Robertson repudiates? [No! and confusion]. Mr. Robertson told them a few months ago that he could see no difference between Protection and Free Trade [No such thing!]. I took down his words at the time [More interruption, in which Mr. Robertson appealed to the hearers to let Mr. Locke go on]. How had Mr. Robertson answered the questions put to him [Most satisfactorily!] Mr. Robertson supports Lord Derby [He is not pledged!] I am not answering you, sir! I say Mr. Robertson is supporting Lord Derby [Great uproar]. Mr. Robertson said he would oppose all attempts at undermining those institutions which had secured our national greatness. Has he condescended to say what those institutions are? Is it a larger duty on corn? Mr. Robertson has just said Yes! [A positive denial by many voices]. Did he ever vote for a Free Trader? [I never voted at an election before!]. There is a man then for you to send to Parliament. The reason why, he had never heard, except that they must [That’s your opinion!]. It was not a matter of opinion, but something else; they could all understand what. [Here, for a time, the patience of the meeting utterly broke down, followed by cheers, groans and cries of shame]. It was all very well for Mr. Deudney to try to carry them in the West Ward by some hocus-pocus [They are all bought!]. No, he was sure no man in Hastings could be bought; he was too valuable a commodity. [Mr. Locke, in continuing, laboured to show, amidst repeated interruptions, his own every qualification and Mr. Robertson’s no qualification, and concluded in a complete uproar of cheers and yells.
The Mayor, in taking a show of hands, declared it to be in favour of Warre and Locke, upon which, a poll was demanded for Brisco and Robertson — a poll which on the following day showed a different result. That the Liberal candidates damaged their prospects by their personalities and intemperate addresses there could be no reasonable doubt.
Result of the Poll
The polling took place on the day following the nomination, when the four candidates assembled at the Hustings, with their retinues, banners, etc. There was a good deal of Gibing and badinage, but, on the whole less ill-temper and abuse than on the preceding day. The usual practice of posting up at the committee rooms, the progress of the poll, hour by hour, was resorted to, the figures of which were not always to be depended on, although at the close, they were nearer to the official declaration than might have been expected. They were severally as under: —
| Conservative | Liberal | Official | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robertson | 506 | 501 | 501 |
| Brisco | 488 | 499 | 487 |
| Warre | 475 | 479 | 477 |
| Locke | 384 | 387 | 386 |
