THE MID-SURREY ELECTION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF TEE " SPF.CTATOR."]
Era,—The attitude of the country towards the Government is practically the same as at the General Election. Such was the moral of the Lincoln election, and such is the moral of the bye- election in Mid-Surrey. Both parties hoped to improve their position at the poll, but the result is a Conservative majority exactly the same as in 1880. I was in the thick of the fight, and had many opportunities of gauging the feeling of the con- stituency in the more populous districts. I think I am right in saying :— 1. The Egyptian question has made little impression on the popular mind ; there is no Jingo feeling among the masses. Even General Gordon's name failed to awaken enthusiasm ; when a Conservative speaker tried to use it with effect, he only elicited a reply,—" He is off his head."
2. The Liberal leaders are still strong in the confidence of :their supporters ; but the Conservative party have no leaders whose names are rallying words. Sir Stafford Northcote's name was never heard, Lord Randolph Churchill's caused laughter, and Lord. Salisbury's was received in a curiously doubtful way. The only name which called forth hearty cheer- ing from the Conservatives was Lord Beaconsfield's.
3. There was a general acquiescence in the County Franchise Bill ; the Tories did not oppose it, the Liberals heartily accepted it.
4. The electors are not exacting as regards redistribution,— that they look upon as certain, and the details they leave to experts.
5. There is, especially among the smaller tradesmen and a section of the working classes, a hankering after reciprocity or some such modification of our Free-trade policy. There seems to be more danger in this direction than our serious politicians imagine. It will need to be dealt with.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Inchcolm, Upper Richmond Road, P atney. JOHN BELL.
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