The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-07 00:00:00

EAST WORCESTERSHIRE.

IiNTLEMEN-

On the solicitation of a large and influential
portion of the Constituency, I am inducekto offer
myself as a CANDIDATE for the Representation
of your Divisfon of the County in the new Pur-
-1 i am en t.

Although not actually resident in the division,
I am a very near neighbour, and I.aui also exten-
sively engaged in an important commercial under-
taking in an adjoining county. From the latter
circumstance, and my position as a large farmer
and landed proprietor, lam deeply interested in
the commercial and agricultural prosperity of the
district.

I am a firm supporter of the Constitution under
which our country has acquired its present exalted
position; but I shall at all times be prepared to
assist in the promotion of any judicious schemes
for its improvement and adaptation to the re-
quirements of the times.

By birth, education, and conviction a member
of the Established Church, I believe its union
with the State to be essential to the welfare of
both, and I should helutily oppose any attempt to
weaken the existing connection; but I fully ap-
preciate the efforts of other religious bodies to ad-
vance the moral and religious training of the
people, and I am of opinion that the widest pos.
sible freedom should be enjoyed by all religious
denominations.

A careful consideration of the state of
our National Finances has become absolutely
necessary, and I shall gladly support any well-
devised scheme for diminishing our heavy local
rates, and for effecting a more equitable adjust-
ment of Imperial Taxation, and I trust that in so
doing it may be found practicable to materially
reduce the oppressive duty on Malt.
I shall also be glad to support any well-con-
sidered measure for improving the-position of the
tenant farmers and the agricultural labourers,
and for placing on a friendly and more satisfactory
footing the relations between workman in all
dopartments of industry and their employers

TO THE ELECTORS OF
THE
EASTERN DIVISION OF THE COUNTY
OF WORCESTER.

ORNTLEMIN-

I come before you to solicit • relies sl of the trust
which you cofided to me when you elected me one of
your Representatives in 1868.
My political prieciples were then fully laid before you ;
and I beleive that a review of my subsequent conduct in
Parliament shows that from those Liberal principles 1
have not swerved.

The important measures introduced by Mr. Glad-
stone's Government hare had, for the most part, my
cordial approval and steady support.
But while admitting the great benefits secured to the
country by the Education Act of 1870, 1 am of opinion
that it. results are not so satisfactory as to render its
deve:opment and amendment unnecesaary.
Speaking of the future, I rejoice that Mr. Gladstone
considers the total abolition of the Income-Tax immedi.
ately feasible. The public are to confident of the Min-
istea's genre of justice and financial ability to doubt that
the classes which du not pay lueume-Sax will be allowed
their due share in other contemplated remissions of
taxation.

Of these the most important lathe relief offered to
the occupiers of houses and lasd. The unlimited-
increase of rates upon a limited area of property would
sooner or later become intolerable, while the resiatance
of ratepayers to additional burdeus has already had the
effect of impeding useeful
I hare already voted for a Bill for_establishing House
hold Suffrage in Counties, as I consider the principle of
it beyond dispute. But such a measure cannot be paseeci
without anxious deliberatiou,jurolviug as it does the
whole question of the redistribution of seata.
The laws relating to the settlement and transfer cif
land require, in by opision, much modification, as hind-
Craig toe devolopnient of our agricultural resources. 1
hope further that a Bali, introduced last eessiou by Mr
Howard, for tire protectiou of the tehaat farmers, and is
the main approved by all partio, wall again be pressed
upon the attention of Parliament.

In cone.aciou, 1 venture to claim your Confidence in
the Ak11011104110.1.1 und iti supporters 03 theer grounds,
that they have during five difficult years 1113.01111110
peaCe with ern ry Great Poe. ; that %fide the national
wealth has imormousny Mereoa any hcie grcatly dnin
lunched tasatmu and that t:.ey 11.55 CuLeeibett gus
carried, in the spirit of their pledgee of 186 c, mensal.
of the higheet importance and pubnic
I am, Gentlemen,
Your cbcdient Servant,
CHARLES GEORGE LITIEL'ION.
Haglty, Hem laiege, January 16, 1874.

T 0 THE ELECTORS