The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-04 00:00:00

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HIS DAY.-11orning, 2h. 50m. -- Afteruopn, 3h. Pm.
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Suat.

LONDON, TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1867.

ri The Committee on the Reform Bill is to rest
awhile from its labours, which is perhaps as well
under the circumstances of the case. All that was
done yesterday was to reject two amendments, neither
of which can be regretted, and hence in some sort
progress was made, because no more time will be
taken up by their considerations Besides this we

see nothing in the proposals put before the louse 1
to recommend them to the notice of hon. mem-
bers, but a good deal to say against them. Mr.
Sergeant GAZELLE'S scheme more particularly was
an unpopular one, and could have answered
no definite end had it been agreed to.
Mr. LAING'S proposal was a very plain one, and
the Muse recognised it as such at once, the
overwhelming majority which decided upon it being
conclusive evidence to its success in meeting the
views of the Committee. It is worthy of notice

that Mr. LAING was accused by Sergeant GASELEE
of appropriating a part, if not all, of his redistribu-
tion plan, but all must allow that he improved
greatly upon the plan, for in the bands of Mr.
LAING a skilful schema was propounded, whereas
when the real Simon Pure addressed himself to the
task a complete failing was the result. Ac-
cording to his proposal all boroughs possessing
a population under five thousand should
be disfranchised. The consequence of this
would only have placed ten more seats, which
would have been given to the Government to dis-
pose of. Mr. CARDWELL and Mr. GLADSTONE
were in favour of this scheme, yet it cannot be said
that they made good their case, or seemed very
hearty in favour of it, or very certain where it
would lead them. We think that the CHANCELLOR
of the EXCHEQUER'S speech may be pointed out
as a very admirable answer to this proposal, for
he showed clearly and comprehensively how un-
suited it was to effect the purpose they had in:view.
The right hon. gentleman commenced by declaring

that whatever were the " difficulties or differences "
that arose in the discussion of this redistribution ques -
tion, they might all congratulate themselves upon
the good feeling that existed, and that the " ques-
tion which had before excited so much of party
passion was now really considered without any re-
ference to party motives." This is, indeed, a great
desideratum, and we concur with the subsequent
observation that the Government may claim some
share of the credit of the matter, for they had to
devise a measure which might gain general support,
and which indeed called for some sacrifices from

their own party. Only most bitter and prejudiced
opponents will deny the truth of Mr. DISRAELI'S
remark, that the scheme brought under the notice of
the House this year was free from those imputations
respecting Ministerial propositions which had been
made at different times.
After the very stormy scenes that have taken
place this year it is a relief to find that the temper
of the House has toned down, and that a fair
prospect lies before us of a satisfactory settle-
ment in a peaceable manner. No one more
than Mr. DISRAELI has re lson to rejoice
over this, because he has the awkward task of
smoothing away difficulties and settling differences.
The Government has wisely decided to take time
to consider Mr. LAING'S scheme, and the effects
which it will produce. No good can possibly
come from hasty and premature management, and
as a " new principle" has in some degree been
introduced into the measure, a certain time must
be allowed for consideration. Mr. DISRAELI seems
against disfranchising any place entirely, and we
agree with him ; it would create a feeling of
dissatisfaction, and might with care be avoided ;
as the right honourable gentleman said, if the
committee objected to boroughs with a small popu-
lation being represented in the House, they would
take other means of increasing them. The Govern-
ment were also opposed to Mr. HATTER'S plan for
extending small boroughs, and, in commenting upon
it, the CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER said that,
iu consequence of Mr. Sergeant GASELEE'S amend-
ment having been lost, be would inform the House
of their intentions respecting Mr. LAING'S pro-
posal, which had met their sanction. The com-
mittee would not be resumed until after the Whit
suntide holidays, whan the Ministers would have
more time to settle their plans under, the new
aspect which affairs had assumed. Captain HATTER
signified a wish to withdraw his amendment, but
it was negatived without a division. We may,
therefore, say that the Government had it all their
own way last night, fnr the majority against Ser-
geant GASELEE'S amendment was a large one, and
the general feeling of the Committee decided the
fate of the second attempt to alter the character of
the Bill.

. The question of Redistribution is a very
complicated one at best, and will require
time, thought, and care on the part of
all those who address themselves to the work, so
that it is useless to expect or desire too much haste;
but at the same time it must be borne in mind that
the question is not a new one, and has before en-
gaged the attention of the House on many occa-
sions. The first thing will be for the House to cast
party spirit to the winds, and to remember, as Mr.
DISRAELI told it last night, that both sides must
make sacrifices in order to attain the desired
object. Besides this, the House must deter-
mine to make all changes in a sufficiently
extended form, and not to stay at trifles, but to
let the redistribution part of the Bill accord with
the liberal style in which the franchise has been
settled. If these ideas are carried out, we have no
fear for the result, but shall await the re-
sumption of the labours of the Committee
after Easter, in the full assurance, and with
the confident expectation that it will finally
succeed in sending up to the Upper House
a measure that is well calculated to se-
cure the desired ends. This, so far satisfactory
result, has not been brought about without great
toil, and too much praise cannot be awarded to
the House of Commons collectively for the sense
and spirit it has displayed during the trying events
of this Session. There is much to rejoice at in the
absence of party feeling which now characterises
the debates, and which cannot but conduce to the
more speedy and effectual settlement of differences,
tud the general success of the Bill before it.

The working men of the metropolis are ap-
parently determined that they shall not be regarded
as belonging exclusively to one side of politics, for '
they are constantly holding meetings and forming
associations at which the most opposite opinions are
set forth. This is a good sign, and shows that
there is really some political vitality in the masses,
since we cannot believe that many thousands of in-
telligent men all think alike if they take the trouble
to think at all,. so that if we hear of such marvellous
unanimity on any topic we must generally set it down
either to ignorance or indifference. The Radicals
have long been active in forming associations and
bringing forward their favourite theories on plat-
forms in town and country, and the Conservatives
are now beginning to follow their example, and
like organisation and activity.
attempt something
Their opponents ought not to quarrel with this,
for it is one of the fundamental principles
of Liberalism that every opinion should
be fairly represented, though we fear this
doctrine is being lost sight of in the
clamour about people's rights and the wickedness of
all who demur to the popular theory of the day.
Mr. MILL, one of the most abl3 advocates of the
philosophy of Liberalism, bas long pleaded the right
of minorities to representation ; and thus, allowing
Conservatives to be in the minority, we ought to be
glad to lad, them becoming a little more out.