A CLOWN ON THE STUMP

Dunstan Times, 28 December 1900, Page 3

A CLOWN ON THE STUMP

Mr Thomas Carroll addressed the electors and others at the Ballarat Town Hall (says the ' Age'). As his candidature was viewed as a kind of burlesque, hundreds of persons crowded into the town from .all parts of the district to hear his "views." City men abandoned pressing appointments to attend the gathering, and scores of townsfolk faced the high wind blowing, accompanied by clouds of dust; while not a few residents of Bungaree rode in to Ballarat to attend the " entertainment." When the candidate appeared upon the platform there was great merriment, followed by cries of " Come along, Tommy," and for nearly two hours the fun was kept at a high pitch. The candidate could do no mora than attempt to read his " speech," owing to the continuous fire of interjections. He let it be understood that he was a supporter of the M'Lean Government, an announcement which brought forth derisive cheers. "When he said he was in favor of penny postage there were loud cries of " Yes, Tommy, because you post lots of love letters." He thought women should have a vote, provided] they were over twenty-five years of age; all* under he would not " touch." (Roars oi laughter.) Speaking as a hotel manager, hel was against limited Sunday trading, " because the publicans wanted the Sabbath to themselves." He was of opinion, that Ballarat, East had been politically neglected. Shouhi he be returned he would, if pressed, not be uL willing to lead a party in the House, and I required he would even oppose Mr\Deakin in his candidature for the representation of BalJ larat in the Federal Parliament. (\Uproar«] "Why should we not," asked Mr "have a local representative who can Ballarat, and see what we require?" > candidate, when opportunity offered amid tS din, asked for quietude, so that the electoßj could " learn something," but towards thß close of the proceedings several of the audiencß sang ' Rattling Boys of the County- DowA« 'John Bull, Junior/ and other of which were followed by cat-calls, mk ber of frivolous questions were putJJ Carroll, one being: "Are you in favoABJ ting barbed wire fence around Lake fl rce to keep in the water?" In replyfl| didate retorted : " Yes, if the gentlAß asks was in the lake." At this st<flß of confidence was proposed, and it v- fl carried, amid loud laughter. ■■