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

THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE.

Earl GREY moved for a select 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 small 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 arrangementhad 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 760 the act he had mentioned had increased

them to 2,300, 1,500 of whom were the inhabitants of
small tenements. The effect had been that the town
councils had very much deteriorated. His idea of having
the inquiry at the present moment ho 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 et 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 tho 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 iu moving for
this inquiry before he 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 be 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 . the noble earl opposite that he
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
it. He trusted his noble friend would not press his motion.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH thought it would be of
advantage to know what had boen 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 Earl of DERBY assented, and the motion was
agreed to.

- OCCASIONAL FORMS OF PRAYER BILL.
The Occasional Forms of Prayer Bill was read a second

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 m the present system of church-rates.
TT A T,V*

in answer to a question front the Bishop of Oxrou.,
The Earl of MALMESBURY 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.