Welsh Journals

MONMOUTH BOROUGH ELECTION One of the most disgraceful and factious oppositions ever known in the annals of electioneering has just been concluded in this town. Wednesday having been fixed for the day of nomination, Reginald J. Blewitt, Esq., of Lantamam Abbey, late member, arrived in town about half-past ten o'clock, preceded by an excellent band of music with flags and banners bearing various devices, and accompanied by a long train of carriages, containing some of the most influential families in the county; they proceeded to the Borough Court, which was soon filled almost to suffocation, every nook being occupied, even the pediment over the fireplace was occupied by a group of living figures which might have afforded a subject for the pencil of Hogarth as a chimney ornament. On the entry of Mr. Blewitt into the court the cheering was long and loud. F. McDonald, Esq., of Usk, proposed, and Morrisson, Esq., of Newport, seconded the nomination of Mr. Blewitt, after which a Chartist watchmaker of the name of Buttery, stood upon the table and proposed Mr. William Edwards, of Newport, as a fit and proper person to represent the boroughs, this was seconded by a Chartist son of Vulcan of the name of Tyler. Much confusion occurred during these proceedings, and Mr. Blewitt was repeatedly interrupted in his address to the electors by some of the lowest rabble we ever witnessed in that court. On the conclusion of Mr. Blewitt' address, Mr. Edwards, the other candidate came forward and was long and loudly cheered by his party. He said, he wished it to be distinctly understood that he did not come forward to annoy Mr. Blewitt or to put that gentleman to any expense, but that he had suffered himself to be put into nomination that he may have an opportunity of addressing the electors upon the subject of the Charter. He concluded a long speech by assuring them he did not wish to annoy Mr. Blewitt. The Mayor then put it to a show of hands and declared in favour of Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards then came forward and said, that his object was accomplished and that he retired from the contest. Here a scene of the utmost confusion took place, the Regulator of time pieces found some difficulty in Regulating his temper, and much angry feelings passed between the Chartist friends, the proposers and seconders of Mr. Edwards declaring that they would not give up and demanded his return for the Boroughs. A poll was demanded for Mr. Blewitt. Edwards's friend, Dickenson of Newport, then came forward and said, they had got an enemy in the camp, that Edwards was made a cat's paw, that the watchmaker was a traitor to the cause, this completely broke his main-spring, for he very faintly said, "You have struck a dagger to my heart." Dickenson and Edwards then left the court, declaring that they had withdrawn, but the watchmaker and blacksmith being men of mettle, stuck hard and fast that their man was elected; in the midst of all this confusion and bustle, the mayor was quite at a loss how to proceed, and after consulting the various lawyers for upwards of an hour, declared that a poll must take place, and adjourned the court to eight o'clock Thursday morning, when the polling would commence, and continue till four. Messengers were immediately sent off to Newport and Usk, to prepare polling places for those boroughs; in the meantime Mr. Blewitt and his friends, amounting to upwards of two hundred, dined together at the Bell, F. McDonnell, Esq., acting as president, and James Gilbert George, Esq., as vice-president. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drank with much enthusiasm; but the company retired much earlier than they would have done, on account of the business required to be attended to the next day. Thursday morning, before eight o'clock, several voters were waiting to testify their abhorrence of these proceedings, by voting for Mr. Blewitt, and at the final close of the poll, the following was the result:- Monmouth. Usk. Newport. lotal. Blewitt. 107 35 330 472 Edwards.. Chartist electioneering in Newport: A report from the Silurian, 3 July 1841.