The Waterford election on Wednesday week ended in a victory
for the Parnellites, the first they have had in any by- election. Three-fourths of the electors, or 3,031 out of 4,046, recorded their votes, 1,229 being given to Mr. Davitt, and 1,775 to Mr. J. Redmond, who had thus a majority of 546. There is no evidence that the 250 Tories who appeared in 1885 voted, though, of course, this is alleged by the defeated side ; and there was no terrorism sufficient to prevent Anti- Parnellite voting. The truth appears to be, that Waterford still believes in Mr. Parnell, the power of the priesthood with an urban constituency being limited, and the influence of the Labour candidate much smaller than was supposed. The blow is a severe one to Mr. Davitt personally, as he was supposed to be an irresistible candidate, and depresses the whole of Mr. Dillon's party, as it is clear that their majorities at the General Election will be greatly reduced. The effect in America, too, will he considerable, increasing the reluctance to subscribe until the differences among Home-rulers can be removed.
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