LECTURE—On Friday evening week, a lecture, under the auspices of the Liberal Association, was delivered in the Temperance Hall, by Mr. Hollowell, of London, entitled "The right of the Crown to make War". Mr. Wilkinson, in the absence of the Rev. R. E. Bradfield, took the chair. The lecturer was listened to with great attention, and was frequently applauded throughout his discourse. Votes of thanks to the Chairman and the lecturer terminated the meeting.

LIBERAL ASSOCIATION—A large and enthusiastic meeting of Liberals was held on Friday evening last, in the Temperance Hall, to hear addresses by Mr. R. G. Roe, of Oundle, and Mr. S. J. Abington, of Ringstead. The chair was taken by Mr. W. Wilkins, one of the School Board candidates. The addresses, which were earnestly listened to, were on the current political events, viz., Recent Elections, Home Rule, Obstruction, Mr. Plimsoll, the Growth of Imperialism, and the coming General Election. At the close the following resolution was carried unanimously with much cheering—"That this meeting of electors of North Northamptonshire strongly protests against the extravagant war policy of the Government, and views, with contempt the growth of Imperialism, and urges upon all sections of Liberals to unite to overthrow the present incapable Ministry."

LIBERAL MEETING—On Thursday evening a very large meeting was convened on the new estate belonging to Messrs. Colson, to hear the Hon. C. R. Spencer. The Temperance Band paraded the village and headed the procession to the place of meeting. On the platform were Mr. H. Currie, chairman; Messrs. T. Sanders, G. Denton, W. Wilkins, H. Packwood, Roe, and W. Clarke. The meeting was to have been held in the Temperance Hall at half-past six, and it was found that the Hall would have been of no use, so it was decided at the last minute to hold it outdoors an hour earlier. The meeting was very unanimous and orderly, except when the working man, Mr. Clark, spoke, when there were some signs of disapprobation. Some questions having been asked the Hon. C. R. Spencer, and he having answered them satisfactorily, Mr. Denton, as a large employer of labour, moved, and Mr. T. Sanders, as a representative of the owners and occupiers seconded, and Mr. Clark, as a representative of the working men supported, a resolution pledging the people of Rushden to support the Hon. C. R. Spencer; and after Mr. Roe had spoken, the meeting terminated, and the band headed a procession to the residence of Mr. H. Currie.

The Conservative candidates visited this village on Thursday morning, The National Brass Band met at the Temperance Hall at half-past ten, and headed a procession thence to the village green, where a wagon was drawn up to serve as a platform. On the arrival of the procession at the green, there could not have been less than 2,000 people present, and after a few introductory remarks, the two Conservative candidates, Mr. Stopford Sackville and Lord Burghley, accompanied by Mr. F. U. Sartoris, Mr. Campbell Praed, Mr. W. H. Simpson, and Mr. Jackson, mounted the wagon amidst a burst of groans and cheers. Mr. Sartoris, in introducing the two candidates, said they did not expect a large majority of votes in Rushden, but they must be content with small Favours. The candidates then addressed the meeting at some length, and met with frequent interruption from the opposite party.

LIBERAL ASSOCIATION—A lecture in connection with the Rushden Liberal Association was delivered in the Temperance Hall on Tuesday last by E. F. A. Briggs, Esq., the subject being "1830 to 1880, or50 years work of the Liberal Party." There was a good attendance, and the lecture was listened to with great interest.

LECTURE—On Thursday evening, February 3rd, a lecture was given in the Temperance Hall, by Mr. Kingsley, of the Manchester Reform Union, entitled "Local Self Government."
Mr. W. Wilkins, president of the Liberal Association, presided.

LIBERAL ASSOCIATION—A meeting was held in the Temperance Hall on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance. Mr. W. Wilkins presided. Mr. G. Denton read a paper on vaccination, and Mr. N. Crick read a paper on the contra side. The Rev. G. Pung, and Messrs. C. L. Bradfield, W. Clarke, C. Freeman, F. Vorley, T. Wilmott, and the Chairman also spoke on the subject. At the close a resolution was passed that in the opinion of this meeting the compulsory Vaccination Act ought to be repealed.

The meeting, which is to be presided over by Mr. G. Denton, will have the pleasure of listening to a powerful platform orator, Mr. Handel Cossham, M.P., for East Bristol, who for half a century has been an earnest supporter of Radical reforms.

The Argus, 28th February 1890, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Liberals had a treat on Tuesday, when they were favoured with another visit from Mr. Joseph Arch, the champion of the agricultural labourers. It was a novelty to see a clergyman of the Establishment upon the Liberal platform. Too often they appear to be the mere echoes of the upper classes, but the Rev. G. P. Soames by his excellent speech proved himself to be a man who does not think it necessary to lend himself exclusively to uphold the powers that be, but deems it his duty to work for the benefit of the poorer classes in the community. The rev. gentleman received quite an ovation at the close of his speech. Mr. Arch, too, was well received, and his humorous allusions during the course of his address excited much laughter. The meeting was a decided success.