The result of the Gateshead election is even more satis-
factory than that of Norwich. Newcastle was one of the industrial centres specially chosen by Mr. Chamberlain for attack, and his efforts to demonstrate the ruin of local industries were alleged to have made a great impression on the working men of the division. Yet on the heaviest poll ever known, Mr. Johnson, the Free-trade Liberal candidate, was returned by a majority of 1,205 over Lord Morpeth, who avowed himself a thoroughgoing supporter of Mr. Chamber- lain, Sir William Allan's majority in 1900 having been 946. The Unionist vote cast for Lord Morpeth, a strong and deservedly popular candidate, was swelled by a large number of Roman Catholic votes given last time to Sir William Allan ; but even so, the rate of increase since 1900 was distinctly to the advantage of the Liberals. Mr. Johnson, who enters the House for the first time, began life as a working miner, and since 1890 has been successively treasurer and financial secretary to the Durham Miners' Association.
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