The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-05 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS_LAST EVENING.
The Loin CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

PETITION.

Lord LIFFORD presented a r3tition 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-
ta°s which had occurred in relation to tho circum-
stances which had induced him and leis Col-
leagues to take into their hands the reius of
Government. The late Covernment had resigned their
officss 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 flo reigns of Government, but they had taken
office perfectly unple4ged to any of the responsibilities
connected with the Reform Bill. When they introduced
these Resolutions which had been disapproved of ba-
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
were valued and esteemed colleagues; then he thought
taking into consideration the course on the question which
the late Government had pursued, he camp 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 he felt the greatest reluctance at parting
with members so distinguished as they were. (Hear hoar.)
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 he 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, hoar.)
The Earl of CARNARVON said that he knew that his
noble friend (Lord Derby) had undertaken the Govern
ment of the country from motives of the greatest disiute•
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 bis resignation into tho
hands of the noble earl.
Earl GRANVILLE stated that it appeared to
him that there had neither, been a majority nor minority
on any of the different schemes that had 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-
sition on their pat and any reform scheme on the
pat t. of the Government would be met with the most
heat i,y 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 give such reasons as 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 discussion 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 mockety of that house.
(Hear.) They had allowed more than six weeks to pass
by before anything on this most important matter
had oven been begun. (Hear, hear.) What they wanted
was to have the country wisely and well governed, and the
House of Commons likewise. He thought the Government
ought either to have introduced a bill at once, or to have
instituted inquiry by a Commission before proceeding to
legislation.
Lord DERBY, in reply, reminded Lord Granville that
the Government had not yet been eight months in office,
and stated that a 13'11 had been agreed upon in November,
the question of the extent of the reduction of the franchise
only remaining to be considered. Noticing Lord Grey's
suggestion, he contested its practicability, believing that
the country would not have sanctioned a cow-se that would
have been imputed solely to a desire to cause delay.
The subject having been disposed of,
Lord DEVON presented a petition from Cornwall for the
establishment of a bishopric in that county, which gave
rise to some discussiou, the Bishops of Ely and of Glou-
cester supporting the prayer, on the ground of the extent
of the work now imposed on the Bishop of Exeter, and
Lord Vivian resisting it as unnecessary. Lord Houghton
also doubted t'ae prudence of increasing the number of
bishops—a prcposiiion which Lord Lyttelton, on the con-
trary, thought would not meet with any Considerable
amount of opposition in that house.
The Masters' and Workmen's Bill was read a third time
and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The SPEI KER took the chair at 4 o'clock.

NEW MEMBER.
Mr. Barry took the oath and his seat for Cork.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
S;,:. G. BOWYER gave notice that in the event of the
bi'l with respect to capital punishment being read a
second time, he should move that the bi'l be refereed to a
select committee.