The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-19 00:00:00

PERSIA.

Mr. GLADSTONE wished to know the date when
the first instructions were sent to the Indian Govern-
ment, under which the military expedition proceeded to
Persia, and that the correspondence rehtive to the ex-
penses with the Indian Government should be laid on
the table of the house.

Mr. V. SMITH said that there wool I be no objec-
tio❑ to produce the paper a-ked tor, which would show
it was the same as that that had been stated by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. GLA.DS CONE—The date 1

Mr. V. SMlTH—September 26.
Mr. H. BAILLIE asked if it was not in July last,
and that proceedings took place on them in India in
Aur,:tuit last.

Mr. V. SMITH said that provisional instructions
were sent out to the Indian Government to make the
necessary arrangements iu the event of them being re-
quired ; but the final instructions were not sent out
before the date he had named.
EXTENSION OF THE FRANCHISE.
Mr. LOCKE KING moved for leave to introduce a
bill to make the franchise in England and Wales the
same as that in boroughs, by giving the right of voting
to all occupiers of tenements of the annual value of 101.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE seconded the motion.

Lord PALMERSTON said that as the business of the
session did not give much hope of a measure of so great
an importance being properly considered and passed into
a ltcv this session, he hoped the hon. and learned gen-
tleman would not press his motion. He (Lord Palmer-
ston objected) to the principle of the bill, that of identi-
fying the rate of voting in counties with boroughs. He
Lad no objection to a 201. qualiacation for counties.
(Hear, bear.)
Mr. HEADLAM supported the introdue,ion of the
measure.
Mr. DRUMMOND wished to see the franchise re-
duced to the lowest amount, to enable the people to
protect themselves against the tyranny of the class above

them that was continually arising.
Lord J. RUSSELL condemned the objection of the
Government against the introduction of the bill on the
(•xcuse of the state of public business, and said
that there appeared to be a de,ire on the
part of the Governmetit not to introduce any
measures of importance. With the exception of th•
budget there was nothing that the Government had to
occupy the time of the house. They declined entering
on the church-rate question and several others of impor-
tance, even that of agricultural statistics. After ,re-
ferring to his measures of 1852 and 1354 relative to the
franchise, he said that there was no great pressure on
the public mind for a comprehensive measure of reform,
and he shoul I consider it imprudent on the Government
to disturb the public mind now on such a question by
dealing with it. He, however, considered the proposi-
tion of Mr. Headlam a safe movement. It would have
the effect of introducing a greater amount of intelligence
into the county constituency. He was prepared not only
to vote for the introduction of the measure, but to sup-
port it in the second reading.
Mr. BENTINCK considered the complaint of Lord

J. Russell that the Government had done nothing this
session came with a very bad grace from him. The
country was sick of the word " reform"—(laughter)—
which was used as a clap-trap. He taunted Lord J.
Russell with not having produced any useful measures
during the year he had been in office. (Laughter )
Lord J. RUSSELL said that he was not able then
to answer the challenge of the hon. gentleman. On a
future opportunity he should be prepared to hand him a
list of the measures he (Lord John Russell) bad carried.
(Cheers.)
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE supported the measure. He

wished it had gone further. - -
Sir J. GRAHAM defended the ability, constancy,
and zeal of Lord John Russell, and in reply to the state-
ment of Mr. Bentinck, said it was to Lord John Russell
the country was indebted for the repeal of the Test and
Corporation Acts, the Reform Bill of 1832, the intro-
duction of a Poor Law for Ireland ; the Commutation
of Tithes in England, and were he to go through the
list he should weary the house. He supported the mo-
tion, believing that such changes as this would be more
likely to be carried, and effect the change required in
the representation of the people than if they waited for
a comprehensive system.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)