What an old rascal! I answered very shortly, merely stating my
intention of coming to Billsbury on the 16th, in order to interview
the Committee. I must nip all this in the bud, or chuck the whole
business.
_Friday, May 16th, "George Hotel," Billsbury._--Came down to Billsbury
this afternoon. Had interview with a delegation from the Committee
in the Hotel. MOFFAT, BLISSOP, and JERRAM were there. They laid their
views before me. Much the same as VULLIAMY's letter. "Shame to wreck
the ship for want of a ha'porth of tar," said BLISSOP. "Gentlemen,"
I said, "if you think I'm going to handle any of this tar, or do any
dirty work, you are mistaken. I am willing to help in the Registration
and to pay proper subscriptions, but I won't budge a step outside the
Corrupt Practices Act, so far as my election expenses are concerned.
If you want someone who will make illegal payments, go somewhere else.
I'm quite willing to resign. Now you know my opinion, and I leave you
to confer with your colleagues." With that I left them. Met them again
two hours later. All three looking thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
Said they had reconsidered the matter, and begged me to think no more
about it. They were determined, they said, to use only legal means in
fighting the election. So that blew over. Afterwards each of them came
to me in private, to beg my pardon, and put the fault on the others.
MOFFAT said it was BLISSOP, BLISSOP declared it was JERRAM, and JERRAM
swore that such a thing would never have entered his mind if MOFFAT
hadn't insisted on it.
Wrote to VULLIAMY that I found he had entirely misjudged the
local feeling, and that, in any case, his suggestions were quite
impracticable. He'll detest me, but I don't care a brass farthing.
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[Illustration: ALL-ROUND POLITICIANS--SAMPLES OF SALISBURY.]
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