Barry Herald

Barry Urban District Council Election 1899. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SOUTH WARD. F ELLOW-ELECTORS,- At the request of the Liberal and Radical Association and a large number of Rate- payers, I beg to become a candidate at the forth- coming Election. I am a Resident in the Ward, and have resided in the Town for many years. I have watched its growth and development, and believe that these demand still closer attention. The ever-growing importance of the Town is such that there should be a substantial increase in the number of Repre- sentatives. Recent events have proved that there has not seen sufficient supervision over Syndicates laying >ut Streets in the past. The time has arrived when speculative interests should not be allowed ;o deform the Town, nor retard its means of communication. The Gladstone Road scheme is an example of this. I am in favour of Gladstone Road but there is no reason nor necessity that the Rate- payers should pay for making the Road nor for the Private Improvements. The Agreement entered into with Mr John Weaver is such that I strongly disapprove. No Agreement should be entered into unless the same has been submitted to an OPEN Council Meeting. There will be many important questions before the Council in the near future, and it will require time and careful attention to guide the public affairs of our Town. Should you deem worthy of your confidence, it will be my pleasure to serve you to the best of my ability. Hoping to receive your Vote and Interest at the forthcoming Election, I remain, Ladies and Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, JOHN A. MANATON. 7, Deck View Road.

Barry Urban District Council Election, 1899. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SOUTH WARD. L ADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— The term for which you elected me has expired. I beg to offer myself for Re-election. For nine years (seven as Chairman of Public Works) I have had the honour of serving the Ward and the Town. My career is well known to my constituents as well as throughout the district, and my record is before you-a record of which I am by no means ashamed, but justly proud. I appeal with every confidence for your support, and should you do me the honour of Electing me I will do my utmost in the future as in the past to serve the Town and the South Ward in particular. Yours faithfully, W. THOMAS. 71, Holton Road, March 15th, 1899.

Barry Urban District Council Election TO THE ELECTORS OF WEST WARD. L ADIES AND GENTLEMEN, Owing to the retirement of Captain F. Murrell, a vacancy occurs in the representation for the West Ward. Having been selected by the Liberal and Radical Association to contest the seat, I place myself at your disposal. For nine years I was a member of the Glamorgan County Council, and during that time berved on several Committees. While serving on the Technical Instruction Committee I was instrumental in procuring £ 2,200 for the Intermediate School at Barry. The Governors of the School showed their appreciation of my services in this respect by passing a Resolu- tion thanking me for same. I am in favour of Mnnicipalisation of Tramways. As to the Allotments Act, I hope soon to see this amended so that land can be procured under more favourable terms, viz., longer tenure and at a cheaper rate. I strongly support the Taxation of Land Values and Grounds Rents, which, in my opinion, is a just and equitable means of relieving the local burden which weigh sobeavily upon us. As to the Artizans' Dwelling Act, if it could be made applicable to the needs of our District, I would urge the enforcing of the same. I also believe in every man having a Living Wage, and being paid at least the Trade Union rate of wages for the district. I have resided in Barry for over three years, and spent the whole of my life in the County of Glamorgan. If elected, I shall at all times do my utmost to serve the interests of the Town and Ratepayers in general. J. am, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, RICHARD MORGAN.

Barry Urban District Council Election. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BAST WARD. L ADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— The period for which you elected me to represent you on the District Council, three years ago, is about to expire. At the request of my fellow-ratepayers, and as I am a heavy ratepayer myself, I again beg to offer you my services, trusting that the way in which I have discharged my duties in the past has merited your approval and confidence. In this hope I respectfully solicit the renewal of your confidence, and, if elected, I will endeavour at all times to serve you faithfully and to the best of my ability. I am, Your obedient servant, J. L. DAVIES.

STOCK EXCHANGE SPECULATION. MESSRS. MORRIS, FLETCHER & CO., BANK CHAMBERS, 98, CHEAPSIDE, LONDON, E.C., Transact every description of Stock Exchange business either for Investment or Speculation. Joint Options under their sole control opened every Monday and Thursday. Each share costing X5 12s 6d controls £ 500 Foreign, or C250 Railway and Miscellaneous Stock for 30 days, WITHOUT FURTHER LIA- BILITY. Our last "Joint Options" Canadian, Pacifies and Spanish were closed at a profit of 45 per cent. and 75 per cent, respectively. Ciroular sent free by post,

Barry Urban District Council Election, 1899- TO THE ELECTORS OF THE EAST WARD. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,- At the unanimous request of the Barry Liberal and Radical Association, and at the pressing invitation of a large and influential body of Elec- tors, I have consented to offer myself as a Candi- date at the forthcoming Election. Having been a resident in the district for 13 years, I am well acquainted with its many needs and requirements, and will at all times support such measures brought forward for its improvement and development should you do me the honour to Elect me as your Representative. I am, yours faithfully, W. L. HUGHES. 85, MAIN STREET, CADOXTON.

HANDBILLS CAREFULLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGH- OUT TOWN AND DISTRICT I BY HENRY THOMAS (The Blind Boy), 9, CROSS STREET, BARRY DOCK.

ELECTORAL THROES. THE sluice-valves of electioneering literature are open, rival electoral bands are playing, irrepressible canvassing nuisances are rampant, and until the 27th, when the climax will be reached, floods of cards, posters, addresses, will inundate the voter; music, pitched in the minor and major keys, covering eveiy conceivable tone and semi-tone, and producing a medley of sounds of the unrhymic order, will assail his ears; and incessant appeals for his suffrage, sensible and insensate, by principals and by envoys, will continue to make the ratepayer's life oppressive. Everything has its price, and this is the price the people pay for democracy. True, the printer's products may be ignored; to the Babel of tongues-the inharmonious music-a deaf ear may be turned; but the canvasser is ubiquitous, and from him there is, there can be, no escape. This is the thorn in the rose, the bitter element in the democratic sweet. When the elector is lastingly conscious of his importance, when he permanently, not transiently as is the case to-day, realises his power—realises to what extent the government of his country, his county, his town, is in his own hands, canvassing will be made illegal. But the time for that is not yet. The British workman has not grasped the meaning of the franchise; he is in the "larva" state in relation to his privileges; but wheu the potentialities of the vote dawns upon him, when his education, which the Board Schools, the press, and the political organisations are hastening, is com- plete, the significance of government of the people, for the people, by the people," will be fully understood. Canvassing is an inevitable adjunct of the indifference collateral with unenlightenment, and until it can be removed the soliciting incubus must be endured. Happy is the Trades Council in their nominee; happy the nominee in a strong opponent generous enough to withdraw from the contest; and happy the North Ward ratepayers in a re- presentative elect who will give full value for the confidence reposed in him. Everything has its price, and full value on the part of a public representative is the only price that can con- scientiously be paid for the distinction of selec- tion and election. Full value should be asked for and demanded of every successful candidate, and only those aspirants to municipal laurels who are capable of paying the price should be favoured with the votes of the people. And of what does full value consist ? In a represen- tive it means, not the apotheosis, but the abnegation of self; the subordination of private to collective interests the sacrificing of home and family claims to public duty; unfailing attendance, not only at Council meetings where there is a little glory and less work; but at committee meetings, where there is much work and no glory—it means sterling honesty in every deal; careful application to every question; the possession of a natural aptitude for the avocation, and the constant manifestation of patriotism in its widest and best sense. The latter attribute covers the moral ground, for the Councillor who is patriotic is upright in his transactions, faithful in the discharge of his duties, jealous of his own and his constituents' honour, and a stranger to every ignoble quality. But for efficient administration there are pro- perties other than ethical required in our public men, and these should be insisted on as a fair exchange for the honour of a seat on the Council. In the South, the East, and the West Wards, a superabundance of candidates appeal for the elector's votes. The Wards have their price; let full value be exacted. It is necessary to have the promise to pay in full; but a promise is at best poor security to rely on. The intel- lectual and moral banking accounts of the candidates should be enquired into, together with the opportunities each one is likely to have of redeeming his pledges, and those only chosen who are in the best position to pay full value. Motives, when ascertainable, determine in a measure the punishment meted out to the breaker of the laws, and the motives of the Council aspirants, if "get-at-able," should decide the support accorded by the ratepayer. It is not difficult, as a rule, to distinguish the self-seeker from the disinterested one-the spurious from the unadulterated article.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY. THE shamrock will be sported on Friday in memory of Ireland's patron saint. Irishmen all the world over will greet each other with warm handshakes the name of St. Patrick will be feted memories of the Green Isle will recur to many a wanderer; and the happy associa- tions of that country will kindle in the hearts of thousands a yearning desire to see Ireland a prosperous land Patriotism is a sure means of securing the recurrence of historical events, and on the ashes of the past to desire for the build- ing of a peaceful and successful future. Ireland has suffered the tyranny of landlordism as well as the visitations of pestilence and the plague. Her people have been torn from their homes by oppressive laws, unjust administration, and an opposition to financial thrift. They love their green valleys and rushing rivers (as Daniel O'Connell describe them) with an intensity that only deepens with their sojourns abroad. Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never unto himself hath said This is my own, my native land." Sir Walter Scott could not have attributed these lines to Scotchmen more than to Ireland. Gradually her nationhood is asserting itself in the agitation for the resuscitation of her ancient language and customs, and with each anniver- sary of St Patrick there appears in fuller glare the sunlight of hope which dawned a few years back that her future will be one of glory and joy! ERIN GO HRAGH!

ALLEGED INFANTICIDE AT BARRY. "NO TRUE BILL" RETURNED. ACCUSED CHARGED WITH CONCEAL- MENT. At the Glamorganshire Assizes .at Cardiff on Monday last the case of Beatrice Hall, aged 19, a domestic servant, living at Barry Dock, who bad been committed for trial at Barry Dock Police Court the previous Thursday on the charge of murdering her infant, was referred to by Mr Justice Channell in his address to the grand jury. He detailed the narrative as to the finding of the body in the wood on the 3rd inst., with no marks of violence upon it. If death was due, not to any act of violence, but to the act of birth, as the girl said, and in consequence of not being attended to, then it was not murder, but manslaughter. If, on the other hand, the young girl, confined for the first time, and as she said, and taken unawares, followed by a speedy delivery, it might be that the grand jury would think that there had been no such negligence. On Tuesday the grand jury returned no true bill" upon the count of murder in the indictment preferred against Beatrice Hall, but returned a true bill upon the count charging her with concealment of birth. COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENCE. Miss Jenner informs us that Mr F. P. Jones- Lloyd, instructed by herself, has retained Mr Arthur Lewis for the defence of Beatrice Hall, the accused in the above case. Great local sympathy is expressed, and Miss J, niier adds that generous local donations to the defence fund were received last Saturday.

THE BARRY JURY'S QUANDARY. APPEARANCE AT THE ASSIZES. JUDGE GIVES ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE. IS A JUG A DEADLY WEAPON? The celebrated Barry jury, bound over by the district coroner (Mr E. B. Reece), appeared at the Glamorgan Assizes on Tuesday last (before Mr Justice Channell) to be advised and assisted in order to arrive at a verdict in a case respecting the death of Thomas John, a coaltrimmer, of Barry Dock, which took place early in December last. This step, it will be remembered by our readers, necessarily arose out of the fact that the jury had failed to agree as to whether a marine fireman named Quin was guilty of murder or manslaughter, it being prescribed that in such a case the Coroner shall bind the jury over to appear before a Court of Oyer and Terminer to hear and determine the matter. Addressing the jury, the Judge said he gathered from what had been laid before him that the deceased man and a man named Quin were in a public-house where, upon some slight provoeation- nothing that could be called real provocation- Quin took up a quart jug which was on the counter and hit deceased on the temple with it. The man fell down, and eventually died in consequence of the injury. He was told they had a difficulty in arriving at a conclusion whether upon those facts Quin ought to be charged with murder or man- slaughter, and whether he ought to be punished, as he had already undergone a month's imprisonment for the assault. The law was clear. If a man assaulted another with a deadly weapon he was guilty of murder if he caused death, but if it was not a deadly weapon then it was manslaughter only. The question was whether that quart jug could be considered a deadly weapon. In consider- ing whether the thing was a deadly weapon within the meaning of the Act he himself should take into consideration whether it was a weapon searched for for the purpose of doing injury, or whether it was a thing that came first to hand. The jury retired for a short time, and arrived at a verdict of manslaughter. This is the first instance of a coroner's jury being in disagreement and appearing before the Assizes within the recollection of old attendants of the court, and is the first in the,lengthened experience of the Cardiff coroner (Mr E. B. Reece). THE CORONER'S ADVICE In the face of the verdict of the jury, also, it would be well to re-call the Coroner's advice at the time in justification of those who took the same view as himself. If a man inflicted a blow on another, meaning to kill him or to do him grievous bodily harm, that would (he said) be malice, and would justify a verdict of murder but if under other circumstances he gave a blow with any dangerous weapon under circumstances of great provocation indeed, then the jury might bring in a verdict of manslaughter. It was for the jury to consider whether there were any extenuating circumstances to justify this latter course. To his mind the man in taking up a jug had used a dangerous weapon, and if so, then it showed malice, because he really intended to do the man serious injury."

LOCAL CASES AT THE ASSIZES. At Glamorgan Assizes held at Cardiff this week (before Mr Justice Channell), Thomas Mitchelson (51), engineer, pleaded guilty to obtaining 30s from George Williams at Barry Dock, on January 10th «ith intent to defraud, and also obtaining 15s from Frederick Richard Harford, al80 at Barry Pr? soner was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, having already been in gaol for six weeks The grand jury returned no true bill in the case of Robert and Hannah Holland, who were com mitted on a charge of stealing a gold watch and S eniamin Smith at Barry Dock, on February 28th. described a. a labourer, on Nov. 28th lastfromS person of Elizabeth Gay, at St. Andrew's, a purse and money, at the same time using personal violence. From the story of the evidence it seems that prosecutrix was in the Merry Harriers, Llan. dough. She wanted to catch a train, and prisoner accompanied her to the station. Arriving there prisoner made inquiries and said there would not be a train for some time. They then started to walk home to Cadoxton, and on the way, it was alleged by prosecutrix, that prisoner robbed her and knocked her about. When she tried to scream prisoner put his hand over her mouth. Eventually someone came along in fl j drove her part of the way home" Two were called who said they found the woman v, +i! roadside crytog. She h/d blood on h"°Ze the defence the whole thing wa, was put to the jury by the defending counsel that the whole .tory of the y>Sttatrix L The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and th^ prisoner was discharged.