The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-07-11 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER ELECTION

PETITION.

The inquiry to investigate the validity or otherwise of
the return of Baron Albert Grant, M.P., for Kiddermin.
ster, on the 314 of January last, was opened on Monday
afternoon at the Music Hall, Kidderminster, before Mr.
Justice Mellor, who arrived in the borough at three
o'clock. The Judge was met at the railway station by
the Mayor (Mr. H. Dixon) fully robed. the Town Clerk
(Mr. James Morton), High Constable of the Borough
(Mr. R. Thompson), and other officials, and proceeded to
the private rooms of the station-master (Mr. Fancourt),
who had placed his rooms at the disposal of the Mayor,
where the Judge robed, and afterward, drove to the
, Music Hall to open Court. It was generally known that
Mr. Grant, who was detained In London on Saturday
evening would enter the town by the same train, and
thousands of persons wended their way up Comberton
Hill to give their member an enthusiastic reception. As
he drove through the throng the cheers which greeted
him were deafening, and the elector, demonstrated in
every way possible to the popularity of Mr. Grant. At
the:time the Judge took hialscat the Court WAY well filled,
there being a good sprinkling of ladies in the gallery.
The tnagistratea of the borough and and county, members
of the Town Council, and a number of influential gentle..
men of the borough occupied the reserved seats near
the judge's chair.
The proceedings commenced with the Registrar, Mr,
Spencer Cox, reading the petition tiled in the Court of
Common Pleas, which contains twenty five chosen, the
principal allegations referring to the festivities which
took place at Whitsuntide. Although the petition ap.
pears a very formidable document, containing a host of
name., the majority relate to publications who it is al-
leged treated on Mr. Grant's behalf at Whitsuntide, and
women who were entertained at tea in the Vegetable
Market by the local Conservatives on Whit Tuesday.
The reading of the document occupied about a quarter of
an hour, when the Judge's lltrk announced that the
Court stood adjourned until the following morning, at
eleven o'clock. _ . _

Upon leaving the Court, Mr. Grant received a hearty
reception, and in consequence of the tremendous crowd
that thronged the front of the Lion Hotel, Mr, Grant
appeared on the balcony, and said he regretted very
much that he was unable to address them that afternoon,
but be could not reeist thanking them for the grand re-
ception they had once more given him on appearing
amongst them. In the interests of justice, for thew.
selves as well as himself, he thowiht his proper course
would be content himself with thanking them, sad as-
suring the electors that he ehould defend the trust re-
posed to him to the utmost of his rower. Before he left
the town, and after the trial was comFleted, he should
avail himself of the opportunity and pleasure of injures.
sing teem. . .

There was a strong political excitement manifested on
the part of the throng, but ail quietly disperse 1.
The counsel engaged on behalf of the petitioners
(Messrs. J. Youegjouns and C. Thomas) are Mr. C.
Ruooell, Q.C., the Hon. Chandos Leigh, and Mr. Bowen ;
sad for the respondent Mr. Hawkins, Q.C.. 'jr. Howard
Morgan, Ml'., Q.C., Mr. Montague Williams, Q C., and
Mr. Byron, most of whom entered the borough oa Mon-
day evening.
A great number of witnesses have been heard with re.
ference to the charges 1 bribery, &c.. and it is anticipa-
ted that the trial will he concluded this day (Satuiday).