I am asked to let you know that a Committee Meeting has been
called for Friday 16th, and it is hoped that, at all costs,
you will make it convenient to attend. You know how great
an interest I have always taken in your career. I have
always told you that any experience I may have gained in
electioneering matters (and I have been at it for about twenty
years now) is entirely at your service. You will therefore
forgive me if I speak quite frankly to you on some questions
which intimately concern your Candidature. I don't meet you as
often as I should wish, and I am therefore impelled to write
to you on matters which require your serious consideration,
and on which you ought to be prepared to make a definite
statement on Friday next. I have used the opportunity of my
stay here to see how the land lay with regard to you. Hitherto
you have done very well, but mere public meetings will not
win an election, and you must make up your mind ere very long
to come and stay here, so as to canvass each ward, under the
guidance of the proper "officers."
Then there is the question of money! The Registration _must_
he paid for by the Candidate. It will be heavy this year. You
can talk it over with the Committee, but certainly £100 to
£150 will be absolutely necessary. Whatever the sum is, you
must be prepared to pay it. I trust you will excuse my being
candid with you, both for your own sake and the Party's. If
£200 or £300 more or less is any object to you, and if you
(_or your friends_) are not prepared to do certain things,
such as bringing up voters, &c., it is useless your hoping
to win. I don't suggest bribery and corruption, but certain
things not immoral, though perhaps illegal, must be done. That
is why I once suggested to you that someone from here should
have an interview with some friend who might represent you.
You did not respond to this. You do not appear willing to be
guided by your Committee even in the expenditure of £15 for
chairs and tables for your new Committee-room; and I must
repeat that such excessive caution will not be followed by
success. You will only waste your time, and the Party here
will be defeated. If you do not feel willing to be guided by
the old Leaders of the Party here, who know what is needed,
far better reconsider your position, and resign while there
is yet time.
Now, in addition to your _legal election expenses_ (between
£500 and £600), there will be the Registration which, however,
is a permissible payment. But, above all, railway fares,
conveyances, and sundry other expenses which are forbidden by
the Act, must be met by your friends, or success is hopeless.
Young HARRISON is standing at Chursfield. His father intends
him to win, and he will see to the needful!! That is the way
to work it, and to win. You must be prepared to pay at least
£150 (or to get someone to pay it for you) _for sundries_.
Even thus your expenditure will not reach £1000; dirt cheap
for a safe borough. Formerly a borough contest used to mean
£3,000, and a county anything up to £50,000!
I know you will believe me when I say that I have written
entirely in your own interest. Yours sincerely,