The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-01-25 00:00:00

Corresponbrnce.

CAPTAIN DIGBY AT :MANAGE AND
WAREHAIL
To fh difor.
SlR,—The report and letter relative to the pro-
ceedings .4 Captain Digby and hie friends here, which
appeared in your columns last week, contain quite as
much fancy as Not. Capt. Digby's candidature for
the vacant seat in the House of Commons is viewed
very differently by the various classes of electors
here.

Whether a young soldier captain hi the best and
most efficient individual that the aristocracy of Dorset
are able to bring forward to represent the agricultural
and other interests of the county, is a matter of grave
c mnideration and doubt. The day is rapidly passing
away when blood and birth shall continue to usurp the
place of practical experience, usefulness, and common
sense. It is an undeniable fact, Mr. In2by is not the
popular candidate with a large and influential part of
the constituency, I allude to the fanning interest, or
cultivators of the soil. Landowners may sumeel now
and again in coaxing, flattering, and coercing their too
often dependant tenants to vote for the "Gentleman."
But as the effects of education and the value of the
ballot are at last slowly but surely making their way,
we may confidently anticipate at no distant period, a
reversal of the present feudal system and condition of
thinga. It is a question whether Mr. Digby shows
any dignity in himself or in his address, when he says
he shall, if elected, Five his strenuous support to the
present administration. It is scarcely reasonable to
presume that he can be in possession of the secrets of
the Government. and for him to proclaim he will
support them, without having any knowledge of the
eccentric measures they may possibly bring forward,
to revive their waning popularity, is simply childish.
Farmers as a class are beginning to look on the
Disraelian Ministry with considerable suspicion,
although they are the pcofooad friends of the agri-
culturists.
Experience justifies this feeling.
"'the Agricultural Holdings Act," admits and
recognises a great and just principle, and at once pro-
vides a highway for all delinquents to escape the conse-
quence* of injustice and lack of good faith. Such a
measure is not worth the coat of printing.
The same might be said of the Act known as "The
Rating Act, 1874," which proves to be a mere jumble
of wonls, mainly calculated to raise animosity between
landlords and tenants, and ill-feeling between assess.
inset committees and ratepas. Much serions
litigation has already arisen in Mickinghamshire and
HertforLshire on this most sensitive question, the
costs of course will be laid on the rates. The act is
truly a feast for the lawyers, and nothing more than a
political sham. These Acts are specimens of Con-
servative legislation.
Farmers, you are now asked to send a man to the
House of C inns to support the authors of the
above Acts; let me ask you to put on your considering
cap for once and not be trifled with, vote for Mr.
Fowler to a man, and remember the secrecy of the
ballot is unquestionslile and may be relied sm, what-
ever may be said to the contrary.
Allow me to say on behalf of Mr. Fowler, that his
address at Swanage was highly appreciated for its
straightforward common sense and practical useful-
ness. Swanage and Purbeck will n.ot be fund wanting
in the coming struggle. The suppressed feelings in
the breasts of the fanners on the question of ground
game so long laid dormant, are beginning to ooze out,
and the Isle of Purbeck will do her duty.
A PURBECK VOTER.
Swanage, January 21st, 1876.