The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-06-01 00:00:00

PRESENTATION TO MR. WYLIE.

The independent Liberals of Weymouth on Friday
evening met the candidate of their choice, A. C.
Wylie, Esq., at the Imperial Bunion Hotel Assembly-
rooms, in order to present him with a substantial
token of their admiration. The form selected was that
of a large silver vase, and Mr. C. Thriatle wa. en-
trusted with the commission, which he most satisfac-
torily ft:08118d. The vase was of solid silver, and
weighed 108 ounces; it is a fine specimen of wotk-
manship, and quite unique, being the first of the kind
made. It was copied from an ancient Roman vase
I In the British museum, and is surrounded by a wr redi
of (silver) ivy leaves. It stands on • moveable
pedestal, on which is the inscription :—" Presented to
Alexander C. Wylie, Esq., by friends in Weymouth,
as a token of their warmest appreciation of Ills noble
endeavour to strengthen the Liberal party by contest-
ing the second seat for that borough at the General
Election of 1880."
The committee for the management of the meeting
and supper were-51r. A. Dennis, Mr. F. Brown, Mr.
T. A. Abbott, Mr. B. Parsons, with Mr. C J. Free-
man, secretary .nd treasurer, and they mu-t be con-
gratulated on their great succese, for the electors and
expectant elect,rs had another opportunity of being
bound t gether in the cause of Liberalism, whil at
the repast the f irmer enjoyed a most pleasant time,
the remembrane of which will chnulate them to
future efforts. . . . . .

A large o impany were gathered ic the room, induct.
lag many ladies.
Mr. R. GLIIKELLL, on entering, was received with
toire-.7.'dstder tnodnsrvetrtel lidilesticMo watt
including Miss Wylie (sister), Kra Wallace, and Mrs.
Burn, who were heartily welcomed, then Mr. Wylie was
saluted with loud and enthusiastic cheers, the company
rising. His was accompanie Iby Mr. Wallace, R.v.
Bdtan, Mr. Ruegg, Mr. Burns, and among those in the
body of the room or at the supper following wet..:—
Rev. & Butcher (Upwey), Mr. T. Abbott, JP., Mr. W.
Luning. Mr. K Luning, Kew. W. Smith, Mr. T. J. A.
Buck. Mr. G. J. Freeman. Mr. A. Dennis. Mr. T. R.
Charles. Kr. ()rocker, Mr. Beale, Mr. Botcher, Mr. Cooke,
Mr. F. Bennett. Mr. B. Parsons, Mr. RAIL Kr. Josses,
Mr. White, Messrs. Cook. Woodland, Boomer:, Purchase.
Masters. J. lanes, Burch, Bartlett. Capt. Pitt, Wright,
Royal, Neigh. E. Mace, S. Wallis. G. Chalker, Thriatle,
Sparrow, Gawky, Hayman, Bartlett, G. Russell, Randall,
W. Rogers Drayton, Hall. Gundry, Legg, Liarmonth,
Martin, .ile.. The number was so great that the above
must be only taken as specimens, showing the hearty
union of classes.
Mr. GLSILIELL did not think that elections a-e an unmixed
evil; ths previous contest the highest number polled by the
highest Conservative who came forward at that time was
a little over 500. Now, u the C meet retire pol led so me where
over SW at the last election, C ,nservatisto boa increased
in the town to the number of 300 in five years, or else of
the nearly SOO split votes the insjority were given on the
plan—" Ws give you: you give we. (Laughter.) They
had to educate these people to say—“ We will not be given,
we will not be the chattels of any man: we will • to con.
sciantiously as we think right." He most warmly conveyed
to his friend Mr. Wylie the expression of his deep obliga-
tion for having so nobly advocated Liberal principles in
this borough. (Applause.) Kr. Oaken wound up
with an extract from Dr. Arnold:—" One of those
great occasions of good or evil which are 8o largely
ministered to Englishmen—an opportunity for so much
energy, for so much rising beyond the mere selfishness of
domestic interest' and the narrowness of mere individual
or local pursuits; but an opportunity also for every base
and bad passion, for corruption, for fear, for tyranny, for
malignity. Such is an elution, and such is all human
life, and those who rail against these double-banded
appointments of God Luaus, they have an evil handle as
well as a good may desire the life of the seven sleepers, for
then only can opportunities of evil be taken from us when
we lees also all opportunity of doing or of becoming good.
However, even as an occasion of evil, there is no doubt
that our elections are like an inoculating for • disorder, and
so mitigating. The party spirit and the feuds which now
spend themselves in bloodless contests would, if these were
away, find a far more deadly vent. They solve that great
problem—how to excite a safe and regulated politic.'
activity." (Applause.)
Rev. F. BOLTON made the pneentation with an appro.
priate speech.

Mr. WYLIE was received with immense applause. After
returning thank,. Mr Wylie said there was no reason why
Mr. Edwards and himself should not have run neck and
neck, why they should not have CORM out with the eatne
number of votes. It was not detrimental to Mr. Eiwards
that he wee to be allied with a second Liberal candidate'
it was to unite the Liberal party, and it was to empliasizo
the position of Mr. Elwards as • Liberal member. That
position wesialmost worthless at present, and the return of
one member on either aide of politics was • practical dis-
franchisement of the borough. (Hear, hear.) The testi-
monial would become the possession of his son if he out-
lived him, and be would keep it as he prised his life. Their
kindness would be valued by all the members of his faintly;
his father expressed his entire and complete satisfaction
with the result' of the recent electio 1, he was amply
satisfied because his son was able to command the support
and affection, and suffrages of a large number of his fellow.
creatures. For one reason above others he liked the testi-
monial; when be received those gratifying receptions he
was invariably being told that a considerable number of
those who came to his meetings were non-electors, they
were described ail the "rag. tag, and bobtail" of the Viten.
It seemed that outside that rag, tag, and bobtail, there
was a very substantal class, otherwise they would never
have mien that handsome testimonial, and this showed
he was not only in po.session of the support of the class
that could give him such a testimonial, but he bad also the
support of the tag, rag, and bobtail. (Laughter.) This
completely answered the objection put forward by the
Tory Pram and he hoped they would be satisfied that he
carried away a proof that in Weymouth he had made •
number of very substantial friends. (Applause.)
Mr. Rosa° moved • vote of thanks to the chairman.
(Applause)
Mr. WaLL•Cit seconded the vote of thanks.
The (Amuses acknowledged the compliment, and said
it would not surprise him if there were an election much
earlier than is now expected.
The meeting broke up with cheers.

The "supper" was really • capital dinner, Provided in
the large and bright room attached to Mr. C mke's
taunter., which was fitted up in chaste hut attractive
style. The tables were beautifully laid out, and made
gayer with pot freers and ferns. The repast ww placed
on the is by Mr. Cooke in such • way ex did the
greatest credit to hie cuisine, and the waiting was
excellent. The gentlemen who were at the Bunion Hotel
set at the head table, and the room was well filled with
voters, about 130 being present.
In spite of the insinuations which had. been thrown
out of danger to the Throne should Libendism triumph,
the sentiment. expreawd were thoroughly loyal, " God
save the Queen" being first honoured, the band, led by Mr.
G. P. Jones musically accompanying. Mr. Mechem% sang a
good song, and Mr. B. Parsons gave the health of "Alex-
ander 0. Wylie, IN., Kra. Wylie, an* family," received
with "For his a jolly good fellow." Mr. .7. Rolls with
tsong, further enlivened the evening, which, 'weeded to
e "free sad easy," was occupied with a pleasing variety
of health-drinkiel, gentle:mate, and songs.
Kr. WTLIL in response to the toast of his health, thid
he was very anxious about the propooted Liberal
ameiatiee and urged all present to work heartily for the
continuance in power of the Liberal party, and the win.
ning of the tw3 nate at Weymouth by Liberal.. Warning the voters against the tendency of the aristocratic rides,
he pointed out the Marquis of Exeter had stated the
Ballot Act is • great evil. Why did the Conservatives not
like the ballot 1 The great name of the people knew it
WOA the great safeguard of the poor voter, and that under
its man who slipped a £5 note into the hand of • voter
could not tell whether the man who received It voted for
hint or against him. He warmly thanked Hum on his
behalf and that of Mrs. Wylie for the kiadneee they had
shown him, and especially named Mr. Dennis, who received
him first in Weymouth, when he came driven to spy out
the land. flaring heard all sorts of horrible things about
Weymouth. and resolved to go down quietly and enquire,
be first asked • sailor on the Quay about the chance of a
second Liberal candidate for Wsrymouth. The sailor said
—"I hope to goodness he will come r " Why r said Kr.
Wylie. "Boom it la a thaw* of taming as bowl