New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-30

seats should be brought forward. This the Ministry
declared would be tanlamount to vote of want ofcon-
fdenoe, and after an exciting debate the Grosyenor
motion was defeated, though BY only five majority
in House containing nominal Liberal majority Of
seventy. Thify-three members, who upon any ques-
ton other than the extension Of the franchise would
have voted for the Government now voted against it,
II was at this stage of the proceedings that we made
our last comments upon the subject.
After the Government had achieved this very du-
bous victory, the Reform bill was read second
time, and then laid oyer until the measure
for redistribution Of seats was introduced by
Mr.. Gladstone. This bill proposed to group to-
gether number Of little boroughs and to dsranchise
Others each having population Of less than 5000,
and now eecting one or two members. BY this
means there would be 40 seats to be disposed Of
which the Government proposed to divide equally be-
tween the largest counties and some of the large
boroughs On the suggestion of Mr. Bouverie, sup
porter of the Government il consented TO have these
bills sent to the Committee Of the Whole House, with
instructions to consolidate them into one But at
this point new difficulties arose. which require expla
nation.
The very moderate degree Of reform proposed by
these measures WILL perhaps, seem to our readers
reason why the Opposition should have been also mod
crate. But in reality, this very fact has excited the
special bitterness Of the Tories and the hybrid
Liberals--the Adullamites, as the Club people say
who act with them. They Know that radl-
cal Reform bill would stand chance, while 1t is
difficult to oppose q scheme so mild as this Accord
ingy, their bitterness has been intensified by the
absence Of any just cause for opposition. Unable to
defeat the Ministry upon square vote, they seize
upon every opportunity of mangling the BILL or
throwing obstacles in the way of its progress. Thus
a motion was made to require the insertion of pro-
visions against bribery in the BILL This sustained
by the whole Tory party, not from any hatred OF
bribery but because it would embarass the bill with
an entirely distinct subject. On this ground the
Ministry opposed the notion but were beaten by
majority Of ten. The next motion was made by Capt.
Hayter, a member from one of the small boroughs
which would be grouped with another if the bill should
pass This motion was to the effect that the whole
grouping scheme should be abandoned 1t was gene
rally supposed that this motion would be carried, IN
which case the Ministers would either have resigned,
or have dissolved Parliament and appealed to the peo
pie at new election. But at the eleventh hour the
dangerous aspect Of affairs on the Continent made
some of the ant-Reform Liberals" unwilling to
turn out the Government. Capt Hayter, therefore,
asked leave to withdraw his motion; but the Minis
teral party sure of defeating it on vote, would not
consent Thercupon, all the opponents of the Min
stry left the House, to avoid voting upon the ques'
ton. which was accordingly unanimously negaryed
But here the Tories fell into trap. While they were
getting beyond the reach of the Sergeant-at-Arms,
the Liberals made good use of the time passed
the bill into Committee, and Immediately reported
progress thus getting rid of several unpleasant propo-
sitions of amendment from tho other side, and
putting the bill into a comparatively safe position.
The next attack was made in Committee, in the
shape of an amendment, moved by Mr. Walpole, an
oldashioned Tory fixing the county franchise quail
fcation at eco instead Of GA, as proposed by the
Ministry. This was rejected by IA majority. On the
same night Lord Stanley moved to postpone action on
the reduction of the franchise qualifications until the
redistribution of seats had been settled. This was
complete surprise upon the House, but was voted
down by % majority
The result thus far is that the Liberal Ministry are
at any rate assured OF power for the rest OF this year.
though their Reform bill is not so secure. They will
probably carry it through the House of Commons,
but not by majority large enough to warrant
them in compelling the House Of Lords to saLction it,
| it. as is likely it is unwilling to do so.