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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
The founding of this association in the Rushen Rechabite Hall in Colby was reported in the Isle of Man Examiner of 6 March 1897. A meeting of the supporters of Joseph Qualtrough and William Quine, members of the House of Keys for Rushen Sheading, elected in March 1897, was arranged with the object of organising ' the political energy of the Sheading, so that they might be ready for action at any time'. The southsiders were reacting to a crucial phase in the struggle between two philosophies, the country bred adherence to total abstinence and the desires of the townspeople, particularly the developers and businessmen of Douglas, to legalise Sunday drinking in the boarding houses for the further advancement of the chief resort of the Island.
This battle which had smouldered for forty years, since 1857 (when the Manx Sunday Closing Act was passed) was in 1897 now coming to a climax with the Permits Bill, which had effectively fanned the flames to epic proportions. The issues of the conflict which was between an essentially prohibitionist, religious camp, with particularly staunch Methodist supporters horrified by the immorality depicted in the Rev. Thomas Rippon's 'Morals of Douglas' and a powerful banking and business lobby, led by James Brown, the editor of the Isle of Man Times still emerge from time today.
The Rushen members, both lifelong Teetotallers wished to be ready to meet the challenges which would arise out of this vital question fortified by the views of the electorate. Qualtrough said that he felt the responsibility and gravity of his position to be such that he desired some means of securing the advice and support of the electors as a body. Quine believed that the association would arouse political enthusiasm, and secure the interest of the lukewarm, besides being a great help to the members. He many times had wished he could get the views of the people on any important question that might crop up
The will of the largely Methodist meeting, in a Methodist hall, was that the democratically established society was to be run by an executive committee of district secretaries operating in each of the three parishes, Rushen, Arbory and Malew, which make up the electoral district of the Sheading of Rushen. A corresponding Secretary was appointed, an entrance fee of 6d. and instant enrolment, and an annual tea meeting was to be held, temperance and general reform were to receive the support of the society. The unusual speed in the setting up of a structured and closely focused active political association is an indication of the deep commitment and will to prevail of the country Temperance Lobby.
...M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim
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