Welsh Journals

THE USK GLEANER HI! BEGGED, A Local Register of Events and Magazine of Information. No. 8. Published by J. H. CLARK, at " The County Observer" Office, Usk. PRICE 3d CONTESTED ELECTION", 1874. MONMOUTH BOROUGHS. In January and February, 1874, at the General Election, on the retirement of Mr. W. E. Gladstone from office, there was a contest for the representation of the boroughs of Monmouth, Newport, and Usk between Mr. Thomas Cordes and Mr. Henry D. Pochin. The " County Observer " on the subject of the appeal to the Country, said, " the elections during the recess have made it evident that Mr Gladstone's popularity is on the decline, and it is a probable theory that he desires to meet the country before the movement adverse to its interests shall have further developed itself. It is asserted, also, that the equivocal position in which the right honourable gentleman himself stands, through the acceptance of his additional office of the Chanceller of the Exchequer without a return of his constituency, would shortly have been brought before the Court of Queen's Bench, and that the Minister was anxious to avoid a damaging and doubtful conflict of this description. The denial that a writ of pains and penalties has actually been served upon him is no disproof that his opponents were not fully prepared to proceed in this matter, for the question was one of constitutional importance, and its settlement was desirable quite apart from its connection with party politics. That difficulty of course is now ended. But another reason advanced for the dis¬ solution has perhaps more weight than either of the foregoing. It is well known in the country by this time that we are engaged in a troublesome embroil¬ ment in Africa which can result in no advantage to ourselves, while it may prove a costly and perilious undertaking. Before the proportions of this difficulty declare themselves still further, the Ministry which has blundered into the muddle, and occupied many months in sending out two or three regiments, while our foes have been receiving ample warning, is anxious to make its appearance before the country and obtain, if possible, a majority which shall enable it to meet the outcry and censure which will assuredly be raised if the news from the Gold Cost should take an unfavourable turn. Here, wo believe, is the most probable of those secret reasons for dissolution, which do not appear upon the face of Mr Gladstone's manifesto. We have to congratulate the Conservatives of the County as well as of the United Boroughs on their selection of the several candidates and the zeal and promptitude displayed in the work of preparation for the contest. In our advertising columns we publish the addresses of the candidates, from which it will be seen that the late senior member, Octavius Morgan, Esq , has signified his retirement from Parliamentry life. Over a period of thirty years he has faithfully served the County, and has justly earned the grateful thanks of his late constituents and the respect of the whole community. His nephew, the Hon. F. Morgan, has consented to become a can¬ didate for the position from which his uncle retires. Lord Henry Somerset offers himself for re-election, and, as anticipated, there is every reason to suppose that these two gentlemen will be returned for the County unopposed. The following addresses have been issued by the Candidates for the United Boroughs of Monmouth. MR. COBDEs's ABDBESS. "In consequence of the Dissolution of Parlia¬ ment, it now devolves upon you to select your future Representative. Having been invited to come forward by a large and influential number of Electors, I have consented to do so, and now beg to offer myself as a Candidate willing to give an in¬ dependent support to the Conservative party. I am firmly attached to the Constitution of the country, and believe that, in the maintainance of the Throne our hereditary Second Chamber, a National Church, and a system of Education in con¬ nection with Religious Teaching, are to be found the safeguards of real Liberty, and the foundation of National prosperity. At the same time, I am fully alive to the need that exists for carefully consider¬ ing any defects, shortcomings, and abuses, which may be shown to affect our system of Govern ment or our domestic and social condition, with a view to their amelioration or removal. The legislation for the' attainment of such object should be conducted in the spirit of re-construction and renova¬ tion, and not in that of subversion or destruction. With regard to the important subject of Finance, I am of opinion that while, by a judicious expendi¬ ture, the Services of the country should bo maintained at a high standard, a careful economy should be observed in all . departments.