The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-04-06 00:00:00

, being informed of the circumetance, would not permit
them to stay there, and so they had to take up a position
' outside the building. About ten o'clock • notice was
affixed to the doors of the two halls stating that the Pull
110.1 commenced at eight o'clock a.m, and would close at
, four pin. It was considered by the Conservatives that
the Liberal agents looked "rather down in the mouth*
during the morning, but we cannot say that we observed
anything of the kind. Voting by ballot was a new feature
in connection with Parliamentary election in Bridport,
and the quietness of the proceedingo was the euliject of
general comment. At half-past eleven o'clork Pet voters
I hail pulled at the Town-hall, and Ise at the Drill-hall
: Just before twelve o'clock Mr. Norfolk delivered an
address from the window of the Greyhound Hotel. He
referred to the way in which he hail been spoken of by
the Dorset County itxpe,ss. Coma!, Chronicle and She ro,rne
Joontesi, the editor of the former of which had said it was
a mad freak of his in coming to Bridport, others had in-
serted a paragraph headed a
"Lunatic at large ;" he asked
the electors did he look like a lunatic at large; was it a
mad freak of him to come to Bridport had he done any-
thing to merit the treatment he had received from those
who had cut his hat and reviled him ; he would make them
pay for the way in which they had acted towards him.
He continued to hold forth against the local journals,
remarking that the Brulport News was the worst of the
lot ! He then distributed various tracts from the window
on Women's Suffrage and other subjects. Just client
this time another handbill made its appearance, criticising
the Conservative speeches that had been made in the
town, pointing out what the Tories had done and were
endeavouring to do, and railing on the electors to "support
the party of liberty, of equity, and of proem,. by voting,
and voting at once, for Mr. Italli." Between one and two
o'clock, in contequence of sonic of the mills having sus.
pended work, the streets became crowded,. and Party
colours were fully displayed, the majority of the
boy' wearing blue cards in their hats bearing the
words "Vote for Ralik" Red and white was also to he
seen here and there. and bunches of blue violets in
the button hole of the vest were quite the rage. Mr.
Norf.Ok held forth from the Star hotel about half-islet one
o'clock, and amused a crowd very much, but some of his
oliservations were very pithy, and lie had a retort for all
who interrupted him. The "blanket" question formed
an important part of his speech, our did he forget to
castigate the papers again for what they had publisned
respecting him; and no doubt this speechifying had one
good end, for it amused those assembled, who shouted
" Ralli for ever," " Whetham for ever," ex., dtc., as they
desired. Mr. Rani proceeded ltown West-street about this
time, was immensely eheered, and raised his hat in
acknowledgment. Between one and two o'clock a large
number of voters polled, and at the latter hour 3117 had
entered the polling stations at the Town Hall, and IV at
the I/rill Hall, making a toed id all out of 1.00.1 voters on
the list. "if Wel voters pill," said a Liberal in our hear-
ing, "IMO of them will have voted for Mr. Ralli !" Not
"looking !Mall in the mouth" that, we thought,
but kept our "pinions to ourselves, RS we thought
the wisest course under the circumstances. Things
went on very lieiskly till throe o'clock, at which
time 374 had polled at the Town Hall, and at the Drill
I talk making a total of 77-1. It was thought certain in the
day that a great many would abstain from voting, some
thinking more than Me would not poll. whilst others
thought that tele would be nearer the mark, but this idea
seemed to be without foundation; and of course the
result of the poll conbl not be at all certain, even to those
who knew most about it. At four o'clock, as near ea
COUld be ascertained, I,:e. voters bad leillixl. A vast crowd
a...melded at the cbee of the poll out-.id,, the Town Hall,
anxious to hear the result.
The crowd that waited outside the hall to hear the
result of the polling were amused by Mr. Norfolk who
continuml ti speak for about two hours off melon, varying
the proceedings by walking about the town followed by a
number of boys who shouted and cheereel. By quarter'
lust seven there must have been at least 2,010 u people
aseemleed in the vicinity of the Town Hall, and at that
time the result of the ibuy's voting was declared from the
front window of the hall as follows :
BALL! (Liberal)
WELETHAII (Conservative)

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