Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-24
GREAT BRITAIN.
Rc-opcning Of Parliament.

|
The British Parliament resumed their sittnps on the
| 18th. Some discussion took place in the House OF
Commons that day relative to REFORM in the
of which Lord John Russell made a disclosure of the
change in the sentiments of Ministers some iinpor
Itant respects which greatly surprizcd the House.
! First with respect to population, Lord john Russell
acknowledged that the census of 1921, with what cor
| rcctions had since been obtained incomplete
and sometimes unfair standard by which to act in
DISTINGUISHING boroughs accordingly he gave sort of
notice, that whatever borough could make out case
to the satisfaction of Minister'S THAT its population had
! been moderated, should be duly considered The
whole BILL the noble Lord proceeded say, had been
well considered by ministers during the recess and the
wording IN many respects, and some minor matters of
detail corrected which he should explain to the House
on Monday; but he proceeded to say that with respect
to certain notices of motions before the house. minis
tiers had deeply considered whether they could not meet
the parties with concession without abandoning
tho essential principle of the bill. On such point
namely the continuing to parties having franchise bv
BIRTH OF seTvitudc the privileges derived the noble
Lord expressed himself vaguely to be by us unin
tcigble but with respect to another that upon which
General Cascoyne has given notice of Il motion name
iy, the alteration of the number of members in the
house, ministers, he said, prepared comply with
the wish Of the house. if it should be decidedly
against the reduction lie concluded with rcairminp
the consistency OF the ministers to the principles of the
Sir L. b. Suglen Mr. O. Bankcs and others. or
pressed their surprise at these alterations and their
doubts at the practicabty of going committee on
Monday, upon vEat was now in so COW sde-al,o Jo-o
measure
\ remarkable speech made by Mr.. Hunt who
declared that the people not for the bill What
| The people want is scot and lot franchise and dsap
pointed OF that they were admirers of this bill Ne
verthcicss, he himself would support the bill because
1T made atieast certain inroad upon an ubominable
system lie repeated, and reiterated arnin and oc,
anm the cheers of the opposition, that the pc ope were
not IN favour of The bill.
The conversation resumed on the 18th but no
thing transPircd that worthy particular notice On the
i4tl, the subject up the House of Iorls and
was discussed at great length Among the speakers
was Earl Grey, the Prime Minister, who said-Tbe
noble Marquis (of Londonderry had reminded their
iordsiipso of his Carl Grcys) pledge delivered on for
MGR occasion, to the effect that he would not consent
to compromise the principle of tho reform but
would stand fill by it originally designed GIear
The noble Marquis had stated correctly his declaration
lie had said that he would stand or fall bv the princi
pies of the bill now in progress the other House of
Paramcnt and for the satisfaction Of the noble mar
qIis would then repeat his declaration that he world
consent for himself or colleagues TO abandon sin
gle principle of that BILL but stand fall by II as sue
cecdcd or not. (Chccrs) When lac had, however
expressed his determination to thus stand fall by the
reform BILL he had also explicitly stated that il was the
principle of that bill which he would for moment
conpToinlse-for be was not pTcstimptuous enough
imagine that there might not be defects of detail sis
ccpIbe of Improvement. (Icar, hear) The principle
which ministers bad in view ia bringing forward the
measure tc effect such improvements in the repre-
scntaion Of the people the wcbeng of the country
requircd-in fact to adapt the representation the
institutions TO the wants. property and intelligence Of
inc country and he would not consent to any alteration
IN the proyisionS-not say the principle-of that
me lsure at all likely TO ntoTere with this its great
OBJECT. 1toarD As means TO this end, and not as
an end IN itself ministers proposed to dsfrauchiso Ger
tam boroughs Incompatible with puro system Of rep
TCsenaon and therefore they would not assent TO any
MODIFICATION Of the which might defeat the end
Whicn they had IN view. (Icar) With respect 10 what
me Ho0e MARQUIS observed touching reduction CT