THE LIVERPOOL ELECTION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Sut,—The Liverpool election, compared with the general elec- tion of 1874, shows very clearly that a strong Liberal reaction has set in, even in that impregnable stronghold of Toryism, Liverpool. In 1874, 37,000 electors polled, giving a majority of "35,000 votes to Lord Sandon and Mr. Torr, over Mr. Rathbone and myself. In 1880, 50,000 electors polled, giving Mr. Whitley -a majority of 2,221 over Lord Ramsay. A simple rule-of-three sum shows that if a poll of 37,000 produced a majority of 3,500, a poll of 50,000 should produce a majority of 4,750.
But the majority is only 2,221, so it is clear that we have reduced the Tory majority in Liverpool by 2,529 votes, on a poll of 50,000. It is absurd to call this a discouraging defeat. It is a most evident reaction in favour of Liberal principles, and should cheer and encourage the party throughout the kingdom. Had it not been that Lord Ramsay was a stranger, pitted against the most popular man in Liverpool, the poll would have been much closer ; and I venture to say, as one who possesses an intimate knowledge of Liverpool politics, that had Lord Ramsay been as well known in the borough three weeks ago as be is to-day, the relative position of the two candidates might, perhaps, have been reversed.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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