The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-29 00:00:00

THZ OPPORITION TO THE REEOI.3I BILL.

The Times flatly says• that Sir R. Knightley's
motion yesterday proposing a further instruction to the
committee to make provision for the better prevention of
bribery and corruption at elections, was intended by its
Movers and supporters to have the effect of smothering the
Reform Bill, and to express their disinclination seriously
to consider the measure. The policy is as paltry as it is
fatal, and can have no effect on the result of
the campaign. Capt. Hayter's excellent speech points out
defects and errors much more worthy the attention of the
house. He has shown that the government scheme of re-
distribution must be considerably remodelled, if we would
secure any settlement of the question giving a promise of
reasonable permanence. The Times hopes that an attempt
will be seriously made to secure a good scheme of reform
at once, and that we shall bear no more of such proposals
as Sir Rainald Knightley's, or of such victories as that of
yesterday evening. The time before us is too limited to be
wasted on unreal discussions, which only serve to discredit
the House of Commons and to blunt the edge of genuine
criticism.

The Daily News observes that the moral discredit of the
victory snatched last night by the opposition, aided by
their usual liberal contingent, will counterbalance any
material gain they might derive from it. Since the com-
mencement of the reform controversy they have shown an
indisposition to meet the question face to face,
They shrink from openly rejecting the bills pro-
posed by her Majesty's government ; but desire
to encumber them with conditions which will ensure their
not passing—to sink them beneath a load of amendments.
Since 18:32 there Lave been four reform bills, one of them
produced by Mr. Disraeli himself, and none of these con-
tained the provisions which are now deemed essential,
and indeed no one was even impelled by faction to suggest
their introduction. Sir Rainahl Knightley's instruction
was proposed and has been passed simply as an instru-
ment of delay. Its supporters, on both sides of the house,
consist almost exclusively of members who will vote with
Captain Hayter that the government scheme is not of
such a nature as to form even "the bases of a settlement."
Rut these tactics will not prevail. If the bills are de-
feated it must be by a direct vote. L'ndoubteilly the
government scheme both retains anomalies and creates
them, but the anomalies which it creates are merely
csrollarits from those which it retains, and both together
are fewer in number and smaller in degree than the
anomalies of the existing settlements which Mr. Lowe pro-
poses that we should preserve, and than those other
anomalies which Mr. Disraeli is anxious to invent. It is
for conservatives to consider whether they are likely to
g t more favourable terms a session or two hence.
The Post speaks of the ministerial defeat as Inc not to
the generals but to the rank and file. Its special impor-
tance is the indication which it affords of the bent of
opinion in the house in regard to the ministerial measure.
07 course the subject is one for special legislation, but the
m tjority of the house are dissatisfied with the government
bills and are willing to take every opportunity of pro-
testing against them. The Post anticipates that the
debate on Captain Bayter's motion will probably be as
pr ,tracted as that which preceded the second reading of
the Franchise Bill, and at its conclusion the government
will be fortunate indeed if they succeed in obtaining the
same narrow majority.

The Hral4 says that at the meeting yesterday of Lord
Derby's supporters at the residence of the Marquis of
Salisbury, Mr. Disraeli spoke at some length, and his
remarks were received with enthusiasm. It was unani-
mously resolved that Captain lfayter's amendment should
ba supported by the entire strength of the opposition. The
Herald does not believe that the object of Si* R. Knight-
ley and his supporters was to get rid of the bill
by indirect means, but nevertheless thinks it paltry and
humiliating for the government to accept their vote
as merely intended for the better preventing of bribery at
elections. To do this was assuredly to eat dirt in a style
to which no English minister ever yet descended, and to
incur a degradation as extreme as it was unnecessary.
Practically, the Herald adds, the division has settled the
fate of the Reform Bills. Captain Ilayter is supported by
quite a sufficient number of members to settle the result.
The Teleyreph thinks we shall hardly be expected to
believe that the exuberant delight of the conservatives at
the result of the division sprang solely front their hope to
see the rich man's power of purchasing his seat abolished.
It was nothing but a transparent dodge which will only
serve to make the people more determined than ever, so
that whether reform be carried this month or next
month, this session or next, the leaders of the liberal
party will find their supporters all the more united and
resolute in consequence of the opposition which the minis-
try is now receiving.
The majority of last night, the Slar says, was only se-
cured by a random and sudden alliance between gullibility
and hypocrisy. It was the combination of Tartuffe and
Orgon which outvoted the government. Up to the pre-
sent session it is due to Mr. Disraeli to say that he has
led his followers to promote, whenever the public service
raquired it, the convenience of the government. This
year, however, he has taken a different view of his re-
sponsibilities, and availing himself of his undisputed posi-
tion has made a practice of rising on the motion for ad-
journment and speaking in a vein of elaborate satire, so
as to excite a useless and irritating debate on a question
which had far better pass sub sileulio.