The South Wales Star

EAST GLAMORGAN. MR. ALFRED THOMAS AT PONTY- PRIDD. A MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION. SPEECHES BY SIR EDWARD REED, M.P., AND MABON, M.P. AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. On Friday evening last Mr. Alfred Thomas, the Liberal candidate for the Eastern Division of Glamorgan, addressed a mass meeting of his electors at the Market-hall,Pontypridd, which was crowded with electors. The hall had been, thanks to the kindness of Mr. W. Williams, draper, Taff- street and Market-square, elaborately and taste- fully decorated in red (the Liberal colour) for the occasion, and the walls on every side bore evidence that the committee had not been idle for such mottoes as "Cymru Fydd," Our liberties are menaced," Liberals be ready," Home Rule, Ireland leads the way." Vote for Alfred Thomas and Disestablishment," Down with Tyranny and vote for Alfred Thomas," Home Rule for Wales," CrefyddRydd,Emmannuelyr ben," "Cydwybod Rydd,heb Draisna Gwrmes," ''Down with Coercion and vote for Alfred Thomas," "Justice to Ireland," etc., &c. met the eye on every side. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. R. Davies, solicitor, who was supported on the platform by the candidate, Sir Edward Reed, M.P., and Lady Reed, Mr. W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., Mrs. Walter H. Morgan, and Miss Alice Evans, president and secretary of the Women's Liberal Assoaiation, the Executive Committee of the Women's Liberal Association, Councillor and Mrs. W. Spickett. Councillor Mor- gan Thomas (Ferndale), Revs. Job Miles (Absr- ystwith). C. Tawelfryn Thomas (Groeswen), Father Smyth, W. 1. Morris, W. Lewis, J. Vyrnwy Morgan, &c., &c. The Chairman, in the course of his opening address urged every voter whether Liberal or Conservative to go to the poll in order that people might know what the relative strength of the parties in the district really were They had been treated the previous evening to a visit of two gentlemen from Ireland, and, as a Pontypridd man, he was proud of the respect with which they were heard and the attention given to their addresses. (Hear, hear.) One of the speakers amused them a good deal by turning the election meeting into an experience meeting— (laughter)—and the second gentleman got mixed with the Sliding Scale question, and asked whether it meant something like a fire escape or not; but there was a gentleman present who fully under- stood what the Sliding Scale meant. (Laughter.) The Irish gentleman who spoke was very careful in saying that there was no question before the country besides that of Home Rule, and. that Dis- establishment had nothing whatever to do with the present election. They did not want two gentlemen to come there from Ireland to tell them what questions were befere the country, and especially what was before the Welsh people. The Disestablishment question had been decided over and over again, and they would have to decide it once more. (Cheers.) There was no mention of Disestablishment in the address of the Conservative candidate, and he would ask whether it was ignorance or diplomacy that he had left it out. He had said at Havod that he would vote against Disestablishment, and his lieutenant said if they wanted Disestablishment and Disendowment they would get it by voting for the Conservative candidate. (Laughter.) Mr. Alfred Thomas, who was next called upon to speak, was received, on rising, with a loud and prolonged cheer which lasted several minutes, said that the magnificence of the meeting was a sufficient indication of the relative strength of the two contending parties in Pontypridd. (Applause.) If he required evidence this was sufficient to him that his cause was in the right hands. They had that day entered upon the fight in earnest, and the nominations had been handed in. He did not expect that they would have to fight, but since the battle had been forced upon them they would show the other side how they could fight. (Hear, hear.) The Liberal party had been fighting up to the present time, and had fought earnestly for the liberties which they now enjoyed. (Cheers.) He could not help noticing the literature which had been pasted broadcast on the walls of the town. These placards asked who were the friends of the working men ? He had never known the Conserva- tives to be their friends, and if the Liberals were not then they had no friends at all. He (Mr. Thomas) was going in for the whole of the New- castle programme — (applause) — but the two questions on which the issue of the fight depended were those of Home Rule for Ireland and the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the English Church in Wales. (Applause.) He had been told that the people of Ireland were not fit to be trusted with self-government, but he thought it would be a crime and a blunder to deprive them of it. (Cheers.) It was now some six years ago since he stood before an audience of Pontypridd people, for the second time he entered the lists they did not think it worth while to oppose him, and he believed they would be of the same opinion again when this fight was over. (Laughter.) The first question at that time was Home Rule. They were told by Lord Salisbury that it was his Government that gave the peace and prosperity which Ireland now experienced, but his opinion was that Ireland had been peaceful because her people believed that the democracy of England were upon her side, and that the Grand Old Man—(cheers)—as soon as he got into power would settle the question once and for all. (Hear, hear.) When the question first came before the House he would have been glad if it had been settled at the time, but now he was glad that it had been otherwise, because, each time Ireland had been granted a boon in the past it was at a time when the country was in danger, and the boon given would be taken away again as soon as the country became more settled. Now, how- ever, the matter had been coolly discussed, and the country had obtained time to understand its own mind—(hear, hear)—and the great wall of preju- dice which existed between the English and Irish people had been removed. (Applause.) The candi- date then proceeded to deal with the Disestablish- ment question, and remarked, amid loud cheers, that to tell the Welsh people that they wanted Disestablishment was like sending mis- sionaries to the Apostle. It was an insult to have anything A else in a country like Wales, where five-sixths of the people were Nonconformists, and if they were anything like a self-governing people they would not tolerate this for five minutes. (Loud cheers.) They had the honour of having with them that evening the victor and the hero of the preceding evening, Sir Edward Reed—(loud applause)—and if there was place in Wales where the Church of England had succeeded it was in the town of Cardiff, where the Church was maintained to a large degree on the voluntary system. He was glad to think that the democracy of England were thoroughgoing on this question, and were as enthusiastic almost as they were in Wales. Touching upon the need of reform in the registration laws, the speaker said that he believed in the principle of one man one vote. It wa3 a scandal that it was necessary for men to lose the time they often had to love in order to get their names placed on the register. In certain cases it was possible for a person to be two and a half years off the register, if he removed from one constituency to another, and this was nothing less than disfranchising men. (Hear, hear.) Concluding, Mr. Alfred Thomas ex- pressed the hope that he was as good a Liberal that night as he was seven years ago, when he first appeared before them. (" Yes, and better, too," and applause.) He had certainly had a great deal of experience. (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) He was confident that they would make a noble fight on that occasion. (Cheers.) He certainly would not be satisfied with anything like the majority he had last time he was before them, and he would make this challenge to the Conservatives—that unless he had at least three thousand majority he could not consider that the electors of East Glamorgan had not that confidence in him which they should have in sending him to represent them in St. Stephen's. (Applause.) He placed his ser- vices entirely in their hands, and he asked them to ask themselves before voting which party they were indebted to for all the privileges they enjoyed, and to give the answer conscientiously and act accordingly. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) Just as Mr. Alfred Thomas resumed his seat, Mr. W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., entered the room, and was received with cheers, cries of O'r Mabon ag e," Good Old Mabon," &c. Llew Havod at this juncture rendered a most amusing election song to the air of Robin yn Swil," the audience joining in the chorus. Sir Edward Reed was also well received, and the enthusiastic audience broke out in singing, For he is a jolly good fellow," which was several times repeated. The hon. member commenced by say- ing that if he had consulted their convenience or his own he should not have been there that even- ing, but he was afraid that his old and valued friend, their old member, and their future member —(applause)—at that time next week, would experience some disappointment if he (Sir Edward) failed to put in an appearance. He was at some loss to understand the tactics of their opponents in these parts. He could understand opposition in Cardiff, because in every great town like Cardiff there were very mixed interests, and a great many people who hated and detested the idea of public affairs going forward in accordance with the general wishes of the community. But what on earth men meant by opposing Mabon—(laughter) —or attacking, or thinking, or dreaming of oppos- ing such a man in such a constituency as East Glamorgan he could not imagine. (Applause.) Nor could he conceive the particular object of the Recorder of Cardiff, in allowing himself no greater pleasure than that which he now permitted him- self of telling his friends, that no man during the present elections bad been beaten by such a splendid majority. (Laughter.) He should have thought that he would have been more disposed to say to those electors who brought him forward, and to incur a defeat which was so great as to almost reflect upon his intelligence—that he should have said to those friends :— It was all very weIJ to dissemble your love But why did YOt kick me downstairs ? (Loud and prolonged laughter.) In another divi- sion in Wales—in East Glamorgan, represented by a. gentleman who had signalised his services in Par- liament by a devotion to Welsh interests on all questions that were dear to the Welsh peopie —(cheers)—and who had taken a great deal more pains than most of them, to give effect in various ways to the known wishes of his constituents, and of all South Wales at least they were forced to a contest. (" Shame.") What did they mean by running a stripling against him ? (Laughter.) He could not imagine, but he hoped that the example of the Merthyr Boroughs would be fol- lowed by East Glamorgan—for it was now too late to have the example of Mabon's constituency. (Laughter.) He hoped, also, that men would be taught, whether they were advised by their fathers or advised by their mothers—(laughter)— that it was not a very sensible thing to stand up before a pronounced Welsh patriot in a thorough Welsh constituency and challenge him to over- throw and to defeat. (Cheers.) It seemed to him that men like this paid but a poor compliment to Wales in raising these contests, because if they did not know it, all the world besides knew it perfectly well that they, in those parts of Wales, were to be defeated by no such opponents as were brought against their chosen candidates. (Cheers.) The very presence of Mr. Thomas in the House of Com- mons gave pleasure to the Liberal party in the same sense as the presence of their illutrious countryman gave who sat on the platform, and who had justi- fied the conduct of all who were concerned in bringing him to existence in a great constituency mainly composed of working men. (Applause.) He dared to say that had either the members who had lately been challenged been lost to the House of Commons, any pain or any discredit which they might have felt would have been as trifles light as air compared with the pain and discredit which would have fallen upon all true Liberals every- where, that that part of the country upon which they had relied with confidence, and which they all believed to be sound and true, had b':oken faith with public expectations and inflicted upon the hope and confidence of the Liberals everywhere a painful defeat. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Alfred Thomas, whilst speaking, had referred to the New- castle programme, and had spoken particularly of the question of one man one vote. He wished to say that he (Sir Edward) agreed with him in all that he had said, and also desired to use this opportunity of cautioning his Liberal friends against one thing which he feared would be a mistake. He wished to see the registration laws improved and the franchise extended in ceitain directions, and he wished to see more than anything a Liberal Parliament., if they were fortu- nate enough to get it, getting into power and settling once for all the questions of Home Rule for Ireland and Disestablishment for Wales. (Applause.) It was so difficult to get a working Liberal majority in the House of Commons, that, in his opinion, any measure tending to any change should embody a clause that it should not become law until a dissolution had been brought about, so that they might not bring a new Parlia- ment for the first time into action for the purpose of abolishing the old law. (Hear, hear.) They wanted most of the useful work of the programme accomplished before the Parliament dissolved. (applause)—and if they changed the system of registration they should do so at the end of the next Liberal Parliament whenever it took place. (Cheers.) He understood that some gentlemen from Ireland had addressed them in that hall on the previous evening, and certain speeches had been delivered or repeated which they tried to make alarming, but which they only succeeded in making ridiculous and absurd. (Applause.) An appeal had been made to them on religious grounds, and what was understood as the Ulster question had been discussed. There never was a finer red herring drawn across the path of a great reform than this question of Ulster Protestantism, for the simple reason that were the Home Rule Bill of 183" passed just as it then stood, or any Home Rule measure of the kind passed embodying the same general scheme and attended by the same limita- tions, it would not be possible for any religious questiou to be raised at all. (Applause.) There never had been on the part of any Home Ruler an idea for raising any religious question. The terms and conditions upon which home affairs would be administered in Ireland under a Home Rule Bill would be defined in the Rill. and the conditions of the former measure would absolutely prohibit any section of the Chris- tian Church rising or claiming any right of authority over their fellow subjects in connec- tion with any religious matters. (Cheers.) There- fore, all those appeals to Nonconformists were in vain. The only effect which a Home Rule Bill would have upon religious questions was that, whereas now in two counties of Ulster where the Protestants predominated, they had claimed and held and exercised control over everything in the place. The only change would be that, in that limited part of Ireland, Protestants and Catholics would be placed upon the same footing of local government for purposes wholly apart from religion. (Applause.) This story was only put forward to blind the people, so that Ulster could lead them as she pleased. Did they suppose, if there was anything in the story, that there would be a large number—some scores of candidates belonging to the Wesleyan connexion—before the country, and every man amongst them a Home Ruler? (Applause.) Was it to be supposed that the Wesleyan community was so regardless of religious freedom that they would support a measure to produce Catholic domination. (Cheers.) He would make this accusation against the Ulster Protestants that there was not in the four corners of the realm any set of her Majesty's subjects who had been so systematically biassed and pre- judiced against their fellow-countrymen as were the Protestants of a known spot in Ireland nor, during the past century, could they find a set of people anywere who had repeatedly threatened disloyalty to the Sovereign and Parliament, except the Ulster Protestants. (Cheers.) These people who come to them with this talk of Catholic ascendency had been proved disloyal in the past over and over again. When the Act of Catholic emancipation was passed they threatened to shoot their Sovereign if she signed the Act. At the time when Father Matthew led the Temperance Re- form. so bigotted and self-deceived, and absurd, in their views, were these leading Protestants that they threatened to become disloyal to the Crown, if the agitation was not put down. (Shame.) These fellows had put forward their threats rather too often to have much attention paid to them now. (Hear, hear.) Their petitions and cautions had been so absurd and so unreasonable that he had given them up as unworthy of further con- sideration. (Applause.) It was not Catholic ascendency they feared, but a reduction of their own ascendency. (Hear, hear.) They were entitled to appeal to the people of the valleys, and all the people of Wales, and ask them not to be misled by fears of disruption, but stand by the freedom of other people, and not to believe this cry of religious alarm, by men who had tried'.to spread alarm and disloyalty throughout the kingdom. (Applause.) There was some talk in the way of threats of civil war. Civil war led by Col. Saunderson (Laughter.) If he began to be afraid of civil war he would look for the rising, not in the man who bragged and boasted of how he would die in the last ditch. (Renewed laughter.) He had known some revolutions in his time. He had known Signor Mezzini and Garibaldi (cheers) and spent some time with the latter at Cufrara, and had found that these men did not brag and boast of what they were going to do. They need not fear revolution when the men who proposed it said in the House of Commons that they would die in the last ditch. There was not much fear of these braggadocios dying in the last ditch of any enterprise, for people of that sort generally died in the first ditch they could run to. (Loud laughter.) There would be councils to manage the affairs of the eountry, and a parliament to manage the internal affairs of Ireland and he could tell them that there would be no fear of fighting, for it would be a police-constable who would deal with those who disobeyed the laws made by their fellow-citizens. (Loud applause.) There was no talk about removing the army or the mounted police from Ireland, for it would be the duty of the Government to preserve peace and order and quietude in every part of its depen- dencies. (Cheers.) England's military forces would remain in Ireland, and the Irish people did not require it to be otherwise. The only difference Home Rule would make would be to allow Ireland to manage its internal affairs. (Hear, hear.) He was ashamed to repeat that those men who talked about separation spoke absurdly. Where could Ireland go to if separated from England ? A man in London had said she would go over to France, but he (Sir Edward) could assure them that France knew too well that, with her limited navy, she had as much as she could do to defend her own seaboard, and would never dream of trying to defend the seaboard of Ireland. Napoleon had seen this years ago, and had, instead of taking over Ireland, thought of invading and conquering Great Britain. (Applause.) The bogey of separation was the grossest mockery of common sense. (Cheers.) Ireland herself would never think of separating, for she knew that England was her customer for nineteen-twentieths of her produce, and she could never think of setting up as a Power of her own. They should seek to give that unfor- tunate country domestic tranquility by means of domestic control by satisfying the natural aspira- tions of every free people in modern times to govern themselves in internal affairs, and not to be subject to external mastery and control and regu- lation. (Applause.) In conclusion, he appealed to them not to let the antiquated Toryism of the Unionists prevail in the least degree, and not to believe their absurd talk. (Hear, hear.) There was no separation of countries in any such sense as they signified. (Cheers.) He did not know what was to be the ultimate issue of the present contest, but he-knew, as sure as he stood on that platform, that the peace which now existed in Ireland was a false peace if it was to be made permanent, for it was grounded on the hope of obtaining Home Rule. (Cheers.) He was certain that the day was at hand when it would be admitted by all classes that the way to deal with Ireland was to give her that peace which resulted from self-control. It should be remembered that it was not the Liberal party that tried to keep the Irish members at Westminster, for they were willing for them to go over and satisfactorily govern at home. (Hear, hear.) If Cardiff could send him to Parliament—(cheers)—to support thes? principles, the Liberals of East Glamorgan could do no less than return such a man as their candidate to Parliament with an overwhelming majority. (Loud applause.) Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), who was received with a loud and prolonged cheer, began by comparing the two great parties in the United Kingdom. The Liberal party was now waiting for the people to give them something in return for the great reforms they had received from that party. All the great social reforms they had re- ceived had been obtained through the Liberal party. (Applause.) One party was willing to give as many reforms as were possible within the radius of the constitution, whilst the other said they were ready to extend the radius of the old dispensation in order to suit the require- ments of the new. (Loud applause.) The Tories claimed that they had passed the Mines Regulation Acj, but if they stripped that law of the clauses introduced by the Ridicalsthere would be very little indeed left. The Bill, as first intro- duced, contained a clause with reference to the using of powder underground, which even the father of the opponent of Mr. Alfred Thomas had declared would, if passed, lead to the closing of 25 per cent. of the collieries of South Wales, and after much discussion this clause was omitted. (Cheers.) Proceeding the hon. member amused his audience by comparing the Grand Old Man with the lesser lights of the political firmament. The difference between Mr. Gladstone and Lord Ilartington he compared with that of the sun and a Japanese lantern. (Laughter.) They could compare him with Mr. Chamberlain in the same manner as they compared an M.D. with a quack doctor, and with Mr. Jesse Collings as they would compare a lime- kiln with a wash-tub. (Loud laughter and applause.) During the time Parliament had sat the hon. member claimed that the Welsh members had been honest and faithful to the trust reposed in them, but the House was now dissolved, and the responsibility rested with the electors, and he did not think the voters of East Glamorgan would shirk that responsibility but would return their old member with a larger majority than before (loud applause)—and thus express at the polling booth their demand for the Disestablishment of the Church in Wales. (Hear, hear.) If the Non- conformists of this country did not bring it about the Church itself would in a very short time if they carried on the same tactics as of late they had done. If their conduct towards Dr. Roland Rogers, of Bangor, and other good men of Wales, was not put a stop to, the day would come when these good men would get better positions in the Nonconformist Churches than they ever had in the Cathedrals. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he said that if they wanted to send Mr. Thomas back to Parliament, they must remember that it could not be done by attending meetings and cheering and applauding, but by going as one man to the polling booth and vote for him and the policy of their grand old leader. (Loud applause.) The Chairman then invited questions to be put to the candidate, and read a question given by the Women's Liberal Association as to whether Mr. Thomas would support a Bill for the extension of the franchise to women ? Mr. Alfred Thomas, in reply, said that he would vote for Sir Arthur Rollitt's Bill, which would give to women the same privileges as they had now in the County Council elections. At present he did not think he could go further. (Applause.) The Rev. Father Smyth was then called upon to move a vote of confidence in the Gladstonian party, and in Mr. Alfred Thomas, the representa- tive of the party in East Glamorgan, and pledging the meeting to return him with a large majority. The Rev. Father said it would require but a few words to convince such an audience of the fact that the resolution was a proper one for, it invited them to place confidence in their late member. It also called upon them to emancipate themselves from the thraldom of an alien Church which had been established in their midst. (Hear, hear.) By placing confidence the Liberal party they would hold to emancipate their sister country from the thraldom of Mr. Balfour. (Applause.*) It was evident that they would have justice, for they preferred it to injustice and freedom to slavery. (Hear, hear.) The issue before them was clear, it was whether they would allow them- selves to be ruled by the Government of Lord Salisbury or that of the Grand Old Man—(cheers) —the friend or the enemy, of the people. They could not expect any good from the Conservative Government. (Cheers.) They would not Dis- establish the Church in Wales nor extend the liberties of the people, neither would they entrust greater power to the people. They had never done so, and never would do. (Applause.) Re- ferring to what had been said the previous evening by the so-called Nonconformists ministers, the Rev. Father said he remembered an alien Church in Ireland, and the Roman Catholics and Noncon- formists united to disestablish the Irish Church. The Nonconformists of Wales helped them to Dis- establish their Church, and the Roman Catholics said they would aid them in severing the English Church in Wales from the State but now, here came the i; Nonconformists of Ireland and said they desired them to vote for the Tories, who would continue to protect the Çhurch and foster her ascendency in their midst. He asked was that gratitude? Was that just? Why did they not stand up for the Welsh people as the latter had done for them ? (Loud applause ) He did not see why two counties of Ulster should speak in the name of the thirty counties of Ireland. The reply of the Welsh people to those who came over to them should be We have aided you. and now come you and aid us to put out the Tory Govern- ment who prosecute us." (Applause.) He would urge upon oil Liberals to imitate the example of the people of Merthyr, and send back their old member to St. Stephen's, and send the news ring- ing up the mountains of Wales until it would echo against the cliffs of Ireland that they were tired of Tory tyranny and desired to be ruled by the friends of the people. (Loud applause.) Rev. W. I. Morris seconded in a trenchant Welsh speech, and referred to the new Tithes Bill which had just come into force, by which some of their countrymen were then being persecuted. The Rev. D. R. Owen had been placed in the county- court for refusing to pay tithes, and many others would soon have to suffer the same injustice. (" Shame.") Why, he asked, should the ministers of one Church be placed higher on a social status than the ministers of another, and why should the vicars in the Cemetery at Glyntaff receive twice as much money for burying the dead as the Nonconformist ministers received. Re- ferring to the Tory candidate, Mr. Morris said that the only good thing he could boast of was that he was against granting grocers' licences. The friends of Mr. H. C. Lewis had, however, (jailed out the wrong man, and when they looked in the mirror of public opinion on the day of the poll they would find that the wrong man had been called out. (Cheers.) Mr. H. C. Lewis had refused to stand at ease they would compel him to right about face." and on Saturday next tell him to quick march" out of the constituency. (Laughter.) Randell, Mabon, Sir Edward Reed. D. A. Thomas, and Pritchard Morgan had been returned. S. T. Evans would be in, and Lloyd George would win the day. (Cheers.) The voice of Wales would be heard stronger than ever de- manding justice and freedom. ( Applause.) Let them, therefore, give their votes to Mr. Alfred Thomas, and return him with a majority of 5,000. (Loud applause.) The Chairman then put the motion to the meet- ing, and it was carried amid loud and continued cheering. A solitary individual who rose his hand in opposition was loudly hissed. The Rev. Vyrnwy Morgan said he was glad to hear of the defeat of Mr. John Gunn by Sir Edward Reed. (Applause.) Refer- ring to Mr. Alfred Thomas, he said he had been an example to the Welsh members, and had been an ornament to the Liberal party. (Applause.) The Nonconformists of Ireland had come over to say that the greatest curse that could befall Ireland would be the passing of a Home Rule Bill, but he would ask what kind of seers or prophets they had been in the past. (Laughter.) Home Rule had been given to Canada, and that country was as prosperous as ever. (Applause.) He had watched the doings of the Catholics and the Orangemen in Liverpool, and he found the former a much better class of men than the latter. Then, with regard to Sir William Thomas Lewis, he would ask if he had given liberty to his workmen to vote and work for the candidate they wished ? He urged them, in conclusion, to vote for Local Option,"for religious freedom, for Home Rule for Ireland, for national self-government, and cast their votes for Mr. Alfred Thomas. (Cheers.) Rev. Job Miles, Aberystwith, also addressed the meeting, and counselled them not to be too con- fident of their own power, and not to err in judg- ment. His name was Job, but he had not enough patience—(laughter)—to listen to those people whQ said they were going to keep intact the unity of the Empire. (Hear, hear.) He believed that Sir William Thomas Lewis—(hisses)—was cruel to his son in making him stand the brunt of this election I —(Cheers)—for in fact the father, not the son, was fighting this battle, and if the latter was re- turned he would only be expounding the views of his father. (Hear, hear.) The meeting was then brought to a close with the usual votes of thanks to the Chairman, which was moved by Mr. Alfred Thomas, seconded by Mr. Evan Griffiths, supported by the Rev. W. Lewis, and put to the meeting by Councillor Spickett, and carried unanimously. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINGS AT NELSON AND CRAIGBERTHLWYD. Mr. Alfred Thomas, the Liberal candidate, on Monday visited Treharris, where he was met at the railway station by a brass kand and a crowd of some hundreds of the voters of the district. A long procession was formed, and the principal thoroughfares perambulated, and all along the route the greatest enthusiasm was manifested, and and the candidate hailed with ringing cheers. Leaving Treharris, the processionists marched to the little village of Craigberthlwyd, and here again the residents turned out in large numbers, and received the future mumber with the utmost cordiality. A halt was made at Libanus Chapel, where a capital meeting was held, under the presi- dency of Mr. Edward Edwards, J.P., Penylan House. Mr. Edwards having referred to Mr. Alfred Thomas's excellent services during the past seven years, a vote of confidence was moved by Mr. David Jones, and simultaneously seconded by three or four workmen from the audience. The Rev. W. Jones (B.), Treharris, spoke in sup- port fn a trenchant Welsh address, and condemned in unmeasured terms the action of Mr. Herbert Lewis' supporters in plastering the walls of the district with illustrated placards quoting the opinion antagonistic to Home Rule expressed by Mr. Spurgeon six years ago. The rev. gentleman pointed out that the great divine had subse- quently modified his opinions, and that, writing to the Rev. Charles Williams. Accrington, in 183o, he said The Bill is not now as it was at first. Then I thought it reckless. A Home Rale Bill which will suit all the three kingdoms would tie a fine experiment, and then, if more became need- ful, more could be given. It may be as you say, that Mr. Gladstone sees further than the rest of us. Ah God bless him anyhow I am his ardent admirer." (Loud and prolonged cheers.)—Messrs. W. Evans, Rees Jones, and John Edwards, Tre- harris, further supported the motion, which was carried with acclammation. Mr. Alfred Thomas then spoke, and in the course of an interesting speech, declared that much as he was for Home Rule for Ireland, if he had the slightest misgiving that there was the least chance of persecution of his co-religionists in that country, he would consider himself a criminal if he should ever go in for such a thing. (Hear, hear.) Their opponents had spread tons of literature throughout the division to enlighten the electors—^laughter)—and, with reference to one man one vote offered them one vote one value. (Renewed laughter.) What they ment by this it was, indeed, difficult to imagine, though it was easy to believe that their estimate of the value of a Conservative was considerably higher than their estimate of the value of the Liberal vote. (Laughter and cheers.) Concluding, Mr. Thomas warmly advocated the adoption of manhood suffrage. Subsequently, Mr. Alfred Thomas, still accom- panied by the Treharris and Graigberthhvyd con- tingents, was cheered to Nelson village, where a crowded meeting was held under the presidency of the Rev. R. Jones. MEETING AT TIRPHIL. On Monday night a large and most enthusiastic meeting was held at the Board Schools, Tirphil, which was crowded in every corner. A large crowd of people werejin waiting at the Tirphil Station to give Mr. Alfred Thomas a hearty reception. Unfortunately Mr. Thomas was pre- vented from being present. Several prominent Liberals, however, arrived by the train, including Mr. Lloyd Meyrick, Cardiff Mr. R. Davies, Uni- versity College of Wales, Cardiff; Rev. J. T. Phillips,New Tredegar Rev. J. P. Williams, Pont- lottvn, &c, &e.—The Rev. J. T. Williams, in a powerful speech; spoke of the necessity for Dis- establishment and Home Rule. — Mr. Robert Edwards proposed a resolution of confidence in Mr. Alfred Thomas as a faithful representative of the Eastern Division of Glamorgan, which was seconded by Mr. Richard Thompson, and enthusiastically supported by Mr. Lloyd Meyrick, Cardiff, who urged the electors by sending a majority of Liberals to Parliament to strengthen the arms of Mr. Gladstone in order to do justice to Ireland. The question of Disestablishment for Wales was also most eloquently dealt with.—Speeches were delivered by Mr. Pigott, of Pontypridd. Mr. It. Davies, and the Rev. J. T. Phillips, and a most enthusiastic meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks. MEETING AT BARGOED. A most enthusiastic meeting in support of the candidature of Mr. Alfred Thomas was held at the Board Schools, Bargoed, on Monday evening, pre- sided over by Mr. Jonathan Williams, when Mr. Allen Upward and Mr. E. C. Spickett addressed the meeting.-A resolution in favour of the policy of the Liberal party, and of confidence in Mr. Alfred Thomas was passed unanimously. MEETING AT NELSON. On Monday night a meeting in support of Mr. Alfred Thomas (G.L.) was held at Nelson, Llan- caiach, under the presidency of the Rev. R. O. Jones.—Mr. Alfred Thomas addressed the meeting at some length. MEETING AT BARGOED. At Bargoed School Board Schools on Monday evening a public meeting of the local Liberals was held for the purpose of furthering the candidature of Mr. Alfred Thomas, the Gladstonian Liberal candidate for the division. The chair was taken by Mr. Jonathan Williams.—Mr. E. C. Spickett, of Pontypridd, and Mr. Allen Upward delivered addresses, and a vote of confidence in favour of the Liberal policy, and also in Mr. Alfred Thomas, was passed.-The customary votes of thanks terminated the meeting. MEETING AT LLANTWIT-VARDRE. A public meeting in support of the candidature of Mr. Alfred Thomas, the Gladstonian candidate for East Glamorgan, was held on Monday evening at the Board Schools, Llantwit-Vardre. Mr. W. Williams, Tydraw, presided, and among the speakers were Councillor M. Morgan and Mr. Joseph Henry Jones, of Cardiff, the Revs. W. Lewis and W. J. Morris, and Mr. W. R. Davies, solicitor, Pontypridd.—A vote of confidence in Mr. Thomas was passed. TEMPERANCE VOTE AND THE LIBERAL CANDIDATE. 3^28^ The following resolution was passed by tne members of the Independent order of Rechabites at Treharris at their last tent meeting, which was held on Saturday That we, as Rechabites at Treharris Tent, emphati- cally protest against the views of Mr. H. C. Lewis, the Unionist candidate, on the question of Local Option, Sunday-closing, and compensation; and, therefore, urge on every elector who has the welfare of his country at heart to record his vote for Mr. Alfred Thomas, who is prepared to trust the people with the power of veto and the issue and the renewal of li- cences, and who believes in Sunday-closing for England as well as for Wales.