THE HULL PACKET & EAST RIDING TIMES
Fri 18 Jun 1880

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DEMONSTRATION AT THE
BARRACKS LAST NIGHT

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EXCITING SCENES

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RETURNING THE UNIFORMS

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Last evening a most exciting scene was witnessed at the barracks and in the neighbourhood of Anlaby Road in connection with the disbandment of the corps. It became generally known during the day that the members of the brigade would attend the barracks for the purpose of giving in their uniforms, and shortly after six o'clock large numbers of people were seen wending their way towards Park Street. By eight o'clock several thousand persons had assembled outside the barracks, and great excitement prevailed.

The men commenced to arrive about seven o'clock, and deposited their uniforms in the north hall. In the course of an hour a large pile was accumulated at the end of the room, some five or six hundred by this time having been brought in. The uniforms were labelled with tickets bearing the names of their late owners. The excitement gradually increased, and shortly after eight o'clock, when the hall and the space fronting the building was thronged with the volunteers the scene presented was of a most exciting character.

Three batteries, who had assembled in another part of the town, marched in in a body with their uniforms and busbies under their arms, and were received with ringing cheers. These were followed by another battery, and in a few minutes, a rush being made for the north hall, the room was crowded. The men having given in their uniforms, Sergeant-Major Good made a few remarks from a platform with reference to the action that had been taken, and alluded in flattering terms to Colonel Humphrey, who was cheered again and again, and loud groans were given for Mr Saner.

Shortly before this demonstration Captain Wellesley, accompanied by his wife, came into the room to inspect the arrangements for receiving the clothing, and both were loudly cheered. Other officers also put in an appearance, and met with a most enthusiastic reception. Major White and one or two more officers who opposed the disbandment wisely kept away. The feeling against them appeared to be of a most bitter character, and some serious consequences must have happened had they shown their faces.

By half-past eight o'clock between 700 and 800 men had brought in their uniforms and whilst the cheering was going on a rush was suddenly made for the drill hall, which soon became thronged, the volunteers being followed by several hundred men and youths from the street. The hall at the time was being used as a skating rink, and the few who were "on the wheels" had to beat a hasty retreat. Large numbers made for the platform, and many climbed up the front at the risk of tearing down the hand-rail and the gas piping. The scene for some minutes was one of wild confusion.

The appearance of Colonel Humphrey on the platform was the signal for more cheering, and it was some time before order could be restored. When it was seen that he intended to address them cheer after cheer was given; and the mention of Mr Saner's name was received with loud groans and hisses. Colonel Humphrey spoke as follows:

- Now, men. I have just one word to say to you (loud cheers). There is not the least objection to your saying what you like, but don't please destroy your own property (cheers). You know that it is my business to get as much money for the things that belong to you as possible, so that you will have the more to receive (cheers). Therefore, if you want to meet do so quietly, and allow me to say, elect your own chairman and do things in proper order (cheers).

Colonel Humphrey then left the platform. Three cheers were afterwards given for him, three groans followed for Mr Saner and three more for Major White. The men were too excited to adopt the suggestion of Colonel Humphrey and appoint a chairman, and as they remained in the building apparently with no other object in view than giving expression to their feelings by cheering and groaning, Quartermaster-Sergeant Morris got upon the platform and suggested an adjournment to the Corporation Field. This he thought was the best thing they could do, as they had no order from Colonel Humphrey to use the room. (A Voice: "Yes, we have".) This course was at once adopted, and in a few minutes the hall was cleared, and between two and three thousand persons assembled in the Corporation Field.

Here they were addressed by Quartermaster-Sergeant Morris, who spoke of the enthusiastic reception that had been given to Colonel Humphrey, who, he was sure, had the support of all those present (loud cheers). Colonel Humphrey was quite satisfied, and if they attempted to hold a meeting as a military body they would only be making the case worse. They had done quite sufficient to show that they meant to uphold him through thick and thin (loud cheers). The determination to disband the brigade was arrived at with only two dissenting voices, and that fact had already passed to the town and to the world (cheers).

The next best thing to do was to stick to their decision, and show that they really meant what they did (cheers). That would serve the interests not only of the town but also of Colonel Humphrey. He had been informed that it was their intention to visit Mr Saner's house. To do that would, he was sure, pain Colonel Humphrey very much, and therefore he hoped that they would keep away as far as possible from any such humbug (laughter and cheers).

He was of opinion that there was a political move in Mr Saner's case, and he did not believe that the various actions that had been taken in connection with the corps affairs [were] altogether associated with a military motive (cheers). He hoped the actions of the Mayor and Corporation would be the means of bringing about a Queen's Inquiry, and of showing-up some of the shuffling humbugging that had been going on (cheers). There would be a warm pill [suppository? enema?] for somebody (loud cheers).

In conclusion, he said that he was glad to see that they sympathised with Colonel Humphrey so much for the dastardly manner in which he had been ordered to resign. He proposed three cheers for Colonel Humphrey and three more for all the officers who had supported him. After the cheering Quartermaster-Sergeant Morris said it would become them not to make a procession. (A Voice: "Go to Colonel Humphrey's".) If they went to Colonel Humphrey's house they would not find him at home, and they would not care to cheer bricks and mortar.

It was thought that after this the people would disperse, but no sooner had the crowd [broken] up than a start was made for the bridge, with the intention of visiting Col Humphrey's residence, on Anlaby Road. On arriving there the crowd had increased to seven or eight thousand persons, and more cheering took place. The people lingered about the streets for some minutes, and appeared to be undecided about going on to Mr Saner's house, which is situated at the end of the road, near St Matthew's church.

But a start was eventually made in that direction. Some of the volunteers formed fours, and followed by several thousand men and boys, proceeded at the "double", and soon reached Mr Saner's house. Fortunately, however, several policemen had kept up with them, and their presence was the means of preventing any breach of the peace. Nothing was done beyond groaning loudly, but had there been any stones or other missiles at hand an attack would very probably have been made in spite of the presence of the police. Anlaby Road was thronged with people from one end of the road to the other, and the appearance of such a large and excited mob caused great consternation amongst the inhabitants.

After staying opposite the house for about ten minutes the crowd quietly dispersed. Several groups of about five hundred persons paraded different parts of the town during the evening, singing "Where was Saner when the light went out?". One of the bodies passing down Whitefriargate, about ten o'clock, halted for a moment or two and cheered opposite the Hull Packet office. It is satisfactory to know that no disturbance occurred.