Williams, in Hampstead, who got 27 votes, and Mr. Fielding, in
Kennington, who got 32 votes. And they made no secret of the fact
that the expenses of these elections had been paid by one of the
established political parties in order to split the vote of the
other. From the point of view of the abstract moralist there was
nothing to be said against the transaction; since it was evident that
Socialist statesmanship must for a long time to come consist largely
of taking advantage of the party dissensions between the
Unsocialists. It may easily happen to-morrow that the Liberal party
may offer to contribute to the expenses of a Fabian candidate in a
hopelessly Tory stronghold, in order to substantiate its pretensions
to encourage Labour representation. Under such circumstances it is
quite possible that we may say to the Fabian in question, Accept by
all means; and deliver propagandist addresses all over the place.
Suppose that the Liberal party offers to bear part of Mr. Sidney
Webb's expenses at the forthcoming County Council election at
Deptford, as they undoubtedly will, by means of the usual National
Liberal Club subscription, in the case of the poorer Labour
candidates. Mr. Webb, as a matter of personal preference for an
independence which he is fortunately able to afford, will refuse.
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