The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-09-05 00:00:00

E!2e ctourbriky Oberber.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1874.

THE ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS.

The election of Commissioners for the township
of Stonrbridge took place on Thursday last, and
was marked by that absence of public excitement
—we might almost say interest—which has charac-
terised previous elections, with few exceptions,
ever since the present Act came into force. One
of the principal reasons alleged as a necessity for
the present Act, was that it would enable the
townspeople to elect their own governing body;
bat judged by their conduct since, the boon has not
been valued very highly, and it has happened on
more than one occasion ;,that Commissioners have
been elected by their own votes and those of a few
friends. It was thought by some that there would
be a little more interest manifested on the present '
occasion, as it was kn )wn that in all probability
those now placed in office would have to deal with
some very important questions. Foremost amongst
these will be the extension of sewerage of the
town to meet the requirements pointed out by Dr.
Ilallard's report, and the future disposal of the
sewage. The first of these will cause a very large
expenditure of the public money ; and it will
depend very much upon the way in which our local
authorities deal with the second item whether it

results in an outlay affording no return, or,
whether, through careful and skilled management
it becomes in the course of time a positive source
of income. It will not be necessary now to dilate
upon the different met hods adopted for the disposal
of the sewage at Croydon, Warwick, Birmingham,
and other places where this question has already
been solved more or less satisfactorily; as we have
no doubt that when the time comes proper enqui-
ries will be made, and the best information
obtained upon the subject. The question of rail-
way accomoclation, too, is one that will have to
come under their consideration. The solution of
these and other important questions which are
constantly cropping up will require sonic careful
deliberation, and it is but fitting that the best men
for the purpose--men of large business experience,
tact, and ability, who have some stake in the town

—should be selected to deal with them. We do
not wish to say that those chosen are not as well

fitted for the post as if they had been elected by
never such large numbers. Hitherto our Commis-
sioners, as a body, have been gentlemen of con-
siderable business capacity and unimpeachable
integrity, and those who have been elected on the
present occasion form no exception to the rule.
But we are of opinion that it would be decidedly
more encouraging to the Commissioners themselves,
, and have a tendency to make them think more
highly of the ditties that devolve upon them if
there was a little more interest displayed in their
election. One of the greatest axioms of that
father of English philosophy—Lord Bacon—was
that there is never an effect without a cause, and
we will now speak of one or two of the causesthat
have the effect of producing so much apathy in
the instances referred to. It has been alleged by
some that one of the causes is that the Commis-
sioners have hitherto performed their work so well
that the townspeople have full confidence in them.
This would account for it in some degree, but the
fact that those who have hitherto held office have
performed their duties conscientiously, is no proof
that all who are elected after them will act in like
I manner. It must be very evident that if any per-
son or persons who had interested motives wished
to become Commissioners—(it being understood
I that they had the necessary property qualifications)
—it would be one of the easiest things imaginable

for them to get themselves elected by a emu, de
asits. We think that among the principal reason;
for the paucity of.voters are the inconveniences
attending the voting, on account of its taking
place on a very busy day in the week, and at hours
when it is inconvenient for the majority to attend'
The fact, too, that in the case of no one registering
a vote during one hour, the poll is closed, militates
considerably against a large number of votes being
recorded. There are numbers of working men who
cannot spare the time to go to the poll before
dinner, and who would have voted during the
dinner time, but that the poll is closed long before
' they have an opportunity of doing so. We know
of several who would have voted in the South
Ward on the present occasion, if it had not been
for this. These are a few of the causes of the ap-
parent apathy with which elections of Commis-
sioners are regarded in this town, and with which
they will continue to be regarded until some of
them, at least, are removed.
Whilst we are on this subject we may as well
point out a glaring deficiency of the present Act.
, It is that in it no provision is made for the nomi-
nation of candidates. At present there is no
meeting called for the purpose, as it would be non-
effective if there was. It is true, a voter may

Hagley annual Shropshire ram sale was held
on Monday, at which sonic excellent animals
from the flocks of Messrs. Webb, Kiuver Hill;
J. Harward, Winterfold ; W. F. Firmstone,
Hagley ; and W. Yates, Grindie, were put up to
crempeeition. First came fourteen shear,ings of
Mr. Harward, but they were not equal to hie
show at previous sales, the highest price realised
being .e. 7 17s 61. Then came fifteen shearliegs
free, the Kiever Hill flock, good even militia's,
with pieley of belie anti wool, which appear to
be the class of sheep suited:to the requirements
name any qualified person he chooses on his vet-
of the neleillieurhood ; the highest price realised
ing paper when he goes to the poll, this being the
was £ll its., and the averaee iirice a little over
only nomination that is legal. If there was a „eB.,—a very good one for BO many as fifteen at
proper nomination, after the manner of that which a suiall sale like Higley. Next came eleven
shearlings of Mr. W. F. Firmstone, all beautiful
takes place before the election of members of
slif:ep, too fine for the customers, as only IliY
Parliament all parties would be benefitted. The were sold, the best price being £6. 16s. 6d.
candidates, on the one hand, would know who were The last to show in Shropshire was Mr. Yates,
competing for the vacancies, and could, if they seven shearlings from whose flock realised an
average of £B. 15s, thehighest price being £l5.
chose, retire front the contest; and the ratepayers 153. ; these were long, strong sheep, with plenty
would be able to vote for men who would pledge or wool. Some Leicester rains of Mr. Harris, of
themselves to attend the meetings. Frequently at Stoney Lane, were, like Mr. Firuistone's Shrop-
shires. thought to be too finely bred, and only
pe,temt votes are wasted on persons who have not
One out of seven was sold. Tao ewes sold to-
the requisite property qualifications, or who have quite no seecial note, 60s. being the highest
no ambition for the poet, and therefore do not price realised, which was for a Winterfold pen.