The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

THE PEOPLE WILL WIN! AND SO WILL HUMPHREYS-OWEN!" I Extraordinary Meeting at Welshpool. Liberal Candidate Proves how Tariff Reform' Will Hit Tradesmen and Workingmen. His Experiences of America. MR. DAVID DAVIES'S STRONG APPEAL "To My Conservative Friends."

The Liberal candidates for both Montgomery I Boroughs aud County were under heavy fire last Saturday night week at an extraordinary meeting held in the Town Hall, Welshpool, to help forward the candidature of Mr Arthur Humphreys-Owen (which it did). The young I Squires of Glansevern and Llandinam drew a very large crowd, which included a greater, a more determined, and a more enthusiastic band of Progressives than has ever been seen I before in the Town Hall of this land-locked stronghold of Montgomeryshire Toryism..To- wards the cluse of the meeting an overwhelming number of Radical hands were uplifted for the following resolution That this meeting having heard the views of Mr Humphreys-Owen. pledges itself to use every legitimate means to secure his return at the forthcoming election." No hands were held up against so the resolu- tion was declared to have been carried unani- mously. Very many respectable Conservatives,- however, professional men, tradesmen, and workingmen of the stamp of Measrs T. Hiles, David Rowlands, George Court, and ex-Sergt. John Poole-were at the meeting to listen to what the candidates had to say. But a squad of men and a nnmber of youths found there way into the back of the Assembly Room, where they booed, and me-ewed, and whistled, and bawled, with three results. THE COLONEL'S ROWDY ADMIRERS: WHAT THEY DID. 1st. They disgusted the respectable Conser- vatives, for whom Mr George Court acted as a mouthpiece to defend the reputation of the town. Whilst Mr David Davies was speaking, there gathered such a tremendous row that Mr Court rose in the audience and cried out, I'm sure there isn't a decent man in either Party who believes in rowdyism at a public meet- ing 2ndly. The rowdies proved the fighting mettle of Mr Humphreys-Owen and Mr David Davies, who are both officers in the Montgom- eryshire Territorial Force. The Squire of Glansevern had to face the fiercer fire, but as a workingman supporter afterwards remarked, "He's too square in the jaw, like poor Jem r Mace, to be frightened! Poor old Jem I saw in the Sunday paper he was once worth £ 70,000 Won hundreds of fights But he was glad of Lloydie's little pension at last. Saved him from the Workhouse I 3rdly. The rowdies aroused the fighting spirit of Welshpool Radicals. One man near the door interrupted Mr Humphreys-Owen talking about the Liberal Government. What have they done ? he shouted. But he got his gruel prompt and hot from a Welshpool lady, who sat near, a woman who knows more than many people about the grim reality of Powys- land poverty. She turned round, looked him straight in the eye, and said, Given your Mother an old-age pension, I eni,ect! He interrupted no more. Quite as cutting perhaps was the comment passed after the meeting by a lusty young Radical from the outskirts of the widespread borough. Poor devils!" he said. Some of these rowdy ones were pretty tired by the time Humphreys-Owen had finished with them What wages do they get. I wonder! I daresay they don't all get so much to eat as they might. They needn't be so much upset, because the Lords and the other £ 5,000-a-year people have to pay land-taxes and super-taxes." Mr. Hugh Lewis. NO ONE TURNED OUT OF /THE ROOM. Mr Hugh Lewis, Newtown, chairman of the Boroughs' Liberal Association, presided, and with him on the platform were Mr Humphreys-Owen, Mr David Davies, and Couneillor John Pryce Jones, Welshpool. As they appeared, loud and ringing cheers arose from a solid group of Radi- cals, which from the Press table point of hearing pretty well drowned the boisterous booing in the rear of the room. Then came a cry, "Three cheers for Mr Humphreys-Owen! And he got them. Three cheers for the Colonel" some- body then shouted. The Tory candidate's ad- mirers had not been smart enough even to geh the firstfeheer in. But they tried to make up for it by making an uproar, amid which Mr Humphreys- Owen put in the first word from the platform, You can turn me out on the election day," he shouted, "if you want; but no one is going to be turned out of this room He proved a true prophet, and a Sportsman, too. Despite the disturbance and the great pro- vocation, the Liberals on the platform would not allow anyone to be evicted, though the Welsh- pool police were in the room ready to do their duty as soon as they bad the order. (An amus- ing contrast was witnessed at the Colonel's crowded meeting in the same room last Monday night, when two men were turned out-the one because he was impudent enough to ask one of the platform speakers to speak up and the other a commercial traveller and a Liberal-from Birmingham). Mr Hugh Lewis asked the meeting to give each speaker a fair hearing, as they were quite willing to give the other side- A Voice in the crowd What price Llanidloes ? Another Voice: That's nothing to do with Welslrpucl. Welshpool's different from Llanid- loes Mr Lewis said he had several times come to Welshpool in support of their late member, Sir John Rees -(smiles) -when he was in favour of all the principles of the Liberal Party, of Free Trade, untaxed food. BOOING AN HONOURED NAME. Bat now they had a local gentleman, who bore an honoured name in the county- (cheers and booing)—and he had every confidence that on the 16th he would be raturned as Member for the Boroughs (cheer3). Th9 question now was -Who were to rule the country-the representatives of 45,000,000 in this country, or 600 peers- A Tory Voice What about the County Coun- cil A Radical Voice: Who scotched the Henfaes scheme ? Liberals wanted a Second Chamber, but they wanted fair play in the Second Chamber—(cheers) —not one that let all the Tory measuies go through intact, and checked and smashed their Liberal legislation. "The Tories," continued Mr Hugh Lewis-what afterwards proved to be a true prophetic strain- are going into this fight a beaten foe, because they have given up by the measures they produel the hereditary principles and the control of finance. Bat we, as Liberals, prefer to take away the Veto of the House of Lords rather than trust to them "— A Voice: What about Lord Joicey ? (laughter and hear, hear.) Mr Humphreys-Owen (emphatically and cordi- ally) Hear! Hear!: THE WORKINGMAN'S PROPHESY. "The sooner the fight the better," said Mr Hugh Lewis. I have no fear of the consequence. The People Must Win. And—The People Will Win." "And so will Humphreys-Owen!" shouted a stalwart workingman, one of Welshpool's Radicals, who stood on a chair, towering over the crowd that bad poured into the room by the doorway. Ho wore an aggressive-looking red tie. (Times have changed in Welshpool since Mr George Osborne Morgan and Mr David Davies, the grand- father of the present Liberal candidate for the County addressed a historic meeting in that same room during the 1880 Election). Mr. David Davies. APPEAL TO THE CITIZENS OF WELSHPOOL. When Mr David Davies rose, he received such a reception as he has probably never had before in his life. But-like the late Sir John Rees-he has had the advantageous training of hunting and facing big game, so he survived all the booing and hooting without trembling, and there were great encouraging cheers from the Radicals. He had hadly mentioned that it gave him great pleasure to go there to speak in support of his friend, Mr Humphreys-0 ven, when some exclaimed What's he talking about! Another Un'ist!" was the muddled reply of another man in the crowd. Mr Humphreys-Owen," said Mr Davies, ia going to win this Election, because he stands for the government of the people by the people. But he cannot win this Election without your support. I appeal to the citizens of Welshpool to come for- ward in this great fight, and give their hearty support to send Mr Humphreys-Owen in at the head of the poll (cheers). Now, what's this Election about ? A Voice: Home Rule! Mr Davies: No; not at all (laughter and cheers). The speaker went on to explain the intolerable position caused by the Lords throwing out the Budget, but had to appeal to the gentlemen at the back to come on the platform if they had any- thing to say, We should be delighted to hear them" (ironical laughter). Mr Davies shewed that by stipulating that there there should be no tacking in a Budget the Lords bad not promised to give up their control of the country's finance-(booing aud cries of Vote for the Colonel! "—A Voice: And again !-more cheering for the Tory candidate). WHY THE COLONEL WAS BOOED. The interruptions aroused a storm-centre in the room. and the audience rose in their seats to try and see what could be the matter. After a bit Mr Davies. explained that the death of the late King resulted in- the Conference. He regretted that Conference did not come to some settlement, which would have prevented this Election. But apparently moderate counsels had not prevailed- A Voice Redmond has done it! Another voice: Didn't J. D. Rees tell you what it broke up for (laughter). Mr Davies (referring to the interrupter) I've no doubt if that gentleman had been in the Con- ference he would have broken it up long ago (laughter and cheers). A Voice: He's telling us a tale to-night! Pryce-Jones for ever shouted an over- zealous admirer, whom probably the Colonel would not thank if he met him. For the result of this disturbance was that the cheering in the back of the room was counteracted by lusty booing at the Colonel's name, and this booing came not frem non-voters, but from respectable, substantial Welshpool citizens. It was probably the first time that Colonel Pryce-Jones' name has been booed at a public meeting in Pool, not that they had the slightest personal ill-feeling against the Tory candidate, but-well, the Colonel might well have prayed, Save me from some of my friends ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THE TORIES. Amid the din Mr George Court now rose, and protested with all the indignation of a decent Conservative against the rowdyism. Why don't you give the Colonel fair play ? shouted a man. Mr Davies We do give the Colonel fair play. A Voice: What about Llanidloes ? Mr Davies: Well, if Llanidloes people did something wrong, I don't see that is a reason why Welsh pool should do it (hear, hear). You will probably ask why haven't we had fair play. A Voice Talk about the Army Mr Davies: You had better go and join it (laughter). Proceeding to criticise the Peers' proposal to reform themselves, he said they apparently were going to get rid of their back- woodsmen A Voice: Poor old Crippen's gone! Mr Davies It is very hard luck on these backwoodsmen." I saw in a paper just before I came to the meeting that I was going to join the "backwoodsmen" (laughter). I am afraid there will be another disappointment for our Conserva- tive friends—(smiles)—because I am sure I have absolutely no intention of joining them (laughter and loud Radical cheers.—A Voice: He's too good for the House of Lords !).-These back- woodsmen came up in troops to the House of Lords when the Budget was discussed—(A Voice That's it, sir! )-and they were told by their Tariff Reform" friends to vote against the Budget. As soon as they voted against the 1 Budget, and the Election went against the Conservative Party, Lord Lansdowne turned I around, and said to these poor fellows, Now, we don't want you any more' You clear out!" ] (laughter). It is rather hard luck on the back- woodsmen," because they were only doing what they were told (loud laughter). A Voice: Why don't you spit it out, so's we can understand it Mr Davies: If you would listen a little better, you would understand a little more (laughter and sheers). I would like also to appeal to my Conservative friends. The security of this country and any other ,-ounti-y depends on the way in which the Consti- tution works. One of the first principles of good 10 t'ernment is that there should be security, and I io not think that there can be any security, unless )oth great Parties in turn mre able to translate their opinions into the laws of the land. We are told the House of Lords is the only barrier between its and Socialism and Revolution and Anarchy. If there is going to be a Revolution in the country, I do not think the House of Lords is going to stop it (laughter). A y,11C": said Am ther Yvic«: 'fL,e ciie Irs for Oo>nel Pryce- Jones An(i d.gaÜ.. (uheeis mid ioud booing). Mr Davifs went on uiesturbed If we look at this question from an unbiassed, unprejudiced point of vieiv, we should say. The Liberal "Party and the Conservative Party are going "to get their fair share of legislation. They are both going to have a fair chance." In that way, and in that way alone, tve are going to progress sfeadily withold any great upheavals in the country. We are not, going to baulk any one Party of its legitimate aims and ends by imposing upon it a great obstacle like the House of Lords as it is at the pnsent moment. That is the argument which most strongly appeals to me. I would nrge you to trust yollpr representatives, the people you send to the House of Commons, because, after all, if they do anything wrong, you can fire them out. A Voice: Rats! Mr Davies: If you are going to do that, you are going to support Mr Humphreys-Ow* n (loud cheers). I believe Mr Iftimphriyi-Oven is a man you can trust, and that hii will carry out your views. When he goes to Westminster, you will find that he will be there to do all he can for your interests and in carrying out your desire (loud cheers, amid which Mr David Davits sat down, having faced the music foi half-an-hour). Mr. Arthur Huinphreys-Owen. I I intend to win this fight," exclaimed Mr Humphreys-Owen amid loud cheers, after he had made himself heard above the booing and cries of Rats." Those gentlemen with the rats at the back of the room—(laughter)—did their best to turn Mr Rees out last time. They didn't do it, and you are not going to turn me out this time (laughter and cheers). The gentlemen in the back ot the room are good Tories and very strong opponents of mine, but I should reccommend them rather to join the Territorial Forces than break up political meetings (cheers). "I have no ends to serve in coming forward as a candidate. I stand at great expense and trouble and inconvenience to myself, and I intend to have a fair hearing, and I will have a fair hear- ing (applause). .1 The Veto of the House of Lords is not a new issue. The House of Lords had a great deal more power a century ago than at present. There was a time when the House of Lords acted as a Court of Justice. There was, about 150 years ago, a case where a man was tried before the House of Lords, and was fined £ 5,000. The House of Commons thought this was an infringe- ment of their privileges They made a row about it. A Voice: Crippen Mr Humphreys-Owen They claimed it by this man. The House of Lords gave way, so the House of Commons tried him, and fined him xio,ooo- A Voice: Rats < Mr Humphreys-Owen: Well, catch them, and have finished with them (laughter). Only until 30 or 40 years ago any member of the House of Lords could claim to vote in the House, when it was constituted as the Supreme Court of Appeal, even though he knew no law and was totally ig- norant of the case. But 30 years ago there was a case before the House of Lords in which one of the members of the Lords felt so keeuly upon a matter which came before the Court that he determined to vote. There was no law against it, as there is no law against throwing out the Budget. But the result was that the Judicature Act was passed, changing the constitution of the House of Lords when it sat as a Court of Appeal. That power the Lords gave up 30 years ago, but they still retain the power of dealing in an obstructive way with every measure that comes from the House of Commons, and that power the country intends to put an end to, and WE SHALL PUT AN END TO (loud cheers). I am not a Destructienist, and, though you may refuse to believe it, Mr Lloyd George is not a Destructionist. I want a second chamber, an excellent second chamber, and a strong second chamber, but I say we shall not have any strong efficient second chamber until every member of the House of Lords has come down to the people, and has shaken hands with them. I have to stand my chance of getting into the House of Commons; I have to go round and canvass, and take the chance of pleasing or dis- pleasing you, and I claim that every member of the House of Lords must do something before he is capable of representing himself as a competent legislator in the Upper House. So long as the House of Lords remains a non-elective body they should be treated as any other society in the Kingdom would be, such as the Institute of Auctioneers, or the Institute of Water Colour Painters, or the Royal Academicians, or any other society which has no legislative power, men who are simply experts in their line. The force of this argument did not appeal to some of the rowdy admirers of the Colonel in the rear of the room. One shouted, Three cheers for Pryce-Jones," and there was cheering and booing, but the volume of voice was becoming weaker, so Mr Humphreys-Owen remarked, You are getting rather tired." Thereupon Mr J. E. Davies, a sturdy Welshpool Radical who sat near the platform, evidently determined to show that Mr Humphreys-Owen's supporters had not lost heart, whatever the Colonel's supporters might feel like, and so in a determined voice he cried, "Three cheers for Mr Humphreys-Owen," and right lustily were the cheers given. Mr Humphreys-Owen (continuing) remarked that the Liberal party had achieved one success already in Manchester, because a Tory candidate had turned up too late. They would find that Tory candidates would be very late in turning up at Westminster.—(A Voice: You want a rest.")—I intend not to have a rest until I have had a fight.-(A Voice: He's giving it to them.") I INTEND TO WIN THIS FIGHT, and not rest day or night until I have won it (cheers and booing). I oppose the Veto of the House of Lords, because it is the chief instrnment in the hands of the Conservative party who can no longer trust the will of the people. The one thing which is dear to the Tories, and which they hope to bring in with the aid of the Lords, is Tariff Reform. I am a business man, and I own a certain amount of land in Montgomeryshire. The interest of the tradesmen of Welshpool is deeply concerned with agriculture and with the prosperity of the business of the country. As a man deeply concerned in the interests of the Boroughs of Montgomeryshire and Montgomery- shire itself, let me tell you that Tariff Reform rests on the fallacy that you can shut out foreign competition, and make yourself better off at home by doing so. Every man and woman in this country depends upon permanent and cen- tinual imports—(interruption and uproar, of which Mr Humphreys-Owen availed himself to take a sip of water.)—There are, I believe, tradesmen in Welshpool in favour of Tariff Reform. In a small way I have had to deal with Welshpool tradesmen for my own purposes (cheers). As a landlord I am obliged to keep my farms in repair and purchase a certain amount of material for the purpose. I have a certain amount-and no more —money to spend on that, for the rents are no higher than they were.—(A Voice: We can have a drink).—And I am not a landlord who desires to screw more rent out of them than I have had in the past. The result, therefore, of putting on these high tariffs will be to increase the cost of the materials which I have to use, and the result will be that I shall buy less, and there will be less wages paid to the men in the factories. You can apply that argument to any trade you like. -(A Voice: Pryce-Jones for ever).—If less things are 3old in shops there will be less employment in the making of those goods. I know something of Tariff Reform in America, as I lived there for three years. There the manufacturers try to get Congress to rig the tariffs for their benefit. If Iony working man will allow himself to be fooled into voting for high tariffs, then he will be cutting ais own throat and helping to produce an ,mmense amount of disaster in the country.

LLANIDLOES. To preach the gospel of Radicalism in Llanidloes is preaching to, the converted, and for Liberal orators to go there is, as liir Rev Edward Parry id, but the carry- rnsr -:t coals t<» Still, enthusiasm ior the cause of democracy, when aroused to such a pitch as it was in Bethel Hall on Wednesday night, will probably be trans- lated into solid spade work, which should guarantee a thumping majority for Mr Humphreys-Owen. That Mr Humphreys-Owen is popular in I the first town on the Severn was proved again and again by the tumultuous ap- plause which was evoked even by passing reference to his name. Mr Humphreys- Owen is our man," said a working man; we had to swallow Rees at the last election for the sake of the party, but we could never have anyone liked so much as Mr Humphreys-Owen." 'I What. will count, too, with the Idloesians is the fact that Mr David Davies, who has always been idolized uy the populace, is throwing all his weight in the political scales in favour of the young Squire of Glansevern. There will be exultant scenes in the ancient borough if their chosen champion succeeds—as assuredly he will— at the polls. It was the riaht kind of meeting on Wed- nesday night. U Mr William Jones, who z, spoke for an hour, had his audience gripped. They were as clay in the hands of the potter. At one moment the stillness was almost tense as lie drove home the points of his arguments then a roar of laughter would tollow a witty sally—Id- loesians never miss a quip—anon there would be such a butst of cheering that might have made the occupants of the seats under the gallery dread its downfall. And, again, when the speaker exposed the meth- ods of the opposition, a sinister growl would be heard, which showed that the blood of the old Chartists was still tingling in their veins. Quite a different style of speech, though typically a Welsh delivery, came from Mr Clement Davies, a young barrister (hailing from. Llanfyllin) on the Chester circuit. But he did not depart entirely from the traditional style of Welsh oratory, and it must have been very satisfactory to him to feel that he had his audience imme- diately in sympathy with him. The President of the Young Liberals' League had an attentive hearing when he briefly proposed a resolution supporting the Government, and Dr Walter Davies' witty speech in seconding was a welcome contri- bution to the oratory. The Rev Edward Parry told his audience a lot about John Burns, but he left him finally to deliver some fine incisive passages dealing with the present local situation. The Chairman (Mr Hugh Lewis), who was accorded a warm welcome, as he always has in Llanidloes, must have found his duties particularly pleasant after the experiences of the previous Saturday night in Welsh- pool. It was left for Mr Edward Jones, of New- town, to bring the gathering to its highest pitch of enthusiasm. He h':td something to tell them, and he didn't mince matters either. It is only those who have heard him in his best form that can guage his oratory on such a platform and under such conditions.

Points from the Speeches. THE CHAIRMAN. We want to increase our majority in the Boroughs from 13 to 130. We have a very good candidate and a splendid cause. MR. WILLIAM JONES. M.P. We need not. be afraid a majority is assured, and a driving force assured to carry democratic bills over the Lords. But don't rest on your oars in Llanidloes here you are hot Radicals, and you must trans- fer your heat into the spirit of catch my pal.' There are wobblers in Llanidloes. Turn all your shouting into hard driving work. Let the ladies have charge of the weak- kneed ones, for if the men own the votes, the ladies own the voters. What would your leaders of fifty years ago have given for this opportunity of fighting the Lords once and for all ? If you defeat the Lords this time you will twive given them marching orders so far as great democratic measures are concerned. Mr Gladstone never had this opportunity, nor had Cobden or Bright. We have it now, and it is mainly through our gallant Welsh- man, Mr Lloyd George. The Lords have begun to reform them- selves a death-bed repentance—the old sinners. They pretend they are going to do away with the hereditary principle, but the new chamber they propose to set up is going to be partly made up of the heredi- tary peers themselves and you can be perfectly sure that they will elect them- selves. There will be 280 permanent Tories against 120 friends of the people. Will you trust them ?-(No). Mr Balfour is going to give a referendum. When do you think Mr Balfour thought of this great and mighty machine ? Not when he was preparing his speech, not within an hour of delivering it, but as he was going up the steps of the Albert Hall platform, a gentleman inspired Mr Balfour with the happy idea of delaying things in this way. You would think ihat the Empire had been cradled in Birmingham, or that the Tory party had created a loyal Empire. Who made the Empire loyal ? Do you know that the Tories with a foolish King lost us the whole of the United States of America ? They taxed the people without their con- sent. We were on the point of losing Canada. The French Canadians were at the throat of British Canadians under a Tory Govern- ment. But fortunately a Liberal Govern- ment came into power, and a Liberal Prime Minister sent Lord Durham to Canada to get a,' the root of the grievance. He came back and said the only remedy was to give Canada self-government. Through self- government the Canadians are loyal to the Empire. It was the Liberals who gave the Act to bind Australia to this country. Yes, and who united South Africa? Ask the Tories that when they talk to you about unity and unfurl a Union Jack with a big bulldog in the middle. They talk to you about a big Navy. Don't you remember Lord Rothschild met a num- ber of financiers in the City, and they said they wanted more Dreadnoughts and they would help the Government to pay for them. That was a fortnight before Mr Lloyd-George introduced his Budget. He showed how to provide the Navy, not for Jingo policy, but to safeguard our commerce and shipping, which, thanks to Free Trade, is the largest in the world. But when Mr Lloyd George asked who is to pay for it the German scare vanished. The Tories tell you that your tea is taxed. But they forget to tell you that they taxed it at 8d per pound and the Liberals reduced it to 5d. It has been the policy of all Liberal Governments to reduce the taxes on food. During the last 40 years no Liberal Government has put one farthing on to any food tax. There are now only five articles of food taxed. Every penny of it goes into the Exchequer, and is used for, the benefit of the whole community. In France seven- eighths of the Tariff taxes go into the pock- ets 01 the rich at the expense of the poor. Fair play for Mr Balfour, he has never been steeped in Tariff Reform. He said, I am a Free Trader with a mental reser- vation." He might as well have said. I am vegetarian with a hankering after mutton chops." Mr Chamberlain said his scheme for old age pensions was so simple that everybody could understand it. Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George, can say to-day that their scheme is so simple that everybody inter- ested can get it (the pension). Next January we are taking out 280,000 aged paupers from the workhouses, and they can become free citizens, and freed from the stain and stigma of pauperism. This social reform Government has also drawn a scheme of State insurance, and Mr Lloyd George has already set aside £ 3,000,000 as a nest egg. It will be sub- mitted to the leaders of the principal Friendly Societies. It will be a saving of n millions in the Poor Rates every year, and in time will fill the three gaps of sick- ness, infirmity, and unemployment. So if you fall sick there need be no workhouse, no cringing, and no charity. If you leave the House of Lords as it is, what chance have you of passing these great social reforms ? If you want to reform a wasp you must first of all take- its sting Ct N\ ft V. Out of 618 Peers in the House of Lords three are sufficient to form a quorum. There- fore, three Lords are sufficient to govern you. Finish them now, for I tell you con- scientiously you will never have such an opportunity as this. In addition to Free Trade, we are freeing land for the first time. But don't forget that between this day and the election there is a serpent in the path. I saw last week in the window of a little shop in London a placard with "Vote for the Tory candidate, the House of Lords, and Old Age Pensions," and underneath there was a small card with Mangling done here." Focus all your attention on these Boroughs. Don't think of other seats, otherwise you will dissipate your energies. You have not many votes to squander. The Tories have left seven out cf eight Welsh county seats in North Wales alone, because they want to concentrate all their efforts on these boroughs, on Denbigh boroughs ,and on Flint boroughs, and 011 Radnorshire. They don't depend much on their meet- ings. They work quietly, insidiously. They send letters containing half truths-worse sometimes—they send a man after you with persuasive powers they get hold of a man fond of a glass. You don't understand some of their dodges and tricks, but keep your eyes open and your hearts right. You have a magnificent and a brilliant candidate. You have Mr David Davies to help him. Mr Humphreys-Owen is fighting for the people, get him in, and then Mont- gomeryshire will be constantly held for progress and the people. MR. LESTER MILLS. We pledge ourselves to support Mr Hum- phreys-Owen at the polls, not because he is a Montgomeryshire man, nor because he is the splendid son of a worthy father, but simply because he stands for our principles. Now that we feel the way is paved for these great Welsh measures, we believe that we shall strengthen the hands of the Government to record our views. DR. WALTER DAVIES. One of these last days I received, among ther things, from Colonel Pryce-Jones' agent, a copy of a letter from our late mem- ber to the Chairman of this meeting. If there would be one thling which would decide me which way to vote that letter would decide. I would" never follow a wobbler at any rate. If I were a millionaire I would have a statue of our late member put up in a prominent place in our town. It would have two faces, one facing the Conservative East and the other the Radical West. It would be all front, and thus would obviate the necessity of having any backbone. I consider it an insult for the Lords to say, You are not fit to decide for your- selves what is good for you we are the boys to look after you." There was once a famous pool near Llan- dyssul in Carmarthenshire, in which a famous salmon attracted all the anglers, until it became a positive nuisance. They tried different baits for years, but all in vain, until a little man from Nojth Wales came down and said he would catch it with a famous bait. He played it for a long time, but at last he landed it. Unfortu- nately the salmon was not fit for human consumption, there were so many hooks in it, and it had to be scrapped in a foundry. The little man from North Wales has got a bigger salmon this time, and he has been playing with it since it swallowed the Bud- get. We are landing it now. Let's all do our duty and help to finally polish them off. REV. EDWARD PARRY. Every vote is wanted in these Boroughs. Radnorshire in January made a mistake. They were careless they stayed at borne, but they will do better to-day. There will not be another chance in ten months time if we go wrong. The Tory candidate is saying, Vote for me this time." Of course he will say the same thing next time. It is always "this time," but certainly not THIS time. There is too much at stake. We don't want to stand out, no, not this time. MR CLEMENT DAVIES. They were told they were having this election at the bidding of the Irish, but what about their quarrels with the Lords ? Had they no quarrels with the Lords ? These Lords said that if they were to be destroyed, they preferred being put an end to by the country. They were waiting for it, and the people were giving it. They heard it from every corner of England and every corner of Wales—" Guilty If the Lords had had their way in 1832, the power to vote would not be ours. Every borough was then in the hands of the Lords. In 1884, when Mr Gladstone was trying hard to get the vote put into the hands of the agricultural labourer, the Lords said they would/be putting power in the hands of ignorance. The child bred in poverty was saner than the child bred upon the lap of luxury. With regard to education they raised the same old cry of Socialism, but the people got it. They had asked for equal oppor- tunity for the child of the working man to enable him to go from board school to county school, and from there to the uni- versity. But what about the university ? For a long time they denied to Nonconform- ist; the right to enter the university. The Conservatives had had sufficient money to pay old age pensions, but they squandered it in a cruel and useless war. Were they sure that in order to, save their necks the Conservatives would not drive them again into a war, which would squander the money ?

At St. James's Park District Railway Station as a train was about to enter the station two workmen ran down the stairs. On reaching the foot of the staircase one of the men reeled and fell headlong on to the metals. The other man immediately leapt from the platform apparently in an endeavour to save his friend, but before he could get within reach the train was upon them, both being killed.

"LUKE SHARPE" EXPLAINS HOME RULE. I THE NEWTOWN TORY MEETING. What the Ulster Tory Cleric Didn't Say. Extraordinary Misrepresentations. A Doctor's Diversions. While the local Tory press reeks with the vilest abuse of Nonconformist ministers for daring to assert their influence in the cause of religious equality, you will scan its pages in vain for the slightest Teproval of those clerical emissaries of Irish Toryism who are at present stumping and scouring Mont- gomeryshire in the guise of Protestant missionaries. While, for taking their stand as men against the denominational and political wrongs which appeal to all other' Nonconformists and Liberals in common, our ministers—men like the Rev T. E. Williams and the Rev Edward Parry-are deliberately denounced as prostituting their sacred calling for electioneering pur- poses," the Ulster parson of the Irish Dis- established and Disendowed Church may roam this constituency and proclaim the murderous, villainous, plundering character of his Liberal fellow-countrymen, and yet preserve his saintly character pure and undefiled. Such is the beautiful benignity of jaundiced Toryism. It makes a fitting prelude to some observations I would offer upon the Tory meeting at Newtown last week. A DISGUISED TORY. Here we listened to a deliverance from the Rev T. Kingsborough, who, according to the genial Chairman, has come over from the Sister Isle with some hundreds of others, to enlighten us upon the true' state of Ireland." What a mission! At whose instance did he come ? Confessedly, by order of the Ulster Unionist Association- the great Tory organisation in Ireland- whose hirelings British Tories have evi- dently employed to help them screech louder the Home Rule alarm and incidentally ob- scure the Protectionist plot. Every con- spiracy can boast some measure of tem- porary achievement, but in these Boroughs this crafty intrigue will not bag many dupes among level-headed, intelligent people. This Irish cleric, I have said, belongs to the Disestablished Church of Ireland. But he came among us not to preach the bless- ings of Disestablishment, for which Wales is fighting. His mission was not to scourge the injustice of a Tory House of Lords for denying to Wales what the Archbishop of Dublin, the Bishop of Cork, many other clerical dignitaries, as well as the most reputable section of the Church press have loudly lauded as one of the greatest bless- ings to Ireland-namely, Disestablishment. Nay, that was no mission of his. He came over in the name of Toryism, thinly and wretchedly guised as Protestantism. He had, doubtless, read of Chartist riots in Wales, of rick-burning in the starving forties, of miners' bloody riots, armed police and mounted military, but these and all other such violent protests against ty- rannical government and unjust conditions in the Principality must be forgotten, while he painted in all the most hideous colours conceivable the fiendish character of his Irish fellows. SOME TOUCHING MEMORIES. The Boers," he says," fought us like men, and when self-government was given to the Boers, it was given to loyal subjects." Just try to digest that pretty phrase while calling up your memories. Shall I help you with some of them ? Do you remember when the South African war formally ended in 1902 ? Do you recollect how the Boers stood aloof sullen and discontented ? Their country was a blackened waste, and thousands of thei.c kindred had answered for their pa- triotism with their lives. Lord Milner, under the Tory regime, was established at Pretoria, and was conducting himself in quite a characteristically tactless and irri- tating way. The Transvaal had been flooded, by the cold-blooded sanction of that same Tory Government, with Chinese serfs, and this monstrous evil-subsequently apologised for as a labour experiment-had given rise to widespread misery and disgust. Did it not look then as if South Africa had been irretrievably ruined both politically and economically ? But, happily, it was only the darkest moment before the dawn. THE GREAT TRIUMPH. A Liberal Government providentially came into power, the oppressive Lord Milner came back from the Boerland, and then, and only then, did the South Africans be- come "loyal subjects." The Celestials were re-consigned to their paddy fields, and a generous measure of self-government was granted to the conquered colonies. That was the great transforming triumph of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. That is my most joyous recollection of one of the noblest of British statesmen, whom I had the privilege and the honour to know when a boy. That it was which stirred my heart as I stood not long ago over his hallowed tomb within that little hill-girt God's acre, round which cluster everlasting memories of his heroic and beneficent statesmanship and of his enobling principles. You remember how deeply moved were the Dutch people by the trust and confi- dence placed in them, and how willing and proud they were to come into the Empire on such conditions. Lord Milner and his Tory supporters in England denounced the Liberal policy in rancorous terms. Their sympathies were with the sordid, heartless, grinding, grasping, German-Jews. How ri- diculous do all their rabid ravings and philippics sound to-day! Liberalism put its trust in the freedom of a people, not in re- pression, and that is why South Africa is what it is to-day-one of the most loyal and attached portions of the Empire. I wonder that that sneer of the Rev Kingsborough didn't stick in his throat. Although a hireling, he is yet a clergyman. Although a clergyman, yet a hireling of Toryism. I should like to address these impressions of him to every member of 'his flock.. WHAT HOME RULE MEANS. This Irish angel of light had the brazen audacity to tell a Newtown gathering of people, Tory though it was, that Home Rule is risking the liberty, the homes, and the happiness of a million of Irish people by placing them in the hands of "murder- ers" and "burners," who would "ruin the industries of Ireland." A grosser misrepresentation was perhaps never before attempted. Listen to this statement made to the Irish people by Mr John Redmond at Wexford only a week ago:- It was said by some that if they got Home Rule they would oppress their Protestant fellow-countrymen. That he characterised as a calumny upon the Irish people. When the Home Rule movement was initiated by Butt, his. (Mr Redmond's) father moved a resolu- tion at a meeting in Dublin pledging the Nationalists of Ireland to accept as part of a Home Rule Bill any safe- guards the Protestants of Ireland wished to make it impossible for themselves or their properties to be injured. That had been the spirit of their movement. It had been L the spirit of the Irish party and the Irish people. They would not accept any Home Rule scheme if it meant the persecution of a single Protestant fellow-countryman. He asked the Irish nation to trust. him, and with a full sense of respon- sibility, he told them that all would be well with Home Rule." Are you to believe the Rev Kingsborough, the Irish Tory emissary, or John Redmond, the Irish patriot, who statesman-like declares that "responsibility" thrown for the first time for over a century upon-tlie people will have the same effect in Ireland as elsewhere." Trust in the people, he adds, will effect as startling and dramatic a transformation of feeling and sentiment in Ireland as in South Africa." SELF-CONVICTED. I have called this reverend gentleman a Tory emissary. What is my warranty P Out of his own mouth shall we judge him. Here are his own words Trust the House of Lords. Trust the referendum. Trust the men who led us in the past and will lead us again to victory." Again: "There is not one chamber when the Conservative Government is in power. The House of Lords treat the Liberal bills the same as those of the Conservatives, only the Con- servatives are a little bit more cautious in passing bills which are for the good of the people. Hasty and ill-discussed measures are never passed by a Conservative Govern- ment. This "little bit" of Tory caution" was sufficient to satisfy the Tory House of Lords that every Tory bill sent up to them for a hundred years back was not only wise, but wanted by the people. I leave his reverence to pursue a mission for which he may be peculiarly fitted. You have my estimate of him. Does it cor- respond with your own P THE ONE TRAGIC FAILURE. As the scheme of South African self- government will go down in history as a shining example of British Liberal states- manship, so surely will our just treatment of Ireland, whose government now stands as the one tragic failure of British policy. We will yet, and that soon, I believe, witness a real union of hearts between ourselves and the Irish. Tories who try to defame the name of John Redmond do not know the man or his purpose. Just recall his tribute on behalf of his countrymen to King Edward. They recognised him, he said, as a frank, manly, and friendly Sovereign," one who did all he was constitutionally able to do to bring the two races together in political amity. The moment," he added, "we get a free constitution in Ireland, the moment the King of Ireland becomes the head of a free constitution governing this land through ministers responsible to the people of Ireland, when that moment ar- ries the people of this country-and they are by feeling and instinct and nature a loyal people-will, as happened in Canada, as happened the other day in South Africa, become the firmest and the most loyal sup- porters of the free constitution which they possess." Such is the accomplishment to which' Liberalism has committed itself. What is the alternative preached by the Rev Kings- borough ? The subjection of the Irish race by government possessing all the prejudices and passions of a century. A DOCTOR'S PLEASANTRIES. I tujrn to the genial Dr A. O. Davies, one of the pleasantest and most likeable of men both on and off the political platform. His personal tribute to Mr Lloyd George was transparently sincere, though it could not. have been relished quite by a gathering who dread the coming of the Chancellor amongst us. But the doctor had more delectable tit-bits up his sleeve. He came to New- town to please, and on the way down lie doubtlessly got them together. For instance: By putting their cross opposite the Colonel's name, they would be helping to save their Constitution and- their great Empire, which to-day was tottering." I can fancy the doctor's suggestive smile when twitted by some of his Machynlleth friends for this comical caricature. Keir Hardie might become Prime Min- ister and pass what bills he liked," was another gem dug from the doctor's store of pleasantries. He was even emboldened to say-forgetful very likely of the presence of reporters- that "we are paying to-day a tax on nearly all the food we use." I daresay the doctor returned home smiling immensely. I hope his good game of golf won't suffer by reflections inoppor- tunely insinuating themselves when at the top of his swing. It was on the whole a capital meeting. and the congregation went home to roost and to dream the dissipation of that wretched 13." For the fulfilment of which we wait and see."

The President's Message. By its moderate and conservative tone, the President's Message to the United States Con- gress fulfils the expectations of the American business community A halt is to be called on anti-Trust legislature till the effect has to be seen of the vigorous executions of the reforms already placed on the statute book, and amend- ments to the new Tariff Law are to be postponed. Railway Smash. One of the most serioua accidents that have occurred in or around London in recent years took place at Willesden Junction, on the London and North-Western Railway, when two heavily- laden passenger trains collided within the pre- cincts of the station, with the result that over 40 persons were more or less seriously injured. In three cases the injuries proved fatal.

DefendinL, an action for breach of promise of marriage, James Frederick Prudence, ex-soldier and tram-driver, described the affectionate ex- pressions in his letters to the plaintiff, a laundress, as mere paper love," not intended to be taken seriously. The jury, however, awarded iJ35 damages. The handsome Christmas double number of the Windsor Magazine' contains, in even greater abundance than in any previous year, the new stories of the great novelists, for within the picturesque wrapper of this one enlarged issue are to be found completo stories by all the follow- ing famous authors:—A. E. W. Mason, Maurice Hewlett, Horace Annesley Vachell, Mrs Thurston* Halliwell Sutcliffe, Mrs F. A. Steel, Keble Howard, Barry Pain and Cutcliffe HYIH, in addition to the opening stories ot two new serial features, "At the Plume of Feathers," by Eden Phillpotts, in which the rustic novelist is found in his most characteristic vein, and a sequel to a former 'Windsor' success by Robert Barr, entitled Lord Stranleigh, Philanthropist." Among the many notable articles of the number is the first of several new papers by Miss Ellen Terry, and other well-known contributors are Charles G. D. Roberts and the novelist, E. F. Benson, who- writes eloquently on Winter Sports." The pictorial attractions of the number include no fewer than fifteen beautiful coloured plates from pictures representing a variety of interests, Land- scape, Country Life, the Stage, Music, the Nursery and the world ct Humour being amongst the sub- jects illustrated by these finely-printed plates. Altogether it is a brilliantly varied number of impoI taut letterpiess, admirably illustrated throughout.