The by-elections of the present week have terminated in favour
of the Government, but with reduced majorities in the case of Brixton and the Basingstoke Division of Hampshire, while at Ramsey they have greatly improved their poll as compared with the last taken. At Brixton, the Marquis of Carmarthen obtained 3,307 votes to 2,569 given to his opponent, Mr. Hill,—majority, 738. The poll was heavier than in 1886 by nearly a thousand. votes (more exactly, 990), and the majority less by 376 votes. The Conservatives increased their poll by 307 votes, while the Gladstonians increased theirs by 683 votes. In the Basing- stoke Division of Hampshire (where Mr. Jeffreys, writing before the poll was declared, said that a thoroughly false statement, circulated too late for him to contradict it, as to his underpaying his labourers, who are really ready to come forward in a body to express their loyalty to him as a master, would greatly diminish his poll), Mr. Jeffreys, the Unionist, was returned by 3,158 votes, against 2,426 recorded for Mr. Eve, the Gladetonian,— majority, 732. Here there was no contest in 1886, Mr. Sclater- Booth being returned unopposed. In 1885, before the Home- rule Question was brought forward, the poll was heavier by 621 totes, and the Conservative majority greater by 847 votes.
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