On an unusually large poll, the St. Andrews Burghs, in
the East of Scotland, have followed Argyllshire, in the West, by declaring against the Government. On Thursday they returned Captain Ellice, the Liberal candidate, by 1,324 votes against 1,288 for the Unionist, Major Anstruther-Thomson. Thirty-six is, of course, a very narrow majority, but even so, the result is noteworthy in a constituency which has been steadily represented by a Liberal Unionist since 1886. The result has no bearing on the question of Home-rule for Ireland, for Captain Ellice declared against that policy, and also declined to commit himself to Disestablishment in Scotland,—is, in fact, a very sober Liberal. In these circumstances, both candidates being well liked personally, and both having local connection, it seems reasonable to suppose that the issue has been largely determined by the unsatisfactory utterances of the Unionist candidate on the fiscal issue, on which his opponent was sound.
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