BOROUGH ELECTION.
April, 1859. No sooner had our political elements settled down, after the severe county contest of the preceding February, but we were called into agitation again by the sudden dissolution of the Conservative Parliament, and Dudley was taxed to its utmost to so trim its political sails, and put square men into round holes, in order that its former political triumphs might not have been won in vain. Mr. H. B. Sheridan, the sitting member, sought re-election again, backed by the Radicals and Chartists, and supplemented by a contingent of sturdy old Tories, who felt they had not a shadow of a chance of carrying a man of their own liking; so they determined to keep alive the resentment against the influence which had so recently assailed their cherished dignities, and swept from under their feet all the political power their party was ever again destined to weald, both in the Borough of Dudley and County of Worcester. These offended old townsmen convened a sort of meeting at the Hotel, which was designated “a meeting of Conservative electors,” and after some tall talk, with closed doors, it was decided to throw their Tory interest into the Radical Camp, and support the sitting member, Mr. Sheridan; for their political chief publicly asserted his determination to vote for “hog, dog, or devil, in order to spite Lord Ward.” Nothing could have ended more suicidically than this repetition to thwart the castle influence. They must have known that as a political party they were impotent; for the recent county election unmistakeably pronounced Dudley to be Liberal; and the Tory interest, with Lord Ward at its back, could not turn the tide of Liberalism in the Borough, so that again to support a trimming, wary candidate, who first came amongst us as a Conservative, and now declared himself to be an Independent candidate, sitting below the gangway in the House, was to entirely abrogate their long-life cherished Tory opinions and support Mr. Sheridan, because they could not bring forward a candidate of their own choice.
Whilst these manœuvres were in hand, the Liberal party were in negotiation with the Reform Club in London to send us down a candidate, and the Honourable Viscount Monck, an Irish gentleman of good family and undoubted administrative qualifications, came down to the Bush Hotel, and after a lengthened interview, he was selected to be run against the Radical-Tory party as a Liberal-Conservative.
A perusal of the Requisition to Lord Monck and the names of those who formed his committee, shews that the thinking portion of the electors were desirous, if possible, of removing a political stigma from the Borough, and throwing over that dubious “incubus” which had sat too long upon purity of motive and action, which Dudley electors had ever been wont to endorse. Mr. Sheridan complained that he had all along one lord to fight against, and now he had two lords in the field; that the charges alleged against him in the Albert, European, and other shady speculations, were matters of mere business, and did not concern the electors of Dudley, and that his promises at the last election had been literally fulfilled. Lord Monck, on the other hand, came amongst us as a stranger, not only to our locality, but he had also enjoyed a seat in the last Parliament where his votes were recorded.
Great efforts were made on this occasion to defeat the old member, Mr. Sheridan, and the narrow majority of 71 votes, aided by all the Tory influence that could be brought to bear in his support, clearly showed that if the Badger element had not been severely pressed into the cause Lord Monck would have been elected.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
Her Majesty’s Ministers have announced an immediate dissolution of Parliament, and the duty of choosing a Representative in the House of Commons has therefore devolved upon you. Encouraged by the very flattering requisition I have received from an influential portion of your body, I venture to solicit your suffrages at the approaching election.
Having sat in the House of Commons during the entire of the last Parliament, my opinions on most of the questions of the day stand recorded in the votes.
During the last thirty years great improvements have been effected in reference to our Parliamentary Franchises, our Municipal Institutions, and our commercial and fiscal condition. I have been long connected both by official and personal ties with those who, for the greater part of the period referred to, have been the leaders of the great Liberal party by whose exertions these changes have been effected. The principles by which they have been dictated, I desire to see extended in their application.
The question upon which the country will have to decide at the approaching election is that of Parliamentary Reform. I am in favour of a bona-fide extension of the Franchise, both in Counties and Boroughs, which would, by a lowering of the present qualification for the suffrage, admit within the pale of the Constitution an adequate representation of the labouring classes; and I desire to see a portion of their present representation transferred from the smaller and less important Constituencies, to those larger communities which the growth of trade and wealth has produced.
I am opposed to the proposition for taking Votes at Elections for Members of Parliament by Ballot, because I think under its operation corruption could not be detected, and I do not wish to destroy the influence of the Non-Electors, which would be the case under a system of secret voting.
In reference to Taxation, I am desirous of taking off, as the necessities of the State will permit, all those taxes which press upon trade, or impede the springs of industry, and I desire to see judicious economy and retrenchment carried into every branch of the public service.
I consider the Income Tax in its present form presses unjustly upon incomes derived from trade and industry.
I have always in Parliament voted for the abolition of Church Rates, because, as a member of the Church of England, I think the pecuniary gain to the Establishment is not a compensation for the ill will and odium which the enforcement of the claim produces.
I am in favour of the most complete freedom of trade, and have always voted for every measure which tended in that direction.
I desire to see Government aid to Education extended to all classes of my fellow subjects, without distinction of sect, or creed.
Should I have the honour of becoming your Representative, the local interests of your important Borough shall always command my best attention.
I hope before the Election to have the pleasure of calling upon each of you, and shall be happy to explain my opinions more in detail.
I have the honour to be, gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
MONCK.
Bush Inn, Dudley, April 5th, 1859.
TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
Her Majesty’s Ministers having decided on appealing to the country, a dissolution of the present House of Commons may be expected in about fifteen days.
I hasten to inform you that it is my intention to present myself as a Candidate for the honour of again representing your Borough in the important Parliament about to be assembled.
Unconnected with, and influenced by, any party considerations whatever, I have watched with much anxiety the recent struggle, having in view the redemption of my pledge to support any Government which would give to the Country such a measure of Reform, as would secure to the people an increased share in the representation, believing that the Educational progress of the Working Classes entitles them to be dealt with in a fair and liberal spirit.
In all other matters connected with the interests of this great Country, I confidently refer to the Votes I have given, as your Member; and I shall immediately ask you, both by public Meeting and by personal Canvass, whether I am not entitled to a continuance of that confidence which so triumphantly returned me at the last Election.
Your faithful Servant,
H. B. SHERIDAN.
House of Commons, April 6th, 1859.
TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.
Mr. H B. SHERIDAN will arrive in Dudley this evening, to meet the electors!
Reserve your promises for the man who has won your political independence, and served you, as your representative, consistently.
Dudley, April 6th, 1859.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
Copy of Letters from CAPTAIN BENTON to H. B. SHERIDAN, Esq., M.P.:—
Dudley, April 7th, 1859.
Dear Sir,
The words made use of to Mr. LOCOCK by Mr. SMITH, when in London, are as follows:—
That LORD WARD paid Five Thousand Pounds away in Dudley per week for wages, and that, unless the Electors of Dudley and its neighbourhood voted which way he pleased, he would shut up his Pits for two years,—therefore, stop those wages. Moreover, that many of the Tradesmen were under obligation to the Bank, and their circumstances should be exposed, and that they should have no further accommodation.
Yours obediently,
JOHN BENTON.
To H. B. Sheridan, Esq.
3, Charles Street, Oxford Road, Islington, April 8th, 1859.
Dear Sir,
Having received a letter after I had the pleasure of meeting you and your friends at Dudley, from Mr. LOCOCK, requesting me to return to town, I was unable to see you prior to my departure, and regret it is not in my power to meet you this evening. I have made you acquainted with certain facts, relative to the influence of the Priory, and the threats made use of relative to the Electors of Dudley. I assert such has been the fact, and beg to say, I will on any occasion publicly declare that the contents of my former note to you are most strictly true.
With my best wishes and respects to your Committee and Friends, believe me,
Yours, very faithfully,
JOHN BENTON.
To H. B. Sheridan, Esq., M.P.
Dear Sir,
In consequence of a Letter from a Mr. BENTON containing erroneous statements having been read by Mr. SHERIDAN, M.P. at a Public Meeting held last night in Dudley, I beg to send a copy of the Letters I have this day addressed to those gentlemen on the subject.
I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
RICHARD SMITH.
The Priory, April 9th, 1859.
Copy of a Letter addressed by RICHARD SMITH, Esq., to H. B. SHERIDAN Esq., M.P.:—
The Priory, Dudley, April 9th, 1859.
Sir,—I have seen a copy of the letter addressed to you by Mr. Benton, which you read at a meeting of the Electors of Dudley, held last night at the Lancasterian School-room, and cannot but regret you should have allowed yourself to give such a letter to the world, with your comments thereon, without first ascertaining, by communication with me, whether the statements made therein upon hearsay were true.
The statements which Mr. Benton has made are entirely without foundation, and I unhesitatingly give them an unqualified denial.
I send you a copy of a letter I have written to that gentleman, and I rely on your giving it an equal degree of publicity with Mr. Benton’s communication. Whatever differences of opinion may exist between us politically, I confidently appeal to your sense of what is due from one gentleman to another to comply with this request without delay.
I remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD SMITH.
H. B. Sheridan, Esq., M.P.
Copy of a letter addressed by RICHARD SMITH, Esq., to Mr. BENTON, referred to in the letter to Mr. SHERIDAN, M.P.:—
The Priory, Dudley, April 9th, 1859.
Sir,—I have learnt with surprise that a letter addressed by you to Mr. Sheridan, having reference to certain statements said to have been made by me to Mr. Locock, was read and commented on by Mr. Sheridan, at a meeting of the Electors of Dudley, held at the Lancasterian Schoolrooms last night. I beg most emphatically to deny that I ever used to Mr. Locock (or any other person) the words, or any such words, you have been pleased to put forth.
I never said to that gentleman, “that Lord Ward paid five thousand pounds away in Dudley and its neighbourhood per week, and that unless the Electors of Dudley voted which way he pleased that he would shut up his pits for two years, and therefore stop those wages;” “or that many of the tradespeople were under obligations to the Bank, and their circumstances should be exposed, and that they should have no further accommodation;” or any words to that effect.
I cannot but regret you should have permitted yourself to make such unfounded statements which are not only unjust and injurious to me, but are a libel on the Tradesmen and Bankers of the town.
I add for your information that I am in no way connected with either of the Banks here, that I have no knowledge whatever, or the means of acquiring knowledge, as to the obligations of the Tradesmen of Dudley to their Bankers, nor any power to regulate or affect the amount of accommodation that their Bankers may afford them.
As your letter has been read at a meeting, I think it right to publish this also.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD SMITH.
John Benton, Esq., London.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Brother Electors,
Mr. Smith (Lord Ward’s Agent) has appeared before the Public on his own account, not only by letter, but by various illegitimate means. Let us, as Electors, enquire who this Mr. Smith is? or what reliance can be placed on his veracity? and, as every man ought to speak from his own personal knowledge, allow me, as an Elector, to state some facts which have more specially come under my notice, that is—
That he has been seen driving out with Mr. Benton on several occasions.
That he is known to have dined with him.
That he has written a letter denying what that gentleman made public.
That he has been up to London, and seen Sir C. Locock and his son.
That he dares not publish the conversation which took place at that interview.
That he has on many occasions tried to coerce the Inhabitants of Dudley—I. Naylor, Esq., to wit.
That he has deprived Tradesmen of his Lordship’s support, because they had consciences and dared to use them.
That he has not been a very good friend to the Widows and Orphans one family who once resided in Sedgley can prove.
That he never was over particular about the rights or feelings of any one, when his own interests were in the scale.
The above individual may give an unqualified denial to the exact wording of Mr. Benton’s letter, but I defy him to prove the sum and substance is not there.
In reference to this Pit Bank case, there is an old adage very applicable, viz.—“That we should believe every man honest until we find him a rogue!”
“An Elector” in the Daily Post (proper name “Post”) talks of a Firebrand being in the town. I admit it, we have had one in the town many years; it has tried to burn down our Independence. Our common honesty, our very liberty have been brought to the stake; but I beg to inform Mr. Smith and his esteemed friends, that we shall come out scatheless, and that his “quack” supporters may save their Goose Oil for their own scorched backs!
I am, Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully,
AN ELECTOR.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
TO THE CONSERVATIVE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.
At a meeting of Conservative Electors of the Borough, held at the Hotel, Dudley, on Wednesday the 20th day of April, 1859, it was resolved:—
“That under existing circumstances, it is deemed expedient that the Conservative Electors should support the sitting Member, H. B. Sheridan, Esq., and this meeting therefore pledges itself to use all proper means and exertions to secure his re-election.
Ordered, that the above resolution be printed and circulated.
Signed,
THOS. BADGER, Chairman.
The Hotel, Dudley, April 20th, 1859.
It was always considered that the decision of the Conservative party at this meeting secured the re-election of Mr. Sheridan; although he was well known to be in bad odour with many of the leading Conservatives in the Borough. The recent opposition in the county election, where many of the Conservatives supported Mr. Calthorpe against young Mr. Pakington; had so soured the rigid old Tory party in the Borough, that they became reckless about the future consequences of their shameful political delinquencies; the result was, that these very resolute disclaimers of the Priory influence, spited their own cause by again returning a candidate they did not appreciate, and unwillingly helped to ring the death knell, not only of the Priory veto, but also of future Tory dictation; and placed this Borough in the advance guard of full blown Liberalism, with Mr. Sheridan as its Member still.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
TO THE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS.
Fellow Townsmen,
An appeal is now made to you to record your Votes for Mr. Sheridan. Let us see what claim Mr. Sheridan has upon our support on the present occasion, before we assist again to return a man to Parliament who has so shamefully violated his profession and principles. Was not Mr. Sheridan returned for Dudley, at the last Election, as a Liberal Conservative, of the most independent kind, supposed to be above the influence of any section of the Electors; and has he not, at the dictation of a few Radicals, invariably voted in Parliament for all Radical Measures, and opposed Lord Derby’s Government to the utmost of his power? Did he not pledge himself to vote against the Ballot, and has he not voted in favour of the Ballot? Did he not promise to vote against the Repeal of Church Rates (unless an equivalent was given), and did he not vote for their total unconditional Repeal? This, then, is the man, on whose promises, you are again called upon to rely; to send to Parliament again, as an advocate of anything which his varied supporters may suggest.
If, brother Conservatives, the sacred cause of Conservatism is worth upholding in its national integrity, reflect, consider, and forbear to commit yourselves to such a humiliating course, as to vote for a man whose practices and principles you have so often condemned since he has been in Parliament. At some future period our cause will be on the ascent, and you will then regret having assisted to hand over the Borough of Dudley to Radicalism and Faction. Mr. Sheridan, you are told, has again promised your rash and indiscreet leaders, that he will this time support Lord Derby’s Government. How will that new arrangement meet the views of his Liberal supporters, for they will not be found “to blow hot and cold;” and pray ask him, what kind of Government he will support when Lord Derby’s rule is over? Why the natural inference is (taking the past as evidence) that Mr. Sheridan will support any Government which will please his next best supporters in Dudley! He has proved himself unstable, unsettled, and wavering in his political convictions, the “Shuttlecock” of any party that will promise him support; and as such, totally unfit to represent the intelligence and wealth of the Conservative interests; and a miserable guide for the Radical faction.
Are you determined to belie your Conservative principles and vote for a “Shilley Shalley Radical,” the man who has branded your honoured townsmen (the Bank Directors) with a breach of that trust which many of us (as Shareholders) have placed in their hands, in betraying to the public the state of your private affairs? Is such an unscrupulous Weathercock entitled to the support of the Constitutional Conservatives in Dudley, who have ever been ready to uphold and maintain, the honour of their townsmen, and the sacred principles of Constitutional Monarchy? Reflect, brother Conservatives, before you place your sacred trusts in the hands of such an uncertain leader; for the past has proved his political infidelity to our cause and interests, and your recorded votes in his favour will assuredly prove your political inconsistency. If you cannot conscientiously support Lord Monck, the Conservative Liberal Candidate, then stand aloof from this attempted unnatural compact; and calmly watch Mr. Sheridan’s “New Dodge,” with a few of the young and heated Conservatives; become again, another evidence of his own falseness, and a lasting monument of his supporters’ political blindness and folly.
Ask yourselves what political sympathy this man can expect at your hands, after the broken pledges that he has committed.
Reflecting Conservatives, let not the shade of our departed Conservative chiefs darken the path of the present crisis; and God forbid that the sons of our venerated townsmen should become the leaders and promoters of Radicalism, Inconsistency, and Confusion; for the Voter for a Conservative Pakington, six weeks ago, surely will not be found voting for a nondescript Sheridan at this coming Election.
AN OLD CONSERVATIVE.
Dudley, April 21st, 1859.
TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
During the time I have been absent in London, i.e., since Thursday, I find that my political opponents have been indulging in the same tricks, with the view of prejudicing me in your eyes, which characterised the anonymous communications to the Birmingham Daily Post.
I allude to a paper which has been sent to the Electors of the Borough, purporting to be a history of the “Times” Fire Insurance Company, by which they seek to have it inferred that I have done some act in connection with that Company which would damage me in your estimation.
Instead of replying in detail to the abominable falsehoods which are therein contained, I shall content myself by saying—
That I never was Secretary to the “Times” Insurance Company.
That I am still a Director of that Company, which has amalgamated with the “State” Office.
That I am the largest Shareholder in the Company.
That I am paying calls at the rate of six or seven hundred pounds every few months.
That I have lent to the Company, at various times, about eight thousand pounds, most of which is still owing to me.
That for the last two years, we, the Directors, have not received fees for our weekly attendance, or any other remuneration for our services.
I may add, that the losses by fire, have, for some years past been very disastrous to this and all other similar Companies, and the greatest sufferers by these losses are the Directors, of whom I am one.
The whole affair is an Electioneering artifice, as appears on the face of it; and one which I treat with the contempt it merits.
The fact of neither the writer nor the printer of this absurd tissue of slanders having dared to give their names, is sufficient evidence of the utter worthlessness of this so-called Cambridge effusion.
I am, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
H. B. SHERIDAN.
April 21st, 1859.
Air—“Oh! Susannah, don’t you cry for me.”
You’ve come down here from Rochdale, our Member for to be,
’Tis hard that we should stand the shot, and you get off scot free;
No doubt you are a mighty man, with potent powers of speech,
But still we didn’t ask you here to bleed us like a leech.
Oh! John Bright, wont you find some tin,
We fear ’twill be expensive work for us to get you in.
Your name is printed in large type, while ours are printed small,
The printers and the bill stickers are paid to daub the wall;
And ’tis a shame, and does somewhat of shabbiness betray,
That you should have the dance, John Bright, and we the piper pay.
Oh! John Bright, &c.
The honour’s great to us, John Bright, to serve so great a man;
We cringe, and worship your great name as humbly as we can—
But let us not in vain, great man, your ample pocket sue,
For we all think it very hard, John Bright, to pay for you.
Oh! John Bright, &c.
We puff you off as liberal, and hope you may be so,
And by some deeds, as well as words, that you are liberal shew;
And let it not be said you wouldn’t find a five-pound note
To pay for cabs and cars to take the people up to vote.
Oh! John Bright, &c.
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
Having completed my Canvass of the Borough, and endeavoured personally to pay my respects to every Elector, I am desirous to express to you my sense of the kindness and courtesy with which I have been received by the whole Constituency, and my sincere thanks for the very large amount of support with which I have been honored.
If I should have omitted through accident or inadvertence to call upon any Elector, I trust such omission will be attributed to its true cause, and not to any intentional disrespect on my part.
The result of my Canvass inspires me with a full assurance that I shall be returned as your Representative, and I have only to beg that those who have favored me with the promise of their support will kindly attend early at the Poll, at which I pledge myself they shall have an opportunity of recording their Votes in my favor.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
MONCK.
Committee Rooms, Bush Inn, April 21st, 1859.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
Mr. Sheridan’s Committee having heard that the Canvassers of Lord Monck have, with the view of prejudicing Mr. Sheridan’s position with the Liberal party, FABRICATED STATEMENTS to the effect that he has recanted his Political opinions and compromised that party by pledging himself to a course hostile to their views, in a letter written to THOS. BADGER, Esq., beg to assure the Electors that SUCH STATEMENTS ARE ENTIRELY UNTRUE.
Mr. SHERIDAN will read the letter at the Meeting at the Lancasterian School Room, on Tuesday Evening next, and refute the unwarrantable reports which have been circulated respecting it.
BY ORDER.
Committee Room, Swan Hotel, Dudley, 23rd April, 1859.
DUDLEY ELECTION, 1859.
POLLING DAY, FRIDAY, APRIL 29th.
Hours of Polling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lord Monck’s Committee Room, April 27th, 1859.
Dear Sir,
It is exceedingly desirable that every Canvasser should strictly attend to the following instructions:—
The Canvass Books should be made up correctly, showing the Returns up to this day; and any Canvass Book not so made up should be immediately taken to the Committee Room for the purpose.
Each Canvasser to-day or to-morrow at the latest, will please give notice at the Committee Room, stating what Cab or Car accommodation he may require, so that proper arrangements may be made for supplying it.
On the morning of the Poll each Canvasser is earnestly requested to proceed to his district with all speed, securing the doubtful Voters first, and continuing his labours until every Voter who has promised, or is inclined favorably, has voted.
It is very desirable that each Canvasser should attend frequently at the Committee Room, to ascertain what Voters have not polled, and for this purpose he may enquire for any particular Voter by name or number, or as to any number of unpolled Voters in any particular street or place, and arrangements will be made for this information being immediately supplied.
Information must be immediately given at the Committee Room as to any wavering Voter, so that any aid may be rendered that may be necessary.
Any additional Cab or Car accommodation must be applied for as required.
LORD MONCK earnestly requests that every Canvasser will zealously continue his labours until every Voter that can possibly be secured has voted, and afterwards attend at the Committee Room to aid in any other way that may be requested.
W. C. WOOD, Chairman.
DUDLEY ELECTION.
TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.
I beg to thank you for the overwhelming expression of your confidence at the NOMINATION this morning.
I beseech you not to relax your exertions on behalf of myself and your Political Independence.
Be early with your Friends at the Poll, and our Success is certain.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
H. B. SHERIDAN.
Committee Room, Swan Hotel, Dudley, April 28th, 1859. One o’clock p.m.
April 29th, 1859. Close of the Poll:—
| Mr. H. B. Sheridan, Independent | 432 |
| Viscount Monck, Liberal-Conservative | 361 |
| —— | |
| Majority for Mr. Sheridan | 71 |
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.
Gentlemen,
The state of the Poll at its close shows a result unfavourable to my desire to represent you in Parliament, and my opponent has been returned as your Member.
It therefore only remains for me, in the same spirit of good feeling and good humour in which I have endeavoured to carry on the contest, to return my sincere and heartfelt thanks to those amongst you who have honoured me with their support at the Poll.
I deem it, however, only an act of justice to myself and my Committee to state that, had the promises of support which were made to me in the course of my Canvass been fulfilled, I should now be your Member.
Into the causes which have led to the failure of these engagements, I do not mean now to enter; but I consider it an unwarrantable act wantonly to involve a Constituency in the turmoil of a Contest, and I therefore desire to leave upon record the fact that my Committee had good grounds for expecting a different result of the Poll.
I now take leave of you, I cannot say without some feelings of disappointment, but with none of irritation or annoyance.
To the gentlemen of my Committee who have laboured so assiduously in my cause, I beg to tender my most grateful acknowledgments, and to the whole Constituency my thanks for the courtesy and kindness with which I have been treated since I came amongst you.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
MONCK.
Committee Rooms, Bush Inn, April 29th, 1859.
October 28th, 1859, Mr. Theophilus Tinsley was elected Mayor, and Mr. C. F. G. Clark, High Bailiff, of the Borough of Dudley for the ensuing year.