LORD ROBERT CECIL'S SEAT.
[To TEl EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR." _I Stn,—The Confederates are again at work, and it is significant of the corrupting tendencies of Protection, and of the real aims of those who are capturing the party machine, that the person attacked is Lord Robert Cecil, and that the instrument used is Mr. Harry Marks. Lord Robert Cecil is a politician of whom tariff-makers would gladly be rid, for the sordid log- rolling of greedy financiers in the construction of a Pro- tectionist tariff would find in him an outspoken opponent. Mr. Marks, under the guise of loyalty to Mr. Balfour, as the champion of the Protectionists, comes out to attack him. Those who read the pamphlet published last March will find Mr. Marks's public record prior to 1903. It clearly proves that he is utterly unfit for public life. It was with knowledge of this record that the Protectionists (whose ideals and views upon this point are very different from those of Mr. J. Chamberlain and Lord Ridley), when they absorbed Mr. Marks's association into the Tariff. Reform League, stipulated for his retirement, and in return assisted him in his candidature for Thanet with, according to Sir Joseph Lawrence, " the approval of high authority." They would not be openly associated with him, but in return for his services reintroduced him to public life. A thousand Unionists declined to acquiesce in the degradation of the House of Commons to oblige the wirepullers. The facts were laid in a letter before the Speaker, and the truth of that letter has been proved to the hilt. If the Conservative Party is to merit respect and support, it is time that Mr. Balfour and Sir A. Hood made it plain that they will no longer allow the party in the House of Commons to become a sanctuary for men like Marks for the gratification of those who desire to drive another son of their late leader from public life.—I am, Sir, &c., J. W. WEIGALL. 6 Pump Court, Temple, E.G.
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