutes. He could not say there was an obstruction
as everything could pass. s l'oliee:r,onstable
Holliuig-
worth said he saw the cart at the Crab Mill for more
than thirty minutes. There was room for two car-
riages to pass side by side opposite the cart. The
width from the cart to the kerbstone was thirty feet.
Colonel Fletcher said the cart was on a portion of the
road, and the public were entitled to the whole of the
road, and if defendant was willing to pay the costs the
ease should be withdrawn, as no doubt he was ignor-
ant of the law.‘ Mr. Saunders said certainly npty he
could not do that. The evidence of the police' proved
that there was no obstruction..and there was room
for two carriages to pass. If the Bench fined defend-
ant, all he could say was that no gentleman's carriage
would be safe while the ladies went into the shops to
do business, as it would cause the free passage to be
obstructed. , Colonel Fletcher said the coachman did
not take the horse out of the carriage. Mr. Saunders
said the man took the horse out to feed him. He had
to take a load of coal to Catshill, and in all probability
if he had not fed the horse he would have been sum-
moned for cruelty to animals. Mr.lKing read two cases
bearing upon the point and the Magistrates retired to
consider their decision. On returning into Court
Colonel Fletcher said they had made up their minds
to convict. As he did not consent to pay costs they
should inflict a fine of is and costs. Mr. Saunders
gavenotice of appeakluid asked for an adjournment in
two other cases peadqtg the appeal. The application
was granted.
Taasessente....Heitry Hill, Joseph Franks , Ben-
jamin Parkes„ and Charles Hill were charged with
trespasaing on land at Churchill, on the 9th mat, be-
longing to Robert Thurston. Frank Heath, a keeper,
Rai& he saw the defendants and several others put
some dogs into a-field at Churchill Lane, belonging to
Mr. Thurston. Tile dogs beat both sides of the field
azdthere was game there. Police-constable Webb
corroborated. Defendants were tined as. and, posts
each; in default 14 days.
TIBLIPABIING xis ELVARCII OF GiME. williara
Walters, a nailer, waitharged with being on lead at
' Pool House Farm, Belbroughton, .beloving to Mr
0. p. Neel, in ,searoh of game, on the 3rd Inst.,A
gamekeeper named Henry Sehelsker and Poliee•oon-
-11 mutable Poole proved tbe case and defendant Rat
bed los and coSies in default cmaimosth.
OseraWtate 1111eiltaiwax.—Chaiie Crate*
. .

upon

was charged with obstructing the road at Oldswin- tinn of anything besides the accounts of the Board)
ford, on the 7th inst, by allowing his wagon and which you may see at the proper time. . •
2 horses on the highway. Pollee-constable Wood- After some further discussion, the next, business
Ilan proved the case and said the horses stood for was proceeded with.
forty minutes. A similar charge were preferred A special meeting was held for the purpose o
ag tinst Albert Hunt and Allan Darby,on thelth inst. electing a member of the Board in the place of Mr
Police-constable Woodhall proved the case. The Bradley, who resigned.
master of the Above defendants admitted the The CHAIRMAN moved that Mr. William Williams,
wagons were there, and said they had been in the tinplate manufacturer, Tividale ; and Mr. HADLEY
habit of baiting the horse for many years, and he moved that Mr. North, the present Mayor of Dudley,
did not think 40 minutes too long. The magistrates be elected.
remarked that the men had no rights to cause an On a division, in which Messrs. Green and
obstruction in the road. The case was withdrawn Edwards were neutral, Mr. Williams was elected.
on payment of costs. The school officer tendered his resignation of
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. William Hobson, office, which was accepted.
was charged with being drunk and disorderly on
the 7th. Police-constable Morgan proved the case
and three previous convictions. Fined 10s and
costs; in default one month.—Benjamin Kendrick,
was charged with being drunk and disorderly at
Cradley, on the 9th inst. Police-constable Oakey
proved the case, also a previous conviction. Fined
10s and costs; in default one month.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
of the Board was held yesterday, Mr. H. Bil-
lingham in the chair. There were also present
Messrs. Raybould, Kelly, Parker, Wood, Mills,
Lavender, Hingley, Giles, Fiddian, Homer,
'Thompson, Plant, Brookes, Pargeter, Haskew,
Admitted into the house during the week 16;
born 0; discharged 32 ; dead 1 ; remaining 457;
corresponding week last year 464. Out-door
relief Kingswinford district, £36 Os 04 ; Stour-
bridge district, £32 6s ; Halesowen district
£l9 14s. 8d ; non-resident 9s Od ; total £B3 lOs
7d_ ; against £59 Bs. 10d last year.
l'he Medical Officer of Health's Report showed
the death rate to be in Worcestershire 31 per
1,000 ; Staffordshire, 89 per 1,000.