The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-02-10 00:00:00

MITTDISHAELI AND THE COUNTY
FRANCHISE.
_ ZLICRION 8P17413 IT MR, LOWL,

Mr. Disraeli says, " the goestion of a further reform
of the House of Commons is again suggested by the
minister'. The argument for extending to the oottuttes
the household franchise of towns, on the ground of the
existing systems being anomalous, is itself fallacious.
Then has always been • difference between the franchise
of the two division of the country, and no one has argued
more strongly than the present Prime Mli later against
the contemplated Identity of suffrage." The right hon
gentlemen cells it crude legislation. Now, we had •
house
from this gentleman when he was leader of the
Nouse of Commons in 1859. "I may say that if labour,
if thought, could assist us to arrive at • proper solution,
neither labour nor thought has been spared." He does
appreciate the ad vantage el labour and thought, although
he economises epithet. (cheers). "Is there any principle
on which we can restore the country oonsituenoy to its
natural state, and bring about that general and ardent
empathy botwesn the two portions of the constituent
body which ought to *List Her Majesty's government
are of opinion that some inch solution does exist, and
we think there lea principle, the justness of which will
be at once remedial, and which, if applied with due
disoretion, will effect all those objects which we seriously
desire with respect to the county constituency. We
find that privoiple in noognisirg the ILINTITY 01
10118•011/1171fL111 COIL/TT AND TOWS" (thews). Now
observe the pomposity of the Prime Minister who ohjacits
to prolixity (cheers and laughter). Ido not mean to say
that Mr. Disraeli wilfully ignored this little episode in
his character, but it is one which caused him the loss of
Iwo of his most vabiabls colleagues—Mr. Henley and
Mr. Walpole, who retired on account of that plan
(oilier.). Ido not at it all accuse him of 'Well
witholding this from you. He is far too clever • moo
to suppose that somebody or other would not fiud it out,
as I have done. But I believe lie saw in Mr. G'adstone's
address that he was favourstile to the uniformity of
franchise in counties and boroughs, and says this—" I
must say the other. It is no use trying a.gurnent; let
messy it is 'crude' (laughter). all I can say is that if
it is crude it has bad • great many years to ripen
(laughter). " Lnd then if' crude' will not mottle them,
let me say it is foolish, and there we leave them"—
(iandtter.) But I do istjeet for me part to the
slatternly inaoeuraey of his mind (laughter) and that
he had entirely forgotten all about his explanation in
1859. Probably be has found it out In fore this time,
ono I dare say he was as much aitoeialied as was the
m.n who drew Prism's curtain In the dead of night,
when he took and showed him this usagnifioent oration.
I make no charge against him, but is that the sort of
person to whom you would truat juuroonoerssT Would
you like him for your agent, or your attorney, or your
couveyanoer, to look after a title for you? Do you
think ho would be • good man to keep your books ?
(laughter). Would he make • good auditor for an
officio! Can you point out an °Bios, in which anything
like the interests of mankind are tonoerned, where you
would wish to have any dealings with such a gentleman
--(cheers and laughter).