The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-17 00:00:00

X I SCELLANEOVI4 Toricm.

Referring to the fresh campaign of reform which has
opened, the Daily New observes that the government bill,
by introducing arrangements which exceed in positive evil
all the perils to which non-enfranchisement exposed us
before, makes further agitation an urgent duty. Much of
the mischief is irrevocable in the present session, but there
are still points on which an expression of public opinion
may be serviceable. To such of the fancy franchises as
are of an educational character there can he no objection,
but the savings bank and direct tax franchises are chiefly
remarkable for their facility of being armies, and toe esta-
blishment of the lodger suffrage ought to serve as •
barrier against the insidious claims made in their behalf.
The proposal of voting papers saves trouble undoubtedly,
but it would at the same time enable the screw to be put
on tighter than it has ever yet been. The dependent
voter has at present some support from public opinion
when he goes no to the poll. but the voting paper will re-
move all defences. The election agent, or the landlord's
agent, will go round with the papers in his pocket, and
see each man sign under his own eye.
Discussing the three bills which were glanced at last
night, embodying the scheme of General Peel for the re-
inforcement of the army, the Tines urges that the House
of Commons may indirectly do much to restore the popu-
larity of the service, not only by raising the rate of pay,
but, still more effectually, by a more intelligent regard
for whatever concerns the comfort of the private soldier,
by grappling with the moral evils which make parents of
' the humblest class regard enlistment as ruin, and by an
increased readiness to profit by all that is valuable in the
experience of foreign nations. In the meantime the
measures of the government will certainly fail to satisfy
those who insist upon a comprehensive plan of army re-
form. They are not framed to realise any such ideal, and
aim, in fact, at little more than • development of existing
machinery.

The Telegraph gives all credit to Mr. Thomas Hughes
for his excellent intentions, but maintains that the subject
of Sunday trading is not one within the fair purview of
legislation—that it is a matter of social morals, to be ad-
justed by the progress of education, rather than Ito be
arbitrarily determined by an act of parliament.
Defending Lord Lyttelton's bill for the extension of the
episcopate, the Post urges that it is simply persuasive,
and at the same time asks the state for nothing. It is as
ungracioas to grudge the proposed increase of the episco-
pate as it is unreasonable. The money required is to be
subscribed by laymen and members of the church generally,
who may be supposed to know what they are about, and
are not likely to raise many hundred thousand pounds to
supply a want which they do not feel. It is to be hoped
that the good sense of both houses will pass this bill. The
liberality of the public may be relied upon to do the rest.

The following members composed the minority
who voted last night against the National Debt Bill :
Messrs. R. S. Aytoun, C. R. Barry, J. A. Blake, C. S.
Butler, C. R. Colville, J. Cowen, R. J. Devereux, L L
Dillwyn, R. Di.usdale, F. Doulton, H. Fawcett, C. Fors-
ter, J. K. Gaskell, J. E. Goat, E. Greene, Sir J. Gray ;
Capt. H. G. Gridley ; Messrs. G. Hadfield, J. Henderson,
J. G. Hubbard, A. W. Kinglake, S. Laing, J. Lamont ;
Capt. L. B. Mackinnon ; Mogan. T. Mainwaring, C. J.
Monk, C. Moore ; The (Manor Don, Sir C. M. O'Logh-
len ; Messrs. C. S. Read, C. Seely, C. J. Selwyn, W.
Stacpoole, E. J. Synan, P. Vanderbyl, C. Waring, G. H.
Whalley, J. White. Tellers—Mews. H. B. Sheridan and
T. Cave.

A bill is now before parliament to enclose 600
acres of the north-western mud lands of Southampton
Water, just beyond the limits of the borough.
Trout fishing in the River Kennett, in Berk-
shire, has commenced a mouth later, and will end a month
later this year than formerly.