The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-29 00:00:00

LAMBE7II ELECTION.

Last night a public meeting, in support of Mr.
Littler, the gentleman who has come forward as
a third Liberal candidate for the representation of
Lambeth, was attempted to be held at the Horns
Tavern, Kennington. In the bills calling the meet-
ing Mr. Littler was described as the working men's
" own candidate," and the electors were invited to
come early and show their independence. The
electors acted on the advice in rather a striking
manner. Long before the time appointed for com-
mencing the proceedings, a large crowd of persons
had assembled outside of the building, and the doors
were not more than a quarter of an hour open when
the large room of the tavern became quite crammed
with people.
Mr. 11AnvEY, who was moved to the chair,
cautioned the meeting against indulging in per-
sonality, and declared that he would on no ac-
count allow disparaging remarks to be made on
any of the candidates for the borough. (Laughter,
hisses, cheers, and uproar.) The chairman was
proceeding to give an explanation of the reasons
which had induced Mr. Littler to come for-
ward, in the course of which he referred to
the political career of Mr. Doulton, the men-
tion of whose name caused general hissing, hoot-
ing, and cries of "We want to hear nothing
more of him," and " Smd him to Brussels."
The chairman denied that Mr. Littler's coming
forward would divide the Liberal interest in the
borough. He held that Alderman Lawrence was
responsible for having done that. (No," " M'Arthur
and Lawrence for Lambeth ;" cheers, and general
uproar, during which the chairman declared his
firm determination to make the meeting hear him
out, and soon after was induced to give up the
attempt, and gave place to the gentleman in whose
support the meeting was called.)
Mr. LITTLER, on presenting himself, was ac-
corded a very dispiriting reception. The learned
gentleman had to wait patiently till the hissing,
hooting, cock-crowing, and cheering powers
of the meeting had exhausted itself. Mr.
Littler then asked, was he to go on or not ? (Gene-
ral cries of " No.") It had been said that he had
come forward to divide the Liberal interest in the
borough. (So you will, Hear, hear, and commo-
tion.) On the contrary, he had come forward for
the purpose of consolidating the Liberal interest,
if possible. (Laughter, cheers, and hisses.) It
was necessary to return two Liberals at the
head of the poll. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
What was the state of things before he came
forward ? A large number of electors had
declared that they would rather vote for the Con-
servative candidate than for the two Liberals who
were in the field. (Cries of "No," and confusion.)
He repeated that such was the state of things, and
that was the cause of his presenting himself.
(" Bah," and hisses.) If ho did not come for-
ward the Conservative candidate would be
elected. (" More likely now than ever," and
" Hear, hear.") Mr. Littler then produced
a printed copy of his address, and endea-
voured to give the meeting detailed informa-
tion respecting his political principles. The learned
gentleman's address was, however, from beginning
to end, quite a formality, for the meeting, instead
of paying attention to anything that Mr. Littler
said, indulged in loud discussions among them-
selves, and now and then gave stronger and much
❑oisier proofs of their unwillingness to give a
hearing to the learned gentleman.
Mr. DAVIS and Mr. DIXON, who announced
themselves as working men, moved and seconded,
amid a continuation of the uproar, a resolution to
the effect that Mr. Littler was, in the opinion of
the meeting, the most fit and proper person to re-
present the borough in the next Parliament.
After another hour's scene of the wildest confusion
and noise, in the course of which several questions
were asked but not answered, and an amendment
was proposed, the Chairman put the resolution in
support of Mr. Littler's candidature, and declared
it to be carried ; but it was impossible to decide
accurately the vote of the meeting in consequence
of the noise and confusion that prevailed, and
from the fact that the show of hands seemed to be
equal.