The by-election at Stockport has resulted in the return of
a Conservative in place of Mr. Louis Jennings, the deceased Conservative Member, so that there is no change in the balance of parties; but, as a political symptom, it is a gain for the Unionists, for, whereas Mr. Jennings was only second on the poll in July, and a Gladstonian headed it, Mr. Whiteley, the Conservative, now heads the poll, and heads it by a sub- stantial majority (465), the votes for Mr. Whiteley being 5,264, against 4,799 for the Gladstonian, Major Sliarp Hume. There is no doubt that, in the great centres of population, the Unionists are steadily gaining ground In the Hexham division of Northumberland, on the other hand, and in the Cirencester division of Gloucestershire, the Gladstonians have won, and won by substantial majorities,—namely, in the Hexham division by 446, Mr. Miles Maannee (Gladstonian> polling 4,804 votes, against 4,358 for Mr. Richard Clayton, the Conservative ; and in the Cirencester division by 242, Mr. H. Lawson (Gladstonian) having polled 4,687 votes, against 4,445 given to Mr. Chester-Master (Conservative). In North Meath, the Anti-Parnellite has gained the election by 259 votes, a reduced majority. At the General Election, Mr. Davitt's majority was 403. In South Meath, the. Anti-Parnellite majority was reduced from 83 (in July) to 69 last Saturday.
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