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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists meeting, and the Mayor accordingly called upon that gentleman.

Councillor Didlum, who was received with loud cheers, said that unfortunately a certain member of that Council seemed to think he had a right to oppose nearly everything that was brought forward.

The majority of the members of the band glared malignantly at Weakling.

He hoped that for once the hindividual he referred to would have the decency to restrain hisself, because the resolution he (Didlum) was about to have the honour of proposing was one that he believed as no right-minded man, no matter what his politics or religious opinions, could possibly object to; and he trusted that for the credit of the Council it would be entered on the records as an unopposed motion. The resolution was as follows: 'That from this date all the meetings of this Council shall be opened with prayer and closed with the singing of the Doxology' (Loud applause).

Councillor Rushton seconded the resolution, which was also supported by Mr Grinder, who said that at a time like the present, when there was sich a lot of infiddles about who said that we all came from monkeys, the council would be showing a good example to the working classes by adopting the resolution.

Councillor Weakling said nothing, so the new rule was carried ''nem. con.'' and as there was no more business to be done it was put into operation for the first time there and then, Mr Sweater conducting the singing with a roll of paper—the plan of the drain of 'The Cave'—and each member singing a different tune.

Weakling withdrew during the singing, and afterwards, before the Band dispersed, it was agreed that a certain number of them were to meet the following evening to arrange the details of the proposed raid on the finances of the town in connection with the sale of the Electric Light Works. 292