The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-11-08 00:00:00

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Perhapa the oold weather has taken the pluck out of
the "fighting politicians" of our town, whose bent-
potest faculties are exercised to such an abnormal
extent at this time, or it may be but another exempli-
fication of the proverb "Still waters ran deep;' at
any rate the Dorchester Municipal Election of 'Bl may
be daily summed up in two words "decidedly tame.'
None d that bustle and excitement of old, which has
roused old Dorchester just as she was about to settle
down quietly for the winter; no spicy squibs, which
have amused so many and hurt so very few. The
polling places at the Town Hall and Corn Exchange
presented pretty much the same appearance as they
always do, with the exceptionof the few thirsty soub
alert for the " 'arf pint" which may sometimes be
picked up on such occasions. The only evidence of
anything unusual going on was the borough constable
who kept watch and ward at each door. The cold,
wet, miserable weather of the day added to the moral
dread:sem of the scene, and no doubt was the most
potent MON of the peaosfulaess of the day's pro-
readings.
The Miring members, all of whom sought re-deo-
lion, were the Mayor (Mr. W. Darden), Mr. Robert
Hunt, Mr. Francis Lock, and Mr. T. Bennett. "New
blood" was represented by Mr. George Davis.
Most unwisely, in the opinion of great many, the
four former gentlemen had formed a coalition, and it
is to this fact as much as to anything that the union
was brolons. It thus had all the appearance of a four
to-one fight, and, with that happy characteristic for
which the British working-man is noted, no matter
whether rightly or wrongly' he went for the one. Of
course, we don't pretend to say this of the MOP
enlightened burgesses, who would weigh carefully the
Individual merits of each candidate ; but there is very
little doubt not • few, who are apt to give their " vote
and interest" rather promiscuously, were influenced by
tht cosimposnos of the four old members.
Although it was generally anticipated that Mr.
Davis would secure one of the meats, even the most
essenine of his supporters hardly expected such a
✓esult as was shown at the declaration of the poll. In
conjunction with the cause aforesaid, this may be
attributed to the face that a most assiduous and thorough
canvass had been made by him, whereas none of the
other candidate', with the exception of Mr. Hunt, had
made very numerous solicitations.
Only one or two placards appealing to the tender
patides of the had been issued—one
Mews. Dorden, Hunt. P. Look, and B.
Bennett, as the true friends of the working men, and
Mr. Davis was honoured with • more euphonious
and dubbed "The champion ot the working men's
✓ights." A few vehicles were employed to convey those
weary voters who preferred to tidaz: very few
availed themselves of the COO sad the
majority, Whether working-moo or not, WON above it
the
polling prooseded quietly isoongh at the two
stations, under the eyes of Mr. Alderman
Comte (adorning Mow), Mr. Giles Bytom& (Town
Clerk), and Mr. Henry Symonds (Deputy Town
Clerk.)
At six o'clock, the poll Wee declared by Mr. Alder-
man Odom as follows :
Mr. Durde'
Mr. Hunt .• •• • ... ... 312
Mr. Bennett • • . .. 248
Alsbough the result ern! prove satisfactory to a
mei of the 371 who voted for the "champion"—
es
had been termed—we feel sure the ousting of
Mr. BIOUWOO Will be a source of sincere reeret to many,
for that gentleman has done no less than 25 years' good
Nweice at the Council Chamber, aad filled the office
al mayor with credit to Modell and to the town. Mr.
Bennett retires at the behest of the "free and hide-
r but he retires with the coneciouenesd of hay.
Clidet bis duty to the best of his ability. However
mad his friends may regret it, we feel sure in • great
measure be owes his additive defeat to the causes above
dated-
the wising the Volunteer and Town Bands
odd& the bonds of the successful candidates,
Vedder'', Pols wirsenne In' Bt. Peter's bell-ringers.