The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-03 00:00:00

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

OLDHAM.

The whole of yesterday the town was in a state of the
utmost excitement ; in the main streets the shops were
not opened, and most of those in the smaller streets were
also closed. The poll commenced at eight o'clock, and
after that hour, Oldham was literally living in the streets ;
all the places of business were closed, and the operatives
were perambulating the town in a state of the greatest
excitement, running to and fro, as news of any demon-
stration reached them. As early as half-past eight, at
the Lord-street booth, two voters lodged a complaint with
the deputy officer, and demanded a larger force, as they
had been well thrashed in going to the poll. A few ad-
ditional specials, out of a force of 600 which had been
sworn in, were sent out, and additional arrangements
were made by which the peace was kept for some time,
only broken by a few blows struck at the polling booths,
and some interruption to voters. Between eleven and
twelve o'clock, however, the turbulent spirit broke out
afresh. The cabs of Mr. Fox were not distinguished by
any colours or placards, and as they passed any of
Mr. Heald's party in strength, they were attacked,
thrown over, and the occupants beaten. The signal
for war was an umbrella turned upside down—for peace,
an umbrella with the point upward. The Commercial
Inn, in Ro3rton-street, one of Mr. Fox's committee-
rooms, was attacked about half-past eleven, and the
front windows were broken, and the Fox men within
were beaten. A messenger bringing in the state of the
poll from Chadderton was attacked, knocked down, and
received a severe gash on the scalp. He managed, hoiv-
ever, to get to his committee-room, and deliver his re-
turn. A piece of a flag-staff was thrown through Fox's
central committee-room window, and one of the clerks
narrowly escaped a very severe injury. The Working
Man's hall was attacked about the same time. It had
become obnoxious as the depot of the non-electors, and
between eleven and twelve it was attacked by a mob
armed with crowbars and sledge-hammers and pieces 'of
stone, which they used most effectually, and the occu-
pants had barely time to escae b the back before the
assailants entered. They broke all the windows and the
forms, and then left the place. Such riotous proceedings
naturally excited much alarm, and the more so as the
mayor had never been seen, nor shown any sign of abi-
lity to take repressive measures. An information
was therefore lodged at the Town-hall by two of
Mr. Fox's committee, and four of the county ma-
gistrates, including the Rev. T. S. Mills, the chairmen
of the bench, proceeded to the Working-man's hall,
andthere read the Riot Act, which had the effect ofquieting
the mob. It was, however, clear that the special con-
stables who were perambulating the town in detach-
ments under the command of the various police-officers
were of no use whatever ; and a message was sent to
Lees, about a mile and a-half off, where a troop of the
Ist Dragoon Guards were stationed, having been re-
moved from Ashton for the purpose, under the com-
mand of Captain Hort. The military soon arrived,
amid the cheers of many and the hooting of others.
They were drawn up in line, and remained there for some
time, until they were led round the town by way of
showing that they wore in the town. As they were re-
turning through one of the streets to the Town-hall,
they were followed by a mob, hooting very much, and
when they came to the Town-hall and were drawn up
in line, cries of " Peterloo" were raised, some stones
were thrown, and the flanks of the horses were struck
with caps. This led to an application to the mayor