The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-27 00:00:00

TAM POSITION OT REFORM.

Congratulating the country upon the unselfish
and patriotic disposition displayed by the opposition, the
Times proceeds to hold out a reasonable hope that in the
session of 1567 the satisfactory settlement of a question
which has perplexed cabinets for fifteen years may be
effected. The ministry have shown their docility on the
subject of reform, and before to-morrow week they will
have learnt to recognise still more clearly what is re-
quired of them. The house cannot recede from the re-
duction of the occupation franchise sanctioned last year,
but the fancy franchises need not be objected to if it is
shown that they are in no danger of being abused by the
creation of faggot votes. It is, however, vain to suppose
that the county occupation franchise can be fixed at a
rating of 201., and the ministry had better at once propose
the limit of 141., adopted by the noun of Commons last
year. They may then expect to encounter only a formal
objection to the substitution of a rating for a rental quali-
fication. In the same way it will be true wisdom to
anticipate opposition by proposing at once • 5/. rating
franchise in boroughs.
The failure in the formal method of proceeding adopted
by the government, is spoken of by the Dade News as a
discredit to the party which resorted to it, and an affront
to the house which has been so vainly played with. The
country has still graver reasons for dbpleasure. Enter-
ing upon office in virtue of • vote affirming that the exten-
sion of the franchise should be based on the principle of
rating, and aware that its action was impatiently expected
by the country, the government has already wasted three
weeks in the most futile mystification, and four weeks
will have passed before its proposals are placed in
such a form that they can be even considered. Ac-
cording to the usual forms of the house six weeks
will have passed before the government measure
reaches the stage at which its various provisions can
be practically discussed. This is worse than trifling.
Meanwhile the liberal party can scarcely be satisfied even
with the compromise of last year, and they are bound to
discover at once if the conservatives will consent to a
lower figure for the rating franchise. If they will not,
we should then have the fate of the ministry decided
early enough to ensure us the passing of a reform bill before
the session expires. That, as we all know, is an object
of not the most ardent desire to many who are now in the
house. But it is of supreme importance to the country,
and the house, if it would lead the country, must not be
a party to its subjection to prolonged anxiety and reiterated
disappointment.
The Herald is heartily glad that the resolutions are
withdrawn, though it must not be supposed that they
have been utterly useless. They are withdrawn not be-
cause they could have served no purpose, but because they
have already served it. It is perfectly well understood
that there can be no such thing as a party victory on this
question ; that neither Mr. Gladstone nor Mr. Disraeli can
carry a bill framed to his own mind on the principles
which he likes best. The settlement must be effected by
• compromise, and that party best deserves the gratitude
of the country which most contributes to that compromise
by sacrificing everything except its essential principles.
The Tekgraph contrasts the tory gathering with that at
Mr. Gladstone's. The one was a council of war to settle
the terms of surrender ; the other a meeting of conquerors
debating the conditions of acceptance. The position of
the liberal party is now better than it has been for years.
The tories have hitherto signally failed in their attempt to
cattle the question of reform ; the dissensions which
during the last session weakened the liberal ranks no
longer exist; and hence the party of progress has a new
opportunity to frame • bill that shall at once satisfy the
public and accord with the spirit of the ago.
The Star at•empts to indicate what is likely to be the
minimum of reform which the liberals will accept. If the
basis of the franchise must be rating, then it seems clear
that nothing short of a 5/. rating franchise in boroughs and
a 101., or at most 121. franchise in counties could satisfy
any sincere reformer. No reform bill could be accepted
without a lodger franchise. The abolition of the rate-
paying clauses would of course be necessary. The scheme
of redistribution would have to be entirely modified, and
indeed very boldly enlarged. The Star continues to doubt,
however, the possibility of the question reaching • stage
at which such • contest can be fought out.

REFORM MOTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.