41. The Election Day Riot 1868

The Reform Act of 1867 gave many more Spalding householders the vote increasing the electorate more than three fold in many areas. There was much dissatisfaction with recent boundary changes as it was felt that the Holland constituency was being lumped with other areas with which it had no connection. This was apparently played upon by mischief makers and further fuelled by the beer given away to voters:

“Spalding Market Place on the 24th November 1868 was the scene of a commotion owing to the Parliamentary election which took place on that date. Polling commenced at 8 a.m. At the close of the poll at five o’clock, the populace rushed in the Corn Exchange (the place of polling) and commenced fighting in earnest, and many a nose caught a “rasper” which made the blood fly. Previously to this roughs had conducted themselves with tolerably good humour, and only here and there some prominent individual became the object of their cheers of abuse and even then no vice was shown but a jovial rollicking good humour prevailed. In the evening the beer which was given away in abundance began to have its baneful effects, and both men and boys were soon beyond their guard. Nevertheless the evening passed away without serious damage being done. The burning of a few casks and some straw, and the firing of pistols, with vociferous shouting and now and then a hustle between pinks and blues being the chief amusements indulged in. Later in the evening the mob, considered chiefly of boys and some drunken men, commenced breaking the windows of the White Hart and getting bolder and bolder they broke the windows of several houses, until it was thought necessary the police should interfere and put an end to this wilful destruction of property. The command for this powerful arm of the law to charge the mob was no sooner given than the rabble flew in all directions, and the streets were speedily cleared, except those from their heavy potations were totally incapable of finding their way home or taking care of themselves.

The next day was market day at Spalding, which was very small, and the only novel feature was the large show of damaged noses, shaded eyelids, and swollen very parched looking lips, the result of the previous night’s election frays. Several brand new hats were also observable, and her and there a coat might be seen which had a suspicious appearance of being borrowed for the day or until “home sweet home” was again reached. The only trade which was brisk was glaziers.”