Sir G. Balfour has been elected Member for Kincardineshire without
a contest, and although the numbers will not be known in time for our issue, there is hardly a doubt that Mr. Barclay will be elected for Forfarshire. His adversary, Sir James Ramsay, is a good Liberal, but the Scotch electors are in open revolt against the old system of electing candidates selected by the landlords. Sir G. Balfour when selected had not a single personal acquaintance in Kincardineshire, and Mr. Barclay if successful will be elected because he has not the support of Lord Dalhousie. The movement is natural, and in itself praiseworthy, but it is liable to two drawbacks, The tenants may, in their desire to be represented by their own class, overlook the general political power essential to a good member, and they may be tempted to palter with their own consciences about the ballot. We greatly fear the pledges in Forfarshire and the votes will not correspond.
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