many conditions attached to them that they were exposed to constant loss and annoyance from an ill-natured and unfriendly agent; and, therefore, on occasions of election contests, it was always the interest of the ironmasters not to offend his lordship by opposing his nominee. The ironmasters gave employment to large numbers of the electors, and many of the shopkeepers were dependent on them. The same influences which were exercised by Lord Ward over his dependents were exercised by the ironMasters over theirs, and these influences were united to return whomsoever Lord Ward pleased to appoint. Under these circumstances, there would be no contest, unless candidate could be found who cared less about his own success than to avail himself of the opportunity for promulgating the principles of free trade.
A deputation from the Council of the League, on the 3rd of August, 1844, visited Dudley, to consult with the free-trade electors as to the state of the borough, and the candidate to be proposed. No one connected with the town could be induced to stand, from the very prevalent feeling that the influence of Lord Ward, and of the ironmasters under his control, was too potent to be successfully resisted. Several gentlemen were called upon, and urged to offer themselves, but without obtaining the consent of any of them. It then became a matter of discussion whether the election should be uncontested, or one of the League deputation should offer himself, to give the electors an opportunity of recording their votes. It was hoped that Mr. W. A. Smith the brother of the honourable member for Norwich, and candidate at the last election, would arrive and offer himself. Mr. Smith was, unfortunately, in France, and could not return in time for the election; this hope was, therefore, at an end, and no resource was left but that one of the deputation should stand. Mr. W. Rawson, of Manchester, treasurer of the League, therefore, most reluctantly issued an address to the electors, and
