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.HAVERFORDWEST MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

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HAVERFORDWEST MUNICIPAL ELECTION. The municipal election is almost invariably looked upon as an event of much local interest, bat not al. ways, perhaps, from the right point of view, as afford. ing an opportunity of exercising the very important constitutional privilege of electing the best men for ( managing the municipal affairs of the borough, apart t from party politics. In days gone by, when we had amongst us that political agitator, Thomas Whicher Davios," of many notorieties—whose business, as well as pleasure, it wav to create and foment political strife-contests were inevitable on all occasions; but we fain had hoped that the first of November, of the present year of grace, would have passed by in serenity, since "The Whicher," as he was called, was no longer in our midst. But the fates decroed it should be otherwise, and accordingly, on nomination dav, no less than nine" Richmonds appeared in the field to do battle for the four vacant scats at the Council Board; but two of them, Mr William Farrow (the present mayor), and Mr William Milligan Phillips, another old member, withdrew, leaving seven to do the running. These included Mr Samuel Thomas and Mr W. P. Ormond (two gentlemen whose trien- nial terms of office were about to expire) and who offered their services again. The former having al- ready served very attentively and efficiently for fifteen consecutive years, and three times at the head of the poll. Mr Ormond had, with equal ability and regularity, served for six years; and both gentlemen had passed the civic ohair. Mr Isaac Roberts, merchant, a former member, and mayor in 1881, who was defeated last year, also offered himself for re-electiuli iii the place of Mr 1 arrow. These three candidates, represented, it was under- stood, the Liberal interest. Mr George Jones, butcher, who is well known to be a staunch Liberal, came forward as an independent candidate. The Conservative candidates were Mr Thomas Baker, junr., saddler, Mr William Reynolds, cabinet-maker, and Mr William Davies, butcher. The addresses of these aspirants to Municipal Honors were profuse in their professions of fealty and promises of great reformations inside and outside of the Corporate body, and the walls tof the Ancient" Borough were extensively placarded bot sparsely like the Local Government Board's noticed of the "Ho and Corner Meeting," and of dimensions and boldness of type that completely eclipsed < he tiny official posters of the parsimonious Government Board. The oontest could hardly be regarded as a party figkt, because we know that on the Liberal side there was no War Cry," no organization of the party to meet the coming struggle, and no "cabinet council" held. Whereas on the part of the Tory phalanx insidious nocturnal advances were made into the enemy's camp, whilst the enemy was in his citadel in unconscious repose. In this view again it may be mentioned that the Butchers' Grievance" had much to do with the disturbance of the political lA.f Mnovvli At* A It will be remembered that the Council, in solemn 0. foonclave, some two years ago, increased the rents of the Butchers St nils in the meat market, from Is 6d to 28 6d per week, the former rent being the amount paid since the year 1826. The Knights of the Cleaver became much incensed at this advance in the rents of their Shops," (notwithstanding the advance in the commodity they vend and everything else) vowed by the Cleaver that they would have their revenge, and by means of their meaty influence, would oast the factors of the innovation from their municipal perches, whenever the opportunity pre- sented. Accordingly, Mr Jones, encouraged indeed by his former discomfiture, rushed into battle again, and tbistime in companionshipjwith another I, Knigbt," of the Block, Mr Wm. Davies, butcher, who, in his address, went in for cheese-paring" with a vengeance. Mr Thomas Baker, the younger, rested his claims principally upon having "young blood" in his veins and his espionage capabilities. Mr William Reynolds aid h& was taken by surprise in being nominated, but if elected, he was fully conscious of the grave responsibility attaohed to a Reat at the Council Board of the ancient Borough. Thus the ruek started—the preliminary canters were taken in camera and we are unabtf to siiy what the prophets" prognosticated with regard to the future. But on Thursday, the 1st of November, the different candidates put in an ap- pearance a' the starting post, at the Market Hall, where, at nine a.m. to the minute, the mayor gave them all a fair start, and said at four o'clock he ex- pected them to ruturn with the results of the race. The Mayor presided at No. I station and Alderman Joseph Thomas at No. 2 station. » During the morning the polling was very sluggish, but after one o'clock there were signs of more activity outside, and for an hour before closing the poll there Was u considerable alteration, and tho presiding officers had enough to do to keep pace with the demand for ballot papers. At 4 p.m. the Mayor declared the poll closed, and the ballot boxes were sealed in the presence of the candidates, or their agents, and the Town Clerk announced that in half-an-hour afterwards the Mayor would attend in the ante-room to proceed with counting Llle votes, when the candidates and their nominated agents could attend. At the appointed time the "counting" was commenced, all the. candi- dates and their agents being in attendance. We must say that the utmost good humour and friendly feeling were displayed on the part of the candidates and their friends during the whole of the day. The result of the poll was announced by the Town Clerk from one of the windows of the Market Hall at 8 p.m. Thoro was an immense congregation of persons assembled in the street, and the appearance of the"Town Clerk nt the window was the occasion of an outburst of cheering. The Town Clerk, in a clear voioe, said ha knew they were most anxious to hear what he had to announce, and if they could only subdue their enthusiasm for a few minutes, ho would give them the result of the poll in the order in which each candidate stood, with the numbers polled the total number beinir 867. (ChoerM,) xr aamnolThomas. 520 Mr Thomas Baker, j aa 503 I Mr William Reynolds. 431 Mr William Davies 417 Those tour gentlemen the Mayor declared duly elected Councillors of the Borough of Haverford west The declaration was received with great cheering after the mention of each name. The Town Clerk said he would aho give them the names ancl, number of votes given for the gentlemen whom they had only highly commended and left out in the cold, (Laughter and Cheers.) They were Mr &eorgeJonea 389 I Mr W. P. Ormond. 387 I Mr 18&80 Robert8 382 He had performed his official duty, and he had no cleuhfc that the gentlemen whom they had delighted to honor would next address them. (Cheers.) There were only five invalid ballot papers, and 35 illiterate voters. Mr Samuel Thomas, whose appearance at the win- dow caused a tremendous outburst of cheering, in addressing the assembly, said Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow electors, it was his pleasing duty to return his sincere thanks for the distinguished position they had placed him on the poll that day. He assured them that ho was trnly sensible of the honor they had conferred on him by the renewal of their confi- dence, which he truly appreciated. They had for the sixth time elected him "B one of their representatives in the town council, and on every occasion, with one exception, they had placed him in the honourable position on the poll which they had done that day; that continued indication of their confidence would be an increased incentive to serve them, if possible, more faithfully. The little abilitici lie possonsed, and tho time required to be devoted to the duties of the offico, would always be at their service. Questions of great importance affecting the future welfare of the town then required consideration involving a consi- derable expenditure of public money, all of which would have his careful attention, always bearing in mind that they should be efficiently, and economi- cally carried out. Ho trusted if spared for tho next three years they would have no reason to regret the trust they had eonfided to him. He thanked them all and the inhabitants of the town generally for the courtesy and good feeling exhibited, arid hoped that the contest which was then over would not leave any ill-feeling behind. Again thanking them all most heartily for tho renewal of their con- tinued confidencc he wished them all good night. (Cheers.) Mr Thomas Baker, jun., next addressed the meeting, and was received wih prolonged cheering, he said that last year he had to return thanks for the honour they had done his father in electing him a member of the Council. It was now his pleasing duty to express his gratitude to them for their kindness in bestowing the same honour on himself. During his canvass, some of the burgesses had said to him :—" What can a young blood like you want in the Council ?" lie replied that young blood was wanted in the Council, and the sooner the burgess-s sent young blood into the Chamber, the better it would be for the interests of the town. The water and drainage questions, to say nothing of thl) Bethany Quarry affair, were important questions, and he assured them that he would to the helit of his ability promote the interests of his native town. Mr William Reynolds, appeared at the window, but was so overcome we presume with the unexpected hon- our conferred upon him that he simply thanked his friends, and no more. Mr William Davies received a warm reception, and in a short speech thanked the electors, and promised to carry out his programme ot improvements. Mr George Jones next spoke and made some excellent observations on current events, promising that although again defeated he was not vanquished. (Cheers.) Mr W. P. Ormond was received with cheers. He thanked, very sincerely, the 387 burgesses who had, unsolicited by him, recorded their votes in his favour. He had refrained from canvassing for votes on princi- ple, as be considered that it was not consonant with the Ballot Act to do so. He believed in freedom of election, ond could not influence any man in the law- ful exeroise of his franchise. He had faithfully served the town in the past, and if they had thought proper to re-elect him, he would have done so again. (Cheers.) But as they had not done 30, it was not for him to demur to their fiat. If, at any time in the future he should be called upon to serve his native town, he should, in all probabilty, act upon tho same principles which guided him on that cc; anion, by ub- stcutiofa from canvassing Nevertheless, he felt very thahkful to those of his friends who had voted for him. Mr Isaac Roberts was suffering from a severe cold and was too hoarse to return thanks. A vote of thanks to the mayor was proposed by Ur Samuel Thomas and carried with exclamation. Mr T. Baker, jun., on emerging from the hall, was "Chaired" by his friends, aad deposited nt hiu own door, amidst cheers- v

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