The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-11 00:00:00

TUE REFORM BILL.

In reply to Mr. Hinszwr,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
question of rights of compound householders was a Very
difficult one. Ho had placed a number of amendments on
the paper, and so had other hon. members. He could only
say so long as those amendments were in consonance with
the principle of the bill, viz., personal payment of taxes
and term of residence, ho should give the most careful con-
sideration to all propositions from whichever side of 'the
house they should come.
Earl GROSVENOR said there was a general feeling on
both sides of the house that the question should be settled,
and that a bill should be passed this session which would be
a lasting one. He believed.that there was a general feel-
ing in the house that the further consideration of the Re-
form Bill should be postponed until after Easter, especially
as they had but one night to devote to the dis-
cussion before they adjourned for the recess.
Hon. members bad motions on the paper for
to-morrow which would prevent the debate being
resumed that evening. Under all the circumstances he
thought it would be the best course to pursue further
proceeding with the bill until after Easter. If the delay
be suggested was agreed to, no doubt a compromise
might be come to by both sides of the house, which would
secure the passing of the bill. •
. . . . .

Mr. AYRTON thought the house ought to proceed with
the discussion ou the bill without the slightest delay, and
the best way to make progress was to hive a practical
debate on the subject.' If any delay took place the
people of the catiutry would think the House of Commons
had enterzel on the matter for the purpose of burking the
question of reform. He thought the house ought not to
separate until it had expressed its opinion upon the first
proposition in the bill.
Mr. B. COCHRANE said his motion for to-morrow was
an important one with respect to Spain, and he could not
consent to its postponement.
Mr. GLADSTONE said the noble lord the member for
Chester had made a well-intentioned, but a very ill timed,
suggestion. There was no rule which could not. be sat
aside which prevented the house sitting up to Easter.
They had already been assembled nearly three months,
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been too long delayed. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CLAY thought the Bribery Bill ought, at all events,
to be settled before a dissolution took place. Rumour;
wore rife of a dissolution, but he hoped that it would
not take place before the bill of the Government was
passed.
Ma. MILL said, although he attached the highest im-
portance to his amendment, yet he would postpone it
rather than allow it to stand in the way of the progress of
the bill. Ho thought it would.be disgraceful if the house
delayed, by any means, the progress of the Reform Bill.
He
did not see why the house could not sit next week.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HENLEY said the right hon. gentleman the mem-
ber for South Lancashire had so often varied his amend-
ments that no one knew what he really meant. He did not
see why the bill should not be carried forward as speedily
as possible.
Mr. OSBORNE said the house bad become somewhat
used to these sudden surprises. (Laughter.) They were
constantly springing mines—
(hear, hear)-around him was full of mines. (Hear, bear, and laughter.)
-the ground
He did not see why they should pay any attention to
the recommendation of the noble lord, the member for
Chester, who was in collusion with the other side of the
house. (Hear, bear, and cheers.) Ile hoped the house
would not appear in the disgraceful position in which
the noble earl wished to place it. The noble earl had done
more than any man to cut away Reform—(hear, hear)—
and he hoped the house would insist on the subject being
carried forward, as it would bring out the sham Re-
formers end set them plainly before the country. (Hear,
hear.)
Lord ELCHO supported the proposal for postpone-
ment; and with respect to Reform, he was not ashamed
to say ho was in favour of it.
Mr. BRIGHT thought that one night would be quite
sufficient to settle the question of the borough franchise.
There bad been some talk of a compromise, but when then
were all gone home who was to do it? (Hear, hear, and
laughter.) Wee the noble lord the member for Chester
to do it. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Was he to prepare
something uew, which would be acceptable to all parties.
(Hear, hear, and laughter.) He hoped the house would
not consent to postponement until they had at least one
pout • t settled, which was the vary heart of the bill, which
either made it acceptable to the public, or put it beneath
contempt. The discussion ought to go on, and he did not
see why they could not sit, if it became necessary, all next
week. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WHITBREAD hoped the noble earl would with-
draw his motion, in order that the debate might proceed.
(Cries of "Divide, divide.")
Sir R. KNIGHTLEY was in favour of postponement,
in order that members voting on ono particular point in
the bill might not appear in a false light before the country
until the whole of the provisions of the bill were discussed.
Mr. HUBBARD deprecated a discussion about Spain in
the midst of a sttlement of the question of Reform.
Mr. NEWDEGATE thought it would be impossible to
settle the great question of Reform in ono night. He was
not in favour of the whole bill; and at the proper time he
should call the attention of the house to that part of it
with respect to the distribution of seats, because the bill of
the late Government conferred greater advantages on the
country than those iu the bill with which they were about
to proceed.
Sir G. GREY asked whether the hon. member for
Honitou brought forward the subject of Spain with the
authority of the Government.
Lord STANLEY said he had sought to dissuade the
hon. member from doing so. He had laid all the papers
on the table, and therefore ha had very little to say. Fur
his own part lie should have preferred if his hen. friend
had performed his motion.
Sir R. .IsALM.EII, said he had studied the papers on
Spain, and he felt he could not state fully to the Reuse of
Commons his views of the matter in the present position
of matters between this country and that of Spain.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought the
'question ought to be decided by the house, butis own
.
opinion was, that it was expedient to proceed with the
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member for Chester was in collusion with her Majesty's
Government. He also denied that lie had stated that he was
disinclined to admit of any amendment. On the contrary he
stated that he was ready and willing to accept every im-
provement which was not in opposition to the main prin-
ciple of the bill. The amendments of the right hon.
gentlemen the member for South Lancashire were, in fact,
suppression of the entire bill,-anti therefore he ebuld not