Home Rule for Conisborough

(Mexborough and Swinton Times Editorial)

A crisis has arrived in the history of Conisborough, and a far more momentous crisis than that which alarmed the countryside when the Black Night came with a forest outpost to lay siege to the castle in which the wounded Ivanhoe, with Rebecca, the Jewish maiden, were confined as prisoners by the Templar, and one of greatest import than occurred when Cromwell sat down on Cadeby Hill to reduce with his guns the castle which still flew the banner of Charles I.

On the action of the men of Conisborough today depends more than the temporary discomfort consequent upon a conquest. If they fight with a united front and when they may gain home rule for their own village, the right to control their own affairs, and to lay the cost of good government upon those shoulders which should bear it.

If they let private differences destroy their unanimity and fall in the fight with their common enemy they may be condemned forever to the thraldom of a careless and careless government by outsiders, whose neglect occasionally is suspended to give way to tyranny; what is worse they may be saddled with greater responsibilities and be forced to bear the burden and the cost of them alone, those who should share the latter escaping their rightful responsibility.

An elaborate attempt has been made during the current week to block the pupil of Conisborough out of their determination to obtain for themselves that pleasure of local self-government which, as a greatly increased and rapidly growing centre of industry, they are entitled. For the present that attempt failed, but they will be renewed, and in the next battle the people of Conisborough will find themselves confronted by all the weapons of legal subtlety and forensic eloquence that money can procure, and they will have to fight hard, and in close ranks to win.

From the outset we have declared ourselves bound by a principle of right and justice to take our stand with the people of Conisborough for the question of urban powers, and on that account we have no excuse for compromising hostility to the position and to the proceedings of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries Ltd.

To take the last point first, while one cannot complain of trading undertaking, viewing every public question from a purely commercial point of view of self interest, while there is in a measure reason in his opposition to progressive legislation, if it is likely to cost anything, so such a concern ought to be content with the advantage it’s already well-stocked armoury gives it; that is to say, the company with plenty of money, harassed by no restrictions after spending it upon legal assistance, when it finds itself pitted against men by no means wealthy, who will have to raise money to promote their disinterested scheme by voluntary subscription, should have been content with a handicap and prepared to await the issue.

To go further, and endeavour with the cooperation of a brass band, and the over aweing influences their position as employers of labour gives them, to reduce men from the level of free agents to that of puppets at a peep show, to lead, drive, or cajole them into making common cause against the legitimate aspirations of the weaker force is not fair warfare, and the action of the Denaby Main colliery company condemns itself more.

What element of fair fighting there might have been in this combination of employers and men, however far from the truth or otherwise, it may be said that this combination is a purely voluntary one, that element is entirely destroyed by the circumstance that after so pronouncing the essence on the part of the colliery company that steps are taken openly was the end against which they are now in arms, the gauge should be thrown down practically at the last moment. It almost looks as though the company were frightened at the probable construction upon their previous pusillanimity, and had taken this course, so that when the enquiry is held they may place on record evidence of former hostility. So much for the action of the opposition, which we repeat does not commend itself to those who like to see fair fighting.

The position of the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Ltd, is such that we can well understand their alarm at the prospect of being included such an Urban District as that proposed. Undoubtedly the success of the people of Conisborough means that the Colliery Company will be laid under a heavy contribution to the Exchequer of the new urban district. But one of the penalties of making money is the compulsion of spending it, and an industrial undertaking, whatever it is, making money by reason of its settlement in the midst of a community, has responsibilities attached to it as well as privileges.

Denaby Main and Cadeby Main have so far been beyond the limits of an Urban District; they have so far escaped with a comparatively small share of the cost of these burdens. In a variety of ways Denaby Main has increased the expenditure of the ratepayers of Mexborough. The increase the population, hence the cost of education, the cost of sanitation, the cost of the highways, and of other matters.

At Conisbrough the fact of the existence of Denaby Main and Cadeby Collieries is even more seriously felt. Here, too, the cost of education has been largely increased, notwithstanding the fact that the company have themselves built large schools at New Conisbrough, a step which he must not be overlooked prevented a School Board been established at Denaby Main, by which relieved the Company were the largest gainers, and again the cost of sanitation and of highways has been largely added to. It may be argued that the company here pay equally with the other ratepayers of Conisbrough situated in the same Unit, but that does not argue perfect fairness

It is not just to make ourselves and our neighbours go shares in our joint butcher’s bill. He may have the largest family, and it is just that he who eats the meat should pay for it. So with the Denaby Colliery Company. They have created the colony of New Conisbrough and increase the population of the old Parish. The existence of that colony and of that increased population means additional wealth for the Colliery Company, and they will benefit and should pay for the benefit. But great as is the existing equality it will be greater if Conisbrough get urban powers without Denaby and Cadeby being thrown in. Then the whole burden will be thrown in Conisbrough and such property as the Company have in New Conisbrough and the wealth producing constituents in the question, will go on untaxed.

We can see no reason to sympathise with the Company, what is fair for any other industrial concern should also be fair for them.

Now a word in reply to the extremely flimsy argument that Urban Powers will hurt the pockets of working men. May we asked the people of New Conisbrough and Denaby what they get today for the rates which they play indirectly through their rents? Have they a decent highway, a solitary good footpath, an absolutely faultless water supply and perfect sanitary arrangements. They know they haven’t.

They know, moreover, that is there is ¼ of the globe which seems to be godforsaken so far as the advances which ought to accrue to the rate paying community are concerned, it is that portion of the world between the Crossing and the Station Hotel

The spending of their rates is in the hands of an authority which may be in Holland or Hanover, for all it ever thinks of Denaby Main.

To reasoned and intelligent men we put it when it would not be infinitely better to pay even threepence more in rent, and have the control of the spending in their own hands.

It is our conviction that an Urban District Council sitting in Conisborough, and constituted as the scheme for Ward and representation suggests, would do more solid good for the entire district with a threepenny rate than the folks at Doncaster would ever try to do with one of a shilling.

We put it this way to the malcontents of New Conisborough and Denaby: Would you rather spend sixpence of your own on yourselves than give threepence to somebody else to spend upon goodness only knows who? That is the simple gist of the matter.

The talk about raising the rent is the trail of the red herring. If it happens it will only be a temporary discomfort and the man who would for long object to pay threepence more per week when he found himself with a better road to travel on, better water supply to his house, and a stricter and more perfect system of sanitation surrounding him, would be blinder than the proverbial bat.

The cry of “Home Rule for Denaby,” has been raised. That is another red herring, we are sorry for those who think that if Denaby is not incorporated with Conisborough in an Urban Power scheme they will one day get Urban Powers for themselves. Four years ago it was declared officially at the court of public enquiry that the resources of Denaby Main would be worked out in 12 years. Will urban powers we ask, ever be sought for this new never condemned to extinction at the end of a man’s apprenticeship? Let the Conisborough scheme be defeated and the idea will be dropped like a hot potato.

No, the salvation of Denaby and new Conisborough lies in the scheme of Conisborough battle for an equitable settlement of a long-standing and increasing grievance.

Let the men who have to live in these places be the masters of their own well-being. The right of citizenship is too precious to barter for a mess of pottage.