Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-29 00:00:00

T

The Paris correspondent of the Ti»zes says the EnOsh
Government has consented to the admission of Sardinia to
the Congress.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS-MONDAY,

Their Lordships having met at five o'clock,
The Earl of Clarendon put a question to the Foreign
Secretary with reference to the mission of Lord Cowley to
Vienna, and the results which were likely to flow from it.
He observed that, at present, the public knew nothing, in
reality, of the nature of this mission. He gathered from the
newspapers that Lord Cowley had been entrusted with no
powers to negociate, but he was desirous to ascertain what were
the differences between France and Austria, and to endeavour
to bring them to a conclusion. If that were so, he
thought that the instructions given to Lord Cowley were most
judicious. The friendly character of the noble lord's mis-
sion seemed to have been fully appreciated by Austria, and
he was believed to have brought back most complete and
satisfactory assurances. Austria had professed her willing-
ness to withdraw her army from Italy, at the same time as
the French Army was withdrawn. She declared that she
had never intended to invade Naples, and she expressed her
readiness to engage not to do so, and Austria would make
concessions to European feeling. Considering her present
position, the strength of her army, and the support which
she called from. Germany, she might do without the slightest
reflection upon her honour or her courage. We might feel
assured that the peace of Europe wonld.not be disturbed,

The Earl of sfalmesbury said, that before Lord Cowley
went to Vienna, he had the full consent of the French
Government to undertake the mission, and he was made
aware of their views upon the Italian question. The noble
lord had been slightly informed as to the nature of Lord
Cowley's instructions, and his lordship had been re-
ceived with the utmost frankness and cordiality by
the Austrian Government. Since Lord Cowley's useful
mission to Vienna, a congress had been assented to by the
five great powers, but the details of which were to be con-
sidered, and the composition of the congress had not yet
been decided upon, although he had no doubt that it soon
would be. Her Majesty's Government were desirous that
every one of the Italian States should have an opportunity
of expressing their opinion in some way or other at the
congress, and their object was to recommend to the Italian
people what they believed would be for their own benefit,
and for the safety of Europe. Although no actual disarma-
ment had taken place, both Austria and Piedmont had
formally declared that they would not attack one another,
and that they would abstain from hostilities ; therefore, if
some untoward or impossible event should occur, we might
hope that peace would not be broken, and that the congress
which would meet at the end of next mouth would have the
result which all Europe desired. (Cheers.)

The Vexatious Indictments Bill and the Evidence by
Commission Bill passed through Committee.
The Manor Courts (Ireland) 'Bill and the MediCal Act
(1858) Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed.
Their Lordships adjourned at five minutes to 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

MONDAY

Mr. Owen Stanley stated that, in consequence of the very
explicit statement of. her Majesty's Attorney-General for
Ireland, that the Government would consider the rejection
of the second reading of the Reform bill as equivalent to a
vote of censure; he should withdraw the resolution of
which he had given notice.

Mr. Griffith asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether the plan of uniformity of franchise between counties
and boroughs, is considered by Government to form
an essential principle of the proposed representation of
the people's bill, on which the fate of the bill is to
depend, or whether, on the contrary, it be only one of those
details which, though forming part of the original sugges-
tions of Government, is to be considered to be open to any
alteration or omission in committee.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply, complained of
the inconvenient manner in which the bill was debated. It
was debated wholesale and retail. Ile should, at the proper
time, be ready to vindicate the course and explain the
policy of the Administration ; but the present question was
not within the scope of a fair question, and he would not
then enter into the subject. It was for the house to consi-
der the advantage and disadvantage of the bill. Those who
thought that the latter predominated, would vote against it
But if it passed into committee the government would con-
sider any proposition which might be brought forward with
that spirit of candour proper to the occasion. If the deci-
sion of the house was against the opinion of the ogovernment,
it was for the government then to decide on the course it
should adopt, which they would endeavour to do in conso-
nance with their duty.

AMERICAN MAIL&

Mr. Cowper asked whether it was intended to incur the
expense of a third mail to America in addition to the two
mail services, for which a sum of £176,000 is included in
the rarlrPt pctimatec, before a vote Cir thic pirposo can be
submitted in committee of supply.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the contract
was before the Admiralty, but it was not yet completed. It
was not-necessary to take an additional vote for the purpose.

The Attorney-General for Ireland, entered into' some
explanations as to the statements made concerning Italy on
Friday night. It had been reported that he was said to
have admitted that he was mistaken. He had admitted
nothing of the kind.

THE GOVERNMENT REFORM

BILL.

The adjourned debate on the bill for the representation of
the people was resumed by Mr. E. James, who said that he
rose to support the resolution of the noble lord. It was a
remarkable feature in the debate that there was no one un-
connected with the Treasury Bench, who had not expressed
an opinion adverse to the vital and important principles of
the bill. The resolution was directed against their main
objections to the measure, which were that its
meats were unjust and impolitic-L-its' disenfranchisement
unjust and contrary to the Constitution, and that by its
non-extension of the franchise it has doomed to disappoint-
ment the hopes of a large and enlightened class. He re-
probated the letter of Lord Grey and Lord Elcho,
who was not content to wait till the subject came
before them in debate, but had adopted a most imprudent
course, characterising a resolution as almost factious
which was in accordance with the formerly expressed
opinion of Lord Derby, and the present opinion of their
own colleagues Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley, who now sat
looking on the remains of their former Cabinet.
Entering into the merits of the bill, he attacked the system
of voting papers as capable of being put to the worst uses.
The bill was not a sincere Reform Bill, but a measure of
political retaliation, intended to introduce a large class of
non-residential voters, towards which object the voting
papers were intended to serve, These voting papers were,
he contended, not a detail, but essential principle of the
bill. The system was a mere machinery for bribery and
intimidation. The voting papers would be directly bought
and not in the market. He protested against the non-
extension of the franchise by the bill. It was said that the
working classes were apathetic on the subject. To refute
these, he pointed to the late election for Mary-le-bone.
Where such of the working classes as had votes had voted,
while the wealthier classes abstained. What did they want ?
Were they to wait till they had a popular hurricane : let
them not mistake tranquility for torpor. There was a strong
demand, not for any wild scheme, but for that moderate
extension of the suffrage which was advocated by the right
hon. gentlemen who had left the Cabinet. With reference
to the change of Goternment which might follow the rejec-
tion of the bill, he felt afraid that no Government could
stand upon extensive Whig principles, or which should re-
fuse an adequate measure of reform. It must be founded
on a wider basis than kindred or family. Let the future
head of the Administration follow in this respect the ex-
ample of the present Ministry; let the new Government
consult the members for the greater constituencies ; let them
fix their powers on a popular basis, as they would hope to
retain the helm, so as to preserve the confidence of the
house.

enfranchise-

Mr. Beaumont regretted, in this instance, to desert a
party which he had uniformly supported during his parlia-
mentary career. He denied that there was much agitation
in favour of reform throughout the country. Any popular
speaker would attract large audiences, if they went down
and lectured in the great towns of England and Ireland.
As for the resolution, it was ingenious and well worded for
a trap, but one which did not merit much for a question.
He did not raise in a direct and straightforward manner
the subject of reform. It was mainly for that reason that
he should give his vote against it. As to uniformity of
suffrage; the objection to it had not been heard when Mr.
Locke King's motion in favour of the county £ll franchise
was carried, which convinced him that the present opposi-
tion was an after thought. He objected strongly to the
disfranchisement of the county voters, and thought the
option proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer dan-
gerous. If the preamble was introduced, there was no
knowing where it would stop. After discussing the question
of voting papers, and the various franchises of the bill, he
trusted that the bill might be allowed to go into committee,
'that the opinions of ' those who' L td most studied them
might be rairly heard.

Lord Elcho vindicated Lord Grey for having expressed
his opinion in writing on a subject which he felt a deep
conviction. Were peers of England to be the only persons
to be precluded from thus making known their sentiments.

------

For himself he admitted that the question of
not to beHdeearletgrweitthtedbythaatgtohveernment
present ingoavmerinnrinoerfsltireytn:isictubilt
have undertaken it at all. In so doing they show et
,"',06
ignorance of human nature; or any bill which woule!iil;eiii
pretences. He
in to endcidounnteort aseegenaenrval for eor
change in the constitution, either because the nr noire
the state worked ill, or because there was any violent' present
for the franchise on the part of those who do not as
issatie
possess it. It was notorious that Mr. Bright was " statal
fled with the result of his winter campaign, and vas dead
to have declared that it was like flogging 3 011
necessityP P°s
horse. It was because the English was had 11°
it, On
01_,ie
governed and a truth-loving people, that they
sympathy with the attacks—he might say
attacks—of Mr. Bright on the aristocracy.
the bill was introduced a certain amount of agiteol.
impossible to resist all change. And he admitteSildtitlith,noitotficilel
sprung up. The proper course therefore to
_OO4
settle the question, and to settle it at once. Oa theib_giiist
agreeing with the principles of the resolution, hn as
give his vote against it, as it only raised the quest' coferr
two points of the bill, and he felt assured that the or
ment would listen to any reasonable proposition4do
mittee. He objected to lowering the borough
doter'Tfere
as likely to injure the character of that House. iniSs
from the alterations in rentals, a £lO occupation' ohisell
equivalent to a £l3 occupancy in 1832. Thea tr a
tnbeings
therefore already virtually diminished. He id
happened so that 40s freeholds were now freeholdslaee",
very different class of persons from the-old 40s lyng tll3'
His main reason for voting against the resolution A ter
it was formed for the purpose of defeating the bill an,"te for
ing out the Ministry. Many of those who would vc't bee'
the resolution,' would, if the resolutiOn ha dine of thie
brought forward, have voted for the second reaortiee,
bill, which in that case would certainly have been
ri
He vindicated the attack of the Solicitor-General headbee°
John Russell, against which such strong ObjeCti°lls $
made by Mr. B. Osborne and Lord Palmerston -
quoque taken from the speeches both of the hen. ,ge-neclit
and the noble lord, which had made similar attack for ta
lenged. With regard to the bill, he should veteny of
second reading. Although he did not agree with re„,
details, he believed that the preamble of the bill w
As it rested not on population, nor on property, iL
terests, it contained, by the admission of
excellent points, and tended, as far as hate
at the, present moment to settle the question. iee fog
was proposed, further demands would be made. „4000
that universal suffrage contained more than 2,"
signatures; and, even then, did not sati
there were those who advocated the adm:
the franchise. With every respect for tb
and integrity of the working desks, he was 11""ty
to hand over the Government-of the country to the),
of trade unions ; but be willing it to t
intelligent portion of the working i
this point would be attacked by
savings' bank clauses of the biL
practical man, avoid looking at t
adoption of the resolution—there must bee.
or a resignation. A third course had been roe
that the Government should withdraw the bill,
Government, with due regard to the Iloase,
do. There was a fourth, course-to withdraw the,
The noble lord and the hon. gentleman opposite
do so. He most strongly reprobated a resort to
tion, and he would support any motion against word'
etie
at th present moment ; and as to a change of 6°,.oeit
he would point out its inconveniences at such 31 tso.
it would be difficult to find a Government fitted "en to
reins of power. He *called therefore on the .ho of the
the resolution, and agree to the second readies.' , 0001
otherwise there would be great danger that the 6100
principle would prevail, and that a vital ink'''. a
inflicted on the Constitution.
to
to
Mr. E. Ellice, senior, said that it was ~re °
finality in measures of reform, but for the Ine3-1 bad °,l
Government he considered it to be essentiallY atle pt
both for its sins of omission and of commission. 'OOOO
not dicuss the reasons which had induced the Goy pea t'
depart from the principles of 1832, to whieui bad pl,
opponents of the Reform Bill then introdnetala ;06
given their adheision. The Government s'igees7,alo
enlarged the franchise, disfranchised sonie P.- eV
enfranchised others. But instead of this theYso6,.;?
forward an ingenious cover, the evil of which Vrfeole,,pl
that it was torn from it in an instant. The I?l'Ll'ibiliS%.
most unjust and monstrous propositions, re-esiii`ceilill.",
that against which they so successfully conten', Jog^
The transfer of the borough voters he could 0014 prellaa
as confiscation. It proposed for out-voters• lr'''teeslle4
for out-voters was a return to the worst partic",o tit thewhich prevailed before 1832.
_lle objected ,eta
boundary proposed by the bill, to the votine"
uniformity of franchise. He' would have °‘%-eefo;ialt
to accept any moderate plan, which the present lae,
~11-ato"
had better means than any other of introduc-,Ow
as a provincial measure till parties were better reenclerl'iot4
and a more extensive measure could have hel nteose„e he
He should vote for the resolutions, and tb- ere,. ar
adopted, he should vote for a third reading , °„Thit°
saw no encouragement to allow the bill t° id eagei` tts
mittee. Recurring to the resolutions, he sh°l-",:terYtpirei
ferred a single resolution, simply conderuni,"
objectionable clause of the bill. He did not liogpro
propositions from high authority, and could not
10011.1,4
the extension of suffrage mentioned in °lege Ply, a°l4
without some definition of that intention. riasse'„oie'
warm eulogium on the conduct of the working toea' the
entitled to vote, but in the present state cog
he was opposed to throwing open the fratitheilielf
' holders of small tenements. He must, ne'—'f ''';,olc€*
these objections, vote for the resolution'' or '''`foil
it will be left to the government either to reslgnthe
The latter would not be a safe course, but if e"," drDir;
ment were to adopt it, he for one would thrones int' viore
in the way. He was not sanguine in hishV,,nt 10,e thcl
• an administration capable of carrying an eleelti-laci i`
of reform. He should therefore have been c
po red 0.0
would have agreed to the second reading and
the present bill. The impossibility of so'doing,,b
' to incessant agitation • but he denied that su'petsP
• bilities were due to the liberal party, but to th„,e.nles• „ate:
of the government in their objectionable prinr: e0P.,00/
Colonel Smyth said that, to a great extent, testfrelo
in the principles of the resolution. lie bore booesa
to the good conduct of the freemen of theotecifet°l
as slaking that the working classes could be tr trarProeti
objected to the identity of suffrage and to theAt tort:
the borough voters ; still he thoughtl they'
at tlie I o,
with the measure before them, and wished tho'instrscroP
sitions of Lord John Russell had been moved 11: the '4.01
to
oafi
good
tchohaseour
rerdpytppi
nhuooaebruantlisi aspublic
rhrs
en
seer
reomtvsfi
nioacil.gneeu
fyttwoihorbhamneti The bill containeu fore
thehafietnchidGea
ylohveehhe
asrandnno;:nreel
Government
htei
netnri iipansl
sciba,
t?1:rooeollo,
Mr. John Locke thought the bill a verY the (L-04.
congratulated the house on its introduction, nib le Of tlr
had shown that the leislature on the thole
of
able to reform. Declarationswas in sulloroerv'tjal
extension of the franchise were made by. the 14ctl'fla
mwoeuasldurper.obHabelyshaawvenobrroeuasgohnt iwnhav
and if the ministers had consulted their oly satin '44010
Goole res°l
the unanimity of the House,• should not a wee to
dopt t • di tlis
As far as he himself was coUcerned, the reso
hog 0
the
tnereloetlivtill
go far enough. For one thing, they said nttributriircle'cir
re-distribution of seats. In any such re-wifea'*oo,,,vi
metropolis had fair claim to additional seats,. fogb, Pr
the division of the present metropolitan l'iateres
ground of their great wealth, and the InnnJ •° •I
00°101
contained. bill, .
_i_4grd A. V. Tempest supported the „- BrIC tote
opponents of inconsistency. He charged ourewae ,61
proceeding under false pretences. The ° 11°u" opr- etio
to lore loir
into committee on the bill, and endeavour
d r"
measure. If the resolutions were carried, eortee
the Government neither to resign, nor dissolv7iite No it,
i'LagetththeeamdvwicitehodfralwAridt,Panaldmethrsetyon, to goo n end ere tlic'
a vote of want of confidence was m•ght Piot then''
10
ar. it
would have the country in their faPvasoi against
it 1c r ee
ss
toll.:00 ant° t!,,
Mr. M. Mills said that the debate, long so ttstr;
long as it was likely to be, was satisfac
would show the country that tho 11°1'se, open opr
by a sincere desire for reform. It fl°o3, theotra
Ministry to allow a bill t o
loot
olfl thioes;4l
tiou, retaining for themselves a
or they might have adopted the
bPyritnuo Phoatis,gedroldet
franchise, which had been admitted d I' a
40.
or this they bad imprudently brought forwaermareln.o. tape
complicated measure. The terms of that llyvely nlien
resolution of Lord John Russell ininereloa or l'r.„10.00
For that resolution he must vote either
tertain
bill came into committee ; he would not el; large 00,0 bole
sure of reform which did not provide for had SIIC:r 04410
to the franchise of the working classes, Iffi-; it. Thenger.o
that they desired it and that they deserveut great u'ropoAle°
on this point would not be denied withenwitaout Postintto
the country ; to deal with the questo.iollnaare leola bfase
anything for that in which the work in, ens eisno!oeit.
ested,viz., the extension of the borough frat
of setti,al"7ribn"i‘e
commence agitation without any prosßee 4,40 to
franc bie
people did not take any great interest
_le of the seects
of seats ; *mid moreover, if an
took place, the small boroughs would 057„ felt
die
constituency. Holding these opinions, n'
extensl,T.io a re,gol
to se" far
support the resolutions. seal r tbe oiler
Sir J. Graham said that lie' vas very
e.,,onsole,tinee..t
time return, when it was necessary to r tnro
damental principles of our constitution• ape cfeniy..l,
of the ExchNuer had declared in his onellrlio'nj, 100:11tibn'
the bill of 1832 was in some respects enlars of
the charge, he added the names of the

to is
classes,

lie

S n
had