The law says, if a poor man takes a shilling, or accepts of a glass of beer at an election, IT IS AN HEINOUS CRIME.
The law says if a noble Lord, though to secure an Earldom for himself, commands his Tenants to vote his way, IT IS NO CRIME AT ALL.
February 1st, 1854.
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTION.
To Richard Smith, Esq. (Mineral Agent to Lord Ward), Priory, Dudley.
Sir,
You will, I trust, pardon me, for presuming to address you upon a matter touching the present contested Election for South Staffordshire. I refer to the public part which you are taking with regard to it. You cannot, I think, complain that your proceedings should be criticised, or that they should be brought to the bar of public opinion.
It is due to the Conservative party which you have abandoned—and to those servants and others who are under your influence and control—that you should publicly state the reasons why you have changed your colours.