The polling on Friday, April 6th, in the Eye Division
of Suffolk, made known last Saturday, resulted in the return of Mr. Harold Pearson, the Liberal and Free-trade candidate, by a majority of 197 over Lord Graham, his opponent. At the General Election Mr. F. S. Stevenson, the Liberal Member whose retirement led to the by-election, was returned un- opposed. In 1900 the Liberal majority was 1,717. The reduction of the majority is, of course, very great, but the contest affords no evidence that the support accorded to Free-trade is in the least degree on the wane. Politics played a very small part in the election, which was chiefly conducted by the female supporters of the two candidates, Lady Mary Hamilton, the fiancee of Lord Graham, and Mrs. Pearson leading their respective legions. The contest, indeed, very soon degenerated into an orgy of sentiment. Since Lord Graham was in fact, if not in name, the Protectionist candi- date, and was supported by the Tariff Reform League, we are of course glad that the Free-trader was successful ; but if fiscal considerations could be put aside we should greatly like to see Lord Graham returned to Parliament. His first-hand knowledge of sea-life—he served during several voyages as a sailor before the mast—and his keen interest in a multitude of important public questions, would make him a most useful Member of Parliament.
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