The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-11 00:00:00

THE MEETING OP LIBERAL HERBER-9 OF PARLIAMENT.

.
Nov newspaper reporter having been present yes-
terday at the meeting at Earl Russell's official residence,
the reports of the proceedings given by our contemporaries
vary somewhat in character as well as in extent. The ac-
count which we give elsewhere is from the Daily News. It
is there stated that the numbers present were 263 ; the
Post gives them at 286 ; the Star at 230 ; and the Telegraph
st more than 250. According to the Herold the numbers
were only 176.
The risers sees in Lord Russell's remarks • proof that
its own criticisms on the condition of the government have
not failed of their effect. His statement that the govern-
ment bind themselves to stand by their bill for redistribu-
tion, and that the same parliament which passes the fran-
chise bill should pass the other also, is a change in the
counsels of the ministers produced by the remon-
strances of the liberal party, and of the chief organs
of the independent party in the press. In fact we have now a
very different ministerial programme. Having conceded
so much, the government might well go a little further.
They might lay their bill for redistribution before the
house at once, and not call upon their supporters to
take a leap in the dark by voting for • measure the prin-
ciple of which can only be judged by something which is
still withheld. For the rest, the Times says that at
yesterday's meeting almost complete unanimity prevailed.
Those members who have made up their minds to vote for
Lord Grosvenor's amendment would, of course, for the
most part stay away, or listen in silence to the statements
of the Premier.

------.
According to the account in the ddrertiser, the argu-
ments of Mr. James called forth sounds which were not
over complimentary, and had the Speaker been present
there possibly would have been loud cries of " Order."
Mr. James, somewhat irritated at his reception, charac-
terised the interference with freedom of speech at minis-
terial assemblages in severe and outspoken language. If
men of independence were to be treated in an indecorous
manner, such meetings ought not to be invited ; but if the
practice were persisted in. he for one should not accept
Prime Ministers' im:tations to crisis conferences.
_ .
•

The Tdegraph account states that the Premier on enter-
ing the room, was accompanied by Mr. Gladstone, Mr.
Goechen, and Mr. Milner Gibson.
It appears from the report of the proceedings in the
Star, that Sir Henry Hoare asked whether government
would accept amending clauses if they were proposed by
members of the house. Earl Russell said that the
Chancellor of the Exchequer bad the conduct
of the bill in the House of Commons, and
he would decide upon the coarse which would
be taken there with regard to any amendments.
Mr. Baxter (Montrose) said he had only that morning re.
turned from Scotland, and he might say—and he supposed
all members would agree with him—that the Scotch elec-
tors were not venal, and were not usually supposed to be
very impulsive. But on this question there was a very
strong and a very unanimous feeling throughout all parts
of Scotland in favour of this measure, and he believed that
the town councils of burghs generally had voted without a