A Deaf And Dumb Man In The Revision Court
On Thursday afternoon a singular scene was witnessed during the
proceedings of the Revision Court, at Ashton-under-Lyne. A man named
James Booth, of 3, Dog Dungeon, Hurst polling district, was objected to
by the Conservatives, and Mr. Booth, their solicitor, announced that the
man was deaf and dumb, but just able to utter a monosyllable now and
then. Mr. Chorlton, the Liberal solicitor: What can I do (laughter)? Mr.
Bo
th first by writing asked what the man's name was, and then began to
talk to him with his fingers, but being an indifferent chirologist he
made very poor progress. He had merely elicited that the man was the
owner when Mr. Chorlton began to grow impatient, and inquired, Why
don't they both go to the Isle of Man for a week (laughter)? Nothing
more could be got out of the man except a "yes" or "no" after questions
had been patiently propounded by Mr. Booth in the dactyologic alphabet.
At length the Barrister spied a rent book, and this was pounced upon and
the vote allowed very joyfully, to save further trouble. The dumb man
then spake, stuttering, and with great effort, I claim my expenses. Mr.
Chorlton: He's got those words all right, at any rate (laughter.) Mr.
Booth: He can talk a little but hear nothing. Recourse was again had by
Mr. Booth to his digits, and he interpreted to the court that the man
was a hat body maker, and wanted 5s. 6d. The Barrister: I will allow 5s.
The money was handed to the man, and he went away smiling.--Newcastle
Journal.