AN EXTRAORDINARY ELECTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 169, 15 July 1878, Page 4

AN EXTRAORDINARY ELECTION.

The following account of a remarkable election which has taken place at home is from the " Scotsman," of April 19:— The counting of tho voles gives at the election of a member for South Northumberland commenced at 10 o'clock yesterday morning in the Corn Exchange, Hexharo, before Colonnl Osbaldiston Mitford, Hi^h Sheriff. The total number of names on the register is 7415, and 100 must be deduted for doubles, dead, and absentees, leaving the proppr number thnt could have voted at 6415. On counting up the voting papers in the ballot-boxes it was found that 5837 votes bad been recorded, being several hundreds more than had been anticipated. On counting the votes recorded for each candidate, it was fouud that 2914 had been recorded for Mr Albert Grey, the Liberal Candidate, and 2.912 for MiEdward Ei.'Hry, the Conservative, and these, with 13 spoiled votes, made a total of 5839 votes, being two more than had been couuted when the papers had beeu taken out of the ballot-boxes, and upon tbe discrepancy heiDg noticed, the Conservative agents demanded that (he pupers should be re-counted, which was accordingly done. It was then found that tbe votes recorded for each candidate were as »iven, above. The votes counted for Mr Grey included two papers which, instead of beiug marked with a cross, had written upon them the word " Grey,"' and after considerable discussion, tbe High Sheriff allowed them to be counted, and it was by those two voting papers that Mr Grey had o mnjority of two over hia opponent. Whiie the second counting was in progress, a second discussion os to the validity of these two voting papere was raised by Mr Ridley's . agent, and having looked caiefully into the law upon the point, the High Sheriff rejected the two papers, thus incrensiog the spoiled papers ti 15, and causing the votes to stand at 2012 for each candidate. Upou this result being come to, the Liberal agent began to examine the Conservative voting papers, to find, if possible, flaws in them, but while that was being done it wus agreed thut the High Sheriff should send a double return fo Ihe House of Commons. The Sheriff is a Conservntive, and no doubt the numbers for both candidates being equal, he would have given his castiug vote for Mr Ridley. Ihe Conservative candidate, however; requested the Sheriff not to give him his casting vote, but to send in a double return. Tbe excitement durioe the day at Hexham was intense. A little before six o'clock the High Sheriff announced to a crowd outside, the Echauge that 2,912 votes had been recorded for each candidate, and that as he did not intend to give a casting vote, the House of Commons would have to settlo the matter as they pleneed. Mr Grey said — This is a most extraordinary termination to what is the hardest fought contest any country has ever seen, and I wish to tell you that the result, dead heat as it is, is entirely owing to the generosity of Mr Eidley. Tbe returning offcer bad it in bis power to give a casting vote, tbe votes being equal. Mr Eidley had reason to know that tbe returning-officer would give his casting vote in his favor, but Mr Eidley knowing bow great would be tbe animosity between the two parties in this county if he should be returned to Parliament by such a method, spontaneously, and of his own free will, asked tbe returning-officer to waive his right and not to give a casting vote in bis favor, which would have returned him a member of Parliament. Mr Eidley asked tbe High Sheriff to withhold hia right, and return both to th House of Commons. You will appreciate and recognise in this final act of bis another instance of the exceedingly honorable ond gentlemanly manner which Mr Eidley has maintained during the whole of this contest. He concluded by thanking his supporter?, and moved a vote of thanks to tbe sheriff. Mr. Ridley seconded tbe vote, and said although he might seem to be giviii" up something now, yet he was doing that which he would never regret. He was glad to feel that this memorable contest ended with the greatest good feeling on both sides. Cheers were given the Sheriff, Mr Eidley, and Mr Grey, and tbe proceediugs concluded.