HOW THE BATTUE FOR THE UNION WAS FOUGHT AND WON IN SOUTH TYRONE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 772, 22 March 1910, Page 4

HOW THE BATTUE FOR THE UNION WAS FOUGHT AND WON IN SOUTH TYRONE.

Sir,—ln the many accounts of;the< recent elections held in Great Britain appearing in your valuable paper, there have not been, many references to the Irish' elections, and as there must bo many of your readers who hail from ihat land I am; sure it, would interest some of them to learn how the men. of Tyrone gave Mr. Russell, his deserts. • It is for 1 this purpose 'that I extract a few of the : facts relating thereto. . . ;■ As most politicians are aivarej Mr. Russell has held this seat for 25 years, clected first as a Unionist. Then Mr. ■Russell threw in his, lot with the Nationalists about six years.ago, and the Unionists chose Mr. A. L. Horner, K.C., as. their candidate. Ho contested this division at the last general election, and was defeated.' He was asked to contest two divisions in England, and declined, as ho wished to stand by the mon of Tyrone. The Unionists put all thoir energy' into the revision of tho voters' rolls held onco a year, and every available voter was placed on the roll. Also, a. system of canvass was instituted, with • tho result that by last Christmas Mr. Horner, in speaking to a newspaper reporter, was able to say he would win by 200 votes. (His majority was 254.) , Mr. .Russell had the solid Nationalist vote,. and he also boasted ho had 300 Protestant votes in his pocket. As both sides were in.earnest, it will be seen by the fact that something like 99 per cent, passed through the polling booths. The Unionists had 111 out-voters (that is, those who- have left the district, but their names on the voters' roll); of these 111 only three failed to vote, being prevented by illness. . Ono gentleman had'•come all the way from; Toronto, Canada," to record his.:vote. Tho oldest voter in the three kingdoms, a man 106 years, with his son over 80; recorded his vote for the .Nationalist side; two centenarians voted on the •Unionist side, one aged 103, and, the other 102,. whilo several were over 90 years; also several voters were brought from hospitals attended by doctors. From the above it will bo seen how the men of Tyrone sent Mr. Russell about his business. On the. day following, Mr. Horner received over 400 telegrams, from alk parts •of Britain, congratulating him' on his splendid victory. I think it will bo admitted that this contest stands out as easily first in all tho recent elections throughout the three kingdoms.—l am, etc., : THOS. M. MILLIGAN. . Taitville, March 19, 1910.