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----_-------THE REPRESENTATION…

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THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CARMARTHEN BOROUGHS. MEETING OF THE LLANELLY LIBERAL THREE HUNDRED. A meeting of the Llanelly Liberal Three Hundred was held at the Liberal Club on Thurs- day night (17th inst.) to receive the reply of the Carmarthen electors to the resolution passed by the Llanelly Council on the 9th inst., asking them to take a poll on or before the 15th inst. There was a very large attendance of members, Dr. J. A. Jones presiding. The meeting was opened by the reading of the following letter received from the hon. sec. of the Carmarthen Executive. Carmarthen, Dec. 12th, 1891. GENTLEMEN,—1 am requested to forward you the appended resolution, which was passed by the Exeoutive Committee at a meeting held last night.—Yours truly. Ð. P. MORGAN, Assistant Hon. Sec. COpy OF RESOLUTION. "Resolved,—That inasmuch as Major Jones is not willing to abide by the terms of the resolution passed at the last meeting, and apparently ignores the existence of the Executive appointed by the Liberal electors of Carmarthen to make Arrange- ments for the final selection of a candidate, we are reluctantly compelled to come to the conclusion that there is no common ground for agreement between Major Jones and ourselves, and that until Major Jones pledges himself to abide by the terms of the aforementioned resolution, as Mr Lewis Morris has already done, we shall have no alternative but to regard the latter as the only Liberal candidate before as. The Chairman invited discussion on the com- munication, and said that the object of the meeting was to discuss the resolution and, if thought advisable, to select a candidate. Mr R. Stuart asked whether the Carmarthen Liberals had given any reason why they con- sidered Major Jones's letter unsatisfactory ? Mr D. R. Williams, the secretary, replied that they had not. Mr D. C. Parry understood that the reason of the Carmarthen electors not going to the poll was because Major Jones had not given his consent that he would abide by the decision of the poll in Carmarthen, unless the scrutineeringof the list of voters should be under the personal supervision of Mr Thomas Davies, solicitor, and he alone. The Carmarthen Executive demanded that they should scutinise the list in the same way as they had done at Llanelly, and not that it should be left in the hands of one man. The Secretary repudiated the statement made by Mr Parry, and said that nothing of the kind had been said by the Carmarthen people to him as secretary. Mr Parry—Is not that the reason t The Secretary — I know nothing about the reason but they have not communicated with me (hear, hear). Mr Tom Hughes observed that any information supplied by Mr Parry to the meeting should be correct (hear, hear). Major Jones had not said anything whatever in his letter as imputed by Mr Parry. But he only suggested that Mr Thomas Davies should scrutinise the list as one of his supporters. The Major certainly did not object to anybody representing the other side (hear, hear). The Chairman believed that what Major Jones wanted was that"he should have an equal number representing him on the scrutinising committee as Mr Lewis Morris would have (hear, hear). Mr R. Stuart said that Major Jones's letter to the Carmarthen Liberals appeared to him to be a very reasonable one (cheers). He imposed no conditions whatever, but he only made a sug- gestion which was refused by the Carmarthen electors. That, however, could not have debarred them from taking a poll. It was not just to either candidate or to the Liberal cause to make these trifling subterfuges or pretexts in the interests of one man. The nnit-y of the party was of far more importance to them than either of the two candidates (cheers). It had been proved to him that Mr Morris had been advised by people who were not perfectly" square," and the only thing for the Llanelly Liberal Associ- ation to do was to go in strong and en bloc for Major Jones (applause). Mr W. Jones proposed that they should con- demn the Carmarthen people for not taking a poll (hear, hear). Mr Evan Evans would be very sorry to think that they had exhausted all the resources of civilization in this matter, and he should like to see one more attempt being made towards con- ciliation (hear, hear). They should not play into the hands of their opponents, and if there was any mode by which they could come together once again and be an united party he asked them to make the effort. It had occurred to him that they might appoint four gentlemen, together with the two secretaries, to wait upon the Car- marthen committee with the object of discussing the matter with them. When they went down to Carmarthen before, and the Liberals from the aister borough visited Llanelly, all differences were brushed away, and it was quite possible it might be the case again (slight dissent). That, of course, was a matter of opinion. Still they could not say no until they had tried it. Llanelly would lose nothing. They had a giant's strength, and he asked them to use it in the best way (hear, bear). By conferring together the differences might be brushed off, but if it were found impossible for both parties to meet, then the Llanellyites would know the worst, and they would be prepared to fight without making another conciliatory attempt. He had been told that Mr Thomas Davies had been over the list of voters at Carmarthen, the number of which could only be compared with Ward No. 2 at Llanelly, and had marked the whole and it was quite possible, if they had the conference, that one or two gentlemen would be appointed to go over it with Mr Davies. The speaker then proceeded to dwell upon the origin of the differences between the respective boroughs, and said that they started with the unfortunate letter written by Mr Morris after he was nominated at Llanelly. He did not think anybody but Mr Morris could survive such a letter (laughter). They found that there, were over 500 men in Llanelly who knew Mr Morris, and still believed he would do good if he became their representative. That was the best answer which could be given to the letter. Sometimes they saw a curious letter from Mr Ruskin, from Professor Tyndall, or Sir Arthur Stepney — (loud laughter) — and he supposed Mr Morris was qualifying himself for being among the Immortals as well (renewed laughter). The speaker then referred to the address issued by Mr Morris, and to the alleged compact of 1886,. and to the haste in arranging the meetings of the candidates, all of which had been the means of adding to the division amongst themselves. If they could begin the contest in harmony, why could they not become harmonious again 1 Their opponents were watch- ing every action, and if they only saw that they were going wider apart it would induce them to bring a candidate out, but if they saw them being drawn together once again they would not only prevent the Tories bringing out a candidate but would also prevent them having a contested election. By adopting this course Llanelly would appear before the world as having, although the stronger party, made every effort to bring the matter to a successful issue (hear, hear). The speaker then moved the following resolution :— That six members of this Council be appointed to meet six Liberals of Carmarthen to endeavour to arrange for a poll being taken at Carmarthen, and to make a farther effort to secure the selection of one candidate and the unity of the party. Mr Henry Thomas, Station-road, seconded the resolution. Mr Riehard D. Guest regretted to differ from his friend, the mover of the resolution, and believed that peace could only be obtained on one condition, viz., that one of the candidates retire. Mr Evans was a man for peace at any price. He (the speaker) was not. He believed that Llanelly had conducted the whole of the business in connection with this matter in a very dignified manner, while the meetings and the speeches had been a pattern to Carmarthen. (hear, hear). He believed this appeal was one too offtny, as they had appealed to Carmarthen on two or three occasions to join them in adopting a good Radical candidate (hear, hear). Mr Henry Wilkins (treasurer to the Liberal II Association) also opposed the resolution, and regretted that the votes had been counted on j the day of the poll at Llanelly (hear, hear). They had, he contended, been plain and straighforward, and was it fair that the large majority at Llanelly should give way to the minority ? (No, no). If they did anything at all, he believed they should go in for a second poll at Llanelly, as, if the last poll had been kept open an hour longer, Major Jones's majority would have been much greater (cheers). If Carmarthen had anything to ask they should come to Llanelly, and then they would be quite prepared to discuss the matter (hear, hear). At the request of the Chairman, the Secretary read the resolution, which was passed at the last council meeting, stating that if Carmarthen would not take a poll, Major Jones would be I adopted as the candidate. Mr W. B. Jones asked if they could accept Mr Evans' resolution, before rescinding the resolu- ion passed at the last meeting (No, no). Mr Evan Evans replied that he had hoped they had not got long memories—(laughter)— and said that he knew he was somewhat out of order in proposing the resolution. Rev. Thomas Johns warmly supported the resolution, which, he thought, should be adopted for the sake of the party. The rev. gentleman thought they would lose nothing by bending a little Indeed, they should not stand on their dignity, an attitude which frequently created great mischief, but "stoop to conquer" (hear, hear.) If they did so Carmarthen people would believe and respect them, and he believed that they would win their point, viz., that only one Liberal candidate would go to the poll. It was said that their opponents had a" dark horse" ready. He (the rev. gentleman) had met him before in a political battle, and had helped to defeat him (hear, hear). He should be only too glad to again meet him, and, if they were united, they would defeat the Conservative and Unionist, however strong they might be (applause). The Chairman, referring to the resolution passed at the last meeting, explained that it did not declare when they would adopt Major Jones as candidate, but distinctly said that if a poll was not taken at Carmarthen before the 15th, then it would be their duty to declare their candi- date. He would be very sorry to rule the decision out of order, but at the same time he should like to see unanimity in everything they did (cheers). At the suggestion of Mr Evans, the Chairman then put it to the meeting whether the discussion should proceed upon the resolution moved, and it was decided upon a bare majority to do so. Mr Tom Hughes then rose and said that he could quite understand the desire of the speakers to do all they could to conciliate the Liberals of the two boroughs, but they had not one referred to the 1,115 votes which had been recorded for Major Jones at Llanelly, and he thought that large number deserved some consideration at their hands. Whilst inclined tD agree with the resolu- tion to make one more effort to settle the matter, he thought they should have some details as to the mode of procedure intended. How were they to go to Carmarthen 1 In what capacity and in what form ? They knew that the Carmarthen Liberals themselves were not agreed as to how they should scrutinise the list. Whilst one section said that there were on the register 1,100 Liberals, another equally as reliable maintained that there were only half that number. He, however, was in favour of once again trying to conciliate Carmarthen, in order to attain the great object in view, viz., the unity of the party. Mr Henry Wilkins said that rather than sub- mit to the resolution, he thought it would be only fair that if the Carmarthen people came to Llanelly, and that they should also stoop a little instead of Llanelly doing all (cheers). Mr David James (Old Castle) suggested that thoy should first of all ask the Carmarthen e'ector3 whether they would like to have a conference 1 If so, they should send half a dozen representative Liberals to confer with the Llanelly Executive. He believed the bulk of the Carmarthen people had been grossly misled, and because that was so he should like to have an opportunity to show that there was no ground whatever for that (applause). Mr D. Rees Edmunds believed that if they adopted the resolution Llanelly would become the laughingstock of other constituencies (cheers). Mr Jeremiah Williams said that he was inclined to support the resolution strictly on one condition, viz., that they should first of all adopt Major Jones as their candidate—(loud eheers)—as he did not think they could meet Carmarthen on common ground unless they had their candidate as well as Carmarthen. The Chairman then asked Mr Evans whether he would fall in with Mr Williams's proposition 1 Mr Evans replied that he thought the Liberals of Llanelly had already practically adopted Major Jones, but added that he should prefer his resolution being adopted first.—The Rev T. Johns interposed with the remark that although .Llanelly had already decided the question, still he begged of Mr Williams not to press his resolution. Mr R. Guest then moved, amid loud and pro- longed cheering, that Major Evan Rowland Jones be adopted as the candidate for the con- stituency, adding, amid renewed cheering, that he did so with Mr Evan Evans's consent. Mr David Davies (John-street) seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr James Edwards (Pemberton-street), Mr John Davies (Columbia-row), and Mr Henry Wilkins. The Chairman put the resolution to the meet- ing, and it was carried amid the wildest excite- ment, the Chairman declaring that only five hands were raised against it. Mr Evan Evans explained that he did not want it to go furth that they merely came there to carry a resolution in favour of Major Jones, hut to have the question thoroughly discussed. Now that they had adopted the Major he did not see any necessity for his own resolution. With the permission of his seconder he was prepared to withdraw his resolution. Mr Henry Thomas, the seconder, said he would have preferred if the resolution had been passed, but he would withdraw, and said that Carmarthen Liberals would now have to come to them. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. VIEWS OF THE LIBERAL LEADERS. The editor of the South Wales Press, the Llanelly Liberal organ, has received the follow- ing letters from the Liberal leaders in reference to the present controversy in the Carmarthen Boroughs as to the rival claims of Mr Lewis Morris and Major Jones:— FROM MR. GLADSTONE. Court Hey, Liverpool. "Dear Sir, — The painful subject of the Liberal position in Llanelly will, 1 assure you, have my prompt attention but I consider it best to await an opportunity of conference with friends who have matters of this kind in their immediate charge.—Yours very faithfully, "W. E. GLADSTONE." FROM THE EARL OF ROSEBERY. Mentmore, Leighton Buzzard. Dear Sir, — 1 am honoured by your letter which I received on my arrival here last night. I am not at present taking any part in public affairs, nor do I think that if I did so my opinion on the position of affairs in the Carmarthen Boroughs would have much weight. But I can- not doubt that the constituency will find a way by means of arbitration or otherwise, to secure the retirement of one of the two Liberals who are anxious to represent you in Parliament. It would be a discredit to the hard-headedness of Welsh Liberals if there were any other result to the present position of affairs. — I am, yours respectfully, ROSEBERY. FROM SIR GEORGE TREVELYAN, BART., M P. Wellington, Cambo, Northumberland. Dear Sir, — I have been reading everything I could find about the Carmarthen Boroughs, and recognise the difficulties of the situation. But I am sure that, where the people are Liberal, those difficulties will result in the election of a good Liberal member. And never was a good Liberal more valuable than he will be during the next few years.—I remain, truly yours, G. O. TREVELYAN," j FROM MR HENRY LABOUCHERE, M.P. "5, Old Palace Yard, S.E. "Dear Sir, It is very difficult for an outsider' to give an opinion which is of the slightest value. It looks to me as though it might be well not to press for your member's resignation. He probably means to keep away from England, and you do not seem to be pre- pared. In the meantime, I see no other way, when two kings want to smell the rose, than to refer the matter to arbitration. Yours respect- fully, H. LABOUCHERE." MEETING OF THE CARMARTHEN LIBERAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of tiie Carmarthen Liber; Executive Committee was held in the Assembly- room in that town on Saturday night. Mr Lewis Daniel was voted to the chair, and there were 16 other members present. The Secretary (Mr D. P. Morgan) read the following letter from Major Jones, which, he said, was the only communication he had to lay before the meeting "Dock-chambers, Cardiff, Dec. 14, 1891. Mr D. P. Morgan, Hon. Sec., 36, Blue-street, Carmarthen. Dear Sir,— I am in receipt of your note of the 12th inst. transmitting a resolution passed by your committee on the previous night. You do not ask for a reply, but, perhaps, I may be allowed to say a word in respect of the resolution. I very respectfully submit that it is not quite accurate to say that I have ignored the existence of your committee. I have, on the contrary, answered all communications emanating therefrom with every possible promptitude, and in the language and spirit of courtesy and respect. My desire, as stated in my letter of the 2nd inst. to have an opportunity of testing the relative strength of the candidates at Carmarthen amongst genuine Gladstonian Liberals, to the exclusion, under proper safeguards, of Tories and Unionists,' re- mains unchanged. But, clearly, I have no right to interfere. When a candidate has been selected, he may of right expect to be consulted regarding the organisation of the canvass and the conduct of the contest. But an aspirant for the nomination of his party enjoys no such right. And it cannot in fairness be contended that I have intruded upon the constituency on the one hand, or that I have obtruded advice or sug- gestions upon the party organisations or leaders on the other. Moreover, it were well to re- member that, as a first essential condition of candidature, the aspirants were required to pledge themselves in writing to a certain course of action. I have endeavoured to keep faith nor has it ever been my practice to treat pledges solemnly made after the manner of the piecrust in the proverb. -Yours faithfully, EVAN R. JONES." The Chairman said it seemed to him that, as they had been appointed by a public meeting of electors to arrange for a poll, and having been un- able to get Major Jones to bind himself to the result of a poll at Carmarthen and at LI-Anelly, it was their duty to report to the public meeting and ask for further instructions. Mr D. Rixon Morgan agreed with the chair- man and was prepared to move that the mayor be requested to call a public meeting of Gladstonian Liberals next week. They had tried to meet their friends at Llanelly in a conciliatory manner and Major Jones, but had failed so far. He should be glad to take a poll, for it would show the strength of the Liberal party in Car- marthen but it was useless taking a poll unless Major Jones would abide by its result. The present position of Llanelly was-" Heads I win, tails you lose." They (Carmarthen) had every- thing to lose and nothing to gain by having a poll, but it would be better to let a public meeting decida what should be done. He moved- "That a public meeting of Gladstonian Liberals be held in the Guildhall on Wednesday (23rd inst.) at 7.30 p. tn." Mr Powell, weaver, seconded, and said he be- lieved that 19 out of 20 of those who would at- tend the public meeting would be in favour of going to a poll. He also believed that from 850 to 900 Liberals could be induced to record their votes. If the working men were impressed with the necessity of turning up he was sure they took enough interest in Mr Lewis Morris's candidature to go to the trouble of showing it. He (the speaker) thought both candidates were bound by their honour to abide by the result of the contest, as agreed first of all. He did not think it was their duty to consult either of their friends at Llanelly or Major Jones after the poll had been taken in that town. Mr Thomas Davies, the chief supporter of Major Jones, had stated that it was expected that they could get about 300 supporters in Carmarthen for Major Jones. He (the speaker) thought in that they would be deceived, for he did not think they could find 100. Their Llanelly friends were trying to frighten the Carmarthen Liberals, but he be- lieved they could secure a sufficient majority of Liberals in Carmarthen in favour of Mr Lewis Morris to swamp the majority which Major Jones obtained at Llanelly. At last Thursday night's meeting at Llanelly Mr Jeremiah Williams said Major Jones would be the; candidate. Anyone with common sense could have known what the opinion of the Llanelly Three Hundred was at the previous meeting. But they could excuse Mr Jeremiah Williams; his, memory had been very had lately. Mr G. T. Norton thought the meeting should be one of Liberal electors, not of Gladstonian Liberals. He presumed, if the public meeting decided for a poll, that the register would be re-! vised by that executive committee, or by some-' body else. They could not allow anybody toi vote, but must cross out those who pronounced themselves Tories and Unionists. If they: decided to take a poll, it would give them a better case in the event of arbitration in the future. The Chairman did not think they should go into the mode of taking the poll. That was for the public meeting to decide, and he believed the meeting would decide that a scrutiny should tako place (hear, hear). The motion was agreed to unanimously, and the proceedings terminated with thanks to the chairman. [An account of Wednesday's meeting will be found in another column].

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