Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser. — 1898-04-22 (Lancaster, Lancashire, England)

FISTICUFFS AT A DISTRICT COUNCIL  ELECTION.  At the Stratford Police Court on Saturday Je.lllt4 Joseph Sl'Sheedy, an asaistant master under the London School Board, and a member of the Walthamstow Urban District Council, w. summoned for .sau.ting William Henry Lawrence, an accountant, of 20, St. James's. street, Walthamatow, on April 2nd. The Court wise densely packed with politicians and others interested in local elections at Walthamstow. Mr. M'Sheedy and Mr. Lawrence were the two candi• dates at the District Council election held on April 2nd, and the rosiest proved to have ',Neu keenly fought. At a parahial meeting where the two met high words were exchanged between the adherents uf each, oat it was asserted that Mr. M'Sheedy had challenged Mr. Lawrence to fight Mr. M'Sheetly waa the editor of a local newspaper devoted to the interests of the Progressive, and in this Mr. Lawrence declared that • he was persistently attacked by Mr. M'Sheedy, while Mr. M'Shealy felt somewhat hurt by the , strong tone of Mr. Lawrence's election address. 'the night before polling-day Mr. Lawrence met Mr. M'Sheetly and two friends at a printing other, and some h*h words arose. It was admitted that Mr. Lawrence challenged Mr. M'Sheedy to fight, that the door of the office was locked, and that eventually a policeman was called, when, in the presence of the officer, Mr. Lawrence said he would fight Mr. M'Sheeily 'and his two friends together. The policeman's remark to they was, "You are brave; will you take me on, too?" but at last the parties separated. Next day came out a leaflet. headed "Ananias i'p to Date." giving a version of this episode. and making some strong peivonal allusions calculated to damage Mr. M'Sbeedy's chances for the day. Another eircular, which also came out late, spoke of Mr. association with noose remarks on the I'hienix Park murders. At the close of the poll the ballot boxes were taken to the Town Hall at AValthemstow, and Mr. Lawrence was in the hall whim Mr. M'Sheedy entered. Wanean differed aa to the atateis of excitement the candidates we-e in. When the two met a few word, arose ae to one of the `.ated circulars, and Mr. Lawrence said that while he was leaning over two men he received a violent blow on the left side of the face, and turned iust in time to see that it was M'Sh.ssly who had tat him. Lawrence trial to get at defendant, but friends on either aide intervened: and Inspector Howe, being appealed 10 10 arrest MSheetly. said that as he did not see the assault, and as there was no evidence of extreme violence. proceedings could he taken by way of summons. Mr. M'Sheedy'a defence was that the pro/seem ion WWI actuated by political spite and diaappointeal ambition: and that if Mr. Lawrence had been successful the summons would prolmbly never have been taken out. He (Mr. M'Shetily) was provoked when, on going into the hall. he now Mr. Lawrence circulating one of the offensive circulars. ' He asked "Have you issued this?" and when Mr. Lawrence looked at him and "sniggered," he .Mr. M'Shredy) did hit him "fair in the mouth." —The Bench, in the result, &aid they thought the Mow struck was not covered by the provocation There was provocation, hut a polling court no a place where everything should be restrained. It was a pity an election could not t•e run without this falling out. The defendant would be final its, and 495. Oil. canto—Mr. William Henry Lawrence, the complainant in the last ease, was then summoned for assaulting Mr. John Bradley, one of Mr. M'Sheesly's supporters. In thin ease an affray arose while the parties were Loving a cup of tea during the count, and Mr. Lawrence said he was provoked by being railed abusive minim—lle was fined Ws. and 16s. costs.