Chapter X: Part 10

We are about to ask at your hands a Rate of Three Pence in
the Pound, for the requisite Annual Expenses of the Parish
and two District Churches, (St. John and St. James). As it is
anticipated that the Government will set this question at rest
in the next Session of Parliament, we trust that no unkind
feeling will be entertained towards us on this, we hope, FINAL
occasion of appealing to our friends and fellow parishioners.
We are equally anxious to do our duty, and to preserve the
peace of the Parish, and, whilst we solicit the assistance
of our friends, we deprecate the hostility of those parties,
who, if placed in our position, would find themselves legally
compelled to adopt the same line of conduct.

J. C. BROWNE, D.C.L., Vicar.
SAMUEL PRICE, }
DANIEL JORDAN, } Churchwardens.

_May 10th, 1853._

March, 1853. The Small Tenements' Act of the 13th and 14th Vict. had for some time received serious consideration at the hands of some of the most thoughtful ratepayers as to its adoption in this Parish. A public meeting was held recommending the immediate adoption of the Act, when it was shewn that £2,500 per annum would be saved to the poor rates by such a procedure. The poor rates for Dudley parish during the _last three years_ had been four shillings in the pound, for 2,347 houses _were excused payment_, and, as the general trade of the town and district was in a shockingly depressed state, _we had 1,536 houses void_. Under this Small Tenements' Act, all houses rated to the poor and highway rates (and rated at under £6 per annum) were to be paid for by the owners not occupiers as hitherto. The owners of small tenements had previously held properties which paid no rates at all, inasmuch as their tenants were too poor to pay them, and got put themselves upon the excused list; but it was found out that _the rapacious owners_ reaped the benefit, by compelling the poor tenants to pay them a bigger rent, because they were excused paying rates. When the large employers of labour became incensed at this unfair taking the burden from off the backs of landlords and placing it upon them, or anyone else who grumbled and paid, it soon became a settled opinion that the Act must be adopted, so that we had a _three days' poll_ of the whole parish on March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, held in the Vestry at St. Thomas' Parish Church, to determine this vexed contest.

What is the Meaning of the Small Tenements' Rating Act?

A FEW FACTS--FOR POOR WORKING MEN!

A Bill has been circulated by Gentlemen opposed to the
introduction of the Small Tenements' Rating Act, _many_ of them
Owners of Small Houses, all of them being desirous of being
considered "_The Poor Man's Friend!_"

In what does their Friendship consist?

They say Small Houses are not profitable;--they assert that
they never get half their Rents. Is this true--or is this
_Libel_ upon our honest character the best proof they could
offer that they are the Poor Man's _Foes_?

When sickness or distress has overtaken you, or trade been bad
and employment scarce, so that you have been prevented meeting
their demands for Rent, which in most cases yields them, from
10 to 15 per cent. upon their outlay--how do they show their
_Friendship_ towards you? A small voice says, by sending the
_Bailiffs_,--meaning, no doubt, the "Poor Man's Friends."

Again, ask them to improve--nay, even to limewash your
ill-ventilated and miserable dwellings,--like the "Poor Man's
Friends" in general, they reply, _they can't afford it_.

Ask them for a supply of that all-important blessing, "good
water" and like "Poor Man's Friends," though you tell them it
will not cost them _a penny_ a week, they feelingly reply, "Oh,
yes! you can have it, by allowing me to put _twopence_ a week
on your Rent!"

They are about to _feel for you_ in reference to the
introduction of the Small Tenements' Act. The present law
_compels_ the Overseers to summons you before the Magistrates
for the non-payment of every rate granted, consequently putting
you to serious trouble and expense.

The New Tenements' Act _compels them, instead of you_, to pay
the Poor and Highway Rates, and allows them to compound for
_half_ the amount rated; thus again showing their _friendship_
for you, knowing that the adoption of the Small Tenements'
Rating Act will injure their interests, but benefit yours.

But turn a deaf ear to their _Hypocritical Friendship_, for,
like Shylock, they will have their "pound of flesh."

A few words to the _Operative Classes_, that are now, and,
probably have been for years past, Ratepayers. You have, with
that forethought which characterises the operative classes
of this country, succeeded in making provision for sickness,
old age, and death, by joining Provident Societies, and other
Institutions of which this country abounds; consequently, you
never expect to partake of that fund which the present law
makes you pay to, in the shape of Poor Rates.

Then, I ask, is there not something required, when thousands of
the labouring classes of your parish, equally as able were they
only prudent and careful, who, when out of employment or sick,
fall back upon a fund that the present unequal law compels you
to subscribe to.

No appeal is necessary to make the fact apparent to you, that
the introduction of the Small Tenements' Rating Act will tend
to operate to the benefit of the Rate-paying interest of this
over-taxed Parish.

Again, there is nothing visionary in the matter, it is plain
and simple; evidences of its true benefits are visible right
and left--Rowley and Sedgley.

Therefore, be prepared to attend the Poll at the Vestry of St.
Thomas's Church, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next; and
honestly, fearlessly, and independently register your votes in
favour of the Small Tenements' Act, that must materially tend
to benefit the _poor_ and _industrious_ of the Parish of Dudley.

A RATEPAYER,

One who has always cared for the Industrious Working Man!

This parish contest was not fought without much acrimony and ill-feeling, for the owners of small houses were not numerous in residence in the town, and those residing away took no interest in the matter. Result of the three days' poll:--

For the Adoption of the Act 559
Against " " 276
----
Majority for 283

In concert with the action taken upon the introduction of the Small Tenements' Act, it was deemed expedient that a new and more liberal Board of Guardians should be selected to manage our Poor Law business. Hitherto very little interest had been taken by the ratepayers in the administration of the Poor Laws in Dudley; and so long as Mr. Thomas Griffiths, a retired shoemaker and chairman of the board, chose to rule the too obsequious guardians with an ignorance of the real meaning and intention of the Poor Law Acts, it became evident that no real improvement or amelioration was likely to take place unless a new board of guardians was elected. It was also shewn that this gentleman was in the receipt of £30 a year as assistant overseer, a scandal which provoked much indignation at the time, and caused his ejection from the board at the next election.

As politics did not happily in those days enter into our parochial contests, change of public opinion resulted in change of our rulers, and the following candidates were presented for election:--

ELECTION OF GUARDIANS.

TO THE RATEPAYERS OF THE PARISH OF DUDLEY.

FELLOW RATEPAYERS,

In a few days you will be called upon for your vote in the
appointment of a new Board of Guardians for the next year, and
it is of the utmost importance that useful and efficient men
should be chosen.

It is an undeniable fact that the Poor Rates of Dudley are
considerably higher than in any other neighbouring Parish,
and more than double what they are in Wolverhampton; and this
renders it absolutely necessary that you should choose for your
Guardians men who are qualified and determined to carry out the
principles of _economy and retrenchment_ with a due regard for
the _comfort and welfare of the poor_.

Vote for the following Candidates, and thereby clear the way
for a Reduction of Expenditure:--

Mr. Thomas Wood
" Thomas Lester
" Elliott Hollier
" G. Thomson, (Corngreaves)
" James Evers Swindell
Mr. John Finch
" Josiah Collins Cook
" C. F. G. Clark
" S. H. Blackwell
" Alexander B. Cochrane

A RATEPAYER.

* * * * *

TO THE RATEPAYERS OF THE PARISH
OF DUDLEY.

FELLOW RATEPAYERS,

Two Handbills have been circulated through the Parish by Order
of the Anti-Small Tenement Rating Committee, of a nature which
the Committee for the _adoption_ of the Act consider most
disgraceful, and such as no honorable persons would have given
the sanction of their name to.

Both these Handbills charge those who have proposed the
adoption of this Act with a desire to rob the Poor, by throwing
their fair share of the Poor Rate upon those less able to bear
it than themselves; and in one of these Handbills a "_Curse_ is
denounced upon those who rob the Poor to enrich themselves."

Now, on behalf of themselves and those who are acting with
them, the Committee for the adoption of the Act distinctly
allege this _charge_ to be _false_; _and they as distinctly
allege that those who have made it, have done so knowing it to
be false_.

Their reasons for wishing the adoption of this Act are the
following:--

1.--They regard the Poor Law itself as one of the great
bulwarks upon which the social condition of England rests,--and
as one of the principal causes why England stands so
pre-eminently high in general Freedom and Liberty amongst the
Nations of the World.

2.--So far, therefore, from doing anything which would tend in
the slightest degree to lessen the almost reverential feeling
which the Committee consider that all should entertain for this
most important means of provision for those who are unable to
support themselves, they would rather widen, by every means in
their power, the basis upon which this provision rests.

3.--While to effect this, they desire _all Property_ to be
liable to its fair amount of contribution to this great and
important fund, at the same time they also desire to give
relief _legally_ to _that portion_ of society who are really
_unable_ to contribute thereto, without subjecting them to the
harassing and vexatious annoyance of _Summonses_. This can
_only_ be done by the introduction of THE SMALL TENEMENTS' ACT.

4.--Under the present system, out of 6,106 assessments, only
2,223 pay rates; under the Small Tenements' Act _all Property_
will pay, but the lowest class of houses need only be rated in
the proportion of ONE-HALF the amount at which they are now
rated.

5.--Under the present system the poor occupier who is unable
to pay, can only be excused after having been summoned and
appearing before the Magistrates, at a _loss of time_ which
generally more than equals the amount _excused_. This system of
_summonsing_ must become more and more oppressive to the _poor
ratepayer_, and more and more expensive to the Parish, under
every rate, while the present system continues.

6.--Under the Small Tenements' Rating Act, the poor ratepayer
will be saved all this trouble and expense. _No summonses will
be required._

7.--Under the Small Tenements' Rating Act, the poor ratepayer
will _always_, and under every circumstance, be relieved to an
extent not exceeding ONE-HALF of the amount at which he is now
rated, and that without any loss of time or annoyance whatever:
and, this will be the case to the amount named, even where the
_Landlord_ charges upon the weekly rental the entire amount of
the rate which _he_ will have to pay.

8.--Under the Small Tenements' Rating Act, a better class of
houses than that now existing amongst us will be introduced;
for it will be only by attention to the comforts of the Tenant
that the Landlord will be able to obtain any additional weekly
charge, to repay the amount of the rate which he will have to
pay. This will be one of the results of the adoption of this
Act, which the Committee regard as most important, and as
bearing materially upon the comfort of the working classes.

9.--Under the Small Tenements' Rating Act, no encouragement
will be held out to the _idle and dissolute_, at the expense of
the _industrious and sober_ workmen, which is the case under
the present system, undermining that independent, truthful, and
manly character which the Englishman should ever be most proud
of, since it is that _one_ of his national characteristics
which has given to him the proud position which he now holds.

These, Fellow Ratepayers, are the reasons which induced the
Committee to propose the adoption of this Act, and which lead
them still to believe that while it will be to the advantage
of _all_ classes, it will be of the greatest advantage to the
_poorer classes_. You _ought_ to decide for yourselves as
to the claim which these reasons for its adoption have upon
your judgment and support, from their own intrinsic merit or
demerit alone, and not from _personal_ considerations having
reference to the character of those who support or oppose the
introduction of this Act.

If, however, the Parish is to be insulted by such disgraceful
Handbills as those to which allusion has been made, the
Committee will not shrink from the challenge thus given, and
they call upon you to declare by your Vote, whether you place
the greatest confidence in the integrity of purpose, the
disinterestedness of motive, and the honour of the _Gentlemen_
whose names were attached to the Requisition to the Ratepayers,
advising the adoption of the Act--or in _those_ who thus
endeavour to raise the bitterest feelings of animosity and
hatred, by assertions, as disgraceful in their object as they
are false in fact.

The Committee have no other motive to influence them than an
earnest and faithful desire, firstly, that the Poor Rates
shall be collected upon a principle of justice, including all
_Property_, but relieving to a great extent that property which
is of the lowest class. Secondly, that the administration
of the Poor Rates, both in their collection and subsequent
distribution, shall be governed by that true English feeling
which, whilst it willingly alleviates the suffering of the
destitute, yet honours most of all the self-supporting workman
who disdains the relief sought for by the idle and improvident:
and lastly, that that state of things shall be put a stop to in
this Parish, which has brought upon it the fearful notoriety
of being described by the Board of Health as "_the Town in
which the work of human extermination is carried on more
successfully than in any other part of England and Wales_."

They do not hesitate in expressing the conviction that the
adoption of this Act must lead to the erection of a better
class of houses, to greater attention on the part of the
_Landlord_ to the comfort of the _Tenant_, and to a higher
tone of character in the people; and they are confident that
when its operation has been fairly tested, the best thanks of
the Parishioners will be awarded to them for the course they
have now adopted, and which they are resolved to carry out, in
defiance of the prejudices and narrow views of their opponents.

Signed on behalf of
THE SMALL TENEMENTS' RATING COMMITTEE,
S. H. BLACKWELL,
Chairman.

_Dudley, March 23rd, 1853_.

April 5th, 1853. This unprecedented severe contest for the Election of Guardians took place with the following results--

Elected. Mr. Isaac Badger, Messrs. E. Hollier, S. H. Blackwell, Thos. Lester, A. B. Cochrane, Thos. Wood, G. B. Walker, Jos. Guest, J. E. Swindell, J. C. Cook.

May 9th, 1853. A very heavy fall of snow this morning, with intense cold weather, which did a vast amount of harm to vegetation and health in the land.

Died, May 11, 1853, Mr. Chas. F. Hewitt, Wine and Spirit Merchant, a gentleman who took a strong lead in politics on the Tory side, and was universally respected. Aged 50 years.

May 14th, 1853. An awful loss of life was occasioned this day at one o'clock by the explosion of the engine boiler belonging to Mr. Davis, Fender Maker, in the Minories. Four men were taken out of the ruins dead, many more were severely maimed and wounded, and the unfortunate Engineer was blown above one hundred yards into the air, and fell through the roof of a house near, smashed to pieces. At the Coroner's inquest much blame was attached to the owner, "for working at too high a pressure an old boiler, acknowledged to be in bad repair."

Whitsuntide. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Dudley Lime Stone Caverns were again lighted up with gas, proving another pecuniary success.

Government School of Art, 1853. There was no district in the United Kingdom at this period which needed the establishment of a branch of the Government School of Art more than Dudley. Surrounded as we are by almost every kind of mechanical art, it had long been felt that a technical training in drawing, designing, and the general art and engineering culture, was a desideratum much needed. The town and district were greatly indebted at this time to the efforts made to secure these advantages by Dr. Browne, Vicar, S. H. Blackwell, Esq., A. B. Cochrane, Esq., Edwin Dudley, Esq., and others, who speedily raised a handsome subscription to enlarge the King Street National School Rooms, and established a most valuable and flourishing Government School of Art. Long may this excellent institution maintain its high reputation and prestige. The first appointments were, Lord Ward, the President, Dr. Browne, Vice-President and Chairman, Samuel H. Blackwell, Esq., Hon. Secretary, First Master Mr. Robert Cochrane.

The Sanitary Board having been imposed upon this Borough, _nolens volens_, necessitating the extinction and oblivion of the Old Town Commissioners, who had become quite incompetent to deal with the shamefully unsanitary condition of the Borough, caused quite a commotion and flutter amongst all classes of the inhabitants. _The scare_, alleging the enormous increase of the Rates in the Parish, which would be the result of this dreaded movement, induced many people to use their utmost influence to endeavour to secure such a Board as would make its stringent and sweeping Clauses harmless and inoperative. Men of property in the Parish looked with alarm upon any interference with the rights of property; although the recent enquiry before Mr. Lee had incontestably shewn the immediate necessity for a Sanitary Reform in the Parish. That startling enquiry and inspection of the Parish had taken place in August, 1851, yet the application of the Act had been staved off till now, June, 1853; and had not some of the most intelligent and independent ratepayers insisted upon its introduction in the Parish, the disgraceful, filthy, and insanitary state of things would have continued to an indefinite period.

The first thing to be done was the election of a Local Board of Health, and to the common sense of the ratepayers and the credit of the Town, be it recorded, that the _first elected Board_ was composed of fifteen of the most clear-headed, independent, and true friends of the Parish that could possibly have been selected. As a matter of course, this novel and important Election could not be allowed to take place, without the usual exhibition of the "Curiosities of Dudley."

DUDLEY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

_To the Ratepayers of the Parish of Dudley._

FELLOW RATEPAYERS,

The Public Health Act being extended to the Parish of Dudley,
you will in a few days be called upon to elect proper persons,
as a Local Board, to carry out its provisions.

As it will necessarily entail a very heavy expense on the
Parish, it is of the utmost importance that those persons
should be elected who will faithfully discharge the weighty
duties of their office, with a due regard to ECONOMY IN THE
EXPENDITURE OF THE PARISH FUNDS.

_Vote_, then, for the following Fifteen Candidates (nominated
by Messrs. Blackwell and Cochrane), who, if elected, will
carefully guard the interests of the Ratepayers, and carry out
the provisions of the Act at the least possible expense:--

Mr. Samuel Holden Blackwell
" Elliott Hollier
" Thomas Wood
" Josiah Collins Cook
" Alexander Brodie Cochrane, Jun.
The Rev. Dr. Browne
Mr. Thomas Lester
" Alexander Patterson
Mr. John Finch
" William Chrysostom Wood
" William Timmins
" Richard Smith
" Edward Dixon, the younger
" James Evers Swindell
" George Thomson (Corngreaves)

A RATEPAYER.

_Dudley, 13th June, 1853._

N.B.--_As_ ONLY _Fifteen persons can be elected, any Ratepayer
Voting for more than that number_ WILL LOSE THE WHOLE OF HIS
VOTES. The Voting Paper must be carefully preserved by the
Voter, as no second Paper will be given. When filled up it must
be kept ready for delivery to the Distributor, who will call
for it on TUESDAY, the 21st Instant, and who is the only person
authorised to receive the same.

* * * * *

DUDLEY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

TO THE RATE-PAYERS OF DUDLEY.

FELLOW RATEPAYERS,

The most important Suffrage since the passing of the Reform
Bill has lately been conferred upon the Rate-Payers of Dudley,
by the introduction of the "HEALTH OF TOWNS ACT;" _and you are
now called upon to Elect Fifteen fit and proper Persons_ to
carry out the provisions of this salutary Measure. This day you
have had 40 Names submitted to your notice, as parties wishful
to have the management of the affairs of this Parish confided
to them, and _it now behoves you carefully to consider who and
what class of masters shall rule over you_! A cursory glance
at the List of Names nominated for your approval, clearly
shows that some are incapacitated from age and non-residence
to attend to your interests, and others want the _essential
qualities_ of a _practical knowledge of the working of the Act_.

Recollect, fellow Rate-payers, that £25,000 may shortly be at
the disposal of your elected Rulers, and this sum, too, will
have to come out of the pockets of the Rate-payers!

Improvements we want, but we must be careful _to whom, we trust
these large powers_ to make those Amendments. Let us then elect
a Class of Commissioners whom we know to be of _honest purpose,
independence of character, quickness of perception, mindful
of the judicious improvements of the Town, as well as of the
Pockets of the Rate-payers_, and possess a _conscientious
determination to attend personally to the duties of this
important office_.

Beware, then, of committing yourselves to party
purposes,--political tendencies--family cliques--or honorary
and never attending members. Bear in mind that it is a very
common practice to escape from one set of inefficient Rulers
into the arms of another, often professedly more liberal but
usually more tyrannical and inadequate to the duties they
profess to fulfil,--past experience, in Dudley, teaches the
necessity of this caution to the Ratepayers. Have practical,
honest, business-like men, who will be fearless and judicious
in the discharge of their duties, and _spend your money as
carefully as though it were their own_. Recollect, that men
who have something tangible to lose are the most likely to be
careful about the spending of that fund which they will have
heavily to pay to.

On Tuesday next you will be called upon for the Voting Paper
left at your houses, _write your Initials at once opposite
the following names on the Voting Paper_, and you will
thereby elect such a Board of intelligent and responsible
Commissioners, as will improve the Town and save your Pockets.

VOTE FOR

Mr. S. H. Blackwell, Iron-Master, High Street.
" Elliott Hollier, Chemist, High Street.
" J. C. Cook, Ironmonger, High Street.
" Thomas Wood, Spirit Merchant, High Street.
" A. B. Cochrane, Iron-Master, Woodside.
Rev. Dr. Browne, Vicar, Vicarage.
Mr. Thomas Lester, Spirit Merchant, Queen Street.
" C. F. G. Clark, Druggist, Queen Street.
" Edward Terry, Jun., Tea Dealer, Market Place.
" Richard Smith, Agent, Priory.
" James Evers Swindell, Iron-Master, Woodside.
" William Haden, Iron-Master, Dixon's Green.
" Edward Grainger, Draper, Market Place.
" John Renaud, Glass-Master, Tower Street.
" W. C. Wood, Grocer, High Street.

A FREEHOLDER AND RATEPAYER.

_Dudley, June 16th, 1853._

* * * * *

DUDLEY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

_To the Ratepayers of Dudley._

GENTLEMEN,

The Clerk of the Quackery establishment, with his usual
"_quickness of perception, honest purpose, and independence
of character_," has thought proper at this particular season
to address you on "the _essential qualities_ and _practical
knowledge_ of the Public Health!" IT NOW BEHOVES YOU CAREFULLY
TO CONSIDER "what class of Quackery you ought to support, so
that YOUR MONEY MAY BE SPENT AS CAREFULLY AS IF IT WERE YOUR
OWN." Recollect, THAT MEN WHO HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO LOSE
are the men most likely to be careful of the same.

£25,000 will have to come out of your pockets shortly (so says
the Clerk), for "the _judicious improvements of the Town_," and
fifteen _conscientious and determined_ Commissioners must be
chosen.

Beware, then, of self-interested partisans,--political
turncoats, and troublesome quacks--"past experience in Dudley
teaches the necessity of this caution to Ratepayers."

"O that estates, degrees, and offices,
Were not derived corruptly;--that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer."

A LOOKER-ON.

_Dudley, 16th June 1853._

The Unitarian Chapel, 1853. This Chapel is situated in a retired arched gateway, in Wolverhampton Street, adjoining the old Post Office. It was originally built in 1701; but that structure unhappily shared the fate of many other Nonconformist Chapels, destroyed under Dr. Sacheverell's fanaticism against Dissenters, for in 1714, it was burnt down by a lawless mob, but was shortly afterwards re-built by a Parliamentary Grant of £500. This comfortable and commodious chapel has been much improved and ornamented since that period, and it now seats 450 worshippers. There is also an excellent school attached to this denomination, known as Daniel Parsons' Foundation School, having 150 children therein, under the able tuition of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The life of Dr. Sacheverell reveals the impression that he was a learned madman, whose craze was to preach "the Church in Danger," and that dissent ought to be stamped out by fire and persecution. He was appointed preacher at St. Saviour's Church, Southwark, London, in 1705, where he preached his violent crusade against Dissenters, which commanded much attention at the time. For his intemperate language, both in and out of the pulpit, he got impeached by the House of Commons, and was suspended preaching for three years, but through some powerful Court influence, he eventually managed to get appointed to the valuable Rectory of St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, where he died in 1724. During this period of our history, the Rev. John Palmer, B.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, was appointed on February 18th, 1833, the minister of this highly intelligent and wealthy congregation. Mr. Palmer was a gentleman of great mental power, and was a good and pleasant preacher, and during the nineteen years he held this appointment he secured the esteem and regard of all good citizens. Mr. Palmer, like many of his countrymen, was a very energetic politician, and his often expressed Radical opinions at times shocked the nervous sensibility of his friends. However, after 19 years of great zeal and energy in the sacred cause he had undertaken to uphold and propagate, we find him suddenly transformed into an officer of the Crown, for in 1853, he was appointed Crown Treasurer in the Island of Dominica, whither he departed, being succeeded after a time by the Rev. Richard Shaen, M.A., who only remained a few years as minister. Some of our "oldest inhabitants" are in possession of relics and curiosities of the old burnt chapel, in the form of oaken stands and curious boxes made from the ponderous oak timbers, which were not entirely consumed in the conflagration of the chapel. The Rev. Mr. Gibson is the present genial and courteous minister. The Election for the _first Local Board of Health_ took place on June 23rd, 1853, with the following results:

DUDLEY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.--The election of this board was
brought to a close on Thursday last, and the result is as
follows, the first fifteen being elected:--Dr. Browne, 1,227;
S. H. Blackwell, 1,161; E. Hollier, 1,135; A. B. Cochrane,
981; R. Smith, 974; T. Lester, 951; J. C. Cook, 887; J. E.
Swindell, 872; I. Badger, 870; W. O. Wood, 848; E. Dixon, 844;
A. Patterson, 841; G. Thompson, of Corngreaves, 812; T. Badger,
jun., 801; J. G. Walker, 793; J. Finch, 754; E. Feny, 725; W.
Haden, 676; T. Griffiths, 671; W. Timmins, 633; W. Harrison,
625; E. F. Smith, 615; E. L. Cresswell, 586; J. Renaud, 504;
C. Cartwright, 495; J. Marsh, 491; J. Bagott, 485; T. Danks,
471; J. Owen, 466; T. Fereday, 374; J. Guest, 246; W. Harper,
121; D. Lloyd, 117; C. F. G. Clark, 113; W. Sheppard, 105. From
an inspection of the list elected, it will be seen that, with
few exceptions, the ratepayers have chosen the board from the
most active and intelligent members of the Board of Guardians
and the late Board of Highways and Town Act Commissioners, and
we hope to see the "Health Act" now carried out in Dudley in
its integrity, with advantage to the general social condition
of the inhabitants, and with due regard to the pockets of the
ratepayers.--_Birmingham Journal._

* * * * *

DUDLEY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE PARISH OF DUDLEY.

The Board, in entering upon the important duties entrusted
to them by the Ratepayers, have earnestly to request the
co-operation of their fellow parishioners in carrying out
the objects for which they have been appointed. They invite
suggestions, and solicit information, and their Officers will
give immediate attention to any subject directly or indirectly
connected with the Public Health.

OFFICERS.

MR. WILLIAM HENRY BROOKE, Solicitor, Wolverhampton Street,
has been appointed Clerk to the Board, and all general
communications should be addressed to him.

MR. JOHN BATEMAN, Wolverhampton Street, has been appointed
Surveyor,--and

MR. JOHN CASTREE, Railway Parcels Office, Wolverhampton Street,
Inspector of Nuisances.

All communications respecting these two departments of the
Board should be addressed to these Officers respectively.

THE BOARD take this opportunity of announcing that in
enforcing the large and searching powers and directions of the
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, they shall be always desirous of avoiding,
as much as possible, any compulsory interference with the
management of property, and any unnecessary intrusion on the
privacy of the parishioners. But that extensive inspection
and inquiry will be unavoidable, since the state of drainage
of every house must be ascertained, in order to be rendered
perfect. Interference, however, and compulsion will, in
every case, be less in proportion as the parishioners shall
themselves kindly co-operate in bringing about that better
state of sanitary arrangement which the Act requires, and which
is so essential to the public health and welfare.

By Order of
The Local Board of Health, Dudley;
W. H. BROOKE,
_Clerk to the said Board._

_Dudley, August 2nd, 1853._

The following appeal to the Churchmen in this town was attended with success--

DUDLEY, JULY 8th, 1853.

SIR,

The adjourned Meeting of the Inhabitants of this Parish to
take into consideration the best means to be adopted for
the liquidation of the Salaries of the Officers, and other
debts, (amounting according to the accounts presented at the
last meeting to nearly £800), due in respect of the Churches
of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. James, will be held in the
Vestry of St. Thomas's Church, on Wednesday morning next,
the 13th instant, at Eleven o'clock, when your attendance is
respectfully and particularly requested.

Signed,
T. FEREDAY,} Ex-Wardens
} of
E. HOLLIER,} St. Thomas's.

Died, November 3rd, 1853, Mr. Geo. Bailey, Senior, formerly a Grocer and Provision Dealer, in New Street. Aged 79 years.

Died November 18th, 1853, Mrs. Henry Parkes, of Wolverhampton Street. Aged 44 years.

December 26th, 1853. A very heavy fall of snow took place this day, and continued at intervals until January 11th, 1854. All train and road traffic was suspended, and the snow drifts were 16 feet deep in many localities. The privations and sufferings amongst the poor were very great.

1854. Died January 20th, Mr. John Rann, of Hall Street, Printer. This wonderful and active old man was known to be the oldest man in Dudley, having attained the age of 98 years.

January, 1854. A new Organ was erected in St. Edmund's Church, at a cost of £360. This sum was raised by public subscription, and the highly-esteemed Rev. Jno. Davies, M.A., was the Incumbent of the Church at the time.

January, 1854. The Metropolitan Association for the Improvement of the Dwellings of the Poor, was adopted in Dudley with much _eclat_. Dr. Browne was appointed Chairman, and Mr. Wm. Barns, Solicitor, Secretary, with a powerful and influential Committee. February 1st, 1854. This day a deputation of Church attendants at St. Edmund's Church presented the Rev. A. Kerr Thompson, M.A., Master of the Dudley Grammar School, with an address from the congregation thanking him for his services as Evening Lecturer in that Church.

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTION!!!

February 11th, 1854. A very sharp contest took place this day for South Staffordshire, betwixt Lord Paget and Lord Ingestre, which ended in a majority of 1568 votes for Lord Paget, the Liberal Candidate. Lord Ward, a Conservative by induction, who can command this constituency, by some unexplained reason, threw the whole of his weight and influence into the hands of the Liberals, hence the result of the election. We had again another pitiable exhibition of territorial influence in Dudley and elsewhere, ordering to "do as you are bid," leading the liege vassals to do battle in a cause which it was too well-known that all utterly abhorred.

LOOK ON THIS PICTURE.

Once upon a time there lived in Staffordshire a noble Lord.
Among other possessions he held the lordship of a Manor close
by his residence; it was, however, but a barren dignity, as the
Manor was all common and waste land. However, he got an act of
Parliament for enclosing the waste lands, and inserted a clause
_reserving all Mines to himself_, should there prove to be any.
Well, in time this Manor became built over. Many working men
_out of their savings_ put up houses for themselves, and the
place became very populous. The old lord died; and the next
Lord, who was very young, thought Staffordshire a very nasty
place, so he went to Italy and foreign parts to enjoy himself,
and there revelled in luxury and extravagance. Fortunately for
this Lord, his Agents found Mines under nearly all that Manor,
and as their master's wants were great, they opened all the
Mines they could. _But the Working Men, who had built their
houses upon the surface?_ Row after row of houses split and
cracked, and became ruins; some houses sank into the earth--it
seemed as if some convulsion of nature had passed over this
manor. Many poor workmen were ruined, for they had borrowed
money to assist them in building their houses, and when the
mortgagees found their value was destroyed, they sold them for
what they would fetch. Others went to his Lord's Agents and
begged of them to leave ribs and pillars under their houses,
_but they would not_. Some begged the Agents to patch their
houses up--but no: _not a day's labour! not a barrow of mortar!
not a brick! not a tile!_ would this Lord's Agents give them!
And the Miners kept enlarging their circle like an encroaching
sea, and those, whose dwellings were not ruined, were kept in
daily dread of their little property, around which clung so
many pleasant memories; where, after years of toil and care,
they had fondly hoped for tranquillity in old age!

Well, this Lord with all his wealth was unhappy, _he coveted
an Earldom_! The Election came on, and "Which Candidate,"
said the noble Lord to himself, "shall I support? Why, I'll
support the one who will support Ministers, and if they win,
why, my Earldom is safe!" So this Lord had an interview with
LORD ABERDEEN, and _he turned his Coat_ (for before he was a
Conservative), and his Agent went round and _commanded_ all his
Tenants _to turn their Coats_. "But," said the Tenants, "we
surely cannot support Ministers, FOR THEY HAVE TRUCKLED TO THE
RUSSIAN INFLUENCE, and for the first time in History, _England
has shown the White Feather_!" But the Agent said--"Leave the
Country to the noble Lord. Has he not the largest stake in it."

LOOK ON THIS PICTURE!

_Well, in Staffordshire there lived another Lord, not very
rich. He was much younger than the Lord we have been speaking
of. When he left school he went into the Army. Being a
thoughtful lad he sat down, as it were, by the roadside of
life: before him two paths branched off--the path of Luxury and
the path of Duty. And Pleasure said to him--"Enjoy yourself."
But Duty replied--"Remember your poor Fellow Countrymen. Are
not you one of their natural guardians? What were rank and
wealth given you for?" Well, this young Lord listened to the
call of Duty, and he vowed that his life should be useful._

So he began by devoting the time he could spare from his
military duties to visiting the poor and wretched. By way of
a start he got together a subscription of _Three Thousand
Pounds_, and fitted up a large house in London, in which poor,
houseless creatures, of whom there are thousands in London,
who sleep in the streets and cellars, or whatever shelter
they can find, might have a comfortable and clean bed, at a
very trifling charge. He was now about _twenty years of age_.
His occupation had become a real pleasure. He travelled much
about England, and went through our large towns, and over
factories, and got together all _the facts_ he could about
the state of the Working Classes. Whilst thus employed, the
Engineers on the railways struck. The Directors wanted to
increase their Dividends, and took away from the Engineers some
privileges they had always enjoyed; but the Engineers would not
stand this, so they stood out. Unskilful Engineers were set
on--accidents happened; there was great confusion and alarm.
Well, the Engineers looked round for an Arbitrator, and they
chose one. Whom? THIS YOUNG LORD; for they had heard of him and
his kind heart.

Soon after the death of the Duke of Wellington, a large sum
of money was subscribed to erect a lifeless monument to his
Grace. But this young Lord Ingestre proposed that the money
should be spent in securing to the poor of London free Water,
and their share of the light of Heaven, the common property
of us all--and other Sanitary improvements, necessary to the
health and strength of the working man. It was for this that
the "Times Newspaper" fell foul of the young Lord, and called
him a silly young medler. But many simple folks, and especially
hardy sons of toil, are still of the young Lord's opinion. I
think that the Great Duke would have wished so too, could he
have spoken from the tomb. But the "_Times_" owed Lord Ingestre
a "grudge" for supporting the Engineers against the Railway
Directors, and the opportunity was taken of venting their
spleen.

But our young Lord had too much pluck to be set down by a
Newspaper, so he just went on as before, and tried to get at
the truth respecting the Working Classes, and the way to make
them better off. After seeing things in England, he went to
America on the same errand. Whilst there his Friends sent
for him to return to England, to contest the representation
of his native County against the Candidate brought forward
by the Lord above spoken of, and other Lords and great folks
like him. Well, when they heard he was coming, they told the
poor folks all sorts of lies about the young Lord: that he was
for a little loaf--that he was all for the rich--that he was
against Free Trade; but, fortunately, the young Lord had time
to go through the County, to see and speak to the people. And
he asked them--"_Is it likely that I, who have all my life been
working for the Labouring Man, to secure him and his children
comforts and blessings_, that I am so foolish and wicked as to
take away from him his bread?" And the people looked round upon
the houses in ruins, and it seemed to them strange that a noble
Lord should have ever thought, except at an election, of the
Working Man's good.

MEN OF STAFFORDSHIRE! ARE YOU ENGLISHMEN? If so, why do
you permit yourselves to be dictated to? Your FATHERS were
Free MEN! Were you animated by my spirit (and I am a plain
Englishman like yourselves), you would never hear of a Lord
_commanding_ the Votes of a _free_ people.

The law says, if a poor man takes a shilling, or accepts of a
glass of beer at an election, IT IS AN HEINOUS CRIME.

The law says if a noble Lord, though to secure an Earldom for
himself, _commands_ his Tenants to vote his way, IT IS NO CRIME
AT ALL.

_February 1st, 1854._

* * * * *

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTION.

TO RICHARD SMITH, ESQ. (MINERAL AGENT TO LORD WARD),
PRIORY, DUDLEY.

_Tipton, February, 2nd, 1854._

Sir,

You will, I trust, pardon me, for presuming to address you upon
a matter touching the present contested Election for South
Staffordshire. I refer to the _public_ part which you are
taking with regard to it. You cannot, I think, complain that
your proceedings should be criticised, or that they should be
brought to the bar of public opinion.

It is due to the Conservative party which you have
abandoned--and to those servants and others who are under your
influence and control--that you should publicly state the
reasons why you have changed your _colours_.

It is due to the first, because they believe that the change
involves political _apostasy_, and an undue regard to political
_morality_. An opportunity is now afforded you of justifying
the change if you can. You may give us a new chapter on
_Ethics_, headed thus:--"a change of principles proved to be
morally wrong, but politically right."

It is due to those who are under your influence and control.
You may be enabled to give a reason for them, inasmuch as they
cannot give one for themselves.

But you, doubtless, had your instructions from a certain Lord,
who it is said, has subscribed a large sum to the fund to
defray the expenses of the Radical Candidate.

Were your instructions _imperative_? If so, did you remonstrate
with his Lordship? Did you not urge _one plea_ in behalf of
yourself, and another for those who _must_ act upon your
bidding. Had you not sufficient independence to tell the Lord
that you _had been, and that you were, a Conservative_; that
all the influence which your office gives you had previously
been thrown into the Conservative scale; that you had taught
those over whom you had been placed, and those with whom
you were connected, _Conservative Politics_; that you could
not stoop so low as to undo all that you had done; that you
could not ask them to act contrary to their antecedents and
convictions; and that your situation was at his Lordship's
disposal. If, Sir, you had done this, you would have been
honoured in your last days, and you would have been spared the
reproach that has now, I regret to say, fallen upon you.

But you may say my Lord is a Peer of the Realm, that his
Lordship could not act so unconstitutionally, and that you
ALONE are responsible. Be it so. Then it will make your case
so much the worse. You may add that you took it upon yourself
to canvass his Lordship's Agents and Tenants, and that his
Lordship did not wish to INFLUENCE them in giving their
Votes, then the conclusion must be that you have EXCEEDED HIS
LORDSHIP'S WISHES AND INTENTIONS.

Can you deny the part you have taken in this matter? Can you
gainsay the charge that those who do not CHANGE WITH YOU MERIT
YOUR HIGH DISPLEASURE; and that in one instance you have shewn
it so unmistakeably that one of his Lordship's Agents, who has
held his situation for a period of 16 years, with a character
unsullied, has thought it due to his honour and self-respect to
give up his situation rather than lick the dust?

_The names of those Clergymen who are under his Lordship's
patronage_, and those Gentlemen connected with his Lordship's
Estates, _who have boldly stood forth and declared their
principles, notwithstanding your solicitations, will be ever
mentioned with regard, respect, and esteem. The reproach will
not fall upon them that in an hour of temptation they fell_
away _from those principles which they had professed, and to_
which _they do honour_.

Waiting the favour of your public reply,
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
A NON-ELECTOR.

* * * * *

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTION SONG.

TUNE.--"_All the Blue Bonnets._"

March! march! Bromwich and Wednesbury;
Handsworth and Smethwick, march forward in order;
Tipton and Rowley, Kingswinford and Sedgley,
Drive the young Tory Lord over the border.
Brown Hills and Cannock Chase, march at a steady pace:
Walsall and Lichfield from you will not sever.
Brave Wolverhampton boys, shout with your mighty voice--
"Free Trade, Reform, and LORD PAGET for ever!"

CHORUS.

March! march! march to the poll my boys;
Reformers and Free-men, march forward in order:
March! march! conq'ring Free Traders all;
Drive the young Tory Lord over the border.

Come from the forge, where your metals are heating:
Come from the mines, where your minerals abound:
Come from the workshops, where hammers are beating:
Come from wherever a voter is found.
Bilston and Willenhall; Darlaston, one and all,
From Tory dominion our country deliver;
Formed in one noble band, shout--join'd in heart and hand--
"Free Trade, Reform, LORD PAGET for ever!"

March! march! &c.

Too long has our county in bondage been lying;
Too long has our voice in the Senate been lost.
Then up boys and work; there is nothing like trying;
Resolve to be free at whatever the cost.
Will you for Tory pelf, basely degrade yourself?
Shall we be slaves again? never! O never!
Rouse up Electors then, vote for--like honest men--
"Free Trade, Reform, and LORD PAGET for ever!"

March! march! &c.

Often of old have our sires bled for glory;
But we will be wiser though worthy as they.
We will stand for the right; and Old England's proud story
Shall tell of our conquest in bloodless affray.
Then for freedom and worth, we will boldly go forth,
And rush to the poll like a stream to the river;
Making, in mighty sound, from hill and dale rebound,
"Free Trade, Reform, and LORD PAGET for ever!"

March! march! &c.

* * * * *

A RADICAL'S REAL CHARACTER.

A RADICAL'S Character's easy to draw:
He hates to obey, but would govern the law;
In manners unsocial, in temper unkind.
A rebel in conduct, a tyrant in mind;
Malignant, implacable, enviously sour,
He hates every man who has riches or power;
So impoisoned himself, he would gladly destroy
The comforts and blessings which others enjoy.

* * * * *

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTION, 1854.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH.

FINAL CLOSE OF THE POLL.

Polling Districts. PAGET. INGESTRE.
Bilston 280 94
Brewood 37 271
Handsworth 448 197
Kingswinford 930 373
Lichfield 83 130
Penkridge 129 310
Rugeley 84 111
Sedgley 323 115
Tamworth 36 45
Tipton 183 84
Walsall 223 194
Wednesbury 355 191
Westbromwich 573 329
Wolverhampton 641 313
---- ----
4325 2757
---- ----
Majority for PAGET, 1568.

Sunday, February 19th, 1854. The new organ, erected in St. Edmund's Church, was opened this day with great preachings. The sum of £54 15s. 9d. was collected on the occasion. The organ, which was considered by competent judges to be a first-rate one, cost £360, and great praise was awarded to Messrs. C. F. G. Clark and Thomas Hughes, the Churchwardens, for their exertions in collecting the amount by voluntary subscriptions.

March 13th, 1854. Died, Mr. Justice Talfourd, at Stafford Assizes. He dropped down dead from his judge's seat whilst addressing his charge to the grand jury. He was a humane judge, and an eminent and popular writer.

Easter, 1854. A very close and vindictive contest took place in this Parish for the election of the Board of Guardians, without either rhyme or reason. The new Liberals of the previous year's election had secured many useful and sensible reforms in Poor Law Distribution; had introduced and carried the Small Tenements' Act, which had given mortal offence to the Tory party, and their former dogmatical and illiterate chairman. Under such revengeful feelings, not a stone was left unturned to seek out "cause of offence," shortcomings, etc., of the Liberal Guardians. The Tory party managed to obtain the proxy votes of the non-resident voters of _the small freeholders_, lately brought into the list of voters by the imposition of the Small Tenements' Act, and thereby secured the election by over-reaching and unfair tactics.

The result of this unfair and unjust Election was a reversion of last year's parochial decision, the Liberal Guardians were thrown out, and the old "let us rest and be thankful" Tories were elected to do further mischief.

ELECTION OF GUARDIANS.

To the Independent and Enlightened Ratepayers of the Parish of
Dudley.

Fellow Ratepayers,

It is very likely that in the course of a few days you will
again have the opportunity of Electing your part of the
Board of Guardians for this Union for the coming year. As
far as I can understand, an effort is to be made, and which
has been in contemplation for some months past (by means of
owners' proxies, obtained in some instances I believe by not
over-scrupulous means, and which in many others would never
have been given to be employed in such a manner) to unseat
the majority of those parties who received your support at
the last election. Let us then examine for a few moments
what these gentlemen have done during the past year of their
Stewardship to forfeit the confidence we then reposed in them.
First, they advocated and brought about the publicity of the
proceedings of the Board, which had previously, notwithstanding
the praiseworthy exertions of two or three of its members to
the contrary, partaken somewhat of the character of a secret
conclave. Secondly, the usual weekly checks for this Parish
only for out-door relief has gradually diminished during the
year, on an average, I should imagine from the now regularly
published newspaper reports, of not less than £8 or £10
per week--next--I believe that the in-door expenses of our
Workhouses are actually less at this time than when provisions
were only half their present price, and less by a considerable
amount per head per week than they were five or six years ago,
and that the poor, both in and out, not the less cared or
provided for. Fourthly, I observe that several of the gentlemen
against whom this opposition is principally to be directed
are amongst the most intelligent, active, business-like men
of the whole Board, that they are gentlemen using their best
exertions to promote the success and prosperity of the Town,
anxious for its improvement, and desirous of its progress;
witness their endeavours for the establishment of the Model
Lodging Houses--the promotion of the scheme for the erection
of a Public Hall--the alteration of the Post Office and
improvement of postal accommodation--their support of the
School of Design and Mechanics' Institution, and extension of
general Education--the erection of a proper Workhouse in place
of our present disgraceful building, by which I doubt not our
expenses will be lessened, and the comforts of its aged and
infirm poor inmates at the same time increased, and by their
generally evidenced desire to improve the condition of our
poorer brethren, both socially and morally--thus preventing
crime, obviating disease, and diminishing pauperism. Having
during the past year made a continued advance in the right
direction, should you be again called upon I trust that you
will encourage their endeavours, and show that you appreciate
their attention to your interests, by not only supporting the
seven gentlemen[33] I now allude to, but also any others with
whom their names may be connected in any list proposed for your
sanction, by placing their names triumphantly at the head of
the poll.

I am, Fellow-Ratepayers,
Yours faithfully,
A QUIET OBSERVER OF FACTS.

_March, 1854._

* * * * *

ELECTION OF GUARDIANS.

To the Ratepayers of the Parish of Dudley.

You are respectfully requested to Vote for the following Ten
Persons (the last on the List,) Nominated by Thomas Badger,
Esq.--

Isaac Badger, Coal and Ironmaster.
Thomas Griffiths, Gentleman.
Joseph Griffin Walker, Nailmaster.
Joseph Guest, Gentleman.
Edward Fisher Smith, Mine Agent.
William Harrison, Draper.
John Aston, Mine Agent.
John Renaud, Glass Manufacturer.
Matthew Dennison, Chemist, &c.
Francis Northall, Ironmaster.