The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-05-09 00:00:00

THE MINISTERIAL CRIKIS.

in the House of Lords on May 4, the Earl of Maimed airy rose
MO said that their lord.shipa would be glad to hear what
course the M inistry had adopted after the vote of Friday
morning. tier Majesty had granted the Prime Minister an
audience, anal the right hon. gentiman placod before her the
circumstances of the case, anal knid it nas in accordance
with constitutional principles for Ministers to dissolve. At the
mum Mum the right hon gentleman said that, if her Ala-
Jet,ty wished for other servants, they would resigns their
others. Her Majesty took time for consideration. On the
next day she grunted audience to the Premier, and graciously
informed him that she bad decided not to accept the resigna-
tion of himself and hie colleagues. she further gave tine
tight hom . gentleman permission to dissolve Parliament as
soon as the state of the public business pennitted.
The orders of the day were then gone through, and au ad-
journment seemed inapinent, !ch.. .

Karl ire) rose, and protested against the doctrine that
Ministers were ju.tlitledi In appealing to the country, simply
because the question on is Lich they had hem, defeated is
not brought prominently forward at the last election.
The Lord Chancellor contended that as the present Parlia-
ment had been elected under the auspices 14 lord Palmerstott.
and without reference to the disestahlishment of the Irish
Church, it WAA am, 00.16b.11 01l mm i,ith Slillbiteri might fairly
tender. the aminire winch Mr. Di.oacli had given to the
nntre!gn.. . . . .

The i7uke of Somerset inquired whether the flovennuent
meant to appeal to the old or the new constituencies, lir if
hey had 1111 Aile up their mind at all on the subject.
'rho Duke at Richmond replied that they had :t
his-
tinetly made up their 11111141, Will that it must depend ups.
the state of affairs whether the WWI to be with
the present or the new constituency. If Minister. were able
to carry on the pllbile TillSillOS9 until the new constituencies
IV appealed to. that course would he taken, but her
Majesty had pleased to say that I: it were necessary to
give the Ministry the advantage of a dissolution at an earlier
period she would he prepared to do
The Earl of Vaeenhan, having expressed approval of the
course adopted by the tiovernment, and of their general
policy, the nialtwr was allowed to drop, and their lordships
adjourned.
The scene outside the House of (*enthuse] was no of the
most extraonlinary ever witnessed, tlionsands f persons ,d
all clanses having assembled from au early hour su ithin the
quadrangle and In Westminster Ilall in order to catch a
glimpse of the principal members as they came down.
At a quarter past four o'clock a cry was raised that the
Prime Minister WWI coining, tnel in another monk:tit in, was
driven In a close carriage rapidly into the quadrangle to the
...embers' private entranee, not descending as most members
do at the hall door. Ile was followed by hundreds
perams who loudly cheered him, but It was only the work of
O moment, and the vast number of penple in the hall had no
opportunity of giving a welcome to the right hon. gentleman ,
tall. •
In the course of a few moments afterwards, Mr. Gathorne
Reidy, the Rome Secretary, I\ll4l Mr. lorry, the first Lord of
the Admiralty, walked down together, escorted by it single
pdivenum, and were cheered.

The l'haileollur of the Etehequer followed on foot directly
aftorward.o.

At twenty minutes before five o'clock the Prince of Waled
drove into the moult-angle and wash-m.lly cheered. In three
tulantees afterwards the Duke of Cambridge I trove up in a
large open carriage, and had a most cordial reception.
The House was unusually full at prayer time, and Mime-
diet.* afterwards the House presented a very animated ap-
pearance, every seat being ocenpied in all parts of the House.
Mr. Disraeli rose, in the midst of an antiously-expectatit
audience, and having reminded the Honse that 011 Thursday
night he declared that the adverse division on the Irish
Church had altered the relations between the Government
and the House, and that it would be necessary for the
former to consider their position, for which purpose he
asked the House to adjourn for a few days, Plow re-
quested further leave to make a statement upon the
subject, and give the result of considering the question,
sod the course which [MI thought it their duty to pursue
The right bon gentleman then reviewed the circumstances
under whit-ti the Earl of Derby undertook the Government
in I.See, and the way in which the Ministry bail cieldneted
the affairs of the country up to the moment wisest the House
was asked to consider a policy of a startling character, which
was nu lees than the dbieetablishment of the Church its a
portion of her Majesty's dominions. After that vote 44
Thuniday he lost no time in obteining an audience with her
Alejesty, which she was graciously please!l to accord to hint
In the aftermam of Friday On that occasion he placed fully
end fairly before the Queen the position of the Government,
sf partiee, and of the country, and he told her Majesty that the
ad vice which Ministersunder the circumstancisand in the true
spirit of the constitution, were prepared to offer her was, that
ahe should diseolve this Parliament awl take the opinion 44 the
country upon the conduct of the tieventment and upon the
questbin at Witle. At the same time he represented that
Chore were important occasions on which it was wise that the
:sovereign should not be embarrassed by personal claims,
however constitutional, valid, or meritorious, and that If her
Majesty was of opinion that the question at Issue could he
more satisfactorily settled, or the just interests of the country
be more studied by the immediate retirement of the present
/Government from °Mee, they were prepared at once to quit
tier service. tie then tendered hisresignation to the Queen, w
semsnanded him to attend Mole audience en the next day when
stie expressed her pleasure not to accept the resignation 44 her
Ministers, and her readiness to dissolve the present Parlia-
ment so soon as the state of public business would permit. It
was the opinion of Ministers that every effort should be made
for appealing, If possible, tothenew censtituency, and he stated
that if the Government had the cordial co-enema ien if Parha-
ment, it would be possible to make arrangements by which that ,
di,Hoillti..ll might take place in the coming autumn. With
regard the second and third resolutioes on the Irish Church,
havieg .lisapproved of the first, he of course 'disapproved of
the AHOPIIii and third, which he lookml upon as corellaries of ,
the trot. With a view to the dispatch 44 business, however.
he would not enter into protracted and formal discussion '
mem them, although he should offer thesis bendy negative:
hut he would be happy to devote the earliest possible day at
the disposal of the Government for their consideration.
hie Gladstone challenged Mr. Disraeli to mention a ease in
Chic whole history of the country where a Minister who hail
been twice defeated by a majority of GO and 65 advised a
✓esort to dissolution. There were two conditions necessary
tor making a legitimate appeal to the country. One
was an adequate ease of public policy, the other a rational
expoetation of reversing a decision; and he contended that
on
these principles the right hon. gentleman was not well
justified in his advice. The fate of the Minister was in the
Heat instance in his own hands. Fir his. Mr. Gladstone's,
part, he had other matters to consider which de mendelland
abserbed his whole attention, 1.1111 in reference to these,
his intentions had the advantage of being in their nature
eleur, simple, and decisive. One ipicstion pnramount to
every other was that of the Imperial relations between Eng-
Libli and Ireland, Will the branch of that question which,
putly the proeeedings of the Government, partly the state
of affairs out of doors, and partly, if they liked, the
proceedings of the Opposition, had thrust into the fore-
ground, he meant the Irish Church. What he held respecting
this subject might be summed up in two propositions; that
it was the duty of Ministers emphatically, intelligibly, and
without delay, to declare their mind as to whether the Estab-
lishment of the Irish Church ought or ought not to continue,
awl that the abstract resolutions ought to be folboved up by
the passing forthwith a Suspensory Act respecting the Irish
chnreh, whieh should have the effect of distinctly declaring
the mind of the present Parliament, and of levitating the
eor for the action of the next Parliament. Meanwhile he
accepted the titter of an early day for proceeding with the
twit remaining resolutions.

After some cursory criticisms by fr. ('ono Mr. Lowe,
Mr Newolegate. Mr. Crawford, Mr. Childers, Mr. Bouverie,
3,0 Mr. D. Griffith,
Mr. Bright expressed his mingled surprise and astonish-
ment at the statenkeuts of the Premier, whose conduct was
such no to overturn the express usage of the government
of the country. The Ministry, he declared, had ob-
tained office by unworthy arts; and urged that on the
oevasion of the defeat of Mr. Gladstone, on his Reform
Bill, there was a much stronger ground for dissolving
Parliament than Mr. Disraeli had at the present time.
He thought the Government had klisregarkled recognised
principles and constitutional customs, kind apparently knew
of nothing but a determination to stick to office until driven
from it by sone, decisive or offensive vote of the House.
Mr. Kendall thanked Mr. Disraeli for the line Ike had pur-
sued. Any other course would have been a betrayal of his
country.
After a few observations from Sir P. O'Brien and Sir B. P.
Collier.
Mr. Dieraell again alluded to his visit to her Majesty at
lists 'roe His advice was first to dissolve Parliament, or If
that would embarrass her Majesty, to resign at once Her
*jest), refused • resignation, and her authority was
given to dissolve when the Goverimient chose without
any regard to the old or new constituencies. Prom
the best Information he had received, the dissolution would
occur about November next. But, of course, as the respon-
sible Minister of the Crown, he should very shortly pnt Ikon.
members In possesnion of the views of the Cabinet. If, how.
ever. the Boundary BM should he carried by Jul.,', It would
facilitate the business of dissolution.

..... ......
mmg.'l7-1-isPcontinued t y Mr Cardwell and Sir G.
_..e 011 wan
Bowyer, and ultimately it was undentood that on Thursday
the House should again consider the remaining resolutions
on the Irish Church.

....
The House then went into committee of supply.
On the resolution entborising the increase of the income
tax, a smart discussion ensued on the recant augmentation of
the general expenditure, the leading pane being taken my
iii. (Haddon° and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The
resolution having been agreed to, progress was reported, and
the House adjourned itfterd.?.matelihrig.some rm,nmtine hominess.

lu the House of Lords on Alay 5, Earl Granville gave notice
that To should propose in 'Mee on the Education Dill
an amendment respecting the conscience clause.
The Duke of Marlborough said, that lii ,olikkeillielleo of the
amendment of the noble Earl, he anklliti now postpone 'going
lido committee for a few days.
The Fart of Lichfield moved the second reading of the
Friendly Societies Bill. and briefly explained its provisions.
TMf bill provided a better method if disposal of the binds
of friendly moieties It had been proved that two very
great evils were found to exist in connection with
friendly societies, awl it rias ilk laillilOqUallCO of
infonnation received that he had brought in this
bill After several remarks tent the noble earl respect-
ing the provisions of the bill, he went on to criticise a
petition which had been presented against the hill. Ile
would ask how it was if the clauses of the 1.111 were
at all Injurious, that the Odd Fellows' Society, numbering
upwards of 400,000 members, and the Foresters' Society,
numbering over 200,000 members, hail not petitioned against
the bill. Turning to the incomes of societies, the nolde earl
botched upon the [slyer, which numbered 000,000 members,
and whose Income was £145,000: and yet the noble earl was
understomi to nay that Its reserved fund was not equal to
('ire year's preminins. Other societies he hail found to lie In
a very umattsfaetory condition, awl the expenses were ex-
ceedingly extravagant, and urgently called for some reniedy.
After some remarks by the Earl of Ilarrowby and the Earl
if Maltnesbury, the bill was read a second time, and their
Lordships adjourned.
in the House of Commons, Mr. Gregory asked the Chief
:Secretary for Ireland whether he is about to give instrections
to the constabulary In the case of deaths brain sniall-pos,
caused by inoculation, ti endeavour ti procure an inquest
to he held, ilk order, if possible, to obtain a conviction ter
manslaughter, or for :in °fiance against the Vaccination
Aet.
'lure Earl of Mayo sell the instruetion had been given to
the constabulary to endeavour toi procure an inquest in
certain districts.
Mr Bagwell asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether,
considering the present tranquil state of Ireland, Ile con-
ITirell it necessary lik keep prisoners arrested under tire ails-
in-ninnk of the Mahe:l4l'o.mm Act any longer in confinement:
tool ivhether he wmild state b. the House the number present
tinder .onnp,Tnt the alkoVe Act.
"

'lle Earl of Mayo osbi there were only twenty-three now
miller confinement, and that oilers had been given for the
release a fourteen of them.
Mr Gladstone rose and said he would, as a matter of form,
wove the adjounnuent of the House. lie did not expect it
would be hie nlnty to refer to the statement made by the
Prime Minister last night at no early a date, lint the cha-
racter of the debate had been so altered by a second speech
front the right hon gentlentan, in which he ntaile a declara-
tion that he Mr. Gladstone would call perfectly enigmatical,
that he felt bonnet to ask for an explanation. Ile gathered
from the first speech—and he believed the other mmii mem-
bers of that side also understood the right hon gentleman
to mean—that the resignation of the Gove 11111 l ent was not
Met intentioned by Mr. bisraeli at the audience he had with
her Majesty, but that he recommended that Parliament
should be dissolved as 811011 as the state of public business
will allow, that is, as soon as the question of reform with
regard to Scotland and Ireland, and other Important measures
Inun tinder consideration had been carried through the
Hume. In the debate, he
.Mr. Gladstone , feeling the ab-
sorbing Interest of the great public question, had been 11.-
141,11 i nit passing by topics purely political, and in that strain
he believed the debate was continued, but at the
close the right bun gentleman] made a most Important
addition, which WAS slot nun alteration in the declaration he
had made. Ile wished to Ilinstrete that which took place
Ito (aloe, mud he week' put a quvetlea Iv her Alajeatyls

Coverament. It appeared that one of the members of the
Cabinet, Lord Malmesbury, made a declaration elsewhere,
which was in precise concurrence with the first edition tit
the statement of the right hon. gentleman. After that had
been done, exception was taken to that statement, and like-
wise a question viii put, tr,,lcing for precise information from
the Govennnent lit answer to that question, the Duke of
itcehintoirl iS reported to have made a statement totally
different to t hat of the right hon. g•mtleman, and the (plea-
t bat he w ould ask was, how lw was going to reconcile the
two st :dements? and the Duke of Richmond was alnll reported
to have said that in the event of any tlitiienitieo arising, her
Majesty Said She 11,11111 infer nit objection to the dissolution
of Parliament, but that it would depend upon the elate of
(Make whether the dissolution should take plus cutler the
present comdituency or the new ones. Ile begged the right
him. gentleman to give him an explanation.
Mr. Disraeli said, that last night, after the original state-
ment, enquiries were put to him by hon. members, and he
made a statement which he contended entirely concurred
with the original one. It was quite in the tatwer if the
right lion gentleman to hare taken exception to thud state-
ment when it was made, as he Mr. Disraeli Wan then
speaking on the motion for the adjournment of the House,
and he agreed with the right hon. gentleman that there should
11011,0 the slightest possibility of a misunderstanding. Ile
repeated that his two statements did not differ lathe slightest
degree, lint that there was some ntisunderstanding was very
01111011 S, and at the right time he corrected it. He then cc-
pealed what lie stated last night, that he recommended her
Majesty to diastase Parliament, but he told her that if a
more satisfactory settlement of the question at issue could
In. arrived at by doing, the Government wenhi place their
resignations in the hands of her Majesty. Der Nlajesty, 11411,
ever, deriined to accept them, and she accepted the advice
given by hint, with tin' eoncurrence of his colleagues, vls..
that yarliataent should he dissolved as soon as the stato of
toddle business would permit.
Mr. Bright asked •• if under the present constituencies?"
Nix DiSl,loli again replied that no 60011 as the public
Insiness was over; the Parliament would be dissolved, and he
considered it would be under the new constituencies. Ile
thought bis statement might be taken as an authentic cite;
but his attentbm bad not until that moment been directed
t.• that referred to by ND.. Gladstone.
After an animated discussion, iii which Nfr. Bouverie, Mr.
sandford, Mr. Cardwell, sir Stafford Northeote, Mr. Ayrton,
Air. Bernal Ostiorne, and other members ttmk part,
Mr. Whitbread said that he considered it a lamentable
thing that the name of the soverelim should have been
used in the manner it hail lava by the Prime Minister.
What the House wanted to know was whether the right
11011. gentleman had power to dissolve the House at any time
, The wily cry the right hon. gentleman coald go to the
country 011 Wa.3 ••
Nts surreader, at any time or under ally
eiremnstanms, of my place."
Mr. Lowe called On Mr /Disraeli, out of regard to IliS
character, to answer the straightforward questions which
had leen put to hint.
Mr. Disraeli said it had been remarked that the name of
the sovereign had been improperly Introduced into the
theistic. It was not so by him. The advice that he gave to
her Majesty to tits:nave Parliament was 011111111 M solely to the
question of the Irish Church, and if any other difficulty arose
itt the conduct of affairs, on which it occarred to hint mid
his colleagues that such advice should be given, it would
be his duty to repair her Majesty and to give that adviee.
Mr. Liddell regretted that the resignatbei of ministers
was not aecepted, nit Ito believed they could not continue ill
Miley longer with honour to themselves or advantage to the
country.
The motion was then withdrawn, and the totioj,t dropped
Lord E. Cecil leered an address for a reyal commission to
inquire into the present state of military education, anti
more especially into the training of candidates for Collllllil4-
11101113 In the army, and into t1101:011Stitilti iiii ti the system of
education and diseipline of the Royal Military Academy at
Woolwich and if the !Loyal Military College at Sandhurst.
Sir J. Pakington assented to the motbm, and after some
discussion it was agreed to.
Mr. Mill obtained leave to bring In a bill to provide for
the establishment of municipal corporations within the
metropolis, and also a bill to establish a conmration of
1...11i14111
Mr Pint introduced a MR to amend the Stockholders
Ireland Art. . .

...... .
A diseusaion then arose on emotion by Mr. eranturd, that
the Judgmenta Extension Bill be referred to it select CUM-
initter, during which the House was counted tout.
In the lion, of Commons im May 0. Mr. Perry Wynd-
ham 1110Ved iiic seCond reading of the Mines di...56111,1d
Bill the objixt t,f ii Mai is to do away tutu the pre.uilt
exception by a blob mines are not rated to the relief of the
P"2l:' " s'

After some diwussion, in which Mr. St. Aubyn, Mr. Peitae,
Mr. Denman, Sir. Kendall, Mr. Bruce, Lent George Caven-
dish, Mr. Corrance, Mr. Vivian, and t;them took part, awl
expressed an approval of the principles of the cill, althoualt
exception was taken to many of the details, the bill was read
a second time. _

Mr. C. Forster moved the second reading of the Divorce
and Matrimonial Causes Court Bill, and explained that Isls
object was to obviate the delays which now took place in
the business td this Court. This he proposed to do by
taking away the right of appeal in undefended cases, and
shortening the time for lodging an appeal in others to one
ninth. .

......
The Solicitor tieneral doubted the necessity of any legisla-
tion on these matters.

.....
After some remarks from Mr. Headlam and slr. M Chaiuu.
hers, the bill was read a second time.
. . . .

At the suggestion of the O'Boinuthue, the Ali Mary and
Elections Ireland Bill ceo postponed
The Cotton gtallstlcs Bill was read a ElCeollil tillle.

... . „ ..... .
The albellSSiMlon the report of the Artisans' and Labourers'
Dwellings Bill was resumed, and after several new clauses
had been added, was agreed to.
. . . . . . .

The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
noose adjourned.