The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOA I. ON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, 1867

to denounce party spirit, a spirit which he truly
said might, if indulged in, strangle the last chance
of passing a Reform Bill this Session. Sir G.
BOWTER rightly designated MT. GLADSTONE'S
speech as captious and bitter, and showed that its
object was to make Reform a party stalking-horse
more than a question of national interest duly
considered and properly treated.
Mr. DISRAELI'S reply to these various speeches
was a powerful one, the right hon. gentleman is
always a master of the subject on these occasions
and fully equal to any emergency. The general
opinion of the house fully bore him out in his as-
sertion that Mr. GLADSTONE'S speech was evidently
prepared, and, perhaps, intended for the second
reading of the bill. " I thought as I listened to it,
that perhaps the real intention was to have pre-
vented the second reading ever being put from the
chair. I think, however, that the candour and good
sense of the House of Commons have already repu-
diated that manoeuvre." Mr. DISRAELI also com-
mented upon Mr. GLADSTONE'S sneering observations
as to Lord DERBY having called his party together to
state his views and intentions, adding that " reserve
was not the present PREMIER'S characteristic."
" But," added the right bon. gentleman, " I have
heard something in my time of the great
fault of eminent statesmen who have failed
in public life because there was a want
of frankness, and because they did not consult
their party." The reminiscences of last
session must still be fresh enough in the minds of
every one for them to appreciate the full meaning
of these remarks. Mr. DISRAELI said that, as a
Government, they had been charged with incon-
sistency in bringing in a Reform Bill, but that the
charge was a groundless one, and he could dispose
of it by pointing to their doings in 1859.
Very powerful was the concluding portion of
the right honourable gentleman's speech, when
he said that he hoped the House would
give a dispassionate consideration to the
measure before them—adding, "If you throw
out this Bill on the second reading you may affect
the position of Ministers, but you will still more
affect the position of this house. Let it not be said
that to-night, excited by rhetoric, which I may at
least describe as prejudiced, you are deciding on a
question in which the people of this country are
deeply interested without even a complete cogni-
sance of the propositions that we are bringing for-
ward." This is a very true way of putting
the question, and we hope that the House
will see it as such. We hope and believe that
the House of Commons will, to use Mr. DISRAELI'S
words at an earlier period of the session, " rise to
the occasion" before it, and show, by its determined
manner and steadfast course, that it will settle
Reform this session, and not be led astray by
any dexterous contrivance, or dazzled by any splen-
did oratory, but press forward with might and
main to attain the desired object, and realise the
expectations of all true Reformers and real well-
wishers of their country.

The Reform Bill of 1867 is at last in a definite
shape before the House of COMMODs and the coun-
try, and in spite of the censures of Mr. GLADSTONE,
the criticisms of other speakers, and some weak
points in the measure itself, we believe that Mr.
ROEBUCK expressed the prevailing sentiment when
he told the llouse that, with certain alterations in
committee, they would have a very good bill. The
main features of it are already familiar to the public,
thanks to the meeting of Lord DERBY'S followers
last week. They are a household suffrage in
boroughs on payment of rates, householders
having the power to qualify themselves for
voting by taking the payment of the rates
into their own hands. The payment of direct
taxes—that is to say, of income tax or assessed
taxes to the amount of twenty shillings per annum
—is also to be a qualification ; and there is to be a
savings bank franchise, a funded property fran-
chise (both of the value of £5O), and an educational
franchise. In the counties we are to have a £l5
rating franchise, and the redistribution part of the
scheme is the same as stated by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer in introducing the Resolutions, being
professedly only provisional in its character. The
other noticeable part of the scheme is the admission
of dual voting; that is to say, that a man who is a
householder and pays his rates, and who also pays
20s. annually in direct taxation, may exercise both
suffrages. Such are the main points of the measure
as it was last evening unfolded to the house, and
submitted to the consideration of the country ; and
it remains to be seen what reception it will meet
with.

We have no hesitation in saying, notwithstand-
ing the alarm of certain honourable gentlemen,
that the principle of household suffrage will be a
popular one. Englishmen generally attach a good
deal of importance to the position of a householder,
and in every department of our constitution their
influence is recognised and their assistance appealed
Ttoh.
eyTahre have votes for lo
are called
caued upon
a todehhecralates guopcverhnmques-
tions of life and death. In every matter de-
manding some guarantee for respectability and sta-
bility the name of a householder is called for, and
this not alone in matters affecting the legislation of
the country, but in the ordinary transactions of
every-day life. Why, then, should the house-
holder's privileges and responsibilities stop short at
the point of Parliamentary representation ? The
principle which admits him has a definite and com-
prehensible basis, and combines the best features of
a Liberal and a Conservative policy ; and while it
will no doubt add very largely to our borough
constituencies, it will admit for the most part
men of prudent and temperate character, who are
not likely to be carried away by every fresh
demagogue, nor eager for any political convulsion,
so that it produce some temporary excitement. So
far, then, as the doctrine of household suffrage is
concerned, the Government has little reason to fear
any strong opposition. Mr. GLADSTONE'S anxiety
about the compound householders was somewhat
unnecessary, and his suggestion that the enfran-
chisement should stop short before it reached them
was a somewhat singular method of redressing their
grievances. The condition of two years' residence
can scarcely be felt to be burdensome. At any rate if
it should be, it can be modified through some term of
residence which should be decided on as a necessary
qualification, in order to secure the genuine house-
holding class. To the savings-bank franchise few
persons can take exception, while the educational
qualification we should like to see largely increased.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer estimates the num-
ber to be enfranchised by it at 35,000, though it
must always be remembered that such estimates are
purely speculative. We should rather welcome an
educational teat that would aimit as many tens of
thousands, seeing that it precisely admits the edu-
cated men of all classes whom we wish to
enfranchise. The dual voting is the most
objectionable feature in the scheme, and so
strongly was it objected to by the House that we
have no question it will be promptly abandoned.
There is no principle contained in it which should
make the Government reluctant to lay it aside, and
thegeneral conviction of its mischievous and unsatis-
factory nature was too plainly expressed to be mis-
interpreted. The prevailing idea was that it would
excite antagonism between classes, and create

heartburnings and jealousies. It has been said, in
opposition to this, that there need be no more
jealousy felt by a man who has one vote against a
man who has two than the man with no vote
feels now against the voter with one suf-
frage. But this is not certain, and it gives
an idea of privilege and favour which is likely to
be unpopular.
The question of bribery and corruption is alto-
gether laid aside for the present, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer declaring his intention of dealing
with it in a separate bill. The redistribution scheme
is to place 36 seats at the disposal of the Govern-
ment, which are to be divided among non-repre-
sented towns of large population and some of the
larger counties. The difficulties attending this
part of the scheme would be much lightened
by the very simple expedient of enlarging the
number of the house of Commons. As for
the counties the principle of a rating franchise was
accepted by the house last year, so there is not
much reason to anticipate any strong opposition to
that part of the measure.
On the whole, notwithstanding Mr. GLADSTONE'S
attack, followed only too willingly by Lord CRAN-
BORNE and Mr. LOWE, the measure was favourably
received. No one was probably sanguine enough
to expect the introduction of a measure which
should fully satisfy the requirements, the ob-
jections, and the prejudices of Whigs and Tories,
Radicals and Independents, place-holders and place-
hunters, men who are dissatisfied with every proposal
submitted to them, and men who hold with POPE
that, " Whatever is, is right." It is enough for
ultimate success that a measure be based on definite
and constitutional principles, and acceptable to the
common sense and, public spirit of the country.
The Bill of last night has at least the advantage of
liberality to recommend it, being manifestly far
more comprehensive, both in principle and practice,
than a£sor £6 limit. In fact, its provisions were
looked upon with evident doubt by many professing
Liberals on account of this very comprehensiveness.
We are not surprised to find so able and consistent
a Reformer as Mr. ROEBUCK adopting a different
course ; and his brief but trenchant words last night
must have had great weight with the Liberal party.
Suppose, he said, the bill was rejected, and the mi-
nority resigned, what was to come then ? Could
hon. gentlemen opposite, who had failed in carry-
ing a £7 franchise, expect to carry a £6, after re-
jecting household suffrage? They would come to a
doad lock, and no Reformßill would be passed at all.
" Our plain and simple course is to discuss this bill
upon the second reading—to read it a second time
—to bring it into committee—make it what it can
be made—if necessary, take it out of the hands of
the Government ; but, at all events, let us pass the
bill." Thus spoke the genuine and disinterested
Reformer, sincerely anxious for the settlement of
this great national question in a national spirit, and
we cannot doubt that the house and the country
will echo his sentiments.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.

The Moniteur has nothing new in regard to foreign
affairs, and devotes much space to a report of the
proceedings of the criminal courts in France and
Algeria during the year 1865. The general results
prove a diminution of crime in that colony. The
Minister of Justice (61. Baroche), in his report to
the Emperor, claims for France more privileges for
the accused and more equality before the law than
is to be found in England.
In its bulletin the Moniteur says that, in the
absence of the King and Queen of Denmark from
the kingdom, in consequence of melancholy family
c ircumstances, the Prince Royal has been invested
with the exercise of the sovereign power, in accord-
ance with the laws of the country. Ills Royal nigh-
ness took the usual oath ; and a law has been pre-
sented to the First Chamber to give sanction to this
temporary change in the administration of the Go-
vernment.

The Paris papers are of course chiefly filled with
the reports of the discussion upon foreign affairs in
the Legislative Body, but they nevertheless consider
the affairs of the East as constituting the most im-
portant topic of the day. The Siecle remarks that
whilst the English Ambassador recommends the de-
velopment of the Hatti-Houmayoun of 1856, the
St. Petersburg Journal declares that what was suffi-
cient ten years ago is no longer so in the present
day. This Hatti-Houmayoun, or Imperial decree,
which is dated Feb. 18, 1866, is only the confirma-
tion of that of Gulhane, and of the laws of the Tan-
zimat, which gives to all Turkish subjects, without
distinction of class or religion, security for their
persons and property. The Sultan in the preamble
of this decree says his only desire is the happiness of
his subjects, who are all equal in his eyes. There
seems to be something more than meets the ear in
this Eastern question, for there is no doubt of the
movement of an immense mass of Russian troops
towards the south and west.

A letter from Smyrna, dated the Bth inst., gives
an account of a violent earthquake which took place
in that city, which caused every house to shake,
but without doing any injury to persons or property.
The first shock lasted at least ten seconds, with
oscillations from the north-west to the south-east.
The first shock was succeeded instantly by a second,
and a series of weaker but sensibly-felt shocks.
Nothing so alarming in the shape of earthquakes
has been experienced at Smyrna since the year 1845,
and the earthquake of that period was not so violent.
At the time of the first shock there was a heavy
rain, and the clouds presented an appearance of fire,
although the sun bad set some hours previously.
According to the opinion of men of science, this
earthquake at Smyrna is to be considered as a sort
of counter-balance to the agitation of the earth
which led to the earthquake in the island of
Mitylene, which has almost destroyed that city.
Several other shocks of earthquake have been ex-
perienced at Alvaly and Aidin, which have caused
great damage, and it is feared loss of life also.
This morning there was a greater depth of snow
in the country around Paris than during the most
severe period of the winter. There was a slight
thaw during the day, with a little rain. In the
afternoon the sun was seen at intervals, but upon
the whole it has been a cheerless and miserable day
as the most advanced misanthrope could desire.
Probably there will be frost again to night.
Without venturing on the domain of London
news, I think it right to inform you that a most
lamentable and melancholy report is in circulation
in usually well-informed residents of Paris, to the
effect that the Princess of Wales has a tumour in
the leg, which seems to threaten the necessity of
amputation, the disease having rapidly and seriously
increased. It is also reported that there are symp-
toms of milk fever.

An Italian paper records a feat of Garibaldi in a
new and rather blasphemous character. lle is said
to have baptised a child in the following words :
" I baptise thee in the name of God and the Legisla-
tor Jesus. Be good ; defend the weak, and strug►gle
against tyrants. Love thy fellow, and render thy-
self worthy of the name of brave which I give to thee.
I call thee Chiassi." Chiassi was the name of a
colonel who fell in the last campaign of the Tyrol.
There was an exceedingly curious and interesting
spectacle at Trocadero, near Passy, °II Saturday.
For months past operations have been in progress
in this locality on the right bank of the Seine, hav-
ing for object to remove the mimic mountains
there, and to form a beautiful plain to
be devoted to a park, or some other beauti-
ful place of public resort. Thousands upon
thousands of tons of rock and earth have been re-
moved by labourers within a few months past, but
Saturday last was fixed for some mining operations
to complete the destruction more speedily and
effectually. From 1,500 to 1,800 mines were ar-
ranged to explode on Saturday. The locality was

beautifully ornamented with flags, and a tent was
prepared for the Emperor and Empress. Within
half an hour all these mines exploded. Over the
tent, ornamented with fiats, was an inscription,
" The workmen of Paris to the Emperor and Em-
press." The first Emperor intended to have a
palace built here for his son the King of Rome—
and indeed the foundations were commenced ; but—
" capricious turn of sportive Fortune's wheel," the
spot is destined to augment the many beautiful pro-
menades which the Parisians now have for their
recreation and enjoyment. The Emperor and
Empress were as ever received with joyous bursts of
acclamation and affection. So desirous was the
Empress to witness the dangerous process of demo-
lition that her Majesty occupied a spot very near
to which fell a fragment of rook, which she ordered
to be preserved for her. A more agreeable offering
was afterwards made to her Majesty, by a 3 oung
girl, in the shape of a bouquet of flowers. In spite
of the terrific weather plenty of violets and other
spring flowers are to be had.