Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-06
BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MARCH 8. 1881
Question Of Parliamentary Reform

BKIIISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MARCH 8, 1881
Question Of Parliamentary Reform.
Sir ROBERT PEEL said he should begin By as
surfing his noble friend tI4orG Pamerstoni that one
part of his speech, which related TO his own per-
sonal situation, was holly unnecessary to him. for
if his noble friend had not thought it necessary to
explain the grounds upon which he was this night
prepared to adop: course So different from his own
even from his silence he should have drawn no I'M
favorable conclusion. He begged his noble friend
believe that hr did not Join in the taunt aoainst
him. He (Sir r. Pcc) had been placed in the same
situa ion he had found 1t necessary from due re-
gard to the principles which had always regulated
his conduct, to adopt different course from that
which he had formerly adv0caird and he therefore
ought to he the last man to reth=e the induce
of which he had stood in need, to public men who
were placed in similar situation. fIicarO He
never would believe that public men did not loo;
TO higher motives than desire to retain their
places, when they induced to changa
their opinions; and the character, the views ind
the conduct of his noble friend afforded sutfi
cient guarantee for the purity of his motives Ha-
wing thus initiated the generous custom which pre.
vailed even in less dignifed MISUNDERSTANDING.
he might say, shaken hands with his noble
friend, by relieyeing himself from any suspc;on of
personal hostility in what lie should saw, the noble
Lord would not be dispeased. if with perfect free
dom of discussion, he subjected his speech to some
observation and comment. At time when the
House had been expecting that some member of his
Maiesys government would give some explanation
of this measurc---at Il moment when the House wish
ed TO know, not what was the public opinion of IT,
but what practical ground could be alleged for THE
aiop ion of what might be called new constitution
the noble Lord had instead, thought proper TO
institute personal comparison between the merits
of the last and the present administration (hear
hear.) That part "f his noble friends speech had
consisted of sarcastic illusions TO the conduct and
opinions Of the late government, and Of attempts.
and not very successful ones, (hcar)- magnify the
present administration AZ tho expense OF The pre-
ceding one (Cheers.) "See," said the noble
;, Lord, ''what we have done" II very believe,
said the noble Lord, 'that If there had not been {
change in the government, this great measure would
not have taken place." He (Sr Robert Pec) woult
not pursue a similar course No par hostiiit,
| should prevent him from dong justice where he
thought there WIS merit, and giving praise where
praise due, hear lie admired the course o
the present Home Department; he admired the con
duet of the Noble Marquis now at the head of The
! Irish government; ever since he had re-assuned
that office, he had seen nothing in his conduct but
what entitled hum to praise and admiration; and he
believed there truth in what had been
said his noble friend that had the late administration
traon bee in office they would not have been able to
effect what had been effected there by the present ad
mins.ra;iGD (Hear.} But would they have had the
same assistance? Loud cheers from the opposi-
ton Would they, if they had introduced the inca
sures which had been adopted by the noble Mar
quis-called upon to adopt them in a time of great
public eXcltcment--have found all parry feeling Civ
ing way to considerations of public policy, and uni
ted oil IN the general support Of the government
in order to defeat the efforts OF individuals dis
turb the prosperity Of the country? His noble
iend--he would not enter deeply into the
comparison-- but his noble friend must recol-
ect, that with respect to Ireland that very in
strument which had been welded by the noble
Marquis with character lsc vigour and success, was
an instrument winch had been placed in his hands by
the late administrations 1ear)-COnlrary TO the
opinion and contrary to the votes, many members
of the present administration; and that if the late
Government had been. in their attempts to maintain
the peace of Ireland, somewhat impedrd by the vlo
leuce of local and internal force 1t was not the late
| Government that commenced the reduction Of the
yeomanry. (IIcar) In his anxiety to find cause foI
blaming the administration which had preceded The
last his noble friend had said, that If, 1898, that
Government had consented to transfer the elective
! fraachise from East Retford TO Birmingham the
House would not have been discussing the nc
cessity for general reform; for that that single
measure would have queted the approximations of the
people, and have satisfied .hCm Hear But il
from such small events such mighty results would
spring-if the transferring the franchise from East
Retford to birmingham would have been 50 salsiac.
tory TO all classes OF the community Hear that
there would now have been 10 necessity for reform,
it was incumbent upon the house 10 inquire what
was the paramount consideration under these circ1n
stances. which render it imperative to change The
Constitution of the country. IIearl His nni.c
friend said, "Why-dd you not consent TO the dis
franehjsCmcnt Of East Retiord:' Unless lIc LSlr
Robert PeeD rHistook not. bis noble friend and him
self entered the House together on hat fatal night
which led TO the dissolution Of tie late Govern
ment. and his noble friend and himself had inien-
dpd TO give their votes OH the same side upon hat
occasian but thc-ciisct Of n launt upon lis late
Right Honorable friend (Mr IIuskisscn) had CON-
lied him, IN obedience to his feeling 10 dcviatc III
the course which he had intended to adopt, s; which
out Of sense Of honour, led him to tender his re-
sigDation lEear) But said his Noble Friend, -
you had transferred The elective franchise from Eas
Rctart TO Birmingham, in 1923, tbcg" would not
h7"o been the least necessity for reform row,
{ Cries Of No, answered b. cheers from the Oppu-
sitlon) Would his Noble Friend have rested s1tis
fed, thrD, III the present stale Of Tie representa-
ton, with the FIVE grand defects in II which hc Ina
% enumerated. and wou-l be not have thought III
duty 20 come forward and rescEe both parties
Representative and he reprcscnted-lrom he effect
Of the corruption he had described Hrs No'
Friend bad lsmcntcd bat the voice Of Hr Cannr
y could no' be beard in that House. and bod assu",
g ihat that voice would have been raised IN favour
+ !tae S!aa ofkis N5tesY's V8Tsi5giSd'' r!igh: