DUDLEY POLICE STATION.

1847. The Borough Gaol and habitations for our excellent Police Force were erected at this time by the County of Worcester. Previous to this wise concentration of the Police Force into one locality, the men were lodging and living all about the town, much against that discipline so necessary in the force, and now so characteristically practised by the Dudley Police. The lock-up for prisoners was a dingy hole at the Workhouse, in Tower Street. Mr. Superintendent Burton is our veteran popular chief officer.

1848. Since the intimidation and undue influence exercised at the last election, it was determined to endeavour to counteract such hinderances to freedom of election, by using every effort to extend the Franchise. With this object a Public Meeting was held on February 8th, 1848, in Dudley, under the Presidency of the Rev. John Palmer, M.A., Unitarian Minister of Dudley, to promote an extension of the “Midland Counties Freehold Land Society,” whereby, it was shewn how a working man could obtain a freehold house and a vote for the County. The meeting was largely attended and addressed by Alderman Weston, Mr. J. S. Wright, and Mr. W. B. Smith, M.U., as a deputation from Birmingham.

1848, January 7th. Died Mr. Alexander Gordon (of the Straits House, Lower Gornal), formerly a very active public man in this town. Mr. Gordon was a strong Reformer in Politics, and the leading member of the Wesleyan Methodists in this town and district. He was a truly kind and benevolent old gentlemen, but was particularly partial to his own views. He died at the advanced age of 77 years.

January 20th, 1848. Mr. Ralph Musselwhite, Draper, in the old “Middle Row,” again brought an action against the Town Commissioners, in the Queen’s Bench at London, to recover the expenses incurred at his previous trial at Worcester, wherein he was defeated. He was again defeated at the Queen’s Bench, after having expended upwards of £1,000 in useless and unreasonable litigation with the Town Authorities.

1848, February 11th. Died at Bath, Chas. Molyneux, Esq., Manager of the Dudley and West Bromwich Bank in this Town; he was also a Magistrate, and sat on our Dudley Police Bench.

February 7th, 1848. A most influential and numerously attended public meeting was held at the Old Town Hall, Dudley, under the auspices of Mr. Elliott Hollier (the Mayor), “for the purpose of adopting the best measures for promoting the objects of the Mechanics’ Institute in the Borough of Dudley,” and the following report emanated from the meeting.

DUDLEY.

Mechanics’ Institute.—A numerous meeting of the friends of this project was held at the vacant rooms in Wolverhampton Street on Tuesday week, to consider the best means of establishing a Mechanics’ Institute, adapted for all classes, upon a solid and permanent basis. Elliott Hollier, Esq., Mayor, was called to the chair. After some animated discussion, entered into by those gentlemen who are usually found at their posts in advocating and assisting the advancement of knowledge, and the establishment of useful institutions, it was deemed advisable to give more publicity to the project, and canvass the merits of the question amongst all classes. In accordance with this disposition it was at once resolved to suspend operations till a more definite system should be agreed upon. The most effectual way of submitting this to the inhabitants was considered to be by petitioning the Mayor to convene a public meeting for the especial object, and then submitting a definite plan for approval at that assemblage. S. Blackwell, Esq., proposed, and Dr. Browne, seconded, a proposition to that effect: and a resolution was at once signed by the meeting to the Mayor, who fully acquiesced in the expediency and propriety of the movement. Amongst the various modes suggested for effectually maintaining a Mechanics’ Institution was one announced by Mr. Clark, which appeared to augur well for ultimate success; and as it is a project, which, if carried out, would affect collectively two other institutions already established in the town, it may not be amiss to give our Dudley readers an outline of it. The proposition is “that a Mechanics’ Institution shall be established by 200 or 300 shares of one guinea each, and that the annual subscription shall be 10s. The capital thus raised to be appropriated to the purchasing of a library, apparatus, and the necessary furniture required for the effectual carrying on of the institution. That overtures be made to the Geological Society (now almost defunct) and the New street News Rooms, for a mutual amalgamation of these bodies into one large and comprehensive Philosophical Institution, to be managed agreeably to the usual customs of such institutions.” In the event of this suggestion being carried out, little or nothing (save a capital for library), would be required to commence operations, for the News Room is already in full operation, and rooms connected with the Geological Society are partially unoccupied, and well-adapted for the purpose. Amongst the gentlemen and tradesmen present at the meeting, were the Rev. Dr. Browne, Vicar; Rev. Messrs. Noot, A. Davis, Rogers, and Lewis; Messrs. S. Blackwell, Houghton, Bateman, Hickman, J. C. Cook, Grainger, Boddington, Clark, Rudge, Minty, Rock, Wright, Mainwaring, &c. From an advertisement in another column, it will be seen that at a public meeting on Monday, the mayor in the chair, a series of resolutions were carried for the purpose of actively promoting the institution.—Birmingham Journal, 1848.

February 19th, 1848. The committee appointed at the public meeting, after mature and earnest consideration, issued the following suggestions as a programme, upon which a sound and successful Mechanics’ Institute might be grafted; it being arranged that the prosperous “Reading Room,” which Mr. Secretary C. F. G. Clark, had established in 1845, at the Geological Rooms in New Street, should be incorporated with the new institution.

DUDLEY MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION,
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD WARD.

The Sub-Committee appointed at a Public Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Dudley, convened by the Mayor, (pursuant to a Requisition), and held at the Old Town Hall, on Monday Evening, the 7th instant, for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means to be adopted for the permanent establishment of the Dudley Mechanics’ Institution, beg to call your attention to

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WHICH WERE PROPOSED AND UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED:—

1.—That this Meeting, acknowledging the desirability of the permanent establishment of the Mechanics’ Institution in the Borough of Dudley, pledges itself to promote the same by every means in its power.

2.—That for the promotion of such an object a Sub-Committee be appointed, for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions and donations to establish a fund to carry out the purposes of such an Institution to the fullest extent possible.

3.—That a Sub-Committee of the following Gentlemen be appointed for the purposes referred to in the preceding resolution:—The Rev. Dr. Browne, Vicar; Mr. Elliott Hollier, Mr. S. H. Blackwell, Mr. William Bourne, Mr. John Bateman, the Rev. John Raven, the Rev. George Lewis, and Mr. Henry Johnson.

4.—That in order to afford all classes an opportunity of attending, and deriving the greatest benefit from the establishment of this Institution, it be recommended that two classes of Subscribers be adopted, consisting of Honorary Members at One Guinea, and Ordinary Members at not less than Ten Shillings each per annum, which may be received fortnightly, in advance.

5.—That the Sub-Committee be requested to solicit the patronage of the Right Honourable Lord Ward to this Institution, and that of the Members for the Borough, the Eastern Division of Worcestershire, and the Southern Division of the County of Stafford, and also the support of all parties who, though not residing in, may have property or an interest in Dudley and its neighbourhood.

The want of an Institution of this character in Dudley, has been so long acknowledged, that the Sub-Committee cannot but hope that such general support will be given to it as will render it effective for the objects it proposes to carry out, and ensure its being established upon a permanent basis.

These objects are, the establishment of a READING ROOM AND LIBRARY;—the diffusion of general information on the various Branches of Science and Literature by LECTURES;—and especially the providing its Members with opportunities of acquiring good and useful instruction by means of CLASSES in WRITING, ARITHMETIC, DRAWING, MUSIC, &c., &c.

The Sub-Committee regard the establishment of these Institutions as most important, and as having a direct and immediate bearing upon the great question of National Education. They are calculated indeed to furnish almost the only means by which the ends proposed to be effected by our various schools can be fully carried out, for, unless facilities are afforded to those whose education has been commenced in these schools, of continuing and perfecting that education, the advantages already obtained must be, to a certain extent, lost.

The Sub-Committee therefore appeal with confidence, upon this ground, to all those who recognize the importance of General Education to all Classes, and who, feeling that the question has long been decided whether Education is to be general or not, are anxious to render it as sound and comprehensive as possible.

Some of the neighbouring Towns of smaller population, and of less manufacturing importance than our own, are already in possession of Mechanics’ Institutions affording all the advantages proposed by this; and when the extent and character of the population of Dudley, and its position as the Centre of a great Manufacturing District are considered, it must be acknowledged that it possesses ample means for the establishment of an Institution that shall be at least equal to any in the neighbourhood.

To ensure this, general support alone is required, and therefore the Sub-Committee venture to solicit your individual patronage and active assistance; at the same time they have much pleasure in announcing a Donation of Fifty Pounds from the Right Honourable Lord Ward, with an Annual Subscription of Five Guineas, and also a Donation of Ten Pounds, and an Annual Subscription from John Benbow, Esq., M.P.

(Signed) on behalf of the Sub-Committee,

ELLIOTT HOLLIER, Mayor.

Dudley, February, 19th, 1848.

Died February 12th, 1848. Mr. John Allen, who held the office of Parish Clerk in St. Edmund’s Church for the lengthened period of thirty-seven years. Aged 86 years.

1848, February 22nd. A sanguinary and destructive Revolution broke out in Paris, which lasted six days, ending in the abdication and flight of Louis Phillippe, King of the French, and his family to England, wherein he afterwards died. A Republic was established on the wreck of this criminal revolution.

On the 25th of February, 1848, a large and influential meeting of all classes of the inhabitants of Dudley was held at the old Town Hall (Mr. Elliott Hollier, the mayor, in the chair), “for the purpose of petitioning the Legislature against the Income Tax, and in favour of a Property Tax alone.”

The following placard issued by our old Chartist leader, (Mr. Samuel Cooke), gives the public a pretty good notion of his views on this European calamity.

BRAVO!!!

Three Cheers and one Cheer more for the Establishment in France of a Republican form of Government.

French Men, and French Women, yea and English Men and English Women, study the following portions of the Bible!

Genesis1…26…29
Judges8…22…23
“9…1…6
“…7…15
“…50…55
Samuel8……
“12…16…19
Hosea8…4…
“11…12…
Isaiah1…26…

The Bible is the most ample Republican and Democratic Book in the world.

Who makes Governments, and what are they made for?

Are they not made by the people, and for the people?

Made by the people to be a benefit to the people.

If they injure instead of doing good to the people, ought not the people to remove them and punish them?

SAMUEL COOK.

Dudley, Feb. 26th, 1848.

Died, March 2nd, 1848, at his house in Vicar Street, Mr. John Hodgetts, Nail Master. This gentleman took a very conspicuous part in politics, on the Reform side, during the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, and acquired for his zeal the cognomen of “Lord John.” Aged 59 years.

March 6th, 1848. A New Cattle Fair was established this day, to be holden on the first Monday in March annually. The usual May, August, and October Fairs were ordered to be held on the first Mondays of the respective months. E. Hollier, Mayor.

On Monday, (March 20th, 1848,) a large meeting of the working classes was held at the Old Dock Square, Dudley, (Mr. Samuel Cook in the chair), “for the purpose of congratulating the French on the recent victories obtained, at the recent Revolution, by that noble and patriotic nation, and adopting the National Petition (the People’s Charter), and other measures for the general advancement of the people.” Mr. Thos. Clark of London, Mr. J. Linney of Bilston, Mr. Ernest Jones, and Mr. Fussell of Birmingham, advocated the nine points of the Charter with much heat and zeal, for they said “that the day of your political regeneration is drawing nigh. The political earthquake of France has pierced the hearts of the tyrants to the core; show that you produce all and partake of the least of God’s blessings; that you have been the easy prey of those who have fattened upon your labour; and in return they despise the very men who feed them, are facts no one will dispute,” for,

“The gold you make another heaps,

The corn you sow another reaps,

The cloth you weave another wears,

The arms you make another bears.”

(Shelley.)

GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.

“Notice!!! The originators of this meeting strictly forbid riot or tumult, and should the same occur, an adjournment will immediately take place.”

This Chartist meeting took place, and after a fair amount of banter and wind had been let off by the various speakers, the meeting quietly dispersed, for they well knew that the authorities were watching their movements, and that a strong body of police was at hand to put down either riot or tumult. The Chartist movement throughout the country was at this time assuming large and formidable dimensions.

March 24th, 1848. The Town Commissioners purchased the Jolly Colliers Inn, and three other houses at the back, on the Market flat, the property of Mr. Homer, Kateshill, for the sum of £2,800; the rental brings in £142 per annum.

April, 1848. In consequence of the frequent “pitfalls” from mining operations on the Dudley Castle grounds, it was deemed expedient to close the grounds entirely for some little time.

April 18th, 1848. The opening address to the members of the newly-established Mechanics’ Institute was this evening given by Dr. John Percy, of Birmingham.

“The Easter season,” observed by the Church, again awakened the ire and ruffled the temper of our old townsman, Mr. Samuel Cook, for here follows his public effusion on that head.

TO THE PUBLIC.

The word “Easter,” in the 4th verse of the 12th chapter of Acts, is a notorious lie.

The word “Bishopric,” in the 20th verse of the 1st chapter of Acts, is a notorious lie.

The word “Harlot,” in the 1st verse of the 2nd chapter of Joshua, and in the 31st verse of the 11th chapter of Hebrews, is an atrocious lie.

Is it not a disgrace to, and ought it not to shame, the religious public, that they have allowed the impious scoundrelisms of James the 1st so long to pollute the Sacred Volume?

SAMUEL COOK.

Dudley, April 20th, 1848.

1848, April 26th. A public meeting was held at the old Town Hall, under a numerous requisition of tradesmen to the mayor (Mr. Elliott Hollier), “to consider some measure calculated to obtain an unanimous closing of the shops at eight o’clock in the evening throughout the year, (except on Mondays and Saturdays), for the purpose of allowing to the assistants engaged in business an opportunity for the enjoyment of healthful recreation, and to enable them to participate in the benefits it is intended should accrue to them by the recent establishment of the Mechanics’ Institute, but from which this class of the community is totally debarred by the present system of late closing.”

This question was not very enthusiastically taken up, for many long heads in the town thought, and thought wisely, that the “Public House” would be more likely to be patronized than the Mechanics’ Institute, where such “pleasure and relaxation” was afforded, and the upshot of it was that every master was the best judge of his own business requirements as to labour and relaxation.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF DUDLEY.

Oakham Cottage,

5 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 1848.

My dear Parishioners,

I eagerly embrace the opportunity afforded me for congratulating you most cordially on the unanimity and good feeling displayed at the general meeting of the supporters of the Mechanics’ Institute, last evening.

I point to the labours of the Committee and to the encouraging support they have received with honest pride and the most sincere delight—and, in consequence of these successful labours, and this public approbation thereof, I feel called on to suggest and recommend the most prompt, energetic, and unanimous support and co-operation of all classes and individuals in behalf of this Philanthropic Institution—that this unostentatious but admirable and holy principle, so dear to every Christian heart,—“Glory to God in the Highest, peace on earth, and goodwill towards men,”—may be brought into active and perpetual operation in this Parish, is my motive for offering my humble support and anticipating your co-operation.

Why—let me ask—should any individual withhold the hand of fellowship from his neighbours and fellow parishioners in a work from which the elements of discord are carefully and fundamentally removed?

I do not envy that man’s feelings who can allow groundless and purblind prejudice, the offspring of unreasoning ignorance, to blind his eyes, and steel his heart against endeavouring to benefit his fellow creatures.—Let such an one—if indeed he can be found—remember that man is not a mere animal, but a reasoning, reasonable, and consequently a responsible being; and according to the food his mind receives, so will it be vigorous for good or evil.

Let us therefore feed men’s minds with wholesome information, and thus—“Lead them thro’ nature up to nature’s God.”—And rest assured this grand remembrance is the mainspring of my every action, the burden of my every waking thought, and the leading object of my life.

“Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.”

Great is the truth and it will prevail.

Believe me to remain,

My dear Parishioners,

Your faithful friend,

JAMES C. BROWNE, D.C.L., Vicar of Dudley.

June, 1848. A most heartrending and devastating accident happened at Hartshill. A boiler connected with a forge mill suddenly exploded, and eleven men were instantly scalded to death.

Church rates were still levied in this parish, and occasionally we had to witness some very unwise and unpleasant seizures of respectable townsmen’s goods or furniture, who conscientiously refused to pay the obnoxious church rates. The spirited remonstrance made by Mr. Joseph Pitchfork, the talented and genial master of “Baylisses School,” in Tower Street, who was occasionally a victim in this unrighteous cause, will repay perusing.