The discussions and voting on the motion to have the Councillor with the lowest number of votes in each ward retire by rotation every year were quite instructive. Alderman Daly’s logic was not easy to follow, but it had the desired effect with his friends beside and behind him. He was “not unfriendly” to the resolution and “had regrets” that the 1899 resolution ordering triennial elections had passed. Daly thought members would be “sick and tired” of the Council by that time, and that their places would be taken by barrier boys subjected to a liberal education in successful administration. He personally would have retired, but a clique asked him to do so, and he was reluctantly compelled to remain on for another three years. He did not think the Local Government Board would sanction the change, and when the Law Adviser coincided with this view, the ex-Mayor’s “quite so” was triumphant. Annual elections would supposedly cost £800 — the amount paid to four sweepers who carry out sweeping tasks — and as a result, Daly seconded the direct negative. This was beaten by 19 votes to 14, and Councillor Datton, who said he voted against annual elections for one in each ward because he was “one of the lowest men,” moved that the entire Council be replaced every year. This meaningless resolution, which its backers must know cannot be implemented, was actually passed 17 to 13. The electors should study the two division lists closely to see who is playing fast and loose before the new Council is six weeks old.

Northants Evening Telegraph – Saturday 01 March 1902