The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-06 00:00:00

BEVERLEY POLITICS.

Sir Henry Edwards has been addressing the
electors of Beverley. The chairman said that what-
ever good had been accomplished for the borough, Sir
Henry had done it. An elector asked him what he
meant, and another Tory offered to fight the elector.
Sir Henry then essayed to make himself heard,
amidst a tempest of hisses, cheers, and groans. His
remarks were particularly free from all undue reti-
cence or studied precision. He believed Mr. Glad-
stone was a thorough Roman Catholic, and one of
the worst description—a Jesuit. " Were the Irish
Church to be disestablished, he warned them that the
lever of Rome would be gradually applied, until in
Protestant England there would be no room for a
man to fall down on his knees and worship God as he
plmsed. If they allowed men to enter the Ilouse
who favoured the Ritualistic practices now going on
in the Church of England he prophesied that the
time would soon come when the ramparts of the
Church would be broken, and they, one and all,
would be banished from the face of the earth."
lie alluded to the " snivelling Whigs," and " that
insignificant member of the Opposition, Mr. Glad-
stone." Captain Kennard followed in a similar strain,
and, st: a Igo to re te, a resolution was proposed and
carried f iat these gallant gentlemen were lit and
proper persons to represent Beverley in Parliament.
It is not surprising to learn that several hands were
held up against it.

BRIBERY.

" The London Committee of the National Reform
Union, being anxious for the protection of electors
in the exercise of their franchise, and for promoting
purity of election, offers a reward of £lOO to any
person or persons giving such information as will lead
to the conviction of parties who exercise intimidation
over the voter, or who gives, or offers to give, or who
receives, bribes in any shape, for voting or refraining
from voting at either county or borough elections."
Such is the announcement in the London papers, an
announcement which as it stands is a disgrace to this
country. Not as far as the Reform Union is con-
cerned. That organisation deserves praise for the
action it has taken. But the notice marks the relation
which has existed between too many " honourable "
members and their "worthy" constituents. It should
be added that the Union is prepared to prosecute in
any case without distinction of party.
The necessity for some action being taken for the
suppression of undue influence is shown by a letter
addressed from " Menlough Castle, Galway," to the
editor of the Irish Times. The writer, " Valentine
Blake," signs " J.P." after his name. "It has been
reported in several quarters that I have given
my support and influence at the coming elec-
tion for the borough of Galway to Lord
bt. Lawrence. I now wish publicly to have it
known, and I think the press the best organ,
that I have refused my support to any of the
candidates since the retirement of Mr. G. Morris ;
and that, having learned with pride of Captain
O'Hara's candidature, I am determined to hand over
all the support I am possessed of (commanding over
fifty voters, including my tenantry) to that worthy
gentleman." This is about the coolest thing in its
way we ever read. Probably Mr. Blake does not
understand that in " handing over " the fifty he may
be falsifying the registers of the nation.
At Blackburn, it is stated, the " Radicals " working
in the manufactories owned by Conservatives have
been seized by their fellow-workmen and sent out of
doors. On appealing to the masters, these say they
cannot help it. A subscription has been commenced
for those thus driven from their work.