The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-22
4 welsh Rehearsal Of the Ballot.

Some people in Welshpool are so excited
on the subject Of theballot that they wished
to rehearse the local election. An "inhuen-
tal requistion" was presented to the Mayor
asking him to call O meeting in the Town
hall for the purpose of ''showing and eX-
planning the mode Of voting by ballot"
The Mayor complied and took the chair
and from the Os,cestly Adpe,tiser we obtain
notion of the amount of benefit the meet
ing derived. AT the time appointed for
opening the proceedings, "Pull the bell"
said his worship. Joe did so, and in walked
one Of the aspirants for municipal honors.
The Town-clerk having read the requisition,
the Mayor said he had been asked to allow
the use of the Town-hall for the purpose of
HAVING the mode of voting by ballot ex-
planned. No resolution had been placed in
IN his hands, aud he was quite in the dark
as to what was going to be done, and who
was going to do it. All he could do was to
call upon Mr.. Ellis Jones, who would per-
haps enlighten the meeting.
Mr. Ellis Jones believed the Town-clerk
would have to do something at the election,
and perhaps he would explain the act.
tApplause.l
The Mayor said it was very wrong to
think that any lawyer was going to come
there and give them law for nothing.
El4aughter.I At the proper Tins the requi-
site information would be given as to the
working of the ballot.
Mr.. Ellis Jones said he would have no
objection to showing those assembled to
vote. IIIaughter.l He had screen and q
desk aud ballot box near at hand, so that
he could show the working men in few
minutes how to vote. Roars of laughter.
The Mayor said if they thought Mr..
Ellis Jones was the right man to work the
ballot, he had nothing to say; but he did
not think Mr.. Ellis Jones was the right
man. [Applausel.
A voice.--,You want to work it your
self. [Uproar.l
Mr.. John Jones.--Mr. Mayor, hope |
am never can-tank-er-ous. This remark
threw the meeting into commissions, and
Mr.. John Jones and the Mayor carried on
an excited conversation for some time.l II
is an insult to you, Mr.. Mayor, end
The Mayor.-I don't feel insulted. l
simply feel disguised that this meeting has
been called. We have all been made fools
of, and we shall be in Punch next week.
Loud laughter.l
Mr.. Jones.--Well, Mr.. Mayor, we might
be in q worse place than Punch. Laugh
teri 1t won't be the first time that Mr..
Punch has had his hands upon US. Ire.
newed laughter.] The Corporation is noto.
rious, and has been for years. [Cheers.l
A Voice.-What ish Mushtcr Shones
shayipg down there? [Peals of laughter.
Mr.. Jones.-Mr. Mayor +
a Voice.-What has become of the cor
poration property? [Applause.l
The Mayor said he thought the Attorney
General would have been brought down
from London to explain the act, or at least
the returning officer from Preston.
Mr.. Ellis Joncs.--Shall explain the act
have screen and-lthe rest was lost in
the laughter.l
A conversation was carried on from diff
ierent parts Of the room-the Mayors
voice being heard above the rest, giving ex.
precision to his infinite disgust at the whole
transaction, and reterating his belief that
they would most certainly figure in Punch.
A Voice--Mr. Mayor
Mr.. John Jones-Is there nobody here
TO keep order?
The Voice-Mr. Mayor
The Mayor then put it to the meeting
whether MIR. Ellis Jones should go through
u performance with his screen and table
and ballot-box, and eleven hands were held
up in favor Of it and large number
against the exhibition.
Mr.. Whitehall, in comparative lull
said that that meeting reminded him I" Of
whistling .jigs to mile-stones, and they don't
dance" [Laughter.l
The Mayor SAID Mr.. Ellis Jones had
asked him for the Town-hall, and at first
he had hesitated until he had conferred with
others. Ultimately, he thought it would
be better to let them have the hall, for
there was no knowing what would have
been said if it had been refused. Nobody
had come forward to explain the ballot act,
and he declared the meeting to be broken
up. fRoars of cheers.l