[To THE EDITOR 01 THE "EPECTITOR.,"]
SIR,—As one who took an active part in the Bolton election, may I ask the indulgence of your columns to explain why I differ entirely from Mr. Taylor as regards the effect which Tariff Reform had upon the result ? Your correspondents "X. X. X." and Mr. Tattersall are evidently not seriously in touch with the influences which determined the result. On the other hand, " Z " has exactly bit the cause of the check. The Tariff Reform speakers were well received throughout the contest and listened to attentively, and up to the Friday—the day before the election—all seemed going well, and everyone, even opponents, admitted that Mr. Brooks would win; but on that day a strong appeal to trade unionists was issued and posted all over the constituency. This poster was signed by Mr. Clem Edwards, and urged trade unionists to vote against the Tory, as the party were out to break up trade unions, and amplified this statement by various reasons. This undoubtedly closed up the ranks of our opponents and changed the way that hundreds of trade unionists would otherwise have voted. The recent speeches of Lord Wolmer and others in regard to the amendment of the Trade Disputes Act may be, and in my opinion are, quite justifiable, but it is foolish of Unionists to close their eyes to the result which will follow and attribute it to Tariff Reform. The action of these gentlemen will re-cement the breakage in the Liberal and Labour ranks. This was what happened at Bolton.—I am, Sir, &c., B. £0.
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