THE BLENHEIM "RING."

Marlborough Express, Volume XIII, Issue 1081, 23 November 1878, Page 7

THE BLENHEIM "RING."

Sir, — For many years I have been a resident m Marlborough, and an onlooker at the workings of a small political circle who devote themselves entirely to the furthering of their own ends (pecuniary or otherwise), and having grasptd »t the control of all public money, take care that its expenditure adds "grist to the mill" and gives employment to warm supporters or political renegades.

Many years ago I remember one of this clique going about the town abusing the tobacco of a auopkeeper who did not vote for him, and he even went so far aa to get one of his supporters to open a rival tobacco shop. Since then " everything for ourselves and nothing for our opponents " has been the rule ; and I quote this merely as an example. Mr Lawrence's complaint does not stand alone. It is certain that no one who does not support them can obtain any favours, and now there ia a rumour of a new paper being about to be started here m the interest of the " King," and it is not, perhaps, a very violent presumption to assume that public money may, to some extent, be used m support of it by giving to it the advertising and printing of public bodies, so keeping it m subserviency. We all remember m what high respect a lead* ing member of the Borough Council was at one time held ; but having allowed himself to be made a mouthpiece of by cleverer schemers, his public statements have been challenged with the lie direct, and he has been forced m pitiable silence to remain mute. He has been led by a little clever flattery to assist m supporting one of the most disreputable " rings " that ever disgraced this or any other town.

The patronage of the Borough Council, the inspection of public works, the treasureship of the Education Board ; the secretaryship of education reserves, the practical control of the hospital and pauper relief funds, &c, &c, are all m the hands of one person. If it is necessary for the furtherance of the purposes of this "ring" that one person should hold the real control of all public money, is it necessary to make him also the dispenser of relief to that portion of our female population, who from want or misconduct either on their own parts or on those who should protect them, are forced to seek public cbari'y ? It is not necessary to say much o» this point ; it is all passed over, or participated m by leading members of onr churches, Wesleyan, Church of England, and Presbyterian. I would ask is all manhood driven ouc of the people of Blenheim? These things are well known, and even the ministers of religion an silent. Do they ever visit the widows, orphans, or deserted wives? If they do not, they are neglecting their ordinary duty ; if they do, and are aware of this state of matters without protesting against it, they are neglecting a much higher one.

The correspondence m your last issue, and the outrageous falsehood which they circulated about one of the candidates, m order to affect the election for Mayor, and so keep the Borough Council under control, is, malignant though it be, only trifling compared with the unceasing attempts to blacken the character of all who have the manliness to oppose them, or who will not worship them f»r the positions they occupy. 1, for one, have long observed the venal nature of the supporters of this " ring," and I think the time has come for showing them that not only Blenheim but Marlborough, although patient, have borne long enouiih with their rulers, and th .t the time has come for sweeping the "ring" off the stage of our public affairi. 1 am, etc., Matron.