THE GENERAL ELECTIONS AT HOME.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XI, Issue 550, 25 May 1880, Page 7

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS AT HOME.

Renter's special summary of Home news, under date 9th April, has the following on the recent politioal struggle ; — < ■•■ ' ,;, •.■ The result of the general elections has completely dwarfed'all other:topics of interest. Not only in Great Britain but,abroad, the overwhelming defeat of the, Conservatives caused general leading Liberals not hoping for more than a narrow .majority, while many thought the utmost to be expected was some diminution in the Conservative strength in the new Parliament. The polling in the boroughs commenced on March 31st, and within 48 hours the Liberal victory in the towns was incontestable. The total of the votes recorded everywhere gave an immense majority, but in some cases the contests were very close between successful and unsuccessful candidates. Both sides were thoroughly organised, and displayed the utmost energy. The elections in • the counties are proceeding. Scotland and Ireland will not be completely disposed, of till the end of the month, but the results are sufficiently complete to afford a basis for a practical estimate of the balance. The Liberals at present returned number 315, Home Rulers, .39, Conservatives, 193. It is expected the final results will give the Liberals 340; Home Rulers, all shades, will be 65 ; and the Conservatives together 230. The Liberals thus outnumber the Conservatives and Home Rulers'by from 25 to 30 votes, or the same position as occupied by the present Government in the late Parliament. The issue is regarded as much a defeat of the Home Rulers as of the Conservatives. The expectations of the former, of being able to hold the balance between the Liberals and Conservatives and give support to the highest political bidder, has been quite frustrated. During the elections no English or Scotch candidate, except a very few previously pledged, would havejanything to do with; the Home Rulers or their demands.' It is expected that Mr Parneli will have a following of 30 members to support the policy of exasperation on which he seems determined. In several Irish constituencies PameH's nominees unseated moderate Home Rulers or moderate Catholic Liberal candidates, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts in favor of the latter by the bishops and clergy. In the English and Scotch counties the Liberal gains, though not so numerous, are more significant. Even where Conservatives retained their seats they have had in many cases to fight hard against Liberal candidates. The counties in the neighborhood of London continue to support the Ministry. The result of South Norfolk elections, where the Liberals were successful, was considered peculiarly significant, portending the detachment of a large body of tenant farmers from the traditions in connection with the Conservatives' following. The members of the Government now without seats are Messrs Lowther, Salt, Lord Yarmouth, Sir Graham Montgomery, Algernon, and Egerton. The predominent element in the Liberal majority is likely to be strongly Radical, including Jesse Collings, J. S. Wright, the advanced section of the Birmingham school ; Edwards, editor of the Echo; Bradlaugh, a secularist democrat; Labouchere, proprietor and editor of Truth; Arthur Arnold, Professor Thorold Rogers. Mr Lubbock lost his seat for Maidstone, J. Goldsmid for Rochester, Sir J. flay for Stanford. Ashmead Bartlett, head of the Patriotic Association, was elected for Rhyil. Sir Julius Vogel unsuccessfully contested the seatf or Falmouth. As regards Foreign opinion, the Liberal victory is regarded with different feelings in different countries. It caused surprise everywhere. Immediately after Mr Gladstone's election for Midlothian, he received telegrams of congratulation from Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, and Greece. Russian journals are highly gratified at the overthrow of Beaconsfield and the approaching accession of the Liberals. German and Austrian papers, particularly the latter, regret the Conservative defeat. The opinions of French papers vary. The majority express distrust of the Liberal policy. It is supposed by the Continental Press that the accession of the Liberal Cabinet will more or less affect the future of the Berlin Treaty and cause the settlement in Europe to proceed on a different line.