The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-30 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, NO V. 30, 1867.

Mr. OTWAY last night called the attention of the
House to the disfranchisement of the Corrupt
Boroughs, and mentioned the awkward circum-
stances in which they were placed. He styled it
the anomalous and embarrassing state of the law
relating to the elections for the great boroughs of
Totnes4, Yarmouth, Lancaster, and Reigate, in con-
sequence of the postponement of the period at which
the disfranchisement was made executory. In con-
sequence of the reports that bad been circulated
commissioners went to the places to inquire into the
state of things, and their opinion was so unfa-
vourable that a clause was introduced into
the Reform Act, to kthe effect that after
the end of the present Parliament these
boroughs should cease to return any members to
serve in Parliament. M. OTWAY endeavoured to
show that by this means an error had been com-
mitted which might cause great discredit to the
House ; because, in the event of the death of one of
the sitting members for these places, the Speaker
would have to make out a new writ, and hence a
member would take his seat for a borough which
had been condemned by the House in the most
unqualified terms. The hon. member deplored that
the Government had not followed the precedent
in the CoBC of Sudbury and St. Albans.
It was thereby provided that after the passing of
the Act the disfranchised boroughs should cease to
return members to Parliament. He proposed to
avoid the scandal which might occur by a resolution
of the House on the subject. The Attorney-Gene-
ral replied to the not unreasonable objections of the
hon. member in a satisfactory manner. He said
that the attention of the Government was being
directed to the matter, and that they hoped shortly
to take what steps might be deemed advisable in
the event of any vacancy occurring in these
boroughs. No doubt the affair can be settled in a
satisfactory manner when it comes to the point,
although at first sight difficulties seem to hedge it
round.

Mr. C. FORSTER devoted his remarks to the sub-
ject
of the Compound Householder and the Fran-
chise, and he said that there was a great uncer-
tainty about the provisions of the Representation of
the People Act, and entered into some elaborate
explanations concerning it. Finally, requesting the
opinion of the Attorney-General
,on the subject.
Lord HENLEY cited some cases in Northampton,
is which hardships and inconveniences were
expressed. Mr. GLADSTONE'S remarks on the
question were very moderate, and ho wisely
suggested that this matter "no longer be re-
garded as a party or political question, since
it had become a practical question connected
with the social convenience of the people; and it
was well that the.trial which was now being made
of the legislation of last Session should be made
apart from all political and polemical discussion."
This is the right, way of working out the question,
and it would be well if more would follow the advice
of the right hon. gentleman. Iu this as in all
new arrangements the chief difficulty lies at, the out-
set, and it is quite impossible as yet to form an
accurate opinion of the merits of a new undertaking
before the chief points connected with it are fairly
understood. The Attorney-General showed that
too much bad been made of these objections, and
that any payment of rates made by the landlord as
the agent of the tenant would be held as a personal
payment by the tenant. Every occupier must be
rated under Section 7of the Reform Ace. Lord J.
MANNERS very truly stated, in reply to some sati-
rical observations from Sir R. COLLIER, that
he was not justified in making such a remark,
that the House perfectly understood Last
year what the technical and legal meaning of per-
sonal payment was. We fully agree with the noble
lord that the time has gone by for suggesting doubt
as to the working of the recent Reform Act. The
House was aware last session of what was last night
stated by the Attorney-General, and hence the
surpri,,e and indignation manifested thereat were
thrown away on those who understood the subject.
Mr. OSBORNE distinguished himself by ruling