The contest for Ipswich on Wednesday resulted in a victory
for the Liberals, Mr. H. W. West being returned by 3,266 votes, against 2,816 given to Sir T. Charley. The poll was unusually heavy, only a seventh of the electors being absent ; and, while the Liberals have gained 192 votes above the highest Liberal poll in 1880, the Tories have receded by 326, a total difference of 518. Part of this victory is due, we believe, to personal causes, the Cobbold family, with its long-standing influence in the town, being divided; while the fend between the Anglicans and Evan- gelicals, always bitter in Ipswich, had a distinct effect on the elec- tion. These side issues, however, exist everywhere ; and, at all events till a loe,a1 magnate comes forward on the Tory side, Ipswich may be considered Liberal. Sir T. Charley is very angry, and in the Times of Friday attributes much of his defeat to the" abuse and misrepresentation " with which he was visited on account of his connection with the City Corporation. Some impudent electors actually asked if Ipswich was prepared to vote for " the conger-eel candidate." We honour Sir T. Charley's courage in making that statement in a paper like the Times. A man who, in order to defend his party, is not afraid of affixing a nickname like that to himself—for he is sure to be called at future elec- tions "Conger-eel Charley "—is a man to be respected.
