POLITICAL IGNORANCE.
[To THE EDITOR OF TEl " SPZCTATOR."]
Sin,—It is generally admitted among Unionists that ignorance or indifference among voters is one of the chief difficulties and dangers in modern politics. Will you allow me to give an instance from my own experience to show how great is that ignorance or indifference P A day or two ago I asked a trader- man, who is above the average in intelligence, and is a Radical, what he thought of the " Contracting-out Clause." I expected an intelligent answer from the working man's point of view. My surprise was great when I found out that he thought the "Contracting-out Clause" was intended to forbid contractors (builders and others) to sublet parts of their contracts. Surely it is time that a combined and sustained effort should be made to deal with such ignorance ! Public meetings are mt. sufficient, because people will not come to hear, or if they come, will not listen to speakers of opposite opinions to them. selves. It appears to me that what is wanted is to post to every elector short, clear, scrupulously fair statements on the questions of the day. This was done in the case of the Horncastle election. It should be done periodically in all constituencies, especially the rural and more Radical con- stituencies. No doubt the labour and expense would be very great, but surely not beyond the resources of a great party. The danger is great and new, and it must be met by new and
great exertions.—I am, Sir, &c., EDUCATOR.
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