ECROYD (William Farrer, 1827-1915, Worsted Manufacturer, M.P.)

Autograph Letter Signed to W.S. Weeks, of Clitheroe, saying he has written "a good many letters asking for ... influential [Conservative] speakers" on the 5th or 7th, "almost a hopeless task at these times ... Mr. [D.R.] Plunket, Lord G. Hamilton, Mr. [W.H.] Houldsworth M.P. - my colleague Mr. [W.E.M.] Tomlinson M.P. - Mr. [F.S.] Powell the candidate for Wigan and Mr. [J.M.] Maclean the candidate for Oldham ... I have asked them to telegraph you ... I would not pay the two Liberal Rossendale papers a penny more than the two Conservative papers", but in any case "every Elector will get one, & there are now so few non-Electors ... What a capital address you gave the workers at the Club", 4 sides 8vo, Spring Cottage, near Burnley, Lancashire, 30th October

Clitheroe, Burnley and Rossendale were neighbouring divisions in N.E. Lancashire. The franchise had been extended to all householders in the counties in 1884.
In July 1885 Gladstone's government was defeated. The Queen sent for Lord Salisbury and a general election followed in November, 1885. It was dominated by the existence of a strong, united Irish Nationalist party under Parnell. The result was practically a tie between the Liberals on the one hand, and the Conservatives and Parnellites (who no longer trusted Gladstone) on the other.

Item Date:  1885

Stock No:  17091      £25

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