THE WEST RIDING ELECTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 9 November 1911, Page 5

THE WEST RIDING ELECTION.

REPLIES TO MR. ASTBURY

(To the Editor “Stratford Post.”)

Sir, —In answer to D, ,L. A. Astbury’s letter, I ask: Have not the ratepayers the right to canvas for any candidate they choose? Re metal from Manaia Road, taken by myself: If Mr. ’ Astbury had done ' as he should, and seen to the matter as ho promised, he would not have had to rescind the motion. Re application for metal the Council granted to my road: There had not been five pounds spent on the piece of road for years, and in my opinion the grant was just. Re challenge thrown out: If 1 am returned I will leave the matter solely in the hands of my nominators, with the sole provision that Mr. Astbury pays the cost of the balance. Also, 1 chidlenge Mr. Astbury, or anyone else, to prove a mean or dirty trick on my part to any man; and 1 also deny the statement tnrowii out that I stated I would discharge the foreman, as the foreman and myself are the best of friends.—l am, etc., T. R. ANDERSON. (To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Sir,—l am indeed sorry to crave furher space in your valuable columns, but owing to Mr. Astbury’s letter which appeared in your issue oi Tuesday, likewise his very long commentary, and in justice to all concerned, I hasten to reply. Mr. Astbury came to me in the street and said—certainly not in the spirit of a gentleman—that in the event of Mr. Anderson or myself being returned for a seat on the County Council, the election would lie manifestly an unfair one, owing to his nomination missing lire. He therefore would take legal steps to upset the election, and, what is more, ho also made an open boast, that in the event of a contested election, he would heat me or any other man for the seat. 1 am not an ambitious man, and, if returned, in all fairness, shall accept his challenge, and leave the good sense of flic ratepayers to decide. I am only sorry this thing has happened, through no fault of my own, because in the event of my being returned it means putting the ratepayers to further expense in time and money. So far as Mr. Astbury’s views are concerned as to the appointment of an engineer to super-

vice the works of the Council, in the capacity of a ratepayer 1 am iu full accord. Further than that, at the present time, it is not within my province to express an opinion, neither do I wish ‘to obtain a cheap advertisement to express my views at somebody' clse’s expense. I am also not concerned with Mr. Astbury’s quarrels with his neighbours. Further, in the matter of canvassing for votes, surely Mr. Astbury cannot plead innocent to the soft impeachment, for if my information is correct—and T sec no reason to doubt it—he likewise has transgressed on a prior occasion. Just one other word: Mr. Merchant lean old friend of mine. I wish him only good, I localise ho lias rendered valuable service to the; ratepayers of tlie Stratford County.—l am, etc., J. SMITH. Stratford, November 8, 1911.