South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 08 March 1913
Conisboro’ and Denaby Division
Mr. Ogley’s Surprise Victory
The election of a County Councillor to represent the newly-formed Conisboro’ and Denaby Division for the next three years took place on Saturday last. The two candidates were Mr. J. Brocklesby and Mr. F. Ogley, and it was a matter of much speculation as to which would be successful, and the weight of opinion seemed to favour the retiring Councillor, Mr. J. Brocklesby.
Polling proceeded slowly during the day, but after five o’clock the officials in the polling booths were kept fairly busy. Both sides were fairly well supplied with vehicles. The contest was fought on non-political lines, and this fact made the result hard to foretell. The number of voters on the list was well over two thousand, but only about half that number took the trouble to record their votes. There were three polling stations — the Morley Place schools and two others in Denaby.
After the closing of the ballot boxes, the votes were counted at the Morley Place school, under the supervision of Mr. Frank Allen, the deputy returning officer. Shortly after nine o’clock the result was known to the candidates and their chief supporters, who were present through the courtesy of Mr. Allen.
Mr. W. W. Norwood proposed a vote of thanks to the presiding officer and his staff. Mr. J. Brocklesby seconded.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Brocklesby regretted that he could not congratulate the victor on his success. He stated that his defeat had been secured by means of false rumours which had been circulated in the Denaby part of the division. It had been stated that he was in favour of keeping children at school until the age of 15, that he had shown partiality in the appointment of teachers, and that the giving of free meals during the strike had been stopped earlier than they should have been through his actions.
As a matter of fact, he was in favour of continuing the meals for a longer period, but he was overruled in the matter. Under the circumstances he could offer no word of congratulation to Mr. Ogley.
Mr. Ogley, in supporting the resolution, stated that he knew nothing of the rumours referred to by Mr. Brocklesby, and challenged anyone to say that he had said an unfair word concerning his opponent throughout the contest.
Mr. Allen having acknowledged the vote, the proceedings in the school terminated.
Mr. Ogley briefly addressed the people outside the school, and thanked those who had supported him. He thought it was the grandest victory in the West Riding. It was the proudest moment of his life.
Speaking later in the evening to his workers, Mr. Ogley said: “I wish to thank all who had assisted him to gain such a splendid victory that day. He had preferred upon the contest against the advice of some of his friends, but he was confident of success from the beginning, and his only motive in coming forward was a desire to serve the people of his native village.”
Referring to Mr. Brocklesby’s remarks in the counting room and his refusal to offer a word of congratulation, he stated that personally he did not care at all, but he could not refrain from saying that it was very poor sportsmanship.
When Mr. Whitton was defeated by Mr. Nicholson in the last Parliamentary election, he at once stepped forward and called for three cheers for the victor. Mr. Ogley further said that if he had been so disposed he might have easily retaliated with as many hard things a half-hour said about himself, but these things were what one must expect during an election campaign. In every contest, no matter what sort, there must be a loser and he who entered the combat should not complain if he failed in the fight.
The figures were:—
Ogley (Moderate) ……………….. 529
Brocklesby (Progressive) …….. 423
Majority ……………………………… 106