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Marlborough Express, Volume XIII, Issue 1080, 20 November 1878, Page 5

It is said that " all stratagems are fair m love and war " — and at elections. It is a doctrine to which we cannot subscribe, as it justifies acts which must often result m much wrong doing. To do evil m order, even, that good may ensue, is a very questionable practice, and to resort to downright falsehood and defamation, even at election times, m order to serve party, is pursuing a course of conduct which all right;thinking men must condemn. We are led to make these remarks owing to a case m point having occurred this week m connection with the pending Mayoralty^ Election. A report has been industriously circulated among all classes m this locality, and by persons m the highest station, that one of the candidates for the Mayoralty had sat upon the Bench and adjudicated upon a case m which he had a personal interest, it being alleged that he had guaranteed the costs of the solicitor who appeared for the defence. Such conduct would, of course, be highly improper. No Magistrate who would sit as Judge of his own case m this way is fit to sit on the Bench. This diabolical report is utterly without foundation, and its effects have been fortunately frustrated by steps subsequently taken m regard to it, of which more will appear hereafter, for the matter will certainly not be allowed to rest until it is throu&hly investigated. The following letter from Mr McNab, the solicitor m the case referred to, contains, it will be seen, a distinct denial that he either by word or deed, had any communication with the Magistrates who heard the case, or about the defendant's affairs, and he emphatically

states that the assertion as to the guarantee is as " false as it is libellous." " To the Editor of the Marlborough JExpi'c-ifi. — LITCHFIELD V. NORMANBY. Sir, — It is currently reported m Blenheim that one of the Justices who heard, the above case guaranteed my costs. The origin of this report, its truth or its falsehood, is a matter of perfect indifference to me personally, but m justice to the gentlemen who tried the case, I deem it my duty to state publicly that neither by word or deed have I had any communication with them about the case or Mr Normanby's affairs, and that thf assertion as to the guarantee is as false as it is libellous. I am, Sir, Yours &c, Sam McNab. Solicitor for A. M. Normanby.