MR. MARKS AND TARIFF REFORM.
[TO TER EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—A few months ago you were good enough to publish a letter in which I showed that Mr. Marks was enabled to re-enter public life owing to action of the Protectionists, and that now that Mr. Chamberlain was unable to take an active part in direction of the policy of the Tariff Reform League the degradation of that party would become more apparent. On Friday, the 27th, the Tariff Reform League were announced to bold a meeting at Margate in support of Mr. Marks, to be ad- dressed by that gentleman, Lord Hardinge, and a delegate of the Central Branch. The real object of the meeting is clear. It is to whitewash Mr. Marks. Last March Mr. Bull and I published a detailed justification and proof of truth of what the Speaker of the House of Commons has described as " grave charges." We challenged Mr. Marks and his Committee to deny specifically a single statement that we had made. They were unable to do so ; but in order to prove his fitness for public life they have invoked the assistance of Lord flardinge and Mr. Dent, of the Tariff Reform League. That these gentlemen are prepared to commend Mr. Marks to the electors of Thanet shows the depths to which some Protectionists will sink, and the character of the policy they desire to impose on the people, for if they are ignorant of that gentleman's record it is not for want of being told. Any organisation or individual who supports Mr. Marks to-day confesses himself utterly careless of the honour of public life, for the record has
been made public.—I am, Sir, &c., J. W. WEIGALL. Southwood House, St. Lawrence, Ramsgate.
[We agree. At the same time, as Free-traders, we endorse the view of the Thanet Times of September 25th, which in commenting on this meeting observes: "There are none who will welcome Mr. Marks's advocacy of Tariff Reform more than the opponents of that movement. The more prominent Mr. Marks becomes as a Tariff Reformer the more will Free- traders rejoice."—En. Spectator.]
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