New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-23
arlous aud less stable, until the collapse finally

ardous aud less stable, until the collapse finally
came.
Our London letter ON the. election III the
North Riding, which has been interpreted as
disastrous defeat for the Liberals, and certainty
was bitter disappointment, puts the result Ill
q new light. The Conservative candidate "e'
feated the tenant-farmers' champion, but only
by acceding to every demand and taking every
pledge exacted OF him by that class. mat Is 10
say, the farmers contrived to have their own
| principles accepted, and then were willing TO
| let the landlords candidate go in. 1t scarcely
seems credible that these sturdy Yorkshire
| tenants are suspicious of the ballot as system
| of voting which is not secret and consequently
| is unsafe. This explanation, which is offered
| by the Liberal managers, has been repeatedly
| urged as an excuse for defeat, and 1t never sat
| isles the conditions of the case. The con-
stituencies are capricious. Their voice always
| has an uncertain sound in bye-elections. 1t Is
ONLY when there is general election that the
will of the people is definitely expressed.
Nineteen members of the State Committee of
| the National Greenback Labor party have
| emerged from obscurity long enough to call
convention to meet in Albany in July and 10
| distress themselves over the recommendation OF
Chairman Harper of the National Committee
| in favor of the "upbuiding of n new political
party" George o. Jones, George Blair and
the seventeen other sages sOlemnly declare
their belief that on the success of their prln-
ciples and the establishment OF their policy
| depend the pcrpctuation of free government
| and the restoration of harmony and nationality
among the entire American people" 1t is a
| dismal outlook for the American people, then.
Jones and Blair don't agree with Chairman
Harper that any new party is necessary. Their
marty il new enough for them. In a newer one
| they might be left out of sight altogether.
| They enjoy immensely coming together in COM
mittees and conventions, and the smallness OF
their numbers is an advantage. In big party
they would never be heard of. So they will go
on undsturbed Ivy the fact that they are bank
rupt in influence and votes, and that politically
their obituaries were written long ago.
Mr.. Bradlaugh persists in weakening very
strong case by his unseemly behavior. The
assurance with which he has administered the
oath to himself in the presence OF full House,
with the Speaker in the chair, and then sub
scribed to it with great flourish OF pen and
Testament would have abashed the most mi
pudent Alderman in America. IT. iia-
grant insult to the House. which had been dis
GUESSING the general question of his disGualill-
cation. Like his desperate attempt to force
his way into Parliament, it will increase pubic
prejudice against him. At the same time, the
Commons in expelling him may find 1t difficult
TO Justify its action in the technical aspects OF
| the case. While he took the oath he was not
| introduced between two members and then
presented by the Clerk to the Speaker III ac-
| cordance with established usage. The oath
| was not valid and he could not therefore be
considered IL member of the Commons; and II
he wIs not member it is not easy to perceive
how he could be either expelled or disciplined,
although he disobeyed House and Speaker AS
the seat has practically been declared vacant,
the constituency will have another opportunity
to reflect him, and this it will be quite likely
to do unless his disgraceful performances have
finally turned the stOmachs of the Northampton
shoemakers. On the main question we have
always considered him to be in the right. 1t
cannot be competent for any legislative
assembly to probe a members conscience to
ascertain whether he believes enough to war
rant his taking civil oath and John Wilkes
proved in the last century that constituency,
when capriciously and arbitrarily disfran-
chised, will elect its representative five times
over rather than sacrifice great principle.