Worthing Gazette 4 Dec 1918
"Alderman White’s Public Services"
In finally publishing the list, with a few recent additions, of those who desire to bear tribute to the excellent public service rendered by the late Mayor, Alderman James White JP, we may explain that all the names have been voluntarily sent to us. If a canvass of the town had been undertaken, we are confident that a very long list might have been secured.
Walter Arrol; R W Charles; F F Chrestien; Alfred Crouch; Robert Chignell; Alec Densham; J P Fallowes; D Ludgate Flack; E L Frazer; Henry C B Gibbs; C J Hollis (the Rev.); H Leeds Harrison; Frank Hinds; A M Hawthorn; W J Holder; G Heyer; J Heyer; W H D Jones (Lieut. Col.); A H Kingswell; Edward Michell; Henry Nelson; H Pilkington (Sir); A Percival; J Puttick (the Rev.); L S Palmer; Anderton S Roberts; Thomas Skinner (Sir); George Stacey; F J Timms; Wm Frederick Verrall; H S Ware; Pelham L Warren (Sir).
Many of those whose names are given above have added an expression of their keen appreciation of Alderman White’s labours on behalf of the town, and it must be extremely gratifying to him to know that he has commanded the respect and gratitude of those whom he sought to serve.
Worthing Gazette, Wednesday 11th 1914
The Election of Mayor - Unusual Situation - Rejection of Councillor Ellen Chapman's Nomination - Counter-proposition succeeds.
Alderman White invited to take office.
Prior to Monday there were four boroughs in the Kingdom which had had the experience of a lady acting in the capacity of Chief Magistrate, and it was confidently hoped by many that Worthing would be added to the list by the election of Councillor Ellen Chapman, who had been a member of the Town Council for the past four years. But that, for the reason stated below, did not come about, and Worthing still awaits the time when a lady will preside over the affairs of the Council, and have her name inscribed upon the Roll of Mayors who have served the town in that capacity.
In past years the proceedings on the 9th of November have usually been of a formal nature, there having been Welcome Unanimity upon the question as to who should hold the office of Mayor for the coming year. The preliminary selection has generally been made by the past Mayors, but on this occasion a Special Committee was appointed by a ballot of the Council, and they proceeded with their appointed task.
Unfortunately, this year there was discord, the culminating point of which was reached on Monday, when two names were submitted to the members of the Council. The Committee charged with the task had recommended the nomination of Councillor Ellen Chapman for the Mayoral Chair, this lady having intimated her acceptance of the offer of the office; but there was oppositions, for on Monday Alderman James White, who has previously held the office was nominated, and when it came to the voting he was declared elected.
A great deal of interest was centred in the meeting, and there was a large attendance of the public at the Town Hall. Ladies were early in attendance - and there were many of them! The small portion of the incommodious Hall set apart for the public was soon occupied, with the result there was a crush. Councillor Ellen Chapman was the first to take her seat, and she was warmly received by a portion of the public that had assembled.
A State Occasion
On this occasion the members wore their robes, those of the Councillors being black; whilst the Alderman had their purple gowns. The Mayor was attired in his bright scarlet robe and wore his chain of office, whilst the Town Clerk appeared in wig and gown. The Corporation Mace rested on the table immediately in front of the Mayor.
When the time for the commencement of the business arrived the public were present in great force, and at the invitation of the Mayor they filed round the backs of the chairs of the Councillors in order that more room might be made. Those present when the business commenced were
Alderman - R.Piper (retiring Mayor); G. Baker; J.G. Denton; F.C.Linfield; G. Ewen Smith; W.Walter.
Councillors: W.Aston; E.A.Brackley; A.H. Brake; L.W. Burnand; R. Chignell; Ellen Chapman; A.A. Chipper; H.T. Duffield; R. Ellis; W.T. Frost; W.J. Gardiner; G. Goodall; G. Gravett; J. Gravett; T. Greenyer; A.C. Jackson; F.C. Neale; A.C.Norris; G.C. Parsons; W. Sams; C. Taylor; W.G. Tree; J.F. Whyte; H. Winchester
A Fit and Proper Person
Alderman Piper intimated that the first business before them was the election of a Mayor for the ensuing year, but before they went on with that he would like to congratulate the members who came back, and to say how pleased they were at their being sent there without opposition. With regard to the Mayoralty, his Worthing pointed out that in previous years the matter had been a formality. They had selected their member, and they simply came there on the 9th to ratify and make legal what they had done. Unfortunately things that day were no so easy as they were in past years. What they had got to do was to elect a fit and proper person, and they must elect someone from among the Aldermen or the Councillors, or anyone who was qualified to serve in the capacity of a Councillor. In electing a Mayor it did not of necessity follow that the person elected was bound to take the office; but when they had elected that person, if either he or she refused to serve they must determine within five days whether they would accept the office or not; and if either he or she did not accept, then whatever penalty there was imposed for the refusal, that person must pay.
Councillor Neale, in proposing the nomination of Councillor Ellen Chapman for the position of Mayor, said that before he proceeded to so he would like to refer to the eminently satisfactory manner in which Alderman Piper had carried out the office during the past two years. He had won the esteem of the members of the Council and the ratepayers, and it was only fitting that they should give him thanks for what he had done. There were other amongst them who had had their names on the civic roll of honour, and there were others who would doubtless have them in time to come. But there was one important omission from the roll, and that omission they hoped to rectify that day - (applause and slight hissing) - when they nominated Mrs. Ellen Chapman. He reminded the Council that a Special Committee had been appointed by ballot for the special purpose of considering the question of the Mayoralty, and the name of Mrs Chapman was now recommended, the invitation having been extended to her by a Majority of the Committee. He had heard something of the majority. It was quite true that the majority was not a large one, but it was perfectly true that it was a majority. Some little time ago some opposition manifested itself, but it was difficult to define the exact nature of the opposition itself. Those who voted against Mrs. Chapman did not do so because they said her qualifications were not such as to entitle her to hold the office; but he understood it was because she was a woman. Those who took that view now might say the same thing ten or twenty years hence. He respected their opinion, but they should let the fact be remembered that it was open for women to serve on Borough and Urban Councils, and it was open for them to take up work in other directions and in matters of a social and religious nature, and there was no objection to their sharing in that. A fortnight ago a document was sent to the Mayor, signed by the members of the Council, which referred to an Alderman of the Council - who he regretted was not there that day - stating that they had reason to believe he would have no objection to their taking the course of nominating him. That meant that he would be in competition with Mrs. Chapman, and whilst he maintained that they had a perfect right to do what they had done, it was an unfortunate thing that after the vote had been taken they should have taken steps to induce the member to come out in competition for the Mayoralty. He refused to believe that Mr White or any other member of the Council would come out against Mrs Chapman for the honour. This matter had created an interest all over England, and people were waiting now to see whether they would reject, on the ground of sex, a candidate who otherwise had all the necessary qualifications; and he hoped that it would not be said that on those grounds Worthing refused to elect a lady as Mayor. It had also been said that it would be better for a man to hold the office during the year, in view of the War; but he did not see what bearing that had upon it all. Mrs Chapman was known to most of them as a lady who was active in many departments of public life, and if they elected her she would strive to keep up the best traditions of that high office.
Councillor Duffield, in seconding the nomination, and that he had been on several Committees with Mrs Chapman who had Done Excellent Work. There were many boys and girls in the town who had got a start in life through the generosity of Mrs Chapman, who was the first to come forward with a lump sum when they started their War Relief Fund. If she was not fit to occupy the position to which they proposed to elect her, then she ought not to be on the Council. Every one member senior to Mrs Chapman had been asked to accept the office, but they had refused, but when she was asked she said "Yes." If she was entitled to be on the Council, then she was entitled to be in that position. When did the country enjoy better prosperity that under the reigns of the Queens of England? He thought they would be doing the best in the interest of the town and for their fellow men by electing Mrs Chapman to the office.
Another Nominiation - As no member wished to speak on the proposition, the Mayor asked if there were any other nominations, and Councillor Brackeley nominated Mr James White, adding that in doing so it was not for want of respect for Mrs Chapman.
Councillor Chignell, briefly seconding, said that he had the greatest possible respect for Mrs Chapman, and if he thought that they were slighting her he would not take that course. But it would not be fair to ask a lady to take the Chair this year; they were bound to choose a strong man that day.
Councillor Gardiner said he was rather surprised to hear that Mr White had come forward. It would be well for them to know whether he had consented to stand.
The Mayor: That has nothing whatever to do with the Council. It is for the person elected to decide whether he will take office.
The voting was then taken, and resulted as follows:
For Mrs Chapman - (8) Alderman G Ewen Smith, Councillors H T Duffield, W.T. Frost, W.J. Gardiner, F.C. Neale, H. Ellis, and C. Taylor. Mrs Chapman voted in her own favour.
For Mr James White - (15) Alderman J.G. Denton, Councillors E.A. Brackley, A.A. Chipper, A.C. Norris, L.W., Burnand, G. Goodall, A.H. Brake, J. Gravett, H.B. Winchester, G. Gravett, T. Greenyer, A.C. Jackson, G.C. Parsons, R. Chignell, and W.G. Tree.
Those who did not vote were Councillors W. Sams, W. Aston, and J.F. Whyte, whilst the four retiring Alderman could not vote.
The Mayor then declared Alderman White elected Mayor, and said that until he made the declaration of office he himself was the Mayor.
The Aldermen - The Council then proceeded to elect four Aldermen, and those again chosen were Aldermen E.C.Patching (whose work for the past forty years was warmly eulogised by Alderman Piper), F.C. Linfield, G. Baker, and W. Walter. Others who received votes were Councillor Ellis (two), Councillor Aston, Councillor Gardiiner, Councillor Neale, and Councillor Taylor (one each). Mrs Chapman nominated the last three and Councillor Ellis.
The Committees - The Committees were reconstitued as follows.