The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-30
THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.
PROSPECTS OF PARTIES.
The Home Rulers-Ths Ballot and the Suffrage
The Working Clssses-Ths Commons az
Transcsndent Power Gladstones De-
feat at the Last General Election.

to-day Tor tnc CHOICE Oh o30 borough mem-
beers. and Will continue curing the ensuing week.
The elections for the 80 county representatives Will
begin on Monday and go on for a fortnight. 1t ia
believed the result Will be known ON the 18th prox
IL Is very evident that great excitement obtains
throughout the country, and that immense efforts
will be made by each OF the two great political par
ties 10 achieve a working majority in the next
House OF Commons The scattering elections that
took place in 1878 were uniformly unfavorable to
Mr.. Gadstone's ministry, and as late as six weeks
Ago when choice had to De made by the voters
OF Exeter to NIL the vacancy Occasioned by the
ceptance OF the once OF Chief Justice OF the Com
mon Pleas by sir John Duke Coeridge. Sir Edward
watkins was defeated and one OF Mr.. Disrae1s
supporters came in long way at the head OF the
poll 1t seems that the present general election
a. deemed to be OF higher Importance than any
other that has taken place since the pas
sage OF the Reform bill or 1881, not ex-
cepting that OF 1868, when the franchise
had been largely augmented by conferring the
right OF voting on lodxers holders OF small tene
ments and on great many others who pay poor
tax. The hopes built upon the conservative sue
cesses referred TO and the recent waning strength
OF Mr.. Gladstone in the ranks OF his old supporters
which was particularly shown in the defeat OF the
Irish University BILL have infused great confidence
and boldness among the adherents OF Mr.. Ddsraeli.
The sudden and unexpected dissolution must
have taken the latter unawares. but a statesman
OF such resources can rapidly recover himself and
rally to his side the numbers intelligence, wealth
and influence OF the conservative party. Secret
voting is now 10 be brought into for the first
time in Parliamentary elections The contrivance
got up in 1872 this purpose is exceedingly cum
bersome. description is given OF it further on,
and safe to predict that when the voters come
to handle it, during the early February days. they
Will find 1t din1cur to understand and difficult 10
manage. Time can only prove which party will
be served by the Introduction OF the ballot.
THE ISSUES BEFORE THE COUNTRY.
The liberal party go before the people princi-
paly on questions OF finance, questions concerning
which ali classes have the deepest interest. MIR.
Gladstone promises a reduction of taxation and
shows healthy eXchequer, but his administration.
during the past five years, has proposed many I'M
popular measures, which had to be abandoned ;
and it also committed some serious offences. The
proposition to tax uclfer matches caused great
discomfort; the matter OF changing the dstribu-
ton OF local taxes called forth the opposition OF the
middle classes; the attempt regulate the liquor
tralfc, always a delicate subject in England
turned the powerful organization OF licensed VIC
tualiers in many places against the ibe rails there
were some Irregularities in reference to postal and
telegraph affairs and in the Zanzibar mail contract.
Tue working classes like the Irish Home Rulers,
Will have their candidates, who will not attach
themselves, ii elected, to wing or tory.
The enlargement OF the franchise in 1868,
while 1t certainly increased the influence
and political power OF the working classes, was
unsatisfactory in that 1t did not 60 far enough.
They attempted in 1868 to put some Of their own
men in Parliament, but though they made strong
appeals to the OF fairness and justice OF the
mo oiu avc
thwarted because the leaders, with few excep-
TONS preferred to retain in the hands OF the arts
tocracy and middle classes all places OF power,
honor and emolument, and really cared little for
the working classes except means OF their
own Advancement These sons OF toll will be heard
OF during the next few weeks and their success at
the polls Will De practically defeat Of both the
great parties.
LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE STRENGTH.
Looking back Al the general election OF 1888 it
viii be seen that the results iasifed the expecta-
tions OF all parties. In the English bOroughs, with
few exceptions, there were large liberal gains. In
the counties, alike in those where the manufactur.
ing and those where the agricultural interests pre-
dominated, the conservatives obtained many
signal trlumphs. In Scotland the conserva
tive candidates suffered extensive reverses
in the boroughs they could do nothing
they had been uniformly successful and where
they had the influence OF the wealthy lanc
owners in their favor, strangers came forward IL
the liberal interest and were victorious over mem
beers OF infuen Jial resident families who were can
didates on the unpopular side. Even Mr.. Glad
stone, who contested South Lancashire, was beateI
in consequence OF the weghty influence brought
against him, in which Protestant clergymer
largely figured. The latter stood up for the sacred
cause OF the Irish Church Establishment, which
was for centuries the greatest scandal, as gov
eminent machine, in Europe, and which Mr. Glad
stone had denounced as q relic OF ancient wrong
and tyranny. 1t was fortunate, however, for the
liberal leader that the contingency Of his defea
was anticipated and provided Tor BY his friends
His return for the borough OF Greenwich had beer
previously secured, SO that his election to the
House of Commons was made certan- An Irist
Home Ruler Is now to contest the seat with him
In North Lancashire, always regarded the strong
hold OF liberalism, the MARQUIS OF Harrington, q
liberal, was defeated by a son Of Lord Derby.
THE ELECTION IRELAND.
The election In Ireland will turn almost entirely
upon the question OF home rule. That issue vii
be made in nearly every borough and county II
the island. Both the liberal and conservative
champions have emphaticaly declared against
conceding the national demand as leading TO the
disintegrstion Of the kmpre. The home rulers
therefore. are determined to stand aloof from bott
parties and act as separate wing or section in
the House OF Commons. There can be no doubt a.
to the great mass OF Irish voters being in favor
local scli-government, and at q late conference
attended by representatives from all parts Of the
country. they agreed to pledge themselves K
guarantee the rights Of property as they now
exist and to the most ample and solemn protec
zion to all classes OF Irisnmen in the exercise o
their religious privileges as now established. The
home rulers have so lar succeeded as to exac
from the leading organs OF public opinion IN Eng
land the admittance that their demands, n really
and truly expressing the national sentiment are
entitled to early and full consideration; but :he
Ministry, though ready 10 discuss the question
tail TO treat II In such manner as . similar de-
mand would be considered In the United States.
The whole matter hes in a nutshell. They are
AFRAID 10 trust the irish with any mcdlcum, no
matter now Small OF local self-government
POSITION OF TIE HOME RULERS.
line general election, however, brings this cues
fun haMe In a vital manner to Mr. Cladafone