The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-01 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

The orders of the day having been postponed till after
the notice of motion on the representation of the people,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose and
said—Sir, it is my duty to-night to draw the attention of
the house to a subject than which nothing more important
can be submitted to their consideration. Those which are
called most important political questions—those questions,
for example, of peace or war, which now occupy and agitate
the public mild—are, in fact, inferior. In either of those
cases an erroneous policy may be retraced, and there are no
disasters which cannot be sucessfully encountered by the
energies of a free people; but the principles upon which
the distribution of power depend in a community when
once adopted can rarely be changed. An error in that
direction may permanently affect the fortunes of a State or
the character of a people. But, grave as is the duty, and
difficult as is the task which have devolved upon her Ma-
jesty's Government in undertaking to prepare a measure
to amend the. representation of the people in this house,
these, I admit, and cheerfully admit, are considerably miti-
gated by two circumstances—the absence of all passion on
the subject, and the advantage of experience. Whatever
may be the causes, on which I care not to dwell, I believe
that on this subject and on this occasion I appeal to as im-
partial a tribunal as is compatible with a popular form of
government. (Hear, hear.) I believe there is a general
wish among all men of light and reason in this country
that the solution of this long-controverted question should
be arrived at, and that if public men occupying the position
which we now occupy feel it their duty to come forward to
offer that solution—one which I trust in our case will not
be based upon any mean concession or any temporary com-
promise, but which will be consistent with the principles
and spirit of our constitution, which will bear the scrutiny
of debate, and which, I trust, may obtain the sympathy
of public opinion—l feel persuaded that in the present
conjuncture of our political world such an attempt will
meet from this house a candid though discriminating
support. (Hear, hear.) Equally so, it may also be ob-
served that the public mind of this country has for the last
quarter of a century, and especially during its latter portion,
been so habituated to the consideration of all questions
connected with the popular representation, the period itself
has been so prolific of political phenomena in the contem-
plation and study, and I may also say the judgment of the
people of this country, of this subject, that weshould have
felt it our duty to undertake this task. We are in a much
more favourable position, I admit, than the statesmen
who in 1832 undertook the great office which then devolved
upon them, because we address not only the Parliament
but those in the country who by their knowledge have be-
come competent to consider this subject, and all will agree
that this fact will greatly facilitate the discussion upon it.
Although some of those who took a leading part in the
transactions of 1832, happily for us, still sit in both Houses
of Parliament, yet so long is the space of time that has
elapsed since those occurrences, I think it not impossible
to speak of them with something of the candour of history.
I do not doubt the future records of this country will
acknowledge that during some of the most important poli-
tical events of modern history those events were treated
with the energy and ability becoming British statesmen. If
we look at the circumstances under which the measure of
1831 was introduced, the proceedings of this house at the
time, and the character of its members, it must be ad-
mitted that that measure was equal to the emergency it
controlled and directed. I cannot, indeed, agree with
those who attribute to the legislation of 1832 every
measure of public benefit that has been passed by this
house during the last twenty-five years ; know well tha t
before the reform of this house took place the adminis-
trations of this country were distinguished by their
efficiency ; I believe, indeed, that especially in the latter
part of the administration of Lord Liverpool, this house was
rather in advance of the opinion of the country at large.
But I think that the reform of the House of Commons in
1832. greatly added to the energy and public spirit in which
we had then become somewhat deficient. Sir, it must be
remembered that the labours of the statesmen who
took part in the transactions of 1832 were eminently experi-