Dublin Evening Mail – Wednesday 22 September 1858
COMPLIMENT TO LORD CROFTON.
In pursuance of a numerously signed requisition, the High Sheriff of Roscommon, D. H. Irwin, Esq., presided at the meeting held for the purpose therein specified, at the county court-house, on Thursday last. Amongst those present were —The Right Rev. Dr. Browne, P. O’Connor, Esq., Dr. Bayley, P. Dignan, Esq., Very Rev. Dr. Kilroe, Very Rev. Dr. Philips, P.P.; Patrick Grehan, A. Huband, D. H. Kelly, P. H. O’Connor, Rev. R. Blundell, Rev. J. Fitzgerald, G. Knox, R.M. William Pidgeon, J. A Holmes, J. Harrison, M.D.; R. Peyton, M.D.; John Shell, James Kelly, Thomas Wilson, James Glancy, J. B. Wilson, H. Smith, J. Cusack, &c.
The High Sheriff then said— My Lord and Gentlemen, in accordance with a requisition numerously and respectably signed by gentlemen residing in all parts of the county, have convened this meeting. I believe we all feel gratitude to Lord Crofton for being instrumental in procuring railway accommodation for this county (cheers.) I have only to add that I am willing to receive any resolution that may be submitted to the meeting by any gentleman present.
The Right Rev. Dr. Browne said—Mr. Sheriff and Gentlemen of the county Roscommon, it affords great pleasure to have this opportunity of assisting in paying merited compliment to a nobleman whose exertions on behalf of the county Roscommon have been incessant and indefatigable. I have observed the course which Lord Crofton has pursued; and whether we consider him as resident proprietor, giving employment to the poor, or as a magistrate on the bench, or chairman of our local boards, or peer of parliament, we find him in each capacity exerting himself to promote the good of the country (cheers.) I consider him a perfect gentleman, and a man of great integrity. Gentlemen, we do not, by assembling here today, want to throw any disparagement upon other parties who seek for another line of a railway in the county. We interfere with no man’s rights. Lord Crofton, looking at the town of Roscommon as the county town, and living in the neighbourhood, had exerted himself strenuously to obtain a railway passing through the town (loud cheers.) It would be twenty years at least, or I might say there would be no probability of ever obtaining one in this direction, were not for his powerful influence and exertions (hear, hear.) I proud and delighted that fellow townsmen, and a great part of this county, will have the benefit of railway accommodation, and our gratitude for that boon collected us together this day to compliment the nobleman to whom are we indebted for it. We are also gratified that our High Sheriff, worthy and esteemed, has given us this opportunity of paying this compliment (hear, bear.) I will now read the resolution;-
Resolved—That this meeting being sensible that Lord Crofton has been mainly instrumental in procuring railway accommodation in this county, and feeling deeply indebted to his lordship for his valuable support and influence in relation thereto, we refer it to a committee to prepare a suitable address to his lordship, expressive of our grateful sentiments, and of acknowledgments of his energetic and successful exertions on so important a matter, and desire that such address submitted for the approval of this meeting, and that said committee may consider when and whom said address should presented.
The Rev. K. Blundell, in seconding the resolution, said he had been requested to second the resolution, because it was considered right that Castlerea should be represented as well Roscommon in proposing an address to Lord Crofton (hear.) He believed there was not man in the county who had not a kind feeling for Lord Croflon (cheers.) He did not desire to anticipate those gentlemen who were to propose the resolution pledging the meeting to a subscription, but merely referred to toast formerly given at the festive board of the old corporation of Dublin (hear, hear.) The toast given at the old corporation was, “The City Treasurer, and plenty of money in both pockets” (laughter). If we fill the treasurers pockets, we show that we value the exertions that have been made Lord Crofton in procuring railway accommodation (hear, hear.) It was well said his lordship who preceded him that they would for a series of years without any railway accommodation were it not for the persevering exertions of Lord Crofton (cheers).
Mr. P. O’Connor, Dumlermott, read the following resolution :-
Resolved—That the following be named as a Committee to prepare the address mentioned in the foregoing resolution:—The Right Rev.Mr Blundell, the Lord Bishop of Elphin: Denis H. Kelly, Esq.; Patrick O’Connor, Esq.; Robert P. Bailey. Esq.; W. J. M’Laughlen, Esq.; John Law Hacktt. Esq.; and Patrick Grehan. Esq.
Mr. Patrick Gusman, Mount Plunkett, seconded the resolution, which was put and carried unanimously.
Mr D. H. Kelly said—There is a resolution which I have to propose, but my friend here (the Rev. Mr. Blundell) left me little to say, as has made some remarks upon it. I do not know whether I ought to be angry with him for speaking to my resolution (a laugh), for he has left little to say on it. Now, it is a fact that we are all perfectly unanimous to the advantages that are likely to result from the railway (hear, hear.) For my own part, I feel that I am under peculiar obligations to Lord Crofton for giving a railway within six miles of me, instead of sixteen; and also, for the improvement of my property by its means, and not only mine, but also all the property in the district. We know the great impediments that were in his way, and I assure you I thought once myself that the prospect of a line through Roscommon was” Utopian” and certainly we never would have a railway but for his energy, perseverance, and zealous working (hear.) But now, please God, you will have a railway opened for traffic in the town of Roscommon against this time twelve months (great cheering): and, with the packet station at Galway, you will have an excellent line. Now, gentlemen, I think that ought to give something substantial to Lord Crofton, to prove our gratitude. [Mere Mr. K. read the subjoined resolution.] There was no one, from the proprietor of the castle who travels chaise, the poor man who walks the road, but derives some benefit from the railway (hear, hear.) And I would wish, therefore, that the list of subscribers be not limited to the gentlemen who reside here and there, but that every one will feel it a privilege to give something to it (cheers.)
Resolved—That it is the opinion of this meeting, more substantial of our sense of Lord Crofton’s zeal, energy, and ability in procuring railway accommodation for his native county be provided, in the shape of a piece of plate, and that subscription therefore be pened, and that the following named committee to receive and solicit same, and that the subscriptions be lodged in the National Banks at Roscommon. Athlone. Castlerea, and Boyle; —The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Elphin: Denis H. Kelly, Esq,; Thomas George Wills Sandford. Esq.; Patrick O’Connor. Esq.: Robert P. Bailey, Esq ; Roderick O’Connor. Esq.; Farrell M. Donnell. Esq.; John L. Hackett, Esq.; Arthur Huband, Caleb Robertson, Esq.; and Joseph A. Holmes, Esq.; with power to add their numbers.
Mr. R. P. Bailey seconded the resolution, which was put and carried unanimously.
The following address was also put to the meeting and carried unanimously. My Lord —The nobility, clergy, gentry, and inhabitants of the county Roscommon, represented by a county meeting convened our highly respected High Sheriff, Daniel H. Irwin. Esq.. to afford them an opportunity of expressing their sense your Lordship’s valuable support and influence in procuring railway accommodation in your native county—considering themselves deeply indebted to your Lordship for your energetic and successful exertions in a matter of so much importance, willingly unite in tendering to your Lordship their warm thanks.
The High Sheriff having vacated the chair, and the Right Reverend Doctor Browne having been called thereto, W. Pidgeon, Esq., moved that the thanks of the meeting be given to the High Sheriff for having convened the meeting, and for his dignified conduct in the chair.
Several subscriptions were then paid in, and the meeting separated.
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