The Times of Tuesday publishes some notes on the recent
Portuguese elections from its Lisbon correspondent. Immediately after the elections we remarked that, while the special correspondent of the Times thought that the elections "appeared to be conducted with scrupulous fair- ness," the results corresponded with the predictions with a most ominous accuracy. In fact, it looked as though the elections, in spite of statements to the contrary, had been arranged, as usual, between the "Rotativist" parties, which take turns at enjoying the spoils of office. The Lisbon correspondent freely admits the " cooking " of the elections. He says :—" It may be at once admitted, for there has never been any secret about the matter, that the comparative strength of the three Governmental groups was concerted by mutual arrangement before the elections. The great majority of the electors in Portugal voted this time, as they have always voted, according to instructions. There is an 'electoral machine' here, as there is in America, and, if it is not so highly organised as Tammany Hall, it has at least hitherto proved equal to the demands made upon it." We are afraid that this may mean trouble, as the suppressed parties will no doubt wish to claim their rightful share of influence when Parliament meets.
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