The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-11
CHI A r L E S I O n.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. JULY II. 1866
THE BRITISH MINISTRY.

in O vote on one of the sections of the Re-
form Bill. At the time this item attracted
no general attention, on account Of the much
greater interest then and still felt in the
news from the Continent. In England, how
ever, it is otherwise. That nation of shop
keepers, as NAPOLEON contemptuously called
them, havo virtually Withdrawn from the
community of European Statos. The Eng
land of to-day holds very different position
in the worlds annals from what WAS held by
the England of WILLIAM PITT, at the begin
ming of the present century. Then England
dictated the policy Of Europe; now she has
scarcely voice in it. Her policy is one of
peace and money-making. Hence we find
the strange spectacle-never before wit
messed, Europe under arms, and one of the
greatest revolutions of dynasties impend-
ing,-and England in stew about petty
question of who shall and who shall not vote
for members of Parliament.
The telegraph yesterday brought the news
of the resignation of Earl RUSSELL and his
coadjutors. This of course surprised no one.
This cabinet, formed by the late Premier,
had within it incompatible elements, which
insured its early dissolution. The prestige
OF PALmERsToN's name alone kept these an
tagonisms from coming into actual collision.
But On his death the speedy fall of the
reigning party was generally predicted. The
Queen urged the premiership upon Earl Rus
SELL, and he very inconsiderately accepted
it, although it ought to have been very clear
to him that his administration would not
prove satisfactory to the people. He had an
able ally in Mr.. GLADSTONE, who helped to
stave off the evil day. The skiIful Chancel-
lor sought to exc out the lease of his cabinet
and party by promising financial schemes.
But the nation was not to be taken in. Mr..
DlsRAEL1, an old hand at this business him.
self, was ever ready to pounoe upon the
classical bag-holder and expose his sophis-
,ioo ~ tho sinIplon.iadoa Rri.ons
mr. GLADSTONE next resorted to the Re-
form Bill. Here was plum for the Radi-
Gals. MIR. Ba1oHT was his right hand man.
This was the last card, on which the desnair-
ing ministers staked their all. On the suc-
cess or failure of this measure, they knew.
must depend their further continuance in
power. The ministerial party put forth all
their efforts to secure victory, and the bill
in fact passed to second reading, but by so
small majority that it amounted to a de.
feat. Still the Ministry held on. The fur
ther discussion of the topic was POSTPONED
from time to time until recently, when, upon
a test vote, they were defeated, and resigned
in consequence.
The rock upon which RUSSELL, GLADSTONE
d 20. split was this: The fifth clause of the
bill, as proposed by the Ministry, conferred
the franchise on all those whose property
would yield clear annual rental of e5.
The Opposition moved to amend this by con.
ferring it on all who are assessed on the
local poor rates for taxation to the amount of
47. By the first method about two hundred
thousand would have been franchised. but bv
Its substitute this number is greatly reduced. !.
being equivalent, as Mr.. BRIGHT remarked.
to raising the qualification two pounds. The
House of Commons decided upon the more
restrictive plan by vote of 315 to 304
making majority Of eleven against the Gov
ernmont.
Mr.. GLADSTONE had previously declared
that the Government would make this test
question. The Ministry were compelled
therefore to resign. 1t rested with the Queen
either to accept this resignation or to dissolve
Parliament, and to allow the people to ex-
press their approval Or disapproval of her
course, according to the character of the new
members they may return to Parliament
The Queen, we think wisely, preferred the
former alternative, and, as the telegraph an.
nounoed yesterday, has accepted their resig-
nation, and sent for the Earl of Derby to "6x
up" new cabinet for her. Of course there
are numerous speculations as to who shall
carry off this portfolio and who that. We
do not profess to be sufficiently versed in
English politics to undertake to "nominatev
cabinet for Her Majesty. A few prominent
names suggest themselves, which one is sure
of in DERBY Ministry but of the remain.
der we cannot be certain.
Curious and amusing even are some of the
tfOubfoH onnnanfod A..