22 JUNE 1878, Page 2

In South Northumberland it appears that Mr. Grey must resign

the seat, not owing to any defeat, but

to the negligence of the presiding officer, who had failed to stamp with the official stamp nine of the voting-papers presented to him. Surely if a dereliction of duty on the part of a presiding officer can change the legal effect of an election, such a dereliction of duty, however accidental, should be punishable by law as a grave offence. The mere fear of such punishments pre- vents accidents which might otherwise happen. Anxiety makes even careless men careful.