The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-16 00:00:00

THE LIBERAL POLICY.

Regarding the situation as too grave to be made
the theme of personal recriminations, and urging that the
future should occupy attention, the Daily News insists
that Mr. Disraeli's liberal allies are bound to provide, if
possible, some compensation for the restriction which
they have imposed in voting for the exclusion
of compound householders an such from the suffrage.
Lord Grosvenor's amendment, less liberal than the propo-
sitions of either the government or the opposition, needs
not, it is to be hoped, to be seriously discussed, and were
it carried by a combination of reactionaries on both sides
of the house, the government would be bound in personal
honour and political consistency to consider it fatal to their
measure. Though the qualification of 12 months below
as above 10/. is to be preferred to one of two
years' residence, to throw the bill out upon it
would be a serious error. But the acceptance by the go-
vernment of Mr. Hibbert's amendment, which renders the
franchise equally accessible to compound householders
above and below 101., is earnestly to be desired. It re-
mains to be seen whether it can be compelled. The posi-
tion which Mr. Disraeli has gained gives him a fulcrum
from which he may use greater leverage than before against
less resistance. The power which the liberals have of
amending the bill in any essential particular is not very
great ; but they may prevent it being deteriorated. If
they cannot coerce Mr. Disraeli, they may check and nen-
halise Lord Grosvenor. We shall probably have a bill
this year ; but the bill will not be a settlement.
The Star also opposes Lord Oroavenor's amendment as
limiting the amount of enfranchisement, but thinks Mr.
Gladstone's proposal to alter the residence to one year
must be pushed forward, whether the government says it
is fatal to their measure or not. If the liberal members
vote on this point with Mr. Gladstone he will have a
majority, and the government will either succumb, go out,
or appeal to the country. It must come to this in the
end. With the unsatisfactory county franchise ahead
and the miserable readjustment of seats, the bill cannot
be accepted as a settlement.
The parliamentary episode of Friday is commented upon
by the Telegraph and Star. The former says Mr. Osborne
is followed in the inquiry by public gratitude and interest,
and that what has since transpired confirms the ugly look
of the intrigue. The Star says the only substantial dif-
ference between the account, of Mr. Osborne and Mr.
Dillwyn is that the real terms of the negotiation did not
bind the government, though they were to buy the radicals.
A lodger franchise, based upon a payment of the rates,
commends itself to the Standard. Under the present law
a lodger whose rent is 101. • year may insist upon being
rated in conjunction with his landlord, and may thus ob-
tain his vote. The principle is capable of extension here
as in the tenant's case generally. Let a man prove that
be has resided • year or two in the same apartments, and
that he has personally paid his rates, and justice demands
that he should be entitled to the franchise. Even with-
out this substantial justice is open to all under the special
franchises.