"The system of P. R.," our correspondent continues, "would have
been tested more fairly had all the candi- dates been prominent men. The second in the list of 'first preferences' was a Labour man, who drew votes fairly evenly from all counties. Surgeon Barniville also was supported throughout the country—evidently by the educated public, which approved his stand against a separate Irish medical register. The most striking example of a popular candidate was General Hickie, who came fourth on the list, with ex-Service men's votes cast for him in every district. It is significant to find no Sinn Fein candidates in the first half of the first prefer- ences,' while most of the Gaelic candidates appear right at the tail end. The election marks almost a leaden weight of reaction towards the Ireland of, say, 1910."
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