The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-11 00:00:00

THE LATE ELECTION FOR DUMFRIESSHIRE.

A Scotch contemporary states that it is not impos-
sible that although Sir Sydney Waterlow resigned
all connection with his firm . long before the time
required by law, the late election may be found
invalid. It appears that there was some informality
in the mode of procedure which may be found tech-
nically to invalidate the withdrawal. . The whole
matter is not even. a mere technicality,. it is an
accident about a technicality. Under the circum-
stances, however, it is not supposed that the Conser-
vatives will oppose Sir Sydney's re-election, it being
unusual to raise a new contest on an opportunity of
such a merely formal kind. The unlucky contractor
has arrived in Dumfries, and circulars have been
issued to the electors informing them of the possi-
bility of the election being found invalid, and re-
questing them to sign a form promising, in that event
to support Sir Sydney.

" SIC VOS NON VODIS."

It is not surprising that the Reform League are
dissatisfied with the result of the elections. This
dissatisfaction was very strongly manifested at the.
annual meeting of the League just held. Mr. Beales
declared that " in every case where a working man,
and in almost every case where any person
supposed to represent the views or interests of the
working classes became a candidate, there was a com-
bination of Tory and anti-Liberal influences, of
wealthy corruptionists and landlord and employer
coercionists, to defeat such candidate, by tampering
with, obstructing, and intimidating the voters; and
for want of the ballot, - the combination, however
unprincipled, wasgenerallysuccessful." To these causes
Mr. Beaks attributed his own defeat at the Tower
Hamlets. In short, the bees had been making honey,
the birds building nests, the oxen ploughing, and all
for the benefit of others. However, Mr. Beales,
M.A., finds some gleams of light in the darkness.
The Ballot never had so many supporters as it has
now; and has not the Reform Bill, which the demo-
lition of Hyde Park railings brought about, itself
demolished the Tory Government ?

MR. BRIGHT ON THE DEFENCE.

It appears that on the declaration of the poll at
Liverpool Mr. Turner made some charges against
Mr. Bright which have drawn a long letter from
that gentleman. Mr. Turner was reported to have
said on that occasion that Mr. Bright had declared
an Englishman in Ireland an alien, and that he
ought not to possess property there. Mr. Bright has
challenged Mr. Turner upon the point, and he
takes refuge behind the Standard. The Pre-
sident of the Board of Trade tells him in
the first place that the report is incorrect, and denies
all the charges circumstantially. The right hon.
gentleman is very angry, and gives Mr. Turner a
wholesome lecture. Mr. Bright has been in the
presence of Majesty, and was found quite tame and
harmless. He even kissed the Queen's hand, and
she will in future take his advice in Council. Many
an ardent politician has not hesitated at various
times to hint at the prompt execution of Mr.
Bright as an act of sound policy. Now that
he is the President of tho Board of Trade it
will be as well to discontinue such nonsense.
The right hon. gentleman has written to Mr. Henry
Ibbetson, of Sheffield, to state the pleasure he derives
from his friends' approval of his conduct. He joined
the Administration with extreme reluctance, but the
pressure put upon him was more than he could
withstand.