NEWS 4 01 1 THE WEEK.
THE re-elections of Ministers have been completed, and in the few contested cases they have been returned with increased majorities. The only interesting struggle, however, has been at Woodstock, where the working-class bitterly resented Lord Randolph Churchill's recklessness of tongue, and insisted upon a contest. They found an excellent candidate in Mr. Corrie Grant, and hoped at first to win ; but the Duke of Marlborough, who had promised to stand neutral, gave his promise a new meaning by lending the Blenheim carriages to his brother's voters. This secession, and the able electioneering of Lady Randolph Churchill, who has the American gift of persuasion, turned the scale, and Mr. Corrie Grant was defeated by 405 to 532. The latter ,number is twenty higher than Lord Randolph obtained in 1880, but thirty-seven lower than the number given him in 1874, when Mr. Brodrick fought the seat. Woodstock is too small a place to be a test of changes of feeling ; but it is quite evident that Tory Democracy does not attract country artisans, and that they regard unscrupulousness of tongue as a disqualification for high office.
