The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-03-30 00:00:00

THE REPRESENTATION OF BRIDPORT.
(Coatiaaed from grul page.)

- - -
On Monday morning Mr. Norfolk attended morning
prayer at St. Mary's church, at eight o'clock, still without
• hat, but shortly afterwards he appeared in the streets
wearing a "bowler,- and was busy in making the neces-
sary prepai-ations for his nomination, he still expressing
his determination of going to the poll.
The nomination took place at the Town Hall, and
punctually at ten o'clock the Mayor was in attendance.
The clock had ...redly .lone striking when Alderman Sir ,
Charles %Vbetham. attended by his son, Mr. W. T.
Whethani, entered the hall. Shortly afterwanls Mr. RAIli,
accompanied by Mr. Joseph Oundry and Mr. William
Swain attended. Much surprise seemed to be felt in the
town that the nomination was done privately, it not Icing
generally known amongst the voters that that course is
rendered imperative by the Ballot Act. The public, how.
ever, were not long kept in suspense as to what WNx being
done, as at half-past ten o'clock a paper was *nixed to
the door of the Tewrnhall, setting forth that Sir
Charles Whetham. Knight of 52, Cordonoiquan., in
the county of Middlesex, had leen proposed by
Mr. Richard locker, of North Allington, and secon.led
by Mr. William H. hay, of hlast-street. A second paper
shortly afterwards appeared, stating that Nodal
of Relgrave Square, in the county of Middle-
sex, had been duly proposed by Mr. Joseph floudry. of
Hoe House, Ibitlienhampton, and 5ec...n.101 by Mr. ,
Williamu Simin, of Brulport Harbour, Burton Itradstoek.
Ilut u hat INA become of Mr. Norfolk Ile was still busy
Aland the town ; but with all his efforts at ten minutes to
twelve he wanted Nor more to support his nomination.
Twelve o'clock struck, the Dinh allowed for the 'minima.
lion was over, and Mr. Norfolk was sit if the field, as he
had failed to obtain the necessary support. Another hour
was allowed for any objections to he made, and as there
were none, the usual makes were issued stating that the
poll would take place on Wednesday -that there would lie
two polling stations at the Town Hall and two at the Drill
Hall, at which electors were directed to vote by means of
puhlished initial letters, thus A.B.C. at No. I, 11.1. J. at
N.L2, ant s? on.. .

Mr. M hothanis nomination was supporta.' hy W. Le
Gros Denzitoe, J. Hoare, G. A. Samson, J. Tumor, It.
Corniqi, C. Northover, 11. N. Cox, F. Goml.
. .

Mr. Italia *nomination was supported by TI!. Edmund;
E. P. °unary, J. Williams. E. Cox, C. Newberry, H.
Howell, G. 11. Ewen; T. K Biddleemulte, T. J. Smith.
The contest now lies between Sit Charles %Vhethain and
Mr. Haiti, and sonic little interest is felt as to the result
SAMIC partisans are be",,inning to display their colours, and
no doubt on the day of the election it will bee • general.
At half-past one o'clock on Monday Mr. Norfolk
addressed a very large crowd from his window at the
Greyhound Hotel He tussle a capital speech, and was
listened to very attentively throughout. tor an hour and-
s-half he spoke, touching on • great number of the leading
questions of the day. As the electors had declined to
support hint, be urged them to vote for Sir Charles
Wltethani, who had done so much for the town in the
past. and would continue to take an interest in th3ir
welfare. As eonscientious Churchmen Ile said they were
hound to support Sir Charles; as for the thasentcrs who ob-
jected so much to ritual in the Church of England they could
not vote fora member of the Greek church. Although he
tad taken down his red nag, the flag of Sir Charles still
floated, and he called upon the electors to gather around
the Conservative banner. Although not accepted by
Bridport, he should eontest every vacant seat until he was
returned. He should think of the few days he had passed
iii liridport with great pleasure, although one or two of
the inhabitants had 00 maliciously destroyed his hat. It
might have been the hat was ..f mature age, and rather
queer in shape, for which be had often been teased by hi,
relative; but he valued the hat solo old friend, for it had
kept hint company for 25,0110 miles &Inns the last twelve
months. No doubt he should bring his wife to Bridport
, in the summer if his Parliamentary duties allowed hint,
for he expected to be • member of the House of Commons
by that time—(lauhter). In conclusion he wished the
electors "good bye,' and assured them that if he W. 14
liberty he should again come forward for Bridyv.t as the
first opportunity.