The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-10-05
pEcLINE on PuBLIc INrEREsT.

DECLINE Or fObL4lC lNIbht4SIs
NEW YORK. Oct. A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says:
There Is a marked decline OF public
interest in the results OF the third Sc
ries OF contests for thirty-four seats
In parliament.
Captain Lambton's struggle at New
eastle-0n-Tyne Is he chief event, owing
to his friendship with Lord Rosebery
and his exploits at Iadysmith. and the
other contests are mainly over safe
seats. Only seven in the entire series
have been regarded as close contests.
The first result announced was the
substitution Of Keir Hardie for Pritch-
ard Morgan as the member for Merthyr
Tydvfl. This was not a Unionist gain.
for Hariie could be depended upon to
vote with the opposition. but the result
was regretted by the radicals at the
National Liberal clubs. Mr.. Morgan
has been a useful member OF the house
of commons. He possessed a large
fund OF information about China and
Australia. ani Mr.. Hardie Is socialist
agitator and not a representative labor
candidate OF the pest type. like Mr.
Broadhurst or Mr.. Burns. Two liberal
candidates have already lost their seats
through the Intervention OF a third
nomination in the interest OF labor, and
Mr.. Morgan has been defeated in the
Welsh stronghold Of Liberalism.
At the same time the working COM
munitles have rolled up some Of the
largest Unionist majorities. Mr.. Cham
herlain has not damaged the Unionist
cause by his sharp structures upon the
labor members OF parliament The
working classes. especially in the north.
have taken the broadest possible views
on imperial questions with which the
government is Identified. Sheffield has
followed all the large English towns
by showing UniOnist gains in polling.
One Liberal seat has been captured
there by the government
The Gravesend election has carried
Gilbert Parker into parliament on the
opposite side to his friend Henry Nor
man. Mr. Parker's majority is larger
than was expected. for Mr.. Harsworth.
who opposed him, had large printing
interest there N his favor
A Liberal gain Of two seats at Derby.
where Mr.. Harcourt was defeated in
1885. was most unexpected and served
to illustrate the uncertainty Of an cleo
toral contest. It also encouraged san
guine Liberals to hope the counties
might do better for them than the bor-
cughs.
The public interest in the war is re-
vlved by the prospect. Of a series Of gala
days when the soldiers and generals re-
turn. Three great town shows win
commemorate the arrival Of the guards.
the London volunteers and Lord Rob-
erts. and there win be a series of min
or events. The north Of ireland win
also have a social festival. The queen
was invited to visit Belfast when she
was in Dublin but was forced 10 decline
the invitation. The Prince OF Wales
will visit Ulster in the winter in her
place and there win be great festivi-
ties there.
There is current report. apparently
we'll founded. that Gerald Balfour will
be compelled by i'll health to resign
the Office Of chief secretary for ireland.
This VIII create vacancy which can
not easily be filled. The reorganiza-
ticn Of the ministry cannot be deferred
for many weeks.
Reports that Lord Salisbury has
aged and is breaking down are not cor
rect. Henry White, who has seen him
repeatedly on official business in Mr..
Choate's absence. describes him as
being in excellent health and spirits
and markedly animated and resource
full in conversation and showing no
signs Of the pressure Of public response
bilities.