Landlord Tactics

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 20, 14 May 1903, Page 9

Landlord Tactics

In an aiticle in the ' Freeman's Journal ' Mr. T W Russell exposes some of the tactics of the landlords and Unionists at the Fermanagh Parliamentary election which resulted in the return of a follower of Mr Russell' "I he election (writes Mr. Russell) was fought in the good old style of the pro-Land Act days Rank intimidation pre\ ailed An official in the Orange Order presided at our first meeting in the constituency. Judtre m> surprise when I heard of his being summoned to attend a " Grand Lodge " or some such gathering to an/wcr for his conduct. A poor farmer came to one of thr polling stations, was met at the door by his landlord and after an interview went home without voting Another farmer who worked hard for us had received a ' lavoi ' from his landlord, and was promptly told that the favoi was cancelled Men who signed Mr Mitchell's nomination papers- wcie Msitod, reasoned with cajoled and thieatenod ' Some of these men ga\e way and otheis stood linn This sort of thing went on night and rtaj As usual, the entire Unionist press was arrayed against us. Lists of those who were alleged to have recanted were displayed. Rioting was resorted to in one centre. In fact, it was all in the good old landlord st.\le. And by good luck it failed.