Dec. 4th.—A meeting of voters in the Blue interest had been held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, when it was determined “to sink all minor differences” in order to secure the return of Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold. Mr. N. B. Palmer addressed a crowded assembly from the Committee Rooms.
Dec. 11th.—Thomas Baring, Esq., had arrived as Mr. Praed’s colleague, and both gentlemen had addressed the electors from the Newcastle Tavern, and a house on the South Quay, which they had engaged as a Committee Room.
Dec. 18th.—The contest was progressing, Col. Anson assuring his supporters “that at that moment their canvassing book stood better than he had ever known it to stand since he had known Yarmouth.”
Dec. 23rd.—There had been a “violent scuffle” between the Reds and the Blues, during which “the son of a Baronet was pulled from his horse and beaten violently.”
1835.
Jan. 8th, contains the following account of the election:—
“It is with feelings of the deepest sorrow that we announce that our late members, Messrs. Anson and Rumbold, are ousted from the representation. We said last week that nothing but the most gross and unblushing bribery could possibly unseat these gentlemen, and these means have been had recourse to, to an unprecedented extent. Messrs. Baring and Praed are returned, not by the free and independent voice of the people, but by a bought majority, bought by means most disgraceful both to giver and receiver, although we cannot help thinking that the larger portion of disgrace attaches to the former—for what can be more discreditable, what can be more contrary to the high honour which ought to distinguish the gentleman, than to take advantage of the poor freeman, and by (in this instance doubly accursed) gold to make him forfeit his solemn promises? Do our opponents ask for proofs of this? We have them in the infamous system of cooping (a system which we had hoped was confined to a neighbouring city, but which has been now imported into this till now uncorrupt borough), which has been with a bold unblushing front carried on to a large extent in certain houses in the town. We have them in the number of freemen who were to be seen on both election days coming up to the Red booth with Blue colours in their hats, and in the madness of infuriating drink, flinging them in the face of and grossly abusing a highly respected and respectable fellow townsman of ours, while at the same time they recorded their votes for Messrs. Baring and Praed. We have it in the fact that four sovereigns, with a promise of as much more, and £2 10s., with a like promise, were given to two poor freemen of the names of Boyce and Stevenson, to induce them to vote for the Reds, but who, with a truly noble spirit that cannot be too highly appreciated, brought the money into their hands to the Blue booth, and then polled for Messrs. Anson and Rumbold. But, unfortunately for the good cause, these glorious examples were not generally followed. The Red Leaders took good care for the most part of their deluded and purchased victims, by plying them with drink, keeping them in strong hold, &c., to allow them to return to the paths of rectitude. We do think that the feelings of our late members are rather to be envied by those of the present, the former having lost with honour, the latter owing their election not to the feeling of the town (that we confidently say, without fear of contradiction, is with Messrs. Anson and Rumbold), but to the exercise of the most abominable and venal means to effectuate it. If anything like the sums which we have heard mentioned have been expended in this shameful warfare of gold against principle, our opponents may truly say with one of yore, ‘another such victory will ruin us!’ The most active measures are being had recourse to (and may they be successful) either by substantiating the individual instances of bribery, which we know have to a great extent taken place to oust the members from those seats which they so unjustly obtained by bad means, manifestly against the feeling and real wishes of the town to oust Messrs. Baring and Praed from the ill-earned honours so surreptitiously procured for them, or at any rate to make the guilty individual perpetrators pay the penalty of such acts!”
“The nomination of the candidates took place at the Guildhall, on hustings erected outside. The Town Clerk (S. Tolver, Esq.) having read the precept, the Mayor, in a loud voice, requested a patient hearing for those who might address them. Mr. Alderman Barth, in a neat speech, proposed the Hon. Col Anson as a fit and proper person to represent the borough. B. Dowson, Esq., seconded the nomination. Vice-Admiral Sir G. Parker, K.C.B., in a very manly and straightforward speech, proposed Mr. Rumbold, when Mr. Shelly presented himself as the seconder. A picked party of his opponents, evidently brought there for the purpose, attempted by every discordant noise to prevent his being heard; by dint of perseverance, however, and the powerful support of his numerous friends, Mr. S. with even more than his usual eloquence, at considerable length supported the nomination. Messrs. R. Ferrier and A. Palmer proposed and seconded Mr. Baring, and Mr. J. Penrice proposed and Mr. J. Lacon seconded the nomination of Mr. Praed. The Hon. Col. Anson spoke at great length, and with all his wonted power, in the course of a really luminous speech, he expressed the surprise he had felt on finding Mr. A. Palmer (a gentleman who had before honoured him with his support) among the ranks of his opponents. Mr. P. explained by saying it was because Col. A. had allied himself to Radicals and destructives. The Hon. Col. said he was surprised at having such a reason assigned. It was known to all that he had never succumbed to the Radicals. That deeply grateful as he was for their support, he had, and should again, unless convinced of their necessity, oppose their great measures of vote by ballot and triennial parliaments. That he was so far independent appeared in this, that with the ballot he believed the present opposition would scarcely have occurred, or if it had it would have been but a very few hours ere it would have terminated in the triumph of himself and Mr. Rumbold. (Loud cheers.) The other candidates also addressed the assembled multitude. The poll commenced the following day, and from the activity with the Pink and Purples, or Reds, or Conservatives, for in the motley assemblage of coalition of colours we scarcely know what exactly they call themselves, brought up their voters, it was feared that they would head the first day’s poll. The event proved the correctness of the prediction, for at four o’clock it was found that the Tories had a majority of 192; although the Blues rallied next morning, that majority could not be altogether overcome. The final close of the poll left Messrs. Baring and Praed a majority of 88.
| Anson | 680 |
| Rumbold | 675 |
| Baring | 772 |
| Praed | 768 |
“Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold addressed an immense concourse of persons, by whom they were repeatedly and loudly cheered, from the King’s Head windows. They were preceded by Mr. Alderman Barth, Col. Anson’s very deep emotion not enabling him immediately to come forward. When he did come forward he said no language which he could use could sufficiently express his sorrow at the dissolution of the connection so long subsisting between them; their present members would find their task a comparatively easy one; they would find that such attention had been paid to the town that the path would be plain before them, and that little indeed would remain to be done. (Loud cheers.) They had been defeated by means most flagitious. Let not the present members, however, be too certain of their seats, for if by any means these foul proceedings could be sifted to the bottom, measures would be taken to remove them from their ill-acquired honours. With him and Mr. Rumbold, he was happy to say, still remained the real voice of the people. (Cheers.) He was proud of this, and would in conclusion assure them that whether in or out of Parliament their interests would ever have a prominent place in his regards. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Rumbold spoke under the influence of great agitation, and in the course of a very luminous speech adverted to the disgraceful fact of having in his pocket a proof that, in a room in this town a bribe was offered in the presence and with the cognizance of a Magistrate. (Cries of ‘Shame, shame.’) He should carry into retirement with him the deepest sense of their uniform kindness, and a determination ever to forward the interests of any of his former constituents, who might apply to him, to the best of his ability. The chairing of to-day was hailed by numbers with demonstrations which must have been the very reverse to the members; indeed, we are sure that if the Blues had shown in full strength their exasperated feelings (and they did not do this alone in compliance with the advice of their leaders), there could have been no chairing. A dinner of our late members’ friends is now about taking place at the Masonic Hall, very numerously attended. A subscription for the purchase of a piece of plate for them is commenced, and will include the smallest amount. This will confirm us in our conviction that the sense of the town is with the Blues.”
Jan. 15th.—About 100 supporters of Messrs. Anson and Rumbold dined at the Masonic Hall, when both those gentlemen were present.