The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-04 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIA.DIENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—THIS EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at fiTO o'clock.

PETITION.
Lord LIFFORD presented a petition from the Presby-
terian ministers of the county of Donegal against the sale
of intoxicating liquors.
MINISTERIAL EXPLANATIONS.
Lord DERBY said that, in the present state of affairs,
he should lay before their lordships the full de-
tails which had occurred in relation to the circum-
stances which had induced him and his col-
leagues to take into their hands the reins of
Government. Tho late Covernment had resigned their
offices because they had been defeated upon the Reform
Bill which they had introduced, and in accordance with
the commands of her Majesty the party he represented had
assumed the reigns of Government, but they had taken
office perfectly unpledged to any of the responsibilities
connected with the Reform Bill. When they introduced
those Resolutions which had been disapproved of by
the House of Commons, they had done so hoping
that there might be a compromise between
the parties in the matter. Subsequently two schemes
had been proposed, concurrent, indeed, but varying
in the amount of the franchise. But he found
that one member of the Cabinet, although willing
toagree if possible with both of the schemes, was
dissentient, and two other distinguished members subse-
quently entertained different views—two members who
wore valued and esteemed colleagues ; then he thought,
taking into consideration the course on the question which
the late Government had pursued, he came to the
conclusion that either he must resign the position that he
held as the head of the Cabinet, or that he must accept
the resignation of his esteemed colleagues. He need not
state that ho felt the greatest reluctance at parting
with members so distinguished as they wore. (Hear hear.)
But taking into consideration the great and almost awful
question of Reform, which was about to be introduced, he
felt himself justified in accepting their resignation. In
the course of the ensuing week ho trusted that the
vacancies in the Cabinet would be filled, and that a
measure would be introduced which would bring to a
paramount conclusion the great question of Reform, which
had so long agitated the country. (Hear, hear.)

The Earl of OARNAIWON said that he knew that his

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noble friend (Lord Derby) had undertaken tho Govora
ment of the country from motives of the greatest disinto •
restedness, therefore it was with the deepest feeling of
regret that he felt compelled to dissever himself from
his ' noble friend at a moment when he might be
considered to be in his greatest difficulty, but difference
on the various points of rating and rental had induced him
to take this course, and to put his resignation into the
hands of the noble earl.

Earl GRANVILLE stated that it appeared to
him that there had neither been a majority or minority
on any of the different schemes that bad been proposed in
the Cabinet. His opinion was that, during the last 15
years, there had not been such a favourable opportunity of
passing a Reform Bill. There would be no factious oppo-
Lion on their part, and that any reform scheme on the
part of the Government would be met with the most
hearty and cordial co-operation.
Earl GREY said that it appeared to him that so far from
her Majesty's Government not being responsible for the
introduction of a Reform Bill, that they had only two
courses left, the one to introduce a bill, and the
other, to lay such reasons that should soothe the way to a
general settlement of the question, and when such a bill
was introduced that it should be on the responsi-
bility of her Majesty's Government, and capable
of standing the decision of the House of
Commons. There ought to have been a scheme
enunciated which was founded upon clear and unequivo-
cal grounds. Such vague resolutions as those which
had been introduced were a mere mockery of that house.
(Hoar, hear.) They had had more than six weeks pass
by before anything on this most impertant matter
had even been begun. (Hear, hear.) What they wanted
was to have the country wisely and well governed, and the
House of Commons likewise. So it was neoessary to the
acquirement of such a position of affairs that the House of
Commons should not only represent the wealthy
(LEFT SITTING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS—THIS EVENING.
The SPEAE.EIt took the chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. Barry took the oath and his seat for Cork.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

Sir G. BOWYER gave notice that• in the event of the
bill with respect to capital punishment being read a
second time, he should move that the bill he referred to a
select committee.