The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-09 00:00:00

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

KENT (WEST).
DECLARATION OF THE POLL.

The declaration of the poll for the western divi-
sion of Kent took place in front of the Town-hall,
Maidstone, yesterday afternoon, at 1 o'clock. A
large concourse on foot, on horseback, and in car-
riages assembled to grace the victory obtained by
the Liberal electors, and completely thronged the
high street of the town.

-The HIGH SHERIFF (Mr. J. Savage) declared the
numbers were, for _ _ _

Mr. C. Wykebam Martin (L)
Mr. James Whatman (L)
Mr. W. Masters Smith (C)
Majority for Mr. Martin --725
Ditto, Mr. Whatman 407
It was therefore his duty to declare Mr. Martin
and Mr. Whatman to have been duly elected.
Mr. MARTIN, in addressing the electors, con-
gratulated them on the result of their exertions.
They had won a double victory for the principles
of Liberal goverement and progressive reform
within the last seven weeks—a result which was the
more satisfactory inasmuch as the next Parliament
was likely to be .the most important which had met
since the passing of the Reform Act in 1832. The
people of this country had now unmistakeably de-
clared for movement—for the progressive improve-
ment of the national institutions, for an extension
of the elective franchise, and for a wise economy in
the expenditure of the administration. (Cheers.)
Although they might have selected a more efficient
advocate to promote their wishes, he begged to as-
sure the electors that none could be more earnest
or more zealous in the cause than he ; and he should
go to the House of Commons determined to aid to
the utmost of his power in forwarding all measures
which he could approve, whether brought forward
by the Government or by other parties, having for
their object the advancement of Parliamentary and
social reform, the diffusion of public education, and
the extension and maintenance of civil and re-
ligious freedom. (Cheers.)
Mr. WHAT3IIN next addressed the assemblage,
expressing sentiments similar to those of Mr. W.
Martin, with whom he regarded it as an honour to
be associated in the representation of so numerous,
wealthy, and intelligent a constituency as that of•
West Kent. Ho also entered into some explana-
tion of a correspondence which had taken place
between Sir Culling Eardley and himself during
the recent canvass. Sir Culling, though wholly
opposed to the Maynooth grant, had refused to
support Mr. Masters Smith because of his vote
against the policy of Lord Palmerston with
respect to the Chinese question, and in giving his
suffrage to the Liberal candidates he had ex-
pressed his approbation of a compromise sug-
gesteclby the Roman Catholics themselves, in order
to obviate all future contention respecting the
grant—to the effect that the College of Maynooth
should be transferred, once for all to the Catholics,
and a sum of money be paid them in satisfaction of
all claims for the annual payment made ever lune°
seven years before the union between England and
Ireland. (Hear, hear.) He thanked the electors
for the honour they had conferred on him, and pro-
mised faithfully to do his utmost to justify the con-
fidence they had reposed in him. (Cheers.)
A vote of thanks was then given by acclamation
to the High Sheriff, followed by loud cheers for Thos.
Law Hodges, Esq., formerly the Liberal member
for the division, for the newly-elected members,
and for the Queen.
A procession was then formed, without the ac-
companiment, however, of a band, and after
parading the principal streets of the town, the
houses of which were more profusely and gaily deco-
rated than usual with blue flags and banners, the
multitude, who maintained the most perfect good
humour and good order throughout, quietly dis-
persed.

HUNTINGDON (COUNTY.)
DECLARATION OF THE POLL.-A. VOID ELECTION.

The contest for the county has not terminated
with the polling. It will be remembered that the
first statements issued by the friends of the Liberal
candidate, Mr. Heathcote, gave him a majority of
eleven over the old member, Mr. Fellowes, and the
Conservative committee admitted a majority of
four fur Mr. Heathcote. Previous to the day ap-
pointed for the official declaration both parties
wade a ddigent examination of the check poll-
books, and, singularly enough, each arrived at the
conclusion that their candidate had gained a majo-
rity of one. The Conservative committee, having
great confidence in their examination, lulled a
notice to that effect. Mr. Ilearhcote's friends gave
out a statement urging most positively that he had.
polled 1,108 votes, and Mr. Fellowes only 1,107.
The Sheriff then commenced his examination of
the poll-books, and, after a very rigid examination,
came to the hustings, and, to the surprise of every-
body, announced that the numbers were equal.
He declared the final state of the poll to be as
follows :

Rust
—. ... ... 1,192
Heathcote . —..— 1,106
Faxwes _. . —.—. 1,106
This extraordinary termination to county elec-
tion has completely bewildered the parties con-
cerned. There appears to be a disinclination on
both sides to enter into a scrutiny ; it is pro-
bable, therefore, that they will proceed to a fresh
election. Nothing definite, however, will be known
until after the writ is returned on the 30th of April.
Anticipating the probability of another election
both candidates have started on their canvass.

STATE OF THE POLLS.
MAYO (COUNTY).

Higgins 1,707
Palmer ... ... 1,624
Moore 1,596
Another return gives the numbers as follows :
Palmer ... ... 917
I‘l oore
Higgins ... ... 811
Neither return can be entirely relied upon.

Bruce