VII
POLITICAL LETTERS OF LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL
1884-1893.
Freedom of Contract.
Mr. Moore Bayley to Lord Randolph Churchill.
57 Colmore Row, Birmingham: March 22, 1884.
My Lord,—I am a Conservative and an elector of the borough of Birmingham, and as such hope at no distant period to render your lordship, as a Conservative candidate for this borough, whatever political service lies in my power.
But before committing myself further in the compact that arose when you were accepted as such Conservative candidate I should like to know, as would a considerable number of political friends, how much further your lordship’s views on the rights of contract proceed in the direction expressed in your speech in the House of Commons when you supported the second reading of Mr. Broadhurst’s Leaseholders (Facilities of Purchase of Fee Simple) Bill.
The enactments of the present Government have in many particulars so violated the rights of contract between subject and subject that I am sure your lordship will not consider my request for information unreasonable as to the extent you are willing to commit your supporters in the furtherance of such like principles.
I remain
Yours obediently,
J. Moore Bayley.