New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-02
BE4CO ySFJELD,S DEFEAT

| There now seems to be no doubt of the ap
preaching downfall of the DcacOnsfeld Min
istry. The special dispatch which will be
found On another page derives additional sig
nificance from the fact that it does not come
| from the regular London correspondent oil
| THE TRIBUNE but from high Conservative
source, and one exceedingly we'll informed. II
| is therefore a candid confession of defeat re-
ceived directly from the supporters of the Bea-
consfield Administration. The fact that Lord
harrington discusses in public speech the
| policy to be pursued in selecting the head of
| the Liberal Cabinet, should one be formed ut
once, is additional proof that the result is now
believed to be definitely foTeshadowed.
The conclusion that the Ministry has been
defeated must be drawn from the drift of the
current and not from the actual number Of
changes already made. The Liberals have
made unexpected gains in the English borouglls
and Cities but the counties are str0ngholds of
Conservatism. 1t is true that the Liberals have
attacked the Conservatives with unwOnted
vigor i'll the counties where the last battle was
lost, and at the same time have besieged every
borough where they could make any show of
fighting. Of the $50 members of full Parlia-
ment, $50 are elected by cities and bOroughs
2S3 by counties and 8 by universities. When
the cities and boroughs are evenly divided be-
tween the great parties, as IS sometimes the
case, the vote Of the counties, if held together,
will give one or the other working majority.
The result of this spirited canvass-one which
revives the memories of the Reform struggles
midway in the century-cannot be announced
with dcfinitcncss until the counties have voted,
bnt the tone of our special dispatches shows
that the result is generally conceded.
The first days elections returned about one
fifth of the Commons. There was polling yes
terday in &c constituencies, with nominations in
49. The work Of the two days yields returns
from barely more tlan a third of the cOnstitu-
encies. The decisive changes witnessed in
many instances, however, leave the Conscrva-
tives without hope. Mr.. Gladstone's over
whclming majority in Leeds, which was repre-
scnted in the last Parliament by two COnserva-
tives and one Liberal, rot Onl. proves the
strength of the popular feeling in favor Of the
Liberal party, but demonstrates also the uni
versal nature of his personal popularity. The
enthusiasm of Midlothian was evidently not
a local tribute.
With few exceptions, the elections already
held have been in England, ard the Liberals
have made gains principally in the North and
East. They have counted with extreme conf
dence upon winning from seven 10 ten seats ia
Scotland, and should they do nothing more
than hold their own ground in Ireland, their
opponents arc certain to lose at least seven
seats in the North and several in the South. In
Ireland, however there are indications that
extreme Nationalist or Home Rulers have not
been put forward in so many cases as it was up
posed, and that Home Rulers of Liberal sym
pathies will be returned in many places. This. |
of course, strengthens the Liberal prospects All
the signs therefore indicate an Opposition ma
jority, of which the Home Rulers will form an |
element. Then it will be safe to |
count upon what Mr.. Punch with fine irony ue-
scribcs as spirited home policy