The Government has increased its success wherever any of its
officers have been challenged for re-election. Thus, Mr. Henry Matthews was returned without a straggle on Wednes- day week ; and yesterday week Mr. Ritchie was returned for the St. George's-in-the-East Division of the Tower Hamlets by a majority of 657; whereas at the July election Mr. Ritchie beat Mr. Eve by only 485 votes. Last week, while Mr. Ritchie lost the help of only 15 supporters, his opponent lost the help of 187 supporters. In the election for the Newton Division of Lancashire, vacated by the raising of Sir Richard Cross to the Peerage, the majority of the Government has been slightly reduced, namely, from 916 in July, to 707 on Monday ; but Mr. Legh, though no doubt a good Conservative candidate, had not the claims of Sir Richard Cross on the electorate, and probably there was no real apprehension as to the loss of the seat to the Home-ruler.
Previous page
