Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-04

tuition is q matter Of precedent, it
would not be unconstitutional for
her to adopt the election tactics of
Georgeanna, Duchess of Devonshire, or
the plan Of the Patriotic Jane, Duchess
Of Gordon, in recruiting a regiment of
soldiers. However, it is not probable
that any well-bred American woman or
any well-bred English woman would at
this day adopt either Of the courses
named. Again, as Sir Charles Vernon
Iarcourt's election was contested on the
ground that his American wife bribed
voters with rare flowers, Corrie Grant,
Lord Churchill's opponent. would
doubtless try to establish the fact that
the Gordon plan was bribery.
Since the above was written we have
received the New York Times, with the
following London special, which throws
some light on Lady Churchill's me-
thods:
Woodstock, a little market town
eight miles beyond Oxford, deserves its
reputation as the sleepiost place in Eng
land. Probably it has never seen such
stirring days as these since Cromwell
rudely awakened its slumbers two and
a half centuries ago. Indeed, it can be
easily believed that the excitement TO-
mented by young American lady
driving tandem through its ancient
streets and bowling with charming
smiles to its cheering townsmen puts
even Divers rumpus in the shade.
There were complaints few days
ago that Woodstock people were
apathetic. but surely there can be
none now. The horses of the vehi-
Gle which conveys you from the rail-
way station to the town are decked
with pink ribbons, and the driver talks
nothing but politics even to passing ac-
quaintances along the streets. Placards
in shop-windows are almost all Tory.
Practically, every one you meet wears
the colors Of his party, even including
the children. The hue mostly seen is
Lord Randolph's pink. The Bear Ho-
tel, the Tory headquarters, and other
centres Of the town afford scenes
of busting activity. Dozens of
Tory squires and orators and volun-
teers from all parts are at one head
quarters, while organizers and can
vassers, mainly from Birmingham, are
at the other. Tonight came the eli
max, the Tory meeting at the Town
Hall, for which Sir Henry Drummond
Wolff and others have been working
like beavers. The Liberals have fewer
speakers, but many practiced workers
and candidate Of great energy. Two
Girtch-College graduates, young girls
of position and beauty, the Misses Adj
ans and King, are also on hand to try
to neutralize female Tory Efforts.
They mean well, but to use an Eng
lish phrase, they are not Sin it" with
Lady Randolph Churchill. Every
morning this week her smart tandem,
gay with pink ribbons, has been wait
ing at the hotel door before an early
breakfast. That finished, she has started
out with her husbands sister, Lady
Cursor, sometimes accompanied by
the latter's husband and some
times without him, to make con.
quest of voters. Tonight Mr.. Cor
RE Grants supporters are dis
couraged. They say the ladies
have been too much for them. No
doubt this is the case. There is
scarcely hamlet in the entire fourteen
parishes which the adventurous tandem
has not visited. Lady Randolph has
had smile for elector, or possible
elector, and either Q pleasant word or
plea for her husband, according to the
necessities of the case. Since the ia
nous Duchess Of Devonshire there has
been seen no such devoted electioneer-
ing helpmeet. Woodstock is not versed
in political precedents, however, and all
the credit for her activity, energy, and
grace is given to her country. l grieye
TO state the impression is growing
that she would make a livelier,
more potential statesman than her
husband. One very old man,
who, in his enthusiasm, is carrying a
pot Of pink geraniums around, as well
as wearing ribbons, expressed the thing
when he said s'Me that Yankee wife
of his will make Lord Randy Prime
Minister fore die, see If her DON'T"
The angry Liberals tonight are talking
Of contesting an adverse result upon
the ground that lady Randolph used
improper practices in asking miller in
the suburbs Of the village to use his in-
frence and see his employees voted
right. But she SAYS she only asked
him 70 use his moral ipfluence.