Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-04-26
european News.-Reform Movements in Eng

European NeWSsshSIOrm MOtohhohs' 20
land.
The steamer which arrived at Halifax Oh GU
nesday last, brings important intelligence IL 10
said that large bodies of Austrian troops were
on the move for Italy, and that France was vlg.
orously preparing for war. The oehei pre'aiieu
on the continent that an appeal to arms was III
eyitable. There is report from Washington
also, that the confidential adviser OF the rrinoe
Regent of Prussia has written to dlploma'io
correspondent in this cS&try that war cannot
be postponed beyond July. The origin Oh Tue
impending contest, and the questions involved In
it, are rather beyond our comprehension
Austria, however, wishes to disarln ana put
down the little kingdom of Sardinia, which has
oconired the admiration of the world by Its
courageous stand in favor of constitutional gov
eminent and liberal principles. France sup
norts Sardipia. That the detestable Austrian
Empire may be annihilated, if a collision does
occur, is our fervent aspiration.
The news from England is also interesting
The Reform agitation has brought about "orl-
sisn in the Government, and the Ministry nave
announced their determination to dissolve FAR
lament and appeal to the country. Our readers
will recolect that in England, elections for mem
bers of Parliament do not occur at regular stateu
times as in this country, but whenever Parlla'
ment decides against the Ministers, the latter ell
Their retire from office at once or dissolve Ear
lament and order q new election. II the new
House of Commons is in their favor, they hoid
on to their places.
There are three parties on the reform question
at this time in Great Britain-the Conservatives
now in power, under the lead of Lord Derby
the Radicals, whose champion is MIR. Bright Of
Manchester; and the Liberals, an intermediate
party, led by Lord John Russell, There Is every
shade of opinion among them, b9t the most ex
IRENE Radical does not 60 anywhere near the
length of our American Retormers. Thus, while
change in the qualification of voters is de-
manded in England, no prominent politician DE-
sires that population alone shall be made the Da'
sis of representation. Some other test than mere
property qualification, however, is demanded
and it has been suggested that certihcates o.
school proficiency shall confer the right OF SUI
frage.
Another reform insisted upon in England Is
more equal distribution of constituencies, OF
what we would call fair apportlonment OF rep
resentatives. The Reformers complain OF the
great disproportion between town and country
representation, and Scotland complains OF the
unfair apportionment which gives her only nifty
three Representatives. Yet Scotland objects &c
any increase of Irish representatives, although
Ireland, with one-fourth of the population OF ths
Kingdom, has representation OF one seventh
The Reformers demand also that Para Uoc
voting shall be abolished, and ballots used at Q
lections. To offset this scheme, some OF MIR
Brights opponents have proposed to vote b!
means of papers collected at the residences o
the voters. Very likely the plan will be intro
duced in Virginia before long. We now nav
precincts in the vicinity of every mans door
vet not one-half of the people will take tn
trouble to vote in an important popular election
Before another election of Judge comes rouno
we hope the officers viii be required to call up
on each voter at home, on even follow him q
bout the neighborhood if necessary.