IV. ELECTIONS OF THE THIRD PERIOD.
The Third Period in Dover's Parliamentary history from the enactment of the Reform Bill of 1832 to the present time, covers a little over eighty years, during which there were twenty-six elections — six bye-elections and twenty General Elections. The period is bounded by two landmarks — the Reform Bill of 1832, at the beginning; and the Parliament Bill of 1914, at the end.
1832 Charles Poulett Thomson and Sir John Rae Reid.
In this election there were four candidates, and the votes recorded were as follows : — Poulett Thomson (Liberal), 713; Sir John Rae Reid (Tory), 644; John Halcorab (Tory), 523; and Captain Stanhope (Liberal), 498.
1833 John Halcomb.
On this occasion there was a casual vacancy caused by Mr. C. P. Thomson taking his seat for Manchester.
John Halcomb, a barrister, first contested Dover in 1826. A full-sized gilt model of a fighting cock, mounted on a staff, was the emblem carried before this candidate in the marchings-out of his followers on the various election campaigns, from 1826 to 1841, during which period he fought six elections and was successful in but one. The gilded bird aptly represented Halcomb's character; he was a plucky fighter, pleased the popular fancy, raised the highest expectations, seemed always sure of success, yet, at the close of the poll, on all occasions except one, the figures told a different story. In his first contest, of 1826, he had a majority of the resident Freemen ; by a petition to the House of Commons he contended that out-dwellers had no right to vote, and he claimed the seat, but the contention was not allowed. After his success in 1833, he represented Dover in Parliament until the dissolution of 1835, when he for the time retired ; but he again contested the Borough in 1 84 1, when he had attained the rank of Serjeant-at-Law, but he was unsuccessful. He died at New Radnor on the 3rd November, 1852, at the age of 62 years.
1835 John MInet Fector and Sir John Rae Reid.
In this election there were three candidates, two local men, Mr. J. M. Fector and Mr. E. R. Rice, as well as the old Member, Sir John Rae Reid. There was a local sentiment in favour of returning the two local men, but " Party " feeling swamped sentiment. Fector headed the poll, Reid next, and Rice only 21 votes behind.
Mr. John Minet Fector was the son of Mr. Peter Fector, banker, of Dover. In 181 8, the latter had been pressed to stand as a candidate for Dover, but declined, remarking that, if the electors felt inclined, they might extend the invitation to his son (then an infant) when he came of age. Dover men did not forget. In 1835, the electors showed great enthusiasm for Mr. J. M. Fector, returning him as their representative at the head of the poll. At the next General Election, in 1837, Dover rejected Mr. Fector, and elected Mr. E. R. Rice in his room. He afterwards obtained a seat for Maidstone, with Benjamin Disraeli as his colleague. Not many years later Mr. Fector transferred his bank to the National Provincial Bank of England, of which he was for a time Chairman. He resided for some years in St. George's Place, Hyde Park, London, where he died on the 24th February, 1868, at the early age of 56 years. This Dover Member was a grandson of Isaac Minet, the French Huguenot refugee, who was the founder of the famous Dover house of Minet and Fector.
Queen Victoria, 1837-1901.
In this Reign, extending over sixty-four years, there were nineteen elections at Dover.
1837 Edward Royds Rice and Sir John Rae Reid.
In this election there were three candidates for the two seats, Fector and Reid, the Members in possession of the seats at the dissolution, and Rice, the defeated candidate at the election of 1835. Reid again held his seat, and Rice took the place of Fector, the votes recorded being: — Rice, 845; Reid, 829; and Fector 742.
Mr. Edward Royds Rice, like his local opponent, Mr. J. M. Fector, was a Dover Freeman and a banker. Mr. Rice was born in a Dover mansion, which occupied the site of the Burlington Hotel, but during the time that Mr. Rice represented Dover in Parliament, from 1837 to 1857, his residence was Dane Court, Tilmanstone. Mr. Rice during that twenty years was keenly interested in everything that occurred in the House of Commons affecting Dover. His chief anxiety was to see Dover Bay enclosed to form a great National Harbour, and he had the satisfaction of seeing a substantial part of it accomplished in the building of the Admiralty Pier, which now forms the Western Arm of the great Admiralty Harbour. This Member for Dover died at Dane Court on the 27th November, 1878, aged 88 years. 1 841 Sir John Rae Reid and Edward Royds Rice.
At this General Election, the two Members for Dover above-named were re-elected. There were two opposing candidates, the votes recorded being: — Reid, 1,000; Rice, 960; Halcomb, 536; and Galloway, 281.
1847 Edward Royds Rice and Sir George Clerk.
In this election the candidates were Edward Royds Rice (Liberal), one of the old Members, who polled 1,104 votes; Sir George Clerk (Liberal-Conservative), 932 votes; and E. T. Prinsep (Conservative), 897 votes.
Sir George Clerk, Bart., who represented Dover from 1847 to 1852, had been a Member of the House of Commons fifteen years before he was elected for Dover. His sup porters at Dover were called " The Great unbrushed," because the deputation that went up to London to invite him to contest Dover set off at such short notice that they went up in their working clothes. Sir George Clerk sought re-election in 1852 and 1857, but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
1852 Viscount Chelsea and Edward Royds Rice.
In the General Election of 1852 there were three candidates, Mr. E. R. Rice and Sir George Clerk seeking re-election, and Viscount Chelsea, a new candidate. At this election there were, for the first time, five polling places in different parts of the town, all the pollings having in previous years taken place in the Market Square. The result of the poll was: — Viscount Chelsea (Conservative), 1,097; Rice (Liberal), 8g8 ; and Clerk, 781.
Viscount Chelsea was forty years of age when elected for Dover, being the eldest son of the Earl of Cadogan. He held the seat until the dissolution of 1857.
1857 Bernal Osborn and Sir William Russell.
At the General Election of 1857 neither of the old Members (Mr. Rice and Viscount Chelsea) sought re-election. The Liberals nominated Mr. Bernal Osborn and Sir William Russell ; and the Conservatives Sir George Clerk (who had sat in an earlier Parliament for Dover as a Liberal-Con servative) and Mr. George W. Hope. For distinction, these two were called "Old George" and "Young George." The result of the polls was : — Osborn, 989 ; Russell, 958 ; Clerk, 695 ; and Hope, 594. In this contest there was a great deal said about Dover Harbour, Mr. Bernal Osborn advocating a proposal to place its management on a more modern basis. The old custom of " chairing " the Members was at this election abandoned.
Bernal Osborn only represented Dover for two years, from April, 1857, to April, 1859. He was the Secretary to the Admiralty, which gave him importance at Dover; but when he sought re-election he was out of office, and Dover rejected him.
Sir William Russell had served in the Crimea as Deputy Assistant Quarter-Master-General. He took his seat in 1857, but, soon after, proceeded with his regiment to help to repress the Indian Mutiny.
1859 Sir Henry Leake and William Nichol.
At this General Election both of the old Members sought re-election, and the above-named came forward as new candidates in the Conservative interest. The votes recorded were: — Leake, 931; Nichol, 902; Russell, 788; and Osborn, 752. Mr. Bernal Osborn, who was at the bottom of the poll on this occasion, was at the top in the 1857 election, and he alleged bribery as the cause of his displacement. A petition was presented to the House of Commons. Six cases of bribery were proved, but as the successful candidates, according to the evidence, were not privy to the bribery, the seats were not forfeited.
Sir Henry Leake, K.C.B., at the time of his election, was a Lord of the Admiralty, which strongly influenced the Dover electors in his favour.
Mr. William Nichol was a Liverpool merchant, and a Director of the London and County Bank. He represented Dover from 1859 to 1865, but did not seek re-election.
1865 Major Alexander Dickson and Charles K. Freshfield.
There were four candidates, Lord Bury and Mr. Eustace Smith, nominated by the Liberals; and Major Dickson and Mr. Charles K. Freshfield brought forward by the Conservatives. The votes recorded for them were : — Dickson (Conservative), 1,027 j Freshfield (Conservative), 1,012; Bury (Liberal), 907; and Smith (Liberal), 901.
Major Alexander George Dickson was 31 years of age when elected for Dover, and had a connection with the county by his marriage with Lady North, of the Waldershare family. He continued to represent the Borough until his death, which occurred in 1889, but held no political office. From 1885 to 1889 he was Dover's sole representative in the House of Commons, the Borough in 1885 having been reduced to a one-Member constituency.
Mr. Charles Kaye Freshfield, elected for Dover in 1865, was the son of Mr. James William Freshfield, F.R.S., and a partner in the weii-known firm of Messrs. Freshfield and Co., solicitors to the Bank of England. He was an influential promoter of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway. At the end of his first Parliament he again contested Dover in 1868, when he lost his seat; but was elected in 1874, after which he held his seat until 1885, when he retired.
1868 Major A. Dickson and George Jessel.
The election at which the above-named Members were returned was caused by the dissolution on the question of the Disestablishment of the Irish Church. The two Con servative Members were opposed to disestablishment, and Mr. Jessel was in favour of it, so on that great question Dover was neutral, having returned two Members pledged to vote against each other. The votes recorded at the poll were: — Dickson, 1,453; Jessel, 1,434; Freshfield, 1,379; and Abrahams (an independent), t,;^. A petition against the return of Major Dickson was presented, and dealt with in an Election Court at Dover, but it was found that Major Dickson was not privy to any corrupt practices, so the election stood as declared at the close of the poll.
Mr. George Jessel, Q.C., was, soon after the election, appointed Solicitor-General and knighted; and, in 1873, he was appointed Master of the Rolls, being the first of the Jewish race appointed to the Judicial Bench in this country. In that office he distinguished himself by the righteousness of his judgments and the ability with which he conducted the business of his Court. He was considered a great Judge, and he had to pay the penalty of greatness, for, on the 22nd February, 1878, he was shot at in Court by a disappointed suitor, when the pistol ball grazed his ear. As Master of the Rolls, he held office until the 19th March, 1883, when he resigned owing to ill-health, and two days later he died.
1871 Sir George Jessel.
This was a bye-election on the occasion of Sir George Jessel being appointed Solicitor-General. In seeking re-elec tion he was opposed by Mr. E. W. Barnett. The result of the polling was: — .Jessel, 1,231; and Barnett, 1,143 There was a riot and much window-smashing after the result became known.
1873 Edward William Barnett.
This election, at which Mr. Edward William Barnett was returned, was to fill a vacancy caused by Sir George Jessel being appointed to the office of Master of the Rolls. There was a contest for the seat, Mr. Barnett 's opponent being Mr. James Staat Forbes, General Manager of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, the votes recorded being: — Barnett, 1,415; and Forbes, 1,094.
Mr. Edward William Barnett was a native of Walsall, Staffordshire, and was educated at the Grammar School there. He was a Member for Dover from September, 1873, to Februar}', 1874, but he did not take his seat. He was a prospective candidate for the General Election of 1874, but before the nomination, which took place on the 5th February, 1874, he withdrew from the contest.
1874 Charles K. Freshfield and Major A. Dickson.
At the General Election at which the above twb were again returned occurred in Febriwary, 1874. There were four candidates, and the votes recorded were : — Freshfield, 1,525; Dickson, 1,316; Christopher W^guelin, 1,118; and Frederick A. Inderwick, Q.C., 1,062. At a later date Mr. Inderwick was Mayor of the ancient Cinque Ports town of Winchelsea, and was one of the Barons of the Cinque Ports at the Coronation of Edward VII.
1880 C. K. Freshfield and Major Dickson.
At this election, which took place in April, 1880, there was a very stiff contest. The Liberal candidates oppcsing the above-named Conservatives were the Hon. Philip Stanhope and Mr. J. C Walker. The votes recorded were: — Freshfield, 1,7.-^-1; Dickson, 1,701; Stanhope, 1,607; and Walker, 1,506.
1885 Major A. G. Dickson.
Owing to the effect of the Re-distribution Act, passed in the previous Session, Dover was reduced to a one- Member constituency. Mr. Freshfield retired, and, for a time, a Mr. W. J. Pearce was a prospective candidate. He, too, retired; and Mr. R. Murray Lawes, of Old Park, contested the seat in the Liberal interest, against Major Dickson, Conservative. The votes polled were : — Dickson> 2,066; Lawes, 1,418.
1886 Major A. G. Dickson.
In this year a dissolution of Parliament occurred on the question of Home Rule for Ireland. On that occasion Major Dickson was returned unopposed.
1889 George Wyndham.
A bye-electijn took place in July, 1889, owing to the death of Major A. G. Dickson, who had represented the Borough since 1665. Mr. George Wyndham, who was then private secretary to Mr. A. J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland, was nominated for Dover, and was elected without opposition.
Mr. George Wyndham was the eldest son of the Hon. Percy Wyndham. In the year that Mr. George Wyndham was elected for Dover he married Countess Grosvenor, fourth daughter of the Earl of Scarborough. After holding the office of private secretary to the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, he became Under-Secretary for War; and from 1900 to 1905 was Chief Secretary for Ireland. He was re-elected for Dover six times; and in 1902 he became a Cabinet Minister. He continued to represent Dover until his death, which took place suddenly in Paris on the 8th June, 1913, his pohtical connection with Dover having lasted twenty-four years.
1S92 George Wyndhim.
In this election Mr. Wyndham was opposed by Major Eustace G. Edwards, R.A., the votes recorded being: — Wyndham, 2,231; Edwards, 978.
1895 George Wyndham.
In this election Mr. Wyndham was returned unopposed.
1900 George W^yndham.
At this election, which took place in October, 1900, during the Boer War, Mr. Wyndham was returned unopposed.
1900 George Wyndham.
This bye-election arose from Mr. Wyndham's accept ance of the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland, and he was again returned unopposed.
Edward VII., 1901-1910.
In this Reign there were two General Elections, but at Dover no new Member was returned.
1906 The Right Hon. George Wyndham.
The General Election of 1906 occurred owing to Parliament having nearly run its septennial course. At that time Mr. Wyndham had been in the Cabinet four years. He was opposed by Mr. R. J. Biyce. The votes recorded were: — Wyndham, 3,269; Bryce, 1,705.
1910 (January) George Wyndham.
An appeal to the country was made because the House of Lords had rejected the Budget Bill. Mr. Wyndham was opposed by Mr. Montague Bradley, of Dover. The votes recorded were: — Wyndham, 3,330; and Bradley, 1,758. Mr. Montague Bradley was knighted during the following year.
George V. — Whom God Preserve.
In this Reign there have been two elections at Dover.
1910 (December) George Wyndham.
This was Mr. W'yndham's last election. He was returned unopposed. The appeal to the country on this occasion arose because the House of Lords refused their assent to the Parliament Bill, which restricted the veto of the House of Lords.
1913 Viscount Duncannon.
A casual vacancy arose in the representation of Dover by the death of Mr. George Wyndham. Viscount Duncannon was elected unopposed on the 23rd June, 1913.
Viscount Vere Brabazon Ponsonby Duncannon, who was elected for Dover as a Unionist in June, 191 3, was born on October 27th, 1880. He was educated at Harrow and at Trinity College, Cambridge, taking his B.A. In 1910 he was elected for Cheltenham as a Unionist, but he lost the seat at the General Election of December, 1910. He held a commission in the Suffolk Yeomanry, and during the great European ^Var, which began in 19 14, he joined his regiment, and during 191 5 he took part in the Gallipoli Campaign.