Curious Speech at Conisborough

At the Conservative meeting held at Conisbrough during this week, a man who up frequently interrupted the speakers elbowed his way to the front and made his way to the platform, amid the cheers of his friends. After looking around for a few moments he delivered the following speech, Mr Hardy having promised to allow him the privilege:

“Gentlemen, I’ve come to make a few remarks with regard to the farmers. One gentleman made remarks (A Voice: “turn him out,” and groans) as that farmers can’t live. I say for one that they should tak’ off tithe (hear, hear, old cock) and another thing, any farmer that has land used to pay four shillings duty to mainain t’government and t’soldiers to go to fight for t’Queen. Nowadays they pay 1 3/4d and the working man has the rest to pay. Is that reight? (Cries of “No,” and a Voice: “Hit him hard from Clifton there.”)

One gentleman on the platform made remarks when he was talking about disestablishment of the Church. Haven’t we all as good as Irishmen? (A Voice: “We are that.”) Why shouldn’t we have the church disestablished in England as in Ireland? Ireland is browt to t’very ruin by landlords receiving rents in Ireland same as church parson does, and goes to other places to live. (Applause)

How would a village the same as Conisbrough get on if we all working men were to go to Mexborough to spend our wages? Money which he received in the village as wages should not go out of the village to spend it. How is poor to live? (A Voice: “That’s what Mr Chamberlain does.”) How would they live? (A Voice: “Dee,” and great laughter.)

I for one is in favour of disestablishing t’church and disendowing it, and to have 10 million of money spent in church parsons thrown amongst t’working classes. What a country would it be! (Loud laughter, during which the gentleman triumphantly returned to his seat, and another excitable individual, flourishing a paper and shouting, “Let the little Gladstone, Chamberlain and Bright come up here a bit,” made his way to the platform, returning to his seat amid cheers.)