THE BEER INTEREST IN BELFAST.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—In your article of the 14th on " The Irish Vote," you say :— " The Conservative working-man has in Belfast, as in other big borough constituencies, drawn his politics at the tap."
This is altogether a mistake as to fact. The two so-called Con- ', servatives who represent Belfast are both pledged to the Permissive- ' Bill, and one of them, Mr. Corry, is well known to be a sincere advocate of compulsory temperance. Belfast is a borough after Mr. Disraeli's own heart,—devoted to the Conservative party, and ignorant of Conservative principles. Mr. Corry is a Liberal who has hoisted Conservative colours for the occasion ; and when I say a Liberal, I mean a man who spoke and voted in favour of the Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland, in the Synod of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Johnston is an Orangeman who showed• his Conservatism by breaking up the Conservative party at the election of 1868, and opening a share in the representation of the. borough to the Gladatonian Mr. McClure.—I am, Sir, &c., JOSEPH JOHN MURPHY.
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