The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-05-30 00:00:00

POLLING DAY.

At an early hour yesterday morning the town
was in an uproar, both parties apparently nick-
ing every exertion to return their respective
candidates, and as early as half-past seven o'clock
parties came to the booths, which were erected
in Foster-street, to vote. Nearthe booths there
was a large crowd congregated. Soon after
eight o'clock a heavy rain began to descend, ac-
companied with thunder and lightning, which
continued all the morning, and had the effect of
dispersing a good number of "roughs," As
many as possible took refuge under the hust-
ings. After dinner the weather was fine, and
daring the afternoon a large number of persons
were congregated round the booth shouting and
groaning at those who went to vote.
We are informed that Stourbridge can poll
022 votes, but it will be seen from the numbers
that a great many did not vote. 339 were polled
for Mr. Lyttelton, and 109 for Mr. Laslett. At
the Lye and the Hayes some of the carriages
were smashed by the people, anti there was a
good deal of fighting at Halesowen. At Broms-
grove a great number of windows were smashed,
and a good deal of disturbance took place.
Just before seven o'clock it was announced at
Mr. Lyttelton's committee room that there was
a majority of 333 for Mr. Lyttelton, and a great
deal of cheering was going on. The majority
was however finally announced to be 279.
At half-past seven o'clock a wagonette was
drawn round the town by a number of men con-
taining the following gentlemen :—W. 0. Foster,
M.P., W. H. Foley, M.P. Lord F. Cavendish,
Hon. C. G. Lyttelton, Air. Gladstone, W. Ak-
rep!, Esq., the Rev. D. Maginnis, J. Woolley,
B. Wood, J. Pugh, and C. Beckley. They were
taken to the bottom of the town, and afterwards
to the committee room, where _
_ _ _ _

Mr. Lyttelton addressed those present, and
was received amid great cheering. He said he
would take this opportunity of thanking those
present for what they had done. He gave what
he thought a straightforward address, and many
persons had tried to turn it to ridicule, and a
cry had been raised to calumniate his father—
(erica of " Shame ")—but the people of Stour-
bridge had given the best answer to that cry by
taking a straightforward course— (cheers). He
could not help thanking Mr. Akroyd, Mr. King,
and the committee, for the way in which they
had worked to scene his return. The hon. gen-
tleman concluded his remarks amid great neer-
lug.
Mr, Akroyd then addressed those assembled.
In the course of his remarks he said lie had not
slept for the last ten days four hours a night.
He would thank the members of the Stour-
bridge Reform League for the interest they had
taken in the contest. He had been told that
this contest had been looked upon with greatin-
terest, but he had felt quite certain himself as
to the issue, and he hoped it would teach the
Tories a lessou—(cheers).
Mr. Gladstone next addressed them, and com-
plimented Mr. Akroyd and Mr. King, who, he
said, hail borne the brunt of the burden and
the heat of the day.
Lord F- Cavendish thanked the committee for
their exertions, and called upon them to give
three cheers for Mr. Akroyd, and all those who
taken an active part in securing the return of
Mr. Lyttelton.
The fo:lowing is a list of the return issued by
the Central Committee :

Mr. L)tteltun's Cowaiittee.
10.80.
Lyttelton 590.
Laul‘tt 4lo.—Maj.

11 o'clock.
Lyttelton lOOl.
La51ett......... 861.—Maj. 2.37.
12 o'clock.
Lyttelton 1451.
Laslett lo93.—Maj. 88.
'2 o'clock.
Lyttelton 2008.
Laslett
4.30.
Lytlelton
Laslett 2l6s.—Maj. 228.

Mr. Laslett's Central Committee.
11 o'clock.
Laslett 74.
Lyttelton 799.
12 o'clock.
Laslett
Lyttelton
4 o'clock.
Laslett
Lyttelton
Majority for Lyttelton 123.
So far as we can learn the following 13 the re-
turn list:—

Mr. Lytlelton's List. Mr. Laslett's.
Predon 7B ... 90
Bromsgrove 210 ... 161
Droitwich

Dudley... ...... 348 254

Evesham ft2 ~. 242
Feokenham B2 ... 140
Haglov 112 ~. G 3
The it eyeg 237 138
Halegowen 215 111
King's Norton 423 ... 241
Oldbury ...... —205 07
Pershore ......
Redditob 127 ... 132
Shlpton-on-Stourol 123
Stourbrldgo ... 042 .„ 107
Majority for Mr. Lyttelton, 279.