The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-05 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFOR NI.

Mr. lIUME, in rising to move for leave to bring in a
Bill to amend the national representation, by extending
the elective franchise so as to include all householders,
by enacting that votes shall be taken by ballot, that the
duration of Parliaments shall not exceed three years,
and that the apportionment of representatives be ren-
dered more equal to the population, said, in addressing
himself to this important subject, he must ask for the
indulgence of the House, as he did not feel himself
physically able to go fully into it. As an old re-
former, addressing a reformed House of Parliament, he
could speak from experience as to how unsatisfactory it
was for an independent Member to address the House
on subjects of reform. During the last thirty years he
had scarcely ever known a private Member introduce
such a subject that it was not treated as
it were unworthy of the time bestowed upon
it. He took a full share in the reforms of 1831,
and he was happy that they had proved so successful,
because their success had convinced many parties of
talent and influence, who opposed them, that they had
placed this country in the unenviable position it now occu-
pied. He was coufident, though the Reform Bill was not
carried out to that extent which many expected, that it
had been productive of the greatest possible benefits;
that it had put an end to the direct nomination for
boroughs which formerly existed; and though it had
fallen short of what they anticipated, they must yet
look with gratitude to the change that was produced, and
thank those who had contributed to bring it about. He
believed an opinion now existed very generally among
those who opposed that grand proceeding, that it
had been productive of much good, and had satisfied
many classes who were aggravated at the state of things
which then existed; and it was because he thought
that reform was not carried out to the extent which
it ought to go; it was because he saw in refusing
to yield that which was the right of the great
masses of this country ; it was on those grounds that he
was induced to make the motion which was on
the paper, although very unwilling to do so, for
he had promised as long as he remained in
the
rweiftohromflu
sot u
wos
inctghh a
hht h
pero
humblewp
oosu el
dd.o
nndlooi tea v leto.ar:s
not
00
ts
forward
e po
ar e
dpa s
theto
deny that the House, and Parliament generally, was slow
in making reforms, but it was better to go slow and
sure than to make rapid strides, which were liable to
danger. But he was prepared to submit that
which he thought was not in any way attended with
danger, because it would produce great content
and satisfaction among the community at large,
who were anxious that it should be carried out.
Every one, he believed, from the Crown to the
peasant, were equally interested in having a good
government. He was aware that Parliament, instead of
being an engine to promote that good which was in-
tended, was an engine which extracted from the people
a greater amount of taxation than their circumstances
could warrant. Under the great improvements,
however, which had taken place,twasnol
o longer
oeril anynth
the
Ya' of any oligarchy,s on former occasions, to
dictate to Sovereign, who had now the
utoaclrs ac,
power of choosing her own Ministers.—(Hear, hear.)
Up to the Reform Bill the Sovereigns of this country
oploaws,se r
of
ff anyind aristocracy,
had
beienantldretnleeaedixnpgmdstirtninrge
wofhitohhe owlaigsarocahryri,edanodiithin
the the
revenue
different establishments had reference more
large
were
to
,er them, hem
not , andat a llthe taken
to their own individual interests, and the
interests o
belongingusenityat
in-
terests of
into account. Now, he would say, that unless Parliament
was what it purported to be—unless it represented the
whole population—it was defective in its constitution.
He did not say that any proposition of his could make
tfhteh community
o crolams
perfect; but where they had evidence of acts
of injustice committed in regard to the rights of those
who ought to participate and have a share in the
elections to that House, ho did say that every
proposition
Parliament
that would tend to improve that Par-
, ought to be supported by the House, and
Ministers beyond all others; they had
taken an oath to her Majesty to support such measures
as
would tend to the security of the Throne, and the
welfare of the community at large. He would ask
with the reflection that they had acted as
d
faithful advisers of the Crown, to allow
Ministers if they could lay their heads on their
pillows those
honest an
a state of discontent to exist which at times
had tlaicatenc
their situation, and had taken the oaths they
Lad taken, be could not lay his head upon Lis pillow,
d' an as a Minister of the Crown, that lie had done
his duty. lie recollected Mr. Canning, on a motion
forward by a late Member for Westminster (Sir
rte d alarming consequences?
Were he (Mr.
Hume) in
brought
I take my stand against ell reform; I am for the
F. Burdett)
et
my up in.his place, and say" As
fir me
rotten boroughs; I wish to maintain them, and I do so
because England has enjoyed a greater proportion of
under the system which has existed than in
continental powers; but (said Mr. Canning) I
aUgnrifPoueirrithihi prosperity
, Parliament has been ready to meet the cir-
cumstances of the times, and I will uphold, until I sec
reason for thinking otherwise, Ca' ton and Old Sarum
as the:bulwarks of the Constitution."—(A laugh.) He
(fir. Hume) had visited Old Sarum a few days previously,
and seen not even a house there, and nothing but an old
building for protecting the fort ; and he asked Yr. Can-
ning if that was a place to be represented. Ile replied,
no ; but it is prcperty, and property ought to be
represented. As to Gatton and Old Sarum, and all the
other rotten places, they were AM removed; and at the