The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-03 00:00:00

Majority for Mr. Birkett

ABERCROMBY WARD.
In this ward the radicals were more than usually confident
of success, and the floating ideas of a reaction in favour of
destructive principles appeared to inspire their advocates
with the brightest anticipations. The result, however, has
proved that that their expectations have had no foundation,
as the Conservative Candidate appeared at the head of the
poll at the first announcement of the voting, and every hour
served only to increase his marjority.
The three contests, in this ward, immediately subsequent
to the alteration in the municipal elections were unfortunate-
ly unsuccessful for the constitutional party, but the majorities
were such as to leave no doubt that the minds of the people
would soon settle down into a more favourable state, and the
progress of the elections from that time has served to evince
the sure foundation on which this prospect was grounded.
In 1837, the majority against the Conservative candidate was
five, which was a considerable reduction of that of former
years, and in 1838, Mr. Gladstone, one of the present repre-
sentatives of the ward, was elected by a majority of 23, de-
feating his opponent, Mr. Earle, who had the good fortune
of obtaining Aldermanic honours—receiving the usual reward
of the rejected of the people. Last year, Mr. Bushell
was returned by a majority almost equal to that of
the year preceding, but it was reserved for the elec-
tion of 1840 to prove the glorious condition of the
minds of the people. The most sanguine of the
Conservative party never calculated upon a majority
so gratifying as we have the pleasure to make public, and the
result has struck the greatest dismay and confusion into the
ranks of our opponents, and we shall be surprised if they
have the effrontery again to insult the electors by the turmoil
and inconvenience of another election. The appearance of
the polling booth of Mr. Todd presented the most ridiculous
aspect, especially at the close, even his own party seemed
ashamed of the cause they had endeavoured to make popu-
lar. At the close of the poll the cheers were loud and long-
continued, and the whole of the party around the booth
retired to join the immense throng congregated around Mr.
Procter's committee-room, where they were addressed by
that gentleman, who congratulated the ward on now being
completely freed from liberal oppression and radical tyrannY-
He stated that one member of the body corporate had lent
his time, and used his influence, in order to advance the
interests of his (Mr. Procter's) opponent, and that influence
had been actually carried so far as that one individual who
had signed his requisition, had been induced to act contrarY
to that request. After some further remarks, Mr. Procter
thanked the electors for the noble exertions they had made
in his behalf, and retired. There were then loud cries for
Mr. Gladstone, who immediately appeared at the window,
and was received in the most enthusiastic manner. His ad-
dress was extremely pithy and appropriate ; and, at the con-
elusion, the third conservative councillor of the ward (Mr.
Bushell) answered the loud calls which proceeded from the
crowd, and gave expression to several sentiments which met
with a hearty response from his respectable auditinis.
The final result of the poll was as follows :
For Mr. Procter 314
Mr. Todd 977