No. 416.
Mr. Marsh
to Mr. Evarts.
Rome, May 24, 1880. (Received June 10.)
Sir: The action of the Grown in refusing to accept the resignation of the ministry, and at the same time dissolving the Parliament in accordance with their advice, was not altogether satisfactory to the opposition, because, as was alleged, the continuance of the ministers in power during the canvass gave them too great an advantage in influencing the result. The first ballot was held on Sunday, May 16, but there were many colleges in which elections were not effected, and in these cases a second vote was taken yesterday, the 23d of May. The opposition journals of [Page 651] this morning insist that the general result is a condemnation by the people of the present ministry and its policy, but it must be remembered that a very large proportion of those who are poor enough to be sensibly affected by the determination or the great question of the abolition of the maccinato (grist) tax are not voters of the laws now in force, and of course their voice is not heard in the elections.
It is believed, however, that the opposition has gained largely, but what the relative strength of the parties will be in the Chamber cannot be known until a test vote shall have been taken, as it doubtless will be soon after the commencement of the new session, which opens on the 26th instant.
I have, &c.,