Potter's Electric News

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THE PEMBROKE BOROUGHS. SIP. HUGH OWEN still maintains a show of fight- ing in the Pembroke Boroughs, although the re- sults of his canvass of the Constituency must long ago have convinced him that his chances of suc- cess are hopeless. His Committee do their best to inspire him with courage, and appear to be endowed with unusual powers of imagination united with a fair share of bravado but though their announcements are replete with confident predictions, there are j et observable strong indi- cations 0: fear and trembling; and it is painfully evident that they already experience the agonies cf defeat, while they issue advertizements of majorities for the gratification of their too credu- lous friends and for the deception of the public in general. Sir Hugh himself is among the victims of the extraordinary misrepresentations of his Committee, and he wages his uphill battle with a fitful energy, seemingly thinking that greater reliance is to bvi placed on the fervid and coloured declarations of imaginative committee men,lthal1 on the carefully calculated results of a personal j canvass of the electors. The Liberal Committee in a recent communication announced that which- ever side won, the majority would not be large,' and in the same document predicted with their usual confidence that the majority would be in Sir Hugh's favour. This declaration of the ma- jority being on their side was, of course, neces- sary to make it a genuine Liberal an. nouncemenf. Puffing forms a considerable proportion of Liberal tactics, for if the privilege o! boasting were denied them, more than three- parts of their stock-in-trade would be destroyed, and the Liberal election business would in a short time be in a state of perfect collapse. Mr Meyrick's committee have exhibited a most exem- plary patience in the-face of the extravagant and somewhat provoking statements that have been put into circulation in the interest of the Liberal Can- didate but probably thinking it was time to expose the reckless assertions of their opponents, they published a letter in our columns last week, giving statistical results which must have astonished the deluded followers of the Liberal Candidate, and extinguished whatever little ex- pectation they might have indulged in as to his ultimate success. It appears from the document issued by Mr Meyrick's Committee, that them are in the district of Pembroke Dock 1089 voters 322 of these have promised their votes to Sir Hugh, and 636 have declared in favour of Mr-Mayrick so that in the very neighbourhood, which in former contests proved to be Sir Hugh's great stronghold, the votes are now nearly 2 to I against him. This is striking evidence of Sir Hugh's unpopularity, and the feeling of disapprobation disclosed by the returns in the Pembroke district is but a part of the condemnation almost universally expressed of Sir Hugh's parliamentary career. Sir Hugh, as a representative, has notoriously neglected his duties, and this fact is so patent that few of his own par- tieaus would attempt to deny it. He betrayed the interests of his constituents by absenting himself from his place in the House of Commons when the capabilities of Pembroke Arsenal were misrepre- sented, and inaccurate statements made respecting. the capacities of our famous harbour. Few men, honoured with the post now so unworthily filled by Sir Hugh, have been so oblivious of the responsi- bilities of a parliamentary representative, or so utterly indifferent to assaults made upon the interests -we may say in this particular case, the vital inte- rests—of a very large portion of their constituents. Mr Meyrick's close connection with the Borough affords the best possible guarantee that he will be faithful in the discharge of his duties he has, as a resident gentleman, shown the greatest liberality b y in his support of projects tending to the welfare of the neighbourhood, and his aid has been readily givea to every institution calculated to advance the interests of the constituency. ■ 'r Hugh's public life is a constant repetition of >. ty neglected, and as a parliamentary represefitat. ve he will be re- membered rather on account of the things which he omitted to do than for any he has è ;ie. As a public servant be has in the highest d 'gree been unfaithful he has proved himself undeserving of a renewal of the trust confided to him. The Con- stituency has found out that more than enough has been sacrificed for old recollections, and that inactive parliamentary representation is much too heavy a burden to bear for the sake of past associa- tions. The great majority of the electors of the Pembroke Boroughs know that there is in the House of Commons a party, happily few in number, who desire the extinction of Pembroke Dock Yard, and they have pledged themselves to support Mr Meyrick because they are convinced it is of the utmost importance that the Borough should be represented by one who will protect to the full extent of his powers their local interests, and who will not run away and leave the enemy at liberty to make his attacks upon an establish- ment, on the maintenance of which may be said to depend the prosperity of the entire district.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. RETURN OF MR AND MRS FISHER. THE return of Mr and Mrs Fisher, accompanied by the Rev. J. H. A. Philipps and Mrs Philippe of Picton Castle, was celebrated on Friday with great rejoicing in the town of Haverfordwest. It having been announced that Mr and Mrs Fisher would arrive by the mid-day train, pre- parations were made to give them a cordial reception. Thursday was occupied in the erec- tion of arches in different parts of the street between the Railway Station and Picton House,, the town residence of Mr Philipp3, of Picton Castle. There were in all five fine arches erected, which were decorated with bunting of various hues, and displayed a great number of banners bearing inscriptions complimentary to Mr and Mrs Fisher, and expressive of good wishes for their health, happiness, and prosperity. Some of them also bore mottoes indicative of good feeling towards the House of Picton, and more than one displayed the sentence" Long life to Mr and Mrs Philipps." The arches were con- structed with much taste and skill, and were decked out with a profusion of natural and arti- ficial flowers. At the entrance to Mr Philipps's house, a bower of evergreens was con- structed, and along the front and sides of it ran the inscription—" Long live the Vicar of Saint Mary." From many of the windows of the houses in Picton Place and Cartlett flags and banners were hung out, and the street leading from the Castle-square to the Station pre- sented a very gay and animated appearance. The weather in the morning was very unpropitious the rain fell in torrents, but as noon approached, the weather improved, and the streets were thronged with spectators. A great number of the tradesmen of the town, and the tenantry of the Picton Castle Estate, assembled in the Castle-square, and pre- ceded by a brass band, marched in procession to the Railway Station, the approaches to which were crowded with numbers of both sexes. The train arrived a few minutes later than the appointed time, and its arrival evoked loud cheers from the assem- bled crowd. Mr and Mrs Fisher and Mr and Mrs Philipps on alighting on the platform were received with prolonged cheering, which was renewed with increased vigour when they made their appearance outside the entrance to the Railway Station. The whole party, the objects of the enthusiastic wel- come from the crowd, entered the carriage in waiting, and were conveyed to the town residence in Victoria Place. There an address was presented to Mr Philipps congratulating him on his restora- tion to health after his recent severe illness. The address was read by the Mayor, J. W. Phillips, Esq., and was acknowledged by the worthy Vicar in a very feeling speech. Mr Fisher also expressed his thanks for the hearty welcome extended to him, and subsequently addressed the vast assembly from the window. Mrs Fisher also appeared at the window, and bowed gracefully in answer to the enthusiastic cheering which greeted her. Mrs Philipps and Mr Philipps, on presenting them- selves at the window, were loudly cheered, and both warmly acknowledged the salutations of the large concourse. Cannon were fired during the proceedings, and the bells of the parish church rang right merrily throughout the afternoon. POLITICAL INTOLERANCE IN WALES. The following letter appears in the Standard of Satur- day :— Sir,-The following is a translation of a Proclamation, by the 'Liverpool Welsh Reform Association,' which ap- peared in a late number of the Y Jjydd (The Day), a Radical organ, published at Dolgelley :— CAUTION. I. Be it known to the electors of Anglesea, Carnarvon, Denbigh, Merioneth, Cardigan, and all the plains and hills of Wales, that a I BLpoh ol Remembrance' is being prepared to record the name of every Dissenter who shall vote for a Tory; and that persons will be appointed in every neighbourhood to escort every one of such over the r-tiles and through the gates from chapel to church, with lie following reform tiend<t:iou:—'As you consider that the Established Church is the best for others, it should tuffiew you.' THESEORKTARY OF THE COMMITTEE. Liverpool." The above is the production of a society composed principally ot Dissenting ministers who go about the count!)' to instruct us in the true principles of Chris- tianity (?), and who are now, in conjunction with a gang of itinerant 'orators,' busily engaged in enlightening the people' on the grand principles of Liberalism and the evils of the Established Church. I trust, however, that the majority of my countrymen are endowed with too much SCnhe to pay the least attention to the manifestoes and the eloquent (?) orations of these I Go.pel Lights' aPd tueir culleagucs.- Y OUTS obediently, CYMRO. THE GENERAL ELECTION. We have reason to believe that the writs for the approaching elections will be issued on the 11th of November. In this case the borough elections will take place on Monday and Tuesday, the 1 tit hand 17th, aud. itw county elections on the 19th and 20th. j HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL. r A special meeting of the members of this body was 1)eld at the Council Chamber on Monday. There were present J. W. Phillips, Esq, (Mayor); Mr W. Walters, Mr R. Williams, Mr Whicher Davies, Mr John James, Mr James Phillips, Mr A. Beynon, and Mr John Madocks. ELECTION OF RETURNING OFFICER. The Mayor stated that the business of the meet- ing was the election of an alderman to act as re- turning officer at the coming municipal election. He (the Mayor,) being himself a candidate, could not act as returni. office*, and it would be for the Council to appoint an alderman to execute the duties in regard to the election iu the place of the Mayor. Mr H. Phillips: Mr Mayor and Gentlemen,—I have had some little experience as a Town Coun- cillor, having been connected with the Council for a great many years and I always understood that the senior alderman presided when the Mayor was absent. The senior alderman always took the Mayor's seat when the Mayor was absent or during his incapacity. With regard to the coming elec- tion, there is nothing to covet in the office of re- turning oflicer: the poll will he kept open all day, and the business will require a good deal at time and attention. The senior alderman always took the place of the Mayor, whenever be was un- able to act, and on that ground, I propose that Mr William Owen, who is the senior alderman, should. be elected to execute the duties of the Mayor in regard to the forthcoming election. Mr Walters Mr Owen is not in town. Mayor The question is will he be in town on the 2nd of November 1 Mr Walters: I beg your pardon—I referred to to-day. Mr John James I beg to second the proposi- tion of Mr Henry Phillips. Mr James Phillips; I suppose it is optional on Mr Owen's part whether he will take the office or not ? Mayor I rather doubt that. Mr James Phillips; By what power can you enforce it? Mayor: He is pro-Mayor for the time being. I can scarcely imagine ttaat any alderman if elect d by the Council will decline to act. Mr James Phillips: If as a councillor, he is chosen to be alderman or Mayor, of course it he declined office, he would, be liable to penalties but I don't know that it is so in a matter of this sort. The aldermen elected is not obliged to act and there is no bye law to enforce it. Mr Whicber Davies We don't know that Mr Owen will not accept office? Mr J. Phillips; I have a right to ask the ques- tion ? Mayors I think he presided two years ago when Mr Madocks was a candidate. 0 Mr James Phillips: He did preside. The reason- I ask is this-If it is a matter of choice with the alderman, we must have his concurrence for if he declines we cannot compel him to serve it, and in that case, I don't know what we should do. Mr A. Beynon Suppose Mr Owen should be out of town on the 2nd of November,, we should be in a fix. Mr H. Phillips Another alderman could act then. Mr J. Phillips Mr Walters is present and will act, and I beg to move that Mr Walters be ap- pointed. Mr W. Williams I second that. I think it is very unfortunate that we should name a gentle- man in his absence. If he has power to refuse to act, and does not desire to act, we may be with- out a returning officer. Mr Walters is here, and will act if elected. Mr Whicher Davies My candid opinion is this -1 don't think Mr Walters would desire to act as returning officer, as his managing clerk is a candi- date. It would not look well for him to preside when his own managing clerk is one of the candi- dates. Mr James Phillips: The Returning Officer will have nothing to do but to sit there as presiding officer. Mr Whicher Davies; Some four or five years ago, I applied- Mayor Let us dispose of this matter first. The Mayor here referred to a case in which Lord Camphell stated that the duties of a Mayor of a Borough as returning officer were not purely ministerial: he had to decide whether the votes were given in a proper form, and to decide ques- tions of considerable nicety which were sometimes brought to the higher courts. With regard to Mr I In Owen- (continued the Mayor)-he being the senior alderman, it would' be a slight to him if we did not make the offer, though I have no doubt Mr Walters would perform the duties as well as anybody. Mr Madocks: I saw Mr Owen, and he said he could not come here to-day. I think he bid me say, he hoped you would not elect him. Mr Whicher Davies That is something new. Mr W. Williams: I see 110 argument at all in the fact suggested by Mr Davies that there is an objection to Mr Walters being appointed because his clerk is one of the candidates. Mr H. Phillips I don't know that any one used the word objection.' We have no objection to Mr Walters. Mr Whicher Davies You raise the objection by opposing the election of Mr Owen. We nominated Mr Owen, and you propose another candidate. Mr W. Williams You don't know whether Mr Owen would act: he may not officiate if elected. Mr H. Phillips: I don't think Mr Williams, as a candidate, you have a right to address the meeting on this subject. Mr J. Phillips: We have nothing to do>withit as a Council. Mayor: Mr Williams is quite regular. Mr Whicher Davies He is in the same position as your Worship. Mayor: I am Councillor until the 9th of Novem- ber, whatever the event may be. Mr H. Phillips: I don't think Mr James Phillips said he had any objection to Air Owen. Mr James Phillips: I have no objection to any- body whoever is elected, 1 am satisfied will perform the duties fairly. Mr Walters: I shall be happy to do what I could on that day or any other day in furtherance of the good of the Corporation. Mr Madocks suggested that one of the propositions should be withdrawn. Mr James Phitlips I will not withdraw. Mr Whicher Davies It is a pity to disagree on a matter of this kind. Mr John James Mr Owen does not wish to serve: he would rather be out of town that day, but if elected, he would serve. 1 he motion was then put to the meeting, when there voted For Mr J, Phillips's umendmeat. Mr James Phillips Mr John Madocks M r W. Williams Mr A. Beynon. I For Mr H. Phillips's motion. Mr H. Phillips Mr Whicher Davies Mr It. Williams Mr John James. Assessors to grant me what I had a right to defflari<V and what was done everywhere else-and that "as' open voting. It was then advocated by the Tow. Clerk that it should be the case, but since then the Town Clerk has taken upon himself to advise the Mayor and Assessors not by any means to allow it. Now that advice, coming from the Town Clerk, would make it appear that it is the desire of the Corporation that there should be sly and underhand voting. I shosvld like it to be perfectly understood that we are not parties as a Corporation to anything of that sort. Some say that open voting causes greater excitement, and that, therefore, the voting should be secret. I maintain that is a false plea, because a poor person, unable to read or write, may have his paper filled up, with the aarnes of candidates for whom he would ftot vote, and when there is secret voting he cannot fiod it out, because the ofScers do not read out the names aloud. And again, when the voting is secret, persons put out false report as to the state of the poll, and there is more excitement than when the facts are really known. When there is open voting, there can be no speculation, for returns are made by the check clerks. I can only say there is not a single place in the kingdom where- contests are conducted in1 ssch a manner that you cannot ascertain the state of the poll. I wish it to be understood* that we, as a Corporation, are not parties tc'anything like secret voting. I remember the time when Mr James Phillips's brother—Mr George Phillips—-was elected, he, although his own friends wefa on the Bench, acca;sed them, after the election, of some papers, which were plumpers for him. beihg altered; and the names: of other parties inserted. If we have open voting, it will be do away with all suspicion on that ground, and I hope the Council will nat sanction a proceeding-which gives opportunities to persons' who can write' and scribble to- insert wrong namey on voting paperS; Mr Mad'aclcs0? You allude to the Mayor and the two AsSessors"for the time beiftg ? Mr Jame&- Phillips I think the remarks of Mif Davies altogether uncalled for. The state of the poll at the last two' elections was known during the day,, because there wer3 check clerks on both sides. F assure you I have no desire that anything unfair should be done, bet I think such remarks as Mr' Davies has made are beneath the dignity of a Town' Councillor. As to biis reflection upon the Mayor and Assessors at the time'ray brother was ejected, he was not in the town- Mr Whicher Davies He was not. Mr James Phillips: I returned thanks for my brother: I don't remember who the parties were that were on the Bench, but I am certain I did not at all reflect upon any of then* in the remarks I made. Mr Whicher Davies He:Said so afterwards. Mr James Phillips: Whatever was done in that way was done outside, and y< ii cannot prevent things of that kind in such contests. The officials have nothing to do with the matter. At the last election in March, the voting was perfectly open, and when Mr Davies and myself were elected, the voting was also perfectly open. Mr Beynon The names were read out at the last election. Mayor: It was open voting last M&rtth, Mr Whjfiher Davies What I said was that the Tow'n Clerk advocated it should not be 'open, and í don't wish it to he understood that he was advocating our views. There was a regular fight for it last November: the Town Clerk advised the Bench not to have open voting, and I wish it to be understood that the Town Clerk does not represent our views as a Council. Mr W. Williams: I was an assessor Ust No- vember, and there was certainly a conversation as to the proper mode ot conducting the contest; but I don't think Mr Davies is right in laying em- phasis upon the statement that the Clerk recom- mended secret voting. We acted according to our own discretion. I believe in open voting myself: I remember perfectly well declaring over the table, that if a row were caused by open voting, t should support secret voting but that so long as open voting did not create undue excitement, I should advocate it, because I think it is perfectly honest and fair. I don't think that candidates are likely to be unfairly dealt by, if the names are not read over. Mr Madocks was one of the officials. With regard to the Town Clerk, there was nothing 11 el except a friendly conversation as to which mode was the best for the conduct of the election. Mr Whicher Davies: You decided upon open voting, and that the-names should be read out. We wanted check clerks to have a check upon you as well as others. Mr Madocks: You had a check clerk. Mr Whicher Davies: That was your decision, and we claimed the right to have a check clerk. Mr Madocks I received a lettrrfroin you asking for open voting. I came here and told them that it was decided to have open voting and from the first of it you had a check clerk. Mr Wbicher Davies Are we to decide to-day that there shall be open voting, so that we shall have no cavilling about it on- the day ? Mr Walters: What you want is this—Suppose I plump for Mr Phillips, you want to know whe- ther it is for Mr J. W. Phillips or Mr James Phillips. You want the names read out. Mr Whicher Davies: That is' it, sir ;open voting. Mr Walters I can't say I like that plan but I shall do what is fair. Mr J. Phillips The objection I have to Mr Davies's speech is the language he uses. I don't know who are the assessors, but whoever they are, I am certain they would not do anything that is wrong in the matter. Mr Henry Phillips At the election when I was returned, there were several voting papers with my name ou them changed, and the names of oth'er parties substituted. The men could not read or write. Mr Whicher Davies We want the names read out as a check upon them. Mr H. Phillips I have no doubt the same tliiD0 was done on both sides. Mr W. Williams There was not a single piper changed in any degree whatever that came before I, us. Mr H. Phillips Not with your knowledge. 0 Mr W. Williams: The papers were not out of our sight.. «.• Mr Whicher Davies Let it be understood it is. not the wish of the Corporation there be secret voting. Because our Town Clerk » Q cates it, it appears as if it was the wish 0 Corporation. „nlor.- Mr J. Phillips All this business is irfe» ^0 We came here to elect an alderman to act »or Mayor.1^ Mr Whicber Davies: This has to do wi« question i