Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-05

Conservative Gains Ia the Ls,s Eisesssss--
The Lasorsrs-'Mr. G,sdssens's Pssissss-
Rcsrsss shss Hs Resigned.

osths IN the Lnfe Eifffjeux-
zhe Lasorsrs-'Mr 0iadsscne's Pssissss-
Rosrsss shss Hs Resigned.
tBy cable 10 the Dlspatch.l
LONDON, July 4.-Tbe results Of
the parliamentary elections which took
place during the past week to fill va
cancics caused by changes in the Min
istry have rather alarmed the Liberals.
They were beginning to feel sure OF an
easy victory in the coming general cleo
tons, but the Tories have more than
held their own in the special pollings,
and have increased their majorities in
such hotly-contested burroughs as
Wakefield and Woodstock. The Libe-
raj election agents in many of the
provinces have sent in discouraging
reports about the outlook. They
say that the agricultural voters are
falling away from the Liberal interest.
and that the laborers appear Indifferent
about taking advantage Of the enlarged
franchise. These agents further declare
that in most OF the rural regions Of Eng
land both agricultural laborers aud
workingrnen are this year especially
under the influence or control Of the
local squires, parsons, farmers, and
authorities. This is accounted for by
the fact that the times have for a
long period been unusually hard,
and that these classes of voters
are under more than ordinary obliga-
tons to their employees and patrons.
The squires, parsons, farmers, and
local officials are nearly all Consersa-
tives, and, with bright party prospects
before them, are exertiDg all their in
fiuence to retain control Of British po-
litical affairs. The Tory managers are
locating the polling-places in the re-
mote districts controlled by Liberals
in such way as to make it difficult
for voters to reach the polls. They
have also issued circulars among
the farm-laborers declaring that the
character Of their ballots will inevita-
bly, be known to their employers, The
Irish leaders have arranged to throw
the Irish vote throughout England in
such a way as to help the Tory candi-
dates in all close districts.
The Liberal managers, thoroughly
frightened at all these things, will early
next week attempt to bring about
solid union between the Wing and
Radical factions Of their party on an
electoral programme.
Both Gladstone and Chamberlain
have advised that the Liberal candidates
be all selected or at least approved by
the central body Of selections, in order
to save the party strength from being
frittered away by contests in the same
constituency anywhere between rival
candidates. Both gentlemen also urge
the appointment Of national campaign
committee to manage the entire canvass
upon amatured and uniform plan, instead
Of the disjointed and anarchical method
heretofore in vogue. The hope of an
early and pacific close of the present
session Of Parliament is daily diminish
ing. The new Cabinet have deter
mined factions or obstructive opposi-
ton in the House of Commons with the
announcement that unless the Liberals
prove themselves willing and able to
assist the Conservatives in passing the
budget the Tory Ministry will resign
and compel the Liberals to again at
tempt the task which but recently
brought their downfall.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, the new
Chancellor Of the Exchequer, will an
nounce this decision soon after the
House of Commons resumes its sit
tings. The chances tonight are, there
fore. that the present Government will
terminate within a month. Gladstone
already regrets his resignation. lie now
evinces certain degree Of willingness to
resume office. He has gone so far
as to deny for publication a report that
he bad told the Queen that nothing
could induce him to take office again.
1t is thought that the leading question
in the coming general electoral contest
will be the question Of local govern
ment. The speech Of the Earl of Rose
bury, GladstOme's lord privy seal, fore
shadows a solid agreement among the
Radical members Of GladstOne'S Min
istry in favor Of elective county coun-
ellis electing national councils in Ire
land, Scotland, and Wales.
The London Spectator warns the
Radicals that if their scheme of local
government for ireland includes the
right Of the Irish National Council to
settle the Irish land question its adyo-
cacy will inevitably bring about rup-
ture between the Radical and Wing
sections.
An active agitation is now being car
ried on in England against the practice
of allowing members Of the Govern
ment to retain positions in directorates
of public corporations. This agitation
has elected the intelligence that the
Marquis of Salisbury, the present Prime
Minister; Sir Michael Hicks-B Beach,
Chancellor Of the ExcheQuer; Sir Rich
ard Assheton Cross, Home Secretary;
Arthur James Balfour, President Of the
Local Government Board David r.
Plunkett, First Commissioner of
Works; Sir William Hart Dyke, Chief
Secretary for Ireland; Lord Harris,
Parliamentary Secretary for India;
Viscount Folkestone, Treasurer, and
Robert Bourke, Under Foreign Secre-
tary, all hold directorates in one or
more public companies.
Lord George Hamilton. First Lord of
the 4 dmiralty, and Bourke each hold
at present positions in four business
corporations, while one other member
of the Government holds positions in
six, and still another in seven. Unless
these statesmen resign their posts in
these companies the Radicals will raise
the question during the coming cam
paign and contend that no member of
the Government shall be allowed to
hold apost in any trading company.
Sir Henry Drummond Wolf, who is
in the directories Of six different COM
NAMES having heeu called un0n To re-