6 APRIL 1901, Page 3

The Monmouth Election petition has resulted in the Judges (on

Tuesday) declaring the seat void. They found also that Dr. Rutherfoord Harris had published statements derogatory to his opponent within the meaning of the Act recently passed to stop election slanders. Dr. Rutherfoord Harris was granted a certificate of exemption under the Illegal Practices Act, but the costs were allowed to the successful petitioners. We are glad to note that the Slanders Act has been put into operation. The habit not only of raking up anything that could be found out against a candidate in the past, but of concocting sham charges, was turning election contests into veritable carnivals of defamation.