The polling at Grimsby took place on Tuesday. The suit
was as follows :—Mr. G. Doughty (Liberal Unionist), 940; Mr. T. Wintringham (Radical), 3,189; Mr. R. Mel huish ndependent Conservative), 204; Mr. Doughty's majority, 751. In 1895 Mr. Doughty was returned as a Home-ruler
by a majority of 181, but in 1893 the Unionists carried the seat by 964. After the declaration of the poll Mr. Doughty declared that the majority he had obtained was the death. knell of Home-rule. That is, perhaps, an exaggeration; but the election certainly shows that the ordinary English Liberal cares very little for Home-rule. It also shows that the ordinary Conservative elector is still very much in earnest about the question of the Union, and will make great sacrifices to prevent a Home-rule victory. It is no easy thing for keen local politicians to sink all their old grudges and differences, and support a former enemy on grounds of high politics. That, however, was what the Grimsby Conservatives were asked to do, and what they did. While that is the spirit main- tained we shall have little fear about the Union.
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