The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-11-03 00:00:00

bud &loth! Cling.

TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 3, 186&

Soriutobirg•

_
TITS MUNIMAL XLECTIoNS.

The annual elutiona conserplent upon one slots= of
manisipal representation, took place yesterday, and
Mu returns we are now enabled to lay before our readers
ars singularly suggestive of the state of local polities in
the several boroughs. Commencing with the county
town, we fled that there 1. 10 little in the ontnieimility
of Dorchester calculated to excite the hippos or fears os
the burgesses, that it was only, as we are told, on the
application of one of the retiring councillors that a
burgess was found to take even interest enough in the
election to re-nominate the outgoing ,men. We believe
Wet there was not • thought of opposition, and that
the only possible question was whether burgesses could
be found willing to take the honours and dignities of
the municipal office. At Weymouth there were no
less than four new candidates, and the contest seems to
have been waged principally on personal grounds,
although probably not without some reference to the
line of conduct pursued by the retiring members,
and that which it wee believed the new eandidates
would take, on several important questions
before the local Parliament. In Blandford the towns.
folk know so little of the proceedings of the Council,
through the privacy In which they conduct their business.
that the struggle turned on the popularity of the
several candidates. At Poole the agitation occasioned
by the coming Parliamentary battle in that borough
communicated to the municipal ntest in • large
measure the ardour of party strife, and from early
morn to the close of the contest, the borough was the
scene of the liveliest excitement. The Council at
Bridport is regulated strictly by party considerations,
but, this year, as both Conservatives and Liberals have
got enough to do in connection with the Parliamentary
onitest, the municipal representation wee decided with
out • fight. The following a're the several returns :

DORCHISTML —Tho ConnciLlors retiring by rotation
were Messrs. G. J. Andrews, M. Devenish, E. Steele,
and W. Slade. They were renominated by Mr. G. S.
Greerung, and, there being no opposition, ware re-
sleeted.

Poocg.—The gentlemen retiring by rotation from the
Council were as follows :—South-Bast Ward—Masan
T. Bilbao and Henry Farmer, and Drs Augustus
Hamilton; North-Went Ward—Messrs- J. Davis, G.
Frampton, and W. L. C. Adey. The gentlemen
nominated were for the North-West Ward :—Mr. W.
L C. Ailey (nominate! by Mr. W. H. Ballard), Mr.
Frampton (cominated by Mr. J. Adey), Mr. G. Nesse
Penney (nominated by Mr. F. Travers), Mr. George
Curtis (nominated by Mr. lityring), Mr. W. B. Coward
(nominated by Mr. Styring), Mr. J. Hayman (nominated
b_y Kr. fityring). For the Bouth-Esst Ward :—Mr.
T. Belben (nominated by Mr. Rogers and Mr. Kemp),
H. Farmsr (nominated by Mr. Kemp), Dr. A. P.
Hamilton (nominated by Mr. Rogers), Mr. R. J. Conway
(nominated by Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Edson), and Mr. W.
N. Western (nominated by Mr. F. T. Rogers). Mr.
Western published an address in which be said he
would "strive to merit conlidenee by strictly attending
to the duties of the office and upon all occasions to
praetice economy." Messrs. Coward, Curtis, and
Hayman, issued • joint address. in which it was stated
that 'it would be their study to promote in every
respect the interest of the ratepayers." Mr. R. J.
Conway said in his address that 'he would, if elected,
endeavour faithfully and independently to serve the real
interests of the borough of Po de." The conto‘t ootn-
°repaid at nine o'clock, and domed at four, when the
following was the state of the poll :
... 151
... 159
1

NORTH WI.ST WARD.

Adey
Frampton
Penney
Coward
eartis

.. 124
~. 145
... 130

SOUTH EAST WAILD.

Farmer • 13
Conway . 132
Hamilton • 126
During the afternoon there was very great excite.
rnent, and from four to five o'clock, whilst the poll
books were being made up by the Aldermen of the
Wards, reveral akirmiahes took place amonpt the
crowd outside the ball. At five o'clock the poll was
declared by Alderman Dome and Alderman Pearce.
The six gentlemen elected were all nominated by the
Conservative party. Mr. T. Bothell was nominated
also by the Liberals. After the declaration two or
three gentlemen returned thank., Fut who they were
and what they said, we cannot tell, owing to the h.. 11
being in darkness, and the shouting of the non-electors.
The apponiutment of eherilf for the year will now rest
with the Conservative party.

BRIDPORT. —The outgoing couneillors were, in the
north ward Mr. H. N. Cos (Conservative). and Mr. C.
Tucker and If r. J. P. Suttill (Liberals) in the south
ward, the en4or (E. Cox, Esq.) and Mr. J. C. Larconibe
(Liberals), and Mr. J. Ilounsell (Conservative). There
was no opposition to the election of the above gentletuen.

WlgitiOnTn.—The retiring councillors this year were
Mesa;.. John Timid, Drew, E. Baunton, end S. Brown
for Melcombe Regis ward, and Meyers. H. Devenish and
Vedas for Weymouth ward. The nomination papers
ironed on Friday, besides the retiring members, con-
tained the names of Lairs. Maunders, Dyer, and
Hurdle for Ifelcombe Regis, and Mr. E. C. Seaman for
Weymouth Ward. The formal proceedings of the
election oomtnenced at nine o'clock in both wards, but
little interest was at first manifested, especially on the
Weymouth Bide, where the ward alderman, Mr. R. N.
Howard, and the assessors, Messrs. C. Beale, and W.
Tucker, had a very easy Ulna Sufficient votes were
not recorded for Mr. Seaman to keep the poll open,
Indeed we heard • rumour that that gentleman had
resigned. Acoordingly, alter the preliusinariee required
by law had been observed, Messrs. Henry Devenish,
brewer, and George Juba* Vertue, merchant, were
returned without the least excitement, The poll
closed so suddenly that the burgesses were taken some-
what by surprise, and there were only about a dozen or
a dozen and a half preseat. The ward alderman briefly
returned thanks in the plate of Mr. Gevenish, who bad
not arrived, for the favour done hike by re-election, and
Mr. Vertu., also in • few words expressed his iseknow-
meats. Three hearty cheers were then given for
Messrs. lleyeaish and Vertu', and three for the ward
alderman alter which the proceedings terminated for
this ward!, and the neighbourhood of the old Townffiall
and High-street resound its wontedquiet.
Affairs in the Melcombe Wird increaaergin liveliness as
the hours passed on, and it was evident that a spirited
contest was being c.oried on, although front the
ni.ostentations mode of voting prescribed within the
last few yaws, the anxious enquiries as to who was
gaining had to remain uautisfied. Mr. Milledge sat as
Ward AJdertnan, assistsd by Mr. Lovell, aseeseor, and
Mr. Bartlett, deputyosseaor, and votes came in with
tolerable quickness uutil noon, when there was • brisk
demand upon the attention of the officials. Outside the
hall politicians congregated in large knots, discussing
the prospects of the candidates. Ever and anon walking
sandwiches threaded their way among Ors expectant
loiterers, bearing placards with the words "Vote for
Hurdle, the poor man's friend," while the un-
wonted luxury of carriages was indulged in by those
who were unwilling to pedestrianise to the poll. Beer
was said to be abundant ; but this deponent
declines to vouch for the truth of the charge, although
one or two appeared more excited than was condstent
with adherance to teetotal beverages. Yet the greatest
humour everywhere seemed to prevail, and the little
peculiarities shown shadow., we fear, of the coming
ev.nt, the parliamentary electioa, only served to give
a little piquancy to what might otherwise have been
comparatively ?mes, s s

A, the time for closing the poll approached the Hall
and its approaches became densley crammed, end some
difficulty was experienced in preserving free access to
the polling pleas Mr. l'othecary addressing the Ward
Alderman, exploded the state of affairs, and the
Alderman directed that the way should be kept clear.
Precisely at four o'clock the Ward A (Mr.
Jam MILLIDGS) declared the poll closed, and intimated
that, if order were preserved, unless the menabera came
very close tog. ther, my within three or four or five,
he should declare the poll this evening; but utiles, they
were silent he should dissappoint them.
After a short tionsithe WARD ALDRSAIAN said it gave
him rivet pleasure to be able to give them the state of
the poll this evening, beads) he knew that at elections
of this sort • large amount of excitement prevails, and
the sooner that is over the better for them all. He had
great pleasure is announcing the numbers of the different
candidates, and the first four of course he ehould declare
elected —(tremendous sheers). He then read over the
numbers as follows :
Tixard
Meanders •.. ... 34
The first four were then declared daly elected, amid
great cheering.
The Miami (J. Tizard, Req.), then thanked his
brother burgesses for placing him in so proud a position
on the mill—(Cries of " How about the compact?')
Fleeing •MY vote, in his favour out of the 519 that had
recorded their votes, he could not bet think that what
ha bad done sines he bad the honour of representing
them in the Council had given them satielaotion—
(oheers). All he would say was that he should continue
to do what his judgmeat considered best for the interests
of his motive town - (Cheers).
Mr. handl, on rising was received with cheers and
uproar. He sebl they had fought the fight, and now
let them ground their arms, and let byegones be bye.
goose. They had fought nobly and honorably,
neighbollrly and aittY agreeably. Indeed—be had
shaken hands with them all—(clieees). He liked a
good fighter; but did not want to be always quarrelling.
They had done well, they had beaten the compact, and
now all that is buried. Now the only thing was to
thank them for placing him is the honourable position
they had. He was very proud to have been placid
ase,,,,d on the poll, he should have been berry to have
been first, onsaidsring that they had there so honour-
able • gentleman as the mayor. Rod he was better
plowed to be doond to him. With fighting, within
and fighting* without be was quite bodes, and ho
would eonslade by returning them his thanks
(dews).

Mr. DTI*, addressing them as brother Mimeses end
townsmen, was glad to thank them for having placed him
in that honourable position as on. Of the tube itou
The number of votes they hail given him, 278, be should
never forget, and hh hoped that while he was in the
Town Coe nail he should do justice to them and the
towh at large. He hoped and trusted be should never
be found wanting at any meeting, or in anything to
advance their interests as well as his owc -(uproar).
(Mr. Webb appealing in dumb show to the audience to
be quiet). Mr. Dyer continued that he should watch
over their interests in watching over his own, and what
be did for them he should do for himself —(cries of "two
shillings a day.") He should be very sorry to tax him-
self for twins. Beteg only a youngster amongst them
—(by this time the Uproar increased so much that Mr.
Brown could not be heard, and be concluded with
renewed thanks amid cheers). There were cries for Mr.
Disw ' • but as be did not appear,
Mr. ll•urroN said it would be out of place for him
to make • long Bowery speech; but he tLanked
those gentlemen who had voted for him. He
was very proud to stand before them with the proud
oonsciousness of having done his duty in the Town
Council. He bad no doubt that before long there may
be another Councillor wanted in the chamber, and that
on smother occasion he would be returned at the bead
of the poll—(cheers)—and be would always endeavour
to look ales their interests. After expressing his regret
that Mr. Drew was not present to return thanks, Mr.
Baunton's address was terminated with the cheers of
the orowd.

Mr. HURDLI also rettinied thanks. It was the first
time be bad olfered himself for the Council, sail had
polled 218 votes. Those numbers, he thought, should
n .t be forgotten, and if there should be a vacancy he
hoped his friends would endeavour to put bun in a better
p-eition than at present. His present position he had
been placed in by his brother burgesses of this
bosougb. He suggested some improvement was wanted
in the Council comber, and be did not belong
to the Compact or Anti-Compact party, but came for-
ward ti represent their opinions. He was advised to
join either the Compact or the Anti-Compact party,
but he refused, for the side he would take was that of
the burgesses of the borough —(oheers).
Mr. TizARD proposed a vote of thanks to the Ward
Alderman and rurseseora, for their Impartial conduct.
He bad always found the Ward Alderman do justice
between party and party—(eluers).
Mr. lltiminue returned thanks, but his remarks were
inaudible in the noise.
The proceedings thin terminated.

11LAwDroaD. —For the vacansiee canned by the four
retiring councilmen of this borough, the following were
nominated, Messrs. T. H. Bennett, J. Ball, and B.
Meaden (three of the retiring ciouncilmen), and Messrs.
Joseph Stewart, W. T. Eiger, and H. Stickland. The
other retiring member of the council, Mr. F. Groves,
having removed his residence beyond the limits of the
borough, was not qualified for nomination. The result
of the election has not reached no.