Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 1 September 1893
A Vexed Question at Conisborough.
Revival of the Consecration Differences.
Another Burial Board Election.
Reasons for Consecration.—Dissenters who Believe in It.—Turning Round like Weathercocks.
On Monday evening of last week a parish meeting was held in the Church Schoolroom for the purpose of electing a member of the Burial Board in the place of Mr. B. J. Clarkson, resigned. Mr. G. Walker presided, and there was a large attendance of parishioners. The candidates nominated were Mr. Thomas Booth, junr., who was proposed and seconded by Mr. J. Gillott and Mr. George Hill respectively, and Mr. Joseph Marsh, who was proposed and seconded by Mr. Brocklesby and Mr. Thompson.
There was a lively discussion between friends of the rival candidates as to the necessity of providing another chapel on the burial ground, but eventually a vote was taken, when Mr. Booth received 69 votes and Mr. Marsh 58. A poll was demanded by Mr. Sharp and Mr. Brocklesby, the latter of whom deposited a sovereign for the purpose of a poll, which it was decided to take place in a week from the date of the meeting. During the week both candidates have in furtherance of the candidature of Mr. Thomas Booth, jun., for a seat on the Conisborough Burial Board in the room of Mr. B. J. Clarkson resigned, a meeting was held in the Church Schoolroom, Conisborough, on Wednesday night. Mr. C. Kilner occupied the chair, and there were present the candidate, Mr. T. Booth, jun., Messrs. T. W. Booth, W. W. Norwood, H. Booth, Dr. Denson, R. O. Nicholson, J. Gillott, S. Whitfield, and W. Boomer.
The room was well filled by the parishioners, of whom about 200 would be present. The Chairman in opening the meeting went through the addresses of the rival candidates, criticising them point by point. He denied that as stated by Mr. Marsh, a second chapel would have to be built if the cemetery was consecrated. It was not necessary by law and the Burial Board were determined not to erect one. It had been stated by the opposite candidate that although the vicar had promised not to accept any fee if the ground was consecrated he would be unable to bind his successor. He (the speaker) would like to see the man who would claim those fees after Mr. Stock had relinquished them, and when Mr. Stock was gone. (Hear, hear.)
Referring to the subject of consecration, the chairman said that although a dissenter he was in favour of it. (Applause.) In times past non-conformists had been buried in the churchyard, and now that they had made a new burial ground he thought that those who differed from him in religious opinions should have the rights by which they were entitled by law. If he had his way he would have the whole of the ground consecrated—(hear, hear)—because the simple meaning of the ceremony was that the ground was thereby taken from a common use and dedicated to a sacred purpose. (Applause.)
Mr. G. R. Nicholson moved a resolution pledging the meeting to support Mr. Booth, who, he said, was the son of an old and respected citizen, while the candidate himself had been mixed up with everything that was noble and generous, such as the cricket club and football club, which were organisations calculated to be of great benefit to young men. He asked them to vote for Mr. Booth, because he would support the carrying out of the Act of Parliament—(hear, hear)—and he believed that human laws were next to God’s laws, and should come next in respect. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. W. W. Norwood seconded the resolution, believing that if elected Mr. Booth would do his duty without fear or favour. Seeing that the nonconformists had always had a share of the old God’s acre he thought it only right that the new ground should be consecrated, so that churchmen might bury their dead according to their consciences.
Mr. T. Booth, junr., expressed himself thankfully for the welcome that had been extended to him since the commencement of his candidature. He did not believe in robbing the Church of its rights. (Hear, hear.) He noticed that in the address of his opponent a reference was made to the bestowal of privileges on the Church. He would like to point out that this was impossible. They could not bestow these privileges, because the law already granted them. (Hear, hear.) He himself had been brought up a Wesleyan, but had gone to church regularly. (Applause.) He was an Englishman and a Yorkshireman, and he would not like to see the Established Church go down, and although he was not a churchman he would do his utmost to protect it. (Hear, hear.) He thought they ought to be charitable, and do unto others as they would be done by. (Applause.) If they elected him he would do his duty irrespective of party or politics or anything else. (Applause.) He did not believe in robbing either the church or chapel of its rights.
With regard to the question of the burial ground he did not believe in erecting another chapel. (Hear, hear.) The present chapel was quite sufficient, and the law did not require another, and if they were going to stick to the law in one respect they must in another. (Applause.) He concluded by expressing a hope that the parishioners would rally round him on the morrow.
Mr. Thomas Lee said the vicar could not forego his claim to the fees. If he could how about the clergyman at Hooton who gave up his fees and a year after wanted them back. He would ask any gentleman in the room whether that was so; was it or was it not?
Mr. T. Booth, junr., said that as the candidate he would undertake to answer the question. (Applause.)
Mr. Thomas Lee: I’m not asking you, sit down.
Mr. Booth: You asked any gentleman in the room. (Laughter and hear, hear.)
Mr. Thomas Lee then proceeded to address the chairman. He had declared himself a turned round for what had they all turned round for. They were like a lot of weather cocks. Would they tell him what they all turned round for?
No attempt was made to answer Mr. Lee, who continued to repeat his question, demonstrating energetically with his hat meanwhile. At last the chairman put the resolution, which was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.
A meeting in support of Mr. Marsh’s candidature was held yesterday, at New Denaby, and largely attended. Mr. Croft presided. Addresses were given by Messrs. Cliff, Dixon and Marsh. The Brass Band was in attendance and the proceedings enthusiastic.