. For the Tariff Reform League's political views we have
nothing but the strongest condemnation ; but it is a great pleasure to us to note the manly and straightforward action which they have taken in regard to Mr. Marks's candidature in the Isle of Thanet. Last June a number of gentlemen, all Tariff Reformers, who had opposed Mr. Marks at the recent by-election, on the ground that he was not a fit and proper person to represent the constituency in Parliament, wrote to the Tariff Reform League to ask them what attitude they , intended to adopt at the, next Election. To this Lord Ridley replied on behalf of the League that he had forwarded the letter to Mr. Marks for his observations. He also pointed out that Mr. Marks had received the support of the Conservative Central Office in a letter from Sir Alexander Acland-Hood. The next step in the correspondence was a letter from Mr. Marks attempting to vindicate his character, and mentioning that the Conservative Central Office in London, when asked to send a list of candidates from whom the local Association might make a selection, had placed his name at the head of the list, had given him its active support, had sent down six of its most trusted agents to help him in the contest, and had procured for him the services of several Members of Parliament.
Previous page
