The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-26 00:00:00

THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE,

Earl GREY moved for aselect committee to inquire
whether the Act 13th and 14th Victoria, c. 99, for the better
assessing and collecting the poor rates and highway rates
in respect of small tenements, and the act of last session.,
c. 43 to amend the municipal franchise in certain cases,
had produced any change in the character of municipal
elections and of town councils, and in the mode of conduct-
ing the local government of corporate towns. The noble
lord said in 1850 a bill passed through Parliament by
which the owners, instead of the occupiers, of smell tene-
ments of the value of £6O were compelled to pay the parish
taxes. The occupier, however, had the right of voting at muni
cipal elections, but the result of the arrangement had been that
in numerous cases the number of municipal electors had
been very greatly increased. Rather contradictory accounts
had been forwarded to him, but he could state with cer-
tainty that in towns where the number of voters
had been 700 the act he had mentioned had increased
them to 2,300, 1,500 of whom were the inhabitants of
small tenements. The effeot had been that the town
councils had very much deteriorated. His idea of having
the inquiry at the present moment he thought would
bring out much valuable information ou the subject of
Parliamentary reform, and he also thought it would
be in the power of that house to render very essential ser-
vice in the consideration of that great question. He re-
gretted that Government had not taken advantage of a
suggestion he had thrown out during the last session, as
he was convinced that if they had made the inquiry the
result would have been of much value. A gentleman of
much influence on the question of reform had recommended
that the municipal franchise should be adopted in Par-
liamentary elections, where it had worked well.
It was most desirable to see how far this was
the case, because if the municipal franchise worked
well, he at once submitted that that fact would be very ge-
nerally in favour of its introduction. But the contrary was
proved, that the alterations had not worked well ;
then the experience they would obtain would lead
them to discover how far it was desirable it should be
adopted in the election of members of Parliament.
The Earl of DERBY said he should like to find out the
exact object the noble earl had in view in moving for
this inquiry before ho expressed any opinion as to the
necessity of the inquiry. It would be impossible to obtain
any such information for it to exercise any influence upon
the impending discussion on the question of Parliamentary
reform. As far as he could see, it appeared to him the object
of the noble earl was not to see what had been the working
of the municipal system, but to see what effect had been
produced upon the system by the act of 1850. Supposing
the committee were granted, and they were to come to the
conclusion that the act of 1850 had worked injuriously, did
the noble earl intend to move its repeal, and disfranchise
those who had been enfranchised in 1850 ? Before he en-
tered into the inquiry, he (Earl Grey) should make up his
mind what he intended to do supposing such a decision
should be arrived at. (Hear, hear.) He (Lord Derby)
did not suppose the noble earl or Parliament would be in-
clined to pursue such a course. He should also like
to know what useful purpose could bo served by the appoint-
ment of such a committee. (Hear, hear.) Personally, he
had no objection to the committee, but he thought no defi-
nite course should be decided upon before they commenced
the inquiry proposed by the noble earl. (Hear, hear.)
Earl GRANVILLE said any information upon Parlia-
mentary Reform could not be too highly prized. There was
a general feeling in the country that their lordships' house
was more inclined to treat questions relatingto the represen-
tative system in an illiberal manner thanthe otherbranch of
the legislature. He believed such a feeling was a mis-
taken one, and he should be glad to see any steps
taken in the matter, while their lordships were as anxious
upon the question as the other house. He gathered from
the observations of tho noble earl opposite that ho
was unfavourable to the inquiry, and under those circum-
stances no good could possibly result from the labours of
the committee, unless 'the Government were favourable to
if He to sty i
The E ofiktlefi altbitroliNninigßrte Vosuroe or
advantage to know what had been the progress of corpora •
tions since the passing of the Municipal Corporations Act,
especially as regarded expenditure and the efficiency of the
police.
Lord BROUGHAM thought after the lapse of 25 years
the act regarding Municipal Corporations required consider-
able revision. As regarded Parliamentary Reform he did
not fear any sweeping alterations from the noble lords op-
posite—they had that to fear from other quarters—but
though they had not now to fear convulsion or revolution,
they had to dread the operation of sapping and under-
mining ; but he prayed that for himself he might not live
to see the destruction of the Constitution.
After a few words from the Duke of ARGYLE,
Earl GREY consented to limit his motion simply to in-
quire into the operation of the two acts referred to in his
notice on the paper.
The Ear of DERBY assented, and the motion was
agreed to.
OCCASIONAL FORMS OF PRAYER BILL.

The Occasional Forms of Prayer Bill was read a second
time.

PUBLIC THANKSGIVINGS.

In answer to a question from the Duke of MARL-
BOROUGH,
The Earl of DERBY said the most suitable time for
public thanksgiving to the Almighty for our success in
India, would be when tranquillity and order were fully re-
stored in that empire.
CHURCH RATES.

The Bishop of OXFORD presented petitions from the
clergy of the diocese of Lincoln against any material altera-
tion in the pre,sen,t system of church-rates.
ITALY.

In answer to a question from the Bishop of OXFORD,
The Bari of MALMESBUItY said her Majesty's Go-
vernment had received communications, which gave them
reason to believe that at no distant period the Austrian
and French armies would evacuate the Papal territories.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.
NEW WRIT.
On the motion of Lord HOTHAM, a writ was ordered for
the borough of plidhurst, in the room of Samuel Warren,
Esq., resigned.
TRIAL BY JURY (SCOTLAND).
This bill was read a first time and ordered for second
reading.
PRINTING THE BIBLE AND ACTS OF PARLIA-

MENT.
Mr. BLACK asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it
was intended to renew the patent for printing, which will
expire in January next, and, in the event of the patent not
being renewed, whether the right of printing the Bible in
England is to be limited to the two Universities, or
to be thrown open, and if any other arrangement would be
made for printing the Acts of Parliament?
Sir S. NORTIICOTE said, with reference to the first
question, that the subject was under consideration, but he
could furnish no further information.

LAW OF LANDLORD AND TENANT IN

IRELAND

Mr. KIRK asked the Attorney-General for Ireland,
whether it was intended to bring in a bill for the amend-
ment of the Law of Landlord and Tenant in Ireland, and,
if so, about what time he would be prepared to lay it on
the table?

•
Mr. WHITESIDE said he had prepared a bill on the
subject, and when the bills relating to Ireland at present on
the table were disposed of, he would introduce it.
THE CRIMINAL LAW OF IRELAND.
Mr. DOBBS asked whether any steps had been
taken to consolidate and amend the criminal law of
Ireland, and to assimilate it to the criminal law of Eng-
land, and whether it was intended by the Attorney-Gene-
ral for Ireland to propose any measure on the subject
during the present session, and, if so, when he would be
prepared to introduce the same ?
Mr. WHITESIDE said that a very valuable paper on
the subject, prepared by the Secretary for the Home De-
partment, had been presented to the authorities in Ireland.