The Express.
London, England, 1866-02-20 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, FEPIWARY 20, 1866.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

DEPUTATION TO EARL RUSSELL.
A deputation, nominated at a public meeting held
in Glasgow on the 25th of last month, waited by appoint-
ment yesterday on Earl Russell, in Downing-street, to pre-
sent a memorial in favour of parlianernery reform. The
deputation was headed by Mr. Dalglish, M.P., and was
accompanied by Admiral Erskine ; Mr. Berm, M.P. ; Mr.
hrlaren, M.P. ; Mr. Cradled, Y.P. ; Mr. Grehare, M.P.;
Mr. Potter, M.P.; Colored Sykes, M.P.; and the Hon. A.
Kinnard. M.P. ; and amonpt the deputies were Mesas.
Gov's, Craestown, Campbell, Muir, Pearson, kc.
Mr. DALT/USN, M.P., introduced the deputation, which
he said had emanated from a public meeting held in
Glasgow, at which 3,000 people of all classes attended.
The memorial which at their request he presented to his
lordship prayed for the early introduction of • measure of
reform, which should include • large extension of the fran-
chise both in counties and boroughs--a more equal distri-
bution of seats, and attention to the claims of Scotland
for • more equal representation as compared with the rest
of the United Kingdom than she now enjoyed.
Mr. GOVIN, a member of the deputation and • working
letter-press printer, as appointed to represent the claims
of the industrial orders of Glasgow. urged in • forcible
speech the grounds on which the class he represented
founded their demand, via, intelligence, industry,
thrift, love of order, and attachment to the institutions of
the country. As • compromise he said the working men
would be willing to accept a 101. beeches for counties and
a 61. hunches for boroughs, with a redistribution of seats.
Mr. Oaadirrowet, another representative of the work-
ing dame, followed, urging the great importance of a re-
distribution of seats, pointing oat the anomaly of giving
to 300 people the power of returning as many representa-
tives as 300,000. The frequent disappointments which the
working claws had experienced on the subject of reform
had driven them to self-legislation, and hence the trades
unions and other associations by means of which they had
succeeded in reducing their hours of labour, and raised
their rate of wages, things which at we time they thought
the government could do for them, but which now they
found could be more effectually done by themselves.
What had produced and perpetuated the alienation
of classes was that the working people were
as • rule treated as nobodies by the governing powers,
although in feat they were the great producers of the wealth
of the nation. There could be no valid objection to an ex-
tension of the franchise on the ground that the working
men who would be thus admitted were ignorant or ill-con-
ducted. The working people of the United Kingdom were for
the most pert intelligent and a reading people. In France
we knew that the franchise had been allowed to people not
so intellipent, sad in America to people of certainly not
superior intelligence, and why the same political rights
should not be extended to the same clamed here they could
not understand.
Mr. ClaurancL, who next spoke in support of the me-
morial, pointed out the opportuneness of the period—the
government being strong in • large parliamentary majority,
sod in the coofidemos of the people, for carrying out • large
measure of reform. He strongly insisted upon a redistri-
bution of ease as essential in any nth measure.
Mr. Mum another member of the deputation, stated
that although the opinion of the majority of the people of
Glasgow wont much farther, they were willing to accept
• 6/. rental suffrage for boroughs , and a WI. suffrage for
counties, together with s redistribution of mato, as • com-
promise, In reference to the latter point he asked what
could be more unjust than that Andover and Thetfordorith
5034de:tors together, should return four members to he-
rmit, while Glasgow with 16,000 electors should only
rears two.
Mr. ()Renew, M.P., contended for a reduction of the
freathise Sc the point indicated ander any circumstance.
The redistribution of seats, he admitted, meat be a matter
of parliamentary tactics, and added that the confidence of
the country was so great in the noble Premier that what-
ever he might think prudent under the circumstances
as to any change in this reaped the public would no doubt
accept. He trusted Earl Russell's government would not,
for their own credit's sake, introduce a narrow or illiberal
reform bill.
Yr. DUNLOP, M.P., in supporting the prayer of the me-
morial, premed another from the electors of Greenock to
the same effect. Hs observed that while his constituents
might be disposed to show some forbearance in regard to
the redistribution of seals, they would show none in refe-
rence to the reduction of the franchise to the 61. rental in
boroughs and the 101. in counties.
Mr. li'Larm, M.P., contended generally for the prayer
of the memorial, and for • larger share of representative
power foe Scotland, in proportion to her increased popula-
tion, wealth and importance.
Mr. Came EWING. ILP., observed that at a meeting held
In Paisley resolutions in favour of • 61. borough and M.
county [reaches had been adopted.
Colonel Svgs, M.P., on the pert of the electors of Aber-
deen, said that nothing short of • comprehensive measure
of reform, combining • reduction of the franchise and a re-
distribution of seats, would, he believed, satisfy them.
Earl RUSHES replied nearly as follows :--Gentlemen, I
have listened with great attention to the observations you
have madle,and I have first to say, in endeavouring to make
some remarks in reply, that it will not be in my power, nor
would it be ormsetent with my duty to state to you the
nature of the measure that will be introduced at the
proper time by the proper organ of the government in the
House of Coalmine on the subject of parliamentary reform.
I may say further that any measure we may feel it oar duty
to introduce will be founded not upon what may have been
done in other countries—in Prince or'in the United States.
Without discussing at all the value of the institutions
which the people of France may pores% or the people of
the United States, I think it becomes us, having had a re-
preseatative constitution for now 600 years, in any
amendment' we may make in that old representative con-
stitution, not to throw aside all that oar ancestors have
pined for na, or all that experience has taught us, not to
go to foreign nations or to any theoretical model for • plan
Of t Mpreseutative 9714.03 s or TO depart from our own laws,
our own traditions,and oar own habits. As to this ,Inettion
of reform, you will, lam sure, agree with me that there
are many elements which most be considered. Numbers
must be considered, property must be considered, intelligence
must be considered. And not only these, but local circum-
stances mast likewise betaken into account. If, for instance,
we were to make a plan of representation entirely teed
upon numbers, and to give to each place what those num-
bers required, this great metropolis would have about as
many members as the whole kingdom of Scotland. But
considering how identical the interests of this great metro-
polis are with those of the country at large, sad bow various
are the interest* to be represented in Scotland, such an
arrangement would be anything but a fair representation of
the people of the United Kingdom. But we ere not, as I
have stated, to deal with any theoretical plan, bat must
consider the present state of affairs. In 1830 and 1831,
when Lord Grey made his proposition to parliament
on the subject of reform, the abuses then exist-
ing were so gross and an glaring that immedi-
ately the subject was broached by a government with the
authority of the crown there ran all through the
nation a flame of enthusiasm which was sufficient to carry
the proposal of the government. But in thee days there
were such places as Gallon and Old Sarum, which, without
any inhabitants in fact, or at all events practically without
any inhabitants, were entitled to send members to parlia-
ment, while Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and the other
great and populous manufacturing towers, had no members
at all ; and this was so obvious and striking • defect that
the people, when the matter was shown to them by the
government, at once agreed to reform that state of things.
The present state of affairs, however, is totally
different. Whatever defects there may be they are
not so glaring or so obvious, and is there aro
evils to be remedied they are different in degree, if not
altogether different in type. It has seemed to me for some
years, that, considering what we did in 1832, it is an
obvious, and, I should say, • very pressing defect is the
present system, that the skilled artisans in our towns—men
who are both numerous, and who have property sad in-
telligenoe--are to so great a degree excluded from the
power of electing members. (Hear, hear.) lam convinced,
although the opposite proposition has been maintained
—I am convinced that the assertion that any skilled artizan
in any of our towns might, if he were industrious and
prudent, pay 101. • year for his house, and thus obtain the
franchise, is erroneous. I can easily imagine that a man
who receives good wages, but who wishes to give to his
family that amount of food and clothes which is necessary
for them, and to provide for his children that edu-
cation which it befits him to give if he be • decent,
well conducted member of society, cannot afford
to pay 101. a year for his house in addition to those expenses.
But I am not going to discuss with you the question of the
franchise. I have heard with attention your observations
in favour of • 61. franchise for boroughs and • 101. imitable'
for counties, because this is evidently • matter that mart
be carefully considered by those who will have to frame
the measure which it will become the duty of the govern-
ment to submit to parliament. Nor am I here to state the
kind of measure that I. about to be introduced. With re-
gard to the other question that has been touched upon, the
redistribution of seats, that is one on which there is much
to be said; but I must say it does not appear to me that the
defect is so obvious that it immediately requires • remedy.
It is, besides, • question of very considerable difficulty.
When Lord Derby's government introduced a bill to
amend the representation of parliament, they proposed that
a member should be taken from each of 15 boroughs and
apportioned amongst the counties and other populous
places. But that, I think, would hardly be maddened a
proposal likely to form • permanent settlement of the
question. If on the other hand, lewe were to govery far,and
say that the number of the representatives should in every
case be fitted exactly to the number of the population, that
would be so great a change that it would be entirely out of
the question to expect to carry such a measure in parlia-
ment. Without saying, then, whether it would be advan-
tageous or mischievous, I would simply remark that it
would be useless to propose such • measure in the
hope that it would be carried. Bat on this
part of the question, as well as upon the ether,
I do not intend tem to say anything definite, for you will
be aware that while we are considering the measures we
may fed it to be our duty to suMaitio parliament, we have