Before the introduction of the secret ballot in 1872, elections could be violent and chaotic as shown in an Isle of Wight parliamentary by-election 172 years ago.
The election was contested between Edward Dawes (Radical Free Trader) and Andrew Snape Hammond (Conservative). Edward Dawes – who had been born into poverty in St Helens – had come into a fortune left to him by his aunt, Sophie Dawes, Baronne de Feucheres.
On polling day – 26th May, 1851 – a crowd of up to a thousand people gathered in Ryde, with the intention of influencing voters – by violent means if necessary. According to evidence presented in a subsequent court case, whenever a vote was cast to the displeasure of the mob, the cry of ‘rat’ was heard from those watching. The errant voter would then be hunted down like vermin and either pelted with missiles or physically assaulted.
A sparse force of 6 Ryde policemen was present at the polling, who arrested 2 of the mob for riotous behaviour. However, the Police were then attacked by the crowd and forced to release those they held in custody. 1 policeman had his teeth knocked out.
A further 20 policemen were summoned from Newport. However, the Police were beaten back by the mob. The police station was attacked with practically every pane of glass destroyed.
The disturbances led to voting being discontinued during the day. 1 man – a Mr Cole – was left dead at the scene.
Following the riot, 12 men were charged that they:
“with other evil disposed persons, unlawfully and riotously assembled and gathered together and disturbed the public peace.”
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Remarkably, despite numerous statements from the Police and other witnesses identifying the accused as having taken part in the disturbances, all were acquitted by the jury after just 3 minutes deliberation.
We may suspect that both the jury and defendants were of a similar political persuasion.
As to the election itself, Edward Dawes beat his Conservative opponent by 565 votes to 519.
However, Dawes’ victory was short-lived, losing to the Conservative candidate Francis Venables-Vernon-Harcourt by 101 votes in the subsequent 1852 general election.
A very intresting article
Still a normal evening in Ryde
Nice to know that corruption in politics has and will always go on.
The low life swindle the social security and the toffs swindle massive bribes, and so it will always be.
An losers like you whine and bleat about it all, while being utterly powerless to do anything about.
Meanwhile those of us who are successful ignore the “low lifes” and toffs, and point and laugh at you.
Hilarious.
Really enjoyed reading this article.
Quite amazing I wonder what the population on the Island was in 1872 compared to now.. now approx 142k but we have less police now.. Imagine 20 police in Newport !!.. What I like about this post, does not say Hampshire Isle of Wight Police..
Did we get a vote on joining with Hampshire ??? Or did the Gov or council just do it as THEY thought be better.. ?? Assholes…
Ah, the good old days.
Nothing much has changed actually. Just alot of people who could be hurt now cant be… in some ways protesting is the best form of action but it must be non violent…if we all just sat down outside parliament and threaten not working or paying Bill’s because it is us who keeps their troffs full, they divide us, diminish any power we have as a citizen to enact change and this will make any person sense something is wrong and make us even more angry so we cloud our vision… I’m afraid something like this will ensue very soon and people are understandably vexed, I am, but I hope we all come together and fight the pigs that feed off our backs, stabbing it afterwards and saying it’s all in the name God pfft
Seen far worse in the star, I caused most of it!
Just as corrupt back then as it is now. At least they didn’t happen to loose postal votes back then
Interesting article – but it could be happening again unless this government does something more positive especially for those below the “bread line”.