Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-28
AN EXCITING LIQUOR CONTEST Al
LEWlSHAM, IN KENTSHIRe.
LawIesspess and Faction rights-Meetings
Broken Up-FIags, Banners ana
Posters Destroyed.

LONDON, August &c. - The borough OF
Lewisham. Kent. Is in great state OF OK
element to-day. Lewisham is electing =
member Of Parliament to succeed viscouh'
Lewlsham, who has been elevated to the
peerage upon the death of his father, the
Earl of Dartmouth. Large crowds sur
round the pollinp.plsces and much excite
ment prevails everywhere. The campaign
has been marked by most unusual lawiess-
ness. Political meetings have been ire
quently invaded by the opposing factioils'
There have been several desperate scrifn-
images between members of the two leao,
ing parties. The issue will be decided
upon the liquor question alone.
THE CANDIDATES.
The two candidates in the field nre MI.
John Penn (Conservntive), a descendant
of William Penn, and q member OF the
well-known firm Of John Penn Il Sons.
marine engineers, of Greenwich. and MI.
George SeptiInus Warrington Liberap.
president Of the Lewisham and Lee Lioc-
raj CLUB. The publicans are strongly sup,
porting the Conservative candidate, anu
the tectotalers end others of similar way
of thinking are upbolding the LIBERIA
nominee.
LIBERAL MEETING.
One of the most interesting events OF
this campaign occurred on Monday. last;
Sir Wilfred Lawson Nadica), member OF
Parliament for the Cockermouth division
OF Cumberland. and President OF the
United Kingdom Alliance FOR the supIes-
sion Of the liquOr traffic. who has intro
duced number OF bills on the licensing
question, was presiding at meeting heid
IN support OF the Liberal candidate, ny
Warrington. Suddenly the liquor rae
ton" or Conservatives. made a reconnoi-
sance in force upon the hall of tue Liberais,
and created q tremendous disturbance
which eventually developed into not ns'-
fight.
TIE TEMPERANCE PROPHET RUNS.
The Liberals were too much for the Con-
servatives. The latter were knocked;
kicked, and iostled out of the hall, ana
the teetOtalers" were masters OF the
situation and of the field, but 10 their dis
may the Liberals, upon attempting To- re-
sumo their badly-interrupted meeting.
found that sir Wilfred Lawson, the great
prophet of temperance, had been fright
ened by the onslaught of the Conservative
skirmlshers aud had made good his escape
from the hall and could not afterwards be
found. Last night active hostiiities be-
tween Liberals and Conservatives was r.
sumed. The rooms occupied by both the
Liberals and the Conservative committees
were attacked by the rival factions.
TWO DEsIK8ArE FIGHTS
Two desperatcly-fought engagements
followed and both sides were victorious.
Tho Conservative mob captured and de.
stroyed the Liberal flags. banners and
posters. bills and dodgers. stored at Mr.
Warmingtoa's headquarters: On the other
L 4 lA m
the Conservative flags and printing. Taken
altogether the Lewisham campaign and
election have probably been the most ex-
citing events which have happened IN
England for many years past.
JOHN PENN ELECTED.
The election resulted in tho return OF
John Penn (Conservetive).
The vote was as follows Penn. 4.5So ;
Warrington, 1882. In the last election
the Conservative candidate received 1889
votes, and the Home-Rule candidate l,GS5.