The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-11-14 00:00:00

[From The Timcs.l

THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT AND THE
WEST GLOCESTER ELECTION.
Sir—Herewith I forward for publication, if you think the
subject worth the attention of the imbhe, a letter from Ills
Grace the Duke of Beaufort and my answer, The letters
explain themselves.
if such a pressure olui be attempted to he put upon an In-
dependent educated okra man, what may we espeet to be
used towards the dependent agriculturist or somewhat un-
educated freeholder.
This corresponteiaceio sent is ithout the knowledge of
either of the candidates of West tilocester or their com-
mittee* or consultation with any one. I have attended no
eledion meetings nor promised my vote to ether candidate.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
FRANK. BULUES.
The Rectory, Winterbourn, Bristol, Nov.

"Badminton, liov. 4.
sir,-1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 31st ult. I received with very great surprise the other
three letters you therein mention. On the receipt of the
first I anode some little inquiry, and I fond that no one
on the Bristol side of the county had in July, 1,67, worked
no hard as the Rev. K Barges for Mr. Charles Berkeley and
against Colonel Edward Somerset. As any amount I was
likely to contribute towards the rebuilding of the schools
! would certainly make no difterence in their being re-erected
or not, and would only lighten the burden on the shoulders
of the incumbent. 1 did, and do, obnaider that it was a most
impertinent application on your part. As I did not care to
tell you no, l left your letters unanswered, but as you insist
on my writing to you 1 now do so.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient son-tot,
"To the Rev. F. Burges." "BlLit'Yoier.

"The Rectory. Winterhourn, Bristol, Nov. 7.

" My Lord I nuke—Your Grace ha• been much misinformed
as to the course I pursued at the election of 1867. I at-
tended no meeting or committee, either private or public,
neither did I canvass a single person. My own gardener
asked for a day's holiday to go to the 016CM011, and. upon
my granting it, asked if it mattered which way he voted I
answered, "If he pleased himself he would please me." Ile
voted for colonel Edward &Mend, I for Mr. Childril
Berkeley.
"I may add that, so far from being a violent partisan, I
frequently stated that, had the Marquis of Worcester been
In the Oct.), I should not have voted against him, as I think
it desirable that our future hereditary legislators should
have an opportunity of learning their duties in the Lower
ROMS,
o roue Grace is quite right in your supposition that the
amount you were likely to contribute toward the rebuilding
the national schools would certainly make no difference in
their being re-erected; they will be rebuilt at a cost of over
£l,OOO. But still I think that your grace, as an owner of
nearly 100 acres in this parish, and as • Churchman, cannot
with justice repudiate your duties and leave the burden
! on the shoulders of the incumbent' because lie differs iu
polities from the Rouse of Somerset, or is not prepared to
vote at their bidding.
" the application, my Lord Duke, of an incumbent to a
landowner in his parish for assistance to maintain or renew
one of its institutions cannot, I conceive, with proprkty be
termed most impertinent,' if couched in courteous mid re-
spectful language auch as lam accustomed to use to all with
whom I .1111 called upon to COrrelllloll4l..
" I remain, my Lord Duke, your Lordship's obedient
servant,

" FRANS BURGtiii.
"us Grace the Duke of Beaufort, K. 6., Badminton."