[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'] SIR,—Perhaps a succinct account
of some recent political trans- actions in this town may help to answer " Z.'s " question. The ecbeme for the management of the grammar-school has reached that stage at which the Commissioners invite suggestions for its amendment. The Town Council and the School Board, both of -which are practically under the guidance of the Liberal Associa- tion, have passed resolutions to memorialise the Commissioners in favour of the continuance of gratuitous instruction. These reso- lutions were passed without any arguments being adduced in their favour, and therefore, of course, without any evidence to show that the free system is to the advantage either of the town generally or of the working-classes in particular. At this moment a working- class candidate is endeavouring to force his way on to the Town usually connects the members of the same family. literature as a writer of ultra-Radical tendencies. This gentle- man has written a series of letters against the free system, in behalf of the poorer classes ; these letters, which contain facts and arguments to show that the fee rather than the free system tends to the advantage of the greater number, have been refused admit- tance into the columns of the Daily Post, the leading Liberal journal, and a supporter of the Liberal Association. They have, however, found their way into a contemporary of less wide circulation, but the Liberal Association, strong in its admirably compact organi- sation, ignores them before the populace, though it must know that they will have weight with the intelligent few. In plain words, the Liberal majorities on the representative bodies intend to press upon the Commissioners, as the opinions of those they represent, views the discussion of which has been studiously avoided. All true Liberals must feel that such conduct plays into the hands of Conservatives by exaggerating the evils of a democracy. The result, as far as education in this town is con- cerned, it is easy to foresee. The Commissioners will reject the empty theories of the Liberal Association, who will only have succeeded in making the school less popular than for the good of the community it should be.—I am, Sir, &c., Ring Edward's School, Birmingham. J. HUNTER SMITH.
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