North Melbourne Advertiser/1889/Mr. W. E. Murphy

MR. W. E. MURPHY.

Mr W. E. Murphy held a most successful meeting in the Town Hall, last Wednesday evening. There was a very large attendance. The chair was occupied by the president of the Trades Hall Council, Mr. J. G. Barrett, who in terms of commenddation introduced the candidate. Mr. Murphy referred at length to the Premier's speech which he criticized from a liberal standpoint. The candidate was opposed to Coalition Government, which he held should now be conducted on party lines. It was due to the liberal party that the great measures now in operation were fully enjoyed by the people. Whilst he was anxious for the great unification of the colonies by Federation, the result could only be brought about by bringing the other colonies into sympathy with our own policy, a state of affairs he thought would never be achieved while Parkes, Robertson and Dibbs were in the flesh. Having dealt exhaustively with the Premier's speech, the various items of which he showed had emanated in practical form through his (Mr Murphy's) exertions while connected with the Trades Hall, reference was made to the other prominent questions, at present occupying the attention of the electors. In speaking of Parliamentary obstruction, he said great care would have to be excercised respecting the manner this was amended. He admitted that a vast amount of time was wasted, but then there were occasions when it was absolutely imperative that questions had to be discussed dispassionately and in detail, before becoming law, and it therefore behoved Parliament to be careful it did not in an unfair way interfere with the liberties of the people. He spoke at length on matters of interest to the railway employee, such as his opposition to Mr Speight's salary being increased, Mr Allison Smith's services being dispensed with, the doing away with the 'red and blue sheets' by which one class was paid on the first, and the latter in the middle of the month. He was in favour of opening libraries and museums on Sunday, as he held it was more elevating to look on pictures than to go to the Zoological gardens and watch the antics of a baboon or a monkey on a Sunday. He would support limited Sunday trading, which if introduced would do away the present system of spies, perjury and espionage, and was still a firm believer in the Education Act with the higher technical branches added. He showed how the present working men's college was established by his efforts, he having the last day the offer by Mr Ormond was expiring, interviewed that gentleman and obtaining an extension of time, collected the sum of £6,500 which with £5,000 given by Mr Ormond provided for the construction of one of the greatest institutions in the colony. He could not subscribe to the women's suffrage platform which he would have settled by taking a plebiscite. He was opposed to plural voting. He dwelt on his long connection with the working classes, from which he had risen to his present position, and he now stood before them without a stain on his character, either socially, morally, or politically, and if returned he would work unweariedly for the good of his fellows. A large number of questions were put and answered to the satisfaction of the large audience by the candidate, who stated he subscribed entirely to the Trades Hall Council programme.

Mr D. Wylie, in moving that Mr. Murphy was a fit and proper person to represent North Melbourne, delivered a most telling and eulogistic speech in favor of Mr Murphy, whom he congratulated for his exertions on behalf of labour. In concluding a capital speech Mr Wylie recited a few original verses anent the candidates, for which he was vociferously applauded.

Mr Watt seconded the motion, which having been spoken to by Mr. Trenwith, was carried without a dissentient. The candidate referred to a squib which has been circulated by some itinerant printer, relative to his attendance at the Trades Hall Council, but he contended that the appearance of so many members of the Council on the platform was a proof of his genuineness. Three cheers having been given for the candidate, the meeting, which was of an enthusiastic character, terminated.