The Northern Guardian. — 1895-05-16 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.  It is not often, says the London correspondent tA the Newcastle Chronicle, that the loss of a Ministerial seat causes such a stir as we have experienced over the rout at Walworth. Little else ha, been talked of in political circles to-day, I and the general impression is that Ministers will now endeavour to repudiate their Socialistic teachings. Though the figures will not allow them to blame Mr Lainibury for the, Party defeat, they are already disposed to throw responsibility on the shoulders of Colonel Iteade. In his desire to gain a Parliamentary seat he swallowed every bait that was dangled before him, and practically went the whole hog for Socialism. Yet, as he is now assured, there is a "wide gulf" between the Liberal and Socialist policies—a gulf that must hereafter be indicated with undoubted clearness front every Party platform. If, in addition to this mercy, we could also discontinue the pernicious offering of Party bribes, the country would have to admit that Walworth has done good work in the case of electoral purity.  -000  One absolutely certain result of the Walworth election, writes the Yorkshire Post correspondent, is that nothing more will be heard of the Local Veto Bill. Gladstonians believe, and probably rightly, that that ill-starred measure contributed more than any other single cause to ensure the magnificent triumph which the Unionists achieved, and they are consequently not at all inclined to sit down quietly while other seats are lost for the same reason. An informal intimation to this effect has been conveyed to headquarters, and it will be followed, if necessary, by more definite action. But doubtless the hint will be taken. Ministers are not so entirely blind not to see that to persist with the Bill would be suicidal.  An absolute pledge is said to have been given to the Anti-Parnellites by the Government that the Irish ,Land Bill shall be the first business undertaken after the Whitsuntide holidays. As only some 12 working days remain before the adjournment, three or four at least of which must be occupied by financial business, it is pretty clear that the Government will soon have to put in force their design of closuring the Welsh Bill.  Three more by-elections remain to be fought, and in all probability three Unionists will be returned. 3,1 r Ritchie is going in for Croydon, and Leamington and West Edinburgh are regarded as safe. There may be some bother about the Edinburgh seat. The report of the Select Committee will be hastened ou, and in a few days the writ will be moved. But Lord Selborne threatens to offer himself as a candidate for re-election. Possibly the returning officer would refuse to accept his nomination. If the nomination were accepted and Lord Selborne went to the poll, the Unionists would probably lose the seat.  -000 Some little concern was expressed in Government quarters last night as to the possible outcome of the division on the second reading of the Budget Bill to-night. Several Gladstonians interested in "the trade" are believed to be shaking in their allegiance, and several AntiParnellites are f urther expected to be absent—two factors which, in the present position of affairs, are likely, it is feared, to bring the Government majority down to vanishing point. Possibly this may be merely one of the scares which, under Mr Thomas Ellis's occupancy of the Patronage Secretaryship, are of very frequent occurrence. Still, with a superiority of not more than 13 votes, which is about the figure at which the Government majority, without reckoning the Parnellites, stands, nothing is impossible.  -00  The son of the Ameer of Afghanistan will visit Aldershot on June 5. The occasion will be celebrated by a grand review, in which the troops of the Duke of Connaught's command will be augmented by several battalions of Militia, five battalions of the Hants Volunteers, and the Manchester Company of the Medical Staff Corps. It is estimated that about 20,000 troops will take part in the display. 

Article type: NotIncident