From Crow-Scaring to Westminster: An AutobiographyEdwards, George, Sir
History
From Crow-Scaring to Westminster: An Autobiography
Edwards, George, Sir
George Edwards, 1850-1933
The contest caused the greatest excitement. The late Mr. Henry
Broadhurst, M.P., came to my help. The division comprised the towns of
Cromer and Sheringham and the following villages: East and West Runton,
Weybourne, Beeston Regis, East and West Beckham, Gresham, Bessingham,
Sustead, Aylmerton, Metton and Felbrigg. The contest lasted three weeks,
and I covered the whole district and held meetings in every village. All
this I did on foot, as I could not cycle and I could not afford to hire
a conveyance. The meetings were well attended, and the only help I
received was from Mr. Broadhurst and from a few of my own members who
were local preachers. The supporters of my opponent manifested the
greatest bitterness during the contest, especially the Liberals. So far
did they carry this spirit that they descended to publishing a most
disgraceful cartoon, depicting a coffin with me lying in it and
Broadhurst standing by the side and weeping over me. Underneath were the
words: "Puzzle, find Edwards after the election." My opponent strongly
condemned such action and threatened to retire unless they withdrew the
thing.
The saddest thing of all was that it was my opponent who was dead within
three months from the day of the election.
Throughout the election I was booed at by my opponent's supporters, bags
of flour and soot were thrown at me, but my supporters heartened me with
their cheers. The poll was a heavy one and the votes were counted at
Cromer Town Hall on the night of the poll, the result being:--
Bond Cabbell 505
Edwards 455
---
Majority 50
There was a great crowd gathered outside the hall, my opponents being
certain of victory, which they had made every preparation to celebrate.
A brass band was there in readiness, and a torchlight procession was
formed. I was informed the next morning that the band was worked up to
such a state of excitement that the drummer broke in the end of his
drum, which caused much amusement and comment not altogether to the
credit of the performers.
The result, however, did not give much satisfaction to the aristocratic
party; in fact, they were more bitter than ever. For a working man to
run the gentlemen's party so close was more than they could tolerate,
for they were afraid that at the next trial of strength Labour might
win. Owing to Mr. Bond Cabbell's death another election had to take
place, but I decided not to contest the seat again so soon, and my late
employer, Mr. R. W. Ketton, came forward and was returned unopposed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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