The Irish standard., 1906-02-24

for one constituency they are nomi-
mated in the next parliament for some
other electoral district, as far distant
as possible from the first one, and
where their Discrimination to respond
to appeals on their purses is more or
less unknown.
Despite all that is said of the "etrri-
BILE corruption of American politics."
the campaign fund plays quite as i'm
portant part in English elections as
it does in American. But 1t is obtained
in a different fashion. For the prin-
cipal subscribers are not rich corpora
tions who seek legislative protection,
off1ceholderS, prospective or actual
but rich men who are anxious either
for seats in parliament or titular dis
tinctiops. A large number of peer
ages baronetcies and knighthoods have
been conferred since the corrupt prac-
tees act was passed which are admit
teddy merely party rewards for liberal
contributions to the electoral campaign
fund.
In this way Lord Burton, Lord
Iveag, Lord Aedilaun-three multimil-
lionaire brewers-gained their eleva-
lions to the house of lords. Several
others might be named who will owe
their inclusion among hereditary legis-
lators to the fact that they had
"shelled out" generously to win VIC
tories at the polls.
One opportunity members of parlia-
inent have of recouping themselves in
measure for what it has cost them
to get there, in which they are not
serving as company directors. Com
panies like to have M. P.'s on the
boards. They are regarded as good
bait for investors. Several members
of Mr.. Balfour's late cabinet were COM
pany directors. Campbell Zimmerman
has made it a rule that no member
of his ministry shall hold such Jobs.
They must have no interests which
might conflict with their services to
the nation which pays them.
Never in the history of q political
contest has the country gone in so
heavily for poster politics as in the
recent election. Lithographing firms
worked with double shifts, and all the
expert bill posters in the country were
engaged in plying their trade. What
one party put up one day the other
tore down in the night, despite the
dire threats of prosecution from the
side of the damaged candidate.
Probably no other country in the
world lays itself out so recklessly on
posters as England when a general
election is on. Thousands of pounds
have been spent like water-or, rather,
paste and water-to set forth the views
of contending parties.
One Of the most striking posters re-
Gently displayed i'll many parts Of
London represented John Bull and &C.
B." standing at the top of a fight Of
stone steps, the entrance to dark
archway, at. the bottom of which is a
river, with the word Ruin" on it.
The steps to ruin were the Liberal
policy, represented by "Radicalism,"
inefficient army and navy" Home
Rule" and "Disunited Empire" &C.
B." was saying to John Bull: This
way, SIR" The poster attracted much
attention and huge crowds gathered in
front of it to discuss the merits-or
Notwithstanding to the individual
ways of looking. at things.
Home Rule for Ireland was made the
main feature Of several startling pla-
cards, while Chamberlain's protection
policy attracted lots of attention. One
of the most attractive efforts on the
last named subject represented Cham
berlain in shop and a poor child
asking the prices of foodstuffs, such as
eggs, meat and so forth. Everything
gone up" says Chamberlain, except
meal for pigs-you can have plenty of
that cheap"