The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-14 00:00:00

TILE lONIAN ISLA.NDS.

The lonian Parliament was opened on the Ist of
March by the Lord High Commissioner, Sir Henry
Storks, in the following Speech, read by his Excel-
lency himself in English and by Sir Peter Braila in
Greek :

" Mr, President and Gentlemen,
" The last Session of the 11th Parliament com-
mences to-day, and important questions will be
submitted for your consideration and decision.
" The most illustrious the Senate, in conformity
with the provisions of the Constitutional Charter,
will lay on the table of the Assembly the Civil
List and Budget of these States.
" These have been prepared with a strict regard
to economy, and I trust to your liberality to make
adequate provision for the public service.
" In furtherance of a promise I gave at the close
of the last Session of Parliament, I appointed,
with the concurrence of the most illustrious the
Senate, a commission to inquire into the inancial
condition of these States, with a view to the reduc-
tion of the export duties on currants and oil.
" I presided over the labours of that commission,
and the result of our inquiries is embodied in a
report which has been already submitted to the
public through the medium of the Government
Gazette.

" This report will be laid upon the table of the
Legislative Assembly, and it will be for you, after
due consideration, to adopt or reject the proposals
and suggestions it contains ; but I would observe,
it will be necessary to accept or reject the plan as
a whole, or with such modifications only as will
securely provide for the loss which the revenue
would suffer from a reduction of the export duties
on the principal sources of lonian revenue. On no
other conditions can the most illustrious the Senate
or myself entertain any proposition for a readjust-
ment of the public revenue. I have heard objec-
tions made in a general way to this report, but no,
.specific or tangible charge has been brought for-
ward impugning the principles it lays down, the
facts it adduces, or the calculations it sets forth.
"It is easy to criticise, but difficult to disprove
conclusions based on facts and on the evidence of
experienced and competent persons, and calcula-
tions founded on certain and established data.
" You will gather further from this report that
the whole system of lonian finance is founded on
mistaken principles; that it is uncertain and fluc-
tuating in its character, and that the difficulties of
arriving of a more healthy state of things are, at
the present moment, almost insuperable.
" Four Acts of Government have been.passed by
the most illustrious the Senate with my approval
during the Parliamentary recess, and await your
consideration and sanction. I would request your
particular attention to Act No. 4 for changing the
system of levying Customs duties ad valorem to that
of weight. This Act has been passed in compliance
with a resolution of the Legislative Assembly.
There was some public feeling exhibited against
this important measure when it was first put into
execution. Its object was misunderstood; its effects
unknown ; and like all new measures the opposition
of certain interested parties was directed against it.
"I am happy to say that the advantages of the
new system over the old have been so apparent, its
working so uniform and impartial, the protection
it affords to the honest merchant so clear, and the
just rights of the public revenue so secured, that
the wisdom of the change is undoubted. Certain
modifications in the application of the tariff may bo
necessary from time to time, and the Government
are occupied in dealing with cases as they arise.
Bills are prepared, and will be laid on the table of
the house on many subjects of great interest and of
a pressing nature. I recommend them to your
early consideration.

"In conclusion, I can only repeat the assurance
I gave you last year, that nothing shall be wanting
on my part to secure a cordial and harmonious
understanding among all the constitutional autho-
rities of the State. I reckon on your loyal assist-
ance and frank co-operation in legislating for the
welfare and improvement of the lonian people.
They are deserving of our anxious solicitude, and.
you can best establish a claim on their gratitude
and sympathy, by faithfully discharging the trust
they have reposed in you,
" By his Excellency's command,
"H. DRUMMOND WOLFF,
" Secretary to the Lord High Commissioner."
The Most Illustrious the President of the As-
sembly, Sir Dionysius Count Flamburiaris, then
addressed his Excellency es follows
" Excellency,—l should consider myself fortunate,
and should wish, were it in my power, to reply to
your Excellency's speech in detail ; but your Ex-
cellency is aware that my desire must be subser-
vient to the rules of the Constitution, which allow
me, as the Speaker of the House, to refer only after
and in conformity with their decisions. I feel.
convinced that the Assembly will take the subject
into consideration without delay, and I must re-
serve the communication of their reply to your
Excellency until their decision has been formed.
However, I can and it is my duty to assure your
Excellency of my firm conviction that the lonian
representatives feel the difficulty of their mission
under present circumstances, and the necessity of
proceeding to the discharge of their sacred duties
with frankness and patriotism, together with thet
greatest prudence.

"By order of the Assembly,
"N. LUSI, Secretary of the Legislative Assembly."
The islands are enjoying perfect tranquility, and
there is every reason to hope that the Session will
pass off quietly, and without the usual necessity for
a premature prorogation.

TIIIS DAY'S _MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

IKE ERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES. -- Wheat, 54e 2d ;
barley, 38s Ild ; oats, 23s 6d ; rye, 34e 6d ; beans, 4ls
8d ; and peas, 43s Bd.
THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES. - Wheat, 54e 5d ;
barley, 39s 4d; oats, 23s ld ; rye, 358 2d; beans, 40e 3d;
peas, 425 9d,

ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.—Wheat, 64,930;
barley, 55,844 ; oats, 15,875 ; rye, 207; beans, 4,257 ; peas,
1,046 quarters.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
Our market to-day was but moderately supplied with
beasts ; nevertheless, all breeds moved off slowly, at barely
Monday's quotations. The general top figure for beef was
4s 8d per 81bs. The show of sheep was very moderate, yet
the mutton trade was inactive, at Monday's prioes. Lambs
were in good request, at from 7s to 8s per Blbs—about 30
came to hand from the Isle of Wight. Calves were brisk,
and 2d per 81bs dearer—the top price being 68 per 81b. Pigs
supported previous rates, but mulch cows were very dull,

Per Blbs to sink the offal.

s. d. s. d.' s. d. s. dB
Crse. & inf. beasts 3 2 3 8 Primecrs-wool do. 4 8 6 6
\
Second qualitydo. 310 4 0 Pme.S'thdowndo. 5 8 5 10
Prime large oxen 4 2 4 6 Largo orse. calves 5 0 6 6
Prime Scots' &c. 4 6 4 8 Prime small d 0... 5 8 6 0
Crse. & inf. sheep 3 6 3 10 Large h0g5...... 4 0 4 6
Second quality do. 4 0 4 41 Small porkers .... 4 8 4 10
Lambs, Os Od to Os Od.
_ _ _

Budding calves, lBs to 22s ; and quarter -old store pig%
22s to 30s.

TOTAL SUPPLY.

Beasts 950
Sheep and lambs 3,100
Calves
Pigs 330

FOREIGN SUPPLY
Beasts
Sheep
Calves .. 42
I Pigs

MEAT MARKETS.
NEWCIATE AND LEADENNALL. - The demand for
each kind of meat is somewhat heavy, u follows :
Beef, from 2s 10d to 4s Od ; mutton, 3s 4d to 46
8d ; lamb, Os Od to Os Od ; veal, 4s Od to 4s 8d ; pork,
38 8d to 5s Od per 81bs. by the carcase.
SOUTHALL, March 13. A moderate supply. Trade
heavy : Beef, 3s Gd to 4s 8d , mutton, 45 Od to
6s Od ; lamb, Os Od to Os Od ; veal, 4s 8d to 50 6d ; pork, 4.
Od to 4s 10d per 81bs to sink the offal.
ROMFORD, March 13.—A slow inquiry, as follows :—.
Beef from 3s 4d to 4s 10d ; mutton, 4s Od to 6s Od
lamb, Os Od to Os Od ; veal, 5s 04 to 51 6d ; and pork, 4;
Od to 4s 10d per 81bs; suckling calves, 15s to 19s ; quarter
old store pigs, 22s to 29s each; and ranch cows, £l4 Os
to £lB 10s each.

IIIPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
'1 ho SPEAKER took the chair shortly after twelve o'clock.
NAVY (WOODEN SHIPS).
_ _ .

Mr. CORRY obtained a return specifying the names of
the wooden ships intended to carry guns on more than one
dtck now building, and showing in Bths the state of pro-
s) ess of each ship towards completion.
COUNTY FRANCHISE BILL.

Mr. LOCKE KING moved the second reading of this
bill. He said, as the principle of the bill had frequently
been approved by that house, he need not repeat the argu-
ments which had been adduced in its favour; but he had
to regret that hon. gentlemen who opposed him did not
resort to direct means for throwing it out, but took indirect
measures, which he did not think creditable to the house.
The hon. gentleman met some objections which have been
urged against the bill, and came to the conclusion that
there were no real force in them. He strongly urged upon
the Government the necessity of proceeding without delay
with some practical measure of reform.
Mr. A. SMITH moved as an amendment " The previous
question." He thought they could not look to the measure
1-)y itself, but must regard the inevitable consequences which
would flow from it. If they proposed this bill it would be
impossible to retain those differences which ought to exist
between county and town constituencies. He considered
that the hon. member for Birmingham had done much to
etard the progress of reform by his ceaseless agitation.
Although that hon. gentleman perseveringly smoked the
pipe of peace, he raised such a cloud of smoke as to lead to
the supposition that there was something like inc,endiarism
pt the bottom of it.
Mr. DU CANE considered that the motion of the hon.
member for East Surrey was extremely inopportune at the
present moment, and ho therefore seconded the amend-
went. The question had been fairly discussed in two sue-
cessive Parliaments, aid under the auspices of two adminis-
trations, and he had no hesitation in saying that, throughout
the country there was a perfect indifference on the matter.
Lord HENLEY objected to the bill, because, while it
created a vast number of additional county electors, it made
no provision for diminishing the expenses of county elec-
tions, which were at progont anormou.c and Tn
Northamptonshire the expenses of conveying voters in one
year, from February, 18,58, to February, 1859, were £lO,OOO,
tor very close upon it. He would take the case of Colches-
ter. In that county there was a farm of 1,000 acres,
which was let out to at least flf, y tenants. No w,
the proprietor of this ground might, by means of the
number of small voters be able to swamp the whole consti-
tuency.
Mr. ADDERLEY said, he did not consider the hon.
'member (Mr. L. King) had any ground for congratulation
on the description of support which he had received from
hon. members. The hon. member seemed to consider that
there was a virtue in a £lO occupancy, but he denied
that he had advanced any proper basis for his
measure. He denied that the county constituency was
corrupt, or that it' exhibited any want of independence, so
els to justify a bill of this description. The case for the bill
Tested on an isolated instance, and it was not of general appli-
,eation. The fact was, that constitutionally the county con-
stituency was not placed in a proper position, and he re-
Xerred to Staffordshire, where the electors connected with
the potteries overwhelmed the other constituency, and to
'Birmingham, where the 40s. electors formed a considerable
number. He, therefore, felt bound to oppose the second
xeading.
Mr. BRISTOW expressed his surprise that any opposi-
tion could be offered towards this bill by those who called
themselves reformers. He thought hon. members were
mistaken about the feeling of•the country, if they supposed
there was any sentiment of indifference pervading the com-
munity in reference to the question of Reform. (Hear,
hear.) Notwithstanding that reformers had been twitted
with the absence of indignation meetings, he could assure
hon. members that in the Midland Counties where greater
interest was felt on the question than in metropolitan
boroughs, constituencies were watching with anxiety Ihe
progress of this bill, in order to see how members who were
sent to Parliament pledged to support reform, and ministers
would. act in reference to the measure, as indices of what
they might expect from their representatives and Go-
vernment. He supported the bill not only on its intrinsic
merits, but on extrinsic grounds, for it had a peculiar im-
portance at the present time with the people of England.
He trusted, therefore, that the bill would be carried by a
large majority of independent members, and that Govern-
ment would show, not only' by their conduct in regard to
the present question, but in future with regard to the
subject of reform, thatthey were anxious to have the question
.settled. Ho believed that this alone would be the means of
averting that storm of popular indignationwhich might be
expected to break forth by a further delay of the question,
notwithstanding the patient and reasonable character of the
people of this country. (Hear, hear.)
Sir L. PALK strongly deprecated the attempts made by
hon. members in respect to the question of reform, by en-
deavouring to effect a defeat which they could not accom-
plish by a comprehensive measure which Parliament had
already rejected. He denied that there was any popular
feeling in favour of this bill, which was shown by the fact
that the hon. member for Surrey had to re introduce it
from session to session. He believed that eventually a com •
prehensive measure would be required, but he did not think
the time had arrived. He considered that the effect of this
bill would be to throw increased political power into the
hands of the commercial classes, and it would be most dan-
gerous to pass any bill of such a nature without accompany-
ing it with eafeguards. Ile concluded by moving as an
amendment the previous question.
Lord ENFIELD said ho felt bound to support the bill.
It had been objected to the measure that the amount en-
titling to the franchise was too low, but he believed that
no one was pledged to any amount, and as far as he was
concerned he reserved to himself a perfect right to deal with
the bill in committee. With regard to the argument about
the rejection of large measures of reform by the house as
being a reason for not introducing a measure of detail, he
contended that Reform was more likely to; be carried out
by means of the latter. Reformers might endeavour to carry
out their views in reference to the county franchise by pas-
sing this bill, and _next session they might deal with the
question of the borough franchise. (Hear, hear, and oh,
oh.) Considering the pledges he had given to his consti-
tuency, and the promises of the house to deal with the sub-
ject of Reform, he thought he was called on to support this
bill.

Mr. HUNT said the object of the bill was to introduce
into county 'Constituencies a town element of franchise
which operates most unjustly. -He thought it might be
desirable to make an alteration in the county franchise,
which he would not object to see lowered to VO, provided
it was attended with safeguards.
Mr. CONINOHAM considered that bringing forward a
measure of this description was only trifling with the great
subject of reform, and bringing the Liberal party into con-
tempt with the country. Members who advocated the mea-
sure-must know that with the opposition of the Govern-
ment and of members on the Opposition benches they could
not expect, to-earry the bill. Ho was a sincere Reformer,
and denounced measures like the present as the result of a
sham and hypocritical feeling on the part of pretended
Reformers. However, he did net intend to vote against
the bill—(laughter)—for he would not wish it to be under-
stood that he was opposed to. the £lO franchise, but he
would not vote in its favour.

Mr. A. EGERTON opposed the bill, but considering
himself pledged to reform, he would support a compre-
hensive measure, including a £25 franchise.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that it had been observed that
there were three modes of dealing with the question of re •
form. In the firet place, the Government might introduce
a comprehensive measure, or, as in the present instance, it
might be 'dealt with in detaieby private members. The
vernment came to the conclusion that after the experi-
ence ,f lest session, it would not be advisable to introduce
a similar bill on the subject of Parliamentary Reform to
that of last year. - He concurred in the wisdom of that de-
cision, and was a party to it, and his opinion was unaltered.
He thought that the wisdom of that decision had been con-
firmed by the vote • of the house on the first night
of the session and the feeling of the country.
On the occasion alluded to
.. there was a reso-
lution proposed, pledging the house that it was their
opinion the Geiernment ought to introduce a comprehen-
sive meastire of Parliamentary Reform, and it was' nega-
tived, there being only 46 in its favour, while against it
there were 129.: The principle clearly affirmed by that
vote was that it was not desirable fur her Majesty's Govern-
ment to introduce Abis session any bill on Reform. Nothing
had since oc, urred to call for any alteration in the course
the Government had pursued. With, regard to the. two
measures, the present and the one relating to the borough
franchise, which proposed to deal with the question, united
they would effect a considerable alteration in the constitu-
encies of the country. But they were the measures of
diffs,•rent members, and were not produced simul-
taneously, and great difficulties necessarily existed
in dealing with them. In illustration of the
feeling of indifference towards the question of reform,
he referred tt the bill which he introduced for the transfer
°f four seats. Some years ago that transfer would have
tpheeeins"sidered smatter of considerable importance, but
!here net' which it had been treated did not show that
any strong feeling on the question at present. He
w.“B"leatr°u'sofSeeig reform carried out in detail but in
his opinion the time had notai rived for discussing ;he sub-.
jeot. Ho..weeer, there was nothing to prevent gentlemen
from voting fpr,tha second.•
Treading of the bill on the ground
of the £lO franehiee, for
committee, sad he 1.4,118eir measure could be altered in
vote for the second read-
ing. ( Ilear. hoe, and leeseTtuic d
Mr.
.BA It he
pp
seesey`e—d' the' :r.)1.).1. on the ground that it
would swerep the 408. freeholders' l
Mr. OSBORNE complained iorone'lyof the conduct of
some o- the' reform members, 'Which left
reform' f
in a state of confusion, and the'clueatiost of
increased by the
speech of the Tight hoth'gentleman (Sir G. C. Lewis). He
thought his hon. friend the member for Surrey
had been
trusted in respect to his measure like a too celiac'.lig
lady. He (Mr. L. King) had received a promise grx,:rg..
riage from the right hon. gentlfanan in his, yowl, butte
h'he-t—e-s
had !resittein
adou, e eereand.yellowl wsser)
eide-e(
—and ultimately he' found himself turned into the atreeee

of the metropolis. (Great laughter.) This question of Re-
form, which had been one of the great stalking horses, had
become simply ridiculous. He thought the feeling in
favour of Reform was much overrated, and that. the only
two hon. members that were
_really sincere on the subject
were the hon. member for Birmingham and the noble lord
the member for the city of London, and that many other
members in their apparent zeal on the question were
guilty of political insincerity. They had come fresh from the
hustings, where they had spent more money than they
wished, and they were pledged to reform, so that they were
apprehensive, if they did not make some sort of demon-
stration in its favour, they might be sent back to their
constituents the next year. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
He felt bound to support this bill, and would not follow
the example of the non: member for Brighton (Mr. Coning-
ham)—(laughter)—but would vote for the second reading.
After a few words from Mr. BEACH and. Mr. EGERTON,
Lord J. RUSSELL—In rising to give my opinion on this
bill I must be allowed to advert to subjects which have
been partly adverted to by other members which do not im-
mediately concern this bill, but have regard to the general
question. In 1848 and 1859 I gave an opinion that there
ought to be a further extension of the right of voting for
members of Parliament. I did so, in the first place, because
I thought the foundations of the constitution would be
strengthened by the admission of a great number of persons
who were well qualified to vote, and in the next place, from
the experience I had had, and seeing that the question was
then debated by gentlemen belonging to different parties
with a good deal of eagerness. I remember that for many
years the Catholic question used to be debated in this and
the other house of Parliament, and there was sometimes a
majority of six or eight for the measure and• a greater ma-
jority always in the other house of Parliament against it.
But there came a time when immense mobs were collected
in Ireland, and Parliament, which had debated the matter
as if it were a pure matter of speculation for so many years,
immediately that it saw the prospect of a civil war, and that
a great party was organised under a powerful leader, passed
the bill. Another question which was agitated in the coun-
try and in Parliament was the question, of the corn laws.
On that question again there was a majority, not great, in
this house, against the repeal of the corn laws, and a much
greater'majority in the other house. But thsee came a time
„c awe we leisure or a neseest, ana Men In
the midst of that agitation the whole question was conceded,
and the corn laws were at once repealed. Now, it always
appeared to me that the example of facts such as these tended
to lower the authority of Parliament. If Parliament by its
wisdom end byits deliberations had not been able to settle
these questions, if it found that the prejudices against con-
cession were so powerful as to prevent Parliament from set-
tling the question, it was a great weakening of the power of
Parliament that suddenly 4voment of panic all that
deliberation, all that resistance ould at once be waived,
and that the popular will, whether of England or Ire-
land, expressed with power and with 'menace, should effect
that which the opinion of some of the more distin-
guished members of Parliament had not been able to effect.
It was with this impression strongly oiLray mind that I
made the proposal for an extension of tae suffrage, on the
principle that it was far better te come to some arrange-
ment when Parliament could freely deliberate upon it than
to wait for a time when the repetition of the agitation which
had taken place on these two questions should prevent and
overwhelm alldeliberation. I may have beenquite mistaken
in this ; but as the question has gone on and has been die-
called, there has been, as I conceive, less and less of favour
shown to the desire of amending the constitution, and I
may say, in fact, it has not been, like the opposition that
was made to the Reform Bill, and to reform before that bill
was introduced, an opposition from 'a particular class inte-
rested in a monopoly which existed before the Reform Bill,
but the opposition that has been made to reform recently
has been an opposition particularly of the middle classes of
the country. In the discussion on the Reform Bill we never
disguised that the object of it was to transfer the power to
the middle Classes. It has had that effect. We may say it
would be wise in the middle classes to share that power
with the working men, but there is no doubt that, in point
of fact, for the two or three years last past, and especially
last year, it has been evident that the middle classes fear a
great admission of the working classes into the number of
those who hold the franchise, and that the opposition to the
bill of last year was far more from. the middle classes than
it was from the House of Lords, or any portion of the
richer classes of the country. That being the state of
affairs, I say I am much disposed toconeur as a general ques-
tion with an observation that was made by the right hon.
gentleman opposite the member for Bucks (Mr. Disraeli),
that if you wish to deal with the question of reform it is
better that you should deal with it by some comprehen-
sive measure than by particular measures introduced
from time to time. Nay I will say even more than this.
I will say that in the present state of parties not only
in this house but in the country, I do not think that any
comprehensive measure would be likely to succeed, except
a measure which was founded upon the opinions not of one
party, upon the interests not of one'class, but upon 'a general
consideration of the opinions and of the interest of all classes.
It will be long before that general agreement takes place,
but it seems to me, I confess, coming to this bill, that it is
not necessary that the house should wait, in order to con-
sider this particular question, either for the introduction Of
a comprehensive measure of reform, which should be carried
only by the violence which took place at the time of the
Reform Bill, but that it would be wise for Parliament te
consider this question as it stands alone. It must be con-
fessed that peoplenow seem to consider that the franchise
established by the Reform Bill belongs tathe;old;conetitation
of the country ; but with regard to the county franchise, it
shculd be recollected that a very ,great change 'was made in
that franchise-at the time of the Reforir; Bill, and, instead
of being, asl conceive all the other changes were, for the
general advantage of the country and the extension of
popular
,rights, it was a change very much for the worse.
alt was change proposed by one of the greatest enemies to
the Reform Bill. It was carried against the opinion of
Lord Althorp, then the leader of the house and the repre-
sentative of the reform Government and the reform party
in this house, and against the warnings which he gave.
Lord Althorp said =I have not looked at his speech for many
years, but he said in effect--" If,you give the £-50 tenants
the franchise, you will not be -extending the franchise to
those who will exercise it fairly and independently. Those
who exercise it fairly and independently are the 40s. free-
holders, and we propose still to keep up the right of voting
by tenure for those who have teases to a certain amount
for 60 years; and for a smaller number of years for 'a
smaller amount ; but this extension of the franchise to
occupiers is,' in effect, giving the power of returning mem-
bers for counties to the owners of land, *according to whose
will and pleasure the greater part of these voters will
vote." This was the substance of Lord Althorp's speech,
and his predictions were so true that I have always
regretted that his opiniOn was not adopted at the time.
The reform party had an immense majority in the house,
but many who supported reform thought that this, being
an extension of the suffrage, it WAS wise to adopt it, as at
all events by adopting it, there would be a greater number
of voters. In my opinion tbis was a subtle poison. We have '
felt ever since that the elections were not determined, as
they were- formerly, by the freeholders of the county.-I be-
lieve with an hon. gentleman who has just spoken that
there is no better franchise than the freeholders of the county,
that they are men who have shown great independence of
character and conduct, and that the right of voting could
not be bet ter placed than with them. But their voices have
been overpowered by the occupiers. Well that question was
considered before the introduction of the last Reform Bill,
and it was the opinionof Lord Grey's Cabinet, thatalthough
the giving the franchise to L5O occupiers could not but be
injurious, still the House of Commons, 'having determined
on it by nconsiderable majority, it was bound' by the opin-
ion of the majority. In the course of time it appeared de-
sirable to enlarge the franchise in counties, and I must say
I admire the courage and constancy with which the hon.
member for East Surrey, whether in season cre out of season,
has prOposed this extension. The preamlN of my hon.
friend's bill says,' Whereas it is expedient to extend the
franchise to many of her Majesty's subjects who have not
heretofore enjoyed the same." I concur in the proposition.
My hon. friend proposes that it should be extended to occu-
piers of premises of the annual value of £lO, but although
that binds my hen. friend it does not bind the house, if they
assent to the second reading of the bill, that the franchise
should be conferted upon £lO occupiers. I should also
state, because I think it is important for the consideration
of this matter, that we have not hesitated to extend tho
wcoeuhnatyveirnanotechhaiienigneand ite irnaratneGftlioteleUerni.
Reformtbate
Afrcain,cahnised
as, which hitichhfahabd'c.cbeen
e
:14-ttgiledve
tew.d ifnogudnodmin,alltrheolaungdh.
buytotht hebmi I l bsyv hti
he
he
had been introduced a few years previously, operated injuri-
ously, and we introduced a bill in this house by which, I
think, we 'gave the french* to occupiers rated to the
amount of £B. That proposition wasneodified in the House
of Lords, the occupiers of £l2 in Irish counties being de-
clared by that house entitled to the franchise. The bill ss
modified passed into law, and it was an -instance in which,
although we did not alter the-whole frame of, the Reform
Act for Ireland and the country' -generally, -Parliament did
not think itself excluded from altering the,franchise. I be-
lieve Parliament has been justified in that change by a, great
improvement in the state-of the-electoral franchise oh Ire-
land, where undoubted frauds had prevailed with regard to
the freehold franchise which have not taken place in the
rated franchise.that now exists- If the house should agree
to the second reading of this bill, it will be open to it to deal
with the franchise as it thinks fit. My hon, friend will take
the course that he thinks proper, but.l should say if he
could make an useful , extension of the franchise which is
likely to obtain the assent of: Parliament, even though it
maybe that the particular franchise decided upon i not the
one that he himself proposes, he will confer a benefit on the
country.. Bat that will be a matter for his consideration.
And now, sir, having stated .svhas I think of this bill, of
course I shall consider it:my elteSy to vote in fievour of the
second reading. I coneider it nemestion totally apart and
distinct. • I think my hon. friend is justified in bringing
forward a bill for the extension of the comity franchise,
and I have no objection to the principle of the bill. I can-
not, however,
,finish withouk saying a word or two on the
question generally., An hon. member has stated that by re-
iee4ing thnhilliof Lord Derby,'e Governeseet, we acted Yery
‘.11,494ri tYaclllatlile 410 AbitrOYA4.ol3P9r-talektyeef.effect-
-1 lug a. reform. NoVe, I cannot admit that because a bill was