The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-11 00:00:00

Queen's Speeches on Reform.

Some interest is attached to the terms in which
the Queen has, on so many occasions, been made
to refer to Reform. In 1852 we find the following
paragraph produced under the auspices of Lord
Russell :

" It appears to me that this is a fitting time for
calmly considering whether it may not be advisable
to make such amendments in the act of the late
reign, relating to the representation of the Com-
mons in Parliameut,as may be deemed calculated to
carry into more complete effect the principles upon
which that law is founded. I have the fullest confi-
dence that iu any such consideration you will firmly
adhere to the acknowledged principles of the Con-
stitution by which the prerogative of the Crown,
the authority of both Houses of Parliament, and the
rights and liberties of the people are equally secured.'l
In 1854, under Lord Aberdeen, we have the fol-
lowing : _ _

" Recent experience has shown that it is neces-
sary to take more effectual precautions against the
evils of bribery and corrupt practices at elections.
It will also be your duty to consider whether
more complete effect may not be given to the prin-
ciples of the act of the last reign, whereby reforms
were made in the representation of the people in
Parliament. In recommending this subject to your
consideration, my desire is to remove every cause
of just complaint, to increase general confidence in
the Legislature, and to give additional stability to
the settled institutions of the state." _ .

In April, 1857, Lord Palmerston disposes of the
matter more summarily, thus
" Your attention will be called to the laws which
regulate the representation of the people in Parlia-
ment, with a view to consider what amendments
may be safely and beneficially made thereon."
In 1859 we find the Earl of Derby approaching
the subject in these words :
" Your attention will be called to the state of the
laws which regulate the representation of the people
in Parliament, and I cannot but think that you will
give to this great subject a degree of calm and im-
partial consideration proportionate to the magnitude
of the interests involved in the result of your dis-
cussion."
In 1860, under Lord Palmerston :
" Measures will be laid before you for amending
the laws which regulate the representation of the
people in Parliament, and. for placing that repre-
sentation upon a broader and firmer basis."
The paragraph devoted to the subject in last year's
Queen's Speech was, however, perhaps the most
straightforward and manly of the lot. Itran thus
I have directed that information should be
procured in reference to the rights of voting in the
election of members to serve in Parliament for
counties, cities, and boroughs. When that informa-
tion is complete the attention of Parliament will be
called to the result thus obtained, with a view to
such improvements in the laws which regulate the
rights of voting in the election of members of the
House of Commons as may tend to strengthen our
free institutions, and conduce to the public wel-
fare."

The catalogue is completed by the paragraph
from the Speech of Tuesday :
" Your attention will again be called to the state
of the representation of the people in Parliament,
and I trust that your deliberations, conducted in a
spirit of moderation and mutual forbearance, may
lead to the adoption of measures which, without
unduly disturbing the balance of political power,
shall freely extend the electoral franchise."